■ Stock up on tissues, aspirin and cough drops. Disinfect every countertop you can. But most importantly, roll up your sleeve. It’s flu season. The 2016-2017 flu season officially started Sept. 25, and health officials say the best way you can prepare for it is to arrange to get a flu vaccination as soon as you can. See Steve Taylor’s Page 1 story.
■ What to do with a broken computer? If kicking it to the curb seems the only option, consider the Jefferson College Technology Club. If you’re patient, members of the club, who study computer information systems (CIS) at the college, may be able to help you out. See Kevin Carbery’s Page 1 story.
■ The passing of a former Festus fire chief on the cusp of the Jeffco Fire Engine Rally meant things would run a little differently this year at the annual event, held in Herculaneum. Donald L. Boyer, 83, who put in 65 years as a volunteer with the Festus Fire Department including a stint as chief, died Sept. 20. His funeral was set for Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the rally. So events were rescheduled, and so was Mr. Boyer’s funeral service, to allow firefighters to attend. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Fox C-6 School District officials are looking to move all the district’s sixth-grade students to the middle schools next school year. Currently, nine of the district’s 11 elementary schools house sixth-graders, while the other two send sixth-graders to Antonia Middle School in Barnhart.
Superintendent Jim Wipke said the proposed transition would provide a number of educational benefits for students, but officials want the community to play a role in the decision. See Kim Robertson’s story.
■ Playground equipment lost in recent flooding at Walther Park in De Soto will be replaced with new equipment that meets ADA (American with Disabilities Act) standards for accessibility, thanks to a grant from the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County. The city hopes to have the new equipment ready for use in November. See Tracey Bruce’s story.
■ Recently retired city employee Bill Gray became the newest member of the Festus City Council Sept. 14 when his new council mates voted 6-0 to approve Mayor Mike Cage’s appointment. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ The Jefferson County Family YMCA is eying an expansion project that would add 11,000 square feet to its Festus facility. However, the Y needs $2.5 million to fund the new space and is considering a capital campaign. See Peggy Scott’s story.
■ Sports editor Russell Korando’s column focuses on junior Lacey Snell, a standout golfer and daughter of Northwest High School principal Brad Snell.
■ The Blunt/Kander U.S. Senate race shows Missouri voters’ cantankerous nature, Editorial Page editor Patrick Martin writes this week. Although Blunt is a Republican in a red state, he’s also an incumbent, and that’s becoming a harder sell all the time in these parts.
*** Mark your calendar for the Oct. 12 Arnold Senior Expo, set for 8 a.m. to noon at the Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Road.