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The pillar outside the office of Pettis County Public Administrator Charli Ackerman is beginning to fill up with paper hearts as the ninth annual Helping Hearts campaign kicks off this week.The monthlong fundraiser brings in $2,000 or more each...... Full story

During its work session today, the Sedalia City Council will hear from Olsson Associates about the recent Washington Avenue Bridge study. The bridge, built in 1911, was closed in early December after engineers found it to be unsafe. The city has two...... Full story

Aaron Embry was the first member of his family to reach the Wheel Thing Skate Center following the Sedalia’s May 25 tornado. “I had to park on Grand and walk over through all the downed power lines and trees. When I got here there was a...... Full story

By all accounts it was a successful first day of volunteering for Sedalians Bill Weigand and Angela Green-Ford as the pair helped prepare a meal for the Sedalia Salvation Army’s Red Shield Cafe. The duo first met Monday morning after deciding...... Full story

Smith-Cotton Junior High Principal Wade Norton has been busy with his “night job” — pursuing, preserving and displaying items that were part of the original Smith-Cotton High School building, which now houses the junior high. His...... Full story

Jeff Redford not only is seeking re-election to his Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education seat, he is running for a spot on the State Fair Community College Board of Trustees.“The relationship between the school district and the...... Full story

It is back to the drawing board for state Senate maps after the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday invalidated postcensus boundaries released in December. After Tuesday’s decision, incumbents and prospective challengers are left wondering what...... Full story

It came down to the wire, but there will be a contested Sedalia City Council race on the April 3 ballot, after Ward 4 incumbent Pam Carter filed Tuesday night, just seven minutes before the deadline. “It’s been an honor and privilege to...... Full story

Ron Jennings was remembered Monday with songs, stories and a lot of laughs — which is just the way he planned it. Jennings, longtime reporter and columnist for the Sedalia Democrat, died Friday at age 62 after years of battling brain cancer....... Full story

Sedalia has a chance to win up to $50,000 through the Reader’s Digest “We Hear You America” contest. The national contest encourages residents to register at wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com and vote for their hometown. In...... Full story

The sudden change to more seasonal January temperatures drove community members into the courthouse for the official dedication of the Pettis County Courthouse Memorial on Thursday.The memorial, consisting of original bases and capitals and newly...... Full story

The Center for Human Services will see its support of employment opportunities for those with disabilities grow after a $500,000 donation from the estates of longtime supporters Robert W. Mason and his son, Mark W. Mason. The elder Mason led Union...... Full story

The Pettis County Commission gave final approval to the 2012 budget after a public hearing on Tuesday.Presiding Commissioner John Meehan said that estimating anticipated revenues is “challenging” but believes a formula that combines a...... Full story

During a public hearing Monday about a proposed half-cent sales tax that would fund the creation of the Pettis County Ambulance District, residents in attendance learned of a stumbling block to the effort — a lack of funds. “Right now,...... Full story

Sedalia VFW Post 2591 is seeking veterans and their spouses to participate in a job fair scheduled for Feb. 14.Post Commander Gary Gill said the event, held in conjunction with the Sedalia Career Center, is open to current or honorably discharged...... Full story