In 1867, a bond issue was proposed in Pettis County for the purpose of building a county jail. The issue carried, and a jail was built in 1872 at 220 South Lamine Avenue. more

The word "groceries" has been in the news a lot lately due to another word, “tariffs”. more

I remember the first time I met Cloudy Comet Johnson. He was so excited to see me that he ran, jumped, and bowled me over. I crashed into my granddaughter’s art easel and fell with it to the floor. But that was ok. I’d be thrilled, too, if I were Mr. Cloudy. To have a home after living in an animal shelter was enough to give anyone the zoomies. more

When you live next to a wooded lot, you also live next to critters. Over the years, we’ve seen deer, chipmunks, mice, armadillos, coyotes, woodpeckers, rabbits, and some entirely unwelcome snakes. But a few months ago, some of the neighborhood squirrels mistook our house for an Airbnb and moved right on in. more

It’s a cloudy day in Houston, Texas, where I have been poked, prodded, taped, and drawn upon – yes, techs took a Sharpie and drew lines on me (how did they know purple is my favorite color?) – in preparation for putting me in a machine and zapping me with radiation for five days in a row, the next step in my cancer treatment. Fortunately, I found out yesterday that I have a low “oncotype” score, which means that the chance of recurrence in the next 10 years is very low. I was also happy to find that I don’t have to undergo chemotherapy. I am grateful for that good news. more

In 2015, two Missouri lawmakers were forced to resign over inappropriate behavior with interns. Soon after, dozens of women spoke out about a Capitol culture that was often more frat house than statehouse, sparking a reckoning that predated the #MeToo movement by two years. more

Voters expanded Medicaid eligibility in 2020 to reduce the number of uninsured adults, stabilize hospitals and bring more federal tax dollars back into the state’s health system. more

My friends keep saying, “I can’t believe it’s November! Can you believe the year is almost over? Can you believe it’s November?” Well yes, I can believe it. Ten months have gone by and now, like it or not November is here. I must admit, we were thrust into November. I really prefer transitional weather. I want to tip toe into winter, not be tossed into freezing temperatures before I can even find my Carhart’s. more

As we enter the month, our thoughts tend to drift to what we plan to do on Thanksgiving Day. When I look back over my life and I think about where God has brought me from, I have to say that everyday is a day to give thanks to God for the many blessings that he has given me in the past 71 years. more

Is “three” the new “two?” Consumer prices notched another 3% year-on-year increase in September, according to data published Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. No one in Washington seems bothered that this remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target. more

In 1871, Sedalia founder George R. Smith built a large house at 300 E. Broadway. After his death, his daughters Sarah Cotton and Martha Smith lived in the house. more

My wife bought me a new cap for my birthday this year that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy. more

ORANGE, California — When I was growing up, I always considered myself my mom and dad’s only child. And it was true for them, of course. Many times, I felt alone. more

In my church and around the world, October is Respect Life Month. This month is dedicated to focusing especially on initiatives that protect human life from “conception until natural death.” For most people, both advocates and detractors, these terms are shorthand for anti-abortion work: legislative initiatives to limit legal abortion, pro-life billboards, and support for pregnancy resource centers as an alternative to abortion clinics. more

I miss Halloween! That must sound nuts, because many people dread the holiday – thousands of kids traipsing up the walk, ringing the bell, and wanting candy that costs a fortune, some saying “thank you,” and some not. more

It's a simple act, one that doesn't require much, but can offer a world of comfort. Maybe it’s time, and probably past time, to bow our heads and say, “Let us pray.” more

On Oct. 13, the United States Navy threw a birthday party on its 250th anniversary. As a proud Navy veteran, I lifted a glass in its honor. more

There’s a reason we take pictures, keep journals, and make memory boxes —we forget. Not just birthdays or where we parked the car at the state fair, but far more critical things. The worst kind of forgetting isn’t about lost keys; it’s about losing sight of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 111 was written to prevent such spiritual amnesia. It’s a song of gratitude designed to help God’s people remember who He is and what He’s done. The psalm offers a simple but transforming truth: when we remember God’s faithfulness, gratitude becomes our default posture. The opposite of gratitude is selfishness and pride. It causes us to demand what we do not deserve. more

In 1956 and 1957, Sedalia students in grades one through seven attended the city’s various elementary schools. Students in grades seven through nine constituted the Sedalia Junior High School and met in a portion of the Smith-Cotton High School building. more

Some days, when I sit down at my computer to write a column, the ideas just won’t come. At those times, I like to lean back in my chair, close my eyes and pick through the memories I have made over my lifetime. more