The following is a brief of the story. For the full version, see the Wednesday, Dec. 31 print edition of the BDN.
2008 has been a busy year for the Boone’s Lick and the BDN has been there to cover it all along. Following are the 10 top BDN stories of 2008.
1. A year of politics.
While the presidential election was historic in nature and the state races were heated, Cooper and Howard counties had their own highly anticipated races. 2008 saw officials resigning due to scandal, incumbents unseated and record numbers of people flocking to the polls to have their voices heard.
2. Boonville's annexation attempt
While it could technically be considered an election story, the annexation attempt took on a life of its own. Following a year and a half of planning, the proposed annexation issue – which would have added nearly 1,400 acres to Boonville – failed by a slim margin in the August election. To pass, the measure required a simple majority – 50 percent plus one vote – of registered voters in each the city and those in the proposed annexation area. Those inside of the Boonville city limits voted overwhelmingly in favor of it. Outside of the city, it was defeated by a margin of 6 votes.
3. Year of the bridges
With more developments with the MKT Bridge in Boonville, the demolition of the Missouri River bridge at Glasgow and the possible removal of the viaduct in New Franklin, Boone’s Lick bridges have been big news this year.
4. A bad year for fires
When a home burns down, it's never good. For Cooper County, the 2008 year was filled with house fires that left several families with no where to go and plans to rebuild.
5. A pressing need in Boonville
As the economy has been struggling nationally, the effects have been felt locally. More and more people have had to rely on additional help. That’s where Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry has come in. Formerly operated by the Boonslick Ministerial Alliance, the organization moved into their new location -- behind the Boonville Daily News -- in February of 2008.
6. Construction of a super change
After months of hard work, the new WalMart Supercenter store is finally beginning to take shape.
7. When it rains ir pours
Continuous rain struck mid-Missouri thanks to Hurricane Ike in September, leaving many AmerenUE customers without electricity for several hours on multiple mornings during the week's time. The possibility of more rains and power outages kept AmerenUE crews from going to the Gulf Coast.
