The final month of 2017 in Callaway County kicked off with warm weather and a parade, and ended with frigid temperatures and a few burst pipes. Government officials - local, state and national - wrapped up their year-end goals and new year budgets, and lots of festive activities took place around the area.
Dec. 1
Westminster College welcomes back Fletcher Lamkin as president, his second time in that position.
DNR rejects petition to amend rule regulating confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) emissions/odors.
Bomb threat at Fulton Middle School leads to evacuation.
Dec. 3
George Washington Carver Cultural Center folks named grand marshal of Fulton Christmas parade.
Tree lighting at Field of Joy, Breakfast with Santa events bring joy to many.
Dec. 5
Tax reforms could hurt charitable giving, experts fear.
Mizzou professor predicts 15-20 inches of snow this winter.
Lessons and Carols Concert planned in historic Church of St. Mary.
Dec. 6
Appeals court blocks order stalling Callaway Farrowing LLC's CAFO. State's Department of Natural Resources issued permit for CAFO in 2014, but Friends of Responsible Agriculture challenged it.
Registration for local elections to open. Filing opened Dec. 12 and will end Jan. 16.
Holts Summit animal control worker helps rehome rescued pets.
Dec. 7
Kidnapping attempt near McIntire Elementary School investigated by Fulton police.
Ousted commissioner: Gov. Greitens never shared his vision for education.
Winter bird feeding stations help feathered friends survive. Unique white-tailed squirrels living in Fulton neighborhood.
Dec. 8
Missouri Air Conservation Commission, others, question expansion of "odor rule" which currently requires Class 1-A CAFOS, the largest class, to implement odor control plans.
Dec. 10
Gov. Eric Greitens looks ahead while wrapping up 2017, says jobs rate is lowest in recent years.
Firefighters file lawsuit against City of Fulton, citing a failure to fairly negotiate contracts.
Nancy Hanson, supporter of iCan Bike Camp, named winner of 2017 Jane Bierdeman-Fike Award.
YMCA announces plans for indoor pool, expansion project.
Dec. 12
Auxvasse Dollar General workers vote to join union. First store in nation to do so.
Fulton Fire crews save cat from Court Street tree.
Holts Summit holiday parade cold but well-attended.
Purebred dogs are going missing.
Dec. 13
Silent auction for Our House draws a crowd.
Winter darkness can bring on depressive symptoms of SAD. Experts say to take care of self.
Sen. Claire McCaskill calls on Congress to renew rural school funding that includes schools in Callaway County.
Nuclear plant outage continues, lasts longer than previous outages because of complexity of tasks.
Dec. 14
Fulton Middle students to perform an original play.
Old Santa back on second-story balcony at top of Court Street in Fulton.
Holts Summit aldermen to discuss animal shelter.
Dec. 15
State of Missouri payments to counties for state prisoners are $19.25 million behind.
SSStudents learn about sssnakes from Runge Center naturalist visiting Bush Elementary.
Community replaces stolen Toys for Tots toys, collects 9,215 items for needy children.
Dec. 17
More than 40 kids treated to Shop with a Hero at Walmart.
Dollar General corporate officials request union vote retake; claim two of the six voters later changed their minds.
Police arrest man on six warrants including failure to appear on previous charges of stealing, assault, narotics possession and more.
Fulton electric workers earn journeyman status.
Dec. 19
Russell Deane Moore Jr., 27, of Fulton, accused of shooting at law enforcement officers and other during a high speed chase, pleads guilty in federal court and faces 40 years in prison.
Callaway County commission to have 2018 budget hearing, anticipate revenue at $16,148,119; expenditures, $17,689,709.
New Bloomfield man dies in car crash, two others seriously injured.
Dec. 20
Children learn math lesson while building gingerbread houses at Bartley Elementary.
After months of collecting public comment, Sen. Claire McCaskill taking constituent concerns to Washington.
"Darkest Hour" Churchill film special screening taking place in Columbia and Fulton, with intro by museum director.
Dec. 21
SERVE gift giving event helps about 175 families, 290 children and 95 seniors have better holidays.
AAA predicts record number of travelers over holidays.
Refueling completed at Callaway nuclear plant.
Dec. 22
Choosing a charity to which to donate can be tricky.
Callaway County commissioners pass budget for 2018 which increased starting salaries for road deputies, corrections officers, added to road and bridge budget.
Dec. 24
Veit family has much to appreciate this Christmas; new treatment is helping their daughter to walk.
"Darkest Hour" opens at Fulton theater.
Local Girl Scouts making a difference in their community.
Dec. 26
Kathleen Tucker, director of health services for Fulton Public Schools, speaks to Fulton Rotary about history of school nurses and important role they played in family health.
State Sen. Riddle proposes bill increasing penalties for those who block major highways, interstates.
Rev. Jamie Haskins to receive Westminter's 2018 Remley Women's Award at alumni weekend.
It snowed in Fulton.
Dec. 27
Fulton city council to discuss rental unit inspections, abandoned houses at Jan. 9 meeting.
State police say five lost their lives in traffic accidents over Christmas holiday.
DNR suggests environmental uses for Christmas trees.
Brick District Playhouse awarded state tax credits, will help them raise money for restoration.
Hazmat teams called to Fulton Diagnostic for powdery substance in package; turns out to be vitamin mix.
Dec. 29
CARDV, local victim advocacy and assistance group, offers new survivor support group for survivors of sexual violence.
Three-vehicle crash on Missouri River leaves people with minor injuries.
Dec. 31
Area pastor Aaron White has powerful New Year's message about hope.
When there's a crisis, local law enforcement officers work with specific advocates.
Because of arctic temps, some First Day Hikes will be postpones.