Washington Missourian

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?

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?

2 days ago | emissourian.com | Jonathan Riley

Large crowds are expected to converge in downtown Washington this weekend as the annual Art Fair & Winefest is set for another run May 16 to 18. As in years past, organizers predict the 44th edition of Art Fair & Winefest will draw visitors from across the Midwest. kA 4=2DDlQA`Qm{@?8E:>6 72?D @7 E96 2??F2= 46=63C2E:@? @7 2CE 2?5 H:?6 :? E96 962CE @7 |:DD@FC: H:?6 4@F?ECJ D9@F=5 ?@E 6IA64E 2?J D:8?:7:42?E 492?86D 7C@> A2DE 76DE:G2=D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ $2> p52>D[ 6G6?E 4@@C5:?2E@C H:E9 s@H?E@H?

2 days ago | emissourian.com | Bill Battle

Getting in one final meet before this Saturday’s Class 4 District 5 Meet in Washington, the Union track Wildcats and Lady ’Cats competed last Friday at the Hillsboro Invitational. kA 4=2DDlQAcQm%62> D4@C6D H6C6 ?@E 2G2:=23=6 2E 5625=:?6]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQAcQm&?:@? 925 @?6 6G6?E H:??6C 2D r2>C6? |@?<>2? H@? E96 8:C=D `__\>6E6C 9FC5=6D H:E9 2 E:>6 @7 `d]_c]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQAcQmy252 p9?6C A@DE65 2 7@FCE9\A=246 7:?:D9 :? E96 8:C=D c__\>6E6C 52D9 :? `i_`]aa]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQAcQmp=D@ 7:?:D9:?8 7@FCE9 H2D p33J $AFC86@?

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 @?