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.

 

Caleb New Leads Three in Double Figures; Tigers Win Fifth Straight, Play Best Game of the Year

Worth County’s winning streak rolled on, growing to five games Monday as they turned back East Atchison 58-36. The Wolves had recently gone on a nine-game tear in which they had scored 60 or more points in six of those games. But they came into Monday’s game fighting a slump, in which they had dropped games to Albany and Rock Port. They are working on their best season in recent memory, and still have a lot of returning players for next year.

The Tigers were still battling sickness, with Hayden Sanders out and Brock Healy gutting it out. Coach Les New was in survival mode before the game. “Caleb was the one player who was healthy against LeBlond. Everybody else was sick,” he said about Caleb New’s 40-point outburst against the Golden Eagles. The running joke among some of the players was that they and Caleb had combined to score 41 points that night.

Caleb continued to click Monday, getting 20 points despite getting face-guarded all night. Brock Healy was also sick, and was also being face-guarded, but he managed to get 18. Jordan Dannar got his second straight double figure game, and three other Tigers made it into the scoring column. Cole Ruby did not score, but rebounded well and fed everyone else, getting 7 assists.

The game started off well for the Tigers. Carter Oswald knocked down a 3-pointer for the Wolves, but Brock Healy countered with one of his own and Caleb New added a steal and a three point play. Cole Ruby got the ball into Ryder Smyser to make it 8-3.

The Wolves’ high-powered offense started clicking as Mason Kingery and Brody Wennihan both cut inside to score, and Parker Livengood heated up to bring his team to within 13-12 after one. Carter Oswald, their other shooter, started heating up to start the second as he scored the next eight points for the Wolves and shot them into the lead at 20-18 in the second.

But then Brock Healy countered with a 3-pointer for the Tigers to put them back up 21-20, and then Brody Wennihan, the Wolves’ most physical defender, picked up his third foul and sat. Without Wennihan on the floor, the Tigers found a lot more daylight. The Tigers only outscored East Atchison by two when he was on the floor and outscored them by 20 when he was on the bench with foul trouble.

Healy promptly hit another triple for the Tigers and then Caleb New went coast to coast after Cole Ruby fed him a quick outlet. Mason Kingery countered with a putback for the Wolves, but Brock Healy hit his third triple of the quarter to put the Tigers in front 29-22 at the half.

But Wennihan came back for the Wolves to start the second half. Caleb New’s triple put the Tigers up 32-24 early in the third, but with Wennihan hounding the Tigers on defense, the Wolves began to come back as they went on a 5-0 run to close to within 32-29.

After Wennihan picked up his fourth foul trying to help out on Caleb New, Caleb hit both free throws to restore order for the Tigers. Caleb New found daylight without him on the floor and took on three defenders and scored to make it 36-29. Mason Kingery countered with a putback, but Brock Healy drove and set up Dylan Smith for a baseline jumper to put the Tigers in front 38-31 after three.

Jordan Dannar slashed and scored after Cole Ruby got him the ball to start the fourth. Dylan Smith converted a third-chance putback try after Ethan Lininger had kept it alive, and Caleb New got loose for three to make it 45-31.

But Wennihan was still making his presence felt, and it was still carrying over to the other players. Kingery, a post player, jumped out on a ball screen and got a steal, converting it on the other end to make it 45-33. East Atchison started swarming and pressing with under five minutes to make up their deficit, and anything was still possible.

But the bottom dropped out for the Wolves after Wennihan fouled out trying to help on Ryder Smyser in the post, and he knocked down both free throws. Jordan Dannar showed a newfound ability to score in bunches, starting with a pair of free throws, hitting a 3-pointer, and getting a steal to make it 54-33. Caleb New added two more free throws to make it 56-33, and the Tigers were able to run out the clock for the win.

Caleb New had 20 points for the Tigers. Brock Healy had 18, Jordan Dannar 11, Ryder Smyser and Dylan Smith 4, and Ethan Lininger 2.

Caleb New and Brock Healy had 1 block each.

Cole Ruby had 6 boards. Ryder Smyser and Caleb New 4, Ethan Lininger and Dylan Smith 3, Jordan Dannar 2, and Brayden Combs, Brock Healy, and Mason Hiatt 1.

Cobe Ruby had 7 assists. Caleb New and Brock Healy had 3 and Brayden Combs and Dylan Smith had 2.

Caleb New had 3 tips. Ryder Smyser, Cole Ruby, and Mason Hiatt had 1.

Caleb New had 4 steals. Brock Healy had 3, Brayden Combs and Cole Ruby had 2, and Ryder Smyser, Ethan Lininger, and Jordan Dannar had 1.

 

Girls Survive Near Meltdown Against Wolves

Worth County looked like it was back on track against East Atchison, but then had a near-meltdown in the second half after building up a 17 point lead, recovering just in time to hold on for a 48-44 win Monday night for Senior Night.

Honored after the game were Rylee Ruckman and Rayleigh Smith. Rylee plans to attend Northwest Missouri State and get a degree in Ag Sales. Her favorite memory was having April Healy as the basketball coach and winning the Albany Tournament. Rayleigh Smith plans to attend Central Missouri State, where she plans to major in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite memory is hanging out with the girls before games.

Also honored were Brayden Combs (boys basketball), Katie Fletchall (pep band), Lucas Frisch (pep band), Andrew Griffin (pep band), and Conner Pointer (pep band).

Brayden plans to attend college for engineering. Katie plans to attend St. Joseph Beauty School and marry rich. Lucas plans to attend college to become a radiologist. Andrew plans to continue his track career at Southwest Iowa Community College and become an electrician. Conner Pointer plans to attend Northwest and work in Emergency and Disaster Management.

The girls started off slowly, falling behind 5-2 after Zoe Madron’s early 3-pointer for the Wolves. But they righted the ship when Rylee Ruckman sank back to back triples. Kambree Briner followed with a three-point play, Megan Tracy hit a triple, and Audrey Runde hit two free throws to put Worth County up 16-7 after one.

Madron cut the Wolves deficit to 18-12 early in the second, then Kambree Briner injured her shoulder and was out for the game.

Worth County rallied at first, as Kristen Tracy got a steal and drive and then knocked one down from the high post. Audrey Runde hit a reverse layup, Rylee Ruckman hit a 3-pointer and added a steal, and Kristen Tracy scored four more as Worth County led 33-18 at the half. Ruckman cashed in off a Megan Tracy steal at the start of the third quarter to make it 35-18.

But then a costly foul swung the momentum back to the Wolves, when Audrey Runde fouled Brilee Slemp, whose 3-pointer went in. Slemp converted the free throw for the four point play, and East Atchison was right back in the game.

As the Wolves started looking like a completely different team, Worth County suddenly started playing like they were the team with eight wins and East Atchison was the team with 16. The Tigers started forcing pass after pass and telegraphing their passes, leading to many steals and extra possessions for the Wolves. Without Briner, their best passer and driver, occupying the defense, their offense looked totally out of sync.

Megan Tracy scored a 3-pointer late in the third after the Wolves got the deficit under double digits, leaving the Tigers ahead 39-28. But the mistakes continued in the fourth quarter, with Worth County leaving shooters open, getting split as they were trying to trap, turning the ball over, and getting beat up and down the floor. Grace Caudill, Zoe Madron, and Teagan Taylor all scored for East Atchison, who scored the first ten points of the fourth quarter to come to within 39-38.

Worth County woke up just in time, with Audrey Runde stopping the bleeding with a 3-pointer to make it 42-38. Kristen Tracy followed with a pair of free throws with 1:40 left to make it 44-38, and Worth County was able to run out the clock and win 48-44.

Rylee Ruckman had 15 for the Tigers. Kristen Tracy had 13, Audrey Runde 9, Megan Tracy 8, and Kambree Briner 3.

Megan Tracy had 10 rebounds. Kristen Tracy had 6, Rylee Ruckman 5, Audrey Runde 4, Kambree Briner 3, Keira Hardy 2, and Rayleigh Smith 1.

Kristen Tracy had 5 assists. Audrey Runde had 4, Megan Tracy 3, Keira Hardy 2, and Kambree Briner 1.

Kristen Tracy had 6 tips. Megan Tracy had 4, Keira Hardy 3, Kambree Briner and Rylee Ruckman 2, and Rayleigh Smith and Audrey Runde 1.

Megan Tracy had 7 steals. Kristen Tracy had 6, Rylee Ruckman 3, Keira Hardy 2, and Audrey Runde 1.

 

 

Wyatt Maize Has 22 in Shamrock Victory; Liam Cordell has 28 Points, Bentin Roberts 16 Assists for Bluejays

Liam Cordell had 28 points for Northeast Nodaway’s Bluejays and Bentin Roberts turned in what may have been a record performance with 16 assists for the boys, but Wyatt Maize used a big second half to propel North Harrison past the Bluejays 61-59 Tuesday, February 10th.

At first, it looked like it would be all Bluejays. Reece Gray got loose in transition, and then Wyatt Scadden got two more. Then, Liam Cordell heated up with back-to-back triples to make it 10-0 before Gage Fortner hit a 3-pointer to put North Harrison on the board.

The avalanche continued for the Bluejays as Bentin Roberts was feeding other players at will from the point and they were cashing in. Reece Gray got loose in transition for three and Bentin Roberts got loose in transition and added a free throw. Liam Cordell got his third triple of the quarter and added a shot just inside the line, and Wyatt Scadden added a triple from the right wing. By the time the dust had settled, Northeast Nodaway was up 24-15 after one, and the Shamrocks were down for the count.

Cordell’s drive put the Bluejays up 27-16 at the 6:26 mark of the second, but then the Shamrocks settled down defensively, getting down and guarding people while they were chipping away. Wyatt Maize went coast to coast, Jensen Davis hit an NBA triple from the top of the key, Ryker Fortner drove and converted a three point play, Jensen Davis added a free throw, and Gage Fortner cashed in a steal to tie the game at 27.

But the Bluejays answered as Lance Runde hit a baseline shot, Liam Cordell went coast to coast, and Liam struck from three as the Bluejays regained a 34-30 lead at the half.

The third quarter started off well for the Shamrocks as Wyatt Maize drove and scored right off the bat. Wyatt Scadden countered with a 3-pointer, but Gage Fortner got a free throw, Wyatt Maize cleaned up after a Gage Fortner steal, Andrew Craig slashed and scored, and Wyatt Maize slashed and scored to put the Shamrocks in front for the first time at 39-37.

Jace Burns hit three straight to put the Bluejays back in front 40-39, but then Jensen Davis got a bullet pass from Wyatt Maize for two. Maize kept getting loose in transition during the next stretch, and then drove and hit a guarded pullup shot in the high post to make it 47-40 in North Harrison’s favor. Lance Runde’s free throw stopped the bleeding temporarily for Northeast, but Tate Richardson hit two free throws and Jensen Davis got loose in transition to put North Harrison up 51-41 after three.

But Liam Cordell heated up again for the Bluejays, and they got right back in it to start the fourth. He got loose in transition for two, and then added a triple to make it 51-46. Wyatt Maize countered with an inside shot set up by a Jensen Davis drive to make it 53-46, but Liam kept coming, hitting another 3-pointer. Wyatt Scadden hit a shot in the high post, and Liam hit another triple, and all of a sudden, the Bluejays were in the lead at 54-53. Jensen Davis put the Shamrocks back in front 55-54, only for Lance Runde to score from inside to put the Bluejays in front 56-55.

Reece Gray took a charge on defense for the Bluejays, but the Shamrocks got a stop, and Wyatt Maize hit a 3-pointer to give the Shamrocks a 58-56 lead. Wyatt Scadden missed a pullup in the high post, and North Harrison went to its delay game before Andrew Craig found Ryker Fortner inside to put the Shamrocks up two possessions at 60-56.

But Wyatt Scadden hit a guarded three with 20 seconds to make it 60-59, and Northeast nearly forced a tieup in the backcourt with 12 seconds left before getting Wyatt Maize fouled with 5 seconds left. He made one of two to put North Harrison up 61-59.

Northeast Nodaway rushed it up the floor, and Wyatt Scadden found Bentin Roberts all alone on the left wing for three for a shot which would have won it. But the shot went up and over the top, giving the ball back to North Harrison with 1.7 seconds left.

North Harrison aired the ball out to half court, and Wyatt Scadden nearly stole it, but the ball caromed off him and a Shamrock player as time expired.

For Northeast Nodaway, Liam Cordell had 28 points. Wyatt Scadden had 15, Reece Gray and Lance Runde 5, Bentin Roberts 3, and Jace Burns 3.

Wyatt Scadden, Reece Gray, and Bentin Roberts had blocked shots.

Wyatt Scadden had 8 rebounds. Bentin Roberts and Reece Gray had 4, Liam Cordell and Jace Burns 3, and Lance Runde 2.

Bentin Roberts had 16 assists. Reece Gray and Wyatt Scadden had 3, Liam Cordell had 2, and Lance Runde 1.

Wyatt Scadden had 5 tips. Bentin Roberts and Lance Runde had 2, and Reece Gray and Liam Cordell had 1.

Wyatt Scadden and Bentin Roberts had 3 steals. Reece Gray had 2 and Liam Cordell 1.

For North Harrison, Wyatt Maize had 22 points, 16 in the second half. Jensen Davis had 13, Gage Fortner 9, Ryker Fortner 8, Andrew Craig 7, and Tate Richardson 2.

Wyatt Maize had 1 block.

Gage Fortner had 11 rebounds. Wyatt Maize had 9, Ethan Henson 6, Andrew Craig 5, Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner 3, and Tate Richardson 1.

Wyatt Maize had 6 assists. Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner had 3 each, Tate Richardson, Gage Fortner, and Ethan Henson 2, and Andrew Craig 1.

Wyatt Maize had 8 tips. Gage Fortner had 4, Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner had 2, and Ethan Henson and Tate Richardson had 1.

Wyatt Maize and Gage Fortner had 3 steals. Andrew Craig, Jensen Davis, and Ryker Fortner had 1.