News

Rhonda Sue Ashley of Montgomery City passed away on March 2, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family at the age of 66. 

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.

Judith A. Moeller (née: Moehlmann), baptized with the hope of Christ’s resurrection, Judy passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the age of 89, surrounded by her family.

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!

Betty A. Mallinckrodt (née: Thilking) of Augusta, Missouri, passed away on February 9, 2026, at the age of 91. 

Mrs. Dianne M. Sudbrock passed away on February 9, 2026, peacefully at home in Foristell, after a long battle with cancer. Dianne, daughter of the late Stanley Koch and wife Lavern (née: Duello), was born November 8, 1957, in Troy, MO. She was 68 years old

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.

Bethel Hills in Dutzow wishes to thank the Knights of Columbus Father Berten’s Council #1927 of St. Vincent de Paul in Dutzow for donating part of their Tootsie Roll Drive proceeds to the community.

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.

Nick & Rupert_Simple Gifts_She did not like me_Game show host_Gold mine of history_Tecklenburg_Top shelf

Gentle readers, I’m showing my age here, but, like Jim Lowe, I had to ask, “What’s behind the Green Door?” On the evening of Saturday, December 20, 2025, I walked through the green door in Femme Osage to see for myself.

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.

By Kathy Miller

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with lifelong Defiance resident Mary Keiser. When I heard that her childhood home had recently been sold and completely remodeled, I became curious about what it was like to live in Defiance in the 1950s and about her thoughts on seeing it restored.
Mary spent most of her childhood in the home at 2934 S Hwy 94. Along with her parents, Clyde and Tootie Koelling, they moved into the house around 1949, following her grandmother's passing. They moved in to live with her grandfather, Charles Koelling.

The New Melle Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) honored long-standing member Janet Karrenbrock for her extensive contributions to both the Chamber and the community. She is among a few who have been recognized for their dedication over the years.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ellen Louise Barbara Knoernschild of Augusta, Missouri, on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Christina “Chris” Lee Warren, 73, passed away on January 18, 2026.