Cole Commissioners turn ‘thumbs down’ on donated park

Folks near Elston in western Cole County won’t be getting a new park even though a lifelong farmer wanted to set up a longtime one – dollar lease with the county for almost 200 – acres. Lawrence Renn Junior, who died in 2021, also left money to maintain the land. Cole County Commissioners turned down the plan to create a park, saying it’s not in the budget. As it now stands, the land is to be auctioned off next month.