■ Voters all over JeffersonCounty will likely get an opportunity in the Aug. 7 primary election to decide whether they will pay sales taxes on purchases made over the internet. The Jefferson County Council voted 6-0 May 14 to give preliminary approval to placing the measure, called Proposition F, on the ballot. The council is expected to give final approval at a special meeting, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (May 24). See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story.
■ For many years, Windsor High’s baseball and softball programs served a kind of exile, playing “home” games on borrowed fields off campus because of lack of space. Not anymore. Those migrating Owls will soon have an on-campus roost that should be the envy of players and coaches from across the area. With leftover funds from a $14.75 million bond issue approved by voters in April 2017, the Windsor C-1 School District plans to start construction next week on an all-turf baseball/softball complex on the south side of Windsor’s main campus. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ More than two dozen people showed up for Monday’s Herculaneum Board of Aldermen meeting to hear a proposal from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to take over the city’s policing functions – and to express support for the Herculaneum Police Department. Lt. Col. Tim Whitney of the Sheriff’s Office outlined services the county could provide if the Herculaneum board opts to disband the city’s police department and contract with the Sheriff’s Office to take over those services. The city would pay the Sheriff’s Office to provide those service, and the cost would depend on the number of officers provided. No votes were taken Monday, and Mayor Bill Haggard said the board would take up the matter at a future meeting. See Steve Taylor’s story.
■ The Oak Valley Golf Course & Resort, formerly the Teamsters Health and Medical Camp, is now part of Pevely. The Pevely Board of Aldermen voted 7-0 Monday to approve the owners’ petition for annexation into the city. City officials said there was no public opposition to taking in the 317-acre tract at 1230 Abbey Lane, which previously was part of unincorporated Jefferson County, just east of Pevely. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The roundabout at Missouri State Road and Astra Way near the complex that houses the Arnold Recreation Center and the Arnold Branch of the Jefferson County Library looks a little tropical after some landscaping was completed there on May 17. It was the newly formed Arnold Beautification Commission’s first project. Volunteers from both the commission and the Arnold Garden Club helped with the project, planting hibiscus, crotons and other flowers in three large vases, said Joe McKee, a member of the Arnold Garden Club and the Arnold Beautification Commission. See Katelyn Mary Skaggs’ story.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes a column this week about Avery Fortenberry, the perennial candidate for seats on Jefferson County’s service boards. What makes him tick, anyway? Letters address county roads, Right to Work, the president and other topics.
■ About 24 minutes. That’s how much time Jefferson junior Anna Heacock had to collect her medal for winning the 300-meter hurdles, change her shoes and prepare to run in the 200-meter dash on Saturday in the waning time of the Class 2 state and field championships. That’s the lead to sports editor Russell Korando’s column, which tracks Heacock’s performance at the biggest of meets. He also covers the Jefferson College baseball team, which is headed National Junior College Athletic Association World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.
*** Have a safe Memorial Day Holiday!