KXEO

NEWS – Audrain County

  • Beamer Promoted To Communicable Disease Health Specialist Nurse at Audrain County Health Department
    Audrain County Health Department Administrator/CEO Craig Brace announced recently the promotion of Outreach Nurse Jennie Beamer, RN, BSN to the role of Communicable Disease Health Specialist for the department.
    “Jennie has been an essential team member in her role of outreach nurse for the past four years,” Brace said. “Once this position became available with the promotion of Katie Swaim to director of operations, Jennie matched the qualifications for the role and will be a natural fit for the role. She already knows the ebb and flow of our department and the personnel, which will make her transition more seamless to the position.”
        The communicable disease nurse provides epidemiological surveillance, investigation, and follow-up for reportable communicable diseases. Beamer will serve a vital role in public health and clinical settings by managing disease outbreaks, conducting patient case investigations, and enforcing infection control protocols. She says she is excited to take on the role and is eager to get started.
         “I’m excited to step into this role and continue expanding my public health knowledge while putting my skills and experience to work,” Beamer said.  “Healthcare and disease management continue to evolve, creating ongoing opportunities for growth and learning. I’m grateful for the strong foundation established by those who served in this role before me, which has made the transition both seamless and rewarding.”
         Beamer has begun training with Swaim for the position and will assume it full-time later this summer.
  • Mexico Activity and Nutrition Center Hosts Free Monthly Veterans Breakfast
    The Mexico Activity and Nutrition Center is inviting veterans to its free breakfast This morning. The meal runs from 9 to 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month, and organizers say participation has been growing.   The center says the breakfast is a chance for veterans to share a meal, visit, and enjoy the community.
  • Mexico Man Charged with Child Sex Crimes
    A Mexico man is behind bars after being charged with child sex crimes. 31-year-old Dillon Miller was arrested after child reportedly called authorities on May 8th to report multiple occasions of abuse. Yesterday, his charges were officially filed for two counts of Second Degree Child Molestation. He is being held in the Audrain County Jail on a no-bond condition and has a Confined Docket Hearing scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m.  
  • Monroe Street in Mexico to Close for Inspection
    The City of Mexico is closing Monroe Street between Coal Street and Jefferson Street until further notice for inspection of infrastructure, reports the Mexico Public Works Department.
  • Mexico Board of Education to Review Meal Prices at Tonight’s Meeting
    The Mexico Board of Education set to meet in regular session tonight. On the agenda is meal pricing for 26-2027. Most prices are unchanged. Lunch prices have increased by .10 to $3.30 Redcuced lunches and all breaksfats will remain the same.
  • Roadworks to Start on Highway 22 Tomorrow
    Construction activities are going to begin Tuesday on Highway 22 starting at 6:30 AM. The work will take place from the west side of Mexico to Rt EE. Motorists can expect up to 15 minute delays because traffic will be down to one lane. A pilot truck and flaggers will be utilized to assist traffic. Construction could last 4 to 5 weeks.  
  • Mexico Authorities Asking for Tips on Stolen Truck Set on Fire
    Mexico Public Safety Department is seeking tips regarding a stolen truck that was set on fire on Saturday. Authorities were called at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when someone in the 1400 block of Paris Road reported their 2007 Chevy Silverado stolen, and they said that the culprit stole items out of their other vehicle as well. The owner of the vehicles said that they left the cars unlocked with the keys inside. Authorities found the stolen truck on fire in a field on Audrain Road 353 at around 5:18 a.m. later that morning. Anyone with information is asked to contact 573-473-5800 or call the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department.
  • Miss Pulaski County named 2026 new Miss Missouri

    A new Miss Missouri was crowned Saturday night on the campus of Missouri Military Academy in Mexico.

    Miss Pulaski County, Tabitha Crain won the 2026 pageant in the MMA Gymtorium in front of an in-person crowd of about 650 people, and will now compete in the Miss USA pageant in September 2026 in West Palm Beach.

    Tabitha competed with 31 other young ladies for the crown, which was pared to a Top 5 of Hallie, Ava, Georgia, and Colleen.

  • Hall crowned Miss Missouri Teen
    1. The third night of the Miss Missouri Pageant in Mexico last night saw the crowning of the new 2026 Miss Missouri Teen, Anna Hall.  She is an 18-year-old from Branson who represents Miss Southwest Teen, and who attends School of the Ozarks.
    Her Community Service Initiative was titled Project Wallflower, and empowers young women to find their voice. Something she felt happened for her after her first year of competing in the Miss Teen Pageant. N-6-13-26-M1 She said that confidence led to her changing her CSI this year, after finishing as first runner up last year. N-6-13-26-M2 Later this morning, pageant contestants will gather on the downtown square. Then, tonight at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, the pageant will crown a new Miss Missouri for 2026. The Top Five representatives of the Miss Teen were a diverse group which included Miss Kansas City International, Mariah Turner; Miss Branson, Brylee Welch; Miss Lewis and Clark, Celia Medeiros; Miss North Kansas City, Chamberlain Webster and Hall. Top 11 for Miss Missouri teen included Mariah Turner; Brylee Welch; Celia Medeiros; Miss Brick City, Nicole Knop; Miss Katy Trail’s, Isabelle Newman; Miss River City, Claire Ver Meer; Chamberlain Webster; Miss Audrain, Autumn Daras; Anna Hall; Miss Tri-Counties, Anna Grace Ramsey; and Miss Northwest, Danica Willis.
  • Miss Missouri Competition Continues With Night Two Results

    CROWN GROUP 👑 Rookie & Overall Talent – Miss Golden Valley’s Teen- Jane Ann Moots SASH GROUP 👑 Rookie Evening Gown – Miss North Kansas City’s Teen- Chamberlain Webster (right) 👑 Overall Evening Gown – Miss Branson’s Teen- Brylee Welch (left)

    The Second night of preliminary competition is complete at the Miss Missouri 2026 pageant. With an update here is Country 96’s own, Kellie Smothers reporting:   Among the winners, CROWN GROUP 👑 Rookie & Overall Talent – Miss Golden Valley’s Teen- Jane Ann Moots SASH GROUP 👑 Rookie Evening Gown – Miss North Kansas City’s Teen- Chamberlain Webster 👑 Overall Evening Gown – Miss Branson’s Teen- Brylee Welch
  • Mexico Woman Pleads Guilty in $132K Theft Case
    A Mexico woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $132,000 from her former employer in Montgomery County. According to court records, Ashley Harvey entered a guilty plea Wednesday to one count of stealing $25,000 or more. Investigators say the thefts occurred between June 2023 and July 2024 and involved altered business records and cash shortages. Authorities also alleged Harvey stole Missouri Lottery tickets during the scheme. She was terminated in July 2024, and court documents indicate shortages declined afterward. Sentencing is scheduled for August 12th.
  • Miss Missouri 2026 pageant – Preliminaries

    All 31 Teen and 32 Miss Missouri Contestants Preliminary Winners (From left to right) Current Reigning Miss Missouri Teen- Greta Clark Miss Audrain’s Teen- Autumn Daras, Miss Tri-Counties’ Teen- Anna Grace Ramsey, Miss Boone County- Colleen Finney, Miss North Kansas City’s Teen- Chamberlain Webster, Miss Kansas City- Ava Powers, Current Reigning Miss Missouri- Courtney Rowe

    Miss Audrain County Teen- Autumn Daras & Reigning Miss Missouri Teen- Greta Clark The first night of preliminary competition is complete at the Miss Missouri 2026 pageant. With an update here is Country 96’s own, Kellie Smothers reporting: