Editorial -- The People of Missouri Have Spoken

The people of Missouri have spoken. People in every corner of the state overwhelmingly rejected measures that would have given blank checks to politicians. Amendment 4 would have given politicians a blank check to rewrite our state constitution while making it much harder for citizen petitions to get off the ground. Amendment 5 would have given politicians a blank check to jack up sales taxes and tax goods and services that have historically never been taxed in Missouri. 

People have overwhelmingly elected a conservative majority in the state. But we believe in checks and balances. An informed public is essential to reigning in the excesses of any body of government, regardless of who is in charge. The legislature has just as much of a right to participate in the process as anyone else. They can and do put measures on the ballot, and some of them get passed. The current state of affairs is fair and adequate.

Regarding Amendment 5, none of us like to pay taxes. But taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society. People have been hammered with inflation since COVID-19 broke out in this country, and the sticker shock from sales taxes would have made it even worse and discouraged the very economic activity the legislature says it supports.

People want roads, bridges, and schools fully funded, a law enforcement system that puts criminals behind bars and takes crime seriously, and more control over their own lives.

The margin of defeat of Amendments 4 and 5 show that there is a serious gap of trust between the politicians and the public. If they want to earn it back, one thing they could do is restore local control to our counties and cities. 

Local control for CAFO's was fair and adequate. Some places, like Mercer County, welcomed them with open arms in response to the 1980's farm crisis. Other places, like Worth County, are much more skeptical. The same thing applies to data centers. Some places welcome them with open arms. Other places, including people in Nodaway County, are much more skeptical and have concerns about health, water, and quality of life. 

Route T in Allendale on Unfunded Needs List

On Thursday, the Missouri Department of Transportation released a draft list of high-priority unfunded needs list for roads and bridges around the state. The document identifies $4.7 billion in unfunded transportation needs for the system and guides the development of future projects as state and federal transportation dollars become available. 

The document breaks it down into several tiers. Tier one includes $541 million in needs that could be included through the current program as federal and state funding becomes available. Tier two outlines $2 billion of needs that go beyond the current program. Tier three includes $2.1 billion of additional needs beyond the first two tiers. In addition, the DOT has identified $1 billion more in transportation needs beyond this list and $1.1 billion in statewide operations and maintenance needs. The draft document is open for public comment. The DOT has an online comment form available on its website through September 10th.

Tier two includes the following unfunded transportation needs in the area:

Nodaway -- Intersection improvement on Route 136 at Katydid Road east of Maryville. 

Nodaway -- Intersection improvement on Route 71 and South Avenue in Maryville. 

Worth -- Pavement resurfacing on Route T from Allendale to the Iowa State Line.

Tier three includes the following unfunded transportation needs in the area:

Daviess -- Rehabilitate I-35 from Route C to Route 69.

Harrison -- Major Interstate reconstruction on I-35.

Other unfunded needs include the following:

Gentry -- Extend runway at Albany Municipal Airport.

Nodaway -- Add or reconstruct sidewalk from North Laura to South Davis, 1st Street to South Avenue, and Munn to University Drive in Maryville.

Nodaway -- Planning for trail from Maryville to Lake Mozingo.

Nodaway -- Add or reconstruct sidewalk College Avenue to 16th Street, North College Avenue to North Main, and University Drive to North Main in Maryville.

Nodaway -- Extend runway at Northwest Missouri Regional Airport in Maryville. 

Ann Roach 1940-2026

Arlene Ann Roach, age 85, Grant City, Missouri, passed away Thursday,  August 6, 2026, at her home in Grant City with her family by her side.

Ann was born on August 27, 1940 at home in a little community known as ‘Tinkerville” southwest of Redding, Iowa. She was the middle child of Efton James and Bessie Irene (King) Hall.

Ann graduated from Redding Consolidated High as the Valedictorian in the Class of 1958.

She was united in marriage to Jerry Dean Roach on February 20, 1959, at the Assembly of God Church in Redding, Iowa.  To this union four children were born, Brenda Gale, Rocky Jay, Liberty Rene’ and Rodney Lance.   This was a marriage that would last 67 years.

Ann had worked at various jobs, her last was a Missouri Realtor for 20 years.

Ann played guitar with an all-female band called “Wild Wood Flowers.”

Ann enjoyed life’s moments, like sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee watching and listening to the day as it woke up.  She also liked boating, red roses, cooking and country music.  Anybody that visited with Ann found out that she had a deep love for God, country and family.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Efton and Irene, a 17-month-old brother James Franklin Hall, sister Darlene O’Banion, niece Twila O’Banion and her husband Jerry Roach (June 7, 2026).

Left to share her memory are children Brenda (Jim) Kennedy, Stewartsville, Missouri, Rocky (Karen) Roach, Rea, Missouri, Liberty (Ingo) Zaenker, Deep Water, Missouri, Rod (Karla) Roach, St. Joseph, Missouri, a brother Galen Dean (Sharen) Hall, Pueblo, Colorado, sister Vondene Elaine (Carl) Norgaard, Jainsville, Wisconsin, 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

A natural farewell graveside service was held at 11 AM, Friday, August 7, 2026 at the Fletchall Cemetery, Grant City. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Gentry Christian Church, Gentry, Missouri.

Memorials: Gentry Christian Church and the Fletchall Cemetery.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Hann Funeral Home, Grant City.

Route 246 Overhaul on DOT Radar

The resurfacing of Route 246 is now on the Missouri Department of Transportation's radar, Matthew Stein of the DOT told the Sheridan City Council Monday, August 4th. The road received a temporary fix two years ago, but it is starting to crumble again, especially near Hopkins. That brought up the topic of overhauling the parking lot in front of the storefront. It was commonly believed at the city for at least 20 years that the DOT owned the parking lot as well as the road itself; however, no deeds to that effect have been found. The DOT is believed to own the tubes running under 246 from 6th Street to the railroad; however, no deeds have been found besides one for 6th Street. 

The council voted to reopen the road at 4th & Crescent that it had closed at July meeting. The city's barricades came down the next day. However, the posts on the portion of the area that Jerry and Valerie Rauch say they own and that had been encroached on by traffic using the road over the years remained up with a rope barrier added. The council tabled further discussion of the issue until all council members could be present.

Barry Lyle reported that city's water tower was inspected. The inspectors said that the tower needs to be drained and cleaned.

The county will haul rock for 6th Street soon.

The city will seek reimbursement for expenses in replacing a tube on the south side of town on 4th Street as well as the roof replacement at the outhouse in the park, among other projects, following President Donald Trump's disaster declaration for Worth and other counties for damage from storms in June. The council authorized Abby Hawk to work on the project. 

The city put in a new water main for a customer, for which it will be reimbursed. 

The tax rate hearing will be held on Monday, August 24th at 6:00 pm. 

Hopkins Seeks to Overhaul Water System

The City of Hopkins is in the process of considering overhauling its water system. The last time it had done so was over 30 years ago. The council authorized the city to pursue a Preliminary Engineering Report grant through the Missouri State Revolving fund, which offers Engineering Report grants, and through the USDA Rural Development program. 

The State Drinking Water Revolving Fund pays for reasonable engineering services, costs for additional items approved by the department, and deemed reasonable,  necessary, and produces an engineering report that makes reaonable and cost-effective recommendations. The program does not cover services completed before the grant is awarded or outside the approved project period, application preparation, costs outside the scope of the project, ourdinary operating expenses and salaries, administrative activities, fines, penalties, or use of the city's own labor force.

The program awards up to $30,000, with a local match of 20%. However, qualifiying disadvantaged communities can receive up to 100% of the grant, not to exceed $37,500. Disadvantaged communities include communities with less than 3,300 people, have a median household income of 75% or less of the state average, and have user rates at or above 2% of the median household income.

USDA preliminary engineering grants are available for rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer, and which have a median household income of below the poverty line or less than 80% of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income.

Program funds can be used to help eligible communities obtain Preliminary Engineering Reports. Grants cannot be used to pay for work already completed. The amount of the grant will be subtracted from the total grant eligibility if a USDA grant is awarded for part of the water or wastewater project. These grants do not have to be paid back if the application for a subsequent USDA Direct Loan and/or grant is not successful. Grant awards are based on demonstrated need and availability of funds.  The maximum grant award is $60,000 or 75% of predevelopment costs. The program requires a 25% match.

Ed Drummond came to talk about a neighbor across the street that he says has overgrown weeds. The council authorized a letter of violation through the attorney with a deadline to clean the property up.

The city is in the process of locating the address for the owner of the tailer next to Rick's that it says is in violation of city ordinances and that it is seeking to condemn. Once it is located, the city will send a letter of condemnation.

Jody Thompson asked for permission to tear out the sidewalk in front of her house that is deteriorating. The council approved her request.

The city received a written complaint from a citizen alleging that their neighbor was keeping goats, chickens, and eight dogs within a fence made of pallets. The city will research its ordinances to determine possible violations.

The city recieved a letter of violation from the DNR. The DNR letter alleged that in May 2025, the city received a violation regarding e.coli. The second violation alleged that the city failed to notify the public within  one year after the date of the original violation. 

Local Election Results for August 4th, 2026

Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney

David Hershberger 2,865
Tina Deiter 989

Worth County Clerk
Melissa Percell 261
Brandon Allee 194

Chris Stigall is winning narrowly over Nathan Willett in the District 6 Congressional race. Phil Fox won the Missouri House District 2 race. Both Amendment 4 and Amendment 5 were trounced. Amendment 1, the Parks and Soil tax, won handily and will be in effect for another 10 years.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for August 5th, 2026

On July 28th, a Hopkins woman posted on Facebook that some kids were caught in the act of climbing the roofs of her business and the one south of it. The kids allegedly said they had gotten permission from someone to climb it. Trespassing is a violation of Missouri law.

On July 29th, Northwest Mo Info reported that a fire on Monday, July 27th destroyed a building at the DRT Bullet Factory near Albany. There were no injuries.

On July 29th, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Robert Ellis (41) of Cameron alleging Harassment (Felony), Stalking (Felony), and Violation of Protection Order. Bond was denied.

On July 29th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Travis Husing (56) of Maryville alleging Violation of Protection Order.

On July 29th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Makenzie Cobb (32) of Maryville alleging DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, and Failure to Signal.

On July 30th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against David Jones (67) of King City alleging two counts Driving While Revoked (Felony) and Failure to Register.

On July 31st, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Garrett Busby (30) of Stanberry alleging No Valid License (Felony), Failure to Signal, and No Insurance.

On August 2nd, Daviess County Prosecutor Andrea Beth Gibson filed charges against Aaron Landes (45) of Jamesport alleging Resisting Arrest. Bond was set at $2,500, cash only.

On August 3rd, Tyler Storm (39) of Independence pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Failure to Register as Sex Offender (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant must enter and successfully complete the Good Foundations Program.

On August 3rd, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against James Coss (40) of Bethany alleging Aggravated Fleeting (Felony), Resisting Arrest (Felony), DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving, and Trespassing. Bond was set at $50,000, cash only.

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.