Leader Publications

Leader Publications Once a week but never weakly. Leader Publications, Jefferson County’s only weekly newspaper company, was founded in 1994 in Festus, Mo.
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It publishes four community newspapers with a combined circulation of more than 77,000. The first edition of the Jefferson County Leader came off the presses on Aug. 25, 1994. It was distributed free by direct mail to every home in the Missouri communities of Barnhart, Pevely, Herculaneum, Crystal City, Festus, Hillsboro and De Soto, as it still is today. The Arnold-Imperial Leader, which served t

hose two ZIP codes as well as Kimmswick, began publishing on Aug. 24, 1995. The West Side Leader began as a monthly on May 30, 2013, quickly grew in popularity and readership and became the company’s third weekly newspaper on May 14, 2014. It covers the western Jefferson County communities of Fenton, High Ridge, House Springs, Cedar Hill, Byrnes Mill and Dittmer. In February 2017, the Leader started publishing the Eureka Leader, which is mailed to more than 10,900 households in the Eureka, Mo., 63025 ZIP code and the Wildwood, Mo., 63040 ZIP code every other week. The paper expanded to the Wildwood ZIP code in January 2021. In 2008, the company earned eligibility for a Requester Periodicals permit from the United States Postal Service when it collected more than 35,000 requests for delivery from its household deliveries. The company also publishes Grand Times, a magazine for senior readers which is inserted in the Leader newspapers in conjunction with very popular Senior Expo community events. The company always has emphasized strong local news content, running a 40 percent “news hole,” an unusually high percentage for free newspapers. That commitment to news has brought the company dozens of editorial awards over the years from both the Missouri Press Association and the National Newspaper Association. It also has earned the company a loyal and large roster of advertisers, ranging from local merchants to nationwide retailers. Those strong relationships, for both ROP and insert customers, are reflected in numerous awards the company has earned from the Missouri Ad Managers Association. In 2011, Leader Publications jumped into the digital age with www.myleaderpaper.com. The newspaper's online product now has an average of about 500,000 pageviews monthly and includes banner ads, online classified ads, breaking news and features unique to the website. Leader Publications also keeps in touch with readers and advertisers through social media. Follow the Leader on Facebook, as well as Twitter, TikTok and Instagram at . Leader employees are actively involved in Jefferson County’s communities and civic organizations. With owners/operators on site, the company remains committed to its cornerstone values of strong local news coverage, customer service and community involvement.

ICYMI: Gateway Food Pantry raised $75,000 at its annual Taste of Arnold event; proceeds will help the pantry continue it...
12/07/2025

ICYMI: Gateway Food Pantry raised $75,000 at its annual Taste of Arnold event; proceeds will help the pantry continue its mission of providing food to those in need.

The Gateway Food Pantry collected $75,000 from the annual Taste of Arnold event that was held Nov. 19 at the Arnold Recreation Center.

Arnold Police allegedly found approximately two pounds of suspected m**hamphetamine and a loaded gun in a pickup parked ...
12/07/2025

Arnold Police allegedly found approximately two pounds of suspected m**hamphetamine and a loaded gun in a pickup parked behind the Circle K gas station off Richardson Road.

A Bonne Terre man and Festus man were arrested Nov. 21 for suspected drug trafficking after they allegedly were found with suspected m**h and a loaded gun at an Arnold gas station.

For this week's My Leader Yummy, food columnist Kathleen Brotherton shares some tasty dip and snack recipes.
12/06/2025

For this week's My Leader Yummy, food columnist Kathleen Brotherton shares some tasty dip and snack recipes.

Brotherton Dec. 6, 2025, yummy for Avocado-Crab Dip, Chili-Cheese Hotty and Spiced Honey Pretzels

12/06/2025

FINAL Blair Oaks 59, St. Pius X 0
Vander Halford intercepts Eckrich at own 29
4Q: Shaver stuffed on 4th goal at 5, turnover on downs
Shaver 16 run to Falcon 3; Carson Luebbering tackles Eckrich for loss, last play of 4Q
Wyatt Harris 17 pass from Eckrich, caught ricochet off another Lancer. Pius in red zone
3Q: BO Carson Verslues 39 TD interception return (Holloway kick), 6:14. 59-0
Mercy rule running clock
3Q: BO Brenden Rackers 4 TD run (Holloway kick), 9:31. 52-0
HALFTIME Blair Oaks 45, St. Pius 0
2Q: BO Holloway 28 field goal, :10. 45-0
Shaver fumbles, Gage Leffert recovers at SPX 26
2Q: BO Bax 21 TD run (Holloway kick), 2:05. 42-0
2Q: BO Dapkus 2 TD pass from Bax (Holloway kick), 5:34. 35-0
Dapkus 33 pass from Bax to SPX 3 on 4th down
2Q: BO Lackman 23 TD pass from Bax (Holloway kick), 8:45. 28-0
Carson Verslues intercepts Eckrich, returns ball to SPX 23
2Q: BO Bax 4 TD run (Holloway kick), 9:02. 21-0
Bax 8 run to 4; 4th 1
Cooper Peters 35 pass to SPX 12
Nathan Heredia punt for first time, 27 yards net
Blair Oaks 14, St. Pius X 0 after 1Q
1Q: BO Dapkus 4 TD run (Holloway kick), :23. 14-0
BO RB Hayden Lackman 14 run to 5
SPX RB Cody Shaver stopped on 4th 1 at own 42, late 1Q, turnover on downs
1Q: BO Bax 6 TD run (Jeg Holloway kick), 4:17. 7-0 Falcons; 35 pass to Brady Dapkus put ball inside 10
BO QB Tyler Bax 19 run to 45
Eckrich pass on 4th goal at 4 incomplete, turnover on downs
Jack Michaud 34 pass from Eckrich to BO 4
Lancers receive kickoff, Brody Ervin 25 pass from Evan Eckrich into BO territory
ST. JOSEPH -- Class 2 Show-Me Bowl
St. Pius X (9-5) vs. Blair Oaks (13-0)

A Jefferson County man allegedly hit a person he is related to and threatened his relative and another person with a kni...
12/06/2025

A Jefferson County man allegedly hit a person he is related to and threatened his relative and another person with a knife at a home in the Jefferson County portion of Pacific.

William Andrew Cooksey was charged Nov. 17 with third-degree domestic assault and first-degree harassment after he allegedly attacked someone he is related to and threatened his relative and another person with a knife.

Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 78 to 100.
12/06/2025

Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 78 to 100.

Find out how your favorite restaurant, convenience store and other food establishments in Jefferson County are performing on Health Department inspections.

This holiday season support local businesses by shopping in Jefferson County. You can learn more about the importance of...
12/06/2025

This holiday season support local businesses by shopping in Jefferson County. You can learn more about the importance of supporting the towns where you live, work and play from the Jefferson County Growth Association at jcgamo.org.

SHOW-ME BOWLClass 2 state championship, St. Joseph, Mo.St. Pius X (9-5) vs. Blair Oaks (13-0)Today, 3 p.m.
12/06/2025

SHOW-ME BOWL
Class 2 state championship, St. Joseph, Mo.
St. Pius X (9-5) vs. Blair Oaks (13-0)
Today, 3 p.m.

The St. Pius X football team (9-5) will play in its first state championship game today against unbeaten Blair Oaks (13-0) at Spratt Memorial Stadium in St. Joseph. Kickoff is

ICYMI: The Fox C-6 School District has scheduled a community meeting to discuss a potential $48 million bond issue.
12/06/2025

ICYMI: The Fox C-6 School District has scheduled a community meeting to discuss a potential $48 million bond issue.

The Fox C-6 School District will hold a community meeting about a potential bond issue at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Road.

ICYMI: A state legislator alleges the cost of improvements for the De Soto Public Library is fiscally irresponsible and ...
12/06/2025

ICYMI: A state legislator alleges the cost of improvements for the De Soto Public Library is fiscally irresponsible and suggests it could affect future state funding for the city.

State Rep. Bill Lucas questions why a recent De Soto Public Library construction project was awarded to the highest bidder.

The Leader has posted obituary information for the following people:Rita Marianne Nanney, 81, FestusHenry Justin Risse, ...
12/06/2025

The Leader has posted obituary information for the following people:

Rita Marianne Nanney, 81, Festus
Henry Justin Risse, 92, Hillsboro

www.myleaderpaper.com

A Eureka man and Pacific woman, who were both wanted on warrants, were allegedly found with illegal drugs when they were...
12/05/2025

A Eureka man and Pacific woman, who were both wanted on warrants, were allegedly found with illegal drugs when they were arrested outside of Walmart.

A Eureka man and Pacific woman on Nov. 16 were arrested after Eureka Police allegedly found the two had substances suspected of being illegal drugs when they were arrested on warrants outside of Walmart.

Address

503 N 2nd Street
Festus, MO
63028

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16369377501

Website

https://forms.gle/1dqrzJ6GBC6PAzzP9

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Once a week but never weakly

Leader Publications, Jefferson County’s only weekly newspaper company, was founded in 1994 in Festus, Mo. It publishes four community weekly newspapers with a combined circulation of 72,000. The first edition of the Jefferson County Leader came off the presses on Aug. 25, 1994. It was distributed free by direct mail to every home in the Missouri communities of Barnhart, Pevely, Herculaneum, Crystal City, Festus, Hillsboro and De Soto, as it still is today. The Arnold-Imperial Leader, which served those two ZIP codes, began publishing on Aug. 24, 1995.

The West Side Leader began as a monthly on May 30, 2013, quickly grew in popularity and readership and became the company’s third weekly newspaper on May 14, 2014. It covers the western Jefferson County communities of Fenton, High Ridge, House Springs, Cedar Hill, Byrnes Mill and Dittmer.

In February 2017, the Leader started publishing the Eureka Leader, which is mailed to more than 6,000 households in the Eureka, MO, ZIP code. The company also publishes Grand Times, a magazine for senior readers which is inserted in both Leaders three times per year and numerous special sections that promote community events. The company always has emphasized strong local news content, running a 40 percent “newshole,” an unusually high percentage for free newspapers. That commitment to news has brought the company dozens of editorial awards over the years from the Missouri Press Association and the National Newspaper Association. It also has earned the company a loyal and large roster of advertisers, ranging from local merchants to nationwide retailers. Those strong relationships, for both ROP and insert customers, are reflected in numerous awards the company has earned from the Missouri Ad Managers Association. Leader employees are actively involved in Jefferson County’s communities and civic organizations. The company sponsors events at major festivals and hosts popular events of its own such as its annual Wedding Fair and four Senior Expos each year. With owners/operators on site who are Jefferson County natives, the company remains committed to its cornerstone values of strong local news coverage, customer service and community involvement.