Community Calendar for February 18th, 2026

Community Calendar items are free of charge. To submit, email us at express@grm.net. All events are subject to change or last-minute cancelation.

February 18^th – North Harrison Board of Education Meeting. Classroom visits at 10 am, followed by the regular meeting at 12 noon.

February 18^th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 6 pm.

February 18^th – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6 pm.  

February 19^th – Shamrock Basketball vs. East Harrison, 6 pm. The Little Rocks and Mini Rocks will perform.

February 19^th – Hawk Basketball vs. Polo, 6 pm.

February 19^th – Mustang Basketball at Pattonsburg, 6 pm.

February 19^th – Tiger Basketball at Maysville, 6 pm.

February 19^th – NEN School Board Meeting, 7 pm.

February 20^th – Northeast Nodaway and Worth County FFA to Western Farm Show in Kansas City. Bus leaves at 8 am.

February 20^th – Worth County 6^th grade DARE graduation, 2 pm.

February 21^st – Pickering Lions Breakfast, 7:30 am to 11 am, Pickering Community Building. Pancakes, sausage, biscuits & gravy, coffee, tea, milk, and juice. Free will donation. Proceeds will support the North Nodaway Scholarship Fund. For more information, call (660) 927-3620 or (660) 541-3273.

February 21^st – Northeast Nodaway to Regional Science Olympiad at Northwest, 7:30 am.

February 21^st -- Northeast Nodaway Pep Hand to Missouri Western. Van leaves at 11 am.

February 21^st – Daddy Daughter Dance, 6 pm, North Harrison Multipurpose Room. For girls grades PK through 5^th grade. May bring dad or special guest. $15 for couple, $5 for each additional daughter. Snacks, drinks, and digital pictures of couples provided. Hosted by the North Harrison PTO.

February 21st — Hopkins CBC Bingo, 6:30 pm, Hopkins Community Building. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Concessions available. $25 prize per game. $50 halftime blackout jackpot. Going-home blackout with 100% payback. Two rounds of ten games. Three cards – ten games $5. Six cards – ten games $10. Blackout games – four cards for $1.

February 22^nd – Ravenwood CBC Breakfast, 8 am to 12 noon. The Northeast Nodaway FFA will be helping.

February 22^nd – Hopkins Community Club Beef & Noodle Dinner, Hopkins Community Building, 11 am. $12 adults, $5 kids.

February 22^nd – Redding UMC Spaghetti Supper, 5:00 pm. Free will donation.

February 23^rd – Worth County JH Scholar Bowl at Albany, 4 pm.

February 23^rd – Tiger Basketball (girls) vs. Platte Valley at Stanberry, 5:00 pm. District Basketball.

February 23^rd – Shamrock Basketball (girls) vs. Tri-County at Pattonsburg, 5:00 pm. District Basketball.

February 23^rd – Bluejay Basketball (girls) vs. Mound City at Stanberry, 6:30 pm. District Basketball.

February 23^rd – Mustang Basketball (girls) vs. Stanberry at Stanberry, 8:00 pm. District Basketball.

February 23^rd – Pattonsburg Basketball (girls) vs. Mercer, 8:00 pm at Pattonsburg. District Basketball.

February 24^th – Second Harvest Food Pantry, Eagleville City Hall, 10 am. Free and open to the public regardless of income.

February 24^th – Hawk Basketball (boys) vs. Tri-County at Princeton, 5:00 pm. District Basketball.

February 24^th – Bluejay Basketball (boys) vs. Platte Valley at Worth County, 6:15 pm. District Basketball.

February 24^th – Shamrock Basketball (boys) vs. East Harrison at Princeton, 6:30 pm. District Basketball.

February 24^th – Tiger Basketball vs. North Nodaway at Worth County, 7:45 pm. District Basketball.

February 24^th – Pattonsburg Basketball (boys) vs. Mercer at Princeton, 8:00 pm. District Basketball.

February 26^th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

February 27^th – Justin Rush retirement party, Sheridan Community Building, 5 pm. Cake, cupcakes, cookies, tea, and punch will be served.

February 28^th – Biscuits & Grave breakfast, Worth County Senior Center, 7 am to 9 am.

February 28^th – Heart and Sole Health and Fitness Fair, Carl & Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse, Maryville, 8 am to 12 noon. Sponsored by Mosaic Medical Center.

February 28^th – Active Shooter Training for Churches, Stanberry Baptist Church, 9 am to 5 pm. Covers all aspects of active shooter situations. Cost is $97. To register, visit www.phhtraining.com.

February 28^th – Bingo, 7 pm, The Dusty Cowgirl, Grant City.

March 1^st – Parnell Legion Breakfast, 8 am, Legion Hall.

March 2^nd – Pattonsburg Parents as Teachers March Group Connection. For ages birth through 5. Dr. Seuss Birthday Party, 4 pm to 5 pm at the Pattonsburg School. Each family will get a free Dr. Seuss book to take home. There will be crafts, games, and other activities.

March 6^th – Fish Fry Friday, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Free will donation. To go orders are available; call (660) 582-7072. Fish, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, lettuce salad, rolls, and desserts.

March 6^th to 8^th – Worth County High School Play, The Addams Family. Dinner at 6 pm on March 6^th and 7^th. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Admission $5 for the play. March 6^th & 7^th at 7 pm, March 8^th at 2 pm.

March 8^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Redden Family – American Cancer Society/Hospice.

March 12^th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

March 14^th – Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Nodaway County Maintenance Barn, 1516 East Halsey Street, Maryville, 8 am to 12 noon. Free and open to residents of Worth, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, and Nodaway Counties. No commercial or business waste. Examples include household chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, brake fluid, transmission fluids, batteries, waxes, compact fluorescent light bulbs and rubes, antifreeze, oil-based paint, and varnish. No latex paint accepted. Keep materials in the original container. Do not mix waste together.

March 14^th – Worth County Alumni Tournament, 9:30 am. $75/team. Men’s format will be 5x5 with a round robin and then a championship game. Must have at least three Worth County former students/athletes, past or present staff, or parent of a Worth County student or alumnus on the court. Women’s format will be open to all ladies. $5 per player. Format will depend on participation. Proceeds will go towards the weight room.

March 14^th – 39^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 300 Block of North Market Street, Maryville, 3:17 pm. The 300 Block of North Market Street will be closed from 1 pm to 5 pm.

March 20^th – Hopkins Fire Department Fish Fry Fundraiser, Hopkins Community Building, 5 pm. Free will donation. Fish, chicken strips, French fries, hush puppies, beans, cole slaw, desserts.

March 21st — Hopkins CBC Bingo, 6:30 pm, Hopkins Community Building.

March 22^nd – Ravenwood CBC Breakfast, 8 am to 12 noon.

March 22^nd – Hopkins Beef & Noodle Dinner, 11 am to 1 pm, Hopkins Community Building.

March 26^th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

April 19^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to fund scholarships.

April 22^nd – Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation 20^th Anniversary Celebration, Mozingo Event Center, 6 pm. Keynote Speaker: Ernesto Sirolli.

May 9^th – Downtown Maryville Spring into Fun, 12 noon to 5 pm. Main Street from 2^nd to 5^th Street, Market Street from 2^nd to 5^th Street, 3^rd Street from Vine to Buchanan, and 4^th Street from Vine to Buchanan will be closed from 9:30 am to 7 pm.

May 15^th to 17^th – Turkey Run Flea Market and Swap Meet. 33982 State Highway NN, Hopkins. May 15^th from 12 noon to 8 pm. May 16^th from 8 am to 8 pm. May 17^th from 9 am to 3 pm. Vendor space $15 by May 8^th, $20 afterwards. Electric hookups are $25 by May 8^th, $30 afterwards. Camper hookup $45 by May 8^th, $50 afterwards. Set up May 14^th after 6 pm or Friday after 8 am. For more information, call Adam Emery (660) 541-2984 or Sarah Emery (660) 853-0141.

May 23^rd – North Nodaway R-VI Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the North Nodaway High School gymnasium. The banquet will honor the Class of 1976 on its 50-year reunion and recognize the 250th birthday of the United States. Cost is $17 per person plus $2 alumni dues. Reservations and payment are due by May 14. For reservations, contact Teresa DeMott (660-582-1086), Sue Florea (660-541-4108), or Joyce Hennegin (660-927-3682).

June 5^th to 6^th – Resound Fest, Miracle Hills Ranch, three miles south of Bethany. Free admission, community worship, and onsite camping.

June 20^th – Mike Henggeler Father’s Day Memorial Baseball Tournament, Stanberry ball fields, 8 am. Entry $150 per team; limit six teams for two divisions. First division – ages 9U to 12U. Second division – ages 13U to 16U. $150 per team. To enter, contact titletownevents@gmail.com. All proceeds will be donated directly to the Henggeler family.

June 21^st -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to the Heart of America Tractor Club.

July 19^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Post 464 veterans programs.

August 16^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Cameron Veterans Home.

September 20^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Sons of the American Legion Post 464.

October 18^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Post 464 membership.

November 15^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Ladies Auxiliary Unit 464.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Nodaway Alumni Reunion May 23rd

The North Nodaway R-VI Alumni Association will host its annual Alumni Banquet on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the North Nodaway High School gymnasium. This year’s banquet will hold special significance as the Class of 1976 is honored for its 50-year reunion, and the community joins in celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. All alumni and friends of North Nodaway/Hopkins High School are encouraged to attend.

Tours of the school facilities will be available upon request.

The cost for dinner is $17 per person, with alumni paying an additional $2 in annual dues. Reservations and payments should be made payable to the NN R-VI Alumni Association.

Officers for the 2026 Alumni Association are: Carmen Larabee, President; Darla Thompson, Vice President; Joan Hemenway, Secretary; and Elaine Holste, Treasurer.

To make reservations, please contact one of the following by May 14, 2026. When reserving, be sure to provide your full name at graduation (as well as your current name), year of graduation, address, phone number, and email address. 

Teresa DeMott – 660-582-1086

Sue Florea – 660-541-4108

Joyce Hennegin – 660-927-3682

Reservations and payments may also be mailed to Elaine Holste, Treasurer, P.O. Box 213, Hopkins, MO 64461; 660-778-3289.

 

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for February 18th, 2026

On February 10th, Judge Robert Rice issued a warrant for the arrest of Vengalrao Yelluri (26) of Maryville in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court following receipt of a violation report. He was on probation for Violation of Protection Order and DWI.

On February 10th, Crystal Cash (44) of St. Joseph failed to appear in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court on a charge of Stealing (Felony). A warrant was issued and bond set at $2,500, cash only.

On February 10th, Brian Cuchetti (34) of Albany failed to appear in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court on a probation violation hearing. A warrant was issued and bond set at $536.21, cash only. The defendant was on probation for Stealing.

On February 11th, Judge Corey Herron issued an arrest warrant for Brian Clapp (42) of Butler (MO) in Nodaway County Circuit Court following receipt of a violation report. Bond was denied. The defendant was on probation for Stealing (Felony).  On January 16th, the defendant picked up a new charge in Bates County (MO) of Trafficking Drugs (Felony). Bond in that case was set at $1 million, cash or corporate surety.

On February 11th, Kayla Jones (33) of Kansas City pleaded guilty in Daviess County Circuit Court to a charge of Trafficking Drugs (Felony). She was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Ryan Horsman.

On February 11th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Kurt Waterbury (40) of Jameson alleging Assault (Felony) and Peace Disturbance. Bond was set at $10,000, posted by the defendant.

On February 11th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Douglas Dickinson (49) of Spickard alleging DWI (Felony) and Driving While Revoked (Felony). The Blood Alcohol Content was alleged as being .329%. Bond was denied.

On February 11th, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Seth Searcy (38) of Perryton (TX) alleging Unlawful U Turn (Accident).

On February 12th, at 3:46 pm, Maryville fire units were dispatched for a residential structure fire at Pine Ridge Trailer Court in Maryville. Smoke was visible from the Maryville Square. Units arrived on scene to the front deck fully involved and the fire moving into the structure. The exterior fire was controlled within minutes, but total suppression was delayed due to deteriorating floor conditions inside caused by the fire. There were no injuries, A second home was damaged, but it was believed to be cosmetic. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is investigating. The Jackson Township Fire Protection District, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department, Nodaway County Ambulance, Maryville Public Safety, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted.

On February 13th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Eric Rattanavong (26) of Kansas City alleging two counts Resisting Arrest (Felony), Receiving Stolen Property (Felony), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was denied. Ramiro Whitney (30) of Kansas City was charged with Receiving Stolen Property (Felony) and Resisting Arrest (Felony). Bond was denied. The charges arose following a high-speed chase in Nodaway County.

On February 13th, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Nathan Vinson (31) of Bethany alleging two counts Sexual Misconduct (Child Under 15, Felony). Bond was set at $20,000, cash only.

On February 13th, John Bloomfield (76) of Chillicothe pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). He was fined $80.50 plus costs.

On February 13th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Candace Christman (49) of Wathena (KS) alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). Bond was set at $2,000 cash or corporate surety, posted by the defendant.

On February 13th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Eric Sorensen (31) of Albany alleging Domestic Assault. Bond was set at $10,000 cash or corporate surety, posted by the defendant.

On February 14th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against John Hollar (55) of Melissa (TX) alleging DWI, Leaving the Scene (Hit & Run), and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). Bond was denied.

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. 

 

Judge Rules Gas Station Slot Machines are Illegal Gaming Devices

A judge ruled Friday that slot machines that have operated for years in bars, restaurants, and convenience stores in Missouri are illegal under state law, the Missouri Independent reported Monday. 

In October, a federal jury ordered Torch Electronics, a gaming operator, to pay $500,000 to a competitor which successfully sued, alleging Torch had driven business away by claiming Torch machines were not gambling devices and therefore lawful. 

Judge Ross wrote that based on that verdict, Torch machines meet the statutory definition of gambling devices and are illegal when played outside a licensed casino. 

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has started to file lawsuits against retail shops alleging they were operating illegal gambling machines on their premises.

The Missouri House is considering legislation that would replace current Missouri Lottery games with a state-run video lottery system. Companies profiting from unregulated convenience store slot machines would have one year to pull their games off the market. The Missouri Lottery would have authority to license video games for installation in retail locations across the state. Such licensed machines would have to pay out at least 80% of the money wagered as prizes, and one third of the profits to state education programs. There would be a 3% tax to aid local governments. 

Five Indicted, Two from Missouri on $220 Million Cattle Fraud Scheme

Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:

—Jed Wood of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering involving wiring more than $63,000 to a lender for “Home Payoff;”

—Joshua Link of Strafford, Missouri, charged with ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property;

—Tia Link of Smithton, Missouri, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property;

—Taylor Bang of Kildeer, North Dakota, charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering;

—Royana Thomas of Arlington, Texas, charged with six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering;

“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”

“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public. Jed Wood served as the Operations Director. Joshua Link served as the Executive Director. Tia Link served as the Marketing Director. Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.

The indictment alleges that, from January 2021 through December 2023, the five defendants, acting through Agridime, perpetrated a fraud scheme in which they falsely represented to individual cattle purchasers, cattle ranchers, and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase specific individual cattle for each victim, raise the cattle, and eventually sell the meat from the same specific individual cattle for a profit.  In reality, as the indictment charges, the defendants did not use victim funds as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses, pay funds owed by Agridime to earlier cattle purchasers, pay personal expenses, and purchase real property. 

As alleged, the defendants fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims, or around $100,000 per victim, located throughout the United States due to fraudulent misrepresentations the defendants made in public and private advertising statements.

If convicted, the defendants face up to twenty years in federal prison on each wire fraud count for which they were indicted as well as twenty years’ imprisonment for the charged wire fraud conspiracy.  Additionally, the defendants face up to ten years’ imprisonment for each money laundering count in which they are charged. 

Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared for arraignment before a United States Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth Friday.  Both were released under pretrial supervision. Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are set to appear for arraignment in Fort Worth before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 25, 2026.

Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive. The FBI requests that the public contact the FBI with any information regarding Link’s location.

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wcc/joshua-robert-link

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Resident Agency conducted the investigation, with assistance from the USDA-OIG.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Local Farm & Food Advocacy February 24th

The Missouri Rural Crisis Center is organizing a Farm and Food Advocacy Day at the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday, February 24th. Priorities include investing in local and regional food infrastructure, expanding access to capital and land for family farmers, promoting fair and competitive markets, and supporting institutional purchasing of Missouri grown food.

There will be a sign-in from 8:15 am to 9:00 am at the Capitol. A Rally in the Rotunda will take place at 9 am. Meetings with legislators will take place from 10 am to noon. Following a lunch, more meetings will take place from 12:45 to 2:30 pm.

While the number of farmers has shrunk over the last century, family farms are still central to the county and the state economy. Yet rising costs, market consolidation, and limited access to fair, competitive markets are threatening their survival. On the positive side, more and more consumers and wholesale buyers are seeking farm fresh and healthy foods.

 

25% Considering Moving in Next Few Years

A new Maximize NWMO survey of 1,082 Northwest Missouri residents released Tuesday found that 25% are considering a move over the next few years. The regional population declined by 0.9% overall since 2020. While some areas experienced modest gains, other counties experienced double digit losses.

Job growth was up 1.6% over the last five years, but that figure trails the state growth of 9% during the same period.

On the positive side, residents expressed willingness to support new businesses, youth organizations, and leadership. Volunteer support for community development efforts increased across most categories.

The survey drew 1,082 responses from individuals who grew up and stayed in Northwest Missouri, people who left the area and returned, moved to the region without prior ties, or left and have not returned.

Their takeaway from the survey was that there was no one solution to reverse the trend, but that small everyday actions, such as welcoming and involving a newcomer, supporting local businesses, mentoring a young person, volunteering, or serving on a board, can create momentum over time. They said that the future of Northwest Missouri will be shaped by neighbors who choose to invest in where they live.