Good morning, Columbia.

Ameren urges customers in Missouri and Illinois needing help with winter energy bills to apply for assistance; Missouri’s Dollar More program offers up to $600 and Illinois’ Warm Neighbors Cool Friends provides up to $500.

Local nonprofits help households (income criteria up to 300% of federal poverty level) access support.

Columbia firefighters extinguished an accidental basement fire at a building on the 30 block of North Eighth Street Thursday afternoon after it started in a dryer.

Fire crews ventilated both the building and an adjacent block after detecting high carbon monoxide levels — trainees then practiced equipment packing close by.

Columbia Parks and Recreation has opened applications for the CARE program that gives about 150 youth job training and practical work experience.

The program, available for ages 14 to 20, offers placements in child care, retail, office and utility settings (applications close March 9).

MoDOT closed a lane on eastbound I-70 at St. Charles Road for emergency repairs and drivers are advised to take alternate routes & allow extra travel time.

The lane briefly reopened Thursday afternoon before closing again at 6 p.m., with crews planning to reopen it by 3 p.m. today.

The Parks and Recreation Commission met at Douglass Park on Thursday to discuss updating its basketball courts—one painted blue for Douglass High School and the other honoring Moonlight Hoops—and will recommend the plan to council, aiming to complete the courts by June and all renovations by Sept. 2026.

Columbia City Council will discuss a Red Bull application for the 2026 chariot races at its Monday night meeting.

The event will take place on Saturday, Apr. 11 downtown with four-person teams racing themed, human-powered chariots and setup starting at 5 a.m. before concluding at 9 p.m.

Columbia Parks and Recreation will hold a 6:30 p.m. Thursday hearing at the Activity and Recreation Center to discuss a revised blue and gray design for Douglass Park basketball courts featuring Douglass Bulldogs and Moonlight Hoops Est.

1989 + if approved, construction will begin immediately with completion by June.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released its 2025 baby name list today, with Charlotte + Theodore topping the rankings; three new names entered the top 10 compared to last year, and the state’s list diverges from national trends.

Columbia launches the Kick it in CoMo campaign to boost tourism ahead of the summer World Cup — the city is just two hours from Kansas City.

University of Missouri Hockey vs. University of Nebraska

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Washington Park Ice Arena — Ticket information varies — Catch an exciting hockey game as the University of Missouri faces off against the University of Nebraska.

Celebration of Missouri Food and Wine

6-9 p.m. — COMO Marketing — Tickets required — Experience a four-course tasting menu by renowned Columbia chefs highlighting local cuisine and wine.

Intro to Shapeoko CNC Routers Class

6:00-8:30 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — All materials included — Learn about the Shapeoko router and elevate your woodworking skills while adhering to safety protocols.

Intro to Machine Embroidery Class

6:00-8:30 p.m. — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — All materials provided — Learn to use the Melco Bravo embroidery machine and create your own embroidered item.

Missouri Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners Basketball Game

1-3 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Check ticket prices — Watch the University of Oklahoma take on the Missouri Tigers in an exciting college basketball matchup.

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Missouri Tigers Women's Basketball

5-7 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Free trial available — Experience exciting college basketball as Texas A&M takes on Missouri in this SEC showdown.

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Jesse Hall Auditorium — Tickets from $116 — Experience an unforgettable performance by the renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Columbia, MO.

Dance Mix at Capital Ritz

7-10 p.m. — Capital Ritz Banquet & Dance Center — Entry fee applies — Experience an evening of diverse dancing styles to a lively mix of music.

Basics of Industrial Sewing Workshop

10 AM – 1 PM — MACCLab | A Community Makerspace — All materials included — Learn to work with industrial sewing machines and create a tote bag while mastering essential techniques.

Family Story Time

10-11 a.m. — Callaway County Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy rhymes and stories designed for families with children ages birth to 5.