FTC, Iowa, 19 Other States Sue Dollar General

The Federal Trade Commission, joined by 20 states, sued Dollar General Corporation for engaging in long-running deceptive pricing practices by routinely charging customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements, costing consumers millions of dollars. 

Twenty states joined the FTC in filing a complaint, alleging that Dollar General has, for years, repeatedly mislabeled prices, overcharged consumers and failed to correct the issue despite extensive corporate knowledge of the problem. The states joining the FTC lawsuit include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. 

“Dollar General has betrayed the trust of millions of American consumers and imposed significant financial harm on communities and consumers who are already struggling to make their paychecks last,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC’s action underscores the agency’s commitment to lowering costs for consumers by stopping deceptive pricing practices that harm Americans.”

According to the complaint:

--Thousands of Dollar General stores have taken advantage of vulnerable shoppers by extracting millions of dollars in unlawful overcharges with insufficient safeguards to prevent the practice. 

--Dollar General received tens of thousands of complaints from consumers across the country who say the company did not honor the advertised price, demonstrating widespread consumer harm and confirming that customers nationwide have been charged more than the advertised price.

--Dollar General knows that it harms consumers by charging more at the register than the prices it advertises, as reflected by the numerous complaints it has received.

--Despite being made aware of the problem, Dollar General has failed to implement policies and practices to adequately address the problem.

The FTC and states allege these practices violate the FTC Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and state laws.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 2-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

New Security Measures at Nodaway County Courthouse

 Effective Monday, October 26th, the Nodaway County Sheriff's Office announced that it would implement enhanced security measures at the Nodaway County Courthouse. 

Public entrance will be limited to the east side of the Courthouse. The west side will no longer be available. A security checkpoint has been established inside the courthouse. All individuals entering the Courthouse will be required to pass through regardless of whether they are visiting the courtrooms or another area of the Courthouse. 

The following items will not be permitted beyond the checkpoint: Large purses or bags, backpacks, diaper bags, weapons, tools, drugs, alcohol, food, or drinks. 

Audit Finds Worth County School in Good Financial Standing

The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting Monday, October 19th, received a report from its auditor, Westbrook & Company. The audit found that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the respective modified cash basis financial position of the school for each major fund for the 2025-26 school year. 

For the preceding school year, local revenues were $2,275,317. County revenues were $347,361. State revenues were $2,172,479. Federal revenues were $370,521. Other revenue sources were $8,550. Total revenues were $5,174,228. Expenses were $2,395,941 for instruction, $355,273 for student activities, $241,431 for student services, $84,433 for instructional staff support, $300,654 for general administration and central services, $246,202 for building administration, $414,028 for the operation of the plant, $390,047 for pupil transportation, $258,355 for food service, $41,787 for community services, $878,457 for facility acquisition and construction, and $64,918 for debt service for a total of $5,671,526. The General Revenue fund went from $3,131,037 at the end of the 2024-25 school year to $3,300,448 for the 25-26 school year. The debt service fund went from $87,625 to $143,881. The Capital Projects fund went from $1,725,997 to $1,003,032. 

The Health Services program was rated as “Excellent.” The Health Aide actively insures students have immunizations, vision screening, fluoride treatments, human growth lessons, handwashing, and daily medications. School staff is trained on CPR and AED. The school recently purchased a new AED for activities that aren’t near an AED. 

The board declared various items as surplus property. All items are operational, but all items are sold as is. Bids are due by November 20th at 3:00 pm. Listed as surplus are a Sony Blueray/DVD player, two Epson photo scanners, two Epson projectors, seven Ubiquiti port switches, a Ubiquiti bridge nano beam, three HP printers (no toner), 11 Apple iPad 5’s, an iPad 7 (broken screen), 250 2x2 playground surface rubber tiles, two basketball scoreboards, and a scoreboard controller. 

Elementary Principal Amber Hawk reported that Mrs. Campbell along with Maggie Hall and Katelyn Creller did screenings on September 22nd. 

The Grant City Lions Club will be at the school October 28th in the elementary and November 4th in the high school to do Kidsight vision screening.

Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Green did a health talk with third through sixth graders during their PE time. The point of emphasis was on hygiene.

Gayla Striplin and Annette Deering of University Extension have started coming to school to do nutrition classes with first and second graders. They have made butter and learned how rain works. On November 2nd, they will be going to the Northwest Missouri State farm to see the milking operation and learn how ice cream is made.

35 students along with families went to the Title I parent meeting.

Fourth through sixth graders who made reading incentives played kickball. First through third graders who made reading incentives rotated through different centers.

The Pre-K and Kindergarten had an apple party on September 29th. The played games and served apples and caramel with toppings. There were over 70 in attendance.

Mrs. Hawk had lunch with the kids who were recognized for meeting various school expectations. The school had a Fire Safety week. Students from grades PK through third grade rode the fire trucks. The Fire Department provided materials about fire safety.

The Kindergarten went to St. Joseph to the Schweitzer Orchard on October 14th.

On October 15th, the K-3 students had a cheer camp with the varsity cheerleaders. They performed at halftime of the Worth County/Pattonsburg game.

For In-Service on October 12th, teachers focused on reading success plans. There are currently 22 students in grades 1-6 and two in grades 7-8 with Reading Success Plans. This is up from 17 last year. Teachers had a school safety training in the afternoon.

A library party was held Saturday, October 24th at the Partnership Library. There were crafts, fun activities, and plenty of opportunities to play and learn.

High School Principal Carl Parman reported on the professional development activities in the High School building. Focus was on dealing with recurring tier one behaviors, learning strategies, preparation for the Veterans Day Assembly, and school safety training.

The refinishing of the gym floor was complete. The new scoreboards and video board are up. A new banner has been hung in the Ag Hall. 

The FFA started and completed fruit sales. Freshman students attended Greenhand Initiation at Gallatin. 

Sophomores attended a My Success Event in St. Joseph.

North Star came to the school to do a presentation.

Mr. Bomar has been teaching biology students about the structure of a cell and its components. Students were also instructed on how cells reproduce. Entrepreneurship students are researching a dream business they would like to own and run one day. They have been studying the risks, rewards, and other hidden work behind these businesses. The 7th grade Exploratory Art class has been making paper-mache objects. The Algebra II class has been working on identifying angle pairs and recognizing them visually. 

Athletic and Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that there are 15 boys and 15 girls out for junior high basketball. 

Ms. Gladstone and Mr. Beverlin have met with all students to create a plan after high school.

Eleven students job shadowed at the Mosaic Hospital in Albany.

Larry Mason 1950-2026

Larry Gale Mason, age 76, Parnell, Missouri died Friday, October 23, 2026 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.

Larry was born October 11, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri to Perry and Doretta (Ashbaugh) Mason.

Larry was a graduate of Northeast Nodaway High School, Class of 1970.  

After high school Larry enlisted in the United States Army.  Larry was a veteran serving his country in the Vietnam War.  He was a member of the Parnell Curry-Richardson-Sparks-Waldeier VFW Post #528.

Larry enjoyed the outdoors, especially when he could experience it on his Harley Davidson.  He also loved any time he could spend with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry Mason and Doretta (Loren) Wolfe, brothers Kenneth and Gary Mason and one sister Sandra Wray.

His survivors include his son Jeremy (Stacy) Mason, Parnell, two grandchildren Jenna and Jared Mason, Parnell, sister Mary (Bill) Kirby, Rossville, Tennessee and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Per Larry’s request his body has been cremated under the care of the Hann Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville, Missouri.  Interment of Larry’s cremains will take place with full military honors at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas at 2:30 PM.

andrewshannfuneralhome.com

Hayden Sanders Blocked Punt Fuels Tigers Over King City

Hayden Sanders blocked a punt to fuel a Tiger rally, and Worth County pulled away to beat King City 70-12 at halftime Friday. The win clinches the GRC West title for Worth County for the second straight year.

After chasing Worth County and Pattonsburg for the title last year, King City had high hopes for this year. But while they have been in the majority of their games, they have found wins hard to come by this year.

Worth County has a bye week this Friday. On Friday, November 6^th, the Tigers will begin the defense of their state title by hosting a district game against the winner of Stanberry and King City.

The Tigers got the ball to start the game, and Cole Ruby scored for them right off the bat when he got a block from Ryder Smyser and took it 52 yards to the house with 11:44 left in the first quarter. Jude Archer got a block from Wyatt Scadden and ran in the extra points to make it 8-0.

King City has been trying to follow the lead of Pattonsburg, running the same kind of passing attack that they do. But Worth County was ready for it, and an incomplete pass and a pass breakup set up third and long. King City tried a screen pass, but Bo Collins was there to blow it up, and the Wildkats were forced to punt. Hayden Sanders shot through and blocked it, and Jude Archer ran it back to King City’s three. Cole Ruby picked up two yards to the one, and then Hayden Sanders powered through for a score with 10:13 left. Bo Collins caught the extra point pass from Brock Healy to make it 16-0.

Bentin Roberts made a tackle to put King City back at the 11 to bury them deep in their own territory. Two short passes to Coltin Potter from Landon Carlson moved it to the 23 for a first down. Jordan Dannar tripped up Carlson at the 20 for a loss on a keeper to set them behind the sticks, but a bubble screen to Jax Jundy picked up 12, and King City got a first down after an offsides penalty. Cole Ruby batted down a pass to set up third and 12, but then Carlson aired it out to Cayden Wainscott for 45 yards and a score with 7:55 left in the first.

Worth County started at its own 28, and a quick pitch to Cole Ruby picked up 13 to King City’s 39. From there, Brock Healy threw a screen pass to Jude Archer, who took it to the house with 7:30 left in the first to make it 22-6.

King City threatened to get it right back after they ran back the kickoff to its own 36. A short pass to Wainscott and a sneak by Carlson put it at Worth County’s 33. Two short passes to Coltin Potter got it to the 26. Another short pass to Wainscott put it at the 19. But Jax Jundy lost two to the 21, and Jude Archer broke up a pass to set up third down. King City nearly got a break when Worth County was flagged for pass interference, but King City had an ineligible man downfield, forcing them to replay the down. Carlson could only get one yard, and an incomplete pass gave the ball back to Worth County back on downs.

The game represented a breakout game for Wyatt Scadden, who took a long pass from Brock Healy 42 yards to King City’s 18 to flip the field. An offsides penalty put it on the 13, and Jude Archer caught a short pass, and a facemask penalty put it on the four. Cole Ruby got a block from Jude Archer and took it the rest of the way with 3:24 left in the first quarter. For the extra point try, Bo Collins caught a short pass from Brock Healy and muscled his way across for the two points to make it 30-6.

A kick by Xander Bodle sailed over Carter Heinrich’s head, and he slipped and fell at the two after trying to snag it. Three short passes brought King City to the 19, but Hayden Sanders blew up an option play to Lucas Boone, and Jordan Dannar got a sack to put the ball on the eight. King City tried to air it out, and the Wildkats were chirping for a defensive holding call, but nothing was thrown, forcing them to punt. Special teams woes continued to plague King City as the ensuing snap sailed out of the back of the end zone for a safety to make it 32-6 with 31 seconds left in the first quarter.

There was a heartstopping moment as Wyatt Scadden nearly lost the handle on the ensuing squib kick, but he fell on it at King City’s 37. Worth County was faced with fourth and seven at the 34, and King City was crowding the line, but Hayden Sanders aired it out to Wyatt Scadden, who outran the King City defense for a score with 11:08 left in the second. Brock Healy threw a hook shot over an onrushing King City defender to Bo Collins for the extra points to make it 40-6.

King City’s special teams woes continued as a blind side block penalty set them back at their own 11. Jordan Dannar broke up one pass, and Ryder Smyser forced a quarterback hurry on another. A Delay of Game penalty and a pass that was ruled caught out of bounds to set up fourth and 15 at the six. Another bad snap resulted in another safety to put Worth County in front 42-6 with 10:48 left in the half.

This time, the special teams came through for King City as a great kick pinned Worth County at its own seven. But that only served to make things more interesting. Cole Ruby picked up 13 on the first play, but was injured at the end of the run and came out. Hayden Sanders picked up four more, and Bo Collins caught a short pass from Brock Healy for a first down. Jude Archer picked up five, and a facemask put it on King City’s 30. Brock Healy aired it out to Wyatt Scadden, and he made a fingertip grab for a score to make it 48-6 with nine minutes left in the half.

King City tried to air it out and finally sprung Cayden Wainscott free, but Carlson led him too far, and King City was forced to punt. The snap and the kick were clean this time, but Jude Archer weaved his way to the 36. Brock Healy aired it out to Wyatt Scadden for 37 yards to the seven, and Jude Archer made a shoestring grab from Hayden Sanders for a score with 7:11 left in the half to make it 54-6.

The Wildkats finally found daylight on its next series as a long pass to Cayden Wainscott put it on Worth County’s 37. Two plays later, Carlson found daylight and scrambled 30 yards for a score with 6:25 left in the half to make it 54-12.

King City tried to pick on Wyatt Scadden after he nearly lost a squib kick earlier, but this time, he caught it and ran it back to King City’s 20. Brock Healy threw a long pass, and Dylan Smith came open after a perfectly executed pick play to grab a score with 6:13 left in the half. Cole Hardy took a quick pitch in for the extra points to make it 62-12.

Another bad snap from King City’s special teams gave Worth County another short field to work with at King City’s 12. A holding penalty moved it back to the 20, but Cole Hardy got the penalty yardage back and more to the 9. An offsides put it on the five, and Hudson ran it to the two. A fumbled snap moved it back to the three, but Liam Cordell ran it in for the final score. Cole Hardy got blocks from Hudson Cameron and Tucker Fletchall on a quick pitch play for the extra points to make it 70-12.

Worth County quarterbacks completed 11 of 13 passes for 238 yards. Hayden Sanders was 3 of 4 for 80 yards, while Brock Healy was 8 of 9 for 158 yards. Cole Ruby had 5 carries for 72 yards. Wyatt Scadden had 4 catches for 143 yards, while Jude Archer had 3 catches for 55 yards.

Bentin Roberts had 8 tackles for the Tigers. Jordan Dannar had 7, Bo Collins 4, Hayden Sanders 3, Dylan Smith, Jude Archer, Wes Brown, Maverick Cox, and Ryder Smyser had 2, while Cole Hardy, Brock Healy, Lance Runde, Hudson Cameron, and Jace Burns had 1.

Missouri Attorney General Seeks Removal of Harrison County Clerk

On Friday, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a petition for a writ of quo warranto seeking the immediate removal of Harrison Count Clerk LeeAnn Miles from office. The lawsuit was filed in Harrison County Circuit Court.

Miles was arrested on charges alleging that she stole money from an elderly person whose expenses she managed. 

The Attorney General's Office alleged in the filings that Miles has forfeited her office under Missouri Law because she is unable to perform the duties required of the Harrison County Clerk. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges:

--Miles was arrested and jailed during regular business hours while facing two felony charges for Financial Exploitation and Stealing. Bond was denied. Subsequently, at a hearing on October 19th, the bond was reduced to $150,000, cash only.

--As a result, the defendant has failed to remain present in the office during required business hours as mandated by Section 51.100 of Missouri Law and is unable to fulfill her duties, including administering the upcoming election that will be held on November 3rd.

--The defendant has forfeited her office under Section 106.220 of Missouri Law due to her failure to personally attend to the duties of her office, her willful neglect of duty, and the criminal charges alleged against her.

Subsequently, on that same day, Judge Matthew Krohn issued a preliminary order requiring the defendant to answer the charges within ten days. In addition, pending further order of the court, Respondent may not enter the office of the County Clerk. Defendant must surrender all county property that she has in her possession, including any financial instruments, debit cards, or credit cards. 

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DOT Increases Large Stretches of I-29 and I-35 in NW Missouri to 75 MPH

Following a comprehensive review, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced Wednesday the locations of upcoming increases to the speed limit of various interstate corridor segments. These increases are the result of a new law permitting the department to raise the maximum rural highway speed limit to 75 mph and follows a detailed review within the department of each eligible location.

“The department takes careful consideration of all the different factors that make up a roadway when setting speed limits, including how people use it,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “This decision is not made lightly and comes after a detailed study into each of those factors to determine where we can move people and traffic efficiently at higher speeds without sacrificing safety.”

As part of the detailed review process, the department considered the following factors at each eligible location:

Current traffic volumes

Truck traffic volumes

Current speed data

Crash history

Terrain

Road design, including the presence of safety countermeasures

Existing speed limits of border states in eligible areas near the state line

Active construction

As a result, the department has identified the following interstate segments for an increase to the 75-mph speed limit:

I-29:

From Exit 56 in Andrew County to approximately 2.5 miles south of the Iowa border (64 miles)

I-35:

From the northern Cameron city limit to approximately 4 miles south of the Iowa border (55 miles)

I-49:

From the Arkansas border to Exit 24 (24 miles)

From Exit 56 to just south of Exit 101 in Nevada (45 miles)

I-55:

From the Arkansas border to mile marker 16.6 just south of the I-155 interchange (17 miles)

From mile marker 19.8 just north of the MO 84 interchange to mile marker 64.9 at the Rte. AA bridge (45 miles)

From mile marker 70.5 just north of the Rte. HH interchange to mile marker 86.6 just south of the Rte. PP interchange (16 miles)

From mile marker 106.4 just north of Exit 105 to mile marker 164.9 at the Jefferson County line (59 miles)

A map highlighting the approximate segment locations can be found online.

MoDOT crews will be working this fall to update the speed limits on these stretches of interstate, which entails updating the posted signs along the highways. Drivers should continue to abide by the posted speed limit along the highways.

“An increased speed limit may allow motorists to reach their destinations faster, but safety must remain a priority,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Michael A. Turner. “The Patrol and our traffic safety partners at MoDOT remain committed to reducing the number and severity of traffic crashes in Missouri. It is each driver’s responsibility to make safe decisions while driving. Even with an increase in speed, drivers must stay aware and reduce their speed on rural interstates when necessary. Drive responsibly, stay alert, and adjust your speed for roadway and weather conditions. Each of us have a role to play in making sure everyone gets home safely.”

Like it does for all highways, MoDOT will monitor and evaluate the crash data at these locations and may adjust the speed limit back to 70 mph as necessary.

“Let me emphasize the word ‘limit’ here,” Hassinger said. “The highways across our state were not built for 80+ mph traffic. And a driver is looking at a significantly shorter window to react to the road and conditions around them at that speed. Getting where you’re going safely begins and ends with the decisions you make behind the wheel. If you want to make it where you’re headed safely, buckle up, stay alert, drive sober, and follow the speed limit.”