City employees have been decorating for the holidays the past few weeks. Crews from the electric, fire and police departments have joined efforts to put up the wreaths and holiday decorations on light poles downtown. The annual Farmington Christmas Parade, sponsored by Krekeler’s, will be held on the evening of Dec. 7, with Winter Wonderland opening in Long Memorial Hall immediately following the parade.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

In 2005 the Farmington City Council and a Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, committee approved a plan to allow a developer to utilize future tax revenue to help subsidize construction of a new shopping center near the corner of Maple Street and Maple Valley Drive. Now the developer is asking for the first installments on that promise.

The Farmington School Board held its monthly meeting Tuesday evening. The board heard annual reports, students were recognized for MAP Test scores, Principal Matt Ruble was recognized, and the board approved the purchase of a bus. 

City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 12 for the new Farmington fire station. The new building will cost $4.2 million. Brockmiller Construction, based in Farmington, began construction immediately following the groundbreaking. It will take roughly a year to complete the 17,000-square-foot, two story building with five equipment drive-through bays. The new fire station is being built on the site formally occupied by Wohschlaeger Auto Body and Missouri Beauty Academy. There has been discussion about possibly turning the police and fire stations into an emergency services complex, closing the street between the two buildings. The new fire station will also house training facilities to be utilized by the police department. - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

The fourth annual Help the Hungry Bake Sale will take place Saturday. Many community churches, groups and residents are helping bake and donate items to raise money for the local food pantries.

Several area churches are working on helping families during the holiday season.

With the demand for food pantry assistance continuing to increase due to the area’s high unemployment rate, The Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is urging residents throughout eastern Missouri and southern Illinois to help needy families by contributing what they can during the 25th annual “Scouting for Food” drive.

The Farmington Press office will be closed Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving. The Press will be distributed on Friday, Nov. 27, to allow our employees a chance to spend time with their families and friends. We regret any inconvenience this may cause our readers.

This week’s where is it will be busy helping others this weekend. The corner spot is one most see when they drive by everyday and is a place for people to go and learn. Do you know where it is? If you think you know give us a call at 756-8927.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

The answer to last week’s where is it was the Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan drive thru. Those who guessed correctly included Mary O’Neal, Mike Hoskin, Natalee Hoskin and Nancy Bullis. Thanks to those who guessed and good luck this week.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

Farmington V.F.W. Post 5896 hosted a meeting between Laborers Union Local 916 and Camp Hope. The officers and members of Local 916 wanted to help veterans fighting the war on terrorism and did so with a generous donation of $1,000 to Camp Hope. Camp Hope is the dream of a father (Mike White, Camp Hope President) to honor to memory of his son Chris Neal White that was killed by an IED on June 20, 2006, while in Iraq protecting freedom. The top priority of Camp Hope disabled veterans hunting lodge is so veterans will be able to enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, skeet shooting and canoeing with the assistance of the volunteers at Camp Hope with dignity. You can visit the website at www.chrisnealfarm.com, and send a donation to Camp Hope P.O. Box 52, Farmington, MO 63640. Pictured from left to right are  Tony Carroll, Post Commander; Jerry Wells, Camp Hope Manager; Steve Bradley, Union Business Manager and Larry Moses, Local 916 President. - Submitted photo

A groundbreaking was held Nov. 11 for a new Hampton Inn. The hotel will be next to the former Value City building, and just north of the Kerasotes Theater. The target opening date is July 1, 2010. The building will be 40,000 square feet with 64 guest rooms. There will also be a meeting room which can seat 75 to 80 people. Construction is being handled by Thomas Construction from Osage Beach, Mo. Pictured with shovels are Janszen Ringo, with New Era Bank; Owners Mike and Kim Van Stavern and their sons Chase, Alec and Ryder. Also pictured are members of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

The Band Department at Farmington High School will present “An Evening of Jazz” on Nov. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Centene Center in Farmington.

A new slate of officers for the Farmington Kiwanis club was installed at the Oct. 7 meeting. Missouri Kiwanis Lt. Governor Ron Schneider was present to conduct the installation and present several awards.

The cause of death has been determined following the discovery of two bodies in adjoining apartments late last week.

Members of local veteran organizations, city and county dignitaries, friends and family members joined together Wednesday for a Veteran’s Day observance on the lawn of the St. Francois County Courthouse. Music was provided by the Farmington High School band, while veterans groups participated in several commemorations including a gun salute, the laying of a wreath and offering up of prayers for soldiers still fighting around the world for the freedoms all Americans share. - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

City residents started receiving phone calls Tuesday morning as part of the ongoing multi-year state DREAM Initiative program. The state-funded effort is meant to help communities revitalize downtown areas.

Statistics show nearly one in four Missourians still fail to regularly wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Among those least likely to buckle up are young males, pickup truck drivers and passengers, people who live in rural areas and nighttime drivers.

This year the Help the Hungry Bake Sale will have a new event organizers are hoping will get more community involvement. The contest will feature several pastors from Farmington churches baking items which will be available at the annual fundraiser.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5896 and its auxiliaries will be selling Buddy Poppies this Veteran’s Day week in front of Farmington Wal-Mart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Country Mart, The Family Center and Save-A-Lot stores from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 12-14. 

With the demand for food pantry assistance continuing to increase due to the area’s high unemployment rate, The Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is urging residents throughout eastern Missouri and southern Illinois to help needy families by contributing what they can during the 25th annual “Scouting for Food” drive, which will be held Nov. 14 and 21.

This week’s where is it is still downtown from the Fall Festival scarecrow contest. This is usually a busy place throughout the year because many people depend on it for money. Do you know where it is? If you think you know give us a call at 756-8927.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

The answer to last week’s where is it was the house at the corner of North and Center streets. Those who guessed correctly were Dan Borders and Nancy Bullis. Thanks to all who guessed and good luck this week.  - Farmington Press photo by Maridee Lawson

The following is a list of events related to the Farmington R-7 School District.

Mineral Area College horticulture students recently teamed up with Master Gardeners to separate some ornamental grasses that had grown too large at Farmington Public Library.

Operating under the guise of a routine intruder drill, Farmington High School was the scene of a drug sweep Monday afternoon.

On the first open day in a new month St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry had a line waiting when they opened the door Tuesday morning.

FORT CAMPBELL, KY — Sgt. Brandon Massey realizes how important it is for a Soldier to stay proficient with the weapons because someday it could be the difference between life and death.

The Farmington School Board of Education has narrowed the list of candidates for superintendent down to six.

Farmington High School Principal Matt Ruble was recently nominated and named one of eight in the state to receive the “Principal of the Year” award for the Southeast Missouri Region.