Columbia Businessman Charged With Hiring A Man To Set A Fire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Columbia businessman charged with hiring a man to set a fire will remain in jail on a $5 million cash-only bond. A Boone County judge Friday ruled bond wouldn't be reduced for 60-year-old Mehrdad Fotoohighiam, charged with first-degree arson. The Columbia Daily Tribune reports Fotoohighiam's attorney argued the bond was excessive. The state contended the bond should not be revoked because the businessman would likely flee to his native Iraq.