New banking facilities, new Mt. Vernon city hall among top newsmakers for calendar year 2018

The Lawrence County Record begins the start of every year with a review of the previous year’s top stories. In 2018, the top five stories in the Mt. Vernon area as determined by Record staff members were:
1. New banks set for Mt. Vernon business
Mid-Missouri Bank opened its new location on the intersection of Hickory Street and Mt. Vernon Boulevard the last week of June. The new location consolidated the operations of two other Mid-Missouri Bank locations; one on the square and the other on Mt. Vernon Boulevard. Meanwhile, Old Missouri Bank announced in January of 2018 it would open a new location at the site of the former Eli’s Short Stop, which closed its doors on Jan. 20. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new location in May, and the temporary location is expected to open later this month.
2. Mt. Vernon City Hall to bank building on the city square
The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen voted on March 13 to purchase the former Mid-Missouri Bank building on the Mt. Vernon Square, with the intention of moving city hall to the former banking facility. The new city hall will have 4,000 more square feet than in its current building, have greater security, and be more accessible to individuals with disabilities. City Administrator Max Springer said it is estimated the city will be ready to move into the new building in either the late spring or early summer of 2019.
3. Mt’neers make the Final Four in state playoffs
The Mt. Vernon Mt’neers reached the semifinals in their bid to go to the state championships before being defeated by the Cardinal Ritter Lions in Mt. Vernon. While the season didn’t end the way the Mt’neers and their fans eventually hoped it would, the team racked up some highly impressive accomplishments. They ended the season as the Big Eight Conference champions, the District 6 champions, and they were the No. 6 Class 3 team overall in Missouri. They also won the coveted Poss Jackson Bell Bowl Trophy in the annual rivalry game against the Aurora Houn’ Dawgs.
4. Tornado strikes Aurora, leaving one dead
An EF-1 tornado struck the south side of Aurora on Saturday, Dec. 1. Emergency crews later found Jeremy Lewis, of Crane, dead outside of the Aurora Inn Motel. The tornado damaged the motel, as well as the Sutherlands Lumber Company building and a building on the property of Mayse Automotive. Highway 60 between Highway 39 and Business 60, as well as Prospect Street between Elliot and Lawrence 1200 were closed while crews repaired the damage. Power was restored and the roadways opened later that day.
5.Poacher’s sentence goes viral

David Berry Jr., with ties to Lawrence County, gained national and worldwide attention when he was sentenced to one year in the Lawrence County Jail for illegally taking wildlife. The poaching bust was one of the largest in state history, however, what captured the public’s attention was Lawrence County Judge Robert George ordering Berry to watch “Bambi” at least once a month while he serves his sentence, with the first viewing to take place before Dec. 23. Berry and members of his family were suspected of illegal game and fish activity. It is believed they illegally killed several hundred bucks at night over a three-year period and took the animals’ heads while leaving the bodies to waste. Berry was also sentenced to 120 days in jail in the Barton County Circuit Court for a separate felony firearms conviction.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
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