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1 week ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
A group of Missouri S&T students have been working with Newburg city government officials and the town’s restoration committee to come up with ideas on restoring civic facilities and generally beautifying the once-thriving railroad town nestled in the hills. “On April 22, Missouri S&T engineering management students will present their project ideas on ways we can improve Newburg. All students will be available to answer your questions about their designs,” city government has announced.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Eighth Congressional District residents have been invited to a two-hour town hall meeting April 22 in Phelps County. “How are actions of the federal government affecting you, your family, your neighbors, and our country?” organizer Kathy Love stated in an email sent to Phelps County Focus and approximately 15 other newspapers throughout the district with a request for meeting announcements.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Rolla City Council Monday night heard Police Chief Sean Fagan’s presentation on an ordinance to prohibit public urination and defecation, briefly questioned the chief about the proposed legislation and then heard its first reading. The council’s quick action surprised Mayor Magdits. “Any other council questions?” he asked. When no one spoke, the mayor said.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Voting out the three incumbent Rolla City Council members has been portrayed nationwide, at least on some social media platforms, as a victory for the LGBTQ+ movement. “I read on BlueSky that the election was a rebuke of conservative ideas. Is this true? Are the new council members more liberal?” a man name Frank, possibly a dentist in another state, wrote in an email to Phelps County Focus.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Voters in the Rolla 31 School District Tuesday returned Jim Packard to the board of education, but they declined to resend incumbent Jessica Barron. Instead, they backed newcomer Larry Marti. In fact, Marti was the top finisher in both Phelps and Maries counties voting. The Rolla district is predominantly in Phelps County, with a small extension into Maries County. The votes (in ballot order) in Phelps County were as follows: Barron, 1,380; Packard, 1,452; Marti, 1,453, and Matt Fridley, 1,295.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Rolla voters Tuesday told Councilman Josh Vroman, Councilwoman Megan Johnson and Councilwoman Victoria Steen they were no longer interested in their political and legislative savvy. Those three incumbents lost their re-election bids, while two other incumbents did not run. One other ward had a vacant seat. In Ward 1, voters instead backed August Rolufs with a 65.38% majority over Vroman. The third candidate, Shele Barrack, received 2.88% of the votes.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Rolla City Council Monday night heard Police Chief Sean Fagan’s presentation on an ordinance to prohibit public urination and defecation, briefly questioned the chief about the proposed legislation and then heard its first reading. The council’s quick action surprised Mayor Magdits. “Any other council questions?” he asked. When no one spoke, the mayor said.
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2 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
City legislators are poised to crack down on people who conduct excretion indiscreetly. “It shall be unlawful for any person, regardless of gender, within the city to urinate or defecate in a place open to public view,” states the proposed new law to amend Chapter 30 of Rolla city codes. Police Chief Sean Fagan will present the ordinance to add “Sec. 30.49 Prohibition of Public Urination and Defecation” to the city codes at the city council meeting Monday night.
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3 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Roofs were blown away, and buildings were knocked over, but the tornado will not cancel the Phelps County Fair, which will be held in late May this year. “Absolutely, we're going to have a fair,” said Fair Board chairman Stacey Yoakum. Board members and other volunteers have been working hard to clean it up, replace roofs and preparing the buildings and grounds for the fair that will be held in late May this year instead of August.
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3 weeks ago | 
phelpscountyfocus.com | R.D. Hohenfeldt
Last year, fewer than 10 percent of Phelps County’s registered voters were interested enough in local government to vote in the April general municipal election. What do you expect will be the turnout this year? We’ll find out Tuesday, April 8. The polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Then there will be a long evening of counting at the Phelps County Courthouse. It could be an exciting election, a learning experience for young people.
