■ Knives were flashing, welders were arcing and motors – as well as the students working on them – were firing on all cylinders last week at Jefferson College. More than 300 high school students from 44 schools as well as some college students converged on the Hillsboro campus to take part in the SkillsUSA East Central District Competition. The contest was held Feb. 13 and Feb. 16. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 feature story.
■ Pevely Mayor Stephanie Haas is still leading the city, despite an effort to impeach her Monday night during another raucous Board of Aldermen meeting. Pevely Ward 1 Alderman Marvin Jeffers, claiming there are several good reasons to remove Haas as mayor, made a motion to impeach her, but it failed with three votes in favor and four votes against. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ It’s doubtful anything could happen in De Soto that the city’s new police chief hasn’t seen before. Fires, floods, earthquakes, even rioting in the streets – Joe Edwards has seen it all. Edwards, 53, started his new job Monday and introduced himself to those attending the City Council meeting that night. He comes to De Soto with more than two decades of experience in the California Highway Patrol, where he served as a road officer for 18 years and then moved up the ranks to commander. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ Former Arnold Councilman Phil Amato, a longtime Democrat, has announced he will run in the Aug. 7 primary for the Republican Party’s nomination for the 97th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. Democrat Mike Revis, who was elected Feb. 6 to serve out the final months of the 97th seat after John McCaherty resigned it, has said he will run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. The winner for each party’s nomination will face off in the Nov. 6 general election. Filings open Feb. 27. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ If Northwest R-1 School District voters approve a $14.5 million bond issue on April 3, the money will be used to build two new school gymnasiums, add new seating in the high school lecture hall, construct safer school entrances and complete a variety of other improvements throughout the district. The district’s Board of Education approved the list of bond issue projects at its Feb. 15 meeting. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes this week about her relationship with George Washington. See the Editorial Section, which also features letters about gun tragedies.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando spent two days at the state high school wrestling championship in Columbia. The competition gave him the theme for his column and numerous stories about the winners and losers. There’s excellent photo work, too, by Ron Rigdon.
*** It remembered how to rain. Praise be!