It took a while Tuesday but they pulled it up and got it down, all 102,000 pounds of floor beams, stringers, concrete, and truss framework that make up the center span of the Washington Avenue bridge which crosses the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Larry "Cowboy" Proemsey, president of crane services with Skyview Construction and Engineering, of Washington, Mo., center, directs the operation late Tuesday afternoon. About 105 feet of boom extension was used in the operation which involved lifting the span and swinging it to the south side of the tracks where it was placed.

From left, Washington Elementary students Alexander Gonzalez, Drake Keele, Luis Sotelo, Mikaila Carranza, Kira McPhail, Andreya Kukosh, Chris Pagel and Ana Blas pose with author Roderick Townley at the Children’s Literature Festival.The students met several authors including Henry Cole and Roland Smith. The students were sponsored by the Sedalia Literacy Council.

Sandy Maxwell, of Green Ridge, traveled to Gig Harbor, Wash., to visit her youngest daughter and her family. While visiting, Sandy and her daughter, Sara Araiza, and two grandchildren (Brooklyn Trolinger and Laredo Araiza) drove to Port Angeles, Wash., and then rode the Coho Ferry to Victoria, British Columbia.

By now we all know that when President Barack Obama said he sought to “fundamentally” change America, he meant it.

Samantha Chantal Washington graduated from the University of Central Missouri on May 9. She received a master of science degree in speech language pathology.

The Washington Street Bridge will be closed for repairs during the daytime hours today and all of next week, the city of Sedalia announced.

Effective immediately, the Washington Street Overpass, the bridge located at Main Street and Washington Avenue, is closed for repairs. The overpass will reopen to through traffic on Friday.

Washington Elementary recently announced character students of the month for

WASHINGTON, Mo. — The Washington Town and Country Fair, consistently one of the three largest fairs in Missouri, features entertainment, a large midway, tractor and truck pulls, livestock shows and displays of artists and merchants. This year’s fair will be Wednesday to Aug. 9 at the Washington Fairgrounds.

A cheer went up in the Washington Elementary School gymnasium as surprised students got a first look at what will await them when they return.

The four local students attending the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. will send The Democrat photos documenting their trip. Check back to see the sights from the nation's capital!

Washington Elementary School will have its reading night Thursday. A buy one, get one free book fair will be from 4:45 to 5:10 p.m. and from 8 to 8:30 p.m.

Twenty-four youths and five adults from Sedalia participated in the ProLife March in Washington, D.C. These Sacred Heart students attended a youth rally at Comcast Center on Jan. 26 and brought a copy of the Democrat with them. Front row, from left, are Virginia Vanegas, Elizabeth Freels, Tania Guillen, Shirine Dietrich, and Alice Sendrine. Back row: Brannon Oesterle, Jacob Smothers and Caleb Wilson.