Good morning, Columbia.

As storms swept through Boone County Thursday morning, power outages affected over 700 customers, mostly south of Columbia near Deer Park, according to Boone Electric Cooperative.

Additional outages were reported in Morgan, Gasconade, and other nearby counties + local utilities monitor the situation.

A fire on Tuesday around 4 p.m. forced the new McDonald's on Providence Road to close temporarily as officials investigated the cause while restoration teams assessed damage and two firefighters were treated for heat-related illnesses.

Clementine’s Ice Cream will open a new parlor at 914 E.

Broadway St. downtown Columbia on Aug. 14 — its 12th Midwest location aimed at serving residents, students, and visitors with both dairy and dairy-free flavors.

The Heidelberg, a landmark built by Dick Walls and family near campus, has served generations of students, alumni, and locals since 1963.

The family-owned restaurant evolved by adding new features while keeping its classic charm + it remains a key part of local tradition.

Missouri’s Department of Health reported 1,095 cyclosporiasis cases by Sunday, Aug.

2, linked to contaminated produce & suspected fast food dining, with local hospitals preparing for additional patients as the outbreak continues.

The CDC reported Wednesday that Missouri has the third-highest number of cyclosporiasis illnesses among 15 states, with 568 known cases and 1,095 confirmed statewide, including 96 in Boone County — health officials continue to monitor the outbreak.

On Aug. 5, U.S. News and World Report ranked Missouri hospitals based on specialties, procedures, and patient outcomes — Boone Hospital Center in Columbia tied for No. 8 while Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis held the top spot among several highly rated facilities.