Callaway Chamber hosts June community update

Callaway Chamber Logo
Callaway Chamber Logo


The Callaway Chamber of Commerce hosted the June Callaway County community update, allowing leaders from across the county to provide updates on projects and events.

Amanda Miles, coordinator of school and community programs for Fulton Public Schools, said the district is very busy this summer.

Summer school is underway for students in the district.

Construction is also ongoing on several projects. The north parking lot at the high school is currently being torn up. Access to Hornet Drive is limited because of the construction.

The kindergarten center construction will begin soon, Miles said.

She also mentioned the Summer Food Service program, which offers free meals to anyone under 18. The meals are served regardless of enrollment with FPS.

The meals are available Monday-Friday. Breakfast is served between 7:45-8:15 a.m., and lunch is served between 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Meals will not be served June 19 and July 3-7.

The meals are served at Fulton High School June 5-30, Bush Elementary June 5-30 and YMCA June 5-Aug. 11.

For questions, contact the district's food service department at 573-590-8045.

Kasi Lacey, vice president and dean of student life at Westminster College, said some students remain on-campus for internships. Some summer programs are also going on at the college.

Lacey mentioned the hiring of Derek Zander as Westminster's new vice president for intercollegiate athletics.

Renee Tyler, director of administration with the City of Fulton, said the local community is wrapping up fundraising efforts for the All-American City competition.

A fundraiser will be held Wednesday, when Tyler will be serving as a bartender at Bek's. There will also be a silent auction. The event will be 4:30-6:30 p.m., with the silent auction ending at 7:30.

Tips and proceeds from the event will go towards the trip to Denver, Colorado, for the competition.

Tyler mentioned that the Second Street bridge is now open to traffic. A ribbon cutting was held last week to celebrate the completion of the bridge.

Courtney Doyle, assistant director of administration, added the Stinson Creek Trail is also now open.

Fulton Mayor Steve Myers said he is currently filling city boards and commissions. For anyone interested in serving on a board or commission, visit city hall to learn more.

Doyle said the Juneteenth celebration will be Saturday, June 17, from 12-4 p.m. at Legends Rec-Plex.

Brandon Ruediger, city administrator for Holts Summit, said work is ongoing for the new roundabout in the city. He said the roundabout will hopefully be open Thursday, June 29 -- which is also the day before the annual Holts Summit fireworks festival.

"I'm not going to hold my breath, but I really really hope that happens," Ruediger said.

He said there have been no hiccups in the project so far.

Larry Doyle, Jr., city manager for Kingdom City, said concrete will be poured next week for a 10,000 square foot office building. This also includes a 5,000 square foot clinic with helipad.

The bid for a road extension project will be awarded at the Kingdom City board meeting on Wednesday. This will extend the sewer and the road to the roundabout in the village.

Clay Chism, Callaway County Sheriff, said the sheriff's office is experiencing a three-five percent increase in call volume over this time in 2022.

For 2023 so far, the department has handled 10,873 calls for service across the county.

600 physical arrests have been made. The Callaway County Jail has booked 816 arrests so far.

Chism said the department still has "pretty significant" staffing issues, but is continuing to work through those. He said there are 14 or 15 openings in a total staff of 70.

Chism said the department is in the process of replacing K-9 Iro, who is retiring and becoming a house dog.

K-9 Typhoon is currently in the second week of the eight week training program.

CORRECTION: This article was edited at 7:46 a.m. June 7, 2023, to correct the month in the lede sentence.