News - The Mexico Ledger

Jake Clayton Trio to return for Relay for Life benefit show

The Girls Night Out Relay for Life of Audrain County team and Country 96 KWWR will host a benefit show featuring a night of music with the Jake Clayton Trio on Nov. 14 at the Mexico Elks Lodge. … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/9/25

Book organization holds its first meeting of year

The Mexico Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle had its first meeting of this year on Oct. 4. Each season, members take on a fresh lineup of thought-provoking non-fiction books, “sparking … more

10/8/25

Eight-year-old Amelia Jackson was excited to show her mom a book about axolotls that she found at the book fair. Amelia loves to read and some of her favorites include the “There was an Old Woman” series, “The Crayons” books, and “Our Solar System” by Peter and Connie Roop.

From Book Fair to fire trucks: Hawthorne hosts full-circle community event

Police sirens whooped and blasts from a fire engine horn rang through the parking lot at Hawthorne Elementary School on Sept. 30. A partnership between Commitment to Community, Mexico Parks and … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/8/25

Nancy Baca’s $500 contribution allowed Audrain Pet pals to install a new grooming tub. Baca said State Farm gives her the platform to do what means most to her – giving back and supporting her community.

Audrain Humane Society’s Pet Pals celebrates new home on Monroe

There are some new dogs on the block at 211 W. Monroe St. Volunteers, animal foster families and community members were invited to see the new Audrain Pet Pals location that opened in August … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/8/25

Justin Hamm, librarian at Eugene Field Elementary School, has been named poet laureate for Missouri. He has written five books of poetry and published other works. [Don Munsch]

Mexico Public Schools librarian named Missouri Poet Laureate

Eugene Field Elementary School librarian Justin Hamm looked back at his writing career and recalls submitting a short story called “Johnny Bluebird” to his local newspaper when he was in … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/8/25

Another North Callaway bus involved in crash

A second North Callaway bus has crashed in less than a week, with this crash causing no injuries. A crash on Oct. 2 caused multiple injuries, none life-threatening. Five students and an adult … more

10/7/25

Accident reports, Oct. 6

Florissant man hurt in Audrain crash A Florissant man suffered minor injuries after he was involved in a one-vehicle crash Monday at Route E, .5 mile north of County Road 215 in Audrain County. … more

10/7/25

Jim Hickman, right, is joined by his two brothers, Tim and Larry Hickman, at the YCafé to celebrate his recognition. At the open house, the Hickmans were able to see a rendering of what the wall will look like.

Mexico Area Family YMCA dedicates YCafé in honor of Jim Hickman

Jim Hickman is best known for his generosity to his community. The Mexico Area Family YMCA dedicated the YCafé to Hickman during an open house on Oct. 28, where his family, fellow … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/7/25

Bus 31 was involved in an accident that occurred at County Road 845 and County Road 853.

Bus crash sends North Callaway students to hospital

No life-threatening injuries occurred after a North Callaway R-I School District bus crashed this morning in Audrain County, as occupants of the bus were sent to University Hospital, according to a … more

10/2/25

Middletown man dies in Audrain County crash

A Middletown man died in a motorcycle crash Wednesday in Audrain County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The man, 58, died at the scene, the crash report stated. The wreck … more

10/2/25

Opening Statement

The moments when a jury returns to the courtroom with its verdict are some of the most tense, exciting and scary moments in American society. In a criminal trial, a jury, made up of 12 citizens from … more

By Jacob Shellabarger, Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney | 10/1/25

Tyler Stone conducts a presentation this summer during his participation at Harvard University's On-Campus Summer Business Academies.

MHS senior earns top honors at Harvard Entrepreneurship Academy

Mexico High School senior Tyler Stone spent part of his summer at Harvard University, participating in the prestigious On-Campus Summer Business Academies. Tyler enrolled in the Business: … more

10/1/25

Bethany Thebeau, a fourth-grade elementary teacher at Community R-VI, discusses a reading program she uses for her students during the school board meeting. [Don Munsch]

Community R-VI school board approves substitute pay, air conditioning units

The Community R-VI School District Board of Education had a relatively short agenda at its Sept. 17 meeting, approving matters involving long-term substitute pay, air conditioning units and a new … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/1/25

Van-Far R-I School District Superintendent Natalie Gibson shows an image of a proposed new entry way at the secondary school during a school board meeting Sept. 18. [Don Munsch]

Van-Far school board members get look at proposed new second school entry way

Van-Far School District R-1 School District Board of Education members on Sept. 18 got a glimpse of a proposed renovated secondary school entry way. The district is working with Veregy, approved … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/1/25

Drew Williford, city engineer and public works director, speaks to the Mexico City Council about a public works project at the Sept. 22 meeting. [Don Munsch]

Mexico City Council approves moves with public works projects

The Mexico City Council had a relatively light agenda at its Sept. 22 meeting, approving changes to a number of public works projects. Drew Williford, city engineer and public works … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/1/25

North Callaway’s middle school gym sustained significant damage after a storm on Sept. 15. (North Callaway R-I School District]

North Callaway school board hears about middle school damage

Damage to the middle school campus caused by a storm was one topic of discussion for the North Callaway R-1 Board of Education at its Sept. 18 meeting. There were no injuries, and no one was in … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/1/25

Fire in the hole! Veteran Jay Beshears had the honor of firing the cannon at the Walk Back in Time.

Take a Walk Back in Time

Grace Long has been attending historical reenactments since she was a baby. Her parents would lay her in a cradle in their tent while they worked out front selling lye soap, pottery and other wares … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/1/25

Arthur Sanders (Karsten Femrite) chats with Oliver Adams (Justin Queen) while Charlotte Sanders (Sarah Femrite) looks during a scene from “The Angel Next Door,” to be performed at Presser Arts Center. [Don Munsch]

Upcoming Presser production of "Angel" explores power of theater

Oliver Adams has a secret. When will Margot Bell, the subject of the secret, find out? This description forms part of the plot line of “The Angel Next Door,” to be … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 10/1/25

Back row from left: Albert “Chip” Abramovic, Venango County, Pa.; Mack McDonald, San Juan County, Utah; Steve Murphy, general manager of POET; Leslie Meyer, Audrain County Commissioner and Owen Hart, NACO staff. Middle row: Meredith Whitehead, The Cedric Group; Grace Donovan, Ore.; Talia Hansen, San Juan County, Utah; Dakkia Bradshaw, Telfair County, Ga.; Kristian Price, Curry County, N.M.; Debra Mabry, Holmes County, Miss.; Jamie Harvey, San Juan County, Utah and Madeline Santana, NACO staff. Kneeling: Jose Portillo, Presidio County, Texas; and Andre Lassiter, Hertford County, N.C.

Rural leaders seek ways to keep communities thriving

Albert “Chip” Abramovic wonders how, as a Venango County Commissioner in Pennsylvania, he can change the narrative and make rural “cool again.” Audrain County hosted the … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 10/1/25

Walk Back in Time festival [Photo gallery]

Dedicated volunteers and reenactors came together to bring history and education to life on the Audrain County Historical Society's grounds last weekend. Every other year, the Walk Back in … more

Photos by Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 9/30/25

Auxvasse man arrested on multiple charges

An Auxvasse man was arrested Sunday on charges of domestic assault-second degree and kidnapping-third degree, according to a news release from the Mexico Public Safety Department. On Sunday, … more

9/29/25

Fire damages two houses in Mexico

A Saturday fire caused significant damage to one house and moderate damage to a neighboring house in Mexico. There were no injuries, and the fire remains under investigation, according to … more

9/29/25

Martinsburg woman, Fulton teen seriously hurt in crash

A woman from Martinsburg and her young female passenger were hurt in a Callaway County crash on Sept. 27 at Route O at County Road 419. The crash happened just before 1:15 p.m. The woman, 26, … more

9/29/25

Accident reports, Sept. 26-27

Mexico man hurt in motorocycle crash A Mexico man suffered moderate injuries after his motorcycle struck a deer Sept. 26 on Route FF, .7 miles west of Audrain County Road 989. The … more

9/29/25

Video: Walk Back in Time preview

Walk through living history this weekend at the Walk Back in Time at the Audrain Historical Society at 501 S. Muldrow St. in Mexico. Find more Studio Audrain videos at … more

9/25/25