Gavin Humphrey Gets Double-Double, Paces Three Panthers in Double Figures

Gavin Humphrey paces three Pattonsburg players in double figures Wednesday as the Panthers grabbed 49 rebounds and ran past Southwest Livingston 75-34. Drake Sperry and Reagan Coin had career nights, and Drake nearly got a triple-double, getting 13 boards and 8 assists. Humphrey had 11 boards to go with 21 points. 

Peyton Moss hit a 3-pointer to start the Wildcats off, but Brandon Heath hit two in traffic and Collin Mason got behind the Wildcat defense, getting two free throws. Drake Sperry hit Gavin Humphrey backdoor, and Humphrey converted a three-point play to make it 7-3 with 6:44 left in the first quarter.

Grant Warren's free throw cut it to 7-4, but Gavin Humphrey got behind the defense and got a pass from Drake Sperry, Collin Mason went backdoor and got a pass from Humphrey, and Gavin Humphrey converted a third-chance putback to make it 13-4. 

Southwest tried to switch from a man to a 2-3 zone to stop Humphrey from slashing to the basket at will, but Pattonsburg continued to pull away as Drake Sperry hit a baseline shot and Brandon Heath got loose in transition and got a pass from Humphrey before Warren's triple cut Southwest's deficit to 17-7.  

Pattonsburg was running up and down the floor at will; the Wildcats tried to run with them and keep up, but after Lyam Myers hit a 3-pointer to cut the Southwest deficit to 22-10, the bottom dropped out after Drake Sperry's putback sparked a big run. Reagan Coin got a steal and fed Aden Woodward for two, Woodward hit Sperry in the paint, Sperry got a putback, Drake hit Gavin Humphrey inside for two, Collin Mason got a steal and fed Brandon Heath, and then Gavin Humphrey got a steal and fed Heath for two more. By the time the dust had settled, the Panthers were up 36-10 with 4:23 left. Grant Warren did all he could to keep Southwest in the game, but a late push by Gavin Humphrey put the Panthers up 43-14 at the half.

After Sperry scored twice in the paint for Pattonsburg to start the second half, Warren continued to hit for Southwest, getting seven points in a 1:35 stretch. But then he picked up his fourth foul and Pattonsburg continued to pull away as Reagan Coin started a big run with a 3-pointer, Drake Sperry got a free throw, Gavin Humphrey scored six straight, Jeremy Pittsenbarger scored a baseline shot, Drake Sperry scored off a Reagan Coin steal, and Pittsenbarger connected again to start the fourth quarter. That capped a 16-0 Pattonsburg run and put them up 70-23 before the Panthers started subbing freely. Remington White got on the board and Aden Woodward hit three free throws down the stretch for them.

Gavin Humphrey had 21 points for Pattonsburg. Drake Sperry had 15, Reagan Coin 14, Brandon Heath 8, Collin Mason 6, Aden Woodward 5, Jeremy Pittsenbarger 4, and Remington White 2.

Brandon Heath and Drake Sperry had 1 block.

Drake Sperry had 13 boards. Gavin Humphrey had 11, Aden Woodward 7, Collin Mason and Reagan Coin 6, Jeremy Pittsenbarger 4, and Brandon Heath 2. Pattonsburg had 49 rebounds for the day, which fueled their huge offensive output. 

Drake Sperry had 8 assists. Gavin Humphrey and Collin Mason had 5 each, Aden Woodward 4, and Reagan Coin 3.

Reagan Coin had 6 tips. Aden Woodward had 5, Gavin Humphrey 3, and Drake Sperry, Brandon Heath, and Jeremy Pittsenbarger 1. 

Reagan Coin had 6 steals. Aden Woodward had 3, Collin Mason and Gavin Humphrey 2, and Drake Sperry 1. 

Annabelle Gardner Scores 18; Resurgent Panthers Win Third Straight

Annabelle Gardner scored 18 points and a resurgent Pattonsburg squad won its third straight game, downing Southwest Livingston 43-17 Wednesday to get back to 5-5. Jayden Goble went beast mode with 15 boards and Cheyenne Miller nearly had a double-double, getting 11 points and 9 steals. 

The scoring started with 7:13 in the first when Kavinly Bumgarner got a quick outlet to Cheyenne Miller for a finish. Jayden Goble got a putback, and consecutive putbacks by Gardner made it 8-0. Timberlynn Palmer got Southwest on the board with a 3-pointer, but Cheyenne Miller went up strong and scored an off-balance shot and Gardner and Miller added free throws to make it 12-3 after one. 

Southwest hung around to start the second quarter, but then Annabelle Gardner started getting on the line at will, making three of six in the period and cashing in off a steal to make it 19-5. Cheyenne Miller scored after Addie Iddings pushed it up the floor, and then Gardner cleaned up off a steal. Jayden Goble cut inside off an inbounds play and scored to make it 25-5 after one half.

The Wildcats tried to rally, scoring consecutive points for the first time and cutting it to 25-9. But then Addie Iddings, who has the ability to score points in bunches, hit back-to-back triples and added a steal to put the game out of reach at 33-9. Annabelle Gardner got a tip and Cheyenne Miller got a steal, finishing it with two free throws on the other end to make it 35-9 after three.

Annabelle Gardner kept working the offensive glass at will, getting two straight putbacks to start the fourth and added a baseline shot. Carlie Pittsenbarger got a putback to give Pattonsburg its largest lead of the day at 43-11.

Annabelle Gardner had 18 points to lead Pattonsburg. Cheyenne Miller had 11, Addie Iddings 8, Jayden Goble 4, and Carlie Pittsenbarger 2.

Annabelle Gardner and Jayden Goble had 3 blocks each.

Jayden Goble had 15 boards. Annabelle Gardner had 7, Addie Iddings and Carlie Pittsenbarger 5 each, and Kavinly Bumgarner and Cheyenne Miller 3 each.

Jayden Goble, Addie Iddings, and Kavinly Bumgarner had 3 assists each. Cheyenne Miller and Annabelle Gardner had 1 each.

Cheyenne Miller had 9 tips. Kavinly Bumgarner had 4, Addie Iddings and Annabelle Gardner 3 each, and Jayden Goble 1.

Cheyenne Miller had 9 steals. Annabelle Gardner had 7, Addie Iddings 4, Carlie Pittsenbarger 2, and Jayden Goble and Kavinly Bumgarner 1.

Dianna Leonard 1947-2025

Dianna Mae Leonard, 78, Bethany, MO passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Crestview Nursing Home, Bethany, MO.

She was born on July 7, 1947, in Bethany, MO the daughter of Garland and Alice Mae (Stotts) Hancock.

Dianna was a graduate of Gilman City High School. She worked multiple jobs including Lambert Cap Factory, Crestview, Bethany Care Center, Harrison County Community Hospital, and Walmart. She was a kind, compassionate person who loved her residents and customers. She treated people with grace, saying, “you don’t know what they may be going through that day”. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Bethany, MO and she enjoyed crocheting and her dog companions.

She was preceded in death by her parents; significant other, Harold House; brother, Clifford Hancock; brother-in-law, David Purvis; infant son, Harold Lewis House, Jr.; and a great nephew, Jase Bextermueller.

Dianna is survived by her sisters, Mary Purvis and Lois (Kenneth) Vandiver both of Bethany, MO; nieces and nephews, Bryan (April) Vandiver, Ridgeway, MO, Shellie (Ben) Bextermueller, Manhattan, KS, Gabe (Katie) Hancock, Gilman City, MO, Rocky (Christine) Hancock, Martinsville, MO; and many great nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Assembly of God Church, Bethany, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Sharon Chapel Cemetery, Mt. Moriah, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Sharon Chapel Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.

 

Cole Ruby Returns, but Tiger Boys Fall to Spoofhounds

Cole Ruby came back for the Worth County boys, but the Tigers fell 70-57 to Maryville Monday as they could not guard either guard Jackson Dredge or post Miles Poynter.

There were a lot of big runs throughout the game. First, Worth County hung right with the Hounds, getting five from Brock Healy, four from Caleb New, and a pair of free throws from Cole Ruby as they trailed 13-11 at the 3:20 mark. But then Maryville, behind 6’6” post Miles Pointer and 6’2” guard Jackson Dredge, began pulling away and they had Carson Hageman to chip in from the three point line if the Tigers keyed too much on their main two players. Maryville pulled away to a 22-11 lead after one.

But Worth County started fighting back, fueled by Hayden Sanders, who started feeding people at will. He fed Caleb New for a tough shot along the baseline, Brock Healy for an off-balance triple on the baseline, and Jordan Dannar for a drive and pullup to cut it to 22-18. But just as Worth County looked to be getting back into the game, Jackson Dredge got a steal and finished on the other end to spark a Maryville run. He added a 3-pointer to make it 27-18. Cole Ruby hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 29-24, but Dredge hit two free throws, Payton Willrich had a putback, and Kallen Young (cousin of Blair Nelson) drove and converted a three point play before Ruby cut it to 36-26 at the half.

The second half started off well for the Tigers as Caleb New got a drive and pullup with a hand in his face, and he followed by cleaning up after getting a steal to make it 36-30. Poynter cleaned up on a miss, but Brock Healy knocked one down from the high post to make it 38-32.

But once again, just as it looked like the Tigers would get back in the game, Jackson Dredge would make a key play to kill their momentum. Worth County got the ball back, only for Dredge to get a steal and convert on the other end and get a three-point play. Nathan Walter got a drive and a pullup and Dredge added a free throw to make it 44-32 at the 3:18 mark of the third. Maryville looked to be running away with it as Hageman hit a 3-pointer and Kolby Scadden (cousin of Rylee, Wyatt, and Kyler Scadden) added a shot with 10 seconds left before Caleb New somehow got off an NBA 3-pointer with a defender draped all over him to cut it to 52-39 after three.

Jack Luke put the Spoofhounds in front 55-39 to start the fourth, only for Worth County to start storming back as Ryder Smyser hit a backdoor layup off a pass from Caleb New and Hayden Sanders hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Luke Allen got a putback, only for Brock Healy and Caleb New to hit pullups to make it 57-48 with 4:06 left.

But then time started running out and Worth County overextended itself trying to get the ball back, and Miles Poynter carried Maryville on his shoulders, getting nine points in the last 3:46 as the Spoofhounds pulled away for the win.

The Tigers got some positive comments for the play from the Maryville fans as they pushed them until the end. Having Cole Ruby back means they will have nine deep and be able to rest key players more when needed.

Brock Healy had 20 points for the Tigers. Caleb New had 15, Cole Ruby 10, Hayden Sanders 6, and Jordan Dannar, Dylan Smith, and Ryder Smyser had 2 each.

Caleb New had 1 block.

Brock Healy had 7 boards. Caleb New had 5, Ethan Lininger, Dylan Smith, Ryder Smyser, and Cole Ruby had 2, and Jordan Dannar and Brayden Combs had 1.

Hayden Sanders had 6 assists. Brock Healy had 5, Cole Ruby and Ryder Smyser 2 each, and Brock Healy, Caleb New, and Ethan Lininger had 1.

Caleb New had 4 tips. Brock Healy and Hayden Sanders had 2, while Dylan Smith, Brock Healy, and Cole Ruby had 1.

Caleb New had 5 steals. Dylan Smith and Hayden Sanders had 2, while Cole Ruby had 1.

 

 

Iowa Hands Free Driving Law Takes Effect

Iowa’s Hands-Free Driving Law took effect Thursday. It states that the use of electronic devices in motor vehicles while driving is prohibited unless one is hands free.

Hands-free means you can’t hold your phone in any way, scroll, type, or interact with your phone, enter in an address or GPS, stream videos or make video calls (even with voice commands), view texts, videos, or social media, or call, text, or dial using your hands.

Previously, cops could only warn for violations. Now, officers may issue citations unless the device is hands-free.

This law applies to cell phones, laptops, PDA’s, tablets, and gaming devices.

There are auxiliary cables that connect to a car speaker, vehicle mounts, and Bluetooth devices that can make your phone compliant. Many phones come with a speakerphone.

 

Anna "Jean" Adams 1932-2025

Anna "Jean" Adams, a beloved friend, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29th, 2025, at the age of 93. Born on Wednesday, December 7th, 1932, in Worth, Missouri, Anna spent her life nurturing her family and community with love and kindness.

Jean was a resident of Maryville, MO, where she dedicated her life to being a homemaker, a role she embraced with grace and devotion. She also worked for 12 years at the Parnell cafeteria, where she was known for her warm smile and generous spirit. Jean attended Worth County High School, completing the 10th grade before embarking on her lifelong journey of caring for others.

Jean was a mother and grandmother not only to her own family but to anyone who needed one. Her home was a sanctuary of love and support, and her legacy of compassion will be remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Victor "Sonny" (Nancy) Adams of Maryville, MO; daughters, Francis Force of Grant City, MO, Bonnie (Steve) Moreland of Bethany, MO, and Annie (Danny) Bohon of Maryville, MO. Jean also had two additional daughters she picked up along the way; Linda Anthony and Debbie Rankin. Her brother, Clay (Susan) Maxwell of Maryville, MO, and sisters, Mary Maxwell of St. Joseph, MO, and Shirley Shoesmith of Lees Summit, MO, also survive her. Jean leaves behind a legacy of 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Victor G. Adams, in January 1981; her parents, John E. Maxwell and Susa J. Maxwell; daughters, Cora Findley and Martha Jane Wyer; an infant daughter and a baby, David; granddaughters, Shelly Straight and Christina McMichael; grandson, Danny Chapasko; brothers, Junior Maxwell and Charles Maxwell; and sister, Maye Crenshaw.

A graveside service to honor Jean's life will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Parnell, MO, on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Pallbearers will include Eldon Maxwell, Kevin Sybert, Kolby Sybert, Kayden Sybert, Corey Adams, and Colton Straight.

The family has requested no flowers, and memorial donations may be made to Rose Hill Cemetery in Parnell, MO.

Arrangements are being handled by Bram Funeral Home. Jean's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have shared in her life and legacy. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those she touched.

 

Opinion -- Hawley Delivers Record Legislative, Casework Wins in 2025

By Senator Josh Hawley’s Office

In 2025, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) continued to prioritize Missourians and fight for hard-working Americans across the country as he kicked off his second term in the Senate.

2025 Quick Facts

120 bills and resolutions cosponsored.

40 original bills and resolutions introduced.

350+ local TV and print interviews.

Thousands of casework issues resolved, with a 32 percent increase in Social Security assistance by Senator Hawley’s office over last year. 

Delivering for Missouri

Historic expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) signed into law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In just a matter of weeks, over 400 Missourians have received $20 million in compensation.

Facilitated the nomination of five Missouri district court judges and two U.S. attorneys. So far, four judges have been confirmed to the bench.

Terminated the controversial Grain Belt Express project by successfully pushing the Energy Department to revoke taxpayer subsidies for the project.

Secured $40.5 million in additional funds for Coldwater Creek cleanup efforts by the Army Corps.

Fort Leonard Wood broke ground on 56 new military family homes with funds secured by Senator Hawley.

Secured language in budget bills to protect the hospital at Fort Leonard Wood and require the Army to plan to replace all aging military family housing on post.

Toured West Lake Landfill with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and secured a commitment to clean up the site two years earlier than planned.

Unanimously passed legislation in the Senate to designate the National Churchill Museum in Fulton as a national historic landmark.

Passed a resolution in the Senate to honor the life and legacy of former Missouri Senator Kit Bond.

Successfully fought for the creation of a Rural Hospital Fund in reconciliation legislation that will steer approximately $1 billion to Missouri’s rural hospitals.

Toured St. Louis tornado damage and secured relief funds for recovery efforts.

Assisted Missourians in processing claims with insurance companies for storm damage following Senator Hawley’s months-long investigation into the insurance industry.

Key Legislative Actions

Advanced the PELOSI Act, which would ban members of Congress from trading or holding individual stocks, out of committee.

Unanimously advanced the STOP CSAM Act out of committee. This legislation would crack down on the proliferation of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by allowing victims to sue companies that host it.

Advanced the STOIC Act out of committee. This legislation would provide help for police officers and other first responders struggling with substance abuse, depression, or other mental health issues.

Led bipartisan legislation to keep food stamps (also known as SNAP) funded for working Americans during the 2025 government shutdown. In the government funding bill, SNAP was funded for an entire year. 

Sponsored bipartisan legislation to speed up first contracts once workers have voted to form a union and introduced legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hour.

Introduced bipartisan legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 10 percent. 

Helped secure the pardons of pro-life prisoners incarcerated during the Biden Administration. 

Secured pro-life commitments from key Trump Administration officials (including at the FDA, HHS, and DOJ) and urged the FDA to restore commonsense safeguards for abortion drugs. 

Introduced legislation to ban abortion and gender transitions for minors from the federal healthcare exchanges, along with legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.

Subcommittee Investigations

Senator Hawley is Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, and the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Management

Chaired hearing, held a bipartisan press conference, and introduced major bipartisan legislation on protecting children from AI chatbot companions.

Launched a major investigation into fraudulent practices by the insurance industry, chaired hearing holding insurance companies accountable for failing to uphold their commitments, and got results for policyholders.

Launched a bipartisan investigation and convened a hearing with both industry leaders and fire chiefs that revealed private equity’s role in the growing equipment crisis facing fire departments across the country. 

Chaired hearing on Big Tech’s piracy of copyrighted content to fuel their AI models and introduced legislation to bar the practice. 

Notable Speaking Engagements & Op-Eds

Senator Hawley delivered a keynote address at the 2025 National Conservatism Conference on how “AI Threatens the Working Man.”

Senator Hawley spoke to over 8,000 students at Liberty University’s Convocation.

Senator Hawley delivered the 2025 Cecil Sims Lecture at Vanderbilt Law School.

Senator Hawley penned an op-ed for the New York Times "Don't Cut Medicaid." 

Senator Hawley wrote an op-ed for the New York Times "No American Should Go to Bed Hungry."