City | Sedalia Democrat

Sedalia Police officers get Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) training Tuesday at Clover Dell Park. The Dodge Challenger and Ford Taurus were both tested on a closed course.

Sedalia Police practice emergency driving at Clover Dell Park

Tuesday, Sedalia Police Department cruisers took over a lot at Clover Dell Park to conduct EVOC training. EVOC stands for Emergency Vehicle Operator Course and is intended to give … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 9/22/22

Sgt. Mike Elwood of the Sedalia Police Department Drone Unit practices flying Tuesday at Clover Dell Park. The drone used in the rescue Monday, not this drone, has advanced thermal imaging, which made the speedy rescue possible.

Missing man located by police drone

A lost hiker was located Monday evening thanks to Sedalia Police Cpl. John Fellows and the department’s newest drone. Cameron Stoney, 18, is a highly-functioning autistic young man who … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 9/21/22

Pettis County Public Administrator Charli Ackerman, left, talks with Helen Hutchinson on Tuesday in her home. Hutchinson was able to stay in her home due to a donation of a furnace by Zeiler's Fire and Ice Heating and AC and a water heater donated by Reeves-Wiedeman Co. and installed by Craig Plumbing.

Helen comes home: Donations help woman stay in her home

Due to the kindness of three local businesses, Helen Hutchinson, 81, can remain in her home with her family photos, a place where her name is etched in concrete by her front step. Charli … more

By Faith Bemiss, fbemiss@sedaliademocrat.com | 9/21/22

J. Ricker, a Sedalia Visual Art Association member, arranges his paintings Thursday morning at Sedalia City Hall. Ricker's show opens Friday, Sept. 16 and will run through Dec. 5.

J. Ricker art show opens at City Hall

A new Sedalia Visual Art Association exhibit opens today, Sept. 16 at Sedalia City Hall featuring the paintings of J. Ricker. Ricker, also known as a broadcasting personality Rick Jey, lives … more

By Faith Bemiss, fbemiss@sedaliademocrat.com | 9/16/22

The planned interchange at U.S. Highway 65 and Highway HH provides for access roads, a roundabout, and sloped on-ramps to help vehicles get up to highway speed.

MoDOT, commissioners continue interchange discussions

With the widening of Cedar Drive underway, phase one of a $16.2 million project to create a proposed truck route north of Sedalia begins. “This is part of the governor’s cost share … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 9/16/22

The City of Sedalia’s new Ziegler P385c commercial paver takes its inaugural run down city streets Tuesday. South Massachusetts Avenue from Third to Fifth Street was quickly paved by crew supervisor Roger Vieth, orange vest, and public works employees.

Street machines allow city to pave own roads

Tuesday, the Sedalia Public Works Department rolled out the second new street-repair machine in its arsenal, a Ziegler P385c commercial paver. The asphalt-laying machine pulled up to South … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 8/31/22

Elda Bryson is one of the senior residents of Deerbrook Villas on Mitchell Road. Affordable housing units like Bryson’s are a hot commodity and there is a long waiting list for the villas.

Deerbrook Villas sees demand for expansion

Thursday, MBL Development announced it is applying for HUD funds to expand the Deerbrook Villas community on Mitchell Road in Sedalia. The bright and tidy senior housing facility hopes to … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 8/12/22

Two cemeteries back in local ownership

Effective on Aug. 1, Memorial Park Cemetery and Highland Sacred Gardens have been acquired by Page-Dady Enterprises LLC. Memorial Park Cemetery is at 3306 Greenridge Road and Highland … more

By Skye Melcher, skyem@sedaliademocrat.com | 8/8/22

Jackson Moody, 3, left, splashes his cousin, 9-year-old Hunter Cornine, during an afternoon of swimming on Saturday at Centennial Pool. Saturday marked Centennial Pool’s 50th birthday, which included 50-cent admission all day and 50-cent concession items, plus free T-shirts and cookies and raffles.

Centennial Pool celebrates 50 years

The Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department celebrated Centennial Pool’s 50th birthday on Saturday with a ceremony, giveaways and discounted admission. On Saturday, admission to Centennial … more

By Nicole Cooke, ncooke@sedaliademocrat.com | 8/2/22

Local man confesses to burglarizing car wash twice in one day

Walter P. Nicholson, 28, of Sedalia, was arrested Friday, July 22 after confessing to committing two car wash burglaries in one day. According to information from the Sedalia Police department, … more

By Democrat Staff | 7/30/22

Artist Nathan Pierce stands with his piece “Ground Control” before it is placed on the ground at the Heckart Community Center Thursday morning. The piece took six months to complete.

New art decorates the Heckart Community Center

On Thursday morning, a steel sculpture was added to the grounds outside the Heckart Community Center. This will be the first piece of art added to the new center in hopes of continuing to … more

By Skye Melcher, skyem@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/30/22

Accidental shooting leaves 5-year-old in serious condition

A local man is in custody in connection to an accidental shooting involving his young child. At 2:16 p.m. Friday, July 22, Sedalia Police officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of West Ninth … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/27/22

Cooling shelter gives relief from midday heat

With recent temperatures in the Sedalia area consistently reaching dangerous levels, the Open Door Service Center has opened a “cooling shelter.” The shelter allows for a break from the … more

By Abram Tabor, news@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/27/22

Former Sedalia Mayor Larry Foster, left, and former state Sen. Jim Mathewson share a conversation during the donor recognition reception in February 2015 at Tiger Stadium behind Smith-Cotton High School.

Former mayor Larry Foster remembered by Sedalians

Former city councilman, mayor and county commissioner Larry G. Foster, 78, died Wednesday at Bothwell Regional Health Center. The civic-minded career politician was held in high regard by those who … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/27/22

Sedalia Police Officer Kyle Schmitt has been named Officer of the Year by the Missouri Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council for over 700 traffic stops and 89 driving-while-intoxicated arrests in 2021.

Officer Schmitt named ‘Officer of the Year’ by Traffic Safety Council

Sedalia Police Officer Kyle Schmitt has been named ‘Officer of the Year’ by the Missouri Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council. Schmitt began his law enforcement career as … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/25/22

Sedalia First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson is seen Wednesday on 20th Street next to the Union Pacific property. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Robinson asked how Union Pacific could grow such high weeds within city limits.

Councilman digs into Union Pacific’s lack of mowing

During Monday’s Sedalia City Council meeting, in the Good and Welfare portion of the meeting, City Counselors were asked if they had any comments. First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson asked a … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/25/22

Muralist Stefanie Aziere-Sattler is seen in the alley at 209 S. Ohio Ave. The graffiti-painted alley is being revitalized with a mural, decorative lighting, and asphalt paving.

Mural artist beautifies South Ohio alley

Mural artist Stefanie Aziere-Sattler has begun painting a mural in an alley off South Ohio Avenue. The mural is being painted on the side of the Smith and Cotton Building, owned by Harry Hoffert. … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/20/22

State Rep. Brad Pollitt, Mayor Andrew Dawson, and state Sen. Sandy Crawford announced Sedalia was awarded a Community Development Block Grant Thursday afternoon.The $500,000 grant and matching city funds will be used to make sidewalks, like this one on South Emmet Avenue, ADA compliant.

Sedalia to be awarded $500,000 block grant

The State of Missouri Department of Economic Development announced Thursday that the City of Sedalia has been awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. The CDBG grant, written and … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/14/22

Two arrested in scalding abuse of 3-year-old

Two Sedalia parents have been charged with multiple counts of child abuse after the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office conducted a well-being check on an injured 3-year-old. Wednesday afternoon, … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/14/22

Housel Park shooting leaves neighbors in fear

At 8:08 p.m. Friday, bullets struck a 23-month-old child and an adult male in a shooting near Housel Park. James A. Lowe, 20, Angel Escobar, 23, and Aja Vannoy, 26, all of Sedalia, are … more

By Chris Howell, chrish@sedaliademocrat.com | 7/13/22