■ If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in politics, but the idea of running for elected office doesn’t appeal to you, Jefferson County Clerk Randy Holman has just the job for you. Holman, the county’s election authority, is looking to recruit more election judges. Election judges are the workers at each of the county’s 53 polling places who check in voters, set up and tear down the equipment, answer questions and make sure voters are inserting ballots into machines that count them correctly. “We need eight to 12 people per polling place, so that means we need close to 500 people for the November election, which we expect will be busy,” Holman said. See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story.
■ It’s been 200 years in the making, so the Jefferson County Bicentennial Exposition promises to deliver tons of history, family-friendly activities and community gusto. The expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro. Admission and parking are free. “We definitely hope it will be one of the largest community gatherings,” said Bernard Laiben, chairman of the Jefferson County Bicentennial Committee. “It’s our year to celebrate.” See Peggy Scott’s Page 1 story and a 32-page special section celebrating the Bicentennial.
■ De Soto School District voters will be asked April 2 to fund safety and security upgrades throughout the district. The Board of Education voted 7-0 on Sept. 20 to place Proposition S on the ballot, seeking permission to shift 15 cents from the district’s debt service levy to the general operating levy. If approved, the measure would not require a tax increase. However, a debt levy is temporary and expires when the debt is paid off. By shifting the 15 cents to the operating levy, the tax would become permanent. School officials said the tax shift would provide the district with approximately $292,000 more each year for the general operating levy. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Comtrea will receive more than $304,250 in renewable federal funds to provide counselors for people in crisis. Susan Curfman, the Comtrea CEO, said the money will go a long way to meet urgent needs in the county, like tackling the opioid crisis and rising suicide rates – the same kind of problems facing communities across the U.S. Comtrea was one of 27 agencies in Missouri to receive one of the awards and the only agency in Jefferson County to get one. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ The city of Arnold has hired a new Community Development director – David Bookless, who’s replacing Mary Holden after she left the job June 1 for a new one as planner for the city of Marko Island, Fla. Bookless, 52, of St. Peters is the Community Development director for Collinsville, Ill., and will start his new job in Arnold on Oct. 17. He will be paid a $96,000 annual salary. Holden was making $79,955 a year when she left after 15 years with the city. See Kim Robertson’s story.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes about Jefferson County’s Bicentennial and a strange discovery in Pevely you may have missed. Letters take on Kavanaugh, Trump lovers and Trump haters.
■ Gordon Bess subs in this week on the Sports column, addressing the inequities for players in college sports. A pending lawsuit just might make a difference. See coverage of football, softball, golf and soccer.
*** It’s official, Mother Nature. Cool it down for fall.