By Leore Tai, Missouri News Network In the spring of 2021, Cecilia Williams lost her son, daughter-in-law and grandson to a drunken driver. Williams, who lives in Bonne Terre, is now raising the two orphaned grandchildren who survived, Bentley and Mason. A year later, Melanie Wankum was hit head-on by a drunken driver, killing her instantly and injuring a passenger on their way back from a wedding. In both tragedies, families of the victims became advocates on their behalf, championing tougher laws in Missouri against drunken driving. Soon after the crash that killed her son and his family, Williams found…

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7, and runs through midnight on Sunday, August 9. During this time, certain purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing, and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from all state and local sales tax. During this period, state and local sales tax will not be charged on the following items: Clothing that does not have a taxable value exceeding $100 per item. Eligible clothing items include any article of apparel intended to be worn on or about the body, including footwear.…

Schuyler County has one highway project approved for construction and six additional projects in the scoping and design stage under Missouri’s newly approved 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the five-year STIP on July 1. The plan lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Statewide, the STIP makes available $13 billion in federal and state revenue for all modes of transportation, including $9.3 billion in contractor awards for road and bridge construction. The STIP is MoDOT’s five-year road map for transportation improvements. It…

The Schuyler County Rotary Club recently held its annual installation ceremonies to celebrate the changing of the guard from outgoing to incoming club presidents and officers. Summer Nelson was installed as President, Candy Tallman’s Vice President, Cole Tippett as Treasurer, Linda Blessing, Secretary and Doug Norman as Sargent of Arms. The event included a formal dinner and entertainment by local “talent”, The event allows the new officers to set the tone for the upcoming year with a eye on the enduring motto of “Service above Self” and Summer discussed Rotary’s upcoming 50th Anniversary. Entertainment was provided by “Neil and the…

The Schuyler County Nursing Home will celebrate a significant milestone this summer as it marks 50 years of serving residents and families throughout northeast Missouri. The community is invited to attend the 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, July 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Schuyler County Nursing Home, 1306 U.S. Highway 63 in Queen City, MO. The evening will honor five decades of compassionate care while bringing together community members for an evening of free entertainment. The event will take place outdoors, with the shelter house reserved for nursing home residents. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn…

Lancaster Chapter E P.E.O. met on Thursday June 11, 2026, at the Schuyler County Church of Faith hosted by Rhonda Steen and Kocoa Vandike. To commemorate the upcoming 250th USA Celebration the room featured red, white, and blue decor. Marti McGoldrick presented the Chapter E Scholarship to Hannah Farris at the Schuyler R-1 High School graduation ceremony. The Cake Walk Fundraiser auction was successful due to the many delicious looking cakes and auctioneer Heather Western. The program for the evening was the report of the 132nd Missouri State P.E.O. Convention presented by Rhonda and Sandy Daniels. The 2026 theme was,…