■ Pevely Police Chief Charles “Tony” Moutray was placed on paid administrative leave Monday night amid allegations about a domestic dispute at his Festus-area home in November. No charges were filed against Moutray in the case, but after information about the alleged dispute got out, it drew attention from a wide range of people, including representatives from various anti-domestic abuse organizations. Some of those representatives organized and held a “Candlelight Vigil and Rally Against Domestic Violence” targeted at Moutray in front of Pevely City Hall on Monday evening before the start of the Pevely Board of Aldermen meeting. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ As dozens of dignitaries, police, fire and emergency responders waited for the official ceremony to begin, James “Doug” Jenkins of House Springs leaned across a row of chairs to speak quietly to Terry Simon of De Soto. “I’m so glad to see you doing so well," said Jenkins, 55. “Thank you,” replied Simon, 49, and then after a pause, “just thank you.” The pair last saw each other Aug. 14 at the scene of a dramatic crash on Hwy. T, between Hwy. TT and Hwy. DD, south of Festus. First responders agree that Jenkins’ quick thinking at the scene likely saved Simon’s life. See Peggy Scott’s story.
■ Jefferson County taxpayers may have to shell out more than $85,000 to pay legal bills for County Councilwoman Renee Reuter and the County Council stemming from an ongoing lawsuit alleging violations of the state’s Sunshine Law, which regulates government meetings and records. The Jefferson County Council voted 5-0 with an abstention during a Dec. 28 special meeting to approve a resolution proposed by council vice chairman Charles Groeteke (District 4, Barnhart) directing the county to pay all costs associated with the suit brought by then-Attorney General Josh Hawley against Reuter in January 2018. Reuter abstained from the vote and Dan Darian (District 5, De Soto) was absent. The suit alleges that Reuter directed the council’s administrative assistant to delete email messages containing invoices for legal services incurred by the council for two other cases. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ Festus R-6 assistant superintendent Nicki Ruess will leave the district at the end of the school year to take a job as the superintendent of the North St. Francois County R-1 School District. Ruess, 45, of Bonne Terre said that while she’s thankful for the opportunity her new job will offer, it will not be easy to leave Festus schools. “I’ve loved my time here,” Ruess said. “It’s been wonderful. I love it here at Festus.” The Festus Board of Education agreed Nov. 28 to release Ruess from her contract with the district, effective June 30, 2019. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Sometimes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Or, at least, change back to what they were. It looks like Wes Yates will again be the county government’s top legal authority. Jefferson County’s newly elected county executive, Dennis Gannon, appointed Yates to be the new county counselor, a job he held from June 2011 to December 2016. The County Council still must confirm the appointment, and likely will vote on the appointment at its Jan. 14 meeting. Since Jan. 2, Yates has been working as the interim county counselor. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ In the Editorial section, Gordon Bess fondly remembers political pundit Will Rogers, and letters about climate change are still flooding the Opinions Page.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando writes about the Worley twins in his column this week. In an unusual move, the high school basketball talents have transferred mid-season from the Windsor to the Hillsboro school district.
*** Snow by this weekend?