Sunday
As the 2024 legislative session gets under way, education advocacy organizations are looking to accomplish their priorities while remaining on guard against legislation they see as detrimental to public education.
The policy priorities of three major advocacy organizations -- the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) and the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association (MNEA) -- are largely aligned.
Among the top issues are measures to support current teachers and incentivize new teachers to enter the profession, funding systems for schools and guarding against voucher programs.
Missouri business groups wary of early legislative fireworks
Business advocacy groups have their eyes on the Missouri Legislature, but early friction in the upper chamber isn't inspiring confidence in some leaders.
"If you had expectations of getting any legislation passed this session, you should think again," Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri, wrote in a statement regarding the first day of session. "That said, we, and all other advocates for and against issues, will put in the same amount of work as we would to pass good legislation and to stop bad ideas. We just don't expect much to cross the finish line."
Monday
New Bloomfield boys basketball spoils North Callaway's Courtwarming with a comeback victory
The Fuhriman brothers, Nathan and Jacob, combined to score 12 points unanswered in the final minutes to lead the New Bloomfield Wildcats to a comeback victory against the North Callaway Thunderbirds Friday at North Callaway High School.
"Once we kept it in striking distance, and then we started to roll a little bit, it really gave the guys some confidence," New Bloomfield boys basketball coach Zach Buscher said. "...they rolled with it. The Fuhrimans are always our two leaders. ...I really thought they really stepped up even more and led really, really well. Big buckets, they were calming. They did a great job, the whole team -- everybody did a great job."
South Callaway boys basketball routs Tuscumbia on Senior Night
In the final Show-Me Conference meeting between South Callaway boys basketball and Tuscumbia, the Bulldogs routed the Lions 88-45 on Senior Night Friday at South Callaway High School.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by three of their seniors. Dane Daugherty tallied 23 points, Adam Loucks had 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks and Tayber Gray had 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and six steals.
South Callaway honored senior players Daugherty, Gray, Aaron McDonald and Locks and manager Aidan Cheney.
Tuesday
Holts Summit man charged for 2022 burglary
A Holts Summit man was arrested Thursday in connection to an August 2022 burglary.
Joshua Temmen, 32, was charged with second-degree burglary, stealing a firearm, stealing $750 or more and first-degree property damage. All four charges are felonies.
Fulton City Council's first 2024 meeting canceled
The Fulton City Council's first meeting of 2024 was scheduled for Tuesday, but was canceled because of inclement weather.
The cancellation was announced on the city's Facebook page at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday.
According to the agenda for the canceled meeting, the council was going to discuss several items. Those items will be moved to the next meeting on Jan. 23.
Wednesday
Indiana woman sentenced for hindering prosecution
An Indiana woman who previously pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution of a felony (in connection with a 2019 homicide) was sentenced on Monday.
A Callaway County judge sentenced Emily Ricketts, 27, of Indianapolis, to four years in the department of corrections.
According to online court records, Ricketts was given credit for time served prior to the sentencing.
Pedestrian injured in Callaway County crash
A pedestrian received minor injuries in a crash Monday afternoon in Callaway County.
At approximately 4:40 p.m., Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) officers were dispatched to Route JJ south of Route Z.
According to the online crash report, Patrick Quigley, 83, was driving south on Route JJ.
Thursday
Fulton State Hospital breaks down services to Fulton Rotary
Fulton State Hospital shared information about its facilities with the Fulton Rotary Club at Wednesday's meeting.
Russell DeTrempe, the hospital's CEO, said Fulton has the only high-security facility in Missouri.
Fulton State Hospital mainly serves forensic court-ordered clients.
Fulton man sentenced 160 years for statutory sodomy
A Fulton man was sentenced to 160 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections Monday for sexual crimes against three children.
Daniel Overstreet, 52, was found guilty by a Boone County jury in November 2023 for seven counts of first-degree statutory sodomy and one county of first-degree attempted sodomy.
According to previous Fulton Sun reporting, the investigation into Overstreet began in 2020 when a female victim filed a report with the Fulton Police Department.
Friday
Fulton Board of Education selects new board member
The Fulton Public Schools Board of Education selected a new board member to replace Steven Medrow, who resigned during the Dec. 13 meeting.
Medrow resigned because he moved outside the boundaries of the district.
Applications for the open position were accepted Dec. 14-Jan. 3.
South Callaway announces new high school principal
The South Callaway R-II School District announced Thursday the appointment of Tucker Bartley as the new high school principal for the 2024-25 school year.
Principal Heather Helsel will retire at the end of the school year.
She has been with the district for 15 years.