News - The Mexico Ledger

An event that has been going on for a couple of decades, the Vandalia Prairie Days celebration will return this weekend. Beginning 7 a.m. Saturday and running until late evening, Prairie Days … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/23/22

Upcoming distribution changes to Wednesday edition

Dear readers, Since taking over ownership of your Mexico Ledger in 2000, we promised we would bring local news back to Audrain County. Week by week, we have fulfilled that promise by placing a … more

9/23/22

Audrain Community Hospital is seen in Mexico, Missouri, in August. (Matt Kile for KHN)

All Mexico, Fulton hospital workers fired; facilities remain closed as 90-day extension granted

The news, under Noble Health letterhead, arrived at 5:05 p.m. on a Friday, with the subject line: “Urgent Notice.” Audrain Community Hospital, Paul Huemann’s workplace of 32 years, … more

By Sarah Jane Tribble, Kaiser Health News | 9/23/22

Council adopts 2022-23 Mexico budget

The City of Mexico unanimously approved the revised 2021-22 FY Budget and adopted the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 at the Monday council meeting. City Manager Bruce Slagle made the … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/21/22

Answering a trans-content complaint

A mother recently cited a concern to the Centralia Public Library, 210 South Jefferson in Centralia, regarding a recent display of books dealing with gender-identity in the children’s section. … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/20/22

" Unfortunately we are closed today and until further notice, we are sorry for the inconvenience. We will update with any further information soon," read an August 29 Facebook post on the Mexico Tacos & Tequila page along with this photo.

Local restaurants facing more challenges

Some chalk it up to the profession itself, but others dig a bit deeper into the reasons, but either way, a third Mexico eatery has shut its doors in just the last month. Tacos N’ Tequila, … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/20/22

The Super 7: Mexico football leader starts the process

The Mexico Ledger begins the first of two-profile series with today’s Super 7 where we ask various persons in Audrain County seven questions that tell us more about an individual. We will … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/19/22

MU Health Care leaders and clinical staff cut the ribbon during a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the South Clark Medical Building on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 in Mexico, Mo.

MU Health Care celebrates grand opening for South Clark location

MU Health Care celebrated the grand opening of its South Clark Medical Building in Mexico Tuesday morning, highlighting the health system’s first clinic in Audrain County. The South Clark … more

9/18/22

Local school librarian releases new poetry book

Justin Hamm is not just the new librarian at Eugene Field Elementary School – after nearly two decades working at North Callaway – he is also a published poet. Hamm announced the … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/18/22

The United Way of Audrain County played host to its kickoff event earlier this month. [Submitted]

AC United Way "kicks off"

Last week, the United Way of Audrain County held its Kick-Off event at HOMEBANK with about 20 people in attendance. “I think the event went great,” Bethany Collins, Audrain County … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/17/22

Eugene Field Elementary School held its first "Book Tasting" event last week as new librarian Justin Hamm brought over the concept from North Callaway, where he worked for years before coming to Mexico this year. [Submitted by Christine Harper]

A Taste for reading

New Eugene Field librarian Justin Hamm is really trying to increase the students’ literary taste buds, and so far, so good. Last Thursday, Hamm played host to a “Book Tasting” … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/16/22

Relay for Life celebrated its 25th year in Audrain County on Saturday as 300 people attended the event. [Alan Dale photos]

Relay for Life celebrates 25th year in Audrain Co.

By ALAN DALEManaging Editor It was a night for being thankful for life while also expecting more to be done in the fight against cancer. The Relay for Life of Audrain County held its 25th … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/16/22

Ricky Fournier performs the part of Ageon the old sailing man during the shipwreck scene of "Comedy of Errers." The William Shakespeare adaptation was performed by The Changelings Theatre Company of Raintree Arts Council on Sept. 10. Additional performances are at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 and 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at Clarksville Riverfront Park. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. Audiences should bring chairs and are encouraged to have a picnic. Other cast members are Angela Maier, John Cooke, Clint Mullen, Gene Nothaker, Garbrial Maier, Donna Grote, Cathy Schutte Smith, Mary Lang Fournier, Kasey Leake and Ira Garner. [Submitted photo]

Big, Bard laugh: Shakespeare playing in Centralia

William Shakespeare wasn’t known just for his dramas. The bard knew how to have fun, and one of his earliest plays is a parody for the ages. Mary Lang Fournier of the Changelings Theatre … more

By Brent Engel Special to the Ledger | 9/15/22

The Reetz family knows a thing or two about the ukulele. They will kick off the first-ever Ukulele Festival in Mexico at noon Saturday. [Submitted]

First Ukulele Festival to be held Saturday

David Reetz is one that enjoys the sounds of a ukulele so much, he decided it was best to have a festival for the instrument. That’s why he and Mexico Music, 101 North Washington Street, … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/15/22

The golf simulator at the YMCA has become a big hit, especially on rainy days. [Submitted photo]

YMCA gives members opportunity to swing away on simulator

After bringing in a golf simulator, the Mexico Area Family YMCA, 1127 Adams Street, is going to let visitors have a go on the greens. According to sports director Caleb Floyd, the YMCA has not … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/14/22

Opening Statement: Summons

Welcome to this month’s “Opening Statement,” an update for our community about the criminal justice system and how the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office works for … more

By Jacob Shellabarger Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney | 9/14/22

The annual Zenith Homecoming /Open Hangar Days & Fly-In begins its 30th edition Friday, and if it's anything like past events it will bring plenty of people to Mexico Memorial Airport to talk DIY plane building. [Submitted]

Reaching a Zenith: Hangar Days return

Kit aircraft manufacturer Zenith Aircraft Company will be celebrating its 30th anniversary at its annual Zenith Homecoming/Open Hangar Days & Fly-In beginning Friday and will wrap up the … more

9/13/22

Reach to Teach gets back to work

With school back in session, so is Reach to Teach. The youth center, founded by Ayanna Shivers and with Ed Williams its president of the board of directors, gets back into gear beginning 5-7 … more

By Alan Dale Managing Editor | 9/13/22

All safe after Van-Far Elementary gun incident

A Van-Far School District elementary student was found in possession of a firearm without incident Thursday on campus according to Superintendent John Fortney in a letter sent out to parents and … more

9/11/22

Medical building to hold grand opening Tuesday

The new MU Health Care South Clark Medical building is set to hold a grand opening event at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Eric Maze, manager and public relations for MU Health Care. This follows … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/11/22

Scattering Fork Outdoor Center allows for visitors to check out nature up close and personal. Grandparents Day will be celebrated there Sunday. [Submitted]

National Grandparents Day is ready to take place once again Sunday at Scattering Fork Outdoor Center in Mexico and the community is invited to celebrate. Scattering Fork, 15640 Audrain Road 815, … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/10/22

Mexico native and Columbia College baseball head coach Darren Munns is shown with his family. Munns wrote a book "Cheers to Baseball" that passes on knowledge he learned from the game to others and future generations. [Submitted]

Coached by baseball, Mexico native Munns shares lessons in book

Mexico native and Columbia College head baseball coach Darren Munns has impacted the lives of countless young men. Munns has coached college baseball for 30 years, teaching virtues such as … more

By Jeremy Jacob Sports Editor | 9/10/22

Meyers Truck Service will be honored at the upcoming dinner, set for Oct. 25 [Submitted]

Meyers Truck Service honored as Commerce and Industry Award winner

The Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mexico will honor Meyers Truck Service at the 37th Annual Commerce and Industry Dinner on Oct. 25 at Fairytale Estates in Mexico. The event begins … more

9/10/22

Council approves Mexico tax levy

The Mexico city council voted unanimously on Aug. 22 on Bill No. 2022-41 an ordinance levying taxes on all property for fiscal year 2022-23 beginning October 1. The city’s total assessed … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/9/22

Last year's edition was a welcome return for the Free Children's Art Festival in Auxvasse. [Submitted]

Children's art festival returns to Auxvasse

In what is a celebration of art and a short life lived to the fullest, it’s that time again for the Ashley Garrett Memorial Free Children’s Art Festival. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. … more

By ALAN DALE Managing Editor | 9/9/22