■ It really is a small world. Just ask Jefferson County residents Jim Berger, 73, and Tri Nguyen, 76, who met while playing pickleball in the Twin City area and learned they already had something in common: they served in Vietnam War during the same period and in the same region, but in different armies. Later, the pair found they had another close connection. Their grandchildren, both 16, are both members of the Crystal City High School tennis team. See Kevin Carbery’s Page 1 feature story.
■ About 30 people and nine dogs searched the Hillsboro Community Civic Club grounds Sunday, looking for clues to help with the investigation into the disappearance of Amanda Jones in 2005. No evidence was found. However, the search accomplished at least one goal – keeping Jones’ name before the public in the hopes that someone will provide information about her whereabouts, giving her family the closure they need, said Marshia Morton, a volunteer with the Community United Effort, also known as the CUE Center for Missing Persons, a national nonprofit organization “serving missing persons nationwide,” according to its website. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The playground choices for De Soto-area children and their parents just got wider in a big way. A large, all-inclusive playground, suitable for children of all abilities, officially opened to the public on Saturday (May 18) at the North Park complex off Vineland School Road south of downtown. The park, which complies with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, features a wide array of slides, climbing equipment, a merry-go-round, interactive displays and interconnecting ramps and ladders. The equipment sits on a 4-6 inch base of “pour-n-play” rubber that provides a spongy cushion to prevent injuries from falls. “I think it looks fantastic,” De Soto City Manager Todd Melkus said when he and other city officials inspected the facility. “It turned out really nice.” See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ The Jefferson County Health Department is trying to get ahead of hepatitis A, and will be offering the vaccination to anyone who asks for it, but especially to at-risk people. There has been a spike in hepatitis A cases around the country and in nearby counties, and to counter that, the Missouri, the state Department of Health and Senior Services is supplying health centers with the hepatitis A vaccine, said Judy Tufts, Jefferson County Health Department emergency response supervisor. Locally, the two-shot vaccination will be free for those without insurance. If someone has insurance, he or she can get the shot at the Health Department and the insurance company will be billed. The recipient will not be required to pay any overage. See Katelyn Mary Skaggs’ story.
■ Longtime Fox C-6 staffer Tammy Cardona will be examining and influencing the school district in a broader way starting July 1. In a split vote on May 14, the Board of Education promoted Cardona, currently principal of Seckman Middle School, to be the district’s next assistant superintendent in charge of secondary education. Board members Steve Holloway and Scott Stewart cast the no votes, and board member Dawn Mullins was not present for the vote, which was held in closed session. See Tony Krausz’s story.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes about County Councilman Brian Haskins’ plea for more funding for parks. He’ll need three supporters from the council to get his proposal to the ballot.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando writes about the intricacies of the post-season for high school tennis players. St. Pius X High School’s boys tennis team did not qualify for the state tournament, but a doubles team did and will compete in Springfield on Friday (May 24).
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