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Patrol recognizes employees at annual awards banquet

Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced the following area employees were recognized for their actions at the awards ceremony April 27 in Cape Girardeau.
Tony Walch addresses the audience at the induction of his younger brother, Ted Walch, into the Smith-Cotton Activities Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 30, in the Heckart Performing Arts Center. Ted Walch, who died in 2022, was a theater teacher for more than 30 years.


Photo courtesy of Sedalia School District 200

Walch inducted into Smith-Cotton Activities Hall of Fame

Ted Walch, whose more than 30-year career in education was devoted to teaching theater, was inducted into the Smith-Cotton Activities Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 30, in the Heckart Performing Arts Center.
On June 17, 2023, Rachelle Simon, the executive director of United Way of Pettis County, addresses volunteers at the Day of Action at Hubbard Park. The 2024 Day of Action is slated for Saturday, June 22 and United Way is seeking volunteers.


File photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Democrat

United Way of Pettis County plans for Day of Action 

United Way of Pettis County is planning its annual Day of Action, which will kick off at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Katy Park.

Crash Reports May 4

Warrensburg woman hurt in Johnson County accident

Police Reports May 4

This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.
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Local News
JCFPD Water Rescue personnel enter floodwater to retrieve two people trapped in the bed of a truck in the water in the 100 block of West Division Road.

'Can’t be ignored:' Flood water causes trouble in Johnson County

WARRENSBURG – With flash flood and tornado warnings all across the Midwest over the last week, it was advised to stay indoors and off the roads. However, some Johnson County residents took to the streets, with several requiring emergency assistance.

Local Briefs May 3

Sweet Springs tour postponed
The Sacred Heart choir sings

Local leaders, pastors gather for National Day of Prayer

At noon Thursday, May 2, a small crowd gathered on the Pettis County Courthouse steps for the National Day of Prayer.

Community Calendar for May 5 through May 11

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

Boonslick Regional Library outreach schedule for May 6-10

Boonslick Regional Library
Local Sports

S-C’s Belsha signs to wrestle in college

Smith-Cotton High School senior Keaton Belsha has accepted an athletic scholarship to wrestle for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Seated with him at the table are his parents, Gabe and Misty Belsha; back row, from left: Smith-Cotton Principal Wade Norton, Smith-Cotton Wrestling Assistant Coach Chris Johnston, Smith-Cotton Wrestling Head Coach Joe Hulsey, Smith-Cotton Wrestling Assistant Coach Nicki Renfrow, Smith-Cotton Wrestling Assistant Coach Tanner Proctor, and Smith-Cotton Activities Director Kyle Middleton.


Photo courtesy of Sedalia School District 200
Smith-Cotton senior Keaton Belsha signed his letter of intent Thursday, May 2, to wrestle for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.

Otterville baseball enjoying best season in 15 years

The Otterville baseball team is in the midst of its first double-digit win season in at least 15 years.

In the Community
Education
On Monday, April 29, greenhouse doors opened for the annual State Fair Community College Horticulture Club Plant Sale.
Ninety-nine middle and high school students from across the state received top rankings in the National History Day contest in Missouri on April 27 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia.
WARRENSBURG – It’s not very often that a school celebrates a century in one location. But on Thursday afternoon, May 2, Martin Warren Elementary School will celebrate hitting the century mark with an assembly and open house for the community.
Business
B&B Battery owner Michael Byrd, 42, sits at his desk on Tuesday, April 30. Byrd will celebrate one year of business on Wednesday, May 1. He noted that he opened the company due to the closure of DC Battery, owned by Dave Curtis, who retired after 44 years.


Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Democrat

B&B Battery celebrates one year of business

If you need a battery, the B&B Battery company has one. The business, owned by Michael Byrd, celebrates one year of business on Wednesday, May 1.
Spectrum begins broadband network expansion in Pettis County
Spectrum recently announced that construction is underway on several fiber-optic network expansion projects that will bring gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to more than 400 homes and small businesses in Pettis County.
Becky Solomon, of Willard, dances around the skating rink during a recent adult skate night at the Wheel-Thing Skate Center in Sedalia.


Photo by Arantzazu Garaitza Azuara Heredia | For the Democrat
Skaters from all over gather at Wheel-Thing Skate Center
As Becky Solomon made the four- to five-hour journey from her home in Willard to the Wheel-Thing Skate Center in Sedalia in what has become a Tuesday night tradition, she looked forward to meeting her long-time skater friends Grace and Kenny Williams, of Elkland, for their weekly pre-skate dinner in Buffalo. 
Heidi and Tim Aulgur, owners of Aulgur Livestock, display their free-range eggs at the Sedalia Area Farmers' Market on May 23, 2023. The market will open for the 2024 season on Friday, May 3 at the Nucor Pavilion on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.


File photo by Chris Howell | Democrat
Sedalia Area Farmers' Market to open for the season this week
Fresh produce, baked goods, sustainably raised meat, fresh-cut flowers, and handmade artisanal products will be available this week as the Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market opens for the season on Friday, May 3.
David Aery is the owner of Hook Solutions, 23964 U.S. Highway 65 in Warsaw. Arey has been manufacturing lures on the property since 1987 and sells the across the country, but mostly on the east coast.


Photo by Chris Howell | Democrat
Hook Solutions lures new customers and employees
WARSAW – A few miles south of Lincoln, across from the bowling alley in a nondescript white building, a team of workers manufactures 40,000 fishing lures a week.
Jack Denebeim
New sports editor joins Democrat staff
The Sedalia Democrat has welcomed a new sports editor in the newsroom.
From the Opinion page
Columnists

Recognizing some old stuff

The other day, I was on Facebook, and someone had posted a picture of an item they described as an antique with the caption “Do you know what this is?” They have these quite often, and I can usually name the item, which I do not think of as an antique.

It's standardized testing season

It’s time again for every parent, teacher and student’s least favorite school year tradition: standardized testing.

Jesus is knocking on the door of your life

As the resurrected Lord came back from the grave, he made a select group of appearances. The stories about his appearances are incredible!
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