The Columbia Heart Beat

11/13/2025

Who got the doghouse?







https://www.facebook.com/reel/1334865078368681/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

11/13/2025

The Police Officers’ Association (CPOA) is asking the Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB) to remove one of its members over a social media comment that criticized the CPOA president Matt Nichols, a Columbia police sergeant..

The CPOA sent a letter Oct. 27 asking the CPRB to remove Stephanie Yoakum, also the CoMo Mobile Aid public relations director.

A probable cause statement written by Nichols described that he touched a defendant’s breasts during a prostitution sting.

On Facebook, Yoakum alleged it was “on-brand” for Nichols. Yoakum also accused Nichols of running a “local hate group page.”

CPOA attorney Donald Weaver accused Yoakum of violating “The Code of Ethics of the National Coalition on Civilian Law Enforcement."

“Yoakum has access to confidential material related to CPD internal investigation and the conduct of police officers," Weaver added.

Weaver called allegations that Nichols helps run the page "The Real Columbia Missouri" false.

Yoakum also represents the city's Human Rights Commission. She responded with a letter of her own.

“I strongly believe this request represents a profound misunderstanding of the independence and fortitude required for effective civilian oversight,” Yoakum wrote. “Furthermore, it is a clear attempt to censor a board member's participation in public discourse as a citizen and intimidate oversight practitioners. My comments are expressions of personal opinion and political belief, grounded in my community and personal experience, not official findings or statements made on behalf of the CPRB.”

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Officers’ Association is asking the Citizens Police Review Board to remove one of its members over a social media comment that appeared to criticize the CPOA’s president. The CPRB plans to discuss the issue at its regular meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wedn...

11/11/2025

Oh goodie.

11/11/2025

Among an increasing number of black Americans saying "no" to blue America.

11/11/2025

Another of our sister cities.

"At the same time, small business owners describe the toll on the local economy — break-ins, vandalism, and declining foot traffic as once-bustling commercial areas struggle to recover.

"Many longtime Portland businesses have relocated or closed altogether, citing safety concerns and an unmanageable street environment. What began as a housing crisis has now grown into a broader civic crisis — one that affects everyone who lives, works, or visits the city."

The truth is uncomfortable, but it’s one leaders rarely admit: not everyone on the street wants housing. https://bit.ly/3WJ1npF

11/11/2025

STOP!!

Everybody hush!

MAYOR.

Key phrases:

"I was in Rio de Janeiro ..."

" ... climate change ... changing climate .... "

"Our local work on trees, transit, and
energy efficiency ... "

"I was proud to bring Columbia's voice to the global discussion ..."

"Thankful to Bloomberg ... "

"UN ... Climate Mayors ... C40 ... "

11/11/2025

After the nightmare birth of the Biz Loop's first taxing district, the Loop CID, now this TIF POS idea.

Ummm: CoMo supposed progressives who wanna raise taxes on millionaires & billionaires, here's an idea:

STOP GIVING THEM OUR TAX DOLLARS!

And don't slam small local businesses with stuff like the Homeless Opportunity Campus, soon to be the Loop's largest (and totally unregulated) resident.

This is not brain surgery.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is considering a special taxing district for Business Loop 70 that would divert taxes from future development to the companies undertaking those projects. Columbia City Council members met Monday morning to discuss implementing tax incremental financing as a...

11/11/2025

Evening edition

Overheard: "Are Columbia and Boone County shifting their economies from education to incarceration (considering also the giant new homeless center)?"

From the CoMoBuz story below:

"Sheriff Dwayne Carey said can no longer avoid building a much larger jail.

"Carey said the situation has reached a breaking point — the Boone County Jail is now routinely full."

“Today, for example, we have 186 in-house in the Boone County Jail, and we have 192 housed in other counties,” Carey told 93.9 KSSZ’s The Eagle Eye Drive at Five on Thursday.

"Carey said Boone County will likely need a jail capacity in the range of 1,000 to 1,200 beds — four to five times its current size.

"Jackson County’s current jail project, which Carey cited, is roughly 1,200 beds and is expected to cost more than $205 million.

“We're looking at probably 1,000 to 1,200 beds,” Carey said. “It's going to be a process that we're going to have to go through.”

Sheriff Dwayne Carey said Boone County can no longer avoid building a much larger jail. After years of holding down costs by housing overflow inmates in other counties, Carey said

11/10/2025

Evening edition

11/10/2025

Evening edition

OMG, the questions on this new city survey!

5. Choose the best word for Mayor Buffaloe:

a. Amazing
b. Stupendous
c. Wonderful
d. Presidential
e. Awesome

9. City Manager Seewood is:

a. The GOAT
b. Mount Rushmore material
c. A leader for the Ages
d. (Mahomes × Drink + Trav) x Tay
e. All of the above

15. Mizzou president Mun Choi is:

a. Wrong. Downtown is amazeballs.
b. Angling for the police chief's job
c. OK, Boomer
d. A distraction
e. Unable to recognize leadership genius

23. City Hall's constant tax and rate hikes are:

a. The price we pay for excellence
b. An incredible bargain
c. Not nearly enough for what we get
d. Great! The Mayor needs a raise!
e. What tax and rate hikes?

11/10/2025

Never a good look for Columbia City Hall, Boone County government, Columbia Public Schools, or their governing bodies: City Council, County Commission, School Board.

High sales taxes, constantly increasing property taxes (that never fell during the 2008 housing crisis) and utility rates, service shrinkage, six figure administrators everywhere, and massive cash reserve funds that defy gravity and common fiscal sense.

The economic gap between Black residents and other racial groups is growing in Columbia.