Browning is Retiring from City/County Health Department Leadership
Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Director Stephanie Browning will retire from the city of Columbia effective October 11, 2024, after twenty-five years of service to the community. The city manager’s office announced the news in a September 4 news release. As the director for PHHS, she serves residents in the city of Columbia, other towns in the county, and rural areas in Boone County. During her tenure, PHHS achieved national accreditation status from the Public Health Accreditation Board, one of only 397 in the country to have that distinction. She led the department through many significant events, such as the H1N1 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics.
CALE and Columbia College Partner for Student Success
CALE High School and Columbia College have announced a partnership to increase high school students’ educational and academic opportunities. The partnership will offer CALE High School students a unique perspective on academic life beyond the traditional high school setting as they prepare for post-secondary opportunities by creating customized and individual learning plans. Additionally, the partnership will provide practical classroom experience for higher education students in education degree programs.
Plein Air Artist’s Oil Portrait Chosen for Columbia’s 2024 Commemorative Poster
Artist Gloria Gaus’ “Prairie Sky” oil portrait was unveiled recently as the city of Columbia’s 2024 commemorative poster. Each year since 1992, the city has produced an annual commemorative poster to communicate the vitality and beauty of Columbia. The 2024 poster was recognized on August 21 at a fundraiser for the Columbia Arts Fund at the Boone County History & Culture Center.
Columbia City Departments Achieve Accreditation Again
The city of Columbia departments of Public Works, Utilities, Economic Development, and Community Development recently received full accreditation by the American Public Works Association (APWA) for the seventh time. “These four departments have dedicated themselves to continuous improvement and excellence, and I believe this accreditation highlights staff’s commitment to going above and beyond in providing services and programs that our residents desire and deserve,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in a news release. Formally awarded the prestigious accreditation for the seventh time, the city departments were first awarded APWA Accreditation in 2001. In addition to Columbia, accredited agencies in Missouri include the cities of Belton, Chesterfield, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Maryland Heights, Raymore, and Springfield.
Quin Gresham Announces Departure from Lyceum Theatre
After nineteen seasons advancing the artistic legacy of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Producing Artistic Director Quin Gresham takes his final bow in October after accepting the position of artistic director at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Gresham came to The Lyceum as an actor in 1999 and has appeared in more than fifty productions. The Lyceum’s Board of Directors will soon announce plans for the search for a new artistic director. Gresham will return to Arrow Rock this winter to direct the tenth anniversary production of his acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which will be performed December 13 through December 22.
County Commission Gives ARPA Funds to Boone Health
The Boone County Commission has awarded $475,390 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Boone Health for the expansion of its Progressive Care Unit (PCU). The investment will enhance Boone Hospital’s capacity to provide advanced care for patients. The planned expansion of the PCU includes increase in capacity, improved patient flow, cardiology overflow, and updated monitoring system.
