■ Officials from Jefferson County’s Republican Party attempted to remove one of the party’s candidates from the Aug. 7 primary election ballot. County Clerk Randy Holman said a letter written to him by Angela Alter-Wren, who chairs the county’s Republican Central Committee dated May 11, asked him to remove Gary Stout II, a candidate for the Republican nomination for county executive, from the primary election ballot. The party alleges that Stout is not truly a Republican. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ The revolving door at the De Soto Police Department took another spin last week. Chief Joe Edwards, hired in late February after a lengthy career with the California Highway Patrol, announced his resignation June 27 in a statement he issued directly to news media. “Chief Edwards expresses his appreciation for the opportunity to add to the growth of the De Soto Police Department,” Edwards said in the statement. The resignation isn’t effective until July 27, however, giving the city time to work with the departing chief to address unspecified issues in the Police Department.
■ June 24 was a red-letter day for members of the Midwest Club Dance as they celebrated and toasted 25 years of dancing. The club, which was formed in 1993 and is based in Arnold, has 152 members from all across the county, and beyond, club president Barbara Beczkala, 69, of south St. Louis County said. About 146of those members turned out for the anniversary celebration, which included a catered dinner, drinks and music by The Horns band.
■ The issue of whether a silica sand quarry will be allowed at Hwy. 21 and Old Hwy. 21 in the Goldman area north of Hillsboro may be settled Monday, July 9. County Executive Ken Waller told the County Council at its June 25 meeting that he intended to place a resolution to deny the request on Monday’s agenda. Anticipating a large crowd, Waller advised the council that he intends to place the public comments and the resolution as the first items on the agenda. Close to 300 people squeezed into the Jefferson County Administration Center on June 14 for a public hearing on the request for a conditional-use request in front ofthe Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ The new McDonald’s restaurant in De Soto is more than a born-again burger joint. It’s an economic shot in the arm for the community and a source of pride to its owners and employees. “I’m excited because if someone comes to visit us in De Soto, they can see that we represent the town well,” said store co-owner Janeth Kirkhuff shortly after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restaurant’s grand opening on June 28. “We don’t have that old-looking building. We’re proud to say the McDonald’s in De Soto is up to date and is new. We needed something refreshing here in town, as far as a look.” Kirkhuff and her husband, David, own and operate the De Soto site, 12955 Hwy. 21, as well as McDonald’s stores in Hillsboro, Desloge, Potosi, south St. Louis County and Oakville. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ Construction on the first housing unit for Mary’s House of Hope is expected to begin this fall, thanks to a recent $400,000 anonymous donation towards the project, said Kim Elbl, vice president of Comtrea, an agency that provides a variety of health services throughout the county. Comtrea is building Mary’s House of Hope to provide transitional housing for women and children who have been the victims of domestic abuse. Plans for Mary’s House of Hope calls for four multi-housing units to provide more long-term housing for up to 16 families. The entire project will cost an estimated $3.5 million, according to Comtrea officials. See Tracey Bruce's story.
■ It’s a sharp learning curve going from civilian life to being a member of the military. Two recent county high school graduates reported last week to separate military academies. Connor Portlock, a 2018 Windsor graduate, and James Moloney, who recently graduated from Herculaneum, both reported June 28 to begin their military careers. Portlock was accepted into the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Moloney is in Annapolis, Md., to begin studies at the NavalAcademy. See Russell Korando’s feature story in the Sports section.
■ Gordon Bess writes a column this week about the sadness one feels when longtime institutions pass away. See the Editorial section.
*** Have a safe Fourth of July.