Christopher Parker

Lower Saxony

Staff Reporter at Washington Missourian

gives a f*ck about an oxford comma • city halls and school boards @emissourian • words in @smithsonianmag @americamag @latimes @BerkshireEagle • ND ‘22

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Articles

One year in, Life's River 'feels like home' to residents

1 day ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

All Monica Dietz knew was she needed to leave. The 27-year-old mother of two said her family life had spiraled out of control with stunning speed. In October 2024, she started working full time after years as a stay-at-home mom. Her partner was abusive and “deep in addiction,” she said, and he would take the money she earned at work. She felt trapped and terrified for her children’s safety. So one night, she packed up quickly and fled Washington without any real plan. kAms:6EK 2?5 96C 49:=5C6?
Noonan found guilty of Washington child's fentanyl overdose death

1 day ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

A second Washington man has been found guilty in the fentanyl overdose death of 13-year-old Zack Foster and the serious injury of another boy in 2021. On Wednesday, a Franklin County jury found Thomas Ray Noonan guilty of both counts of first-degree child endangerment, one of which resulted in death. The verdict matches the one rendered against Andrew Amelung, a roommate of Noonan’s, who was found guilty after a trial in December 2023. Amelung was sentenced to 40 years in prison. kA 5:ClQ=ECQmkDA2?
Homeschool activities bill, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, clears legislature

2 days ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

A bill by state Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington, to include homeschool students in sports and other activities has cleared both chambers of the Missouri legislature, after more than a decade of gridlock on the issue. Brown championed Senate Bill 63, which he dubbed the Homeschool Sports Act, this year after his efforts with similar legislation failed in 2023 and 2024. He said in a statement Thursday he’s ecstatic to see the measure finally clear the legislature. kAm“x’> C67=64E:?8 @?
'She gave me my voice': Nathaniel Rateliff 'forever grateful' to mother for inspiring love of music

5 days ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

Moments before he took the stage in New York City’s Madison Square Garden six weeks ago, Nathaniel Rateliff’s mother, Sandy Perkins, hugged her son and told him how proud she was of him. “I just told him to have fun and enjoy the stage,” Perkins said. kA 4=2DDlQA`Qm#2E6=:77[ H9@ 8C6H FA :? 2?5 2C@F?5 w6C>2??[ :?4=F5:?8 DEC6E496D :? (2D9:?8E@? 2?5 }6H w2G6?[ 5:5 ;FDE E92E] w625=:?:?8 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 :? 7C@?E @7 2 D@=5\@FE 4C@H5 :? E96 DE@C:65 2C6?2[ :?
Washington Parks & Rec Director Wayne Dunker leaving city

5 days ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

After more than six years as the head of Washington’s Parks & Recreation Department, Director Wayne Dunker is hitting a new trail. Dunker informed the city this week he’s accepted a new position leading the parks department in Chesterfield. His last day on the job in Washington will be May 23. City Administrator Darren Lamb said Washington wishes him all the best, adding Dunker leaves behind big shoes to fill. kA 4=2DDlQA`Qm“(2J?6 92D 366?
ECC respiratory care lab proceeding on schedule

5 days ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

A new respiratory care lab under construction at East Central College’s Union campus is moving along on schedule. On Monday, Ryan Wilson of Navigate Building Solutions, the company serving as an owner’s representative for ECC, told the college Board of Trustees he’s confident the new lab space will meet its planned substantial completion date of July 25.
ECC commencement will require tickets, have no keynote speaker

6 days ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

This year’s East Central College commencement will require tickets for entry and will not have a keynote speaker because of a higher-than-usual number of graduates, the college announced this week. The commencement ceremony will begin at noon on Saturday, May 17 in the Donald D. Shook Student Center (DSSC) on the Union campus. More than 250 graduates — the largest group in recent years — are expected to walk across the stage to receive degrees and certificates, according to a statement.
WHS seniors’ design project is the reel deal, winning regional award

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

As Washington High School seniors Evan Gildehaus and Braden Elbert discussed ideas for an engineering design project at Four Rivers Career Center, they came up with something sure to make a splash. Elbert said his sister has cerebral palsy, which impacts her motor skills and makes traditional approaches to some day-to-day activities more difficult. That’s especially true of one of her favorite pastimes.
Cardiac cath lab nurse keeps community hearts beating

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

In 2011, Tara Yerkey got the chance to pursue a long-held dream — and looking back, she said it was one of the best decisions of her career. Yerkey was part of a group of nurses at Mercy Hospital Washington who trained that year to launch a cardiac catheterization lab at the local hospital. She’s been along for the ride as the lab has grown into a major component of Mercy Washington’s critical care in this community. kAm*6C<6J D2:5 D96 H2D :?E6C6DE65 :?
Stop signs and street racing: Washington residents voice traffic concerns

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Christopher Parker

A recent discussion between Washington officials and residents about one of downtown’s busiest intersections sparked a wider conversation about irresponsible driving and racing on city streets. At a Friday meeting of the city’s Traffic Commission, members of the city government and police department took up the question of installing two new stop signs on Jefferson Street where it intersects Main Street. People who live near the intersection spoke in favor of the stop signs during the meeting.