News

Walk-Ins encouraged at today's vaccination event in Vandalia

Published by admin on Thu, 04/15/2021 - 6:56am

The Audrain County Health Department (ACHD) is now encouraging walk-ins to the Adaptive Vaccination Team (AVT) vaccination event at the Eastern Missouri Family YMCA in Vandalia today, April 15.

The vaccination clinic, hosted by the ACHD, the YMCA and the Missouri National Guard, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the YMCA at 309 South Main Street in Vandalia. Moderna will be the vaccine being administered.

Those attending today's clinic will need to return to the YMCA in Vandalia on Thursday, May 13, for their second dose of the vaccine.

Education officials find fault with Senate Bill 55

Published by admin on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 9:11pm

Perhaps the most controversial measure before the state assembly is Senate Bill 55, a massive education package that addresses voucher tax credits, charter school expansion, virtual instruction, school board recall votes and participation in after school activities for home school students.

Within those general topics are dozens of provisions that have been revised as the bill continues to be debated.

Broadband network up and running in Vandalia

Published by admin on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 9:08pm

When Gov. Mike Parson addressed an audience packed into the cafe space in Vandalia’s Eastern Missouri Family YMCA last week, he emphasized that access to high speed broadband internet was one of his priorities.

He then admitted that he had fallen short of his goals.

“Everyone should have access to reliable internet,” he said. “We still have gaps.”

Little Dixie Fire District honors its volunteers

Published by admin on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 9:07pm

Tyler Shaw leaned back in his chair and let the announcement sink in.

He had just been named as Little Dixie Fire Protection District’s Firefighter of the Year for 2020 and accepted the award with his son Lucas by his side.

“It means quite a bit to me,” Shaw said after Saturday night’s awards dinner, held at the 4-H Center in Mexico.

The district took the opportunity to recognize Shaw and 10 others at the annual event. Normally scheduled for fall, the banquet had been put on hold by the pandemic.

Two vaccination clinics open this week

Published by admin on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 9:01pm

With the stroke of midnight Friday morning, all three vaccination phases in the state of Missouri became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Audrain County Health Department is following Governor Mike Parson’s order to make the vaccine available to all that request it in any of the three phases put in place for vaccine distribution by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Mexico School District summer school begins June 1

Published by admin on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 8:58pm

The Mexico School District will again be offering Summer School, from June 1 through June 25, 2021. Summer school is offered for students that will be enrolling in grades K-12 this fall.

Grades Kindergarten through Second will be at Hawthorne Elementary, Grades third through fifth will be at Eugene Field Elementary, Grades sixth through eighth will be at the Mexico Middle School and grades ninth through 12th will be at the High School.

Audrain County Health pauses use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Published by admin on Tue, 04/13/2021 - 8:41am

Officials with the Audrain County Health Department (ACHD) announced Tuesday the department is following the advice of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until further notice. The FDA recommended pausing the use of the vaccine after six women developed blood clots within two weeks of taking the vaccine.

Election results are in, but not everything is final

Published by admin on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 4:13pm

Nine races were uncontested, two remain too close to call and in one case there were no votes cast.

Vicki Briggs and Chris Miller were reelected to the Mexico City Council by sizable margins. Miller received 42 percent of the vote while Briggs took in 37 percent. No other candidate managed more than 9 percent.
Keith Louder returns to the Mexico School Board, but voters also picked a new face. Marci Minor received 726 votes to third Scott Nichols’ 524 to take the second available seat.

Tyler Shaw drives for the fun of it, and he wins

Published by admin on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 4:11pm

A thought flashes through Tyler Shaw’s mind every time he turns the steering wheel. Will the tires stick through the corner or will the car break loose and skid into the driver racing alongside him.

“You’re hoping you’re not tearing much up,” he said with a grin. “None of us like to do sheet metal work.”

So Shaw’s concerns are practical and meant for after the race. Banging up the car just adds to the week’s chores.

Getting busy at Bucky's: Crowds flock to new restaurant

Published by admin on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 4:09pm

With lunch rush winding down on a Saturday afternoon, Becky Steinman and her crew at Bucky’s Sit or Get may have anticipated a breather. But a car pulled into the lot. Then a minivan, followed by a pickup truck.

Just as quickly as it had emptied out, the restaurant was at capacity again.

“It has been crazy,” said Steinman, who owns the new restaurant with her partner Brandon Pehle. “But it’s always like that when something first opens.”

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