■ As 2017 ended, new Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak closed the book on his first year in office, satisfied with his accomplishments. “It’s been a busy year,” he said. “I think looking back over the year, we feel like we’ve accomplished a lot. I think we’ve cut some waste and improved our efficiency. We did the things we said we were going to do.” Marshak, 47, was elected sheriff in November 2016, succeeding Glenn Boyer, who had held the job for 24 years. See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story.
■ The number of reported flu cases hit the gas pedal in Jefferson County in December, and county Health Department epidemiologist Dylan Steigerwald advises residents not to add fuel to the situation. “If you’re sick – if you’re running a fever – stay home,” he said Tuesday. For Dec. 17-23, week 51 of the 2017-2018 flu season, 286 influenza cases were reported, Steigerwald said. See Peggy Bess’ story.
■ When death stares you in the face, the great lessons of life come into sharp focus. Pat Bone knows all about it. He’s just glad he lived to tell the story. Bone, 58, is well known to Jefferson Countians who follow local baseball and basketball. Back on June 13, Bone felt heartburn coming on that grew gradually worse over the next few hours. Eventually, Bone found himself on a hospital gurney, awaiting emergency surgery for a major heart attack. He thought his life was ending; the final grains of sand in the hourglass were draining down. Or so it seemed. See Gordon Bess’ feature story.
■ A storied name in Jefferson County’s political history will appear on the Aug. 7 primary election ballot. Tom Hollingsworth has announced he will file for the Democratic Party’s nomination for prosecuting attorney. Hollingsworth, 46, of Victoria has been an assistant prosecutor under Prosecuting Attorney Forrest Wegge for the last 10 years. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ A documentary featuring an Imperial weight-loss camp for children has won a regional Emmy television award. The documentary “Weighed Down: Finding Hope for Childhood Obesity,” was produced by the StoryTrack company and first presented on KETC (Channel 9) in St. Louis in 2016. It won a Mid-America Emmy in 2017. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The Harlem Wizards will take the court at Northwest High School at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, displaying their basketball high jinks and competing against Northwest R-1 School District teachers and administrators. Tickets are available at five locations, including Jilly’s Cafe and Steakhouse, 1630 Gravois Road, in High Ridge; Rockwood Bank, 23 Dillon Plaza Drive, in High Ridge; Farmers and Merchants Bank, 1010 Crossroads Plaza, High Ridge; and two Enterprise Bank locations – one at 4675 Gravois Road in House Springs and the other at 8475 Local Hillsboro Road in Cedar Hill. Tickets also will be available at the door. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ Peggy Bess’ column discusses New Year’s resolutions and interplanetary travel. Honest, there’s a connection.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando’s column covers the drama and trauma of Jefferson College women’s basketball coach Ashley McGee’s 93-31 loss on Dec. 19 to her former boss, Lindsey Vande Hoef, coach of Iowa West College. Also, two county teams won holiday basketball tournament championships: The Hillsboro boys won the Bob Sechrest Jr. Christmas Tournament and Herculaneum girls captured the title in the Kingston Holiday Tournament.
*** Let’s all pray the climate will change. Brrrr!