The Jefferson College Foundation has begun its Viking Fund drive for 2010-11 in an effort to help deserving students improve their quality of life with a high-quality college education, despite facing critical circumstances due to the economic weakness of the region and nation. . .

The Jefferson College Board of Trustees has unanimously agreed to extend the contract of President Dr. Raymond Cummiskey by two years, through June 30, 2014. This is Cummiskey’s first contract extension since assuming the post in July 2009. . .

On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District held that a case against a smelter may move forward. . .

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Frank J. Grass received his third star in a ceremony hosted by the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, at the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs Oct. 3.   

The remains of Staff Sergeant James R. Ide, V were escorted home today with a large procession led by members of the Patriot Guard. As the procession traveled South on Highway 67 near Victoria Road, the northbound shoulder was full of vehicles stopped to pay their respects as the procession made its way to De Soto. . .

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter dispatched a Disaster Action Team to a fire. . .

Road paving workers on I-55 at route M jumped to the rescue on July 22 when a vehicle ignited after crashing into a parked construction truck in the closed lanes of the highway.  A 28-year-old DeSoto woman and the one-year-old in her car were travelling north on the Interstate around 11:00 pm. . .

Amy Schachner, a Truman State University master of arts in education student from Hillsboro, Mo., has been selected for a Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowship, created to support outstanding beginning teachers. . .

Arnold City Park's 68-acre lake set the backdrop for the Jefferson County Tea Party Rally on Saturday.  During gusts of wind, the fountain misted the crowd, a welcome refreshment on a bright, sunny day.  People set up lawn chairs in an orderly semi-circle facing the pavilion while others wandered and chatted, many carrying flags, signs and banners, waiting for organizer Ken Horton to introduce the speakers. . .

Friday MoDOT and contractor Millstone Bangert, Inc. broke ground on the Interstate 55 widening project in Jefferson County in a ceremony at the old weigh station south of Route M. . .

Wednesday Rep. Russ Carnahan met with leaders in labor, education, commerce, development and county and local government at his Crystal City office to discuss economic development in Jefferson County.  He spoke about current, past and upcoming legislation, national, regional and local strategies, and asked for help prioritizing his action plan.  The congressman opened the meeting with some grim economic indicators like the 9.7% unemployment rate, distributed his recently updated economic plan, "A Regional Approach to Job Growth,"  and he offered optimism. . .

Election results. . .

The Jefferson County Animal Forum hosted the first Jefferson County Animal Summit Saturday, April 20 in Festus. County Executive Chuck Banks proclaimed the event a great success. . .

The banks and businesses in Jefferson County have had a challenge proposed to them to help in funding of the Jefferson County Port Authority Phase II Study to bring a multimodal port to the County. . .

The Jefferson County Port Authority got a big boost in their efforts to fund Phase II of the Port Study when the Carpenters and the Laborers assisted in the funding of the project.  The Carpenters District Council committed $10,000, the Laborers District Council donated $10,000, and Laborers Local 110 donated $5,000. . .

St. Louis, Monday, March 15, 2010 – Flooding is a coast to coast threat, but the St. Louis area is particularly prone to seasonal flooding. So during National Flood Safety Week (March 15 – 19), the St. Louis Area Chapter of the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safe. . .
 

The road into Pace Construction Company’s asphalt plant in Antonia leads through a man-made canyon that emerges into a breathtaking quarry.  Snow paints patches of the rocky landscape.  Cliffs dwarf enormous yellow dump trucks and heavy equipment, which in turn dwarf SUV’s and people. Future generations might someday treat this place like a natural wonder.  Monday Feb. 15, US Rep. Russ Carnahan toured the Antonia plant.  Pace employees and representatives from Innoventor, Inc. spoke with the congressman about their progress developing a new type of asphalt binder that recycles swine manure. . .

Protesters, young and old, held signs, some simple and homemade, some that looked professionally printed, and drivers honked from cars passing by outside of Rep. Russ Carnahan’s office on Bailey Rd in Crystal City.  Annette Rey was quick to explain the flagpole she held with the American flag hung upside-down.   “It was from our history, our naval history,” she said.  “When a ship was in trouble they hung their flag upside-down.  It was a symbol of distress, and it is my opinion that America is in distress.  Our republic is threatened.”