Thursday, October 22

Around the Counties

Early voting is off to a solid start in Boone County. Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon says 988 voters cast no-excuse absentee ballots on the first day this week — a little behind the pace the county saw before the 2024 general election. Lennon says she’s hoping for 60% turnout, though the high 50s is more likely, still above a typical midterm. No-excuse early voting runs through 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. For hours, locations and what to bring in Boone, Howard and Cooper counties, see our early voting guide, and for where the candidates stand, see our county race guide. (Columbia Missourian)

Columbia Public Schools held its second community meeting on a 10-year facilities plan Wednesday night at Smithton Middle School, drawing roughly 100 parents, teachers and board members. Planners showed five scenarios for aging buildings — including one that would combine Benton STEM and Ridgeway elementaries into a new building — and asked attendees to mark support or opposition with colored stickers. The district hasn’t set a budget; the last 10-year plan ran $190 million. Two more open houses are planned, including one by Zoom, before the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee takes it up next. (Columbia Missourian)

What’s Changing for Hunters This Fall?

The Missouri River at Boonville is running 10.19 feet and falling, well below flood stage — good footing for anyone getting out on the water or the bottoms this week.

Waterfowl hunters around here have two things to double-check before heading out. The Missouri Department of Conservation has temporarily suspended waterfowl hunting at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County while crews replace the water-supply pumps that keep its wetlands flooded for the season — MDC can’t say when it’ll reopen and is asking hunters to call the area hotline, 573-446-6743, for updates. Separately, MDC moved the boundary between the North and Middle duck zones in a stretch that touches Boone, Howard and Cooper counties, so hunters here should check MDC’s zone map before they go; the Middle Zone’s season runs Nov. 7–Dec. 13, then resumes Dec. 19–Jan. 10. Mallard numbers statewide are the lowest estimate since 1993. (MDC, MDC)

Deer hunters: sampling for chronic wasting disease is open all season in Boone and Howard counties, voluntary unless you’re hunting opening weekend of firearms season (Nov. 14–15) in Audrain, Callaway or Montgomery counties, where it’s mandatory this year. Voluntary drop sites in the central region include MDC’s Columbia office and self-service freezers; MDC asks hunters to remove the head with about six inches of neck and record their Telecheck ID. (MDC)

What’s Happening This Weekend in Rocheport?

Today, the Daniel Boone Library Bookmobile stops in Rocheport at 3 p.m., and Locals Night follows at 4 p.m. Friday brings the Sam Luetkemeyer Trio at the Tasting Room, 6 p.m., and a Laird Vineyard tasting at the Rocheport Winery, 5:30 p.m. Saturday is a big one: Rocheport Live! fills venues across town, Sat., Oct. 24, including a violin shop open house at Noble Strings with Bur Oak Brewery pouring, noon, and Friends of Rocheport’s chili, ham and bean, and hot dog dinner on Central Street, 11 a.m.

Roads & I-70

If you were hoping for a faster speed limit on I-70 through here, it’s not happening. MoDOT announced this week where the new 75 mph limit is going on rural interstates — I-29, I-35, I-49 and I-55 — and none of it touches I-70 near Boonville, Columbia or Rocheport. Crews will update signs on those other routes this fall. (MoDOT)

What is happening on I-70 is more construction. Westbound traffic near Boonville shifts into the new median lanes starting around 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, with the Route 5 (Exit 101) and Route 87 (Exit 106) ramps closed overnight into Oct. 30–31; MoDOT suggests Routes 135 and 41 as a detour. It’s part of the same Boonville-to-Rocheport widening project covered in our Route J interchange story and last week’s median shift. Farther east, nighttime lane reductions for guard-cable repair could start as early as Oct. 26 on I-70 in Montgomery and Warren counties, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., left lane only. Check current closures on our road conditions page before you go. (MoDOT, MoDOT)