By Christy Porter, Managing Editor The Licking R-VIII School Board will have two vacated seats to fill in this year’s General Election on April 6. The newly elected will start their three-year term on April 12. Two incumbents who hope to retain their positions and one candidate are running to fill the vacancies. The decisions…

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor  CM Desserts, a relatively new catering business in Raymondville, offers specialty-baked goods for special life or vendor events. “Specialty cupcakes are my favorite,” says Christine Mills, owner/entrepreneur and the baker of the business. Offering cookies, cupcakes (her favorite), pies, numerous types of desserts, and the willingness to experiment and do…

By Chief Patrick Burton, Licking Police Dept. On March 21, 2021, at approximately 7:50 p.m., a Licking police officer was conducting routine patrol along South Main Street. The officer observed a black-in-color Chevrolet Cavalier veer into the northbound lane and continue traveling towards him. The officer activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens before…

By Chief Patrick Burton, Licking Police Dept. On March 20, 2021, at approximately 10:50 p.m., a white-in-color Dodge Challenger was observed by a Licking police officer traveling westbound on Highway 32 at a substantial rate of speed. The Licking officer checked the vehicle traveling 87 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. The Licking officer…

By Shari Harris, Publisher The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported minor injuries to a juvenile passenger and the arrest of the driver involved in a Friday evening crash on Concord Road, five miles north of Licking. Robert L. Melead, 32, of Salem, was charged with two counts of felony child endangerment, driving while intoxicated with…

By Sheriff Scott K. Lindsey, Texas County Sheriff’s Dept. On the evening of March 17, 2021, Texas County Deputies patrolling Shafer Road, in the Licking area attempted to make a traffic stop on a Ford truck. The driver of the truck did not stop, and deputies initiated a pursuit that traveled across Buffalo Road to…

By Sheriff Scott K. Lindsey, Texas County Sheriff’s Dept. On the evening of March 22, 2021, Texas County deputies were dispatched to a residence on Nagle Drive in the Elk Creek area for a report of a 9-year-old child with a gunshot wound. An investigation revealed that the victim was shot by a younger sibling.…

Photos by Christy Porter