Tuesday evening, July 15, 2025

• Columbia residents can meet the finalists for the city’s next Housing and Neighborhood Services director this Friday at city hall. The public meet-and-greet runs from 5-6:30 p.m. The three candidates are John Hall, a longtime federal and local housing official from Washington D.C.; Dion Lewis, a Kansas City deputy director and Air Force veteran; and William Rataj, a veteran of St. Louis housing programs for nearly three decades.

• A Columbia police officer was injured Sunday night while trying to arrest a man at Stephens Lake Park. Officers responded to reports of a homeless man chasing joggers and possibly carrying a knife. They found 45-year-old Jesse Allen Howe, address unknown. His arrest involved a scuffle and one officer suffered a severe knee injury and had to be hospitalized. Howe was charged with assault, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace. He’s a multi-state offender with a long rap sheet. He’s being held without bond in the Boone County jail.

• The Columbia man set on fire on his porch in June died from his injuries yesterday. He was 31-year-old Donovan Baylis. It happened June 15 on Paris Rd. just northeast of College Ave. in Columbia. Baylis was set on fire, along with the porch, just before midnight. The suspect rode off on a bicycle and is still at large. Columbia police describe him as a skinny white male, about 6-feet tall, with brown hair and a mustache. Anyone with information is asked to call police or CrimeStoppers. A $2,500 reward is available.

• An argument between two brothers turned into a knife fight about 5:40 yesterday afternoon on Lambeth Drive in northeast Columbia. One of the brothers pulled a knife. Both were hurt and taken to the hospital but expected to recover. Police are still investigating.

• The hearing scheduled for this afternoon in the Smarr v. LaFontaine lawsuit in Boone County Circuit Court was postponed until July 29. 

• A new in-house chief general counsel position was approved by the Columbia Public Schools board of education last night. Board members said the role is designed to cut back on the use of outside lawyers. The annual salary will range up to just over $200,000.

• A man is facing felony charges after a wild boat chase Saturday night on Lake of the Ozarks. Loren Peters of Sunrise Beach is accused of throwing a woman off his boat and then leading law enforcement on the chase. He eventually ditched the boat, ran into the woods, and later surrendered, according to the highway patrol. Charges include boating while intoxicated.

• Tuesday night at the Boone County Fair is all about the kids. At 6 p.m., it's the Baby Contest, then the Tiny and Little Mr. & Miss take the stage. The carnival is in full swing, and the beer garden is open with live music. Gates are open 5-9 p.m.

• The Columbia Board of Realtors is hosting a candidate forum Wednesday afternoon at its office on Bernadette Dr. The special election is Aug. 5 for a vacant second-ward seat on the Columbia City Council. The two candidates seeking the seat are Vera Elwood and Ken Rice. The forum begins at 4 p.m.

• Frog gigging season is underway and runs through October in Missouri. Daily bag limits are eight bullfrogs and eight green frogs. If you’re gigging, you need a fishing license. If you use a firearm, you need a small game license.

• Clear and 73 tonight. Cloudy and humid on Wednesday. High temperatures near 91.

Today's headlines:

Elwood, Rice report campaign contributions

• Recent obituaries are here.