Good morning, Columbia.

More than 260,000 people have registered for Missouri's Great ShakeOut earthquake drill scheduled for Oct.

15 at 10:15 a.m. The drill will let individuals, schools, and businesses practice drop, cover, hold on in the active New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Missouri diesel prices stayed near record highs on Friday as costs increased to $6.31 a gallon, up from $3.41 last year.

Trucking companies and owner-operators face higher expenses as they prepare for the upcoming holiday shipping season.

La Petite École has taught children for over 20 years and now launches its campaign to secure a permanent campus in Columbia.

The school is seeking community support to expand its facilities and continue its French immersion program.

Superior Garden Center advises locals to plant a mix of Sugar Maple, Fothergilla, Ginkgo, Sedum, and Oakleaf Hydrangea to create striking fall color in their gardens.

Readers can seek expert guidance on plant selection for a landscape that changes beautifully throughout the seasons.

MoDOT will narrow westbound I-70 near the U.S. 63 connector Friday night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to finish final bolt work on a new flyover ramp (providing a direct route for northbound U.S. 63 drivers); the ramp will open by the end of 2026.

The Missouri Department of Transportation said the Providence Road bridge will be complete by November (if weather holds), with on- and off-ramps opening sooner than the bridge.

Spencer Robinson said paving will begin the week of Oct. 5 and crews will soon remove the old pavement.

Students at the University of Missouri hosted a blood drive that collected 5,150 units from Sept.

21–24 (setting a national record) as over 100 American Red Cross staff supported the effort to help patients in need.

A Boone County judge issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday in Columbia, blocking Boone Health from interfering with PulsePoint Cardiovascular’s operations; the order took effect immediately and will last until the preliminary injunction hearing (9 a.m. Oct.

22).

University of Missouri Health Care is hosting a drive-thru vaccine clinic today at South Providence Medical Park (551 Veterans United Drive) offering flu shots for ages 6 months and older, COVID-19 vaccines for ages 12 and older, and high-dose flu shots for ages 65 and older.

Patients should bring insurance and wear loose clothing.

MU Health Care is following AAFP guidance and offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for anyone aged 6 months and older at its flu and COVID vaccination events in Columbia through October; patients need only bring a photo ID and insurance card (no appointment required).