■ The April 11 paper has charts and stories recapping the April 2 election, which had high turnout compared to past Aprils. On issues, there were more winners than losers, and the Leader talks to both the jubilant and the disappointed. Plus, there is a story describing new County Clerk Ken Waller’s debut election. He is practicing for next year, when heavy-duty balloting returns with a presidential primary and a primary and general elections.
■ Jefferson County 911 Chief Travis Williams said his agency is grateful after voters declared emphatically April 2 that the sun should not set on half of 911’s Dispatch’s 1/2-cent sales tax.
Official results show Prop 9-1-1 winning with 15,301 yes votes (70.67 percent) to 6,350 no votes (29.33 percent). The measure authorizes 911 to keep collecting its full 1/2-cent sales tax, rather than allowing the tax to drop to 1/4 cent, as was called for when voters originally approved the tax in 2009. “We are elated with the results,” Williams said. “We’re just really happy with these numbers. We think it shows the voters take public safety very seriously in Jefferson County and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.” See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ John Scullin, who has served eight years on the Jefferson County Health Department Board of Trustees, was unseated April 2 by challenger James Prater, 41, of Barnhart. Scullin, 47, of De Soto said he believes the election mailer the Southern Missouri Conservative Fund sent to area voters a few days before the election “absolutely” led to his loss. See Katelyn Mary Skaggs story.
■ Class rank, valedictorians and salutatorians are all on the way out at Windsor High School. In their place, for measuring and recognizing academic achievement, will be the Latin cum laude (”with honors”) system used by most American colleges and universities and an increasing number of high schools. The Windsor C-1 Board of Education voted 4-0 on March 27 to scrap class rank as an academic yardstick, fully effective with the graduating class of 2023 – the current eighth-graders at Windsor Middle School. The new system will phase in over the next four years, running parallel with the class rank calculation, for graduating classes from 2019 through 2022. The most noticeable effect of the change will be the expansion of student recognition, for those earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ Patsy Jett, 72, of Hillsboro has been collecting glass jars and bottles since 1976. “I blame the Bicentennial,” she said. “The Ball canning jar company put out a commemorative jar, with a wire bale and glass lid. Inside was a pamphlet, and for $6 you could order a booklet of the history of the jars. It sparked my interest, and I started buying and collecting.” The rest, as they say, is history. See Laura Marlow’s story.
■ Longtime Festus business Metro Office Supply Hallmark is undergoing major changes, owners Chris and Linda Hagan announced April 5. Part of the business has been sold, part will remain as is and the Hagans are looking to rent out about half of their building at 102 E. Main St. Chris Hagan said he and his wife have actually been operating three different businesses at the building. The one they are keeping is their Hallmark store, now known as Metro’s Hallmark Shop, a gift shop. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Gordon Bess writes in the Editorial section this week about the late Adam McCullough and his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The column offers advice from Willa McCullough, who spent a decade in the trenches as Adam’s caregiver.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando’s April 11 column shares observations about the track and field season underway at county high schools. Also catch up on baseball action.
*** Cough, sneeze, cough. Spring equals allergies.