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Waynesville doesn’t “just happen” on its own. It’s built week by week through strong schools, local events that bring people downtown, and residents who show up when decisions are being made. I’m Mayor Sean Wilson, and this weekly update for April 26, 2026 pulls together the biggest community highlights and the most useful dates so you can plan your week and stay connected.

We start with a big win for education in Waynesville, Missouri: Ozark Technical Community College at the Waynesville Center and Central Methodist University officially sign a partnership to expand elementary education opportunities right here in our region. That matters for students, families, and the future workforce across Missouri. From there, we celebrate the kind of weekend energy that makes a town feel alive, including the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri downtown on the Route 66 City Square with Model T and Model A classics, plus live music and a great Sunday vibe.

Next, I share several ways to get involved and support the next generation of leaders: the 2026 National Civics Bee at the Parker Education Center, plus the Salute to Service program at Waynesville High School recognizing students who choose to serve in our nation’s military. We also highlight the Pulaski County Health Department Wellness Conference with sessions on stress, nutrition, mental health, and supportive recovery in the workplace.

Looking ahead, I preview City Hall committee week, including Utility, Economic Development, Roads and Grounds, Emergency Services and Police, and Human Resource and Finance meetings, all open to the public. We finish with Freedom Fest on May 9, a reminder to shop local for Mother’s Day, and a simple tool to help your event succeed: eventbucket.com/Missouri. Subscribe, share this update with a neighbor, and leave a review, then tell me what you want to see on the calendar next.

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We share the latest Waynesville wins, from a weather-pivoted Sapper competition to national recognition for electric reliability. We also honor a standout police officer, preview upcoming community events, and ask you to help keep the city’s momentum going.
• Sapper competition success despite weather changes
• Thanks to Waynesville R6, Fort Leonard Wood partners, and community support
• Why positive change in City Hall is not a coincidence
• Recognition of Officer Shauna Player and the Waynesville Police Department
• Waynesville Municipal Utilities ranked for exceptional electric reliability
• CVMA All American Patriot Runner details and why it matters
• Pulaski County Wellness Conference schedule, location, and resources
• Simple ways to strengthen Waynesville through daily civic action
Attend a city council meeting, volunteer for a board or a commission, shop local, cheer on our neighbors when they succeed.

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We share key dates and simple actions that make Waynesville run better, from Spring Cleanup logistics to weekend community staples. We also celebrate a major utility reliability honor, then close with safety reminders and a City Council invite so you can stay informed and involved.
• Spring Cleanup on September 16 and 17 with curbside pickup starting at 7 a.m.
• Clearing yard waste and bulky items that built up over winter
• Checking the city flyer for what is permitted
• Recognizing Waynesville Municipal Utilities for exceptional electric reliability in 2025
• Thanking utility crews for dependable service
• Visiting the Pulaski County Farmers Market on Saturdays
• Slowing down in neighborhoods and work zones as traffic picks up
• Avoiding serious accidents along Route 66
• Attending the Waynesville City Council meeting on April 16 at 5 p.m.

All residents are welcome to attend. Come see your local government in action.

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We share holiday service changes, upcoming council committee meetings, and key April dates residents need on their calendars. We also highlight ways to get involved, support families, celebrate Route 66 history, and promote local events for free.
• City Hall closing at 10 a.m. Friday and reopening Monday morning
• Utility committee, economic development committee, and roads and grounds meeting times
• Inviting residents to attend meetings and share concerns through ward representatives
• Using wardfinder.city/WaynesvilleMo to identify your ward and council member contact details
• Spring bulk trash cleanup dates and curbside timing guidance
• Thanking businesses participating in Route 66 and Waynesville history interviews
• Child Abuse Awareness Month resources, training, and hotline number
• Month of the Military Child and wearing purple to show support
• Submitting events to theeventbucket.com/Waynesville for a free 24/7 community board
Again, theeventbucket.com forward slash Waynesville. Drop your event in the bucket today.

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Winter Storm Fern pushed heaters into overdrive, and many of us are feeling it on our March utility bills. We lay out exactly what changed, what didn’t, and how the city stepped in to shield residents from the worst of the cost spikes—holding electric rates steady by ordinance and absorbing more than $200,000 in supplier costs rather than passing them along. We also explain why natural gas totals rose, how commodity pricing works, and the simple steps you can take to better manage usage during extreme cold.

Clarity matters when budgets are tight, so we walk through a practical safety net: a six‑month, zero‑interest payment agreement on the amount above your normal average bill. The process is straightforward—visit the utility office before March 15 and ask for Tracy or Melanie—so you can spread out the spike without penalties and keep essential services stable. Along the way, we answer common questions about usage differences between homes, thermostat habits, and how small decisions can add up when temperatures plummet.

Beyond bills, there’s good news shaping daily life in Waynesville. Engineering work is underway for three new crosswalks along Historic Route 66—at the courthouse, near the Roubidoux Bridge, and near Morgan Street—to advance a safer, more walkable downtown that supports local shops and everyday errands. We share updates from Fort Leonard Wood, where a new hospital opens to its first patients on April 7 after a March 31 ribbon-cutting—part of nearly $900 million invested in the region over the past decade. We also spotlight Laura Johnson, Miss Waynesville USA 2026, an Army veteran and suicide prevention advocate competing at Miss Missouri USA in May, and we recognize Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks for serving 520 Pulaski County families, including 66 from Waynesville.

If this update helps you or a neighbor, pass it on. Subscribe for future briefings, share the episode with your community, and leave a review to help more residents find clear, local information when it counts most.

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A community win deserves a bigger stage, and Waynesville just earned one. After an outpouring of votes and neighbor-to-neighbor support, we’re officially part of the Missouri Humanities Small Town Showcase, a statewide celebration of local stories tied to the U.S. 250 commemoration. We walk through what this recognition means, how a film and podcast team will capture the town’s voice, and why your story—whether it’s about Route 66 memories, neighborhood milestones, or quiet acts of service—belongs in the spotlight.

We also get practical. You can now use the Ward Finder to confirm your ward, find your council members, and reach the right person with questions or ideas. That simple step helps us plan better, set priorities with real input, and keep accountability close to home. If you’ve never contacted a representative before, this is the easiest on-ramp to local government and a direct line for shaping what comes next.

Looking ahead, the Route 66 Centennial takes center stage as volunteers rally around projects that honor the Mother Road’s legacy in our town. Whether you bring time, skills, or connections, there’s a role for you. And for neighbors who need it, we share details for the free tax center near the downtown square—hours, eligibility, and the phone number to book help. From storytelling to services, every piece points toward the same goal: a Waynesville that listens, includes, and moves forward together.

If this resonated, share it with a neighbor, subscribe for updates, and leave a quick review so more folks can find the show. Your voice keeps Waynesville’s story alive—what should we highlight next?

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We extend utility payment due dates to January 20 to relieve pressure from recurring mail delays and explain our plan to keep local mail local. We also invite residents to enroll in e‑billing, attend the Thursday council meeting, and note the MLK Day closure.

• new utility due date on 20 January with penalties starting 21 January
• recurring mail delays and impact on billing trust
• legislative push to keep local mail local
• e‑billing sign‑ups to reduce delivery risk
• redundancies for residents and city operations
• council meeting on Thursday at 5 pm
• City Hall closed on Monday, 19 January for MLK Day of Service

Sign up for e-billing. Call 573-774-5217 to get started.

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We share a safety-first plan for Route 66 upgrades, a slate of centennial events, and a community history project built to welcome visitors while honoring local roots. We also outline committee schedules, a legacy business program, the Veterans Day Parade, and how to vote for the Small Town Showcase.

• Sidewalk installation and speed awareness along Route 66
• Committee week schedule across utilities, roads, public safety, HR and finance
• Route 66 centennial events including the Great Race and Big Bam
• Downtown upgrades with ADA crosswalks and improved lighting
• Waynesville Action Group’s newspaper to document 100+ years
• Invitation for every business to be featured in the history project
• Legacy business recognition for firms 50+ years strong
• Veterans Day Parade on 11 November at 11
• Small Town Showcase voting via app and website

Please go and vote. If you have the city app, the link should be on the city app. You can go to our city website and you can also vote there. Vote as much as you can.