COLUMBIA - Traffic backups near Mill Creek Elementary School have been solved after summer school began Monday. Just even in one day there s been a huge improvement,  Russell Boulevard Elementary parent Jamie Blake said. I know that educators are working really hard to try to get people out there very quick. They re very conscious of what s going on and I m really grateful that they re working so hard for us. Â
Two roundabouts were constructed on Nifong Boulevard at Sinclair Street and Old Mill Creek last year.
According to the city of Columbia, the roundabouts were constructed to improve safety, reduce queue lengths and decrease travel times.Â
COLUMBIA â With construction on Nifong Boulevard, businesses are feeling the impact of additional traffic.
According to the city s website, the improvement adds two additional through lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks and intersection improvements. Those will go along Nifong, between Providence and Willowcreek, and along Forum, between Nifong and Green Meadows.
Businesses in the area said construction has been inconvenient for employees and customers. You don t have a way to get in, so you have to circumnavigate this area just to get to the restaurant, said Anthony Lutz, the store manager at Lutz s BBQ. You could just tell through our lunch rushes that it was just a lot slower.
City Manager John Glascock discussed the state of different government departments.
John Glascock, the city manager, spoke at the State of the City address on Tuesday morning at City Hall.
Glascock said 2021 will be a year of growth.
The city has allotted $1.8 million to help residents with utility and housing payments.
The money will also help local businesses and provide reimbursements for COVID-19 related costs, including the hospitality industry and concert venues.
The co-owner of Addison s, Matt Jemme, said the city has had positive, open dialogue with local businesses. There s the idea of shared sacrifice where the city would be sacrificing some of its fees that it normally gets from businesses because they are asking us to reduce our hours and capacities that we normally have, Jemme said.
COLUMBIA - Columbia Police say they are investigating an attempted burglary at First State Community Bank on Diego Court, just off Nifong Boulevard in Columbia.Â
Police say they responded to a burglary alarm at the bank around 3:30 Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they say the found an abandoned white pickup truck chained to an ATM. The ATM had been pulled off its base and was lying face down.Â
Officials say no money was missing from the ATM. The Columbia Police Department says it does not have a suspect description to release.
The department says anyone with information should contact the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS to remain anonymous.Â