News

Governor Parson Continues Well-Deserved Wage Increases for All State Team Members to Strengthen Workforce Recruitment and Retention   Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that he has recommended an 8.7 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all state team members and a $2 per hour shift differential to eligible state team members working in certain

   By:  Ernie Wren    The Ashland Optimist Club is busy preparing for its annual “Pancake Day”, which will be hosted February 4th, Saturday, from 6:30 to 11:30 am at 511 Optimist Drive.  They also host bingo on the first and third Friday evenings of each month, with the next one being this Friday, January

Thirty-five Ashland FFA Freshmen attended Greenhand Motivational Conference on the University of Missouri – Columbia campus on January 13th, 2023. Through interactive workshops and skits the Missouri State FFA Officers encouraged Greenhands to explore their talents and reach outside of their comfort zones for the opportunities provided through FFA membership. Students set goals for their

( A Totally new Approach to Trout ) By: Mike Roux I grew-up catching trout in the crystal clear Ozark Mountain streams of south and south east Missouri.  My Father, Glen Roux and Grandpa Guy Roux along with my great uncle Jack Todd taught me the best ways to catch brown and rainbow trout from

By: Lauren Hammett On Thursday, January 13th, 2023, 30 members of the Ashland FFA volunteered at the Central Missouri Food Bank. These members packed taco seasoning packets into groups of 6 packets per bag at the food. We packed lots of seasoning. This food will be provided to individuals in need throughout the area. After

By:  Ernie Wren   With an increasing number of Mid-Missouri schools switching to a 4-day school week, and surrounding districts paying higher salaries, Southern Boone may rapidly find itself struggling to recruit new teachers and retain those currently employed.  Sturgeon public schools went to the shortened week format during the 2020/2021 school year, while the

By: Ernie Wren I wish I could have made it to the Ashland Betterment Coalition meeting and open house this past Monday.  It’s great to see that they are moving their monthly meetings to the first Monday of each month, 7pm, at City Hall.  This is a great way for members of the community to

Justin Aldred Boone County Commission   As the initial January 13, 2023 FCC deadline for challenges to the FCC’s maps on Broadband access approaches, we hope that you will consider sharing the individual household challenge process set forth below with as many people as possible. The information set forth below is from the Missouri Department

( He Called his Shot ) By: Mike Roux Even though he is my Grandson, I have to brag a little bit on Connor Dietrich.  Not only is he in advanced classes in school, but this 10-year-old young man is a true outdoorsman in the making. He has caught bass over 5-pounds and catfish over

By: Ernie Wren   Pho Quan Viet Cuisine may not be commonly known to many, but it should be. With authentic Vietnamese cuisine that is delightfully fresh, a visit to this establishment at 1301 Vandiver Drive in Columbia is worth the trip. With the menu items being mostly under $10, it is also quite affordable.