Congressman Sam Graves Announces Retirement

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) has announced that he will retire from Congress at the end of this session. Graves released the following statement:

"When I first ran for State Representative back in 1992, my aspiration was to represent my hometown of Tarkio, Missouri. I was a twenty-seven year old farmer who just wanted to stand up for a way of life and his community.  I never could have imagined where that decision would take me.

For 8 years in the Missouri House and Senate, I fought for Northwest Missourians. From deregulating vehicle inspections, to standing for chain gangs, to securing funding for rural schools in the desegregation fight, I never lost sight of why I was sent to Jefferson City. Then, in 2000, the good, hardworking people of Missouri’s Sixth District entrusted me to be their voice in Congress.

For 26 years, I have had the privilege of serving, culminating in becoming the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and passing some of the most significant legislation in our nation’s history.  The responsibility entrusted to me is not something I have ever taken for granted. Not for a single day.

What I’m most proud of is the work my team did when Washington made life harder for the people of Missouri’s Sixth. Together, we stood with hundreds of thousands of Missourians in their toughest moments.  We helped them cut through red tape and navigate a system that often felt stacked against them.  We got them answers and fought to deliver real results when they needed them most.

I’ve said all of that to say this: After considerable reflection, 2026 will be my final year in Congress.  This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one. I believe in making room for the next generation. It’s time to pass the torch and allow a new guard of conservative leaders to step forward and chart a path forward for Missourians.

That doesn’t mean I’m slowing down, not even close.  As I enter the 4th quarter of my life, I have more left in me. As many of you know, I don't let grass grow under my feet. We’ve still got a lot of work to do. I’m going to fight to protect Missouri interests as we work to shape this year’s Highway Bill. I plan to finish this last term the same way I started, full speed ahead.

Maintaining our strong democratic republic will always depend on good people stepping up to serve from every corner of our great nation. I’m grateful for my colleagues in both parties, for the people I’ve worked alongside, and even for the opponents who challenged me and made me better. Public service isn’t easy. It takes hard work, humility, a thick skin, and a willingness to fight for what’s right.

At the end of the day, I’m still the farmer from Northwest Missouri. You’ll find me back home on the farm nearly every weekend, after all, it is planting season. In fact, I’ll probably be on a tractor this weekend. And come Monday, I’ll be heading back through Kansas City on my way to D.C. to keep doing the job you sent me there to do.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

It has been the honor of a lifetime."

 

David German 1955-2026

David “Dave” Eugene German was born to William and Doris (Brown) German on March 30, 1955 in Osceola, Iowa.  He passed away at his home in Maloy, Iowa on March 24, 2026.  He was preceded in death by parents William and Doris German and infant son James.  He is survived by his wife Connie of Maloy, Iowa and sons Joseph and Nicholas German of Grand River, Iowa.  He is also survived by his sister Kathy (Jerry) Lakatos and brothers Randy German and Rick German.  At Dave’s request there will be no funeral service.  The family will have a celebration of life on April 11, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Blockton Christian Church at 403 Stevenson in Blockton, Iowa.  Private burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Iowa.

Allendale Levy Renewal on Ballot

The ballots in the last issue omitted the Allendale levy renewal. It is a 20-cent levy renewal for the city. This is not a new tax increase, but a renewal of an existing levy.

The election will be on April 7th. Polls will open at 6 am and close at 7 pm.

The Worth County School Board will not have an election this year. There were three positions open this year and only three candidates filed. Michael Mullock, Adam Downing, and Jared Harding will be sworn in at the April Worth County School Board meeting.

 

 

Success Ready Student Assessment Discussed at State Board

The State Board of Education (State Board) approved the accredited status of educator preparation providers during its Tuesday meeting. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) also provided updates on through-year assessments.

Annual Performance Report

The State Board unanimously approved the accredited status of 41 initial teacher preparation providers and 17 advanced educator preparation providers.

State law requires the State Board to determine the accreditation status of Educator Preparation Providers (EPP) in Missouri annually. In order to inform the State Board’s decision, DESE provided recommendations based on the Annual Performance Reports for each EPP.

Through-Year Testing

The Office of School Quality shared progress with the State Board on the development of through-year assessments.

Last year, Missouri was granted a waiver by the U.S Department of Education to pilot a through-year assessment focused on improving existing assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics.

The Success-Ready Student Assessment is designed to provide opportunity throughout the school year for students to show mastery of the Missouri Learning Standards. Currently, the Missouri Standards are assessed with an end-of-year summative assessment of which those results are not immediately available.

This spring, 14 classrooms comprised of 200 students participated in a small-scale pilot. Overall, the feedback the department received was positive with teachers saying they appreciate the quick turnaround time for results. This feedback will be used to refine the design of the year-long pilot for the 2026-27 school year.

Other Items

The State Board discussed the process of creating the commissioner’s evaluation tool. This tool, aligned with DESE’s strategic plan, will be used to establish annual goals and monitor progress.

The State Board received an update on the department’s proposed initiatives to remove unnecessary obstacles to receive a Missouri certification to teach. This presentation allowed State Board members to provide feedback on the inconsistencies within the department’s current requirements.

The next State Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2026.

 

Jake Hoy, Jess Greiman Resign from North Nodaway

The North Nodaway School Board accepted the resignations of K-12 PE teacher Jess Greiman and High School Math teacher Jake Hoy at the end of the school year. The resignations mean that North Nodaway will be looking for a new junior high basketball coach and a new varsity boys basketball coach. The move creates a coaching carousel for the boys basketball team, who will see their third coach in three years next year.

The board added Jaycie Miner to the substitute teacher list.

The board hired or rehired Lexi Harger (elementary), Lindsay Eckert (elementary),  Catherine Auffert (middle school/high school special ed), Troy Nally (ag), Cody Bix (science), Emily Bix (language arts), Sami Jackson (title), Cynthia Martin (librarian), Audrey Boulting (elementary special ed), Nathan Schoonover (business), Kyle Fitzgerald (music/band), Cameron Morrison (counselor), Reid Hart (social studies), Brooke McMahon (elementary), Andrew Hunsucker (elementary), Karissa Oberhauser (elementary), Mattie Rhoades (elementary), and Victor West (STEM). All votes were unanimous. Jennifer Clements and Stuart Clements abstained on the vote for Lexi Harger. Jennifer Clements abstained on the vote for Lindsay Eckert. Kane Oberhauser abstained on the vote for Karissa Oberhauser.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that the school recently celebrated Dr. Seuss Day. There were four rotation stations around the school. North Nodaway A+ students came to help with the stations and read books to the kids.

There was an 82% attendance rate for parent/teacher conferences.

A literacy showcase for third through fifth grades was held on March 3rd. Students showed off their writing skills. Around 60 families attended. The Pre-K through 2nd grade held their literacy night March 10th. Students showed off their handwriting, spelling, and reading comprehension skills. Thirteen families showed up.

High School Principal Cody Jenkins reported that the school had its Academic Showcase. Highlights included Greek Gods, an egg drop, and the Rube Goldberg projects. There was a Middle School play performed.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the school board will discuss salary increases for staff at the next meeting. The school is still looking at how legislation is going to affect the school budget. The current base is $36,420, while the Teacher Baseline Grant will open in June.

The school will have a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan meeting at the Cafeteria on April 8th at 6:00 pm. All people are welcome to attend. The school will start the process of rewriting the plan.

The school will swear in new board members and go over non-certified staff at its next meeting.

Superintendent Turpin, Principal Cody Jenkins, and teacher Troy Nally will tour schools who have already started the Success Ready Student Network initiative. One place they will visit is the innovation center in Olathe (KS).

The school is submitting a grant application for a possible pavilion to be built in Hopkins for Ag Structures students.

The school is in the process of getting bids for asphalting a parking area, concrete sidewalks, and redoing the gym floors at the high school. The majority of these items are budgeted in this year’s budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Nodaway Elementary Awards

CHARACTER STRONG AWARDS

Max Gilliland, Donna Miller, Jazzlyn Titus, Jypsee Gilliland, Creed Drummond, Margaret Miller, Emilynn Allen, Crosby Bix, Brynn Miller, Austun Law, Karsyn Marriott, Enzlea Lett, Khloe Scroggie, Julian Bix, Emberlynn Vinzant, Ryder Perkins, Landon Frueh, Lucas Brown.

PBIS

Knox Null, Vladimir Rader, Emilynn Allen, Embree Brown, Kloie Titus, Ryder Titus.

A HONOR ROLL

Paetyn Brittain, Brynn Miller, Lucas Brown, Landon Frueh, Mae Hunter, Lincoln Stringer.

A/B HONOR ROLL

Jazzlyn Titus, Remington Perkins, Ryker Colebank, Vaideh Hansen, Brandy Smith, Sophia Boner, Corbin Titus, Matthew Wilmes, Lillian Young, Embree Brown, Malia Butler, Husley Hansen, Allizay Laffin, Riley Perkins, Julian Bix, Kloie Titus, TaeLeyla  Duran, Madden Hansen, Khloe Scroggie, Dayne Smyser, Diana Snuffer, Atty Stringer, Kynlee Titus, Ryder Titus, Emmerson Drummond, Ryder Everhart, Rollie Martin, Oliver Miller, Aiden Parmen, Skyler Pearson.

ART AWARDS

Ryker Colebank, Vaideh Hansen, Brynn Miller, Sophia Boner, Riley Perkins, Huxley Hansen, Abby Brittain, Julian Bix, Kynlee Titus, Camden Butler, Oliver Miller.

PRINCIPAL AWARD

Vladimir Rader.

AR AWARD

Malia Butler, Julian Bix, Kymber Farnsworth, William Wilmes.

GOLDEN TRASH CAN

First Grade.

 

Terry Oglesby Inducted Into MIAA Hall of Fame

Terry Oglesby of Maryville, a long-time high school and college basketball official, was named into the MIAA Hall of Fame, the conference announced on its website Wednesday. He got his start officiating area basketball games, including at Worth County.

He began officiating NAIA games in 1998 and began officiating Division II and the MIAA shortly afterwards. He subsequently officiated the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC, American, and Sun Belt Conferences.

He has worked 15 NCAA tournament, including each of the last five, doing regionals nine times. He’s also officiated six Final Fours and each of the last four NCAA championship games.