News - The Mexico Ledger

Emiya (left) and Emira Saverson (right) are getting their back to school health screenings stopping for a quick family photo op with their mom Symone Kuschel.

For Arthur Center CEO Brock Lough, making the best use of a scarce resource is what community is all about. That is why Arthur Center has officially partnered with Williams Family Support … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 9/3/25

Truck and Tractor Pull season comes to a close [Photo gallery]

Pulling teams from all over the midwest and east coast returned to Mexico to leave it all out on the tracks at the Mexico Young Farmers Truck and Tractor Pull Saturday. Josie Otto of Meta, the … more

Photos by Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 9/3/25

Audrain County joins lawsuit against State Tax Commission

Audrain County has joined four other counties in suing the State Tax Commission concerning increasing property assessments. The suit was filed Aug. 25 in Polk County. Other counties in the … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 9/2/25

MPSD looking for individual in attempted business break-in

Mexico Public Safety Department officials seek the public’s information on an attempted break-in of a business Sunday. MPSD officials said just before 6:10 a.m. that personnel responded to … more

9/2/25

Man charged with multiple child sex crimes in Audrain County

A Rush Hill man has been charged with multiple child sex crimes in Audrain County, according to court records. James Winkler, 42, is charged with five counts of child molestation-first degree, … more

8/28/25

Centralia man dies in Mexico crash

A Centralia man was killed in a two-vehicle wreck Tuesday night in Mexico. The man, 34, died at the scene, according to a Mexico Public Safety Department release. His name has not been released. … more

8/27/25

DAR members Rosalie McGaugh, Anne Vines, Susan Yelton, Shirley Brewer

MSSDAR chapters hold Poker Walk at veterans home

Missouri State Society Daughters of American Revolution (MSSDAR) Chapters have coordinated with other service organizations to host the inaugural "Poker Walk" at the Mexico Veterans Home for 50 … more

8/27/25

ACHD signs agreement for Vandalia building for health services

The Audrain County Health Department has announced the signing of a new lease agreement with the Audrain County Commission and the city of Mexico to occupy the former Vandalia Medical Clinic located … more

8/27/25

Community R-VI approves tax rate for new school year

The Community R-VI School District Board of Education approved the 2025-26 tax rate of $4.55 per $100 of assessed valuation at its Aug. 20 meeting. Broken down, that is $4.00 for operating … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/27/25

United Way to hold annual Purse program in Mexico

Purse time is coming next week to Audrain County. The third annual United Way Power of the Purse will be held Sept. 4 at the Missouri Military Academy Gymtorium, with the social beginning at … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/27/25

Children play on new equipment at McMillan Early Learning Center. All playground surface and equipment installation occurred at McMillan Early Learning Center, Eugene Field Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary School before the school year. [Mexico Public Schools]

Mexico school district trustees approve tax rate, get construction update

The Mexico Public Schools Board of Education set the 2025-26 tax rate at its Aug.19 meeting, with the rate remaining the same as last year - $4.6191 per $100 valuation. The rate was … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/27/25

Proceeds from the Mexico Young Farmers Truck and Tractor Pull go right back into the ag community in the form of FFA Scholarships, SAE grant funding, improvements to the 4-H fairgrounds and even instructional workshops for the Young Farmers.

Mexico Young Farmers keep on truckin'

Twenty years ago, when the Mexico Young Farmers started their annual Truck and Tractor Pulls at the Audrain County 4-H fairgrounds, there was nothing there. All they had were a road grader and a … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/27/25

A poster - one of many - inside a hallway inside Mexico High School reminds students about the new cellphone restrictions put in place this year. [Don Munsch]

School districts adjust to new state law on cellphone usage during school hours

Classes have started at schools in the area, and with the new year beginning, students and educators are getting acclimated to a new set of rules regarding cellphones. State lawmakers approved a … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/27/25

Beth Lower was presented with her Hidden Hero cape Saturday evening after she returned home from her monthly trip transporting children to visit their mother at the Chillicothe Correctional Center.

August's Hidden Hero is a teacher for life

Making a difference in one’s community – one’s world – can take on many forms. And the results of those good deeds touch many in the here-and-now, while forming a lasting … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/27/25

Daredevil Leilani Burton soars high above the streets of Mexico at the Soybean Festival’s Carnival.

Soybean Festival sees shift in focus

The booming music in the square, dampened only by the shrieks of joy from trill-seeking carnivalgoers, echoed through Mexico last weekend. Hosted by the Mexico Jaycees, the annual Soybean … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/27/25

2025 Soybean Festival Highlights [Photo gallery]

The Soybean Festival, hosted by the Mexico Jaycees, was held Friday and Saturday. Carnival rides, games, food trucks and local vendors lined the streets of downtown Mexico and thankfully, the weather … more

Photos by Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/26/25

Accident reports, Aug. 25

Two people transported after Audrain County crash Two people were taken to hospitals after a three-vehicle crash Aug. 25 at U.S. 54 at County Road 485. A 34-year-old woman from Bowling … more

8/26/25

House fire in Mexico causes smoke, fire damage

A Mexico home sustained some moderate smoke and fire damage Tuesday night, according to a news release from the Mexico Public Safety Department. There were no injuries. Just before … more

8/20/25

From left: Ean Johnson, Bodhi Eskew and Mitchum Throndson of Sundown Shot prepare to play at the 123rd annual Martinsburg Picnic as Saturday Night’s headliner. The picnic is where they got their start and Saturday was Johnson’s last before he heads to college.

Changes on the horizon for local band Sundown Shot

Nearly three years ago, a couple of teenage guitarists who had never met before were jamming in a garage. Neither of them knew that in less than a year, they would be booking their first gig at the … more

By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/20/25

Setting an ethical company culture in your small business

Who is your business? You’re right to feel like that’s a big question, because it is. Products and services aside, your business is defined by the company culture you create. And … more

8/20/25

Opening Statement

Welcome back to “Opening Statement,” a monthly check-in from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office about issues important to our community’s safety, well-being and future. … more

By Jacob Shellabarger, Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney | 8/20/25

Mexico council approves request for container usage at property

An individual’s request for a permit to put a shipping container in a property was approved by Mexico City Council at its Aug. 11 meeting. Council approved, after a public hearing, a … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/20/25

Friday night features friendly competition [Photo gallery]

Friday night in Martinsburg is all about the contests. The 123rd annual Martinsburg Picnic, hosted by the Martinsburg Area Community Betterment Council, was held Friday and Saturday. … more

Photos by Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/20/25

Mexico City Council members Ron Ray, left, and Vicki Briggs listen during the Aug.11 meeting that featured a work session on the upcoming budget. Council will vote on the budget in September. [Don Munsch]

Mexico council discusses upcoming budget

The city of Mexico will have a proposed budget of around $25 million for fiscal year 2026. Mexico City Council got a rundown of the budget at a work session on Aug. 11. A public hearing and vote … more

By Don Munsch, Editor | 8/20/25

123rd annual Martinsburg Picnic Highlights [Photo gallery]

To purchase photo reprints, call the Mexico Ledger office at 573-581-1111. Photos and other materials on this website are property of the Mexico Ledger and are protected by copyright law. … more

Photos By Sky Strauss, Staff Writer | 8/20/25