Six local high school students will be attending this year’s National Youth Tour Conference in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Six local high school students will be attending this year’s National Youth Tour Conference in Washington, D.C. this summer.
[Hermann, MO] - [4.1.26] - Rhineland Bancshares, Inc., (RBI), the holding company for PSB Bank, is pleased to announce it has finalized its acquisition of Bancstar Inc., the holding company for Bank Star.
On Saturday, March 14, Defiance held its Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival and Parade. It was a beautiful March day and the Festival and Parade were a huge success this year. A fun run/walk kicked off the morning followed by the parade at noon. This year's Grand Marshall was NFL Hall of Fame legend Jackie Smith. Live music was featured at various venues throughout the day.
By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
April lights the fuse for an explosion of life across Missouri. Bird choruses erupt at dawn, buds swell and burst from tree branches, and flowers scatter color across the forest floor. To us landlocked humans, these are the signs we recognize as spring.
I truly appreciate the incredible work of the New Melle Fire Department and the dedicated responders from the Wentzville Fire Protection District, Augusta Fire Protection District, and St. Charles County Ambulance District who responded to my home early on February 5 during a house fire.
Thank you for the overwhelming presence, the kind condolences, and the gracious donations made in Dianne’s memory. Our family has been deeply moved by the beautiful comments and heartfelt tributes shared about her.
Dear Readers:
I write this letter with a very heavy heart. On February 9, after a long battle with cancer, Dianne Sudbrock, the creator and former editor of the Boone Country Connection, passed away. The community has lost an extraordinary woman.
The New Melle Chamber of Commerce 2026 Scholarship Program deadline is April 6. To qualify, applicants must live within the New Melle Fire Protection District; check your eligibility at newmellefire.org/district-map if unsure.
The Town of Augusta's Cemetery Committee has announced upcoming city cemetery cleanup days. The group will meet at noon at the Augusta City Cemetery on the following dates:
By Gay Eskew
Colors enhance our world. They exude vibrancy. Colors in nature are created to present a pleasing appearance. When we dress ourselves, most of us choose colors that complement one another: different shades of the same hue, colors that go together, or colors that do not clash, such as orange and red.
PSB Bank will award $1,000 scholarships to fifteen students, with one scholarship in each of several school districts. The following districts in our area are included:
The Augusta Chamber of Commerce plans to award two $1,000 scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. Proceeds from the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival fund the scholarships.
By Kathy Miller
Liz’s Bar and Grill, a local landmark for decades, has reopened. The corner bar in New Melle is once again a place where friends gather to share a meal and a cold one, swap stories from the day, and socialize with neighbors.
Submitted by 4-H Reporter Aidan Lyons
We have had a busy start to the 2025-26 4-H year! We elected our new officer team for the year: President, Brayden Bynum; Vice President, Bransen Bynum; Secretary, Madi Coulter; Treasurer, Jack Lyons; Council Rep, Alex Bollman; Reporter and Photographer, Aidan Lyons; Historian, Riley Carlstrom; and Recreation Chair, Elaina Buescher.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Augusta Elementary School PTO Dinner Auction! Thanks to your support, we raised a little over $40,000!
The Women Legislators of Missouri (WLM) Caucus, a bipartisan group of women House and Senate members, has announced its annual education scholarship program for female high school seniors.
By Gay Eskew
What is the “WOW Factor”? It’s identifying a photograph or painting in a group that stands out from the “crowd”: all the other works. It captures your attention. It holds your focus. It tells a story visually or in your imagination. It entertains. It grabs your attention for no apparent reason. But the real reason is hidden in some basic, unexpected “secrets.”
By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
There was a time when the dawn was ushered in by the beautiful goddess, Eos. The earliest rays of dawn passed to the Earth through her rosy fingers. The beams brought new life to the land, awakened by the light of her brother Helios—the sun. The appearance of Eos symbolized the break of day, the first sight of rebirth and renewal.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is now accepting scholarship applications from graduating high school seniors, current college students, and adults pursuing continuing education in their chosen career fields.
Local Nonprofit Builds Homes and Strengthens Communities through Homeownership
St. Peters, Mo. (Feb. 6, 2026) – While many people may dream of owning a home, but feel they may not meet the criteria or qualifications necessary to achieve that goal. Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County provides tools, resources, and support for the potential path to homeownership. The nonprofit organization is accepting new homeowner applications Feb. 1 through Feb. 28.
Batteries are a major safety hazard. Recently, loads, dumpsters, and trash cans have caught fire due to lithium batteries. Lithium batteries should not be placed in your trash or recycling containers or your commercial dumpsters.
With her striking depiction of an eagle’s face set against a hand-drawn American flag, accompanied by eye-catching text celebrating the vote during America’s 250th anniversary year. Celeste Karam from St. Patrick School in Wentzville has won the first-ever “I Voted” sticker contest in St. Charles County.
Six area high school juniors will have the chance to explore Washington, D.C., this summer after being selected for the Missouri Electric Youth Tour.
By Kathy Miller - Femme Osage UCC revived the old German tradition of “der Weihnachtsmann” (St. Nicholas) and his helper, Knecht Ruprecht (Farmhand Rupert), this Christmas season.