The annual Steelville Arts Council Plein Air event is like a family reunion for the 50 or so artists who travel to Steelville each June. Like a reunion, there are always a few new faces, but the familiarity of the group is like family. The artists will tell you over and over again that Steelville is their favorite plein air event. It means a lot to STARCO because most of the artist’s paint at plein air events throughout the year, traveling all across the country and even abroad. It feels like family in Steelville because we treat them like family.

Steelville emergency responders are asking for a portion of federal monies currently received by Crawford County for national forest lands. Representatives from Steelville Ambulance, Steelville Fire, and Crawford County E911 have approached county commissioners to request that the county consider allocating some of the payment in lieu of tax (PILT) funding received for federal lands in the southern portion of the county to the emergency response agencies. Their argument is that those monies are received to offset the fact that the federal government doesn’t pay the property taxes that are received from other property owners, and that lack of payment affects the fire and ambulance districts, too. E911 provides dispatching services for both agencies.

Four area chefs from Steelville, Cuba, and St. James will be squaring off in a friendly competition on Father’s Day to benefit an area non-profit. The Father’s Day Burger Bash will be hosted by Peaceful Bend Winery from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with all burger sale proceeds going to the Community Child Care Center in Steelville.

City of Steelville residents and businesses will see an increase on water and sewer bills effective June 20. Council members passed two readings of an updated ordinance after a public hearing on May 20.