Bestsellers on the Lake and Rivalry Volleyball Tonight

Festus, MO · September 29, 2026

Expect extra family cars rolling through the elementary campus for Grandparents Day this afternoon, then get set for a packed gym tonight when Hillsboro comes to town. Grab your seat early and enjoy the lingering afternoon warmth before the evening chill sets in.

The Lead

Festus City Council held its annual public hearing and regular session on Monday evening to establish the city's 2026 property tax levy. Under Missouri law, municipalities must review assessed valuations and set tax rates before October 1 to fund ongoing municipal operations, public parks, and library services for the upcoming budget year. Setting the levy establishes the baseline property revenue that supports local public works, parks maintenance, and municipal staff without altering voter-approved taxing authority. During the hearing at City Hall, officials reviewed certified property assessments across residential, commercial, and personal property subclasses to maintain compliance with state tax caps and Hancock Amendment rollback formulas. The formal adoption of the levy rate concludes the municipal revenue cycle, with the certified paperwork heading directly to the county collector ahead of tomorrow’s statutory deadline.

Local Pulse

Elementary Campus Welcomes Grandparents This Afternoon Schools Festus Elementary hosts annual Grandparents Day classroom visits this afternoon, bringing increased traffic along Mid-Meadow Lane.
Highway 61 Widening Continues Near Brandon Wallace Roads Motorists should expect lane shifts on Route 61/67 as contractor crews finish drainage work and outside shoulders.
MoDOT Previews Upcoming Corridor Safety Demonstration Safety State planners will test temporary turn lanes and reduced speeds along Route 61-67 during an October pilot.

Today's Outlook

High 88°F · Low 51°F — Overcast
- Expect a warm afternoon under heavy cloud cover, with a sharp evening cooldown.

What's On Around Town

Today

Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Windsor Festus High School (501 Westwind Dr), 5:30 PM The Tigers host the Owls on the pitch before sundown.
Varsity Volleyball vs. Hillsboro Ralph B. Tynes Gymnasium (501 Westwind Dr), 7:00 PM Rivalry action takes over the home court tonight.

Tomorrow

American Red Cross Blood Drive Festus Public Library (400 W Main St), 1:00–5:00 PM · Free
Magic the Gathering Meetup Festus Public Library (400 W Main St), 5:00–7:00 PM · Free

Thursday

Preschool Storytime Festus Public Library (400 W Main St), 10:00 AM · Free
An Evening with Author Christina Lauren The Lake at Knotting Hills (1756 Knotting Hills Place), Pevely, 6:00–7:30 PM · Paid

Spotlight & Story

The Herculaneum WPA Stone Bleachers
- Built between 1935 and 1936 by Works Progress Administration laborers, these hand-cut limestone bleachers flank the athletic field just three miles north. They stood firm even when the surrounding 1949 campus was razed, keeping their original masonry intact for Friday night crowds.

Festus Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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