■ Now it’s Rich McCane’s turn at the wheel in De Soto. McCane, 38, was elected by his fellow city councilmen as the town’s new mayor on April 16. A council member since 2010, he was the logical choice to succeed former Mayor Larry Sanders, who lost his councilman re-election bid April 3. McCane was the council’s chairman pro tem in 2013-2014 and again in 2017-2018. The new mayor, a lifelong resident of De Soto, is already rolling up his sleeves. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ A request by the operators of a rock quarry in the Sulphur Springs area of Barnhart to enlarge its operations is one thing, nearby residents say. Asking the county to loosen restrictions concerning when the quarry can operate is quite another. About two dozen people attended the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on March 22 to register dismay with a rezoning request and revised development plan for the Simpson Construction Materials quarry on Sulphur Springs Road off Hwy. 61-67. The Jefferson County Council, which has the final say on land-use issues in unincorporated areas of the county, is scheduled to consider the proposals May 14. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ Sunridge Park north of Hillsboro is going to be a lot more fun later this year. The Jefferson County Council on March 12 unanimously approved a contract to install playground equipment at the park, 8093 Tower Road. Tim Pigg, director of the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the $82,943 playground should be installed by August. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ Susan Gibson has resigned as the mayor of Byrnes Mill. She said a health condition is preventing her from completing her term, according to a written statement City Administrator Debbie LaVenture read at the April 18 Board of Aldermen meeting. Gibson said she has post polio syndrome, a degenerative condition that affects polio survivors and that has made it difficult for her to fulfill her duties as mayor. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ Fox C-6 School District officials are considering placing a $70 million bond issue on the Nov. 6 ballot, which would add 40 cents per $100 assessed valuation to the debt service levy. Additional revenue would be used to fund maintenance projects and improvements at schools across the district, as well as some new construction projects. The money also would help the district rebuild its reserve fund, said John Brazeal, the district’s chief financial officer. The tax increase would cost the owner of a home assessed at $150,000 by the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office an additional $114 annually in property taxes. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ A state audit of De Soto School District financial procedures has begun. State Auditor Nicole Galloway and some members of her staff visited Jefferson County last week to announce the beginning of her agency’s audit of the district and to urge those interested in giving input into the process to so. The audit is taking place after a successful petition drive organized by a group of district residents who said they are concerned with the way district leaders have handled finances. The audit is projected to cost $50,000 to $70,000, which the district must pay. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Peggy Bess’ column explores the historical and modern meaning of “witch hunts” and makes the case that Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens must go. Letters this week cover a wide range of topics.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando writes in the April 26 Leader about the high cost of select team baseball, both in dollars for parents and in membership on local American Legion teams. Also see game stories from competition at the high school and college level.
*** The De Soto Home Show is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at De Soto High School, 815 Amvets Drive. Come!