Columbia protester removed from tree as trail construction starts

Authorities have removed a protester from a Columbia tree.

Sutu Forte was in that tree for more than a week because she did not want a trail built in forests near Bluff Dale Drive. Construction on the trail started Monday.

Forte, 67, was brought down peacefully. The Boone County Sheriff’s Department says she was cooperative after being told the physical risk to law enforcement if she resisted being brought down.

(This story was last updated at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday.)