Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 27th of January.
Good morning, Columbia.
🏘️ Community
Due to winter weather, nearly half of Columbia’s warming centers closed this weekend, leaving unhoused residents to rely on overnight shelters like Room at the Inn (serving 113 cots) and Harbor House.
Both shelters are short on space and need more volunteers and coat donations as the cold continues.
Volunteers logged 32,764 hours and collected over 7,800 bags of litter in 2025 as they supported parks, recycling, and Adopt-A-Spots efforts in Columbia.
About 7,000 residents also took part, and the volunteer program will launch 2026 with the theme (Join our Volunteer Family).
Ice skating is now open at Stephens Lake Park when the ice is at least 4 inches thick (according to Columbia Parks and Recreation).
Skaters are advised to follow safety tips such as not skating alone and avoiding dark hours.
🚧 Accidents
A house in Mexico caught fire Friday when multiple space heaters overloaded a circuit, and fire officials from Mexico and Columbia urge residents to keep heaters at least 3 feet from flammable materials (using tested units with built-in safety features) to prevent similar incidents.
💼 Business
Columbia-based EquipmentShare became a public company on Friday when its Class A stock began trading on Nasdaq Global Select Market under ticker EQPT.
Founded by brothers Jabbock+Willy Schlacks in 2015, the company now plans further expansion in construction equipment renting and repair.
🎭 Culture
True/False Film Fest will run March 5-8 downtown and offer free passes to low-income households earning below 185% of the federal poverty level, with residents registering online by Feb.
6 and notified on Feb. 11 + pass pick-up starting March 4 at the Sager Reeves Gallery box office.
🏛️ Government
Columbia Public Works began plowing residential roads Monday to ensure every resident is within 1,000 feet of a priority road.
MoDOT crews logged over 1 million miles in their weather response and urged drivers to slow down.
Columbia will host a grant workshop for community groups at 5:30 p.m. today at the Walton Building at 300 S.
Providence Road to help residents learn about applying for Juneteenth grant funding. Applications will open online on Jan. 28 with paper copies available at City Hall and the Walton Building.
The new Columbia Collegiate Advisory Council met Monday night at city hall with nine college students from local schools to focus on safety, housing, accessibility, and public health.
The council elected Moberly student Chloe Campbell as chair and will meet monthly.
🏥 Health
After 3 to 6 inches of snow have covered Columbia since Saturday, MU Health Care doctor Sanders advised residents to wear layered clothing & protective gear to avoid frostbite and slip injuries.
He also warned drivers to keep essential supplies in their vehicles during hazardous travel conditions.
📰 Real Estate
Data from Plaza Commercial Realty shows that downtown vacancy rates remained under 5% in 2025, up from 1.78% in 2016 to 4.65% at the start of this year (reflecting changes in lease lengths and business mix).
The steady increase signals evolving market conditions downtown.
Recent demolitions removed a McDonald’s, 7 Brew and an old gas station in town — developers plan to replace these sites soon with a new gas station and updated commercial outlets.
🎉 Columbia Events
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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.
Baby & Toddler Time
10-11 a.m. — Callaway County Public Library — Free entry — Bond with your little one through books, songs, and play.
Florida Gators vs. Missouri Tigers Women's Gymnastics
5:59-8:59 p.m. — Hearnes Center — Ticket prices vary — Cheer on the Gators as they take on the Tigers in an exciting gymnastics showdown.
Find Fiona with Nightstand
8-10 p.m. — Rose Music Hall — Check event page for ticket info — Experience the emotional melodies of Nightstand's latest single.
Mizzou Women's Basketball vs Georgia
3-5 p.m. — Mizzou Arena — Check out the fierce competition as Mizzou takes on Georgia in women's basketball.
Family Story Time
10-11 AM — Callaway County Public Library — Free entry — Rhymes and stories await families with children ages birth to 5.
Callaway Cares Bingo
5:30-7 p.m. — Holts Summit Lions Club — Games from $1 — Play bingo for a chance to win prizes while supporting a community cause.
🏠 Columbia Real Estate
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💼 Columbia Job Board
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📣 Columbia Announcements
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