Garrett Fuller | Stories

Future of potential soccer program up in the air Despite lots of support, a school-sponsored girls soccer program may have to wait.A room packed with proponents of a girls soccer program was met with disappointment as the board held an hour-long dis... January 25, 2023

Moniteau County Library looks into financing options for new facility The possibility of building a new library facility in California is becoming more of a reality.U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development representatives discussed options for financing t... January 25, 2023

Home-school students still ineligible for MSHSAA activities Home-school students remain ineligible to participate in many school activities after the California R-I Board of Education voted down amendments to its policies at its December meeting.Board members ... January 25, 2023

Programs keep Moniteau County Library busy during winter Moniteau County Library officials hope to keep people reading during the winter months with the return of a popular program.The Winter Checkout Challenge has returned to the library, allowing patrons ... January 18, 2023

Middle school threat results in cautious response California R-1 students were met with an enhanced law enforcement presence at school Thursday as district officials and law enforcement investigated a threat.The response came after a student reported... January 13, 2023

Grant enables turkey farmer to do more with less A California turkey farmer and his birds are reaping the rewards of energy-efficiency upgrades made using a federal grant.Tyler Dicus, a turkey producer, used the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)... January 11, 2023

Former Moniteau County Jail demolished <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zjTA9sAEjLk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerom... January 11, 2023

CPI mulls ideas for strategic plan California Progress Inc., board members looked to the future as they considered their upcoming needs.The discussion, held Monday night at the Moniteau County Library at Wood Place, came as members con... January 11, 2023

Plaque honors CFD firefighters A plaque will recognize 100 years of firefighting in California.The new plaque, to be hung in the California Fire Department fire station, lists more than 102 volunteer and paid firefighters dating ba... January 4, 2023

Moniteau County Library board finalizes 2023 budget The Moniteau County Library, despite having limited funds available, is determined to relocate in the next couple of years.Saving money for a new library was the main focus of the library's board ... December 28, 2022

A disappearing act Two dilapidated homes awaited their fate Dec. 9 as demolition crews moved equipment on the property at 209 S. Oak St.When it was done, all that was left of the two houses was a pile of debris. Demolit... December 21, 2022

Home-schooling parents wish for equal access to extracurriculars The California school board was reluctant to open up school-sponsored extracurricular activities to home-schooled children during a Dec. 14 meeting.The topic was one of many on the agenda for the Cali... December 21, 2022

Shop With A Cop brings children, cops closer Flashing lights and wailing sirens filled the air Thursday night as children and law enforcement officers started their trip to Target.Five law enforcement agencies partnered with the sheriff's of... December 21, 2022

CPI discusses park updates, financial reports The Latham Memorial Family Park is one step closer to being an independent nonprofit.Members of the California Progress Inc. (CPI) Board of Directors discussed an update on making the park a separate ... December 14, 2022

Former California mail truck featured in Jamestown parade JAMESTOWN, Mo. -- A special delivery was made at the Jamestown Christmas parade.Surrounded by family, Jon Imhoff drove his newly-restored 1945 Ford pickup on Saturday in the annual parade. Although th... December 14, 2022

California Chamber seeking nominations for awards As the year winds down, it's time to nominate deserving residents and businesses for awards.The California Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Citizen of the Year and Busines... December 14, 2022

Jamestown welcomes holiday season with parade Jamestown hosted its Christmas parade on Saturday.Below are photos from that event.Also, see the related story: Former California mail truck featured in Jamestown parade.    Democrat ph... December 14, 2022

Christmas comes to Proctor Park Stacks of presents, lights and a "Welcome to Christmas in Proctor Park" sign are welcoming visitors to a freshly-lit winter wonderland.Various colors of lights are shining throughout the par... December 7, 2022

Tree lighting greets holiday season The switch was flipped Saturday to illuminate the Christmas tree lights on the western side of the Moniteau County Courthouse.Bob Staton and Ron Harlan had the honors of lighting the tree after being ... December 7, 2022

Grant enables upgrades at school’s ag facility RUSSELLVILLE -- Energy efficiency upgrades will be coming to a greenhouse at Cole R-1 High School in Russellville.The Cole R-1 School District was one of six districts statewide to receive the Missour... December 5, 2022

California Nutrition Center donation season extended The California Nutrition Center received an unexpected early Christmas present.The anonymous donor who pledged to match donations up to $15,000 thru Dec. 15 recently updated his pledge to match up to ... November 30, 2022

Curbside service ending soon at nutrition center A COVID-19 meal program offered by the California Nutrition Center will be left by the curb at the end of the year.The curbside delivery program at the California Nutrition Center will end Dec. 30. Ki... November 30, 2022

California barber celebrates 70 years of cutting hair A lot has changed in 70 years.Roy Dean Simpson hasn't.Simpson cutting hair at his shop, 511 N. High St., has been a constant since he opened the doors Nov. 28, 1952. Exactly 70 years later, custom... November 30, 2022

Library trustees mull over depository agreements Several Moniteau County Library board trustees are concerned about Commerce Bank fees the library might pay.Concerns about the fees came up during the Moniteau County Library Board of Trustees' mo... November 23, 2022

Duds into suds: Failure turns into rewards for local entrepreneur If you would've told Kim Silvey that she'd own a soap-making business a decade ago, she wouldn't have believed you. However, that's exactly what happened. Kim Silvey, owner of Silvey's Soaps, establis... November 23, 2022

Program reviews start at California R-I board meetings A new swine barn is coming to California High School.Agriculture students pitched the project during the new program spotlight portion of the California R-I Board of Education meeting Wednesday night.... November 23, 2022

BBQ joint moving into former car wash A California barbecue joint is moving from a trailer into a building of its own.Travis Dicus, owner of Dicus BBQ, has been working on converting a former car wash at 1203 W. Buchanan St., into the fut... November 16, 2022

Russellville High School honors veterans RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. -- Cole R-1 High School on Friday remembered that all gave some and some gave all.Members of the military were in the spotlight early morning during the annual Veterans Day breakfast... November 16, 2022

California Eagles presents Kiesling family with check Members of the California Fraternal Order of Eagles presented a check Monday to the Kiesling family. Paul Kiesling, a charter member of the chapter, recently died from cancer. A subsequent fundraiser,... November 16, 2022

Friedmeyer’s first year as fire chief in the books California Fire Chief Brad Friedmeyer is no stranger to putting out fires.Friedmeyer was promoted from deputy chief to chief last fall. With the new title came additional responsibilities as he assume... November 9, 2022

Emergency dispatchers do more than assist people in need When people have an emergency, they dial 911.When people dial 911 in Moniteau County, it usually goes to one of 13 telecommunicators at the Moniteau County Emergency Dispatch center in California. The... November 9, 2022

Mid-Mo Ambulance District continues to serve despite staffing shortages The Mid-Mo Ambulance District provides an essential lifeline to residents of Moniteau and Morgan counties.However, few people think about the challenges of the service.The district, which covers both ... November 9, 2022

California woman dedicates four decades to teaching water aerobics For some, exercise is a chore.For Lana Dicus, exercise is fun.The California native has combined two of her passions -- teaching and exercise -- into water aerobics classes at the California City Pool... November 2, 2022

PHOTO GALLERY: Eagles Club hosts spooktacular Halloween party The California Fraternal Order of Eagles held its Halloween party Sunday, Oct. 30.Among the festivities, the "Haunted House" was a new attraction this year, said organizer Lynette Thompson.S... November 2, 2022

PHOTO GALLERY: Trunk-or-Treats around Moniteau County The California Democrat captured photos of some area Halloween events featured here.    Democrat photo/Kaden Quinn Trick-or-treaters flood First Baptist Church in California for its Tru... November 2, 2022

Moniteau County man killed in Clay County bridge construction accident KEARNEY, Mo. — A Moniteau County man was killed and three others injured Wednesday after a bridge under construction in Clay County collapsed.Connor R. Ernst, 22, of California, Mo., was killed ... October 27, 2022

Library board discusses 2023 budget, new SOS rule Trustees of the Moniteau County Library joined colleagues statewide in concerns over a proposed rule affecting what some libraries offer.The trustees convened Oct. 19 at the Moniteau County Library to... October 26, 2022

Archers aim for school archery program A new archery program may be coming to California's middle and high schools soon.The proposed archery program and administrative reports at board meetings were two highlights from the October Cali... October 26, 2022

Oak Street Hall to replace The Gathering Place A California venue is changing its name.Following a recent change in ownership, an event venue at 318 S. Oak St. will be reopening as Oak Street Hall after years of operating as The Gathering Place. I... October 19, 2022

Moniteau County Sheriff’s Office receives donated shield It's better to be prepared than not.While Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley hopes to never use the ballistic shield his department received from the United States Deputy Sheriff's Associat... October 19, 2022

California Elementary receives visit from CFD Pre-kindergarten students had the opportunity to see the contents of a firetruck and learn about fire safety Friday during California Fire Department's visit at California Elementary School for Fi... October 19, 2022

Moreau Fire Protection District visited High Point school Students at High Point R-3 School learned about fire safety Thursday as the Moreau Fire Protection District marked Fire Prevention Week.    Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Moreau ... October 19, 2022

California Nutrition Center hosts health fair California Nutrition Center hosted a health fair on Friday."Check into Your Health" featured various health care providers and services.    Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller &mdas... October 19, 2022

Halloween decorations welcome visitors to downtown California A pumpkin-headed scarecrow,  accompanied by "Grassquatch" and a skeleton, is gracing an area outside Angel Lawncare welcoming people to downtown California. Erick Angel, owner of Angel ... October 19, 2022

Fire Prevention Week turns 100 years old A United States tradition has saved lives for a century.This year, Fire Prevention Week turns 100 years old. The annual event, held in remembrance of one of the worst fires in American history, is des... October 12, 2022

Fire Prevention Week reminds people to think ahead Preparation could be the difference between life or death.Fire Prevention Week is designed to promote fire prevention techniques and plan for the worst. The annual week -- held Oct. 9-15 this year -- ... October 12, 2022

Street light poles receive new paint It was time for a fresh coat of paint.The California Park Department, with help from four Tipton Correctional Center (TCC) inmates and funding from the E.M. Burger Foundation, is painting the decorati... October 12, 2022

BBQ raises funds for FFA activities California High School's FFA held a barbecue fundraiser Sunday in the CHS gymnasium.    Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Lexy Messerli, a California High School sophomore, take... October 5, 2022

Indian spirit guides Russellville homecoming parade A Cole County Sheriff car lead the way for the Russellville Homecoming parade Friday. The parade started at the high school, headed east on Jefferson Road and West Railroad Avenue before heading south... October 5, 2022

Russellville crowns new homecoming royalty Russellville High School Homecoming Queen Cambell Backues, and king Jorden Schubert were crowned Friday during the half-time coronation ceremony at their Indians' game against Crystal City.Candida... October 5, 2022

Stories by Garrett Fuller