■ A happy and energetic first-grader at Freer Elementary School, Jackson Schmitt loved animals, enjoyed school and took martial arts classes, aspiring to compete on the “American Ninja Warriors” TV show. He liked going to the library and listening to music; his favorite song was “Sweet Child of Mine.” When a young friend underwent treatment for cancer, he was eager to help. So in March 2019, Jackson had his head shaved during a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser, singlehandedly raising $1,200 in three hours for cancer research. Ironically, the 7-year-old already was harboring the cancer that would end his life just a few months later. “Little did we know,” said his mother, Carrie Schmitt, 39, of Barnhart. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 feature story.
■ A second “older adult” influenza-associated death has been reported in Jefferson County, said Dylan Steigerwald, epidemiologist for the Jefferson County Health Department. As of March 7, Jefferson County had a total of 2,395 reported flu cases. The county has also had one reported outbreak of flu in a long-term care facility, according to Health Department reports. See Katelyn Mary Skaggs’ story.
■ A 200-unit apartment complex may be on its way to High Ridge. The Jefferson County Council voted 5-1 Monday to give preliminary approval to a rezoning request from Lorenzo LLC of St. Louis that would allow apartments to be built on 16.13 acres at Hwy. 30 and Old Sugar Creek Road and Wilderness Lane. The County Council, which has the ultimate authority to rezone property in those areas, is likely to take a final vote on the matter on March 23. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ After one year on the job, Crystal City School District Superintendent Steven Barnes will leave at the end of the school year to instead head up the Morgan County R-2 School District in the southwestern part of the state, where he previously worked. Barnes, 51, became the Crystal City superintendent on July 1, 2019, filling a vacancy after Philip Harrison was placed on paid administrative leave and then retired. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The new Student Services and Counseling Center at Festus High School recently was completed, so now the Festus R-6 School District is moving ahead with its next major construction project to reconfigure the student drop-off and pick-up areas at Festus Elementary School. The high school’s old band room was renovated and converted into the space that now houses the Student Services and Counseling Center, which opened Feb. 10. The Festus Board of Education voted unanimously Feb. 20 to award a $734,690 contract to Jokerst Paving in Festus to reconfigure the drop-off and pick-up areas at Festus Elementary. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ A beautiful weekend attracted plenty of people to Arnold’s newest park, at 1 Golfview Drive off Jeffco Boulevard. The former Arnold Golf Club is now a 100-plus-acre park with paths for biking and hiking. The unnamed park opened Saturday on the city-owned property that ceased operating as a golf course in December. “It was a large turnout (at the new park),” Arnold Parks and Recreation Director Dickie Brown said. “It was extremely busy both days (Saturday and Sunday).” See Tony Krausz’s story.
■ Fox C-6 Board of Education members on March 3 voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Nisha Patel’s contract by one year. It was the second time in a month the board voted on Patel’s contract. In a Feb. 4 closed meeting, the board initially decided in a split vote to wait until October before voting on an extension, then retrenched, after strong reaction from the community. See Tony Krausz’s story.
■ Should a shot clock be added to high school hoops? Sports editor Russell takes on that perennial question in his March 12 column. Basketball is the focus of the Sports section and Outdoors columnist John Winkelman writes about a book of quotes about fishing.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes about the Leader’s desire to stay apolitical on the coronavirus crisis.
*** We’re still feeling that missing hour after daylight saving time kicked in. How about you?