■ Several local women have parlayed their passion for playing dress-up into a group that promotes friendship, body positivity and charitable projects. The Decade Dames, five women ranging in age from 21 to 40, are seeking other Jefferson County women to join the group, which is always ready to bring attention to community events and causes by showcasing their vintage fashions, hair and makeup. “We all love dressing up in weird clothes and playing games,” said Danielle Schulte, 40, of Festus. “We formed the group after realizing we could do something more with it than just a fun hobby.” See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 story.
■ Former Grandview R-2 School District business manager Angela Huskey, 51, of De Soto was sentenced Oct. 13 to 63 months in prison, after pleading guilty to one count of mail fraud in connection with the embezzlement of $1.6 million from the district. Huskey, who worked 20 years for Grandview, also will have to pay $1,813,900.63 in restitution. About 100 former administrators, teachers and students packed the courtroom to hear U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel hand down the sentence. See Tracey Bruce’s Page 1 story.
■ Three St. Louis men and a Fenton woman were charged with murder in connection with a burglary at a Fenton mobile home on Oct. 11 that left their alleged accomplice dead. After the suspects were taken into custody, one of the men allegedly injured two Jefferson County deputies during an Oct. 13 altercation at the Jefferson County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office reported. See Tracey Bruce’s Page 1 story.
■ About 1,000 De Soto School District residents who signed a petition seeking a state audit of district finances have gotten their wish, but it will cost the district about $50,000 to $75,000. “We got a letter yesterday saying we met the requirements for the (petition) signatures and the audit is considered ‘active,’” district mother Christina Kennedy said Tuesday. “They (the State Auditor’s Office) didn’t give us a time frame. Once the audit is considered active, we go in line to whatever audits come before us.” See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Wishes were on the plate at the annual Hwy. 21 Task Force Banquet on Oct. 13, where group members reiterated their desire for a four-lane Hwy. 21 extension from Hillsboro to De Soto and beyond. Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna, was the guest speaker and on hand to hear the plea. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ In an Editorial Page column this week, associate editor Gordon Bess suggests that Crystal City High School’s football team could avoid another flood if it joined up with Herculaneum High’s Black Cats.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando says in this week’s column he has more than enjoyed the rivalry between rising cross country star Kevin Koester of Hillsboro and his chief rival, Festus junior Max McDaniel. Also see coverage of softball and football.
*** It’s cooler. Oh, yeah.