Area News
Marion County’s August Primary Ballot Includes Contested County, Legislative Races
PALMYRA, Mo. — Marion County voters will have several contested races to consider when they head to the polls for the August 2026 primary election. Among local offices, Republicans dominate much of the county ballot, though Democrats will appear in a handful of races. For associate circuit judge, Republican Jennifer A. Richardson of Monroe City…
Read MoreMy Turn: Reflecting on 23 Years
Friday, March 27 marks 23 years since Sue and I took the leap and purchased The Media, The Edina Sentinel, and the LaBelle Star. Which begs the question: how exactly did we get here… and why didn’t anyone stop us? My newspaper career started back in 1986 with the Omaha World-Herald, where I managed newspaper carriers across northeast Nebraska. Back then, carriers were “little merchants.” Customers paid the carrier, the carrier paid the paper, and I made sure nobody disappeared with the money. It was part accounting, part babysitting, and part detective work. If a carrier quit, we audited their…
Read MoreApril Fools’ Day: The Jokes on You!!
By Emily Bontrager For centuries, April Fools’ Day has been celebrated across different cultures. Each year on April 1, people play pranks and practical jokes on one another, often revealing the trick with a cheerful, “April Fools!” The exact origins of the holiday remain unclear. According to the Library of Congress, one theory traces the tradition back to ancient Rome and a festival called Hilaria, celebrated around March 25. “In Roman terms, March 25 was called ‘the eighth of the Calends of April,’ which associates the festival strongly with April 1,” the Library notes, though it adds there is no…
Read MoreBig Fourth Inning Dooms Marion County in Loss to Mark Twain
Marion County saw a competitive game slip away Friday as Mark Twain used a massive fourth inning to pull away for an 18-3 win. The Mustangs struck first in the opening inning when Paden Olson doubled and drove in a run to give Marion County an early lead. After falling behind, Marion County responded in…
Read MoreEarly Deficit Too Much as Palmyra Falls to Southern Boone
After an exciting season-opening win earlier in the day, Palmyra ran into a hot start from Southern Boone and fell 12-5 in the second game of the Southern Boone baseball cluster. Southern Boone struck quickly, putting up six runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run. The Eagles added another run in…
Read MoreA Second Chance at Life Close to Home
After spending many years working as a hospital administrator in Springfield, Illinois, Robert Howland of Clarksville, Missouri, believed he understood healthcare well. His professional experience had shaped a long-held assumption that when facing complex or serious medical conditions, the best option was to travel to a large metropolitan hospital. That belief was put to the…
Read MoreBob Sellenriek Inducted into PCCA Hall of Fame
Jonesburg, Missouri —On March 10, 2026, Bob Sellenriek was formally inducted into the Power and Communications Contractors Association (PCCA) Hall of Fame, recognizing a lifetime of leadership, innovation, and service to the communications construction industry. The induction ceremony was a meaningful and celebratory event, highlighted by Bob’s acceptance speech, which was filled with heartfelt memories,…
Read MoreMission Hill Baptist Calls Pastor
Mission Hill Baptist Church, 4653 Business Hwy 61 just south of Palmyra has called Joshua Parson to be the new Pastor. He will be relieving Interim Pastor Gary Loomis who has served for the past two years. Bro. Parson graduated from NorthSide Christian School in Louisville, Kentucky and received a Bachelor of Science in Bible…
Read MorePalmyra Opens Season with Comeback Win
Palmyra opened its season in dramatic fashion Saturday, rallying twice to defeat Fulton 10-8 in the first game of a two-game appearance at the Southern Boone baseball cluster. Fulton set the tone early, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding single runs in the second and third to take a 4-0 lead. Palmyra…
Read MoreMarion County Ballot Features Major Road Proposal, School Races and Uncontested Seats
MARION COUNTY — Voters across Marion County will face a wide-ranging ballot in the April 7 General Municipal Election, with key decisions on transportation funding, local leadership and school board representation — along with a number of candidates who will take office without opposition. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at…
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