News - The Mexico Ledger

Mexico man seriously injured in motorcycle accident in Audrain County

A Mexico man was thrown from his motorcycle when he struck a deer on Saturday afternoon. The 63-year-old motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to University … more

8/9/26

Artist Kaylee Abbott, of Mexico, uses a variety of unconventional mediums such as candle wax and paper from recycled books to create unique artwork. Her art will be on display in September at the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Vault Gallery to host local artist in September

Kaylee Abbott is a lifelong resident of Mexico, where she was born and raised. A graduate of Mexico High School, she later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Truman State University with a … more

8/9/26

Mexico Street Superintendent Kevin Barker (left) supervises while Kris Damron attempts to cut deeper into the mosaic in preparation of its excavation on July 27.

Hidden in plain sight

A piece of Mexico’s history that was buried in plain sight has been unearthed. The original mosaic tiles that once served as the entrance to the historic Orpheum Theater on West … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 8/7/26

Martincic promoted to Billing/HR Coordinator at ACHD

The Audrain County Health Department has a new Billing/HR Coordinator. Current Administrative Assistant Rebecca Martincic has been named to the position, according to a news release … more

8/6/26

Tiger Rotenburger, facilities manager for Presser Arts Center, stands in front of Hardin Gym, which was constructed in 1914. It has since been condemned by the city and deemed a threat to public safety.

Hardin Gym demolition contract awarded after bid dispute

The long-delayed Hardin Gym demolition project finally took steps in the right direction. Mexico City Council awarded the project to Donaldson Excavating LLC, of Mexico, and authorized … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 8/6/26

Helping to beautify the Mexico square, Paige Maximovitch, Debra Trabue and Leslie Newton take turns watering the flowers in front of the Erdel, Owings, Tanzey and Newton Law Office. Each planter requires about five gallons of water per week.

Local businesses help Mainstreet flourish

Mainstreet Mexico placed 14 planters in the downtown area late last fall as part of a community-wide effort to beautify the square. Each planter was purchased with money from the Miriam … more

8/5/26

The Fairgrounds Culvert project is one of nine ongoing stormwater improvement projects happening all across Mexico. Other projects include stormwater improvement projects at East Anderson Street, North Kentucky Street, North Calhoun Street, Curtis Street, Love and Abat streets and North Washington Street as well as culvert replacements at Teal Lake access and Pollock Road.

Mexico to deepen Lakeview Lake during culvert project

Once again, Lakeview Lake is all dried up, but as the culvert replacement project nears its end, the City of Mexico has decided to take advantage of the situation and make it deeper. … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 8/5/26

Unofficial results for the Aug. 4 Primary Election

The unofficial results for the Aug. 4, 2026 primary election are posted below, with results provided by the Audrain County Clerk’s office. The election includes amendments and two contested races … more

8/4/26

Missouri voters have major ballot measures on income tax and initiative petitions to decide, as well as primaries for congress, state Senate and Missouri House districts on Tuesday.

Missouri turnout could hit 1.4 million as ballot measures drive primary interest

Missouri election officials expect as many as 1.4 million voters will cast ballots by the time polls close Tuesday, continuing the historic trend of high turnout in primary elections featuring major … more

By Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent | 8/3/26

Lessons from efforts to cut income taxes in Kansas and Tennessee

Many Missouri lawmakers supporting Amendment 5, which would phase out the state’s individual income tax and allow lawmakers to broadly raise sales taxes to replace it, point to Tennessee as … more

By John Murphy, Missouri News Network | 8/3/26

Audrain County voters to decide local races, constitutional amendments in Aug. 4 primary

Audrain County voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 4 for the primary election. This year’s ballot features a number of Audrain County incumbents who will be running … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 7/31/26

Midwest utilities want less competition to build the grid faster

Electric companies in the Midwest say new large-scale power lines are needed to get more energy onto the grid to serve big power consumers such as artificial intelligence data centers. Now, the … more

BY Jana Rose Schleis, Missouri News Network | 7/31/26

Crews work on the outside of the new, secure entry at Van-Far High School. Students who arrive late and visitors will need to check in at the new office, which will be located where the library was.

Construction at Van-Far continues

The Van-Far school district is getting some much needed upgrades finished before school starts in August. In April, district voters approved a $4 million bond issue with a no tax-rate … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 7/30/26

Living Hope hosts Back to School event

Families flocked to the park Saturday afternoon to enjoy some good weather and family time before school starts this August. Living Hope Church hosted its fifth annual Back 2 School Fun Day … more

7/30/26

Congratulations Favorite Pet Photo Contest winners

The winners of The Mexico Ledger’s Favorite Pet Photo Contest, sponsored by A&H Doghouse and Audrain Veterinary Clinic, have been announced. There were a lot of great entries. First place … more

7/29/26

Central Missouri Veterans Monument Foundation President Russ Davis stands in the center of the home of the future monument in Mexico. It's a plain concrete slab right now, but Davis can already see it coming together.

Construction of veterans monument begins

Over the next couple months, there will be a lot of changes at the future home of the Central Missouri Veterans Monument. The Central Missouri Veterans Monument Foundation officially … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 7/29/26

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 7-9

Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7, and runs through midnight on Sunday, August 9. During this time, certain purchases such as school … more

7/29/26

The Arthur Center team that took charge of the application process referred to themselves as "TT-19," or ToRCH Team for Hub 19. From left is: Brandy Druger, director of finance; Ilda Guambe, data and grants coordinator; Heather Foster, chief operating officer; Brock Lough, chief executive officer; Laura Parrott, director of adult services; and Kerri Ferrari, director of communications. (Not pictured: Angela Carter, director of school-based services)

Arthur Center to lead regional rural healthcare hub

Arthur Center Community Health will represent Audrain, Montgomery and Callaway counties in a statewide effort to increase collaboration and accessibility in rural health care as the leader of … more

By Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 7/28/26

Impact of proposed income tax elimination debated

Voters will be asked on Aug. 4 if the legislature should be required to phase out individual income tax while removing limits in the Missouri Constitution on sales and other taxes on goods and … more

By Peter S. Pynadath, Missouri News Network | 7/27/26

Mexico DAR Chapter celebrates 120th anniversary

The Mexico Missouri Chapter of DAR celebrated its 120th anniversary with tea on Monday, May 18 at the Carlson House. Regent Deborah Wehrman welcomed the guests. State Vice Regent Becky Osbourn … more

7/26/26

Congratulations to our Fair Fun in Focus Photo Contest winner

The winner of The Mexico Ledger’s Fair Fun in Focus Photo Contest, has been announced. There were a lot of great entries. First place goes to Amber Toney for her submission “Ridin high.” … more

7/24/26

From left: Brent level, Randy level, Father Ussher, Zach Hays, Brian Scarborough and Matt Maguire.

Area churches, schools, VFW, The Help Center join forces to ship two 40-foot containers of HOPE & HELP

After Gary Moreau, executive director of Mobility Worldwide, presented a program to the James Circle of the United Methodist Church in Mexico, church members quickly decided to contribute the dollars … more

7/24/26

Gowin Joins FSCB Mexico as Senior Community Lender

Matt Gowin has joined First State Community Bank in Mexico as Senior Community Banking Officer, according to a news release issued by FSCB. Gowin began his banking career in 1992 as a credit … more

7/23/26

Construction on the first single-family dwellings in the Park Place subdivision, located along Mars Street between Saturn Street and Agricultural Street, started May 21.

Plans change for Park Place development

Recent modifications to the Park Place subdivision will eliminate one buildable tract. Mexico City Council members approved an amendment to the Park Place Subdivision sketch plan that eliminates … more

7/23/26

Jon Emert, JEMA partner; David Bull, Navigate Building Solutions LLC’s senior project manager; and Matt Sutherland, JEMA principal prepare to show the Mexico City Council some of JEMA's recent projects as well as renderings of what the future Mexico Municipal Complex could look like at the July 13 city council meeting.

Mexico gets first look at proposed city hall/public safety designs

Current design ideas for Mexico’s new city hall and public safety facilities pay homage to the city’s history as the Firebrick Capital of the World and its existing hip roof architecture. … more

Sky Kauffman, Staff Writer | 7/23/26