■ The Grandview R-2 Board of Education voted unanimously Dec. 15 to put business manager Angela Huskey on unpaid administrative leave, after accountants conducting a special audit determined that internal fiscal control procedures were not properly followed. Also, the board increased its budget for the audit, agreeing to spend up to $80,000. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ The Jefferson County Toy Distribution organization, which has been helping brighten the holiday for families in need for more than three decades, provided Christmas presents for nearly 1,400 county children this year. The nonprofit organization collected or bought thousands of toys and also received truckloads of food that was distributed to area families. It takes all year to organize and carry out the collection. See Kim Robertson’s story.
■ Where were you on Dec. 16 when the freezing drizzle hit? “Everyone has a story to tell from that night,” said Pat Engelman, 76, of Barnhart, who had to crawl to reach her home. Peggy Scott compiled stories from our readers – dramatic rescues, tragedies, harrowing experiences, good Samaritans. It was a day and night many of us will have cause to remember.
■ Beginning early next year, traffic will be snarled for a year or so along Hwy. 61-67 between Arnold and Barnhart and for about two years on I-55 between Pevely and the Ste. Genevieve County line while the Missouri Department of Transportation makes improvements along those stretches. Work on both projects probably will begin in March, MoDOT area engineer Judy Wagner said. See Kim Robertson’s story.
■ Members of the De Soto Elks Lodge 689 purchased food, assembled baskets and delivered food to almost 200 families in need on Saturday. The annual Elks food basket distribution has been a tradition for the club for at least 20 years. This year, baskets were filled with about $100 worth of groceries apiece, providing a family with about two weeks of food. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ Editorial Page editor Patrick Martin offers a hilarious take on “The Night Before Christmas,” focusing on the local political scene and with apologies to the poem’s author, Clement Clarke Moore.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando was one of those unlucky drivers on the road Dec. 16. He recounts his adventure in this week’s column, which also notes how the weather played havoc with prep sports schedules.
*** Got your shopping done? And your wrapping?