■ The Mooniers of Festus seem like millions of other typical American families: mom and dad, three kids and a dog, living busy, happy lives in their new home. But their journey to being a family has been a complicated one, with elements of heartbreak along the way. Brandon, 34, and Erica, 33, are the natural parents of Eliza, 7, and recently completed the adoption of Jakob, 6, and Jionni, who just turned 3. The Mooniers’ hope for year 2017 and beyond is to move on from the past and to become – typical. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 feature story.
■ Accusing his fellow members of the Jefferson County Council of playing politics, Jim Kasten did not take his ouster from the county’s Port Authority’s Board of Directors quietly. The Dec. 27 Jefferson County Council meeting turned fiery when the council refused, by a 5-0 vote, to follow County Executive Ken Waller’s recommendation and return Kasten to the port board. See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story.
■ Grandview R-2 Board of Education members unanimously approved a motion Dec. 21 to reject the resignation of school district business manager Angela Huskey and “terminate her employment with the district, effective immediately,” according to minutes from a closed meeting posted on the district’s website. Accountants conducting a special audit have determined that internal fiscal control procedures were not properly followed in the district. Superintendent Matt Zoph said the matter has been turned over to authorities, although he would not say which authorities. See Kevin Carbery’s Page 1 story.
■ Thousands of Jefferson County residents lost power for hours because of icy conditions created by periods of freezing rain Jan. 9-11, but the situation could have been worse, said Warren Robinson, Jefferson County director of Emergency Management. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Editorial Page editor Patrick Martin provides in his Jan. 19 column a rule book for people who may be opposed to our incoming president, Donald J. Trump, and who need some help getting on the Trump team.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando focuses his Jan. 19 column on Bryant Wright, Festus High’s award-winning cross country coach, who is already thinking about next season after his boys team snagged its third state championship in three years in November.
*** Come to the Jan. 29 Leader Wedding Fair, at Quality Inn in Festus, for all your event-planning needs.