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Weak twister briefly visits Pettis County, second one a possibility

At least one and potentially two weak tornadoes were on the ground briefly Monday evening in Pettis County — part of a multi-state storm system that also spurred a deadly tornado in Moore, Okla.

By earning scholarships, S-C’s Class of ’13 has begun the fight for employment in tough economy

Valedictorian Zach Wolf solved a Rubik’s cube on stage Saturday at the Smith-Cotton High School Class of 2013 graduation ceremony. It was a metaphor for the complex puzzles students have to solve en route to getting that diploma.

Tuscany Garden Italian Restaurant gets new name when it welcomes new owner

Benny Morina, of Tuscany Garden, is saying goodbye and turning the restaurant’s reigns over to new owner, Robert “Skip” Blackburn, of Osage Beach on June 1.

Family remembers fallen soldier

By Latisha Koetting

Former Sedalian Sgt. 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea’s life mission was to put others above himself. He believed until the end of his life that he was making a difference helping the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. On May 15, he died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during combat operations while serv…

Soldier dies in Afghanistan

Democrat Staff

Sergeant 1st Class Trenton L. Rhea, 33, of Kansas City, died May 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 603rd Military Police Company in Belton and deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom.

Meth seizure called biggest in Sedalia

After a yearlong investigation, Sedalia Police Department officers arrested a Sedalia man after finding a pound of meth in his home.

Steak ‘n’ Shake coming to Sedalia

Steakburgers and milkshakes are coming to the west side of town when Steak’n Shake opens in October.

Sacred Heart Class of 2013 boasts ‘hard workers and overachievers’

Sacred Heart High School Valedictorian Miranda Meyer encouraged her fellow graduates to “go on adventures, explore, have fun, make new memories and meet new people” during remarks at the school’s 2013 commencement ceremony on Sunday.

Teen sentenced on sodomy charges

Democrat Staff

A Sedalia teenager was sentenced in Division Six Circuit Court on Monday to serve two 15-year sentences on sodomy charges.

Sedalia man sentenced in child sex case

Democrat Staff

A Sedalia man was sentenced in Division 6 Circuit Court on Wednesday to 15 years in prison for child molestation.

Man takes a long walk in his wife’s memory

Dave Brown is a man on a mission — 14 miles a day.

Barton named S-C Jr. High assistant principal

Democrat Staff

The Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education announced the hiring of Kendra Barton as assistant principal at Smith-Cotton Junior High School.

Prep baseball: Langston, Gremlins get outdueled by West Platte in sectional

By Eric Ingles Democrat Sports Reporter eingles@civitasmedia.com

In a pitcher’s duel between Sacred Heart’s Nik Langston and West Platte’s Logan Moose, Moose got the upper hand and West Platte got the 1-0 win in the sectional on Wednesday at Liberty Park Stadium.

School district honors employees

Teachers, administrators and support staff were honored Monday at the Sedalia Community Educators’ Association’s annual banquet.

Big Ass Rock Festival hopes to get noticed

Crystal Butler, a Benton County native who has promoted music festivals in Kansas City and Oklahoma, is putting on her biggest festival yet right in her own backyard. Or close to it, at least.

Women hurt in Benton County crash

Two women were injured in a vehicle accident at 11:50 a.m. Friday in Benton County.

4 injured in 2-vehicle Morgan County crash

Democrat Staff

Four people were injured in a two-vehicle crash at 11:55 a.m. Saturday in Morgan County.

May 23 Police Reports

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. The information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Seniors roll out electric motorcycle

By Bob Satnan Special to the Democrat

Their high school careers may be over, but a trio of Smith-Cotton Class of 2013 members will continue to work this summer on a project guaranteed to take them places.

May 18-19 Sedline

“I thought it was against the law to throw your grass clippings in the streets. Take a trip down 16th Street by the fairgrounds and the sidewalks are covered in grass and it is four or five feet into the street. It really looks bad. “

May 20 Police Reports

Democrat Staff

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. The information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Winchester Meadows readies for new facility

Winchester Meadows Retirement Community will soon break ground on a new building that will bring 28 apartments for those needing assisted living facilities.

Past, present meet at Whittier graduation ceremony

Reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future were the themes at the Whittier High School graduation ceremony, held Friday at Smith-Cotton Junior High School.

Proposed smoking ban hot topic at council meeting

The wording and extent of a proposed smoking ban in Sedalia again dominated discussions during Thursday night’s meeting of the Sedalia City Council.

2 from Green Ridge killed in Johnson accident

Democrat Staff

Two Green Ridge residents were killed in a two-vehicle hit-and-run accident at 12:28 a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.

Show Me Honor Flight

Veterans who spent the day visiting the war memorials in Washington D.C. on a Show Me Honor Flight arrive back in Sedalia on a chartered bus Wednesday night. The Sedalia Fire Department welcomes the veterans with an arched water salute as spectators, out of reach of the water, crowd near …

May 18-19 Police Reports

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. The information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Class of 2013: In their own words

COLE CAMP HIGH SCHOOL

Prep baseball: Gremlins, West Platte to meet in baseball

By Kyle Smith Democrat Sports Editor kylesmith@civitasmedia.com

Same schools. Different sport.

Council to discuss definitions of bars, restaurants for possible smoke ban

Democrat Staff

The legal definition of what classifies a bar and restaurant will be discussed by the Sedalia City Council Monday at its regular meeting.

Sedalia School District Foundation brings smiles when handing out mini-grants

Deidre Esquivel, Amanda Blackburn and Betty Albrecht could barely contain their excitement Wednesday morning.

Volunteers needed for Memorial Day flag duty

Volunteers are needed to assist groups who place flags by the graves of deceased veterans for Memorial Day weekend.

Five involved in Cooper County accident

Democrat Staff

Five people were involved in a vehicle accident at 1:37 p.m. Monday in Cooper County.

A wreath for Whiteman

Twenty-five years ago, the trio of Eva Myers, John Rucker and James Callis worked with the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and attended the first memorial ceremony held to honor 2nd Lt. George A.Whiteman, who died in combat Dec. 7, 1941, at  Pearl Harbor.

Prep baseball: Bluebirds don’t capitalize in 4-3 loss in Class 2 sectional

By Eric Ingles Democrat Sports Reporter eingles@civitasmedia.com

COLE CAMP — Archie scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to beat Cole Camp 4-3 in a Class 2 baseball sectional Tuesday, ending the Bluebirds’ season at 15-8.

Therapy dog Legacy is a hit with La Monte Elementary students

LA MONTE — It’s a tough life being a dog.

Prep baseball: Playoffs games postponed

Democrat Staff

All three high school baseball playoff games involving local teams were postponed Monday.

Senior Legion baseball: Travelers boast depth, skill

By Kyle Smith Democrat Sports Editor kylesmith@civitasmedia.com

Pitching depth and a veteran line-up provide hope for the Sedalia Post 642 senior Legion baseball team.

Prep baseball: Storms don’t stop Bluebirds, head coach

By Jason Strickland Democrat Intern TSDsports@civitasmedia.com

COLE CAMP — Heavy rain pummeled the area Monday  as thunderstorms rolled through, but that didn’t stop the Cole Camp Bluebirds from playing baseball Tuesday.

Dukes & Boots to host fundraiser to help Moore, Okla.

Dukes & Boots will host a fundraiser this week for the victims of the EF5 tornado that hit Moore, Okla. on Monday.

Rich: Changes coming to our columnist lineup

I’ve had the opportunity over the last few weeks to have some honest and profitable conversations with readers and community members regarding the future of the Democrat.

Rainforest at Skyline

Skyline Elementary School first-grader Landon Poort stays in character as a sloth and walks slowly offstage during a class production Tuesday about the animals of the rainforest. Seth Estes and Patience McGinnis, in hats, portray two visitors to the rain forest wondering what makes the ra…

Prep boys track and field: S-C seeks first trip to state medal podium since 2009

By Eric Ingles, Democrat Sports Reporter eingles@civitasmedia.com

The Smith-Cotton track and field team is preparing to go where no Tigers have gone since 2010.

The Democrat Goes on Vacation to Destin, Fla.

Submitted photo

Valerie Poort, left, and Dorothy Poort, both of Sedalia, recently traveled to Destin, Fla. During their stay, the pair had their photo taken with a copy of the Democrat in front of a helicopter that later took them on a ride over the ocean.