Garrett Fuller | Stories

Basketball tournament honors California student CALIFORNIA, Mo. -- Basketball was life for Lucas Oswald.The gymnasium was packed Saturday at California High School as 30 teams helped Matt and Tabby Oswald honor their son more than two years after h... September 25, 2023

Vendors, entertainment showcased at 33rd annual Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fAIAz3Fu4p8?si=ZKtFgIanQDGkM0A2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" a... September 20, 2023

California Elementary third graders celebrate grandparents Grandparents were on hand Friday morning at California Elementary School in order to join their grandchildren for activities. Third-grade students learned more about their grandparents while completin... September 20, 2023

Honoring Our Heroes returns Mid-Missouri knows how to honor its veterans.It also knows how to respect its first responders, health care workers and teachers.More than a hundred people gathered in Latham Family Memorial Park for ... September 13, 2023

High Point home successfully moved <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0tPSYq1OQ5o?si=XTBtB_qa8uTqYV8f" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" a... September 13, 2023

Historic High Point home being moved <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0tPSYq1OQ5o?si=IRWfj15PakqFFSBQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" a... September 6, 2023

Railroad mural chugging along Chris Scheppers, Dale Wheatley and Dennis Holliday worked Friday to make progress on the railroad mural being painted north of the railroad tracks at 405 S. Oak St. in California. Holliday, a Jef... September 6, 2023

High Point Homecoming celebrates community HIGH POINT, Mo. -- Another summer has closed out with the 30th annual High Point Homecoming celebration.For those 30 years, David Gier and other High Point Community Renewal Association members have c... September 6, 2023

Jamestown Lions Club debuts new shelter JAMESTOWN, Mo. -- For the past 60 years, the Jamestown Lions Club has celebrated Labor Day weekend with a variety of events.The organization continued the tradition with its usual assortment of events... September 6, 2023

New Old Swiss Road culvert completed Drinkard Construction Get It, LLC, crew members posed atop a culvert Aug. 30 after they finished the construction on Old Swiss Road near Kratzer Road north of California. First district (northern... September 6, 2023

U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce visits California Lucas Kunce knows what living paycheck-to-paycheck can be like.The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate grew up in an impoverished Jefferson City household, he said Aug. 23 during a town hall meeting at t... August 30, 2023

Bull riding returns to Moniteau County Fairgrounds Hold on as long as you can.That was the goal for bull riders and mutton busters Saturday during Amped Up Pro Bull Riding Tour's stop at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. In addition to hosting bull... August 30, 2023

Moniteau County Library Director announced retirement after 14 years Connie Beauchamp is leaving after 14 years at the Moniteau County Library.She announced her retirement in an Aug. 22 post on the library's Facebook page. Once known as the Wood Place Library, Beau... August 30, 2023

Burn ban is back A California burn ban is back.Hot weather and dry conditions caused California Fire Department Chief Brad Friedmeyer to prohibit burning inside California city limits. He said the ban will last until ... August 25, 2023

California R-I tax rate to remain the same The California R-I Board of Education was chipper as it walked through district facilities to see completed upgrades Aug. 16.Impressed with the various upgrades to enhance facilities and improve secur... August 23, 2023

Library summer reading programs served more than a thousand students After approving the library tax rate, the Moniteau County Library trustees heard updates on several items. The library's board of trustees was informed of the summer reading program's success, progres... August 23, 2023

Cole R-I maintains tax rate RUSSELLVILLE -- The Cole R-I Board of Education begrudgingly approved change orders to the elementary school playground following nearly an hour of discussion.The changes -- which address unforeseen i... August 22, 2023

Safety, facility upgrades improve California schools District infoWebsite: www.californiak12.org.First day: Aug. 23.Last day: May 16.Central officeSuperintendent: Daniel Williams.Assistant Superintendent: Matt Abernathy.Address: 211 S. Owen St., Suite B... August 16, 2023

New high school administration team joins Cole R-I School District District infoWebsite: www.coler1indians.org.First day: Aug. 23.Last day: May 9.Central officeSuperintendent: Jeff Jennewein.Address: 13600 Route C, Russellville (inside high school).Phone: 573-782-331... August 16, 2023

Eagles Club kicks off fair with annual breakfast California Fraternal Order of Eagles volunteers served breakfast Saturday in Centennial Hall on the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. The Eagles served biscuits and gravy along with other breakfast fa... August 9, 2023

Jamestown Ministerial Alliance helps students prepare for school The Jamestown Ministerial Alliance's school supply giveaway was held Saturday in the Jamestown Community Building. The ministerial alliance has held the giveaway every year for at least the past 1... August 9, 2023

Countywide community emergency response team being established Moniteau County residents are establishing a community emergency response team (CERT).Anyone wishing to help their community is invited to join an upcoming review session regarding the program.CERTs, ... August 9, 2023

Quilting for a cause Local quilters are helping the California Nutrition Center acquire new equipment.The Bookworm Quilters are a group of eight to 10 women who craft special Quilts of Valor for active military and vetera... August 9, 2023

Work on railroad-theme mural has started A track-side mural honoring California's railroad history has received the green light.After selecting a location, Gail Hughes' dream of honoring the community's railroad history can now c... August 2, 2023

Granny Basketball League returns to California Imagine basketball without running, jumping, hovering.That was what spectators witnessed Saturday night as Granny basketball made a return to California when a local team, of varying ages and genders,... August 2, 2023

California High School ag department named most outstanding program in state California High School's agriculture department was recognized as outstanding for its variety of hands-on opportunities and inclusiveness.The Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (... August 2, 2023

Nonprofit entity for library project approved After months of waiting, the Moniteau County Library can now proceed with its building project.With a necessary separate nonprofit approved by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, the library... July 26, 2023

California R-I board prepares for CSIP A time and date has been set for the California R-I Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) committee's first meeting.The specifics of the meeting were discussed at the July 19 California R-I Bo... July 26, 2023

Hydroponics, swine barn and more drive hands-on agriculture education California High School is expanding hands-on opportunities for agriculture students.After dedicating the Denker Livestock Education Center in May 2022, the high school agriculture department continues... July 26, 2023

New Eagles president hopes to grow organization Nearly a decade after joining the California Fraternal Order of Eagles, Jim Hudson is now in charge of the organization. As president, Hudson hopes to grow the nonprofit by continuing to bring in more... July 19, 2023

Moniteau County hosts Missouri Young Farmers tour For the third time since 1978, a statewide tour witnessed the variety of agriculture in Moniteau County. Many businesses and farms were showcased Friday and Saturday as the California Young Farmers gr... July 19, 2023

Library trustees receive clarification on building process The path forward for the Moniteau County Library's building project is now a little clearer. Because the library, as a public body, cannot take on long-term debt obligations without taxpayer approval,... July 19, 2023

More parking, enhanced safety coming to elementary-middle school campus A crew from Higgins Asphalt, of Tipton, endured the heat Friday as they spread hot asphalt onto the California elementary and middle school campus' front parking lot. The concrete island that once... July 12, 2023

Russellville Lions light up the night sky <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/34D0ctOvnTQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerom... July 12, 2023

Nutrition Center celebrates retirement of board members Dee Butts, Jim Plaster and Misty Finley were honored on Friday at the California Nutrition Center. Dee Butts, Jim Plaster and Misty Finley are retiring from the California Nutrition Center's board... July 5, 2023

Drought cancels California fireworks display There will be no fireworks this Fourth of July.California has joined many surrounding communities in canceling its Independence Day fireworks show. The cancellation was the result of an ongoing drough... July 2, 2023

Railroad mural coming to California One of Gail Hughes' dreams may finally come true.Although Hughes, a longtime California resident who was "a mover and a shaker" in the community, died Jan. 21, one of his passion project... June 28, 2023

Hawthorn Bank gives back with customer appreciation lunch Hawthorn Bank gave away pulled pork sandwiches by Dicus BBQ, drinks and held other giveaways Friday at its California branch for a customer appreciation event.    Democrat photo/Garrett... June 28, 2023

Library still awaiting Secretary of State approval of separate nonprofit The waiting game continues for a key piece needed for the Moniteau County Library's new facility to move forward.Work on the project has been suspended until the Missouri Secretary of State's ... June 28, 2023

Hoback Fence hosts fish fry, car show in open house event Classic cars, childrens' games and a bounce house were part of the open house event Saturday at Hoback Fence in High Point. Guests were treated to free fried fish and potato chips at the event. Th... June 28, 2023

California school board approves substitute pay raise Although summer has just begun, the California R-I Board of Education is already preparing for the upcoming school year.The board approved a slew of items for the 2023-24 school year at its June 21 me... June 28, 2023

Winners of the Prairie Home Fair’s ‘Better Babies Contest’ The Better Babies Contest was held during the Prairie Home Fair.    Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Chris Hughes, of Columbia, holds his 11-month-old daughter Journey Rearick on T... June 28, 2023

Burger Foundation donates life-saving devices to city Burgers' Smokehouse realizes the importance of having life-saving equipment on site.After an automatic external defibrillator (AED) helped save the life of a Burgers' Smokehouse employee, the ... June 21, 2023

Annual Chamber golf tournament a success Local businesses traded their offices Friday for California Country Club's greens.Golfers braved the heat Friday as they circled twice around California Country Club's nine holes for the 19th ... June 21, 2023

Back to the drawing board The Moniteau County Sheriff's Office is pressing pause on its building project after contractors raised several questions during a Thursday pre-bid meeting.Architects at The Architects Alliance, o... June 14, 2023

Virtual reality training, new stun guns coming to sheriff’s office A "new era in less-lethal technology" is coming to the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office as it reportedly becomes one of the first agencies to acquire a new stun gun.A new virtual reality... June 14, 2023

Cole R-I breaks ground on high school addition RUSSELLVILLE -- The Cole R-I School District is growing. To facilitate its rapid growth, the district broke ground Wednesday on its new eight-classroom addition at Russellville High School. The expans... June 8, 2023

Crime Watch learns more about CERT program JAMESTOWN -- A new program could help Moniteau County first responders during large-scale emergencies.A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) can assist first responders by helping them assist peop... June 7, 2023

Ed Morse Chevrolet California celebrates end of transition Many gathered Friday at Ed Morse Chevrolet California to celebrate the dealership's Grand Opening with hot dogs, hamburgers, T-shirts, hats and other giveaways. Micki Meyer, of California, won a p... June 7, 2023

Family fun at annual Annunciation Catholic picnic A dining room full of people enjoy home-style fried chicken, smoked pork and sides Sunday at the Annunciation Catholic Church picnic. Many came from all over for the meal, along with other activities ... June 7, 2023

Stories by Garrett Fuller