News - The Mexico Ledger

Mexico man charged with child sex crimes

A Mexico man has been charged with eight child sex crimes, with some going back more than 15 years, according to court records and information from the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney’s … more

8/14/25

Mexico Public Safety Department: People should use caution with school starting again

Mexico Public Safety Department officials remind people to exercise caution around roadways next week as school begins. Students in Mexico Public Schools return to class on Wednesday. … more

8/14/25

Resurfacing work scheduled on Route EE in Ralls County

Weather permitting, a resurfacing project located on Route EE in Ralls County, from Route J to Missouri Route 19, is expected to begin as early as this week, according to a news release from the … more

8/13/25

Alice Leonatti, executive director of the Miss Missouri Pageant, stands with Miss Missouri 2025 Courtney Rowe after she completed her second round of mock interviews.

Miss Missouri prepares for the job interview of a lifetime

Miss Missouri Courtney Rowe visited Mexico Aug. 6 to prepare for the job interview of a lifetime – the title of Miss America. Rowe will head to Orlando in September for the Miss America … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/13/25

Mark your calendars: back to school open houses

Summer is coming to an end and students are preparing to return to the classroom. Check out these important back to school dates: Mexico Mexico Public Schools District 59’s fall … more

8/13/25

Vehicles drive on U.S. 54 near Scott’s Corner roundabout intersection near Community R-VI School. New speed limits will go into effect soon on roads near this roundabout. [Don Munsch]

New speed limits near Community R-VI go into effect soon

Speed limits will be reduced next week in an area near Scott’s Corner in Audrain County. A press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation stated the department would lower … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/13/25

The greased pig contest will return to the Martinsburg Picnic for another year.

Tradition returns to Martinsburg this weekend

The Martinsburg Picnic will return for its 123rd year this weekend for two days of fun as the community prepares to go back to school. Gene Albur, the Martinsburg Area Community Betterment … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/13/25

Voters approve new fire district in east Audrain County

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/13/25

John Wohlschlaeger, landscape architect and partner at SWT Design, discusses the vision for an improved Fairgrounds Park with Dr. Alexander Finck at the community meeting.

Parks survey exceeds expectations

Survey says – Mexico residents don't want more parks. They just want to improve the ones they already have. The city of Mexico Parks and Recreation and SWT Designs held its second … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/13/25

New teachers, from left, McCailyn Drainer, Matthew Kimbel, Mitchell Henderson and Alexis Smythe begin teaching next week in Mexico Public Schools. [Mexico Public Schools]

New teachers reflect on beginning careers in Mexico

Mexico Public Schools will welcome back students next week, with classes beginning Aug. 20. Lots of new teachers will join students in those classrooms, including four teachers new to the … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/13/25

Mexico Public Schools Superintendent Troy Lentz, left, talks to Mexico High School administrators Mike Fernandez (assistant principal), Brad Ellebracht (principal) and Shannon Davolt (assistant principal) during a break from a new teacher program at the central office building. [Don Munsch]

Lentz looks ahead to second year as Mexico schools chief

Mexico Public Schools Superintendent Troy Lentz didn’t hesitate when asked about working in education in contemporary times. “I don’t think it’s ever been tougher,” … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/13/25

Auxvasse Back to School Bash Highlights [Photo gallery]

Auxvasse celebrated the end of summer before heading back to school with a Back to School Bash at Domann Park Saturday The community came out to enjoy the last bit of summer they had left … more

Photos by Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/13/25

Zyonna Evans, owner of Show Me Ice Cream LLC, tracks her own sales, monitors her product and promotes her business on social media. The only thing she can’t do is drive the truck.

Summer ends in sweet success

A stream of water jetting from the top of the fire truck covered most of the hill between the basketball courts and the playground at Domann Park Saturday morning. The Auxvasse Fire Department … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/13/25

Accident reports, Aug. 6-11

Armstrong man crashes pickup into ditch BOONE - An Armstrong man suffered minor injuries after he crashed his vehicle Aug. 10 on Missouri 124, just west of Missouri YY. The wreck happened … more

8/12/25

Three people apprehended after shots fired incident

Shots were fired but no injuries were reported Saturday in a neighborhood in Mexico, according to a Mexico Public Safety Department news release. At 9:45 p.m., the Mexico Public Safety … more

8/11/25

Voters approve new fire district in east Audrain County

A new fire protection district in east Audrain County was approved in special election Tuesday, according to election results from Audrain County. Voters approved incorporating the new Van Far … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/6/25

Consumer tips for back-to-school shopping

The first day of school will be here before you know it. School supplies can be expensive, so it makes sense to search out the best prices – just make sure you’re not falling for a deal … more

8/6/25

Kim Perkins, nursery program manager at WERDCC, speaks about the new nursery at the Correctional Center.

Altrusa holds July program meeting

Altrusa International of Mexico, Missouri, Inc. met July 24 at The Oaks for its program meeting. The meeting was called to order by Co-President Jackie Vaughn followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. … more

8/6/25

New Deputy Commandant for Operations Joins MMA

Former British Army officer and royal adviser Bill Mott is joining the staff of Missouri Military Academy on Aug. 1 as deputy commandant for operations, according to a news release from MMA. … more

8/6/25

Marci Orr, director of communications, and DeOnna Wieberg, assistant superintendent secretary of Mexico Public Schools, greeted students, including future bulldogs, at the 2025 Back-to-School Health Fair.

2025 Back to School Health Fair deemed a success

The Community Health Ministry Team held its 16th annual Back-to-School Health Fair at the Mexico United Methodist Church Saturday. The weather and turn-out were good, and 398 bags of school supplies … more

8/6/25

Mexico City Council Member Larry Webber, left, listens as City Manager Bruce Slagle talks during the July 28 meeting. [Don Munsch]

Council approves move with hospital cancer wing building

The future of the hospital in Mexico is pending as Boone Health looks for a partner in the business venture, but the Mexico City Council made some decisions on the disposition of the cancer wing at … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/6/25

Mainstreet Mexico clears hurdle with council for tree project

Mainstreet Mexico has received the green light from Mexico City Council to pursue a project for downtown Mexico. Council on July 28 began the process for Mainstreet Mexico to plant trees in … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/6/25

Brady Fox of Last Call Cornhole team takes his shot during a spirited “last man standing” cornhole competition before the tournament began.

Ralls County Cornhole teams up with Central Missouri Veterans Monument Foundation

Tina Nutt founded Ralls County Cornhole with the help of her husband Brandon. They organize tournaments and fundraise for a number of community events in Audrain, Ralls, Montgomery and surrounding … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/6/25

Mike Vanderiet Jr., street department supervisor for the city of Mexico, stands next to a street sweeper at the city facility parking lot. Mexico city staff wants to obtain a new street sweeper in the upcoming budget. [Don Munsch]

Mexico council gets first glimpse of proposed budget

A new street sweeper for the city of Mexico is among the items and purchases proposed in the upcoming fiscal year budget. The Mexico City Council examined some of those budget costs at the July … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/6/25

Grain Belt Express is expected to run from southwest Kansas carrying renewable energy through Missouri and Illinois before ending at the Indiana state line.

Grain Belt Express moves forward despite cancelation of federal funding

Land owners in Audrain and several other counties in Missouri will continue to be confronted with lawsuits backed by eminent domain from Grain Belt Express despite the cancellation of $4.9 billion in … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/6/25