Last Thursday members of the El Dorado Springs Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon to honor all teachers of the El Dorado Schools. The chamber served all of the teachers lunch. Gift bags filled with goodies were given to the new teachers. The gifts consisted of items donated by local businesses. Dane Diehl, Missouri State Representative, along with several other speakers welcomed the teaches back to school.

Beginning this fall, Stephanie Finch will teach the new middle school JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program at Stockton R-1.

Last Wednesday, a ceremony was held to recognize Justin Stone, Benjamin Hill, and Jonathan Bilyeu for completing the Adult Recovery program. The ceremony was attended by the three men, their families, and the Cedar County Adult Recovery Committee. The committee panel consists of the following members: Honorable Jacob Dawson, Administrator Jeremy Ruddick, Sheriff James B McCray, El Dorado Springs Police Chief Brett Dawn, Circuit Clerk Sarah Turner, Compass Tracy Kassen, Tallie Chadd, Dr. Cathy Blacklock, Probation/Parole Officer Brittany Shorten, Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gather, and Juvenile Officer Tansy Friar. The prosecuting attorney Ty Gather referred each man to the program, and their participation was approved by Judge Dawson. The program, which began in 2024, has seen one hundred five admissions. Out of these, sixty-five individuals have successfully graduated, twenty-five were terminated for various reasons, seven were transferred to other county programs, and four people quit. The program consists of multiple phases, each with specific requirements to be completed before advancing to the next phase. Bilyeu completed the program in 840 days, Hill in 603 days, and Stone in 770 days. Each man was presented with a Recovery Bible by the committee. Following the ceremony, a dinner was served for the graduates and their families.

Thursday evening at Squeeze Inn in Stockton, a competition took place. Three men showed up with their game faces on and empty stomachs. Why? They were trying to do the unthinkable and eat an eight-patty smash burger each. Austin Surber, 24, of Stockton, Calen Kramer, 26, of Bolivar, and Seamus Breton, 38, of Bolivar, showed up to break the local record set back in 2008 by Marcus Wolfe, former coach and teacher at Stockton High School. Stockton's own man, Suber, ended up breaking the record with seven patties,

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 4. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing, and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from all state and local sales tax.

Every two years each County Clerk in Missouri conducts a canvas of registered voters in the county. This allows us to keep our records current, verifying you do still live in the location you have indicated previously, and allows you to receive up to date polling location and redistricting changes by reviewing the information on your card. Polling locations, equipment, and many other variables are reviewed in order to determine whether to maintain certain facilities due to availability, redistricting, compliance, security, cost, and poll worker availability. It is with all of these things in mind that the decisions have been made to consolidate three polling locations. These are Cedar Springs, Madison BC, and Washington. The new voter registration cards that you’ve received this spring will note these new changes. These decisions are never taken lightly. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes but want to make everyone aware to check their new cards before driving to their polling location to ensure they make appropriate travel plans.

"It was blazing hot and super cool." That's my recollection of the Ozark Music Festival in Sedalia 50 years ago last week. My mother, however, was not impressed that I made national news. In fact, "mortified" is probably not even close to describing her feelings. But, parents, there is hope.

Chelsey Nissley has accepted the principal position for the El Dorado Springs Christian School 2024-25 school year. This will be Nissley’s ninth year in education. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in special education from Missouri State University.

On a recent trip to Hermann, my fellow travelers and I were pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the vibrant Mai Fest. This special celebration, complete with Maypoles and Ledderhose, was a great addition to the trip.