News - Warren County Record

BUMP SIGNS - Large orange “bump” signs placed on both sides of Roelker Road warn drivers about the steel plates covering damage caused by trucks turning into the construction site of the new Wright City high school.

Construction is destroying this Wright City road. It’ll take $100K to fix it – temporarily.

Construction of the new Wright City high school building has caused serious damage to Roelker Road, requiring the addition of steel plates to keep the road drivable. Six steel plates currently … more

By Jason Koch, Editor | 5/5/23

Woman killed in fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 70 near Warrenton

A 36-year-old St. Charles woman was killed in a fatal hit-and-run crash on May 3. more

The Record | 5/4/23

HERO AND NOMINATOR - Linde Flanders was nominated as a Hidden Hero by her friend, Yolanda Mortimer. “She’s pretty special,” Mortimer says.

This Hidden Hero does God’s work to help Wright City and Warren County

“It’s a real privilege to help serve this community and I’m just really appreciative that someone nominated me. It makes me feel very special," says Linde Flanders. more

By Jason Koch, Editor | 5/4/23

Wright City Ward 2 Alderwoman Kim Arbuthnot takes her oath of office from City Clerk Abbie Ogborn during the April 27 board of aldermen meeting.

Two Wright City aldermen sworn in after winning April 4 election

At the April 27 Board of Alderman meeting, the two winners of the April 4 aldermanic election, Don Andrews in Ward 1 and Kim Arbuthnot in Ward 2, were installed. City Clerk Abbie Ogborn … more

The Record | 4/29/23

HISTORICAL MURAL — The large mural housed at the Heiliger Building in Diekroeger Park, painted in 1963 by Estelle Creighton, depicts a scenic view of the Chaney family farm in Wright City. The mural was the focal point of the dining room in Big Boy’s Restaurant, the town’s most famous business.

Big Boy's was an iconic Wright City location. Now a mural keeps its legacy alive.

“Just to walk in and see it, just as it had been when it was in that building, is just so emotional.” more

By Adam Rollins, Correspondent | 4/27/23

The Wright City Board of Aldermen approved a $92,000 big to repair Stuermann Road.

Wright City residents can look forward to Stuermann Road improvements

Officials say the work is scheduled to be accomplished this year. more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/26/23

RAISING CATTLE — Warrenton High School FFA students Owen Frye, left, and his sister Taylor helped Ryan Smyka, a student from Liberty Christian Academy, get up close to one of her beef cows Tuesday, April 18, at the Warren County Soil & Water Conservation Farm Tour, held at St. Ignatius School in Concord Hill near Marthasville. Other FFA students brought young goats and rabbits to introduce to the students.

After 3 years, Warren County students return to the farm

“A day in the life of the farm is really good for kids. There are so many jobs and opportunities that kids don’t realize.” more

Cindy Gladden, Correspondent | 4/26/23

Jason Koch is the editor of the Warren County Record newspaper.

A hello from the new editor of The Record

Hello! My name is Jason Koch – to eliminate any confusion, that’s pronounced “Cook” – and I am the new editor of the Warren County Record. I’m very happy to be … more

By Jason Koch, Editor | 4/26/23

Man killed when train strikes vehicle at railroad crossing

A St. Louis man was killed Sunday, April 23, when he drove onto railroad tracks in eastern Warren County and was struck by a train. The Missouri Highway Patrol identified the drive as John E. … more

4/26/23

City in early plans for $13M bond issue

The city of Warrenton is about to embark on initial planning that will eventually lead to using the $13 million in wastewater and water bonds recently approved by voters. City Administrator … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/24/23

TEACHER OF THE YEAR — Milissa Greene (center) is Warren County R-III School District’s Teacher of the Year. Greene is a special education teacher at Warrior Ridge Elementary. She was joined by coworkers to congratulate her for the award.

R-III district announces recipients of teacher, staff of the year awards

Warrior Ridge Elementary teacher Milissa Greene and district administrative assistant Lucy Swailes were recently recognized with district honors. A special education teacher at Warrior Ridge … more

By John Rohlf, Staff Writer | 4/21/23

County, city prep for new revenue from pot sales

Warren County and Warrenton users of recreational marijuana later this year will find themselves paying more in sales taxes for their purchases. A majority of voters in the county and city passed … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/21/23

Oath of Office: Carolyn Spraggs (left), Franci Schwartz and Rich Barton (right) take the oath of office at the Warren County R-III school board reorganizational meeting last week.

Three board members sworn in

Two incumbents and one newcomer were officially sworn into seats on the Warren County R-III school board. Rich Barton, Franci Schwartz and Carolyn Spraggs were all sworn into office on the … more

By John Rohlf, Staff Writer | 4/21/23

Wright City fires city administrator

Wright City is searching for a new city administrator after aldermen last week voted to fire Jim Schuchmann. The 4-0 vote came during a closed session meeting held by aldermen on April … more

By Tim Schmidt, Publisher | 4/20/23

Representatives of the Wright City School District pose with shovels during the groundbreaking ceremony last week. Those shown are, from left: Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Way, Assistant Superintendent Doug Smith, board members Beth Dean, Heidi Halleman, Mary Groeper, David Mikus, Austin Jones, Kyle Lewis and Superintendent Chris Berger.

Wright City R-II celebrates groundbreaking

The Wright City R-II School District’s new high school is still on track to be completed in October of 2024. The district recently held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Roelker Road … more

By John Rohlf, Staff Writer | 4/20/23

SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER — The WISE Foundation held its annual dinner, dance and auction Saturday, April 15, at the Warrenton Elks Lodge.

Annual WISE fundraiser event hits record mark

The annual WISE (Warren County R-III Investment in Scholastic Excellence) fundraiser held Saturday night set a new standard of success for the nonprofit organization’s efforts. Carmen … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/20/23

Kavanagh spared death penalty in 2014 murders

Shawn Kavanagh, who brutally stabbed three people to death and seriously injured a fourth in a 2014 Valentine’s Day massacre, will now spend the rest of his life in prison. St. Charles … more

By Tim Schmidt, Publisher | 4/13/23

R-II announces district-wide awards

Wright City High School math teacher Hanna Andress and early childhood paraprofessional Bill Talley were recently named district teacher and support staff of the year. Andress was named … more

By John Rohlf, Staff Writer | 4/13/23

Fire district contemplates next move

The Warrenton Fire Protection District will soon review the fallout from last week’s election defeat, with signs more voters do understand its future needs. Fire Chief Anthony Hayeslip … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/13/23

Safety protocols updated at R-III

After experiencing multiple delays with their initial plan, the Warren County R-III School District announced enhanced safety procedures at all district schools. The district initially … more

By John Rohlf, Staff Writer | 4/13/23

Wright City looks ahead to new sales tax revenues

A majority of Wright City voters expressed their faith last Tuesday in plans to boost the civic budget and local infrastructure. A total of 58 percent of those casting ballots in the April 4 … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/12/23

Proposal may aid Warrenton economy

The city of Warrenton could stand to gain from a new state initiative designed to promote economic development projects. The time zone designation, as it is known, was presented at the April 4 … more

By Ray Scherer, Correspondent | 4/12/23

Kavanagh spared death penalty, will serve life in prison

Shawn Kavanagh, who brutally stabbed three people to death and seriously injured a fourth in a 2014 Valentine’s Day massacre, will now spend the rest of his life in person. St. Charles … more

4/11/23

Warrenton Fire measure falls short, pot tax passes

Despite receiving a majority of the vote, the Warrenton Fire Protection District’s request for a $10 million bond did not meet the necessary threshold, according to unofficial election … more

John Rohlf. Staff Writer | 4/6/23

AFRICAN MISSION — Riley Heiliger, right, of Wright City, recently traveled to Tanzania, Africa with the charitable organization Humanity for Children. Her team provided education and care to birthing mothers and newborns in the poverty stricken country. Heiliger will graduate from Westminster College in May and pursue her goal to become a physician’s assistant in the area of obstetrics and gynecology. The items in the photo were given to her by local women she served in Tanzania.

‘This trip confirmed what I want to do in life’

During the fall semester of 2022, a college professor asked one of her students if she would like to go to Africa. Riley Heiliger, a Wright City native, was studying for her biochemistry major at … more

By Cindy Gladden, Correspondent | 4/6/23