Junior High Bluejay Girls Win First Meets in Many Years, Claim 275 Title

The Northeast Nodaway junior high girls track team won two first track meets this year, their first track meet victories for either a varsity or junior high girls team since at least 2009. Earlier this year, they tied with Stanberry at King City in a running-only event to break the ice. The boys won a meet in junior high last year. At the Highway 275 Conference meet Tuesday, May 5th, the Bluejays won outright.

The girls had 89 team points. Rock Port had 67, East Atchison 57, DeKalb 53.5, Mound City 44, Nodaway Valley 37, Platte Valley 32.5, Craig 30, OSHS 19, North Nodaway 17, and South Holt 16.

Emma Wilmes was second in the 100 with a time of 14.38. Bexlie Busby was third with a personal best time of 14.66. Ellie Jackson was second in the 200 with a time of 29.56. Khloe Burns was fourth with a time of 30.35. Emma Wilmes was second in the 400 with a personal best time of 1:05.14. Kinley Emery got a personal best in the 400 with a time of 1:17.72. Kiley Yost was sixth in the 1600 with a personal best time of 6:33.91. Kenzley Yost got a personal best in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 20.58.

The 4x100 team of Bexlie Busby, Kinley Emery, Eryn O’Connell, and Aubrey Wilmes got a personal best with a time of 1:01.92. The 4x200 team of Khloey Burns, Bexlie Busby, Kenzley Yost, and Ellie Jackson won with a  time of 2:02.41. The 4x400 team of Aubrey Wilmes, Kenzley Yost, Ellie Jackson, and Emma Wilmes won with a personal best time of 4:35.08.

Khloe Burns won the Shot Put with a throw of 10.36 meters. Bexlie Busby was third with a personal best of 9.54 meters. Khloe Burns also won the Discus with a personal best throw of 22.62 meters. Eryn O’Connell was fifth with a personal best throw of 19.93 meters.

Emma Wilmes was fourth in the High Jump with a jump of 1.31 meters. Kenzley Yost was fifth with a height of 1.31 meters, a personal best.

For the boys, Rock Port had 85, Platte Valley 64.33, Nodaway Valley 51, Craig 50, Mound City 44, East Atchison 35.33, North Nodaway 34, South Holt 31, NEN 24, OSHS 23.33, DeKalb 16, and Union Star 7.

Jacob Vicker got a personal best in the 100 with a time of 18.22. Jaxen Taylor was fifth in the 200 with a time of 30.04 meters. Paxton Bennett was fifth in the 400 with a personal best time of 1:02.96. Noah Cordell got a personal best with a time of 1:12.67. Gracin Runde was third in the 800 with a time of 2:24.56. Aiden Welch got a personal best with a time of 3:00.04. Aiden Welch got a personal best in the 1600 with a time of 6:34.98.

The 4x100 team of Brody Jackson, Noah Cordell, Cooper Jackson, and Jaxen Taylor was fifth with a personal best time of 58.97. The 4x200 team of Brody Jackson, Noah Cordell, Cooper Jackson, and Paxton Bennett was sixth with a personal best time of 2:02.97. The 4x400 team of Paxton Bennett, Brody Jackson, Jaxen Taylor, and Gracin Runde was fourth with a personal best time of 4:27.47.

Jax Archer got a personal best in the Shot Put with a throw of 6.51 meters. Jacob Vicker got a personal best in the Discus with a throw of 16.49 meters. Jax Archer got a personal best with a throw of 15.60 meters.

Brody Jackson was fourth in the High Jump with a jump of 1.46 meters. Paxton Bennett was sixth in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.61 meters. Gracin Runde was fifth in the Triple Jump with a jump of 8.86 meters.

At the Junior High Tiger Relays April 30th, the Bluejay girls were third with 52 team points, while the boys were twelfth with 13 team points.

Emma Wilmes was third in the 100 with a time of 13.88. Ellie Jackson was third in the 200 with a time of 29.36. Emma Wilmes was second in the 400 with a time of 1:06.73. Aubrey Wilmes was fifth in the 800 with a personal best time of 2:47.04. Quindalyne Oelze got a personal best in the 1600 with a time of 7:01.87.

The 4x200 team of Bexlie Busby, Khloe Burns, Kenzley Yost, and Ellie Jackson was third with a personal best time of 2:00.15. The most exciting race of the afternoon was the duel between the Northeast Nodaway and Stanberry 4x400 teams. At first, the Bluejays got off to a bad start and started off in third place. But Kenzley Yost got them into second place and Ellie Jackson got them into the lead. Emma Wilmes seemingly left Waverly Groomer (daughter of NEN grad Abbie Stiens Groomer) in the dust, but Groomer found her second wind and caught her on the final curve. But Emma Wilmes found her second wind and pulled back ahead for the win. Northeast had 4:43.11 to 4:44.43 for Stanberry.

Khloe Burns won the Shot Put with a personal best 10.46 meters. Bexlie Busby was fifth with a throw of 9.18 meters. Khloe Burns was fifth in the Discus with a throw of 21.70 meters.

Kinley Emery got a personal best in the Long Jump with a jump of 3.74 meters, top among sixth graders.

For the boys, Jaxen Taylor got a personal best in the 100 with a time of 14.43. Jax Archer got a personal best with a time of 19.54. Brody Jackson got a personal best in the 200 with a time of 30.86. Jacob Vicker got a personal best with a time of 39.26. Cooper Jackson got a personal best in the 400 with a time of 1:14.64. Gracin Runde was second in the 800 with a personal best time of 2:23.02.

The 4x100 team of Paxton Bennett, Noah Cordell, Brody Jackson, and Cooper Jackson got a personal best with a time of 58.51. The 4x200 team of Noah Cordell, Brody Jackson, Cooper Jackson, and Jaxen Taylor got a personal best with a time of 2:03.86. The 4x400 team of Paxton Bennett, Noah Cordell, Jaxen Taylor, and Gracin Runde was fifth with a personal best time of 4:31.36.

Paxton Bennett was fifth in the Long Jump with a time of 4.56 meters. Gracin Runde was sixth in the Triple Jump with a jump of 9.23 meters. Jaxen Taylor got a personal best with a jump of 8.35 meters.

 

Junior High Tiger Teams Sweep GRC West; Girls Finish Undefeated

Worth County’s junior high teams went out on top with the girls finishing undefeated, winning every meet they entered in. The boys also won.

For the girls, Worth County had 141 points. Stanberry had 98, St. Joseph Christian 59, North Andrew 45, Albany 41, Princeton 33, King City 28, Pattonsburg 14, and North Harrison 5.

Brooklyn Smith was third in the 100 with a time of 14.29. Brooklyn was second in the 200 with a time of 29.34. Renae Gladstone was third with a time of 30.85. Kaydence Downing was third in the 400 with a personal best time of 1:09.21. Hadley Rush was third in the 800 with a personal best time of 2:49.98. Kinley Fletchall was fifth with a personal best time of 2:55.33. Kaeslyn Briner was sixth in the 1600 with a time of 6:54.77. Zoey Briner got a personal best with a time of 7:58.63. Renae Gladstone won the 100 Hurdles with a time of 18.53. Jolee Hauber was second with a time of 19.14.

The 4x100 team of Kaydence Downing, Kinley Fletchall, Hadley Rush, and Brooklyn Smith won with a personal best time of 55.59. The 4x200 team of Kaydence Downing, Kinley Fletchall, Hadley Rush, and Renae Gladstone won with a personal best time of 1:59.08. The 4x400 also got a personal best, finishing fifth with a time of 5:24.18.

Jane Hawk saved her best for last, breaking the 10-meter barrier and winning the Shot Put with a throw of 10 meters. Catelynn Moyer was sixth with a throw of 8.98 meters. Gabbey Maudlin won the Discus with a personal best throw of 29.77 meters. Jane Hawk was fifth with a throw of 22.32 meters.

Kinley Fletchall was second in the High Jump with a jump of 1.35 meters. Renae Gladstone won the Pole Vault with a personal best height of 2.21 meters. Kylie Combs was third with a height of 1.98 meters.

Brooklyn Smith won the Long Jump with a jump of 4.69 meters. Kaydence Downing was sixth with a personal best leap of 4.14 meters. Hadley Rush was second in the Triple Jump with a jump of 9.08 meters.

For the boys, Worth County had 104, King City 77, St. Joseph Christian 62, Princeton 50, Albany 47, Stanberry 47, North Harrison 46, and North Andrew 32.

Cole Hardy won the 100 with a time of 12.47. Luca Sagel got a personal best in the 200 with a time of 34.87. Cole Hardy was second in the 400 with a personal best time of 56.63. David Wideman got a personal best in the 800 with a time of 2:47.66. Max Hiatt won the 100 Hurdles with a time of 16.87. Silas Brown was second with a time of 18.11.

The 4x100 relay team of Max Hiatt, Gunnar Smith, Jarrett Gilland, and Silas Brown was second. They were without one of their best runners in Hudson Cameron, but they still finished with their best time of the year at 51.67. The 4x200 team of Max Hiatt, Gunnar Smith, Jarrett Gilland, and Silas Brown won with a time of 1:46.86, also a personal best.

Gunnar Smith was second in the Shot Put with a personal best throw of 11.35 meters. Weston Hill was third with a personal best throw of 10.71 meters. Jakob Herbert was fourth in the Discus with a personal best throw of 31.10 meters.

 Jarrett Gilland was fifth in the High Jump with a height of 1.45 meters. Jarrett Gilland and Max Hiatt were tied for second in the Pole Vault with heights of 2.44 meters. Silas Brown won the Triple Jump with a jump of 10.80 meters. Jace Mullock was third with a jump of 9.43 meters.

 

Lucas Frisch, Brayden Combs, Andrew Griffin Lead Tiger Boys to GRC West Title

Lucas Frisch won twice in the GRC West Track Meet Tuesday, May 5th, Andrew Griffin got a personal best and won in the High Jump, and Brayden Combs won in the Pole Vault to hand Worth County a GRC West title. The Tigers scored a season-high 134 points in the event.

Worth County had 134 points, Princeton 102.5, Stanberry 84, North Harrison 60, St. Joseph Christian 51, King City 45, North Andrew 44, Albany 42, and Pattonsburg 20.5.

Cole Ruby was third in the 100 with a time of 12.00. Jordan Dannar got a personal best with a time of 12.23 and a fourth place finish. Hayden Sanders got a personal best in the 400 with a time of 1:00.65. Lucas Frisch won the 110 Hurdles with a time of 15.74. Mason Hiatt was third with a time of 18.07. Frisch won the 300 Hurdles with a time of 42.79. Brock Healy was third with a personal best time of 46.02.

The 4x100 team of Andrew Griffin, Bo Collins, Jordan Dannar, and Lucas Frisch won with a personal best time of 45.21, almost two seconds ahead of their nearest competitor. The 4x200 team of Brayden Combs, Wyatt Hill, Dylan Smith, and Cole Ruby was third with a personal best time of 1:38.29.

Bo Collins was second in the Shot Put with a throw of 13.20 meters. Lucas Frisch was third with a throw of 11.63 meters. Bo Collins was second in the Discus with a personal best throw of 42.20 meters. Ethan Lininger was sixth with a throw of 35.50 meters. Wyatt Hill was second in the Javelin with a throw of 37.25 meters. Owyn Wuillay got a personal best with a throw of 31.46 meters.

Andrew Griffin won the High Jump with a personal best height of 1.90 meters. Brayden Combs won the Pole Vault with a height of 3.35 meters. Wyatt Hill was fourth with a height of 3.20 meters. Jordan Dannar was fourth in the Long Jump with a jump of 5.92 meters. Dylan Smith was fifth with a jump of 5.49 meters. Dylan Smith was second in the Triple Jump with a jump of 12.48 meters. Brock Healy was third with a jump of 11.48 meters.

For the girls, St. Joseph Christian had 152, Stanberry 116, Princeton 86, Albany 77, North Harrison 28, Worth County 28, Pattonsburg 21, North Andrew 20, and King City 19.

Keira Hardy was fourth in the 100 with a time of 13.91. She was fifth in the 200 with a time of 28.76.

The 4x100 relay team of Keira Hardy, Audrey Runde, Kristen Tracy, and Megan Tracy was fourth with a personal best time of 53.82. Audrey Runde was second in the Discus with a throw of 30.59 meters. Kristen Tracy got a personal best with a throw of 24.65 meters. Audrey Runde was fifth in the Javelin with a throw of 29.95 meters. Megan Tracy was second in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.61 meters.

 

MSHSAA Oversight Bill Passes Legislature

By Brandon Lorenz, Missouri News Network

The House on Thursday passed and sent to the governor a bill that creates an oversight commission for appeals by high school athletes governed by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

SB 863, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, R-Holcomb, would “establish the ‘Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission,’ a board of directors appointed by the governor to hear appeals of certain decisions made by statewide activities associations.”

“MSHSAA is pleased with the outcome of Senate Bill 863,” the organization said in a news release. “This bill is a workable solution and a far cry from the extremely damaging bill that sat on the Senate floor in February and March.”

As originally introduced, the bill would have allowed the board to have broader oversight of the association, including appeals for all eligibility, all contests and contest producers or any rule changes.

The final version only addresses decisions to be made on appeals of athletic related decisions within football, baseball and other sports. When signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, the governmental body will have the final say on all athletic rulings.

“The voices of our member schools, coaches and directors associations, education partners, and many other Missourians were clearly heard, and that collective input helped shape a more favorable result,” MSHSAA said in its statement.

The board will be made up of five members, all appointed by the governor, with advice and consent of the Senate.

The bill got initial hearings in the Senate in February and was passed April 13. While in the House, bills need a “handler,” a representative that will help guide the bill through the House. Rep. Bennie Cook, R-Houston, was tasked with that responsibility for this bill.

“I hope this achieves where parents and students have another board, and that’s what it’s going to be. Another board where they can appeal their issues to, if they feel that they’ve been wronged by the MSHSAA board,” Cook said. “This is another option for them, that won’t cost them an arm or a leg. Right now, the other option is the court system.”

A similar bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Mark Meirath, R-Excelsior Springs, and was tied into this bill string in March. Meirath’s bill would have created a “transfer board” that would have three members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, three members appointed by the president pro tem of the Senate and one member appointed by the governor.

“If (parents or athletes) are going to appeal, then they’re going to have to go all the way through what’s currently on the MSHSAA bylaws,” Meirath said. “Then it comes, if they choose, to the oversight committee. It has nothing to do with the organization within MSHSAA. It has everything to do with making sure there’s true oversight.”

Some confusion brewed on the House floor as Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, and Cook discussed the bill. In one part of the final version of the bill, there is a line that does not include the word “athletics.”

“When I read (this part) I do not see it specifically aimed at athletics,” Steinhoff said, “so it could apply to scholar bowl, it could apply to the music side of MSHSAA, it could apply to all of the things MSHSAA does.”

“I get the feeling that was not the intent of the bill because the name of the commission is ‘the athletics commission,’ so I’m wondering if we are intentionally allowing appeals to all the other parts of MSHSAA?” Steinhoff asked.

Cook did not directly answer the question, responding that the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was going to be involved in the future of this bill and some of the decision making.

Once signed by Kehoe, this law will go into effect Aug. 28.

Resound Fest June 5th Through 7th

On June 5-6th, Resound Fest will return to Miracle Hills Ranch in Bethany, MO for its 16th year. The FREE Christian music festival promises a weekend full of uplifting music and a message of hope for all who attend.

Music at the festival kicks off on Friday, June 5th, at 6 p.m. and wraps up after the Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 7th at 9 a.m. On-site camping is also available, making Resound Fest the perfect affordable summer vacation for the whole family.

Resound Fest 2026 will feature: Micah Tyler, Seph Schlueter, Colton Dixon, Leanna Crawford, Megan Woods, Jet Trouble;  as well as: Joe & Beth Guerra, Break the Fall and Untitled Worship.

For the full festival lineup, including stage times, visit www.resoundfest.org.

Resound Fest is a family-friendly event with many activities for kids and adults such as swimming pool/waterslide, canoeing/paddle boats, children's games/activities, volleyball, basketball and more. There is a small charge for some of these activities. Activity passes can be purchased at the festival.

Thanks to support from local churches, businesses and individuals, admission to Resound Fest is completely free of charge.  To reserve your camping spot or for more information, visit www.resoundfest.org.

 

North Nodaway Alumni Banquet May 23rd

The North Nodaway Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 6:30 pm in the North Nodaway Gum. The Class of 1976 will be honored and the event will recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary. All alumni and friends are invited. Tours of the facilities are available on request.

Dinner tickets are $17 per person with alumni paying $2 in annual dues. Reservations and payments should be made payable to the North Nodaway Alumni Association.

Officers are Carmen Larabee (President), Darla Thompson (Vice-President), Joan Hemenway (Secretary), and Elaine Holste (Treasurer).

Reservations should be made by May 14th, 2026. When reserving, please provide your graduation name and current name, graduation year, mailing address, phone number, and email address.

To make reservations, contact Teresa DeMott (660) 582-1086, Sue Florea (660) 541-4108, Joyce Hennegin (660) 927-3682, or Elaine Holste (660) 562-7867. Mail reservation payments to Elaine Holste, Treasurer, PO Box 213, Hopkins, MO 64461.

 

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for May 6th, 2026

On April 29th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Kira Egly (20) of Diagonal alleging DWI and Minor Visibly Intoxicated.

On April 30th, Bennie Curtis (32) of Kansas City pleaded guilty in Harrison County Circuit Court to charges of Speeding, Delivery of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was placed on five years probation by Judge Matthew Krohn and fined $180.50 plus costs.

On April 30th, Christian Slaughter (20) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Circuit Court to a charge of Receiving Stolen Property (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Matthew Krohn.

On April 30th, Jayson Herwehe (54) of Prairie City (IA) pleaded guilty in Harrison County Circuit Court to No Valid License (Felony) and Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). He was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Matthew Krohn, consecutive to his Daviess County case.

On April 30th, Cassandra Gathercole (49) of Rosendale was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Matthew Krohn and fined $250 plus a $150 surcharge for Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Resisting Arrest (Felony). The defendant had been convicted by a Harrison County jury.

On April 30th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Sarah Christian (47) of Pattonsburg alleging two counts Domestic Assault (1 Felony) and Resisting Arrest (Felony). Bond was set at $25,000, cash only. No contact with victim; no use of alcohol.

On May 1st, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Karen Smith (72) alleging Harassment.

On May 1st, KJAN reported that the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Coltin Hatfield (30) of Kellerton on 10 counts of Sex Offender Registry violations.

On May 1st, a Ravenwood man posted on Facebook that he had multiple sports autographed photos stolen out of a friend’s truck in St. Joseph while he was at work.

On May 2nd, the City of Blockton posted on its Facebook page that someone was doing donuts on a four-wheeler at the Blockton Cemetery.

On May 3rd, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a golf cart in Bethany on private property was being driven by a 14 year old when she attempted to drive down a steep hill. The vehicle overturned several times and came to rest upside down near a large brush pile. She and five passengers were all injured in the wreck, with two seriously injured and taken to Children’s Mercy.

On May 3rd, KJAN reported that Colton Bolles (33) of Mount Ayr was arrested by the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department on charges of Burglary (Felony) and Criminal Mischief. Bond was set at $6,000.

On May 4th, Ryan Eckstein (41) of Maryville pleaded guilty to two counts Delivery of Controlled Substance (Felony). He was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Corey Herron. Court retains jurisdiction for 120 days and the DOC will make recommendations regarding imprisonment or probation. The sentence is to be served concurrently with his Gentry County case.

On May 5th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Albert Force (38) of King City alleging two counts Domestic Assault (one Felony), Peace Disturbance, and Assault. Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety.

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.