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Sedalia area crash reports for Oct. 9

Sedalia woman seriously injured in Pettis County crash  A Sedalia woman, 23, suffered serious injuries at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday in a Pettis County accident. According to a Missouri State …

Sedalia area police reports for Oct. 9

Sedalia Police Department Arrests Oct 6 8:56 p.m.: Lara M. Orton, 23, was arrested after police stopped a motor vehicle for a traffic violation near Limit Avenue and Duke Drive. The …
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Jamie Platt, director of the University of Central Missouri Gallery of Art & Design, explains the work of Sammie Jane Hardwig. Hardewig’s exhibit, “Protruding Pigments,” opened Monday, Oct. 5 and focuses on the use of house paint to create “paint skins” and three-dimensional sculptures.

New UCM exhibit ‘extends the definition of painting’

WARRENSBURG — “Protruding Pigments” is a newly opened exhibit by Sammie Jane Hardewig, of Marquette, Michigan, created with “paint skins,” or dried latex paint, and focusing on the beauty …
Paul Kolyesnykov, DPM

Foot and ankle surgeon joins Bothwell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Paul Kolyesnykov, DPM, a fellowship-trained reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon, has joined Bothwell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and will begin seeing patients Oct. 12. A Smith-Cotton High …

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VIDEO: Plays of the Week for Sept. 27-Oct. 3

Blake Abey, Tessa Martin, Kolton Phillips and Avery Case break down their highlights in the Sedalia Democrat's Plays of the Week for Sept. 27-Oct. 3!   Have a play you want …

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Local news
Gasoline prices at Casey's gas stations on Sept. 17, 2026.

With election pressure mounting, states move to suspend fuel taxes

With Election Day less than a month away, lawmakers in several states are suspending gas taxes or rolling back regulations on diesel fuel as voters grow increasingly frustrated with rising fuel costs …
Household water bills are increasing faster than inflation and income, according to a new analysis by the nonprofit Food and Water Watch.

Americans’ water bills are growing faster than groceries, inflation

Household water bills are increasing faster than inflation and income, according to a new analysis. The environmental advocacy nonprofit Food and Water Watch analyzed water bill data among the …
From left: Mark Parks, Jeff Lloyd, Brandan Borman, Doug Christie, and Gene Henry

Sedalia resident honored for Revolutionary War heritage preservation

Sedalia resident Brendan Borman was recently awarded the prestigious America 250th Anniversary Bronze Medal and Certificate by the Martin Warren Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution …

Sedalia area community calendar for Oct. 11-17

To have your event or meeting listed, send details to news@sedaliademocrat.com or call 660-826-1000.

Sedalia area police report for Sept. 8

Sedalia Police Department Arrests Oct 6 8:56 p.m.: Lara M. Orton, 23, was arrested after police stopped a motor vehicle for a traffic violation near Limit Avenue and Duke Drive. The …

Smith-Cotton NHS named Chapter of Distinction

Smith-Cotton High School’s National Honor Society chapter has been recognized with the  Chapter of Distinction award for its exemplary record of leadership,service and efforts to  improve …
Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek visited the Pettis County Commission Wednesday to explain several treasurer's office programs intended to save money and provide access to funds.

Malek highlights state treasury programs during Pettis County visit

Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek brought coffee, doughnuts and a message about money Wednesday, Oct. 7, as he visited the Pettis County Commission to discuss programs available through his …
Local Sports

Kaysinger Conference Volleyball Tournament bracket set for Saturday

Stover junior Lainee Menning bumps the ball during a match against Cole Camp on Sept. 22. Menning and the Lady Bulldogs finished pool play undefeated to advance to the Kaysinger Conference Volleyball Tournament semifinals.
The Kaysinger Conference Volleyball Tournament has been trimmed down to its final six contenders.  Following two nights of pool play, Cole Camp, Stover, Smithton, La Monte, Otterville and …
Smith-Cotton boys soccer high-fives William Chrisman
Smith-Cotton boys soccer defeated William Chrisman 5-0 on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Susie Ditzfeld Memorial Soccer Field.  Senior Jose Reyes and junior Kadyn England each scored two goals, while …
Smith-Cotton senior Hannah Lowman lines up her shot during the S-C Classic on Sept. 14. Lowman qualified for the MSHSAA Class 4 State Championship on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Four area golfers punch ticket to MSHSAA State Championships
For the third year in a row, Hannah Lowman will represent Smith-Cotton at the MSHSAA Girls Golf State Championships.  The S-C senior clinched her spot by placing 11th with a 84 in the Class …
Area Sports Calendar for Oct. 9-12
Friday, Oct. 9 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 7 p.m. - Capital City at Smith-Cotton 7 p.m. - Missouri Military Academy at Cole Camp 7 p.m. - Tipton at Fayette 7 p.m. - Westran at …
SFCC men’s soccer wins third straight
State Fair Community College men’s soccer defeated St. Louis Community College 4-2 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Roadrunner Athletic Complex. The Roadrunners (8-4-1, 3-1 Region 16) led 2-0 at …
SFCC women’s soccer drops regular-season home finale to St. Louis
State Fair Community College women’s soccer lost to St. Louis Community College 4-2 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Roadrunner Athletic Complex.  The Archers led 2-0 at halftime. The Lady …
Windsor's Rowan Cox (22) carries the ball during the Class 1 District 5 championship game against Adrian on Nov. 14, 2025. Cox became the Greyhounds' all-time leading rusher on Friday, Oct. 2.
Cox breaks Windsor football’s career rushing yards record
When opposing teams scheme for Windsor football, planning for Rowan Cox is a necessity.   For the two-time all-state senior running back, success has hinged on a straightforward …
In the Community
Education
For Alice Tester, teaching is about more than helping students complete assignments or earn a diploma. It’s about helping young people recognize their potential. Tester is in her fourth year …
Sometimes, helping a student through a hard time doesn’t take many words. Sometimes, it just takes Gus, a therapy dog who has worked with students over the past decade. Gus works alongside …
State Fair Community College has announced they will host a series of open forums and Community social hours Oct 26-29 as finalists for the college’s next president visit the Sedalia campus. …
Calendar of events
Business
Conrad Walley, DO

New physicians join Bothwell-University of Missouri Rural Family Medicine Residency

Bothwell Regional Health Center and the University of Missouri School of Medicine recently welcomed two new resident physicians to the Bothwell-University of Missouri Rural Family Medicine Residency. …
KMOS-TV earns Emmy nomination for ‘Fentanyl and Families in the Midwest’
The KMOS PBS documentary-style news program, “Fentanyl and Families in the Midwest,” has been nominated for the 2026 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-America Emmy Awards in …
Crawford joins BTC Bank Board of Directors
BTC Bank announces that Sandy Crawford has joined the BTC Bank Board of Directors following the completion of her term and retirement from the Missouri Senate. Her appointment to the board aligns …
The ribbon-cutting brought together local business leaders, elected officials and community partners, along with U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, who made an unplanned appearance after hearing about the event.
Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County headquarters celebrated with ribbon-cutting
Community leaders gathered Wednesday, Sept. 30, to celebrate the opening of a new home for Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County, marking another chapter in the community’s decades-long effort …
Emilee Limanskiy, who owns Lux Coffee on South Limit, brings here own coffee on vacations because she loves it best. Many Sedalian coffee-lovers agree.
National Coffee Day celebrates Sedalia's growing coffee culture
For many people, coffee is more than a morning pick-me-up. It is a ritual, a social gathering, and, for an increasing number of Sedalians, something worth taking seriously. National Coffee Day, …
The Sedalia Democrat captured two awards in the 2026 Better Newspaper Contest. From left: Missouri Press Association president Bryan Chester and Sedalia Democrat sports editor  Jack Denebeim.
Sedalia Democrat earns top awards from Missouri Press Association
The Sedalia Democrat received two awards in the Missouri Press Association's 2026 Better Newspaper Contest for work published in 2025.  The recognitions were presented during the Missouri …
From the Opinion page
Columnists

Trick or treat

Our neighbor asked me if I ever ran out of things to write about.  I told her that I didn’t, and I come by it honestly.  My dad wrote letters to the editor, the President, to Herman Wouk …

Amendment 6 a political power grab

Voters need to be aware of a concerted effort by liberals to make a major change in Missouri’s government. It’s Amendment 6 on the Nov. 3 ballot. Taking advantage of Missouri’s easy …

Missouri students need more than a semester of financial literacy

As a high school teacher and parent, I see many things to change about our educational system, from funding and curriculum to choice.  A strengthened focus on financial literacy while …
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