This Charming Little Missouri Town Is So Budget Friendly It Feels Almost Too Good To Be True

Most things that sound too good to be true actually are, but Farmington, Missouri keeps being the exception that breaks that rule. Sitting comfortably in the rolling hills of St. Francois County, about 70 miles south of St. Louis, this town has quietly assembled a combination of affordability, charm, and genuine quality of life that most people spend years searching for and never quite find.

Farmington Inmate Dies at St. Louis Hospital

St. Louis, Mo. (KFMO) - A Missouri Department of Corrections inmate has died at a St. Louis hospital. According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, 39-year-old Terry Benson was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital St. Louis at 4:48 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2026. Benson was serving a five-year sentence at...

This Secret Illinois Nature Preserve Is A Peaceful Escape Worthy Of Your Bucket List

There’s a place in southern Illinois that most people have never heard of, and it sits above the Mississippi River like it’s been keeping a very pleasant secret for a very long time. That place is Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve, and it’s located near the small town...

Public Comment Rule in Place

(Farmington, Mo.) Public comment guidelines are now in place for St. Francois County Commission meetings after the proposed rules were approved by St. Francois County Commissioners. Presiding Commissioner, Kent Scism, says with the guidelines in place it gives everyone who wants to talk during the public comments section of commission meetings an equal opportunity.

MoDOT to Close U.S. 61/67 in Crystal City for Overnight Drainage Work

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri Department of Transportation will fully close U.S. 61/67 just north of 6th Street in Crystal City beginning Monday, November 16, 2026, for drainage installation. The closure is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Monday and will affect overnight traffic during construction hours from...

Missouri high school forfeits playoff football game for interesting reason

This season has been one to forget for The Principia School's high school football team (St. Louis, Missouri). Now, the Panthers' 2026 season is over despite still having a playoff game on the schedule. According to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the team forfeited its second-round postseason game against Crystal City (MO). The reason for the forfeit? To address culture issues. “While we’re disappointed with how the season ended, we believe this was a necessary step in moving our program forward,” The Principia School athletic director Shawn Brown told the Post-Dispatch. With the loss, the Panthers finish the season with a 2-7 record. The team gave up 54 or more points five times and 60 or more points four times. In their six on-field losses, the Panthers lost by an average of 29 points. In their two wins, the Panthers did put up a ton of points, scoring 70 against Veritas Christian Academy (MO) and 66 against Confluence Prep Academy (MO). This year is just the latest what's been a trying near-two-decade stretch for the Panthers. Principia School last won more than five games back in 2009. Since that season, the Panthers have compiled an overall record of

A Ghost Town And Haunted Woods Await After Dark At This Missouri Farm

An Old West ghost town hides in the dark woods of a working farm, and live actors are waiting inside it. That alone makes me want to grab a flashlight and a very brave friend. The trail winds through cursed woods, lantern-lit fog, and even stretches of a corn maze. A full walk can take 40 minutes to an hour.

Land for new Dollar General approved

The final plot of land for a new Dollar General Store was among the resolutions approved during the City of Perryville’s regular Nov. 3 meeting. The plot is located on South Kingshighway at the former site of the old Bailey Stave Mill property, which has been subdivided to allow for construction of the store. The plans for the plot were recently revised to show the sewer line easement, as recommended by the planning and zoning commission, before they were approved at the meeting.

Catch A Shuttle Up The Mountain And Ride Back Down At This Missouri Bike Park

A mountain that once held Civil War cannon positions now sends mountain bikers flying down rocky downhill trails. You can still spot those old cannon spots up there. You can also find leftovers from a former ski operation. The best part is the ride to the top. A shuttle hauls...

After 26 Years, Farr Takes Reins at St. Francois County 911

More than a quarter-century ago, a young Chuck Farr was determined to land a job as a dispatcher with St. Francois County 911. He repeatedly approached then-Director Alan Wells, hoping for a chance to begin a career in emergency communications. Wells initially turned him down, believing he was too young...

Women's Basketball Scores School-Record 116 Points in Season Opening Win Over Eureka

ST. LOUIS – The Maryville women's basketball team poured in a school-record 116 points and began its 2026-27 season by rolling past Eureka 116-26. The total eclipsed the previous mark of 113 set versus Oakland City Dec. 1, 2013. In addition, the Saints set a new program mark for largest margin of victory at 90 points, topping the record of 74 set against Blackburn Nov. 11, 2012. A third record that fell was most total rebounds as Maryville grabbed 83 boards, to surpass the previous record of 64 versus Harris-Stowe Dec. 10, 2010. Melia Lemorande led four Saints in double figures with 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Lindsey Schadewalt added 22 points and snared 10 boards. Hadley Crosier and Claire Lueken finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

CCC introducing new program in 5 southeast Mo. counties

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Heartland News) - The Community Counseling Center (CCC) is introducing a new program that will serve Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties. The Early Diversion program will help people facing mental health challenges get treatment and support before an arrest or being booked into...

County Council adds road improvements to subdivision plan

The Jefferson County Council has added another stipulation that developers of a 200-home subdivision in Imperial must follow before their petition is given the go-ahead. The council voted 6-0 on Oct. 26 to amend the petition submitted by JSS Land Development LLC of St. Louis to include work on Lions Den Road before more traffic is added to the road once the subdivision is built. The work includes widening the road at the intersection of Lions Den and Old Hwy. 21 to allow for a dedicated right-turn lane and a shoulder.

Commission Hears Updates on Downtown Revitalization

The Madison County Commission discussed progress on a proposed downtown revitalization grant, county road improvements and preparations for the general election at its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 2, at the courthouse in Fredericktown. Although no new or old business was scheduled on the agenda, commissioners heard updates from county officials...

St. Francois County Rotary Plants Phase Two of Community Orchard at Owl Creek Park

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The St. Francois County Rotary Club is continuing its Community Orchard project at Owl Creek Park, with members planting the second phase of the orchard Saturday morning. The latest planting includes blackberry bushes, Bubblegum plum trees, Golden Delicious and Arkansas Black apple trees, and...

MAC Museum of College & Community History Announces Expanded Hours and New Exhibits

Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - The MAC Museum of College & Community History is expanding its operating hours beginning Friday, November 13, 2026, allowing more opportunities for visitors to explore the history of Mineral Area College and the surrounding communities. Under the new schedule, the museum will be open whenever...

"Don't Give Up the Ship" Flag Arrives In Annapolis

The Freedom 13 veterans' recreational camp project launched in Bourbon

This is the inspiring story of The Freedom 13, a nonprofit organization developing its first 171-acre recreational healing camp in Bourbon, Missouri, dedicated to supporting Military Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, and Gold Star families. Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz founded it in memory of their son, Marine Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz.

Festus City Council OKs street master plan

The Festus City Council on Monday approved the 2026 Street Master Plan, which will guide the Public Works Department where improvements are most needed in the city when seeking state and federal grant funding. Public Works Director Michael Christopher told the council that safety was the top priority when drafting...

Festus council considers altering decorum rules

The Festus City Council briefly discussed changing some of its rules of decorum during Monday’s work session, including shortening the amount of time people from outside city limits could speak. Following mounting tensions over a CRG data center development project, the council in August changed some rules of decorum,...