Community
New group energizing economic development
If anyone claims they can spend an hour with Edie Koch, the new executive director of the Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, and not come away excited, they are just…
Read MoreSuicide: what are we missing?
Since the start of school this year, the specter of suicide has struck local schools multiple times. Only weeks ago, a young high school student took his own life. This…
Read MoreStraub enjoys photographing celebrities
By day, he’s the owner of Nolkemper Insurance in Columbia. By night, he’s the performance and meet-and-greet photographer for the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Steve Straub, 61, began…
Read MoreCandlelight House Tour to set the holiday mood
The Waterloo High School Band Parents are bringing back their Candlelight House Tour this holiday season, and it is better than ever thanks to the support of the local business…
Read MoreMedicaid effect hurting local pharmacies
Khoury Pharmacy shut down its Dupo location Nov. 12 after a reduction in Medicaid reimbursements wouldn’t allow it to keep operating in town. To elaborate, pharmacy owner Paul Khoury said…
Read MoreKaskaskia Trail Chorus celebrates 50 years in style
The Kaskaskia Trail Chorus celebrated its 50th year during its annual show performed before another packed house at Turner Hall in Columbia on Saturday night. The story of a half…
Read MoreLocal kids rock for a cause
What happens when four goofy young kids come together to rock? In the case of Peyton Long, 9, Ava Hoagland, 9, Owen Renneker, 10, and Oliver Renneker, 13, the band…
Read MoreCHS grad is KSHE radio personality
Lauren Colvin can’t say for certain what led to her life-altering decision. But one day in college, as the Columbia High School graduate strolled through the parking lot of a…
Read MoreLocal veterans honored with patriotic flair
Monroe County has a long and storied military history, with native sons and daughters participating in every major war and many of their most significant battles since the founding of…
Read MoreAt-risk youth in county given a second chance
When the Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities asked for an early intervention program for teens, Anne King delivered. “When the coalition started, it was like, ‘Where can we focus…
Read MoreNew domestic violence advocate introduced
The Monroe County Board met the county’s new domestic violence advocate during its regular meeting on Monday when Rita Hubbs was introduced to the commissioners. Hubbs has previously performed similar…
Read MoreWaterloo family epitomizes sacrifice of war
In 1940, war raged in Europe. Across the Pacific, Japan was trying to establish an empire. America teetered on the brink of both wars, which would come together to create…
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