The full moon enters a penumbral lunar eclipse over Sedalia early Friday evening. A penumbral eclipse isn’t a total lunar eclipse, but the moon does becomes subtly darker. It occurs when the earth, sun and full moon line up together, causing the Earth’s outer shadow to be cast across the moon. Three celestial events occurred Friday night — the penumbral lunar eclipse, the full Snow Moon and the flyby of a green colored comet known as 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková.

The Snow Moon rises over Sedalia Friday evening. The full moon is called the Snow Moon because February is traditionally thought to be the snowiest month of winter.

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková is captured using a telescope Dec. 22 from Farm Tivoli in Namibia, Africa. “This weekend’s encounter will be the comet’s closest with Earth through the end of this century,” NASA’s website states about Friday’s flyby. “The comet will pass by our planet again in 2032 but will be much farther away – at a distance of nearly 30 million miles (about 48 million kilometers).”

The full moon enters a penumbral lunar eclipse over Sedalia early Friday evening. A penumbral eclipse isn’t a total lunar eclipse, but the moon does becomes subtly darker. It occurs when the earth, sun and full moon line up together, causing the Earth’s outer shadow to be cast across the moon. Three celestial events occurred Friday night — the penumbral lunar eclipse, the full Snow Moon and the flyby of a green colored comet known as 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317Eclipse-SnowMoon-1.jpgThe full moon enters a penumbral lunar eclipse over Sedalia early Friday evening. A penumbral eclipse isn’t a total lunar eclipse, but the moon does becomes subtly darker. It occurs when the earth, sun and full moon line up together, causing the Earth’s outer shadow to be cast across the moon. Three celestial events occurred Friday night — the penumbral lunar eclipse, the full Snow Moon and the flyby of a green colored comet known as 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

The Snow Moon rises over Sedalia Friday evening. The full moon is called the Snow Moon because February is traditionally thought to be the snowiest month of winter.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317Eclipse-SnowMoon-2.jpgThe Snow Moon rises over Sedalia Friday evening. The full moon is called the Snow Moon because February is traditionally thought to be the snowiest month of winter. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková is captured using a telescope Dec. 22 from Farm Tivoli in Namibia, Africa. “This weekend’s encounter will be the comet’s closest with Earth through the end of this century,” NASA’s website states about Friday’s flyby. “The comet will pass by our planet again in 2032 but will be much farther away – at a distance of nearly 30 million miles (about 48 million kilometers).”

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317Eclipse-SnowMoon-3.jpgComet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková is captured using a telescope Dec. 22 from Farm Tivoli in Namibia, Africa. “This weekend’s encounter will be the comet’s closest with Earth through the end of this century,” NASA’s website states about Friday’s flyby. “The comet will pass by our planet again in 2032 but will be much farther away – at a distance of nearly 30 million miles (about 48 million kilometers).” Photo courtesy of Gerald Rhemann | NASA

At Smith-Cotton High School, talented students fill difficult roles from acting to directing when it comes to the Theatre for a Cause performance. The program is run completely by students, and all proceeds are given to a cause in need.

Student directors choose their own successors for the upcoming year. Teri Turner, director of Speech and Theatre at S-C, explained that factors for each director’s decision may include perseverance, work ethic, time management, passion, leadership skills, reliability and several other traits. Running the program is no easy task.

The Theatre for a Cause program was created by Alec Wilken while he was attending S-C. He said he was trying to create more opportunities in theatre for students and wanted a way to give back to the community. When it came to funding, Wilken applied for and received a Community Outreach Grant from the International Thespian Society.

Junior Krysta Ott is the director of Theatre for a Cause this year. She explained that this role is a lot different than her previous experience of acting.

“You get a whole new perspective,” she said.

Turner said Ott has taken on everything from choosing the show, the cause, casting, rehearsal schedule, choosing a technical crew, overseeing marketing and publicity and even the technical build of the set. Ott said she must manage her time because some tasks take longer than others. There are some things that can be done during school, which helps a lot. However, she’s not alone. Her assistant directors, Avery Mather and Olivia Smith, are there to help with tasks Ott cannot complete on her own.

Ott said one of the hardest parts of being the director is working with her peers.

“Sometimes you have to be their friend, and sometimes you have to be an actual director,” she said.

Turner said the main goal of the performance is to raise awareness for a particular cause, which is Strong Tower Orphanage in Haiti this year.

“Theatre has always been a way to reflect on our own lives and create social change,” Turner said. While Ott is aiming to raise money for the chosen cause, she said she also hopes that a large turnout will reward her actors for all of the hard work they have put in.

Although Wilken has passed on all of his previous responsibilities, he still tries to keep tabs on what is going on with Theatre for a Cause. He said he believes it is a great capstone project for theatre students because it allows them to apply everything they’ve learned as well as take on new roles such as producing and marketing.

“I could not be more proud of the students who have taken it over and kept the program alive,” he said. “It’s a lot of work but it is definitely worth it.”

The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in the Heckart Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.

“I hope a lot of people come out and support,” Ott said.

ROOKIE REPORTERS Smith-Cotton High School journalism students, in conjunction with the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will report and write local stories for publication in the Sedalia Democrat throughout the school year.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Tiger.Badge_-5.jpgROOKIE REPORTERS Smith-Cotton High School journalism students, in conjunction with the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, will report and write local stories for publication in the Sedalia Democrat throughout the school year.

Krysta Ott

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_KOtt.jpgKrysta Ott

Spending several hours eating free chocolate, especially near Valentine’s Day, is one way Sedalians could meet downtown merchants, and also shop for a special gift, Saturday during the annual Chocolate Crawl.

The annual event is hosted by Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. and was coordinated this year by Jessica Buesing, owner of The Scarlett Lens, 314 S. Ohio Ave.

SDDi Administrator Meg Liston said 24 downtown merchants participated in the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Many of the merchants also contributed items to six gift baskets which were given away at 2 p.m.

By 11 a.m. 150 people had already checked in and received their gift basket entry cards at Scarlett Lens. Liston noted that she was originally expecting around 200 people for the day, but the number would probably be higher because of the sunshine and spring-like weather.

“It’s good, it’s good, we’ve had a great turnout,” she noted. “The weather’s perfect.”

She added that all the merchants make or provide free chocolate treats for customers each year. For a chance to receive a free gift basket, visitors to the event picked up entry cards and had them initialed by at least 15 businesses. Once they had 15 signatures on the card they brought it back to The Scarlett Lens and where it was placed into a drawing for one of the six baskets.

“If they can get all 24 (businesses) in four hours, then they get a bonus entry,” Liston said.

Each merchant donated at least one gift for the baskets worth $15 to $20.

“Some donated more than that,” Liston added.

She said there were several new businesses participating in the event this year: Craft Beer Cellar, Nostalgia Vintage Apparel, The Scarlett Lens, Ozark Coffee Company, Long Lasting Impressions and Something for Everyone, a thrift store.

New participant Carolyn Miller, owner of Nostalgia Vintage Apparel, at 515 S. Ohio Ave., said she was seeing “good traffic” at her shop.

“Nobody was here right at 10 o’clock, because not everybody would eat chocolate at 10 in the morning I guess,” she said laughing. “I would. I would have have chocolate for breakfast without any problem.”

She added that this was the seventh month for her business to be open and she was getting “a nice response.” She was also letting people know she was a new business in an old location.

“It’s a good way to get local people in here,” Miller said. “We already had one gentleman in this morning who thought it was still a furniture store. I said ‘you know what that closed in 2009.’ He had this shocked expression.”

Newcomer Justin Koehn, owner of Ozark Coffee Company located inside Swords Family Pharmacy, at 300 S. Ohio Ave., was enjoying meeting the public Saturday.

“It’s going real good,” he said. “I’ve got some iced coffee samples, hot (coffee) samples, a medium and a dark roast, and I’ve got some fresh-baked cookies. It’s helped to get my name out a little bit more, so it’s been very neat.”

Chelsea Kehde, owner of Chelsea’s Antiques, 721 S. Ohio Ave., said she was pleased with the turnout.

“Most people started down at headquarters, because I know most of the sheets (entry forms) we are getting, they have been lots of places,” she noted.

She said she contributed a red vase, filled with stems holding vintage Valentine’s Day cards, for one of the the gift baskets. Kehde also made chocolate raspberry brownie bites for visitors and offered petit fours, small cupcakes, cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries.

“Those brownie bites are really good, that’s my Marlene Sorosky recipe,” she added.

By 11:50 a.m. so many people had visited business participant The Mason Jar, located at 217 S. Ohio Ave., that they had run out of their handmade chocolate treats. The waitstaff said originally they had decorative brownies covered in chocolate ganache and edible gold flakes, plus brownies with a thin layer of white chocolate and gold and an assortment of peanut butter cookies. The shelves were empty before noon.

Liston said the weekend would also be busy for downtown merchants The Scarlett Lens and Kay’s Bridal & Tuxedo. The Scarlett Lens planned to have a free Valentine’s Day children’s craft event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Kay’s was hosting a Prom Party and runway fashion show beginning at noon Sunday.

Chelsea’s Antiques offers free chocolate treats to customers Saturday during the Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. annual Chocolate Crawl. Owner Chelsea Kehde provided petit fours, chocolate brownie raspberry bites, cupcakes, cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317ChcolateCrawl-1.jpgChelsea’s Antiques offers free chocolate treats to customers Saturday during the Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. annual Chocolate Crawl. Owner Chelsea Kehde provided petit fours, chocolate brownie raspberry bites, cupcakes, cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Anissa Douglas, right, of Smithton, along with her son Chase Douglas, 11, gets her SDDi Chocolate Crawl gift basket entry card signed by merchant Chelsea Kehde on Saturday. SDDi Administrator Meg Liston said those who visited at least 15 participating merchants and had their card signed were eligible for a drawing for one of six Valentine’s Day gift baskets.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317ChocolateCrawl-2.jpgAnissa Douglas, right, of Smithton, along with her son Chase Douglas, 11, gets her SDDi Chocolate Crawl gift basket entry card signed by merchant Chelsea Kehde on Saturday. SDDi Administrator Meg Liston said those who visited at least 15 participating merchants and had their card signed were eligible for a drawing for one of six Valentine’s Day gift baskets. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

A tray of goodies at Kay’s Bridal & Tuxedo awaits visitors of the annual SDDi Chocolate Crawl Saturday. The annual event coincides with Valentine’s Day each year.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317ChocolateCrawl-3.jpgA tray of goodies at Kay’s Bridal & Tuxedo awaits visitors of the annual SDDi Chocolate Crawl Saturday. The annual event coincides with Valentine’s Day each year. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Nostalgia Vintage Apparel was busy with customers perusing the store’s wares Saturday during the SDDi Chocolate Crawl. This was the first year for the business to participate in the event, owner Carolyn Miller said.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317ChcolateCrawl-4.jpgNostalgia Vintage Apparel was busy with customers perusing the store’s wares Saturday during the SDDi Chocolate Crawl. This was the first year for the business to participate in the event, owner Carolyn Miller said. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Justin Koehn, owner of Ozark Coffee Company, inside Swords Family Pharmacy, said he was giving customers homemade peanut butter kiss cookies plus iced and hot coffee samples Saturday during the SDDi Chocolate Crawl.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021317ChocolateCrawl-5.jpgJustin Koehn, owner of Ozark Coffee Company, inside Swords Family Pharmacy, said he was giving customers homemade peanut butter kiss cookies plus iced and hot coffee samples Saturday during the SDDi Chocolate Crawl. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Smith-Cotton High School crowned its Courtwarming royalty Friday at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game against O’Hara. Senior Tony Erwin was voted king and senior Kiara Williams was selected as queen. Margarita Antonova (not pictured) was named princess. The Tigers defeated O’Hara, 82-68, while the Lady Tigers lost to the Celtics, 49-34.

Smith-Cotton High School crowned its Courtwarming royalty Friday at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game against O’Hara. Senior Tony Erwin was voted king and senior Kiara Williams was selected as queen. Margarita Antonova (not pictured) was named princess. The Tigers defeated O’Hara, 82-68, while the Lady Tigers lost to the Celtics, 49-34.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_IMG_0303.jpgSmith-Cotton High School crowned its Courtwarming royalty Friday at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game against O’Hara. Senior Tony Erwin was voted king and senior Kiara Williams was selected as queen. Margarita Antonova (not pictured) was named princess. The Tigers defeated O’Hara, 82-68, while the Lady Tigers lost to the Celtics, 49-34. Photo courtesy of Sedalia School District 200

The following is a sampling of cases that were resolved Feb. 6 in the Pettis County Circuit Court Law Day, according to information from Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Sawyer.

Delfino Morgan Cantu, 38, of Sedalia, was sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for armed criminal action and seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for second degree assault.

Travis Lee Davis, 28, of Sedalia, was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for resisting arrest.

Trenton N. Pace, 25, of La Monte, was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for second degree burglary and three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for damage to jail property.

Lindsey Lee Wallace, 32, of Sedalia, was sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for possession of a controlled substance.

Theresa M. Sutton, 47, of Lincoln, was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for possession of a controlled substance.

Nathan W. Green, 26, of Sedalia, was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each of four counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was also ordered to complete a long-term drug treatment program.

Tavares Q. Black, 37, of Sedalia, was sentenced to five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for second degree domestic assault.

Rhonda S. Clawson, 56, of Sedalia, was sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for second degree burglary.

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This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Pettis County Sheriff’s Office

Arrests

Feb. 11

2:32 a.m.: Sean Clark, of Hughesville, was arrested in the 600 block of Main Street in Sedalia on a charge of first degree tampering.

Feb. 12

Pettis County deputies and Sedalia Police Department officers stopped a vehicle near the intersection of 13th Street and Summit Avenue. Matthew J. Johnson was arrested on a charge of identity theft. Jozlan N. Holloway was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana. Marshall Tindell was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Arrests

Feb. 10

12:18 p.m.: James E. Dodson, 22, of Deepwater, was arrested in Henry County on charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and no insurance.

8:02 p.m.: Mark A. Thomas, 52, of Sedalia, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, failure to register a motor vehicle and failure to stop at a red signal.

10:13 p.m.: Ian M. Stockhurst, 33, of La Monte, was arrested in Pettis County on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Feb. 11

11:15 a.m.: Steven D. Thomas, 45, of Louisville, Kentucky, was arrested in Saline County on charges of possession of a controlled substance (pills), possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana and two counts of unlawful use of a firearm.

12:35 p.m.: Jo Anne Mitchell, 59, of Sedalia, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving resulting in a crash.

2:15 p.m.: Carey B. Mills, 37, of Harrisonville, was arrested in Henry County on charges of possession of a controlled substance, driving while intoxicated and speeding.

10:10 p.m.: Lester D. Hood, 21, of Versailles, was arrested in Moniteau County on charges of speeding, possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

11:10 p.m.: Joseph M. Doyle, 24, of Miami, Florida, was arrested in Saline County on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and speeding.

11:38 p.m.: Kenneth M. Schulte, 25, of Sedalia, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of driving while intoxicated, speeding and no insurance.

Feb. 12

1:49 a.m.: Michael J. Schwartz, 20, of Fenton, was arrested in Johnson County on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.

6:54 a.m.: Kody R. Erisman, 40, of Warrensburg, was arrested in Johnson County on charges of possession of a controlled substance and driving while intoxicated.

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Two Warrensburg teenagers were injured in a single-vehicle accident at 6:42 p.m. Saturday in Johnson County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Riley W. Sopko, 16, was driving west on SE 300 Road at SE 251 Road when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.

Sopko and a passenger in his vehicle, Autumn M. Metcalf, 16, were both taken by private vehicle to Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg with minor injuries.

Reports indicate both Metcalf and Sopko were wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

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A Sedalia woman was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 5:35 p.m. Friday in Pettis County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Heather N. Reyes, 27, was driving north on state Route M, north of state Route V, when she swerved to avoid striking a deer, which caused her vehicle to travel off the right side of the road and strike a ditch. The vehicle continued traveling north through the ditch until it struck a barbed-wire fence with its front passenger side.

Reyes, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken by Pettis County Ambulance District to Bothwell Regional Health Center with minor injuries.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

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A Lincoln man sustained serious injuries in a single-vehicle accident at 9:35 a.m. Saturday in Benton County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Richard W. Lee, 38, was driving a motorcycle north on state Route F, a half mile south of Seven Hills Road, when it struck a deer, ejecting Lee.

Lee, who was wearing a helmet, was taken by ambulance to Bothwell Regional Health Center for his injuries.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

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Two Carthage residents were injured in a single-vehicle accident at 2:10 p.m. Saturday in Henry County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, John A. Frederick, 54, was driving north on state Route 13, a quarter mile south of state Route N, when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. Frederick over-corrected and his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned, coming to rest on its wheels.

Frederick was taken by Life Flight to Research Medical Center in Kansas City with moderate injuries.

A passenger in his vehicle, Karla S. Frederick, 54, sustained minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene.

Reports indicate both John and Karla were wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

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Favorite Poem Night is returning to First Christian Christian Church this Thursday evening thanks to collaboration between its creator Barbara Schulz, now of Kansas City, and SpoFest founder James Bryant.

“Those who already attend SpoFest events know that you hear ‘original’ works from local poets and writers,” Bryant said by email. “It will be a nice change of pace to hear works from well-known authors like Whitman and Frost. This event will be a great opportunity for SpoFest to further its reach with the spoken word here in Central Missouri.”

He added that SpoFest was “proud” to bring the event back as part of its annual Valentine’s Day program.

Dr. Douglas Kiburz, a SpoFest poet and former Favorite Poem Night reader, presented the idea to the SpoFest board to bring back the event to First Christian.

Schulz said by phone Saturday she is honored and “flattered” people remember Favorite Poem Night. She said her health isn’t good but she hopes to attend the event and also read her favorite poem, “Abou Ben Adhem” by Leigh Hunt. She reminisced about Favorite Poem Night, saying it was good for the community.

“The concept of Favorite Poem Night is not mine,” she said. “It’s a national concept, I guess, I don’t know who it was started by. I don’t know how I came about starting it in Sedalia, but it turned out to be just a really good thing.

“I felt like it was something that we could give to the community as a gift,” she added. “An evening that is just unique, away from the television, with people reading poetry that they liked, which let people know those readers at a more personal level. Because poetry, I think, expresses our real feelings.”

Favorite Poem Night was hosted for 10 years and Schulz added that it was very “satisfying” for her and others as well. Schulz said she has been gone from Sedalia for five years.

During the first hour of Thursday’s event, readers will present poems dealing with love and relationships by their favorite authors. Bryant said during the second hour SpoFest readers will present original works along the same topic.

Schulz noted that she believes poetry takes on many forms and when she hosted Favorite Poem Night she included not only the spoken word as SpoFest does, but also presentations in sign languages, interpretive dance and singing.

“Poetry comes out in so many ways,” she said. “Poetry can be so expressive of people’s feelings, that again you get to know the person better. I feel like the person reading the poem or reciting their own poem, they are the artist, and the poem is the medium and the people, who are listening, are the canvas. It’s just a very special thing and I’m looking forward to being there, I hope nothing gets in my way.”

Bryant said music for the event will be performed by Travis DeMoss. Scheduled readers are Douglas Kiburz, Carla Halane, Tim Whitmore, Lela Merrell-Savage, Dave Wisker, Debbie Noland, Jim Rissler and Rose Marie Kinder.

SpoFest presents Favorite Poem Night! will be hosted from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at First Christian Church, 200 S. Limit Ave. The first half of the event, from 7 to 7:40 p.m., will be Favorite Poem Night. The second half of the event, from 7:50 to 8:30 p.m., will be the annual SpoFest Valentine’s Day show.

For more information or to sign up to read, call Bryant at 553-4572 or leave a message on Facebook. Deadline to sign up as a reader is today.

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Dennis Gray, a local Vietnam veteran, will be honored for a final time Wednesday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville thanks to the help of the Pettis County Coroner’s Office.

“He died alone and when we found out he was a veteran, we thought he should receive a proper burial,” said Pettis County Coroner Robert “Skip” Smith.

Gray, 65, was found Dec. 6 in his apartment on Liberty Park Boulevard and was transported to Bothwell Regional Health Center where he apparently died due to a cardiac event, according to Smith.

Smith said after Gray died, members of his office went through Gray’s personal property and discovered his Army discharge papers. Smith said his office made every attempt to find any relatives, but was unable to find anyone who would claim Gray’s remains and give him a proper burial.

“We had a hard time finding his records. It was hard finding out who he was,” Smith said. “We think he has a daughter, but we can’t find where she is.”

Word of Gray’s death spread quickly through the community via social media and people wanted to to share his story and make sure he wasn’t forgotten.

Greg Johns, of Sedalia, said Monday he was a friend of Gray’s.

“He was a great guy,” Johns said. “He was the type of man who said what he thought.”

Johns said Gray was definitely in the Army and served in Vietnam because Gray often told Johns stories about his service. Johns said he knew Gray for about a year.

When Gray died, Johns and people who lived in Gray’s apartment complex and knew Gray hosted their own memorial service to honor Gray’s life.

Gray will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville, located on Business Highway 13 in Higginsville. The service is open to the public and Smith said several local veterans will be attending the service.

Anyone who knows where Gray’s relatives may be can contact the Coroner’s Office at pettiscountycoroner@gmail.com.

Dennis Gray, a local Vietnam veteran, will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Higginsville National Cemetery.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_dennis-gray2.jpgDennis Gray, a local Vietnam veteran, will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Higginsville National Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Pettis County Coroner’s Office

Madison Martin hands over a container full of mixed materials to Youth Development Professional Katelyn Maupins, left, so she can begin the next step in creating crystals Monday afternoon at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site. As part of Monday’s STEM program, Maupins was helping the Club members use a Crystal Growing Experiment Kit, and in seven days their creations will turn into crystals in a variety of colors.

Youth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby points out the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri members who are doing a wall sit correctly during his Healthy Habits program Monday afternoon at the downtown teen site. Before starting physical activities, the group had a discussion about proper exercise habits.

Youth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby talks with Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri member Dylan Davis, left, as they both do 30 seconds of kicks while laying on their backs Monday afternoon. The group also ran around the gym for a few minutes as a warm-up to their main activity.

Landon Moulton looks for a teammate to pass to as he is the first to throw during a game of Ultimate Football as part of Monday afternoon’s Healthy Habits program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site.

Madison Martin hands over a container full of mixed materials to Youth Development Professional Katelyn Maupins, left, so she can begin the next step in creating crystals Monday afternoon at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site. As part of Monday’s STEM program, Maupins was helping the Club members use a Crystal Growing Experiment Kit, and in seven days their creations will turn into crystals in a variety of colors.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021417BoysGirlsClub1.jpgMadison Martin hands over a container full of mixed materials to Youth Development Professional Katelyn Maupins, left, so she can begin the next step in creating crystals Monday afternoon at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site. As part of Monday’s STEM program, Maupins was helping the Club members use a Crystal Growing Experiment Kit, and in seven days their creations will turn into crystals in a variety of colors. Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Youth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby points out the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri members who are doing a wall sit correctly during his Healthy Habits program Monday afternoon at the downtown teen site. Before starting physical activities, the group had a discussion about proper exercise habits.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021417BoysGirlsClub2.jpgYouth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby points out the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri members who are doing a wall sit correctly during his Healthy Habits program Monday afternoon at the downtown teen site. Before starting physical activities, the group had a discussion about proper exercise habits. Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Youth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby talks with Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri member Dylan Davis, left, as they both do 30 seconds of kicks while laying on their backs Monday afternoon. The group also ran around the gym for a few minutes as a warm-up to their main activity.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021417BoysGirlsClub3.jpgYouth Development Professional Ryan Willoughby talks with Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri member Dylan Davis, left, as they both do 30 seconds of kicks while laying on their backs Monday afternoon. The group also ran around the gym for a few minutes as a warm-up to their main activity. Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Landon Moulton looks for a teammate to pass to as he is the first to throw during a game of Ultimate Football as part of Monday afternoon’s Healthy Habits program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021417BoysGirlsClub4.jpgLandon Moulton looks for a teammate to pass to as he is the first to throw during a game of Ultimate Football as part of Monday afternoon’s Healthy Habits program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri downtown teen site. Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Marshall man arrested for DWI

A Marshall man was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated after a single-vehicle accident at 11:08 p.m. Sunday in Saline County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Forrest D. Ameral, 33, was driving an ATV west on 205th Road at Magnolia when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to travel off the road and overturn.

Ameral, who was not using a safety device, was taken by Saline County Ambulance District to University Hospital in Columbia with minor injuries.

He was also arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license and careless and imprudent driving.

Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sedalia Police Department reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved.

Smith-Cotton High School athletic teams might not be part of an athletic conference beginning in the 2019-20 school year, Smith Cotton’s Athletic Director Rob Davis told the Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education at Monday’s work session.

The West Central Conference will be left with only three schools in 2019-20 since four of the other schools will be joining other athletic conferences that are geographically closer, Davis told the board. Out of the seven districts in the conference, Nevada, Warrensburg, St. Pius and Clinton will be leaving in the 2019-20 school year. Smith-Cotton, Central in Kansas City and Archbishop O’Hara high schools would remain would remain in the WCC.

Davis is recommending that Smith-Cotton play independently. This would mean playing other non-conference teams in all sports. The consequences of this would be Smith-Cotton not participating in any league or district teams or championships.

“That is what we’d lose,” Davis said.

Davis said Sedalia 200 has looked into joining other conferences in Springfield and around Jefferson City and Columbia, but their athletic conferences were satisfied with their current memberships. Davis said he also explored inviting other schools into the WCC, but those schools lacked interest. No decision was made Monday since the meeting was a work session. This issue will be revisited by the board.

The board was also presented an update on the Connecting the Prairie to the Ivy student trip scheduled for Feb. 20-23. The students going on the trip include sophomores, juniors and one senior and they will be touring three Ivy League universities — Dartmouth, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The idea behind this privately-funded trip is to expose students to schools other than the Midwest.

Finally, the board heard a legislative update. Superintendent Brad Pollitt warned that the district’s transportation costs would be cut by about $130,000 this year due to Gov. Eric Greitens slashing $146 million from state coffers. These cuts did spare most K-12 schools and impacted colleges and universities much more.

“We can make it through these cuts,” Pollitt said.

He warned that with the new administration, charter schools and voucher systems could be imposed on school districts, but that remains uncertain.

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This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case.

Sedalia Police Department

Arrests

Feb. 10

5:45 p.m.: James Allen Simms, 48, of the 100 block of South Grand Avenue, was issued a municipal court summons near the intersection of East Johnson Street and North Ohio Avenue for assault. An officer saw eight to 10 people on a corner yelling at each other and waving the officer over. A victim said they were punched in the face by the suspect during an argument about money.

Feb. 11

8:11 a.m.: Scott Graham Siron, 37, of the 1500 block of East Ninth Street, was arrested near the intersection of West Third Street and South Harrison Avenue on charges of driving with a suspended license and failure to register annually with the Department of Revenue.

8:30 a.m.: Melissa S. Waite, 41, of Cole Camp, was arrested in the 600 block of East 14th Street on a charge of trespassing. An officer responded to the Bothwell Regional Health Center Emergency Department where a patient had been discharged but was refusing to leave the hospital.

2:55 p.m.: Harvey Townsend, 59, of the 300 block of South Grand Avenue, was arrested at his residence on a charge of second degree domestic assault. Officers responded to a report of a physical disturbance. They were advised a male had a female down on the ground by the throat.

10:34 p.m.: Esteban C. Tolentino, 51, of the 600 block of West Second Street, was arrested in the 300 block of West Broadway Boulevard on charges of leaving the scene of a vehicle accident, driving while intoxicated and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Officers responded to a vehicle accident near a business. One vehicle left the scene and was located nearby. Investigation revealed the driver of that vehicle was intoxicated.

Feb. 12

10:12 a.m.: Clayton J. Eckler, 27, of the 500 block of North Stewart Avenue, was arrested near the intersection of West Main Street and Dundee Avenue on a charge of driving with a revoked license.

Incidents

Feb. 11

8:38 a.m.: An employee from Reed & Sons Jewelers reported the business’ sign, valued at $200, was stolen.

Feb. 12

2:09 a.m.: Officers responded to a report of persons walking behind houses near Honeysuckle Road. Upon arrival officers walked the area and found five new Stihl chainsaws and a pair of bolt cutters between the houses and the Katy Trail. They checked the area for a possible burglary and found a burglary at a business in the 2200 block of South Limit Avenue. The owner was contacted and after checking the inventory found the items belonged to the business.

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Arrests

Feb. 12

8:28 p.m.: Robert G. Clarke, 31, of Blue Springs, was arrested in Johnson County on charges of two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, driving while intoxicated and failure to maintain a single lane.

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The City of Sedalia will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day, according to a city news release.

Weekly trash pickup for the week of Feb. 20 will follow the normal collection schedule. The Materials Management Site at 27882 state Route U will be closed Monday.

City offices including the Materials Management Site will re-open for normal business hours Tuesday, Feb. 21.

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County Distributing Co. recently donated a new Fatal Vision Goggle Kit to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office. Katelin Hladik, center, director of corporate social responsibility at County Distributing, presented it to Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, right, and Deputy Stephanie Bahner, Pettis County D.A.R.E. officer. The kit includes six alcohol simulation goggles that, when worn, demonstrate the effects of alcohol impairment at various Blood Alcohol Concentration levels ranging from less than .06 to more than .25. These goggles are used by the sheriff’s office during its D.A.R.E. program and at various community events. Bahner teaches 10 D.A.R.E. classes throughout five Pettis County schools, mainly consisting of fifth grade students.

County Distributing Co. recently donated a new Fatal Vision Goggle Kit to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office. Katelin Hladik, center, director of corporate social responsibility at County Distributing, presented it to Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, right, and Deputy Stephanie Bahner, Pettis County D.A.R.E. officer. The kit includes six alcohol simulation goggles that, when worn, demonstrate the effects of alcohol impairment at various Blood Alcohol Concentration levels ranging from less than .06 to more than .25. These goggles are used by the sheriff’s office during its D.A.R.E. program and at various community events. Bahner teaches 10 D.A.R.E. classes throughout five Pettis County schools, mainly consisting of fifth grade students.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TSD021417CountyDistrubuting.jpgCounty Distributing Co. recently donated a new Fatal Vision Goggle Kit to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office. Katelin Hladik, center, director of corporate social responsibility at County Distributing, presented it to Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond, right, and Deputy Stephanie Bahner, Pettis County D.A.R.E. officer. The kit includes six alcohol simulation goggles that, when worn, demonstrate the effects of alcohol impairment at various Blood Alcohol Concentration levels ranging from less than .06 to more than .25. These goggles are used by the sheriff’s office during its D.A.R.E. program and at various community events. Bahner teaches 10 D.A.R.E. classes throughout five Pettis County schools, mainly consisting of fifth grade students. Submitted photo

Despite freezing temperatures that postponed Sacred Heart School’s Homecoming game and coronation ceremony by a few days, the Gremlins were fired up for the traditional fun and festivities.

Each year, the high school classes compete against each other for the Spirit Stick, which earns the winning class bragging rights and a day off from school. The Junior class won the Spirit Stick based on outstanding school spirit, participation in the themed dress days, selling SHS fundraising cards, canned food drive and Gremlin Olympics.

Dynamic Duo Day is one of the favorite dress up days at Sacred Heart School for Homecoming. Seniors Tyler Kempf and Britten Mergen pose as Axl Rose.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_SHSHomecoming.jpgDynamic Duo Day is one of the favorite dress up days at Sacred Heart School for Homecoming. Seniors Tyler Kempf and Britten Mergen pose as Axl Rose. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart School

Freshmen Summer Caton and Riley Michaud dressed up as The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood for Dynamic Duo Day.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_SHSHomecoming2.jpgFreshmen Summer Caton and Riley Michaud dressed up as The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood for Dynamic Duo Day. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart School

Theme day brought in a cast of characters, as each class chose a different theme. Sophomores Taylor Siron and Alysia Marquez dress up as Minnie Mouse and Lilo to celebrate their class theme of Disney characters. This year, the freshmen dressed as animals, the sophomores came as Disney characters, the juniors dressed as nerds and the seniors came as their superheroes.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_SHSHomecoming3.jpgTheme day brought in a cast of characters, as each class chose a different theme. Sophomores Taylor Siron and Alysia Marquez dress up as Minnie Mouse and Lilo to celebrate their class theme of Disney characters. This year, the freshmen dressed as animals, the sophomores came as Disney characters, the juniors dressed as nerds and the seniors came as their superheroes. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart School

Allison Prenger was crowned Homecoming Queen during the SHS coronation ceremony that took place prior to the start of the varsity boy’s basketball game against Tipton. Prenger was escorted by Ty Wissman. The Homecoming Court also included Jessica Schibi, Travis Holt, Hannah Wilhoit, Sam Eichholz, Amiela Hwang and Tyler Kempf.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_SHSHomecoming4.jpgAllison Prenger was crowned Homecoming Queen during the SHS coronation ceremony that took place prior to the start of the varsity boy’s basketball game against Tipton. Prenger was escorted by Ty Wissman. The Homecoming Court also included Jessica Schibi, Travis Holt, Hannah Wilhoit, Sam Eichholz, Amiela Hwang and Tyler Kempf. Photos courtesy of Sacred Heart School

Things are always going to change. There are some people who are so afraid of that fact that they let it define them. But we should keep in mind that something isn’t essentially superior just because it’s old fashioned but change isn’t always for the better. We should always look for the best solutions, no matter their age.

There was a problem that needed a solution: people liked having a grocery store in the State Fair Shopping Center. The good people at Woods knew that, so they decided to pick up where Bing’s left off. I always knew that little corner property in the shopping center would become part of the store around it but I always thought it happen while it was still Bing’s. I never thought it would be anything but Bing’s!

Today brings us the opening of Woods West. Many predicted it as soon as Bing’s went out of business. It was a great store shell that was just about ready for a new grocery hermit crab to move in. They probably heard the endless complaining from certain people who are apparently unwilling to travel to the east or slightly-more-west side of town for their groceries. And why should they? We’ll soon be living in a world of drones who will deliver anything we want on command and within minutes. Who knows if the traditional grocery store model will even be viable in 10 or 20 years? The progress we’re making each day is astounding, maybe we’ll have food replicators or whole-meal experience pills by then. Maybe we’ll all be too busy plugged into some sort of Matrix system to even bother eating.

We all knew that valuable State Fair Shopping Center space wouldn’t be empty for long even if it wasn’t filled with a grocery store specifically. That’s prime real estate.

Those people who only pass through Sedalia or only come for the fair or the festivals might not notice any difference at all – there was a grocery store there, and there is a grocery store now. Soon all of the memories of Bing’s ever having any branches at all will start to fade.

The loss of any business is sad, but the loss of a Sedalia owned business is even more sad, but I bet that even the most loyal Bing’s customers will transition fairly seamlessly into Woods customers. As a person who purchases things now and again I understand the drive to shop local, but where does a true Sedalia loyalist get their groceries now? The tiny corner shops of our youth are gone, and the other options can be found in just about every state. Will there be holdouts who refuse to shop at either Woods on general principle? Probably, but that’s not really fair.

Woods is family owned and Missouri based, so I suppose that’s the next best thing. Hopefully many of the people from Bing’s who still wanted to do that kind of work got jobs at Woods.

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