Garrett Fuller | Stories

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

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

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

Health department offers drive-thru vaccinations First Baptist Church in California hosted a drive-thru vaccination event Tuesday.Additional drive-thru vaccination clinics will be hosted 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Ozark Brands/McCall's Candle... October 5, 2022

California Eagles presents check to Karen’s Tribe The California Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) presented a check Monday to Karen's Tribe at the California FOE building. Karen's Tribe is a group of friends raising funds for Karen Dameron, a ... October 5, 2022

Anonymous donor to match California Nutrition Center donations The rumor is true.An anonymous donor is partnering with the California Nutrition Center (CNC) to match donations up to $15,000, kickstarting the center's Special Donation Season.The center will al... October 5, 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

California school board discusses public comments, remaining bond issue funds While students were outdoors enjoying Homecoming festivities, the California R-I Board of Education spent Wednesday night holed up in the high school media center for its monthly meeting. Among topics... September 28, 2022

Discussion on future of library building continues Building issues again topped the Moniteau County Library's monthly Board of Trustees meeting.The board discussed options for repairing the aging facility Sept. 21, along with providing updates on ... September 28, 2022

Homecoming parade rallies Pinto spirit before game With their umbrellas to keep them dry, people prepared for the California Homecoming parade to start Friday on South Owen Street in front of California Middle School.Starting with the Moniteau County ... September 28, 2022

Moniteau Career and Resource Fair connects people with opportunities Attendees met with representatives of local organizations Thursday, Sept. 22, during the second-annual Moniteau Career and Resource Fair at the United Church of Christ in California. The event was hos... September 28, 2022

Karen’s Tribe seeks to help local resident battling cancer Sometimes recovery takes a tribe.Karen Dameron learned in June her Hodgkin's Lymphoma had return. And, she would soon learn her treatments in St. Louis were not fully covered through insurance.So ... September 21, 2022

California Elementary honors grandparents Grandparents joined third grade students for activities Friday during Grandparents Day at California Elementary School.    Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Daisy Johnson, left, a t... September 21, 2022

Students of the Week honored at California Elementary     Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Kindergarteners Jackson Hamm, from left, Logan Werdehausen, Radley Moss, Axli Kiesling and Landon Elliott pose for a photo Friday (Sept. 16, 20... September 21, 2022

Russellville student wins state essay contest A Russellville student has been rewarded for getting out of her comfort zone.Emily Jurgle, a senior at Russellville High School, won the state-level contest after her 450-500 word essay for the Americ... September 17, 2022

California grocery store purchased by Nebraska chain A California grocery store has changed hands, and lower prices come with that change.B&R Stores, Inc., of Lincoln, Nebraska recently completed the purchase of C&R Markets, a regional grocery s... September 14, 2022

Sheriff office receives donated toys Santa Claus visited the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office early this year.The "Santa Claus" was Dollar General, which donated 200-250 toys to the office, which in turn donated the toys to... September 14, 2022

4-H clubs honor local heroes Blue skies and mild temperatures made the perfect day for a ceremony to honor local heroes.Members from six Moniteau County 4-H clubs -- Twin City 4-H, Busy Bee 4-H, Eager Eagles 4-H, Shamrock 4-H, Sh... September 14, 2022

Tipton children raise $2,000 for Shop With A Cop fund Ryder Bracht, from left, Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley and Owen Crane pose together Thursday as the 8-year-old duo submit their donations for the Shop With A Cop fund at the Moniteau County Sh... September 14, 2022

Tacos for scholarships Linda Bestgen, right, watches as Tina Wilde, left, and Barb Cornine make tacos for her order Wednesday during the California Fraternal Order of Eagles scholarship taco dinner at the Eagles club. Last ... September 14, 2022

Local market purchased by Nebraska chain A California grocery store has changed hands, and lower prices come with that change. B&R Stores, Inc., of Lincoln, Nebraska recently completed the purchase of C&R Markets, a regional grocery ... September 14, 2022

Clarksburg C-II breakfast honors grandparents Democrat photo/Garrett FullerShelley Edwards, left, smiles as grandchild Raelynn Edwards, 5, sips on orange juice Friday during the grandparents' breakfast at Clarksburg C-II School. Carrie Long, ... September 14, 2022

Eagles Club makes donation to Shop With A Cop fund It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas.The Moniteau County Sheriff Office collects donations for its annual "Shop With A Cop" program year round.The sheriff's office ... September 7, 2022

Kliever man meets girl he rescued 25 years ago KLIEVER, Mo. -- Miracles can happen.Winston "Joe" Blakely Jr., said he was fortunate to be involved in one.Blakely, a Kliever resident, said he was in the right place at the right time (25 y... September 7, 2022

California residents preserve history through cemetery maintenance Chaz Elliott is no stranger to cemeteries.After following in his family's footsteps and working for others in the funeral business for years, he decided to go solo three years ago by purchasing a ... August 31, 2022

California native musician returned to play The Tipsy Cow As a child, Pat Kay would eat at Willy's Pizza with his family.The California native and half of music duo The Kay Brothers returned to the former pizzeria, which now houses The Tipsy Cow steakhou... August 31, 2022

Stories by Garrett Fuller