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Pettis County Eastern Commissioner Israel Baez reads a proclamation celebrating for Buckle Up Phone Down on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Smith-Cotton High School.


Photo courtesy of the Johnson County Commission 

Pettis County Commission issues Proclamation for Buckle Up Phone Down

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 11 a.m., the Pettis County Commission issued a proclamation and held a press conference at Smith-Cotton High School in support of the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) initiative.
A B-2 Spirit flies over Wings Over Whiteman on July 13, at Whiteman Air Force Base. According to the U.S Central Command, B-2s launched airstrikes against underground bunkers used by Yemen's Houthi rebels early Thursday, Oct. 17. 


File photo by Joe Andrews |Star-Journal

B-2 stealth bombers target underground bunkers of Yemen's Houthi rebels

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. long-range B-2 stealth bombers launched airstrikes early Thursday morning targeting underground bunkers used by Yemen's Houthi rebels, officials said.

Legal experts dismiss attempt to link Missouri abortion amendment to transgender health care

Sean Johnson woke up last Monday planning to vote in November for Donald Trump and to legalize abortion in Missouri.

Statewide candidates in Missouri run cheap campaigns while ballot measures spend heavily

As ballot measure campaigns fill the airwaves with seven-figure ad wars alongside Missouri’s U.S. Senate race, the state seems about to experience the cheapest campaign in years for other statewide offices.

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Sedalia Democrat Post-Game Show: Gremlins win Kaysinger Conference Tournament

Sacred Heart soccer players Zander Jackson, Gabe Malacara and Carson Bentch, and coach Dylan Martin join host Jack Denebeim on the Sedalia Democrat Post-Game Show to share their thoughts on the …

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Crash Reports for Oct. 17

Warsaw man hurt in Benton County mishap

Record spending fuels Missouri campaigns to legalize sports gambling, new casino

It’s time to bet the over-under on how much will be spent this year on gambling ballot measures in Missouri.

Josh Hawley draws rebuke over use of private jets for Missouri Senate campaign

One of Josh Hawley’s favorite lines of attack during his first run for U.S. Senate in 2018 was to lambaste his Democratic opponent for using a private jet to travel the state.

Police Reports for Oct. 16

Sedalia Police Department

Crash Reports for Oct. 16

La Monte woman hurt in Pettis County accident
Local Sports

S-C softball breaks school wins record, finishes regular season

Freshman Bella Blackaby hits a home run against Harrisonville on Sept. 20. Blackaby hit a walk-off single against Eugene Tuesday, Oct. 15.


File photo by Jack Denebeim | Democrat
The Smith-Cotton softball team broke the school record for wins in a season Monday, Oct. 14, after beating Oak Grove 5-2.

Cole Camp volleyball takes Kaysinger Conference Tournament

COLE CAMP — After nearly a decade, the Cole Camp volleyball team is the champion of the Kaysinger Conference Tournament once again.

In the Community
Education
Bill Brown, Smith-Cotton Class of 1965 graduate and a 2017 inductee into the Smith-Cotton Athletic Hall of Fame, was recognized as the Sedalia School District Foundation’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni honoree in a ceremony Thursday in the Heckart Performing Arts Center.
Calendar of events
Business
Gabriel Dudley, DO

Bothwell welcomes two new Family Medicine resident physicians

Bothwell Regional Health Center recently welcomed two new physicians in conjunction with the Bothwell-University of Missouri Rural Family Medicine Residency.
Anna Crumley Nelson, owner and director of Studio A Dance Conservancy, cuts the ribbon on the studio's new facility on Saturday, Sept. 14, iin the Thompson Hills


Shopping Center Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Special to the Democrat
Studio A Dance Conservancy moves to larger facility
Studio A Dance Conservancy has moved to a new and larger location in Thompson Hills Shopping Center.
Impact Signs Awnings Wraps Inc. is now open at 100 Curry Drive in the Thompson Meadows Industrial Park. Impact's new $10 million facility is 52,000 square feet and sits on a 5.5 acre development. Photo by Chris Howell | Democrat
Impact Signs cuts ribbon on $10 million headquarters
A ribbon cutting celebrated Impact Signs Awnings Wraps Inc.'s newly completed facility at 100 Curry Drive on Thursday, Sept. 5. 
Blue Ramirez opened Don Jose Mexican Buffet at West Main Street and Grand Avenue in July. He said the buffet style allows customers to try items the might not normally order. Photo by Chris Howell | Democrat
Don Jose's Mexican Buffet raises the bar on Main Street
Blue Ramirez and Jose Chivo Ayalo opened Don Jose’s Mexican Buffet, 111 South Grand Ave., in July after the building had sat vacant for seven years.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Storm and Susan Sheppard stand in LeMaire's Cajun Catfish restaurant, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024. The restaurant was started by Susan's grandfather, Frenchie LeMaire, and progressed to her father, Joe LeMaire. Susan and her sister Tina Hiner now own LeMaire's, and her husband Storm manages it.


Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Democrat
LeMaire's Cajun Catfish celebrates 40 years
A Sedalia family food enterprise is still going strong four decades later, serving Cajun catfish and Louisiana specialties.
Democrat, Star-Journal parent company sold to Carpenter Media Group
Carpenter Media Group and Phillips Media Group announced Friday, Aug. 30 they have reached an agreement for CMG to acquire the Sedalia Democrat and Warrensburg Star-Journal, along with PMG’s other 14 papers spread across Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois.
Ryan Reed, director of operations at Reed & Sons Jewelers in Sedalia, stands beside his diplomas on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the store. The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) recently awarded Reed the title of Master IJO Jeweler Certified Diamond Grader.


Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Democrat
Ryan Reed of Reed & Sons receives two accreditations
Ryan Reed, director of operations at Reed & Sons Jewelers in Sedalia, was recently awarded two accreditations, Certified Diamond Grader and Certified Gem Lab, through the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO). The business is owned by his father Charles Reed. 
From the Opinion page
Columnists

The Tell-Tale Critter: A redneck Halloween story

A few nights ago, in the middle of the night, the dog woke us up barking and pawing at the front windows. My husband peered into the dark, expecting to catch a glimpse of the fox that occasionally stalks our yard.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, After an afternoon rain in the Tuscan countryside, the sunset leaves vibrant colors in the sky and on the fields near San Gimignano, Italy.


Photo by Faith Bemiss-McKinney | Special to the Democrat

Tuscany: The land of smiles and beauty

TUSCANY, Italy — Rain and smiles are universal, and that’s what I found on our trip to Italy and to the Tuscan countryside.

Settle into fall, but prepare for winter

With the autumnal equinox having taken place on Sept. 22, we find ourselves almost a full month into the fall season.
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