Mustang Volleyball Showing Depth, Searching for Second Win

North Nodaway is developing depth and trying to match their win total from last year, when they won two games against Bedford and Maysville. They have a chance to do that this week. They were playing at Maysville Monday night, and play South Holt and Essex this week. 

The numbers were up this year after they were playing the numbers game last year; the Mustangs have ten players out this year. The question was who the hitter would be after the graduation of Lauren Herndon, one of the best hitters they produced. In her absence, Addalea Barcus, Lily Blane, and Nevaeh Smith have all stepped up at different times this year. 

Against Union Star, the Mustangs held off several charges by the Trojans before finally beating them in straight sets. On the 14th, the Mustangs had every expectation of building on that; however, they were without Smith (migraine). It turned out that they needed her on the floor to be effective, and they struggled against Maryville’s junior varsity. They played two matches against the Spoofhounds. In the first, they lost in straight sets 10-25, 6-25. In the second match, they lost 6-25 in the first set. But a completely different team took the floor in the next set and they overcame an early 8-6 hole to take a 16-10 lead. Maryville fought back to tie it at 21-21, only for Lacy Riley to knock one down the middle after a setup from Lily Blane after a long volley to make it 22-21. Addalea Barcus had an ace to build a two point cushion. Maryville cut it to 23-22, only for the Mustangs to finish strong, finishing with an ace from Lacy Riley to win 25-22.

The Mustangs showed some promise in the third set after Amy Richards got an ace and Lacy Riley set up a cross hit by Addalea Barcus to cut the deficit to 4-3 as they were seemingly climbing out of an early hole. But then the bottom dropped out as they fell 6-25 and then were swept 0-15 in the tiebreaker set.

In the two matches, Addalea Barcus had 4 kills, Kila Miller 3, and Laney Turner, Lacy Riley, and Amy Richards 1.

Addalea Barcus had 2 blocks and Amy Richards 1.

Lacy Riley had 4 assists and Lily Blane 3.

Addalea Barcus, Amy Richards, and Lacy Riley had 2 aces each. Lily Blane and Kila Miller had 1 each. 

They played well against Rock Port in the first set on September 19th, but faded as the match progressed and they lost 3-0. They played a forgettable match against South Harrison on September 23rd and lost, leading to Tuesday the 24th’s match against Nodaway Valley.

Going into the match against Ava Graham and the Thunder, North Nodaway walked into the brutal portion of their schedule with East Atchison on tap in two days. Still hung over from South Harrison the night before, they dropped the first set 25-6. 

But like the match against Maryville JV, the Mustangs came out in the second looking like a completely different team. They scored the first five points of the set with Addalea Barcus getting a kill, Nevaeh Smith getting an ace, Lacy Riley getting a kill, and Lily Blane getting two assists, forcing the Thunder into a timeout. The Thunder fought back to within 5-4, only for Lily Blane, who had a bunch of aces in the Union Star win, get three in a row to make it 9-4.

Kills by Lacy Riley and Nevaeh Smith kept the Thunder from mounting a charge, and a long volley for the 20th point resolved in North Nodaway’s favor, making it 13-7. Lacy Riley was feeding people at will, and they led by as much as 16-9, but then the bottom dropped out. The Thunder went on a long run to take control, and they went on to win 25-18.

The Thunder completely outclassed the Mustangs in the third set to build up a 21-9 lead before aces by Lily Blane and Amy Richards and a kill by Addalea Barcus cut it to 25-13 at the end. 

Addalea Barcus and Lily Blane had 4 kills. Amy Richards, Lacy Riley, and Nevaeh Smith had 2 each.

Lacy Riley and Laney Turner had two blocks. Nevaeh Smith had one.

Lacy Riley had 7 assists. Nevaeh Smith, Lily Blane, and Nevaeh Halvin each had 1.

Lily Blane had 4 aces. Nevaeh Smith, Addalea Barcus, and Amy Richards each had 1.

The junior varsity lost in straight sets 26-12, 25-17, but the Mustangs may have found a new setter in Pyper Smith. She had 6 assists in the match. She had been working at it since summer, after new coach Jody Thompson told her the team had to have another setter, and Pyper was starting to take to the position.

The focus of the team moving forward will be finishing strong; the first game of the junior varsity match followed the script of the second varsity match; the Mustangs were in front 12-11 at one point, only for the bottom to drop out. In the second set, the Mustangs dug themselves into a 9-3 hole, fought back to tie it at 10-10, only for the bottom to drop out again as they fell behind 23-14. A late push at the end cut it to 25-17.

Lily Blane had 4 kills. Nevaeh Halvin and Taccoa Moyer had 2 each, and Laney Turner had 1. Lily Blane had 3 aces. Pyper Smith and Taccoa Moyer had 1 each.

Bluejays Down Bulldogs; Split at North Andrew; DeFreece Strikes Out 500th

Northeast Nodaway’s softball pulled off a 10-2 win over Stanberry, one of the top hitting teams in the area Thursday, as Hadley DeFreece shut them down by striking out ten. Northeast came into the game shorthanded, with Hayley Yost breaking her hand while sliding back to first during the Stanberry Tournament and Lindsey Jackson favoring her knee and playing at half strength. But they still had Hadley pitching, while Stanberry’s regular pitcher was injured, leaving Stanberry to use the game to break in two different pitchers. Stanberry came into the game scoring nine runs a game, but Northeast used DeFreece’s pitching and strong defense to shut them down. Meanwhile, the bats came alive and the Bluejays scored in each of the first four innings to put the game away.

Stanberry threatened to make it a long day against the makeshift Bluejay lineup. Blair Nelson had to play a new position at second to fill Yost’s spot while Bristol Hicks was pressed into service in left field. Starting off against a team like Stanberry with two errors was not the way to go for the Bluejays, but they caught a break when Josi Moffat’s shot off Hadley DeFreece’s glove caromed right to Mylee Wilmes at shortstop and she threw to first to put out the fire with no damage done.

Baylie Busby walked and Hadley DeFreece tripled to the left center field wall to score Busby to make it 1-0. She later scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. Later, Brianna Meyer scored on a wild pitch and Sasha Deardorff was hit by a pitch to force in a run to make it 4-0. 

With two outs in the second, the Bluejays struck again as Brianna Meyer and Blair Nelson walked. They took second and third on a wild pitch, and came home on Mylee Wilmes’ single to make it 6-0.

With one out in the Stanberry third, the heart of the Bulldog order came up again and Kynzee Adcock hit a shot off first baseman Makenzie Pride’s glove and Dami Van Draska walked. Up stepped Allie Schieber, Stanberry’s top hitter, and she crushed it to deep right. Sasha Deardorff overran the ball and it dropped in for extra bases as Stanberry cut their deficit to 6-2. But Deardorff stuck with the play and Northeast made a perfect relay to third to get Schieber to get the second out. The ball frequently has a way of finding fielders playing out of position, but new second baseman Blair Nelson fielded Josi Moffat’s grounder cleanly and threw to first for the final out.

Makenzie Pride was plunked by a pitch to start the Bluejay third and Bristol Hicks walked. They took second and third on a wild pitch, and Sasha Deardorff grounded out to score Pride. The return throw to the pitcher got away, and Hicks came home to score as well. 

Bristol Hicks walked to force in a run in the fourth, but Stanberry may have found a solution at pitcher as Kenzi Santa Cruz came in. She gave up Baylie Busby’s single to score Mylee Wilmes to make it 10-2, but didn’t give up another run. But Hadley DeFreece got stronger as the game progressed, retiring the last 13 Stanberry batters, including a strikeout of Allie Schieber. 

Given that Stanberry is a district opponent, the win gives Northeast a better seeding when district pairings come out. The Bluejays play East Buchanan, Platte Valley, and DeKalb this week. The magic number for a winning season is three games. Wins against Platte Valley and DeKalb mean that Northeast clinches at least a tie for the Highway 275 title.

At the North Andrew tournament Saturday, the Bluejays split, beating King City 8-4, but dropping a 12-2 game to Albany. In the tournament, Hadley DeFreece struck out her 500th career batter. She is now the all time strikeout leader at NEN. 

 

Megan Tracy Gets First Varsity Win; Tiger Softball Splits in Eagleville

Worth County beat North Harrison for the second time 14-1, but fell to Chillicothe JV 9-4 in the North Harrison Tournament Saturday. After the two games, the Tigers are at 7-6 as of Saturday evening. They have seven games remaining, including games at Maryville, King City, home against NEN and Platte Valley, and road games at Maysville and perennial powerhouse Mid-Buchanan. They have one district game guaranteed. If they finish at least 4-3 during that stretch, they will get their second straight winning season. The last time they had consecutive winning seasons was during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. They went to state in 2005 and were 9-4 during 2006.

The Tigers won the North Harrison Tournament on tiebreaks. They gave up one run to North Harrison and nine to Chillicothe JV for a total of 10. Chillicothe JV gave up four runs to Worth County and 14 to North Harrison for a total of 18. North Harrison gave up 14 runs to Worth County and 10 to Chillicothe JV for a total of 24. 

Worth County 14, North Harrison 1

Megan Tracy got her first varsity win as a pitcher and Worth County started off well in the tournament, dropping the Shamrocks for the second time this year. They didn’t let North Harrison get its normal opportunity to jump on an opponent early as Rylee Ruckman walked and Kambree Briner singled. A huge drop ball from Lani Briggs struck out Kristen Tracy, but Audrey Runde walked. North Harrison almost got out of the inning as Megan Tracy popped out, but Keira Hardy reached on a throw in the dirt as two Tiger runs crossed the plate to make it 2-0.

The Shamrocks promptly loaded the bases with nobody out, but in a sign of the kind of season they have been having, Carmon Fordyce, who was on second, tangled up with Tiger shortstop Rylee Ruckman, who was trying to make a play on a ground ball, and was called out for interference since the fielder has the right of way to a batted ball. That was all the Tigers needed to get out of the inning with no damage done as Ruckman ran down Hali Smith’s pop fly well on the second base side of the bag and Kayka Wilson grounded into a force.

In the Tiger second, Riley Ridge, normally a slap hitter, hit a screamer right at Addison Milligan at short, but she snagged it for an out. Later, in another sign of the kind of season the Shamrocks have been having, Braelyn Fletchall was tagged out trying for home on a passed ball situation, but the Shamrocks thought there were three outs and threw the ball away, allowing two Tigers to come home and score to make it 4-0. It would have been worse had not pitcher Lani Briggs not snagged .500+ hitter Kristen Tracy’s head shot hit right at her to end the inning.

In the Tiger third, Audrey Runde singled and Megan Tracy reached on a dropped force play. Addison Gray singled home Runde and put Tracy on third, and Gray stole second. Riley Ridge once again crushed one, singling two more runs to make it 7-0. But Shamrock catcher Ava Rinehart made a great play when she took the throw home and cut down Ridge trying to take second for the third out.

Jaxcynn Hansel got a two out rally going for the Shamrocks in the third when she hit a pop fly that dropped just in front of Braelyn Fletchall in right for a base hit. She took second on a wild pitch. Ava Rinehart reached on an error to score her and make it 7-1.

But the floodgates opened in the Tiger fourth as Rylee Ruckman was hit by a pitch. Once again, the Shamrocks could not catch a break as they had Ruckman picked off first, only for her to take off for second and make it safely. Kambree Briner and Kristen Tracy walked, and Hali Smith replaced Lani Briggs as pitcher for North Harrison.

But Worth County greeted Smith with Audrey Runde’s single and Megan Tracy’s two run double to make it 10-1. Keira Hardy’s groundout advanced Tracy to third, and she scored on a wild pitch to make it 11-1.

North Harrison tried to get something going in its half of the fourth with two outs when Andi Nail walked. But Addison Milligan hit a screamer, only for pitcher Megan Tracy to snag it for the third out.

Once again, a play happened that symbolized the kind of season the Shamrocks have been having. With out out, Rylee Ruckman hit a screamer to right center. Addison Milligan, now in center field, got a perfect jump on it and laid out to catch it for what would have been the second out. But it was ruled a trap and Ruckman made it to second for a double. Kristen Tracy nearly drilled pitcher Hali Smith’s foot with a hard single to center, Audrey Runde reached on a dropped pop fly, and Megan Tracy emptied the bases with a three run double to make it 14-1.

North Harrison could not answer in the fifth, as Carmon Fordyce hit a hard shot off third baseman Keira Hardy’s glove, only for her to recover and throw her out at first.

Chillicothe JV 9, Worth County 4

Worth County could have won the tournament outright with a win, but they ran into one of the fastest pitchers they had seen all year in Hope Donoho, whose balls had movement on them that bore in and jammed batters. Their varsity, as of Sunday evening, was 13-2, and it was easy to see why; they did the same sort of things Albany did in grabbing a share of the GRC title with strong plate discipline, speed on the basepaths, and strong pitching.

Donoho was also the leadoff hitter for the Hornets, and she reached on an error and stole second. Her courtesy runner, Rylee Davis, who was just as fast as she was, stole third, and came home on an error to put the Hornets up 1-0 after one.

Kristen Tracy singled in the early going off Donoho, but everybody else was having trouble catching up to her pitches, either getting under them and fouling them off or missing outright.

And Chillicothe JV had pop in their bats up and down the lineup. Their number eight hitter, Brynley Beemer, doubled for the Hornets in the second and came home on Donoho’s double to raise Chillicothe’s lead to 2-0. It would have been a lot worse than 9-4 had not first baseman Megan Tracy not did the splits on five different throws against the lightning quick Hornet runners during the course of the game to at least give the Tigers a chance.

Worth County finally started finding the range in the third when Riley Ridge got one of her patented slap hits, beating out the shortstop. Rylee Ruckman reached on an error and they pulled off a successful double steal. Kristen Tracy flied out to score Ridge to make it 2-1.

But the floodgates opened in the fifth as Kristen Tracy began fighting the strike zone and walked three batters and threw four wild pitches as three runs came in to make it 5-1. 

The Hornets teed off in the sixth, starting with Brynley Beemer getting a single and Dawson Baxter, the number nine hitter, getting a double. That turned the lineup over to Donoho, who singled in both runs to make it 7-1. Rylee Davis (running for Donoho) was finally caught stealing, but the floodgates opened after Abby Marshall walked and Jaiden Rodenberg singled. Molly Kennebeck beat out an infield hit to score one and Bryleigh Gillespie singled to left to bring in another to make it 9-1.

Worth County finally started solving Donoho as Kristen Tracy hit a shot off the shortstop’s glove and beat it out. Tracy took second on a wild pitch. Audrey Runde reached on an error as Donoho threw it away as Tracy scored. Megan Tracy doubled into the right center field gap to score Runde and took third on a wild pitch. Addison Gray grounded out to cut it to 9-4. The game might have become interesting had it been a full seven inning game, but time was called after six innings.

Landon Wilmes Burst, Late Stand Propel Tigers Past Lions

Worth County made a lot of the same mistakes that hurt them in the Platte Valley and Albany losses and the second half of the Mound City game, but this time, they found a way to play through them and win against St. Joseph Christian 22-18. They used a late score by Landon Wilmes and a defensive stand in the closing seconds to get the win. 

The Tigers needed the win to keep pace with Albany, which beat North Andrew Friday 38-20. A loss would have meant a serious blow to the Tigers’ GRC West title hopes, as it would have meant their second conference loss. A loss would have meant the possibility of King City passing them in the district standings and dropping to fourth; the Wildkats won their third straight, a 50-8 win over Pattonsburg, to go to 3-2 on the year. A loss would have dropped the Tigers to 2-3 and put them in danger of their first losing season in 10 years and their second in 31 years.

The focus of the game was getting strong right out of the gate, unlike the Albany game, in which they dug themselves into a 24-12 hole that they could not overcome. But that was not forthcoming as they gained one yard in three plays and were forced to punt. On the ensuing punt, Logan Hubble broke tackle after tackle for the Lions to the Tiger 25. The tackling was nonexistent on the Lions first play from scrimmage as Peyton Hausman broke tackle after tackle to the 17. 

The Lions came into the game seeking to establish a hard-nosed physical culture similar to Cameron and Maryville. Under new coach James Schoonover, who was a big part of Mound City’s championship runs last decade, they unveiled a triple option game, the likes of which the Tigers haven’t seen in recent years, along with an aggressive defense with linebackers that fly to the holes and blow up any running plays that develop. 

Without Brayden Stevens (knee), Worth County was limited in what they could do defensively as the Lion juggernaut rolled into the end zone as Hausman scored on an option play with 7:54 left. Bo Collins finally stepped up and stuffed a run to keep the Lion lead at 6-0. The extra point game was one of the key factors in Friday’s game. Whereas Worth County had trouble converting their extra points the Friday before, meaning the game came down to one more extra point conversion for Albany, the Lions were the ones having trouble converting them Friday. Worth County converted two of their three tries, while the Lions converted none.

The Tigers got good field position at the 40 following a squib kick, and then Landon Wilmes’ cutback run picked up 39 yards to the one after he got a block from Jude Archer, stepping in from Brayden Stevens. Three rushing plays netted nothing, but right before Worth County called a timeout to try to set up a fourth and two, they got the snap off and Hayden Sanders threw a short pass to Jude Archer, whose catch and run into the end zone put Worth County on the board with 5:19 left. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to put Worth County up 8-6.

A squib kick pinned Christian at their own 20, and their option game carried them up to the Tiger 35. But they tried a pass, only for Landon Wilmes to break it up. A bad snap and another incomplete pass gave Worth County the ball back on downs at the 37. But the blocking broke down, and a sack forced a punt, pinning the Lions at their own 11.

Peyton Hausman converted a 13-yard run to the 24, and then Cy Carlson converted a third and one to the 36. A defensive holding penalty moved the ball into Tiger territory at the 34, but a false start derailed the drive and for once, Worth County was able to set the edge against the option and Hausman was tackled seven yards short of the first down at the 31. 

Hayden Sanders ripped off a first down run to the 39, then Landon Wilmes picked up 11 more to the 28. But in a return to the inexplicable mistakes of the Platte Valley game, Landon Wilmes was in the clear and scored an apparent touchdown, only for one of the other Tiger players to block someone in the back who had no chance to catch him, bringing it back to the 18. Given new life, Christian tackled Wilmes short of the first down on fourth and one and got the ball back at the 9. But then the Tigers caught a break. A mixup on the option pitch proved costly as Bo Collins pounced on the errant carom at the two and Landon Wilmes took it to the house the next play to make it 14-6 with 4:09 left in the second.

The game was held up as Bo Collins had laid out Leo Przybylski on the play while throwing a block, and the Lions’ player had to be carried out on a stretcher. 

A totally different Lions squad came out onto the field, determined to win it for their fallen teammate. After they got the ball on their own 24, they ran a perfectly executed option play that fooled everyone, including the officials, who blew the play dead as nobody was anywhere near the new ball carrier. With time running out in the first half, the Lions gambled on fourth and four at their own 30 and made it as an option to Cy Carlson picked up 15 yards to the 35. A late hit put it on the 20. The Lions got as far as the Tiger 10 and then tried to test Jude Archer, who replaced Brayden Stevens as corner. But he broke up the first pass into the end zone and picked off the second to preserve Worth County’s 14-6 lead.

But the Lions got the ball to start the second half, and the tackling broke down on Cy Carlson as the Tigers missed four tackles on him as he jetted 13 yards into Tiger territory at the 31. An offsides penalty set up another first down at the 20, and the Lions converted fourth and one to the 9 as the Tigers had trouble getting off the field on third and fourth down all night. Finally, nobody picked up Mason Stewart, who kept an option and took it the remaining nine yards to cut Christian’s deficit down to 14-12 with 7:19 left in the third quarter.

Worth County marched right back down the field after starting at their own 30. Two carries by Landon Wilmes netted 10 yards to the 40, and the Tigers rescued a third and ten at the 40 as a screen pass to Lucas Frisch covered 13 yards to the 27. Landon Wilmes got the ball again and it took several Lions to drag him down at the 10. But then a late hit moved it back to the 20. A screen to Wilmes covered 17 yards to the three, but a botched screen pass derailed the drive, and the Tigers once again passed up a red zone opportunity.

Starting deep in one’s territory can be difficult, but for a good running team, it can be an opportunity for a team to run big chunks of time off the clock and flip the scoreboard. Sure enough, the Lions slowly marched 77 yards down the field, taking the rest of the third quarter and all but 3:49 of the fourth to score. They converted a fourth and fourth and two with a Hausman option to the 29. Worth County nearly had a stop after the Lions tested Archer, only for him to break up another pass. But on fourth and eight at the 31, Preston Davis lined up in a kick/run option, where he had the option to kick it or run with it. Sure enough, Worth County fell asleep at the switch and Davis found a hole and got the first down to the Tiger 37 as the Tigers once again struggled to get off the field on third and fourth down. On third and three at the 18, Hausman carried it seven to the 11, and on fourth and two at the three, Hausman took it to the house.

But with their backs to the wall, down 18-14 with 3:49 left, this time, Worth County woke up instead of falling apart like they did in the Platte Valley game after Platte Valley had scored late to take a lead on the Tigers. They started at their own 25 and alternated Jude Archer and Landon Wilmes in the Wildcat look, and finally, they started finding daylight. Archer picked up 5 and Wilmes 15 to the Lion 36. Archer picked up one more to the 35, and then a quick pitch to Landon Wilmes with 2:02 left struck gold as he ran through the Lion players like they weren’t even there and took it to the house. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 22-18 and rule out the chance of the Lions kicking a late field goal to win it.

Christian got the ball back at their own 29 and refused to deviate from their game plan until they absolutely had to. Peyton Hausman carried the team on his shoulders with an 11-yard option run to the 40. A fumbled snap with 1:26 left forced Christian’s first timeout. They tried an option again, but this time, Jude Archer forced a fumble and nearly recovered it, which would have ended the game. But Hausman fell on it and the drive continued. Hausman ripped off carries for 13 and 17 yards straight up the middle for a first down to the 20 and a first down with 34 seconds left and Christian down to one timeout. 

Worth County finally dropped Hausman after a gain of three, which forced Christian to use their third and last timeout with 24 seconds left. A sweep to Cy Carlson lost a yard to the 18, but the officials ruled he had gotten out of bounds, stopping the clock at 17 seconds.

Out of timeouts and apparently not realizing the clock had stopped, Christian spiked the ball with 15 seconds to set up fourth and eight at the Tiger 18. Worth County called a timeout to set up their defense, and the Lions dropped back to pass. All of the Lion receivers were covered and one of the Tigers came straight up the middle untouched, forcing Mason Stewart to throw before he was ready. But nobody was home, and the Tigers were able to kneel out the clock.

The Tigers travel to Stanberry next week. Besides the Pattonsburg game, Stanberry has been in all of their other games, including giving unbeaten Rock Port a run for their money. Stanberry gave Worth County fits in the jamboree, playing them to a 12-12 tie. Most recently, they gave Princeton everything they wanted before falling 44-42 to the high-powered Blue Tiger squad. 

For Stanberry, the game is a must win game; they must put on a big winning streak if they are to dig themselves out of a sixth-place hole in districts and get a better seeding. Worth County has to win to keep up with Albany in the GRC West standings and hope the Warriors falter to get a share of the crown. A win would get them to 4-2 and one step closer to a winning season. 

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for September 25th, 2024

On September 11th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Erin Graves (45) of Stanberry pleaded guilty to federal charges of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Illegal Possession of Unregistered Firearm. He was sentenced to eight years and four months without parole by Judge Howard Sachs. 

On September 11th, at around 2:03 am, the Bethany Republican-Clipper reported that two thieves broke into Advanced Tires of Bethany. 

On September 17th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that at around 6:51 pm, vehicles driven by Kasydi Nickle and Logan Worthington were traveling west on Highway 2 in Mount Ayr near El Vaquero Restaurant. Nickle had stopped for a turning vehicle. Worthington struck them in the rear. There were no injuries.

On September 18th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2008 Chevy HHR driven by Joe Hamilton (46) of Clearmont was eastbound on Route JJ six miles west of Hopkins at 8:30 pm. He traveled off the south side, struck a fence, struck an embankment, went airborne, struck the ground, and overturned multiple times. Hamilton received serious injuries and was lifeflighted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Subsequently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested him on charges of DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), and Driving While Suspended.

On September 18th, Melissa Cordill (49) of Kansas City pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. She was placed on two years probation by Judge Jay Hemenway. The defendant was assessed $300 to the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund and must wear a portable breathalyzer for 50 days.

On September 18th, Amanda Franklin (39) of Benson (MN) failed to appear in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A warrant was issued and bond set at $25,000, cash only.

On September 18th, Kercy Freddy (31) of Ottumwa (IA) failed to appear in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court on charges of DWI and No Valid License. A warrant was issued and bond set at $2,500, cash only.

On September 18th, the Creston News-Advertiser reported that Brian Gutmann (47) of Creston was arrested by the Union County Sheriff’s Department on a warrant alleging that he unlawfully obtained or attempted to obtain prescription drugs, fraudulently submitted paperwork in support of those claims, and tampered with medical records. The defendant allegedly kept either some of all of the drugs for himself and then billed the patients and/or their insurers. The defendant allegedly engaged in these actions while employed by Greater Regional Health of Creston. Bond was set at $72,000, cash or corporate surety, posted by the defendant.

On September 18th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Korbin Fletchall (20) alleging DWI. 

On September 19th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Joseph Dilley (24) of Cameron alleging DWI (Serious Physical Injury), Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), and No Seat Belt. Bond was set at $5,000, cash only. 

On September 19th, the Jefferson C-123 school was evacuated and students sent home after a bomb threat that afternoon. Later that evening, the school was cleared by law enforcement and school was in session as normal the next day.

On September 20th, there was a wreck in front of the NEN school that morning. There were no injuries.

On September 20th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Anay Velasquez (24) of Fort Wayne (IN) in Harrison County on charges of DWI (Drugs), Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, and Careless & Imprudent Driving.

On September 21st, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Twila Ellis (77) of Maryville was driving a 2012 Chevy Equinox eastbound on Route V nine miles west of Maryville at around 10:10 pm when she lost control on a rain covered roadway, traveled off the south side, struck a stop sign, and struck a utility pole. She received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville.

On September 21st, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Emiliano Cruz Sanchez (33) of St. Paul in Harrison County on charges of DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving, and No Valid License.

On September 21st, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Daniel Smith (40) of Bethany in Harrison County on a charge of No Valid License and a Putnam County Warrant (No Valid License). 

On September 21st, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jacqueline Peden (35) of Troy (KS) in Worth County on charges of Speeding and a Buchanan County Warrant (Speeding). 

On September 23rd, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Anay Velasquez (25) of Fort Wayne (IN) alleging DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving, and No Insurance.

On September 23rd, multiple news outlets reported that Ryan Routh (58), the man detained after hiding on a golf course on which former president Donald Trump was playing, left behind a note declaring his intent to assassinate the former president. Federal prosecutors announced their intent to charge Routh with a premeditated plan to assassinate Trump. He remains held in prison without bond.

On September 23rd, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Peggy Glenn (65) of Eagleville on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Speeding (73 mph). On September 24th, an additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony) and an additional charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia was filed by Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt. 

On September 23rd, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Shahana Hall (32) of Maryville and Chad King (41) of Maryville alleging Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond for Hall was set at $10,000 signature bond. Bond for King was set at $5,000 signature bond.

On September 23rd, Deborah Filley (60) of St. Joseph pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Stealing (Felony). She was sentenced to five years probation and assessed $1,491.75 in court costs and restitution by Judge Corey Herron.

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. 

Pattonsburg Grabs Impressive Win Over Stanberry 58-22

The Pattonsburg football squad had been going through growing pains without Gage Iddings to anchor them on both sides of the ball. After losing 62-60 against Rock Port, they gave state-ranked South Holt all they wanted, leading them by 13 at one point. They were throwing in some new looks, developing a running game to go with their vaunted passing attack. But then Wyatt Maize went down in that game and the Knights, who had been there before, rallied in the closing seconds to break a 66-66 tie and win 73-66.

It looked like the season was going down the drain after the Princeton game. Two years before, Iddings had gone down and Pattonsburg had struggled without him; it looked like more of the same as the Panthers, without Maize, played a forgettable game and lost 66-28.

But on a night when everybody else was getting pounded into oblivion, Pattonsburg suddenly righted the ship and stunned Stanberry 58-22. Unlike most of their games, there was little suspense about this one. Despite many of the same players on the field for both sides, it was a completely different game than the lopsided game that Pattonsburg had lost to the Bulldogs last year. This year, Pattonsburg pulled away steadily, winning every quarter to get the win.

It started on the defensive end with Pattonsburg shutting down Stanberry, a vaunted running team. They held Stanberry to 119 yards, a 3.4 average, and nobody gained more than 30 yards. Stanberry tried seven different backs against them to no avail. The passing game was not much better, with the Bulldogs completing 5 of 17 passes for 104 yards. A relentless pass rush helped ground the Stanberry air attack as the Panthers had eight sacks. Collin Mason and Bryson Clark had 2 each and Camden Griffith, Landon Preston, Gavin Humphrey, and Jace Estrada all had 1.

Pattonsburg continued their pattern of diversifying their offense, running 21 times for 124 yards to keep defenses honest, getting a 5.9 average. They threw for another 259 yards, and Landon Preston added a punt return for a touchdown. 

Camden Griffith completed 18 of 26 for 235 yards. Gage Fortner completed two of seven for 24 yards. 

Camden Griffith rushed 9 times for 74 yards. Dalton Guy had 3 carries for 16 yards, and Landon Preston had 9 carries for 34 yards. They didn’t get more than 15 yards on any carry, but the high average meant that they could consistently get five yards a crack anytime they needed something on the ground.

Without Maize, Pattonsburg was able to turn to five different targets, including two freshmen, who stepped up when they had to. Drake Sperry had 3 catches for 19 yards. Landon Preston had 5 catches for 75 yards. Alex Young had 3 catches for 56 yards. Ryker Fortner had 2 catches for 24 yards. Gavin Humphrey had 6 catches for 94 yards.

Defensively, Jace Estrada has turned into a force on defense with his 300 pound frame and is anchoring the run defense. He had 12 tackles; his tackle numbers started going up steadily towards the end of last year. Landon Preston had 11, Camden Griffith 10, Gavin Humphrey 5, Bryson Clark 5, Collin Mason 4, Parker Virtue 3, Dalton Guy 2, Gage Fortner 2, Remington White 2, Patrick Hartman 1, Drake Sperry 1, and Alex Young 1. 

Patrick Groom 1962-2024

Patrick Lloyd Groom, age 62, passed away September 20th, 2024 at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas.

Pat was born January 20th, 1962 in Mount Ayr, Iowa, to Jack Lloyd Groom and Doris Ann Groom Miller.

Pat would always say he was a simple ol’ farm boy, but he was so much more than that. Pat served in the U. S. Marine Corps from August 1979 to April 1982 when he was honorably discharged. 

He moved to Texas in 1985, began a life and had three children. Pat took pride working in the oil field and trucking industries for almost 40 years. He thrived in managerial roles. He was a loyal friend and always enjoyed a good time and drinking a cold Budweiser with his good friends and family. His pride and life dedication were his three children, and later becoming a grandpa.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister Cara Gale Groom.

Pat leaves as survivors: Hannah (Jason) Cain, Laramie (Colter) Macias, and Jack (Clarissa) Groom; granddaughters Emma Cain, Dilyn Groom, and Cara Macias; grandsons Grayson Cain, Patrick Groom due in October 2024; girlfriend Laurie Fant, brother Dirk (Nita) Groom, sister Brenda Groom, and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Hann Funeral Chapel in Grant City, Missouri.  The family will receive friends from 9-10 AM prior to the service.  Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany, Missouri.

North Nodaway Accepts Resignation, Hires VB Assistant, Sub Teacher

The North Nodaway School Board, at their regular board meeting Wednesday, accepted the resignation of Shai Barber as a paraprofessional effective September 20th. The board hired Chariza Gladman as a Junior High Volleyball Assistant. The board approved the early graduations of Alanis Wray and Caleb Stevens for December 2024 with the provision that each student meets graduation requirements established by the State of Missouri and the North Nodaway Board of Education. The board voted to name Ron Koneckne as a substitute teacher.

The board awarded the bid to replace doors at the elementary and high school and rekey them for a total of $30,140. 

The school solicited two bids for replacing a furnace at the elementary. First Choice Heating & Cooling of Maryville submitted a bid for $5,970 for a 95% efficient York 80k BTU gas furnace, including labor, retrofitting, and disposal of old equipment. Sleek Creek HVAC out of Stanberry bid $5,200 for a new RUUD 85K BTU 92% gas furnace, including hooking up to existing duct work. The board voted to accept the bid from First Choice.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that Cameron has begun his new schedule for counseling and that there have been a lot of positive comments.

For professional development, the elementary received a presentation on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support. 

There are 101 students enrolled. Classes are working on procedures in the hall, classroom, cafeteria, and bathroom, working on handwriting, and math facts. Around 250 grandparents showed up for Grandparents Day. The book fair brought in $2,000.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that students were given writing prompts at the beginning of the year. A Grandparents Day was held at the high school with 30-40 in attendance. Ten took a tour of the building; many had not been through and enjoyed seeing the changes. There was a lot of positive feedback.

There are fewer discipline referrals, tardies, and late homework.

Two students are participating in work release, 11 in vo-tech, three cadet teaching in the elementary, four in the middle school, and all seniors and several juniors are taking at least one dual credit course.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the school has fixed some drainage issues at the elementary. Most of the downspouts had been draining along the building. They hooked several downspouts together and ran them through an existing drain.

The school is in the process of installing the new elementary playground and the new high school lockers. There are a lot of positive comments about the lockers.

There are 46 students in the Dribblers Club for this year. They are working on basketball fundamentals and dribbling skills.

The school has received a $100,000 grant from the Patterson Foundation. This will allow the school to provide tuition assistance for staff members who want to become teachers who are currently non-certified or program coordinators. The school is in the process of developing guidelines.

April Healy Named Varsity Girls Basketball Coach for Worth County

April Healy was named head girls basketball coach for Worth County by the Worth County School Board at their regular meeting Wednesday. There had been a groundswell of support for her taking the job, and the girls lit up at the news when told about the board’s move. She will continue to serve as the junior high boys coach. 

The board also named Selina O’Connor as concession stand manager.

The school rated federal programs as “Excellent.” There are 1.43 FTE reading teachers and one FTE math teacher. Staff for communication arts and math are provided. The district provides Title One services schoolwide, meaning all students are eligible to receive additional support in the area of communication arts and math. There is support to create reading success plans. Concerns include the fact that all funds are spent on personnel, so programs that were funded in the past must come from local funds.

Worth County Parents as Teachers was rated as “Above Average.” The Parent Educator is trained and is building relationships with families. Number of family visits increased by 15% last school year. It provides services to families that are eligible and responsive to services. Concerns include contacting and communication with eligible families.

The Special Education Program was rated as “Above Average.” There are CPI trained staff, a paraprofessional to help with speech Response to Intervention, two teachers trained in transition skills for junior high and high school students, and 2.8 special education teachers and a special education director. Teachers and paraprofessionals participate in autism training. ACES provides high quality therapists to help. Staff works to address the needs of special education students in the regular classroom. High school special education students work with Vocational Rehab and their classroom teacher to prepare for life after high school. The school has a speech language pathologist for the current school year. Concerns listed include a lack of a life skills room in the future, staffing to help with high needs students, the lack of a safe room in the high school, challenges with high needs students, no gifted program, and lack of knowledge and strategies to handle behaviors, autism, and Down Syndrome. Recommendations include monitoring teachers and support staff to make sure they are working with students in need, looking for professional development opportunities to help with handling behaviors, autism, and Down Syndrome, looking at options for a life skills room, and preparation for high needs students as they progress to junior high and high school.

The board voted to declare a 2005 Chevy van with 280,000 miles as surplus property. 

Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported that a new Coderz Club has formed at the school. It consists of third through fifth grade students and is all about math and science. They will compete against each other and complete coding missions each week. They meet every Thursday throughout the school year.

Grandparents Day was held at the school September 6th. Around 380 grandparents attended.

First Interstate Bank employees Rebecca Summers, Haley Ridge, Aubrey Huntsman, and Diane Dannar came to the school on September 11th for the company’s Volunteer Day. They bagged 252 bags for Friday Friends and bagged up several hygiene items for Mrs. Campbell.

Friday Friends, formerly known as Backpack Buddies, provides kids whose families qualify for free & reduced lunches or are facing hardships with a sack of food each Friday for the weekend at no cost to the families. This is a partnership between the school and Mission Possible. Funds are raised through donations from local churches, individuals, and grants.

The school is in the process of implementing Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support. It involves developing clear behavioral expectations, teaching these expectations, acknowledging appropriate behavior, and using behavioral data to systematically solve problems.

High School Principal Josh Smith reported on curriculum work at the school. Government students are investigating and reporting on countries’ governmental structure. Eighth grade social studies students are tracing the causes and consequences of Indigenous peoples’ arrival to the US and studying the Iroquois constitution. Seventh grade art students are learning how to make 3D art. Band students are working on how to create shapes that represent the music being performed, including a “WC” formation during the fight song. 

The school will again will have an attendance challenge by grade level. The class with the highest attendance percentage for each time period will receive an incentive. The first winning class will be named in September.

Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that new renovations at the softball field are complete for this year. There are new bleachers at the football field and new concrete landings. The gym floor has been completely redone. There is a new logo in the center and a brighter color scheme. There are 26 boys out for high school football, including four NEN students. There are 22 junior high boys out for football, including nine NEN students. There are 12 girls out for softball, with everybody back for next year. There are 15 junior high girls out for softball, including seven sixth graders. There are 12 girls out for golf. There are 48 students out for band, eight girls out for high school cheer, and seven out for junior high cheer. 

Vocational Ag teacher Kyle Dignan reported on welding shop improvements. He reported that 38 students signed up for FFA.

Enrollment has increase by 27 students from last year, with 295 students.

The board voted to set professional development rates for activity done outside of school time. Teachers will be paid $50/hour for preparing and presenting professional development, $30/hour for professional development and/or tutoring, and $15/hour for paraprofessionals to do professional development and/or tutoring. 

The board voted to set substitute pay for the current school year. Substitute teachers will see their pay raised from $91/day to $98/day. Bus drivers will see their pay go from $65/day to $70/day. Custodians will see their pay rise from $11/hour to $12.30/hour. Secretaries will see their pay go from $11.50/hour to $12.30.

Kinley Fletchall Tosses No Hitter

Kinley Fletchall tossed a no hitter Thursday as Worth County’s junior high squad won its second straight, 17-2 over Pattonsburg, after playing in a tough King City tournament. Worth County had shut out Albany 3-0 in the previous game.

It looked like a long night at first, as Fletchall walked the bases loaded and then got behind 3-0 against Emsleigh McCrary. But she came back and struck her out, then got Whitley Estep to ground into a double play as Fletchall threw to Renae Gladstone at home, and Renae fired to first to complete the double play.

Kaydence Downing rolled a perfect bunt down the third base line and beat it out and later came around to score on Renae Gladstone’s fly ball to center field. Pattonsburg errors led to Fletchall scoring to make it 2-0.

Fletchall worked around two walks as she struck out two and a third out came when a Pattonsburg runner left too early. 

Jane Hawk scored on a wild pitch in the second to start the second. After walks and a hit batter loaded the bases, Kinley Fletchall got her second scratch hit, a slow roller between the first base line and the mound to score another run. Renae Gladstone’s bases clearing double to the left field wall emptied the bases and opened the floodgates for the Tigers and made it 7-0. 

Kennedy Murphy’s single fetched another run and she later scored on a wild pitch. Bella Blankenship was plunked to force in another run. Gabbey Maudlin scored on a wild pitch. Kinley Fletchall got her third hit of the day, a single to center, to score one. Bella Blankenship scored on a wild pitch. Catelynn Moyer walked to force in a run and Jane Hawk was plunked to force in another. Kaydence Downing scored on a wild pitch. By the time the dust had settled, the Tigers were up 17-0, and they finally had the last runner step off.

A pair of Tiger errors led to two Pattonsburg runs in the third, but Fletchall had back to back strikeouts to preserve the no-hitter and get out of the inning.

Carter Chapman, Abbi Brown Named Homecoming Royalty; Tigers Fall to Albany

Abbi Brown was chosen Worth County Homecoming Queen Friday at homecoming festivities and Carter Chapman was crowned King before the football game with Albany. Homecoming queens from 25 and 50 years ago, Jennifer (Behrens) McCutcheon (1999) and Sue (Musick) Hardy (1974), assisted in the crowning, and Hardy was escorted by two of her grandchildren, Keira Hardy and Cole Hardy.

Brown is the daughter of Rod and Dawn Brown. Chapman is the son of Michael and Andrea Chapman. Other queen candidates were Eva Engel, daughter of Jay and D.J. Engel; and Bridgette Hightshoe, daughter of Bill and Leena Hightshoe. Karson Briner was the other king candidate; he is the son of Tyrel Briner and Ashley Briner. Northeast Nodaway football player Landon Wilmes served as an escort since there were only two king candidates. He is the son of Karl and Steph Wilmes. 

Junior attendants were Reed Smyser, son of Robbie and Amanda Smyser; and Marissa Schmitz, granddaughter of Francis and Rita Schmitz. Sophomore attendants were Bo Collins, son of Dan and Mary Collins; and Kambree Briner, daughter of Tyrel Briner and Ashley Briner. Freshman attendants were Wesley Brown, son of Jessica Brown and the late Adam Brown; and Audrey Runde, daughter of Greg and Becky Runde.

Members of the Worth County Class of 1974 helped with the coin toss. They won the coin toss for the Tigers, but the outcome of the game was not as fortunate, as the Tigers fell to Albany 36-34.

The game put Albany in the driver’s seat for the GRC West title. Worth County will have to win out, starting with a tough St. Joseph Christian squad this Friday in St. Joseph, and hope that the Warriors falter. The Lions played Albany tough before falling 42-20, showing a lot of improvement under a new coach. 

The Albany win also put them in charge of District 7, where they are on top of the district standings. Platte Valley, which also beat Worth County, is second in the standings, which means that the head to head tiebreaker will come into play even if the Tigers were to move past one of those two teams in the standings. Worth County is third in the district standings, followed by King City, Pattonsburg, and Stanberry. 

Worth County started off with a long drive to get into the end zone. A squib kick put them on the 33, and Landon Wilmes got a block from Bo Collins to the 38. Cole Ruby got a block from Ethan Lininger to the Albany 38, and then Brayden Stevens got a first down to the 36. Landon Wilmes got a block from Ethan Lininger to the 32. Brayden Stevens was stuffed for no gain, but Hayden Sanders scrambled for seven yards and a first down to the 25. Brayden Stevens got a block from Lucas Frisch and picked up 10 yards to the 15. A counter to Cole Ruby picked up eight yards to the seven as he picked up blocks from Bo Collins and Ethan Lininger. Landon Wilmes got a block from Karson Briner to the 2. Albany came on a blitz and caused a two yard loss, but Brayden Stevens outran a defender and broke a tackle to get into the end zone to put the Tigers up 6-0 with 6:43 left in the first quarter. But the extra point failed; the extra point game was costly for the Tigers, as they scored just as many touchdowns as the Warriors, but converted one fewer extra point.

The sloppy play that hurt the Tigers during the Platte Valley game and the second half of the Mound City game came back to bite them on the next drive. Albany moved like a juggernaut down the field, with Elliot Mercer and Chase Cline carrying the ball and Kyle Emerson catching an 11 yard pass. Finally, the Tigers made a stand when Bo Collins batted down a pass on second and six at the Tiger nine and then dropped Mercer after a two yard gain to the seven. But then nobody talked on defense and nobody covered Zane Rippy, who was all alone for the first six points that Albany scored. Mercer ran in the extra points to put Albany up 8-6 with 2:06 left in the first quarter.

Worth County was faced with third and five on its own 21 on the next series, but then Hayden Sanders aired it out to Brayden Stevens 41 yards to the 18 to flip the field. Cole Ruby picked up five to the 13 after getting a block from Ethan Lininger and then Landon Wilmes got blocks from Bo Collins and Carter Chapman and moved a pile to the 1. Landon then got blocks from Karson Briner and Lucas Frisch and got a cutback to make it 12-8 with 11:20 left. 

But then Albany went to its spread no huddle look and Kyle Emerson got nine off a jet sweep to the 39. A short pass to Eliot Mercer picked up nine to the Tiger 32, and then an option picked up nine yards to the 23. A counter to Mercer got it to the 10, a short pass to Zane Rippy got to the three, and then Mercer scored with 9:07 left in the second. Mercer ran in the extra points to put Albany up 16-12, and the extra point game was looming large for the Tigers.

At that point, the Tigers started taking too long to get the play off, lost their composure, got a false start, and frustration set in and they got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as they were forced to punt. They nearly got a stop after a holding penalty buried Albany on their own 20. Lucas Frisch dropped Mercer for no gain, but then he got loose for 30 yards into Tiger territory at the 30. This time, it was Albany who was having trouble getting the play in and running the play clock down. A flea flicker fooled nobody as Carter Chapman broke through and sacked Chase Cline for a loss. An illegal formation penalty moved them back to the 40. Lucas Frisch dropped Eliot Mercer after a two yard gain, and then a holding penalty put it back to the Warrior 37. But none of that mattered as nobody got any pressure on Chase Cline, who aired it out to Kyle Emerson, who outran everyone got a score with 4:56 left. Chase Cline ran in the extra points to make it 24-12. At that point, thanks to the extra point game, Albany was up two possessions instead of one.

Worth County started off on its own 33 and then Landon Wilmes hurdled a defender 15 yards to the 32. Hayden Sanders scrambled 14 yards to the 18 and then Brayden Stevens got a block from Karson Briner and Carter Chapman to the 13. But then the blocking disappeared as the Tigers were thrown for a loss. Hayden Sanders scrambled, but only for two yards to the 14 to set up 16. An overthrow meant that Albany could kill the clock and go into the half with a 24-12 lead.

The Warriors had a chance to go up three possessions to start the third quarter as they had the ball, but after Elliot Mercer carried them on his shoulders to midfield, a sure touchdown pass to Kyle Emerson was dropped and the Warriors were forced to punt. 

It looked like Albany had Worth County stopped after the Tigers picked up a holding penalty and a sack set up fourth down. But a taunting penalty on Albany gave the Tigers new life at the 26. Brayden Stevens was stopped for two at the 28, but then Landon Wilmes got loose after getting a block from Cole Ruby and was in the clear before Kyle Emerson ran him down at the three. Lucas Frisch got a block from Ethan Lininger to take it the rest of the way and Landon Wilmes ran in the extra points to cut the Warrior lead to 24-20.

Worth County got a golden chance to get the lead back when Bo Collins dropped Mercer to set up fourth and three at the Warrior 38 for the Warriors. They elected to go for it, but a bobbled snap blew up the play and Landon Wilmes and Carter Chapman dropped Cline at the 37 and the Tigers got the ball back with a short field to work with.

But after a fumbled snap, the Tigers were stopped on downs at the 30, and after Chase Cline ripped off a 20 yard gain into Tiger territory at the 26, the energy level of the team dropped like a lead balloon. Mercer and Cline took turns carrying the ball to the 7, when Carter Chapman finally dropped Mercer for no gain. A short pass to Mercer got it to the one to set up fourth and goal, but a quarterback sneak by Chase Cline with 9:48 left put Albany up 30-20. The Warriors tried a reverse to Emerson, but he was tackled at the one to deny the extra points.

But after Wyatt Hill ran back a short kickoff to the 30, Brayden Stevens got loose for 35 yards to the 15. Cole Ruby was stopped for one yard, but then Brayden got blocks from Karson Briner, Ethan Lininger, Lucas Frisch, and Hayden Sanders as he got it to the house with 8:53 left. Landon Wilmes got a block from Lucas Frisch to cut the Tiger deficit to 30-28.

Albany got the ball back on their own 30, but a sack by Bo Collins, Sawyer Thurman, and Carter Chapman set up second and 20 at the 20. Chase Cline was met by Carter Chapman after a two yard gain, and then a pass interference on Worth County trying to slow down Emerson put the ball on the 37. There was a long holdup as the officials first put it on the 37, then back on the 33, and then back on the 37. But the Tigers got the ball back when they forced a fumble and recovered it on the 34.

A long run got called back to the Warrior 34 by a holding penalty. Landon Wilmes picked up eight to the 26. Brayden Stevens picked up 15 yards to the 11, but was hurt at the end of the run (knee), and was done for the game.

Landon Wilmes got a score when he got a block from Ethan Lininger and juked a defender to get into the end zone with 6:38 left. That put the Tigers up 34-30. Cole Ruby went down (ankle), tried to come back, but couldn’t go any longer.

But without Brayden Stevens, their best pass defender and fastest player, on the field, they had nobody to guard Kyle Emerson. Sure enough, Albany aired it out to Emerson with 5:26 left to regain a 36-34 lead. 

With Cole Ruby out, Jude Archer had to come in cold, but Archer threw a key block that set up Landon Wilmes’ first down run to the Albany 35. Wilmes got his jersey ripped up during the play, but Archer stepped right up at runningback, picking up six to the Warrior 29 after getting a block from Karson Briner. But on the very next play, a fumbled snap was covered by the Warriors.

Albany was able to pick up a first down on the ground before the Tigers were able to stop them at the Tiger 37 to set up fourth and seven. Albany aired it out to Zane Rippy, but Landon Wilmes, back in with a different jersey, stripped it away from him for a pick to give the Tigers the ball back. But Hayden Sanders’ desperation pass was picked off by Keghan Schaefer and returned to the 17 to seal the win for the Warriors.

The win for Albany left them as one of eight teams which are unbeaten. In a night filled with surprises, Nodaway Valley steamrolled Platte Valley 58-20 to hand them their first loss. North Andrew, with Braxton Linville back and healthy, dropped St. Joseph Christian 26-12. Last year, Stanberry had Pattonsburg’s number, but this year, with many of the same players from both sides on the field, it was Pattonsburg who turned the tables on Stanberry, beating them 58-22 after having been lit up by Princeton the week before. That gave the Panthers their first win of the year. In what was supposed to be a battle of heavyweights, St. Pius X beat Maryville 62-0.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for September 18th, 2024

On September 8th, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jared Rye (38) of Plattsmouth (NE) after he allegedly rammed a vehicle on 210th Avenue and Highway 2 in Fremont County and existed his truck while displaying a knife. He was charged with Reckless Driving, DWI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Assault (Displaying Dangerous Weapon), Going Armed With Intent, and Introducing a Controlled Substance Into Correctional Facility. Bond was set at $15,000 cash or corporate surety. 

On September 9th, Jody King (20) of Darlington pleaded guilty to a charge of Sexual Abuse (Felony) in Nodaway County Circuit Court. The case was moved from Gentry County on a change of venue. He was sentenced to five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. 

On September 9th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Amanda King (37) of Maryville alleging Assault (Law Enforcement Officer). 

On September 10th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Jennifer Miller (37) of Ravenwood alleging Stealing (Felony), Forgery (Felony), and Exploitation of an Elderly Person (Felony). An affidavit from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant stole $48,992.45 from an elderly person’s checking and savings accounts. Bond was set at $10,000 signature bond.

On September 10th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Ryan Riley (22) of Hopkins alleging DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), and No Seat Belt.

On September 10th, Sean Sweat (29) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to an amended charge of Receiving Stolen Property. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Jay Hemenway. Defendant must do monthly drug tests, obtain a mental health evaluation and follow recommendations, make $912 in restitution, and maintain employment for a minimum of at least 30 hours a week. 

On September 10th, Jeffrey Ebrecht (40) of Fairfax pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Resisting Arrest. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 10th, Jose Pacheco (39) of Kansas City (KS) pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and No Valid License. He was assessed $700 in fines and costs by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 10th, Judge Corey Herron ordered an arrest warrant for Joseph Dixon (44) of Independence alleging that he violated his probation. Bond was denied. Dixon had been placed on probation in Nodaway County Circuit Court on a charge of Failure to Register as Sex Offender (Felony). 

On September 10th, John Pierson (33) of St. Joseph failed to appear in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court on charges of Forgery (Felony) and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Device. A warrant was issued and bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety. 

On September 10th, Charles Hunter (33) of Grant City pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of Driving While Revoked and Tampering with Property of Another. He was assessed $400 in fines and court costs by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 10th, Tucker Herndon (44) of Graham pleaded guilty to a charge of Sex Offender Present on School Grounds. He was placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 10th, special prosecutor Tara Cluck filed charges in Worth County against Jill Heberlee (47) of Pittsburg (MO) alleging Non-Support (Felony). The amount alleged owed as of January 1st, 2023 was $17,359.69.

On September 10th, Christopher Wilcox (39) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Careless & Imprudent Driving. He was assessed $216.50 in court costs by Judge Robert Rice and placed on two years probation. 

On September 10th, Francis Bonor (56) of Eagleville pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Stealing. He was fined $500 by Judge Jay Hemenway. Subsequently, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Bonor alleging 2 counts Trespassing. The charging document alleges that on August 27th and 28th, the defendant unlawfully entered real property belonging to another after having been warned by deputies not to enter. Bond was set at $2,000, cash only. He had been on probation in Harrison County Circuit Court on a charge of Burglary (Felony). On September 11th, Judge Steven Hudson found that the defendant failed to abide by the conditions of his probation, suspended his probation, and issued a warrant. Bond was set at $10,000, cash only. 

On September 11th, Caden Wilson (26) of Albany pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. He was assessed $415.50 in fines and court costs by Judge Rebecca McGinley, placed on probation for two years, and ordered to complete SATOP within 90 days.

On September 11th, Kolten Smith (20) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI, No Plates, and Minor Visibly Intoxicated. He was assessed $666 in fines and court costs by Judge Rebecca McGinley, placed on probation for two years, and must complete SATOP within 90 days.

On September 11th, Alan McConkey (37) of Albany pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Speeding (89 mph). He was assessed $647 in fines and court costs by Judge Rebecca McGinley, placed on probation for two years, sentenced to two days in jail with credit for 12 hours served, and ordered to complete SATOP within 90 days.

On September 12th, Livingston County Prosecutor Adam Warren filed charges against Chad O’Bryan (52) of Chillicothe alleging two counts Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Exhibiting). Bond was denied. An affidavit from the Chillicothe Police Department alleges that the defendant was stepping onto Chillicothe Middle School property while armed with shears and swinging them on September 3rd, causing the school to change its day to day operations to protect students. Subsequently, the Chillicothe Police Department affidavit alleges that later that day, the defendant threatened a mental health worker with an axe. 

On September 12th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Nyankoor Chuol (19) of Des Moines alleging Driving with License Belonging to Another, Speeding (105 mph), and Minor in Possession. 

On September 12th, US Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) introduced the Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act. If passed, it would establish a new grant program that would help prevent youth opioid use by creating programs to educate students on the dangers of opioid use. A companion bill has been introduced in the US House. In California, fentanyl is responsible for 1 in every five deaths of young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

On September 13th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Steven Baker (19) of Essex (IA) in Nodaway County on charges of Minor in Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended, Speeding, No Insurance, and Failure to Register.

On September 13th at 11:01 pm at a private parking lot eight miles north of Savannah, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Austin Cook (30) of Savannah was performing donuts in the parking lot on a 2023 Polaris when the vehicle flipped, ejecting passengers Kayla Whitmer (28) of St. Joseph and Courtney Barron (34) of Savannah, both of whom were seriously injured. Subsequently, the Patrol arrested Cook on a charge of DWI (Serious Physical Injury, Felony). 

On September 13th, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department arrested Donald Boyer (81) of Sidney on charges of 4 counts Sexual Abuse of Child (Felony), Sexual Abuse (Felony), and 5 counts Incest (Felony). Bond was set at $150,000, cash only.

On September 14th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jaren Zerbe (19) of Gilman City in Harrison County on charges of DWI, Speeding, No Plates, No Insurance, and No Seat Belt.

On September 14th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Kyle Cline (39) of New Hampton in Harrison County on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, and No Insurance. The Patrol also arrested Aimee Stewart (28) of New Hampton on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Charges were subsequently filed by Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt. Bond for Cline was set at $5,000, cash only. Bond for Stewart was set at $2,500, cash only.

On September 14th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Gail Lacox (56) of Coin (IA) in Nodaway County on charges of DWI and Careless & Imprudent Driving.

On September 15th, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department reported that they received a call regarding a disturbance in Farragut. A woman reported she was being assaulted with a baseball bat. The victim was transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department arrested Sylvia Hayes (47) of Farragut on charges of Attempted Murder (Felony), Willful Injury (Felony), Going Armed With Intent (Felony), and Domestic Abuse. She was being held on no bond until seen by the magistrate.

On September 15th, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested in Florida for an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. He had been hiding out at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club for 12 hours. Secret Service agents fired at him when they saw a barrel of a gun sticking out from a thicket. He was arrested a few hours later. Mr. Trump, who was on the course playing golf at the time, was 400-500 yards away and was not harmed. Subsequently, federal charges were filed against Routh alleging Felon in Possession of Firearm and Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number. He faces other federal and state charges.

On September 16th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against James Gabbert (48) of Maryville alleging Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Felony). Bond was set at $30,000 signature bond.

On September 17th, the Associated Press reported that rapper P. Diddy Combs was indicted in New York Federal Court on charges that from 2008 to the present, the rapper allegedly abused, threatened, and coerced women for years, in the words of the indictment, “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.” The AP quotes prosecutors as saying Combs beat victims so badly, their injuries sometimes took weeks to heal.

On September 17th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Harold Garcia (27) of Cuba in Nodaway County on a City of Maryville Warrant (Driving While Revoked), a City of Maryville Warrant (Expired Plates), a Nodaway County Traffic Warrant, and No Valid License.

On September 17th, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against Jack Buckman (23) of Bethany alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Speeding (79 mph), , No Insurance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On September 17th, the Southwest Valley School District in Corning reported they were made aware of a potential threat of violence via Snapchat to a student. During the investigation, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office has deemed the situation safe and no concern of threat at this time. The case is still under investigation.

On September 17th, a caller purporting to be from the US Postal Service called the Sheridan Express seeking information about the business. The Postal Service does not make automated calls to customers.

On September 17th, KMA reported that a Fremont County (IA) jury convicted Tressa Haughton (41) of Hamburg on three counts Delivery of Methamphetamine. She faces up to 45 years in prison. 

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. 

 

Tigers Play Most Complete Game of the Year; Coach Adwell Named Coach of the Year for 2023

The Tigers got two pieces of good news last week. The first was that they put together their most complete game of the year with a 64-6 win over North Andrew Friday after searching for consistency its first two games. The second was that Coach Jon Adwell was named the MSHSAA Football Coach of the Year for 2023. A representative from the MSHSAA came to the school to present Adwell with the award. 

North Andrew was shorthanded coming into the game Friday, with 22 players listed in the program, but only 18 dressed out. But they still had quarterback Braxon Linville, who figured big in North Andrew’s plans after returning from a season ending injury against Albany last year. He figured to be a load in coach Dustin Williams and his four yards and a cloud of dust philosophy, which he didn’t make any secret of during his weekly interviews with Stuart Johnson.

Brayden Stevens broke tackle after tackle on the opening kickoff as he ran it back to the Cardinal 26. The Cards, like Mound City and Platte Valley before them, sold out to stop the run as Worth County had not moved the ball through the air in its first two weeks. But then Hayden Sanders completed a 16 yard pass to Karson Briner to the 9 and a 4 yard pass to Briner to the 5 to soften up the Cardinal defense. A power sweep by Stevens took it to the one and then Cole Ruby got a block from Karson Briner and Carter Chapman with 9:48 left to put the Tigers up 6-0. 

Three straight carries to Braxon Linville picked up 13 yards and a first down to the Cardinal 34 after the Cards recovered a squib kick at the 21. But a bad snap derailed the drive and they were forced to punt. The four yards and a cloud of dust approach is good if a team is well-disciplined, but the disadvantage is that a single negative yardage play or penalty can derail the drive.

With North Andrew still selling out to stop the run, Worth County went to their power formation, but then Hayden Sanders threw a guard eligible pass to Bo Collins 46 yards to the Cardinal 11. Brayden Stevens got a block from Landon Wilmes and took it to the house with 5:30 left in the first to make it 12-0.

A false start nearly derailed the next North Andrew drive, but the Cardinals always keep a few trick plays in their pocket. This time, they lined up Linville as the punter and pulled off a fake punt on fourth and four and he got 17 yards to the Tiger 35. A successful fourth and two run by Linville put it on the 24. They lined up in a double wing look with Linville reading the defense, but Carter Chapman dropped him for two at the 22. Linville picked up eight more to the 14, but then a fumbled snap derailed the drive. An incomplete pass and a bad snap put the ball back on the 33. North Andrew tried to throw a long pass on fourth and 29, but Lucas Frisch picked it off. At the end of the run, Linville came in to make the tackle, but Frisch laid him out at the end of the run, knocking him out of the game.

The Tigers started off on their own 35. North Andrew guessed right on a blitz and dropped Stevens, but Landon Wilmes got seven yards to the 40 and an offsides penalty put it on the 35 for a first down. A false start set up first and 15 at the 40, but a six yard run by Cole Ruby and a horsecollar tackle at the end of the run added 15 yards to the Cardinal 19. That set up Landon Wilmes, who got some daylight, got a final block from Karson Briner, and took it to the house with 7:43 left in the second quarter. Lucas Frisch caught the extra point pass to make it 20-0.

North Andrew got good field position at their own 32, but a bad snap pinned them at their own six and a shanked punt put the Tigers on the Cardinal 13. Lucas Frisch picked up four to the nine and Cole Ruby took it to the house as he bounced outside with 5:04 left. Landon Wilmes took a counter and ran in the extra points to make it 28-0.

The Tigers reverted to the sloppy form that hurt them the first two games, and a late hit on the ensuing kickoff gave North Andrew the ball on the Tiger 25 and a short field to work with. Two plays later, a Tiger defender was caught peeking in the backfield and backup quarterback Levi McAfee found Avery Miller all alone for six points to make it 28-6. Bo Collins and Carter Chapman got a sack on the extra point try. 

North Andrew, Pattonsburg, and Albany are the three most likely teams to try an onsides kick and sure enough, the Cardinals tried one to get a free possession. But Worth County covered it and had good field position at their own 39. An offsides penalty put it on the 36 and Landon Wilmes broke two tackles to the 22. An incomplete pass set up second and 10, but then Wilmes exploded into the secondary and to the house with 3:50 left and frustration set in for North Andrew, as they got a late hit penalty. Landon Wilmes took an option pitch and ran it in to make it 36-6.

With the penalty enforced on the kickoff, North Andrew was buried on their own 19. Brayden Combs had a tackle for loss and then Landon Wilmes and Carter Chapman got a sack to force a three and out. With 1:18 left, Worth County started at their own 38. Hayden Sanders scrambled to the 35. He came under a heavy rush and threw it away, but Landon Wilmes picked up 10 yards and a first down to the 25. Then, Hayden Sanders pitched it to Brayden Stevens, who pitched it back to Sanders, who took a perfectly designed screen pass to the house with 39 seconds left. Worth County picked up a holding that wiped out an extra point try, but that only made it more interesting. Landon Wilmes caught a pass short of the goal line, but he eluded the tackle and got it to make it 44-6. 

On the ensuing kickoff, the ball caromed off Maddox Sybert and Lucas Frisch recovered on the Cardinal 15 with 30 seconds left. It only took one play to score as Bo Collins took a pass from Hayden Sanders with 25 seconds left to make it 50-6 at halftime.

Worth County saw Landon Wilmes run six times for 71 yards in the first half. Tiger quarterbacks completed five out of seven passes for 106 yards after the passing game had been nonexistent in the first two games.

North Andrew tried to air out a long pass on fourth and seven from their own 30, but the Tigers covered it and got a short field to work with. Brayden Stevens picked up 1 to the 29, then a cutback run by Landon Wilmes picked up 21 more to the eight. Brayden Stevens picked up seven more to the 1, and then Landon Wilmes took it to the house with 6:18 left in the third to make it 56-6. 

A bad snap, a false start, and a bobbled snap put North Andrew in the hole at fourth and 31 and they were forced to punt. Worth County got the ball back at their own 26, and Landon Wilmes went over the 100 yard mark with a 46 yard carry to the four after a block from Lucas Frisch. A fumbled handoff gave North Andrew the ball back at the six, but the Tigers scored anyway as a bad snap resulted in a safety as Bo Collins and Ethan Lininger tackled one of the red shirts in the end zone. 

Brayden Stevens wove and spun his way to the Cardinal 30 on the ensuing kickoff before the varsity offense was done for the night. The varsity defense stayed out for much of the fourth quarter to keep the Cards out of the end zone, and Ethan Lininger was a one man wrecking ball, getting a pair of tackles for loss. As the JV defense started filtering in, Reyen Hansen and Liam Hayden got tackles for loss as well. Reed Smyser caught a nice pass to set up Worth County’s final touchdown, a three yard run from Dylan Smith, a back with a lot of upside potential, with 3:01 left to make it 64-6.

Tiger Golf Wins Home Meet as Six Tigers Score Below 50

Worth County won its home golf meet Wednesday as they had 173 strokes to 217 for Albany. The other two teams, North Harrison and Stanberry, only brought three players. 

Bridgette Hightshoe, who finished the highest of any Tiger at state in the last 20+ years, is on a mission to do so again, getting a 39. She has finished first or second at most of her golf meets. The only Tiger to finish higher at state was April Miller (now Healy).

Six Tigers finished under 50 strokes in Wednesday’s meet. Georgia Taylor, the lone Northeast Nodaway student on the squad, finished second overall with a score of 42. She is putting up the kind of numbers that Jacqueline and Michelle Schulte did when Northeast had its own golf program 15 years ago, and she is only a freshman. 

Finishing fourth overall after going out for golf for the first time was Abbi Brown. She shot a 45 and was very consistent, getting five strokes on seven of her nine holes. Marissa Schmitz shot a 47 and Eva Engel, who qualified for state each of the last two years, finished with 48. 

The Tigers have record numbers of girls out for golf this year, including a lot of newcomers. One of the most pleasant surprises was Unique Brown. Placed in the third group, she finished with a score of 47, finishing with a birdie on the sixth hole and a three on the seventh, closing out strong to get her score.

Other participants this year are Brylea Paxson, Bailey Steele, Katie Fletchall, Emsley Spainhower, Arenna Galanakis, and Brynn Chapman.

After the meet, the team honored its seniors, Bridgette Hightshoe, Eva Engel, and Abbi Brown.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for September 11th, 2024

On September 3rd, Sherry Young (47) of Maryville failed to appear in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court on charges of No Valid License (Felony) and Trespassing. A warrant was issued and bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety.

On September 3rd, Briley Giamalva (50) of Freeman (MO) pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). She was assessed $250 in fines and court costs and placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 3rd, Shyan Pearcy (28) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of Resisting Arrest and Assault. They were placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice.

On September 3rd, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by Cody Adwell (45) of Ravenwood struck a buggy driven by Freeman Miller (21) of Ravenwood on Route O five miles east of Ravenwood in Gentry County, ejecting Miller from the buggy. Miller received serious injuries and was taken to Mosaic in St. Joseph.

On September 3rd, Gentry County Prosecutor Jessica Jones filed charges against James Smith (44) of Albany alleging Driving While Revoked (Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), and Possession of Alprazolam (Felony, Schedule 4 Controlled Substance). Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety, posted by the defendant. 

On September 3rd, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Emmanuel Glaywulu (19) of Kansas City alleging Speeding (100 mph) and No Valid License.

On September 3rd, Special Prosecutor Kelly Wayne Puckett filed charges in Harrison County against Sean Sweat (29) of Bethany alleging Receiving Stolen Property (Felony). Bond was set at $7,500, cash only. An affidavit from the Bethany Police Department alleges the defendant stole $837 worth of flooring.

On September 3rd, KGO, a local TV station based in California, reported that a Concord (CA) man was scammed out of over $200,000 worth of life savings and the IRS now says he owes $30,000 in taxes as a result of the scam. The scammers allegedly told the victim that they were from Xfinity and told him that someone had used his personal information to upload pornographic videos to a porn website and that they were generating a report to the FTC. One hour later, another scammer called purporting to be from the FTC and listed all the credit cards the victim had in 40 years as proof that he was who he said he was. The “FTC agent” then told him someone had rented an apartment in Texas in his name and that the FTC would help him move his money to a secure account. He made five withdrawals from his bank account. The victim then received a letter purporting to be from the Department of Treasury confirming the plan to clear his name. The victim, as directed by the scammers, then placed large amounts of cash and gold in boxes, which were picked up by couriers and transferred to the scammers. Eventually, he was advised that there was no courier in his area and that he would need to mail $8,500 in cash in a box to Huntington Beach via UPS. Employees at a Huntington Beach CVS contacted police after two people showed up to pick up the package with photos of an ID instead of an actual ID. The IRS now says the victim owes over $30,000 in taxes because he cashed out some CD’s and an IRA and that they will put a lien on his house if he doesn’t pay.

On September 4th, William Cain (34) of Cainsville failed to appear in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court on charges of DWI, Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway, No Insurance, and No Seat Belt. A warrant was issued and bond was set at $500, cash only. The warrant was served on September 9th.

On September 4th, Charles Grandpre (62) of Salina (KS) failed to appear in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court on a charge of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). A warrant was issued and bond was set at $500, cash only.

On September 4th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against David McGhghy (62) of Oskaloosa (IA) alleging Possession of Cocaine (Felony), Possession of Hallucinogen (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Speeding (88 mph). Bond was set at $25,000, cash only.

On September 5th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Albert Ferguson (39) of Maryville alleging Stealing (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000 signature bond. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant stole a bike valued at $1,000. 

On September 5th, the Maryville Forum reported that Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter dismissed charges against Margaret Helzer, citing what Dieter said was a lack of evidence. Helzer had been charged in a scheme in which she and co-defendant Nicki Samson allegedly stole $483,000 from NOCOMO into retirement accounts for themselves and Samson’s family members. Samson had previously taken an Alford plea, in which she did not admit guilt, but accepted punishment for the crime.

On September 5th, Clinton County Prosecutor Brandi McClain filed charges against Ryan Maples (19) of Lathrop alleging Resisting Arrest (Felony), Minor in Possession of Marijuana, Speeding (120 mph), and Failure to Register. An affidavit from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department alleges a deputy attempted to stop the defendant, who stopped near Plattsburg, but then took off. A police chase resulted, with speeds as fast as 120 mph. The defendant allegedly went north on Route 33, east on H, then made a U-turn, almost hitting a patrol vehicle. The defendant then allegedly narrowly missed another officer and continued to flee. Clinton County deputies, DeKalb County deputies, and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers joined the pursuit, which reached Cameron, with the defendant eventually crashing near Cameron. The defendant allegedly fled through a field, and the Caldwell County K-9 was called in to track. Eventually, the defendant allegedly knocked at a homeowner’s door in DeKalb County. The defendant eventually surrendered to police. Bond was set at $10,000 with the defendant released on his own recognizance.

On September 6th, KTTN reported that the Missouri State Highway Patrol was contacted by the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding concerns for the safety of a woman traveling with a man from Texas to Missouri. Ryan Phillips (33) of St. Louis was en route to the St. Louis area in a red Range Rover. It was reported that Delisha Evans (30) of Princeton (TX) was in the vehicle with Phillips. The Patrol attempted to stop the Range Rover on Interstate 44, but the vehicle fled the scene. Phillips then crashed the vehicle and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Both Phillips and Evans were found deceased in the Rover.

On September 6th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Nyankoor Chuol (19) of Des Moines in Harrison County on charges of Speeding (105 mph), Driving with License Belonging to Another, and Minor in Possession.

On September 6th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department reported that they were notified of an accident that had taken place earlier that morning in Diagonal, 9½ hours after the fact. The accident occurred at P33 and J23 near Diagonal. Subsequently, the owner of the vehicle was located and Jordyn Overholzer (19) of Mount Ayr was charged with Failure to Maintain Control, Minor in Possession, Minor in Possession of Tobacco, Failure to Register, and Leaving the Scene.

On September 6th, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jeffrey Hagle of Delphos on charges of Assault, Interference with Official Acts, DWI, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct. Bond was set at $5,900, cash only.

On September 6th, Judge Christopher Limbaugh of Cole County struck Amendment 3, which legalizes abortion in Missouri if passed by the voters in November. However, on September 10th, the Missouri Supreme Court overruled him, saying the measure can remain on the ballot in November. Limbaugh is a cousin of the late conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

On September 7th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that an 11 year old boy was seriously injured in an ATV accident three miles west of Ewing (MO) when he ran into the back of another ATV, driven by a 15 year old boy. The 11 year old was ejected from his ATV and sustained serious injuries. He was lifeflighted to Blessing Hospital.

On September 7th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Pablo Narvaez (28) of Bethany in Harrison County on charges of DWI, No Valid License (Felony), Speeding (64/30), Failure to Stop, No Headlights, and No Insurance. Bond was set at $10,000, cash only.

On September 7th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2022 Ford driven by Douglas Chesnut (66) of Hopkins was northbound on Highway 71 half a mile north of Maryville at around 11:05 am when a couch blew off his towed unit and struck a southbound 2018 Lexus driven by Catherine Riley (73) of Lenox. A passenger, William Riley (76) of Lenox, was taken to Mosaic for minor injuries.

On September 8th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Francis Bonor (56) of Eagleville alleging Stealing. An affidavit from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department alleges the defendant stole a box of cookies from Subway in Eagleville.

On September 8th, NPR reported that five people were shot and wounded on Interstate north of London (KY) and the suspect is still at large. Nine vehicles had been shot into. Interstate 75 was subsequently closed for several hours. The London Police Department identified Joseph Couch (32) as a suspect. As of Sunday, a number of federal and local agencies were involved in a manhunt, including the FBI, ATF, and state police. 

On September 9th, the Missouri Department of Conservation announced arrests and 15 charges filed against three Missouri men who allegedly shot a bull elk and left it to rot near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. A local 14 year old deer hunter tipped off authorities and MDC agents interviewed numerous deer hunters, businesses, and viewed video surveillance footage. Agents from the Ozark, Central, St. Louis, and Southeast regions were involved. 

On September 9th, Jesse Birkenholz (33) of Maryville was arrested and ordered extradited from Nodaway County to Jasper County (IA) on a charge of Theft.

On September 9th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Lincoln Moore (20) of Maryville alleging DWI, Failure to Register, No Insurance, and Minor in Possession.

On September 9th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Katelyn Kramer (26) of Conception Junction alleging DWI and Driving with One Headlight.

On September 9th, Ben Marion (51) of Skidmore pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). He was placed on probation for five years by Judge Corey Herron.

On September 9th, Judge Corey Herron found that Wesley Parker (41) of Maryville violated his probation on a charge of Stealing by failing to report to Probation and failing to make an effort to pay restitution and court costs. A warrant was issued and bond set at $450, cash only.

On September 10th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Steven McKay (34) of Maryville alleging Stealing (Felony) and Forgery (Felony). An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant forged checks from a deceased person to himself totaling $2,855.66. Bond was set at $3,000, 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. 

Kristen Tracy Pitches Strong as Tigers Roll Princeton

Kristen Tracy pitched the win and Worth County unloaded for 12 runs on a Princeton team they had scored one lone run off of in districts last year, winning 12-2 Thursday against a shorthanded squad. Princeton was without two of their players (flu). 

But Princeton had two of their big guns back, Macey Lewis and Addie Henke, and their pitcher, Kelsey Goodin, who put in a lot of work during the offseason and keeps a lot of batters off balance with her unorthodox deliveries. They threatened in the first. After Tiger second baseman Kambree Briner snagged Henke’s screamer, Macey Lewis reached when Briner’s throw pulled Megan Tracy off the bag at first. Riley Clark forced Lewis at second and then Clark took second on a wild pitch. But then she tried to take third and was thrown out to end the inning.

After dodging a bullet, Worth County wasted no time getting on the board as Kambree Briner got the benefit of a close 3-2 pitch with one out. Kristen Tracy hit a shot to Goodin on the mound, but she had no play. Audrey Runde doubled to right field to score one and put runners on second and third to make it 1-0. 

Keira Hardy struck out, but then Worth County scored their remaining six runs in the inning with two out. Megan Tracy got a scratch hit in front of the plate and made it as two Tigers crossed the plate to make it 3-0. Addison Gray walked and Braelyn Fletchall hit a short pop fly down the third base line that dropped in before anyone could grab it and Gray took third. Fletchall stole second and then Riley Ridge, who has established herself as one of the top slap hitters in the area this year, beat out a slap to the shortstop as two more Tigers scored to make it 5-0. Princeton fell asleep on defense and Ridge took second. Then, Rylee Ruckman doubled down the left field line and drove in two more to cap the Tiger first and make it 7-0.

Kristen Tracy was able to hold the fort from there. After walking nine against North Andrew before being lifted, she still fought the strike zone from time to time, but played through it this time. She only walked two batters against Princeton.

Tracy had help in the field in the second inning. Addison Wyatt hit a shot off first baseman Megan Tracy’s glove, but Kambree Briner made a great heads up play and made a diving grab to get her out. 

In the Tiger third, Addison Gray led off with a walk. Walks lead to runs and sure enough, Riley Ridge got her second slap hit of the night, and Rylee Ruckman tripled them both home down the left field line to make it 9-0. Kristen Tracy doubled to left field to bring home Ruckman and make it 10-0.

But Princeton may have found a slugger to go with Macey Lewis and Addie Henke as Kaydence Stockman hit a home run to right field over the new fence, a ball that would have been a long out on the old field without the softball fence. That broke the shutout and made it 10-1. Jolena Gibson singled to center and Evan Boxley singled her to third. That set up Addison Wyatt’s groundout to cut the Tiger lead to 10-2. 

The Tigers made some strong defensive plays in the fifth and sixth to keep Princeton off the board. In the fifth, Kambree Briner made a running catch to keep Macey Lewis off the bases, which might have sparked a big inning with the heart of the Princeton order coming up. In the sixth, after Kristen Tracy froze Stockman on the outside corner, first baseman Megan Tracy stretched to grab third baseman Keira Hardy’s throw to save a run and get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth with two outs, Keira Hardy beat out a pop fly along the first base line that dropped untouched for a scratch hit to keep the inning going. That set up Megan Tracy’s triple to the center field wall when the center fielder overran it. Addison Gray beat out a grounder to shortstop to score Tracy and end it.

Out of the 12 runs Worth County scored that game, 9 of them came with two outs.

Worth County JV 5, Princeton 4

Worth County hung by the skin of their teeth in the nightcap to win it. Consecutive singles by Macey Lewis and Mikaylee Henke and a steal by Henke set up a sac fly from Kaydence Stockman to put Princeton up 1-0 in the first. Evan Boxley grounded out to score another to make it 2-0.

But like the first game, Worth County showed the ability to score with two outs as Braelyn Fletchall kept the Tigers going with a pop fly single to right and the throw to the infield got away to put her on second. Keira Hardy beat out an infield hit to put Fletchall on third, and then Addison Gray beat out yet another infield hit to put Hardy on third and cut the Tiger deficit to 2-1. Megan Tracy beat out another infield hit to tie it at 2-2, and then Princeton threw it around to put Worth County up 3-2 after one.

Kambree Briner, stationed in left, ran down Rachel Brass’ screamer to save an extra base hit. Later, Shannon Devine walked and stole second and took off for third on a groundout. Worth County tried to throw her out for a double play, but the throw got away to allow Princeton to tie it up.

Rylee Ruckman walked and Kambree Briner doubled, and then Kristen Tracy reached on an error to score both to make it 5-3. 

They had to hang on by their fingernails in the third as Macey Lewis singled and Mikaylee Henke doubled to put runners on second and third. Lewis came home on a wild pitch, but then Worth County tagged out a runner trying for home to preserve the lead before shortstop Keira Hardy fielded two balls cleanly for the final two outs.