Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for October 14th, 2026

On October 6^th, Kimberly Haberland (55) of Gallatin pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Trespassing. She was placed on probation for one year. Defendant must complete 10 hours of community service.

On October 6^th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Dylan Kelley (20) of St. Joseph alleging Burglary (Felony) and Tampering with Motor Vehicle (Felony). Bond was denied.

On October 6^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Roy Faux (53) of Rockaway Beach (MO) was sentenced to 21 years in prison for Receipt and Distribution of Pornography by Judge Stephen Bough, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release.

On October 6^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Edilberto Gonzalez-Barrera (40) of Guatemala was sentenced to 20 months in prison by Judge Douglas Harpool for charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Entry. He will be deported at the end of his prison term.

On October 6^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported the arrest of Andres Garcia (64) of Cuba on charges of Unlawful Voting. The defendant was lawfully present in the US, but only US citizens are allowed to vote in elections. The defendant allegedly voted in federal elections in 2022 and 2024.

On October 6^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Dennis Cleveland (76) of Springfield was sentenced to 153 months in prison by Judge Stephen Bough on charges of Mail Fraud, Identity Theft, and Money Laundering. The imprisonment includes time for violations of post-release supervision from a prior conviction for Clean Air Act violations in 2023. The defendant must serve three years post-release supervision, pay a $300 special assessment fee, $37,049 in restitution, and $400,000 in fines.

On October 7^th, Elijah Bertz (20) of Lee’s Summit pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Defective Bumpers. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice and fined $423.50 plus costs.

On October 7^th, Angela Herman (58) of Independence pleaded guilty in Daviess County Circuit Court to charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and No Valid License. She was placed on five years probation by Judge Daren Adkins and fined $300 plus costs. Defendant must get GED within six months, attend Narcotics Anonymous two times per week, and their driving privileges were revoked for one year under the Missouri Abuse and Lose Law.

On October 7^th, Amber Johnson (48) of Cainsville pleaded guilty in Daviess County Circuit Court to charges of Trafficking Drugs (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Daren Adkins, consecutive to all other sentences.

On October 7^th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Jeffrey Mathews (47) of Albany alleging Tampering with Motor Vehicle (Felony) and DWI. Bond was denied.

On October 7^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Marcos Fernandez (39) of Kansas City was sentenced to 87 months in prison by Judge Brian Wimes for Felon in Possession of Firearm and Felon in Possession of Body Armor.

On October 7^th, Emily Kennedy (61) of Grant City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. She was placed on two years probation by Judge Rebecca McGinley.

On October 7^th, Jacob Moen (25) of King City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Brian Tubbs. Defendant may not enter bars or consume alcohol. Defendant must successfully complete SATOP and make $300 donation to Gentry County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund.

On October 7^th, Ian Albert (18) of Pattonsburg pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Tampering with Motor Vehicle. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Rebecca McGinley. Defendant must serve 10 days shock time in jail with credit for eight days served, obtain High School Diploma or equivalent, either attend college or get a job after high school, and successfully compete the anti-theft and shoplifting program. No contact with the victim.

On October 8^th, Damian Roush (23) of Worth pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to a charge of Possession of Child Pornography (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant must serve 30 days in jail with credit for time served.

On October 8^th, Albert Force (38) of King City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to charges of Domestic Assault and Peace Disturbance. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant must serve 10 days shock time in jail and complete Batterers Intervention Program.

On October 8^th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 43-year-old Houston (TX) woman sustained moderate injuries when her 2026 Tesla veered off the east side of southbound I-35 south of Eagleville, crossed the northbound lanes, and struck a tree.

On October 8^th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Joshua Green (40) of Worth alleging Stealing (Felony). Bond was denied.

On October 8^th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Kayla Butts (33) of Maryville alleging Burglary (Felony), Stealing (Felony), Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Resisting Arrest (Felony), and Property Damage. Bond was denied.

On October 8^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Marquise North (32) of Kansas City was sentenced to 28 years in prison without parole by Judge Greg Kays after he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of Robbery, one count Attempted Robbery, and two counts Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The defendant had allegedly robbed 15 different convenience stores and pointed a firearm at 21 separate victims while demanding money.

On October 8^th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Juan Carlos Paxtor-Chay pleaded guilty in Federal District Court to a charge of Transporting Illegal Aliens.

On October 9^th, Jerrod Naze (25) of Grant City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to charges of Resisting Arrest (Felony) and Driving While Revoked (Felony). He was sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Corey Herron.

On October 11^th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that four people were injured in a crash on I-35 at around 10:39 pm when a 2024 Jeep Compass struck a 2025 Subaru which had been stationary in the southbound passing lane following an earlier accident.

On October 13^th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Zachariah Mullins (36) of Gallatin alleging Property Damage. Bond was set at $2,500.

On October 13^th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Tracie Haynes (52) of Stanberry alleging No Valid License (2^nd) and Attempted Hindering Prosecution.

On October 13^th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Tyler Hambleton (33) of McFall alleging Domestic Assault (Felony) and Kidnapping.

Community Calendar for October 14th, 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. 

REPEATING EVENTS

Sundays – Worth County Community Choir Practices, Psalm 100 Ministries (formerly the United Methodist Church), 3:00 pm. 

Mondays (except holidays) – Worth County Commissioners meet at 9 am.

Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday – Grant City Lions Club, Allendale Community Building, 7 pm. 

Wednesdays – Pitch games at the Worth County Senior Center.

Thursdays – 102 Market, weekly market every Thursday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Maryville. 

Fridays – Bedford Jam, United Christian Presbyterian Church, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Snacks and drinks available. Walk-ons are welcome. For information, call (712) 523-2282.

Fridays– Community Market, Memorial Park Shelter, Bethany. Fridays 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 

Saturdays – Stanberry Community Farmers Market, 8 am to noon. Crafts, donuts, and more. Located six miles north of Stanberry on Highway B to AF. 4371 Highway AF. 

Every Second Wednesday – Worth County Suicide Prevention Coalition, 5:00 pm, Worth County Community Church. 

REGULAR ANNOUNCEMENTS 

October 14th – Dr. Frank Turek, Christian apologist and former mentor to the late Charlie Kirk, will speak in the Ron Houston Performing Arts Center at Northwest starting at 6:30 pm. Free and open to the public. An open mic Q&A will follow. 

October 15th – Denver City Council Meeting, 9:00 am. 

October 15th – NEN Blood Drive, School Cafeteria, 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Free and open to the public. 

October 15th – Northwest Missouri Fashion Show, J.W. Jones Student Ballroom, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The show will feature thrifted, reused, repurposed, natural, or other non-traditional materials.

October 15th – NEN School Board Meeting, 7:00 pm. 

October 16th – Early Dismissal at Gilman City. End of Quarter. 

October 16th – Special Olympics, 10 am, NEN. 

(corrected) October 16th – Tiger Football vs. Pattonsburg, 7:00 pm. Senior Night. 

October 17th – Missouri Days Marching Band Festival at Trenton. 

October 17th -- The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be Saturday, October 17th, 2026, from 8 am to 12 noon at the Nodaway County Maintenance Barn, 1516 E. Halsey Street, Maryville. 

October 17th – Denver Schoolhouse Soup Supper and Auction. Dinner 6:00 pm. Auction 7:00 pm. Donations for auction accepted. 

October 17th – Halloween in the Park Trunk or Treat & Movie Night, Grant City Pool Park. Trick or Treating 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Movie starts at 7:00 pm at the Skating Rink. If you would like to have a trunk and hand out candy, call (660) 254-3898. Sponsored by Small Town Bounce Co., the Worth County Word, and the City of Grant City. 

October 17th – Gilman City Barnwarming, 7:00 pm. 

October 18th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Post 464 membership. $10 minimum donation per person. Children 6 and under are free. 

October 18th -- Grant City Lions Club Corn Maze, Allendale, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Play in the park, enjoy hot dogs, ride a way wagon, tackle the corn maze, and find the “Candy Lion.” “Littles” 3 & under free. All others $5. Food is extra. 

October 18th -- The North Nodaway 4-H Club will meet Sunday, October 18th in Pickering at 4:00 pm. 4-H is open to all youth ages 8-18.

October 18th – Miller Cemetery Board Meeting, 5:00 pm, Denver Schoolhouse. 

October 19th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 7:30 pm. 

October 21st – Last day to mail an absentee ballot to a voter for the November 3rd election.

October 21st – North Harrison School Board Meeting.

October 21st – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

October 22nd – No school at NEN or North Harrison. Parent/Teacher Conferences. 

October 22nd – Early dismissal at Worth County and Gilman City. Parent/Teacher Conferences.

October 22nd -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

October 22nd – Traci Brimhall, poet laureate of Kansas, will present her work at the J.W. Jones Student Union Tower View Dining Room at 5:30 pm. Her latest work is the nonfiction work, “The Grief Artist,” exploring grief, death, and art through personal narrative, historical research, and cultural criticism. Free and open to the public. 

October 23rd – No school at NEN, Gilman City, North Harrison, or Worth County. End of Quarter. 

October 23rd – Last day to file as a write-in candidate for the November 3rd election, 5:00 pm. 

October 23rd, 24th, 30th, and 31st – 102 River Haunted House, Gravity (IA), 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Admission – New unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive or free will donation. 

October 24th – Harrison County Community Hospital Health Fair, 6:00 am to 10:00 am. 514 N. 39th Street, Bethany. Affordable health screenings for the whole community. 

October 24th – The 4th Annual Eagleville Scavenger Hunt will be Saturday, October 24th. There is a $10 buy-in with cash prizes for first, second, and third. Team lunch will be at 1 pm and the hunt will start at 2 pm. 

October 24th – Halloween Costume 5K and Kids Trick or Treat, 2811 Yellowstone Avenue, Blockton, 3 pm. Sponsored by the Taylor County Conservation Board. 

October 24th -- The Eagleville Halloween Festival will take place on the Eagleville Square Saturday, October 24th starting at 5:00 pm.

October 24th – Benefit for Jon Nickerson, Northwest Missouri State University Ag Learning Center, Maryville. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Jon Nickerson has been diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic kidney cancer. There will be a pancake supper, drinks, music, an auction, and raffles. Proceeds will go to support Jon and his family. 

October 24th – Haunted corn maze, Allendale. “Littles” from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. “Spooks” from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. $5 per person. 3 and under are free. Sponsored by the Grant City Lions Club.

October 25th – Ravenwood Community Breakfast, 8:00 am to 12 noon. The Girls Softball Team will be helping. 

October 25th – Hopkins Community Club Beef & Noodle Dinner, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

October 25th -- The Ladies in Black will be in concert Sunday, October 25th starting at 2 pm at the Roxy Theater in Hopkins. It will be the last concert until Spring. They will play gospel, country, 1950's, 1960's, and Rock n' Roll.

October 25th – Bach Family Festival, Charles Johnson Theater, Northwest Missouri State, Maryville. Festival starts 3:00 pm. It will feature students from grades four through 12. Students will perform in an honors recital at 4:00 pm. Harpsichordist Dr. Ian Pritchard will perform at 7:00 pm. All performances are free and open to the public. 

October 26th – Worth County Fall Forum, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Discussion will be held on Maximize Northwest Missouri’s 2025 Alumni and Resident Survey and why people choose to stay, leave, or return to Northwest Missouri. Sponsored by the Worth County Extension and funded by a grant from the Patterson Foundation. 

October 26th – Big Creek Ambulance District will be holding an informational meeting at 7:00 pm at the Ambulance Station at 1000 S. 25th Street in Bethany to discuss the proposed ½ cent sales tax and use tax to be voted on in the November 3rd ballot. 

October 27th – Second Harvest Food Pantry, 10:00 am, Eagleville City Hall. Free and open to the public regardless of income. 

October 29th – Early dismissal at North Nodaway. Parent/Teacher Conferences. 

October 30th – No school at North Nodaway. End of quarter. 

October 30th – Celebration of Life for Sharon Andrews, 2 pm, Andrews-Hann Funeral Home. 

October 31st – Northwest Missouri State Homecoming Parade, 9:00 am. 

October 31st – The County Clerk’s Office will be open from 8:30 am to 12 noon for absentee voters for the November 3rd election. 

October 31st – Small Town Spooktacular, 3rd Street, Hopkins. Trunk or Treat and Halloween games from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Hay ride from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Movie and bonfire at 7:00 pm. Free will donation. Sponsored by the Hopkins Community Club. 

October 31st – Trunk or Treat, Sheridan Christian Church, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Candy, hot dogs, Smores, and more.

October 31st – Halloween Party, 8:00 pm, Back 40, Sheridan. Bring costumes!

November 1st – Daylight Savings Time ends. Move clocks back one hour. 

November 1st – Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8:00 am. 

November 1st – Sheridan Christian Church Fall Back Into Church, 9:00 am. Breakfast, donuts, and more.

November 2nd – No school at North Nodaway. Professional Development. 

November 2nd – Last day to vote absentee in person at the Courthouse, 5:00 pm.

November 3rd – General election for Missouri. Polls open at 6 am and close at 7 pm. 

November 5th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

November 5th – NEN School and Community Health Fair in the commons area, 4:30 pm. Bluejay JH Basketball vs. Worth County, 5:30 pm. 

November 6th – Ham ball Fundraiser for Hopkins Picnic. Cost is $15 per dozen. To order, call Melissa Chesnut (660) 254-4790 or any Hopkins Community Club member. Deadline is November 6th. Pick up November 18th from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hopkins Community Building. 

November 9th – 275 Conference Band Day at Northwest Missouri State. 

November 9th – No school at Worth County. Professional Development. 

November 10th -- The Worth County Assessor's Office will have an informational forum to explain how the Assessor's office works, address general concerns, and answer questions on November 10th at 6 pm at the Golf Clubhouse. Collector Jessica Davidson will also be present to answer general tax payment questions.

November 11th – No mail delivery. Veterans Day.

November 11th – Worth County Veterans Day Program, 2 pm. 

November 13th – Early dismissal at Gilman City. Professional Development. 

November 13th – North Nodaway Veterans Day Assembly, 9:00 am.

November 13th – Pot Luck, Worth County Senior Center, 12 noon. Free will donation.

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

November 18th – North Harrison School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm. 

November 18th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

November 18th – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm. 

November 24th – Early dismissal at North Nodaway and Gilman City, Thanksgiving.

November 25th to 29th – All schools dismiss for Thanksgiving Break. School will resume on November 30th. 

November 26th – Thanksgiving. No school or mail delivery.

December 5th -- The Hopkins Community Club is raffling a Henry Golden Boy HMR .17 for the Hopkins Picnic. Cost is $10 per ticket or three for $20. The drawing will be held December 5th at the Christmas Soup Supper. Proceeds will support the 2027 Hopkins Picnic. For questions or to enter, call (660) 254-4790 or (660) 541-0082.

December 5th – The Hopkins Christmas Craft Show will be held from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, December 5th. They are seeking vendors. Participation fee is $25 (non-refundable); must be paid at registration. Booth sizes will be 8x8. To register, contact Sara Coleman (660) 254-6060 or Gina Wray (660) 254-8721. 

December 6th – Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8:00 am. 

December 12th – Dueling Pianos in concert at The Honey Hole, Diagonal, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

December 12th – 2nd Annual Testicle Festival, Stanberry Community Building, 6:00 pm. Mountain oysters, beef hot dogs, Cattlemen hand-cut fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert. Free will donation. Sponsored by the Gentry/Worth Cattlemen’s Association. 

May 29th – North Nodaway Alumni Reunion, North Nodaway School, 5:30 pm. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion -- Trump Administration Announces $2.3 Million for Material Healthcare Initatives for Missouri

by the US Department of Health & Human Services

On Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced more than $2.3 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to strengthen Missouri’s rural healthcare workforce and expand access to maternal care. This investment supports two targeted workforce initiatives in Missouri: expanding affordable, dependable childcare for rural healthcare professionals and delivering funding to establish a certified nurse midwife training program.

This transformational funding will deliver $1.46 million to tackle healthcare recruitment and retention challenges across rural Missouri. The funding will expand a cost-sharing childcare program that brings the state, rural health employers, and families together to make dependable childcare more affordable for healthcare workers, providing peace of mind that their loved ones are cared for while they care for their patients. In addition, $879,000 will support initial work to establish Missouri’s first certified nurse midwife training program, with rural clinical rotations designed to build a pipeline of maternal care providers for underserved communities.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, and equipping rural health systems with the workforce and infrastructure needed to deliver timely care. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Missouri.

Tuesday’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

Tuesday's announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Missouri for fiscal year 2026.

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

--Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.

--Strengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.

--Advancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.

--Expanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services, and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.

--Modernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.

Halloween Event to be held in Hopkins October 31st

A small town spooktacular will be held Saturday, October 31st on Third Street in Hopkins. From 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, there will be a Trunk or Treat. There will be Halloween games available for everyone. There will be a hay ride at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, there will be a movie and a bonfire. Roasted hot dogs, hot cocoa, and cider will be served. Cost will be a free will donatio.

The event is sponsored by the Hopkins Community Club. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Community Building.

The organizers are seeking donations for the event. Donations can be dropped off on Friday, October 30th at the Hopkins Community Building from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Junior High Shamrocks Cap Off Banner Year With 1-0 Thriller Over Princeton

North Harrison’s junior high squad overcame a pair of early drubbings by Worth County and South Harrison to post a banner year despite all the rainouts, running the table the rest of the way and only losing two games.

Their first game was a 14-1 win over King City. They had ten hits, seven for extra bases, and got stellar pitching from Hadley Williams in the win. Alivia Parkhurst, Draylee Davis, Taryn Johnson, and Tayley Johnson had doubles, while Hadley Williams, McKenna Hill, and Quincy Norris had triples. Amelia Long established herself early as a threat on the basepaths, with three steals. McKenna Hill and Quincy Norris had two, while Alivia Parkhurst, Draylee Davis, and Tayley Johnson had 1.

Williams pitched four innings with two hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. She threw 46 pitches, 38 of which were strikes. 

The “B” squad lost 6-4. Hattie Hogan had one hit. Draylee Davis and Hayli Young had steals.

Their first adversity came against Worth County, who rolled to an unbeaten season this year and capped it off with a 20-0 win over Cameron to close out the season. The Shamrocks knotted it up 3-3 after one, but then Daden Findley came on in relief and shut down the Shamrocks, pitching four innings, gave up no hits, and striking out eight. She added a home run. The rest of the team followed Findley’s lead, with Jolee Hauber getting three hits and Gwyn Healy, Renae Gladstone, and Gabbey Maudlin all getting two hits in the 16-3 win. For North Harrison, Hadley Williams got the lone hit and added a steal.

The “B” team salvaged the second game with a 3-2 win. Jamesyn Pottorff had three steals, while Anniston Dale and Karsyn Smith had one each. 

In the North Harrison Tournament, the Shamrocks fell behind 3-0 in the third inning against Princeton. It would have been easy for them to say, “Here we go again,” but they responded with a big inning, getting seven in the bottom half of the third. They added two more to get the 9-3 win.

Hadley Williams settled down after that rough third inning and finished the game, getting the win. She had 67 pitches and 47 strikes. 

Hadley Williams and Quincy Norris had two hits each. McKenna Hill, Tayley Johnson, Taryn Johnson, Hattie Hogan, and Draylee Davis had one each. Both of Quincy Norris’ hits were doubles, and Hadley Williams added another. Tayley Johnson had two steals, while Amelia Long, Draylee Davis, McKenna Hill, and Taryn Johnson each had one. The Shamrocks played errorless ball in the field.

But the fielding imploded for the Shamrocks in the South Harrison game, which they lost 10-2. Hadley Williams and Quincy Norris had two hits each. McKenna Hill had one. Quincy Norris had a double, while Hadley Williams had a triple. 

After a game like that, it was once again either a chance to lock in and play up to their potential, or mail it in for the season. Once again, they bounced back with a 17-4 win over Gilman City, kicking off a winning streak that would carry them until the end of the season. They started off with eight in the first. A young Gilman City squad fought back, getting some hits and getting three runs back, but the Shamrocks answered with nine in the second to put it away.

Hadley Williams carried the team on her shoulders again, getting two hits. McKenna Hill, Amelia Long, and Quincy Norris had one. Hadley Williams and McKenna Hill had home runs. The Shamrocks ran wild on the basepaths, with 13 steals on the day. Quincy Norris and Taryn Johnson had 3, Amelia Long and Hadley Williams had 2, and Anniston Dale, Jamesyn Pottorff, and Karsyn Smith had 1. 

The success carried into their next game as the Shamrocks played giant-killer, downing a bigger Hamilton school 13-1. McKenna Hill carried the team offensively, getting three hits. Tayley Johnson and Quincy Norris had one. McKenna Hill, Quincy Norris, and Tayley Johnson had triples. Taryn Johnson had two steals, while Alivia Parkhurst, Draylee Davis, Hattie Hogan, McKenna Hill, and Quincy Norris had one. 

Amelia Long carried the Shamrocks on the defensive site, pitching all four innings with two hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts. The Shamrocks played errorless ball behind her. Long had 58 pitches and threw 40 strikes.

The “B” team won as well, getting a 6-2 win. Emma Crowder and Jamesyn Pottorff had two steals. Hayli Young and Karsyn Smith had one. 

The success continued the next game, with North Harrison turning back Albany 8-2. Hattie Hogan is following her sister Raegan into the softball ranks, and she led the team with two hits. McKenna Hill and Taryn Johnson had one. Hattie Hogan had a double. Taryn Johnson and Tayley Johnson had 2 steals each. Amelia Long, Hattie Hogan, and McKenna Hill had one. The Shamrocks only made one error in the field.

Hadley Williams pitched the win, giving up two hits, walking one, and striking out nine in four innings of work. She threw 66 pitches, 39 for strikes. 

The “B” team won 6-3. McKenna Hill had two steals and Hayli Young had one.

The Shamrocks rolled on as Amelia Long tossed a no-hitter and the Shamrocks beat North Andrew 11-0. Long pitched five innings and nearly pitched a perfect game, only walking one batter while striking out six. The Shamrocks played errorless ball behind her.

Meanwhile, Long got plenty of run support. Hadley Williams and Quincy Norris had two hits, while Tayley Johnson, Amelia Long, Hattie Hogan, and Draylee Davis all had one. Five of their eight hits went for extra bases. Hadley Williams had two doubles, while Amelia Long and Hattie Hogan had one. Quincy Norris had a triple. The Shamrocks had 12 steals as Quincy Norris had four, McKenna Hill 2, and Draylee Davis, Hadley Williams, Karsyn Smith, Taryn Johnson, and Tayley Johnson all with one.

The “B” team dropped their game 6-0. Jamesyn Pottorff was a bright spot with two steals.

The Shamrocks played their first full seven-inning game of the year, and they overcame the fatigue, beating Mercer 11-3. The game was close until the Shamrocks broke it open late. The Shamrocks scored three in the first and two in the second to jump out to a 5-1 lead. Mercer battled back, scoring two in the fourth. But Hadley Williams, pitching all seven innings, bore down and didn’t allow another run. Meanwhile, North Harrison scored two in the sixth and four in the seventh to get the win.

McKenna Hill and Hadley Williams had three hits. Amelia Long and Draylee Davis had two. Six of their ten hits were for extra bases. Amelia Long and Hadley Williams had doubles. Hadley Williams had two triples, while Amelia Long and McKenna Hill had one. McKenna Hill had three steals. Draylee Davis and Tayley Johnson had 2, while Amelia Long, Quincy Norris, and Taryn Johnson had one each. 

Hadley Williams pitched all seven innings, giving up four hits, and striking out 13. She threw 121 pitches, 81 for strikes.

The “B” team also won 7-3. Alivia Parkhurst, Tayley Johnson, and McKenna Hill got hits. Tayley Johnson hit a home run, while McKenna Hill had a double. Anniston Dale had two steals, and McKenna Hill had one.

The final game was a thriller between North Harrison and Princeton. It turned into a pitching duel between Amelia Long for the Shamrocks and Harper Power for Princeton, with Power fanning ten Shamrocks and Long striking out nine Princeton batters. Long tossed the best game of her life, only giving up one Princeton hit. McKenna Hill had two hits, while Amelia Long and Hadley Williams had one. Hadley Williams had a triple. McKenna Hill had two steals. 

The game was scoreless until the sixth and final inning. McKenna Hill led off the bottom of the inning by beating out an infield single after having two strikes on her. Tayley Johnson grounded out to short as Hill took second. Amelia Long hit a pop fly to center that dropped in for a base hit; Hill had a perfect read on the ball and came home for the 1-0 win. 

The “B” team followed the lead of the “A” team, rallying in the third and final inning to get a 7-6 walkoff win. Draylee Davis stopped the bleeding for North Harrison and kept them in the game on the mound. Hayli Young had a hit. Jamesyn Pottorff had two steals, while Annison Dale and Hayli Young had one. In the final inning, Hayli Young got the lone Shamrock hit to drive in Jamesyn Pottorff to tie it at 6-6 to save the Shamrocks from losing. She later came around to score on a wild pitch to walk it off. 

September was Missouri's Warmest on Record

September 2026 was Missouri’s warmest September on record, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor. “It was exceptionally warm and generally dry across Missouri,” he says.

With an average statewide temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the month was 8.4 F higher than average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This breaks the previous September record of 74.8 F in 1931 by 2.2 F.

Blazing hot for days

Temperatures were highest across southwestern and south-central Missouri. The highest temperature recorded in the state this year was 106 F in both Marshfield and Licking on Sept. 6. Springfield’s average temperature during September (80.7 F) was warmer than July (80.2 F).

Not only was it hot, it was hot for long spells. Leasor noted the number of consecutive days with high temperatures greater than or equal to 100 F: Marshfield had temperatures of over 100 F for Sept. 1 to Sept. 9; Joplin felt it during an eight-day stretch from Sept. 2-9; Billings had seven from Sept. 1-7; and West Plains had four days of blazing heat from Sept. 3-6.

Rainfall variable across the state

September rainfall was variable across the state during September, says Leasor.

Most of northern Missouri received average to above average rainfall with the highest totals in northwest Missouri. Pattonsburg in Daviess County received 11.4 inches during the month.

“Southern Missouri unfortunately missed out on the rain, with many locations in southwest and south-central Missouri receiving less than 1 inch of rainfall,” Leasor says. “The city of Tecumseh in Ozark County received no rainfall during the month of September.”

Statewide average precipitation during September was 2.82 inches, 1.11 inch below average, and marking the state’s third consecutive drier-than-average month. With the combined dryness and elevated temperatures, 44% of the state was classified in at least moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, with 15.27% of the state in extreme drought designation.

Heat, drought stressed SW Mo. crops

The drought impacts were concentrated in southwestern and south-central Missouri. Low soil moisture resulted in pastures drying up and crop stress for late-planted soybeans. MU Extension livestock specialists reported that livestock producers are using supplemental feed and are facing problems low ponds and farm water supply.

Many streams and creeks are running low, and the drought has led to increased fire risk, with many burn bans in place by the start of October, says Leasor.

But El Niño conditions may bring some relief. “The long-term forecast with El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean favors a wetter pattern for Missouri,” he says. “Late fall and winter rainfall will be critical for drought recovery.”

Ava Rinehart Bright Spot in Shootout Loss

Ava Rinehart was a bright spot in Thursday's 14-12 loss to Stewartsville/Osborn. She had a home run, a double, and a single in the game, scoring four runs and driving in five. She came one triple short of the cycle. Lani Briggs got two hits, including a triple. Kathryn Parkhurst had one of her best games as a Shamrock, getting two hits, driving in two, and scoring one. Hali Smith, Addison Milligan, Shayla Vandiver, and Becca Welling also got hits. 

North Harrison jumped out to a 9-1 lead, but OSHS scored two in the third, seven in the fourth, and three in the fifth to take a 13-10 lead. The Wildcards added one more before a late rally fell short.