Corporate Transparency Act Regulations Once Again Enforceable

The Corporate Transparency Act registration requirements are once again enforceable following further litigation. (NOTE -- President Donald Trump and the US Department of Treasury suspended enforcement on March 2nd)

Previously, the 5th Circuit granted an injunction against it. But on January 23rd, the Supreme Court reversed the injunction pending the 5th Circuit’s review of the CTA’s constitutionality.

Meanwhile, on January 7th, the US District Court of Eastern Texas granted another injunction in a separate case. However, on February 18th, that district court lifted its injunction, citing the US Supreme Court ruling of January 23rd.

 

Caleb New Hits 13, Cole Ruby 12, but Tigers Ousted by Platte Valley

Worth County's boys got off to a promising start in the second round of districts Wednesday but fell to a loaded Platte Valley team 60-40. They battled injuries, youth, and inexperience all year and showed the ability to beat anyone on a given night, having beaten everybody else in their district, including state-ranked Rock Port. But they didn't have any answer for Andy Mattson, a 6'5" behemoth, or a squad that was loaded with seniors and depth. 

Early three pointers from Caleb New and Cole Ruby sparked the Tigers to a 9-4 lead early, but then Platte Valley fought back to tie it at 9 on Tucker Klamm's 3-pointer. Then, a costly defensive lapse by the Tigers, in which nobody blocked out on a rebounding situation, allowed Platte Valley to convert a fourth chance possession and lead 11-9 after one.

There was good reason to fear Justin Miller and Andy Mattson, who have been cogs for Platte Valley all year. But it was Tucker Klamm who sparked Platte Valley in the second quarter, going off for 11 points in the period. Meanwhile, Worth County missed 5 for 6 from the line during that stretch and came up ice cold, only managing a free throw from Cole Ruby and a 3-pointer by Caleb New. 

The Tigers handled the ball well against a team known for its suffocating defense, but Worth County had only two people in the scoring column in New and Ruby at the half, and they were outrebounded 16-11 by Platte Valley. All that added up to a 26-13 halftime deficit.

Worth County finally started getting things untracked in the third quarter as Karson Briner got on the board with seven in the period, Cole Ruby added a 3-pointer, and Hayden Sanders got on the board with another. The game threatened to snowball as the Tigers trailed by as much as 36-18, but thanks to their newfound balance, they got it down to 38-26 after Sanders' 3-pointer. 

But just as it looked like Worth County would have a chance to mount a comeback, a costly defensive lapse happened, when nobody matched up on Miller, who was all alone for a corner three in transition on the ensuing possession. That sparked a 12-0 run by Platte Valley capped off by another Miller 3-pointer to make it 50-26 after three.

Hayden Sanders hit his second 3-pointer and Caleb New added a free throw as the Tigers whittled away at the deficit, getting it down to 50-30. They were trying to press to get the ball back, but Platte Valley simply stationed Mattson underneath the basket and pushed the ball up the floor to him, and he had 10 points in the final period as the Tiger deficit never got below 20.

Karson Briner and Cannon Fletcher played in their final games as a Tiger. Worth County will return everybody back as well as a strong freshman class that went undefeated in junior high this year.

Caleb New had 13, Cole Ruby 12, Hayden Sanders 8, and Karson Briner 7 for the Tigers. 

Karson Briner had 3 blocks and Caleb New 1.

Karson Briner had 6 boards. Lucas Frisch had 5, Caleb New 4, Hayden Sanders 2, and Cole Ruby 1.

Cole Ruby and Cannon Fletcher had 3 assists each. Karson Briner, Lucas Frisch, and Hayden Sanders had 2 and Caleb New had 1.

Caleb New and Cole Ruby had 2 tips. Cannon Fletcher, Hayden Sanders, and Dylan Smith had 1.

Cannon Fletcher, Karson Briner, Dylan Smith, and Franklynn Taute had 1 steal each.

Lily Blane, Lady Mustangs Have Nowhere to Go But Up

North Nodaway's girls have nowhere to go but up after their season ended with a 43-14 loss to Platte Valley in districts Tuesday. They broke out to a 2-0 lead after Lily Blane hit a pullup and made it stand up for four minutes. But then all hell broke loose as Maleeah Bliley scored the first 13 points for Platte Valley, which opened everything else up as they raced out to a 27-4 lead late in the second quarter. 

Lily Blane did all she could to stave off the inevitable, trying to attack the rim every chance she could get. She got on the free throw line twice and made three of four and Mya Hansen hit a 3-pointer that cut it to 30-10. The Mustangs played tough defense in the second half, but they could not replicate their offensive showing of the second quarter and Platte Valley slowly pulled away to the final score from the free throw line.

Blane should have been credited with the highlight film play of the night as she grabbed a defensive board and went coast to coast with a nice finish on the other end. She clearly released her shot before the third quarter buzzer sounded, but the referees wiped it off. Lily had four steals for the night and Trynzlee Ebrecht came off the bench and showed a newfound willingness to mix it up as well, getting a career high four tips on defense. 

The good news for the Mustangs after a long season is that they have everybody back for next year, and they have some freshmen coming up. If they are able to put together a team to scrimmage against their varsity, they will be able to do much more damage during the season.

Lily Blane and Mya Hansen had 5 points. Addalea Barcus and Jackie Wray had 2.

Addalea Barcus had 1 block.

Jackie Wray had 11 boards. Lacy Riley had 6, Addalea Barcus 4, Lily Blane and Trynzlee Ebrecht 2, and Mya Hansen 1.

Lily Blane had 2 assists. Jackie Wray and Addalea Barcus had 1.

Trynzlee Ebrecht had 4 tips. Jackie Wray, Lacy Riley, and Lily Blane had 2 and Mya Hansen and Addalea Barcus 1.

Lily Blane had 4 steals. Mya Hansen, Jackie Wray, and Lacy Riley had 1.

Baylie Busby Scored 12 but Big Stanberry 3rd Quarter Sinks Bluejays

Baylie Busby had 12 points for Northeast Nodaway, but a big third quarter for Stanberry sunk the Bluejays 43-33 Tuesday night. 

Busby's drive and finish at the first quarter buzzer put the Bluejays up 6-4 at the first quarter buzzer. They dug themselves in a big hole as triples from Trista Lager and Eva Cameron and an inside shot by Courtney Merrigan put Stanberry up 12-6 in the second, but the Bluejays fought back behind balanced scoring as Hayley Yost made three free throws, Mylee Wilmes came off the bench and hit a 3-pointer, and Skyler Florea and Hadley DeFreece got on the board. They led 17-15 before Kynzee Adcock tied it up at 17 at the half.

But the Bluejays had not played a game in 11 days, while Stanberry got one in last week. The lack of practices showed as they twice lost Lager on defense and she hit two 3-pointer to start the third quarter. All hell then broke loose as Stanberry put on a press that the Bluejays had not seen before and got some steals, and the game snowballed from there. Stanberry scored 17 points in just over four minutes to lead 34-17. 

Northeast mounted a comeback bid after Baylie Busby got on the line and hit two and Hayley Host scored from inside to make it 34-20. Busby scored off a drive and Hadley DeFreece hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 35-25. But Stanberry built it back up to 43-27 early in the fourth, and the Bluejays could never get closer than the final score.

Baylie Busby had 12 points. Hayley Yost had 7, Hadley DeFreece 5, Skyler Florea 4, Mylee Wilmes 3, and Blair Nelson 2. 

Skyler Florea had 1 block.

Baylie Busby had 6 boards. Hayley Yost and Skyler Florea had 5 and Kynder Florea, Sasha Deardorff, Hadley DeFreece, and Blair Nelson had 2.

Hadley DeFreece had 5 assists. Kynder Florea and Hayley Yost had 2 and Sasha Deardorff and Blair Nelson had 1.

Hadley DeFreece had 7 tips. Baylie Busby had 5, Skyler Florea, Blair Nelson, and Kynder Florea had 3, and Hayley Yost and Mylee Wilmes had 1.

Skyler Florea and Hadley DeFreece had 4 steals. Kynder Florea and Baylie Busby had 3 and Sasha Deardorff had 2.

Sidney Man Gets Probation for Sex Acts Against Minor

On Monday, the Fremont County (IA) Sheriff’s Office reported that Ronald Boyer (81) of Sidney pleaded guilty to two charges of Lascivious Acts with a Child (Felony).

Boyer was arrested on September 13th, 2024 by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and charged with multiple offenses. He was held on a $150,000 cash-only bond before sentencing.

At sentencing, Prosecutor Peter Johnson requested two consecutive 10-year sentences. However, Judge Margaret Reyes placed Boyer on two concurrent 10-year sentences, fined him $2,740, suspended the prison sentence and the fines, and placed Boyer on two years probation.

The defendant must reside at a residential treatment center until the Iowa Department of Corrections determines he has achieved maximum benefit. The defendant must register as a sex offender, submit to DBA profiling, and successfully complete Iowa’s Sex Offender Treatment Program.

 

Critical Failures Found in 988 Crisis Hotline

State Rep. Tricia Byrnes is doubling down on her commitment to strengthen Missouri’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline after a firsthand test exposed alarming deficiencies in the system. Her legislation, House Bill 1148, directly addresses these failures by ensuring crisis counselors provide real, effective assistance to those in need.

As part of a fact-finding effort, Rep. Byrnes tested the 988 system last week to evaluate its functionality. What she uncovered was deeply concerning.

“I initiated this test to see how well the system responds to individuals in crisis,” said Rep. Byrnes, R-Wentzville. “What I found was nothing short of a catastrophic failure. The responses I received were cold, robotic, and appeared to come from AI chatbots rather than trained crisis counselors. This is unacceptable. If someone in immediate distress were to reach out expecting real help, they might not get it—and that could cost lives.”

HB 1148 seeks to overhaul the 988 Lifeline by mandating that crisis counselors ask key questions at the start of every call or text to quickly assess the level of danger and determine the appropriate intervention. It also requires Lifeline centers to implement performance metrics to ensure real, human-driven support—not automated, pre-scripted responses.

Additionally, the legislation demands follow-up resources and a client satisfaction survey, allowing the Department of Mental Health to track system performance and identify areas for improvement.

“Missourians deserve a crisis response system that is reliable, compassionate, and effective,” said Byrnes. “When someone reaches out in their darkest moment, they should be met with real help—not generic, automated messages. HB 1148 is a necessary step toward fixing this broken system and saving lives.”

Verla Damman 1932-2025

Verla Mae (Paxson) Damman, 92 of Grant City died February 23, 2025, at the Worth County Care and Rehab Center in Grant City. She was born on September 30th, 1932, to Raymond and Mary Paxson in rural Allendale, Mo. She was welcomed home by siblings Vane, Vince, Vernon and Victor. She was later joined by two more siblings, Virgil and Violet.

Verla was united in marriage to Edward Dale Brown on December 16, 1950, together they had 4 children John, James, Janie and Jo Ann. After Dales’ death in 1965 Verla moved her children from Kansas back to Allendale where she met and Married Johnie McClure on September 25, 1968. Verla and Johnie added the last child, Jerry, to the family. Johnie died Feb. 13, 1986. Verla would later marry Ronald Damman on December 30, 1995.

Verla was a caretaker at heart. She worked at the Allendale Cafe; was a head cook at Grant City R3 school and babysat the 3 Hiatt boys before finally retiring in May 1996. After retirement she spent most of her time volunteering at the senior center, chasing after grandchildren and living life to the fullest. After Verla and Ronald married, they traveled frequently, Thailand being her favorite and they even wintered in Texas. Verla was an amazing cook. If you left her house hungry it was your own fault. She also was an avid card, dice, domino and board game player. Verla also loved fishing, something she did frequently with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, children; John Brown, Janie Parman and James “Boog” Brown and Grandson Adam Brown and her husband Ronald Damman (2016).

Left to cherish her life and celebrate memories are; a daughter Jo Ann (Donnie) Pollock of Mt Ayr, IA; a son Jerry McClure (Friend Allen Strenke) of Allendale, MO; 6 Grandchildren; Heather (Paul) Hayden of Worth, Mo, Edward Dale (Partner Annie) Brown of Iowa City, IA, Sally Parman of Leander, TX, Phillip (Kristine) Brown of Carlisle, IA, Cynthia (Steven) Duncan of Shawnee, KS, Mary Sue (Chris) Novak of Ottumwa, IA and Devon Pollock of Greenfield, IA; 2 Daughter in laws, Debbie Brown of Des Moines, Iowa, Vickie Brown of Grant City, MO; a sister in law Donna Paxson, Sheridan, Mo; 16 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7 PM, Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Crossroads Church, Grant City. Funeral Services will also be held at the church at 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 27, 2025, with Rev. Len Green officiating. The burial will be in Miller Cemetery, Denver, Missouri.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the dedicated team at the Worth County Care and Rehab and Three Rivers Hospice.

The family will establish a memorial in Verla’s honor to be named at a later date.

Arrangements: Hann Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri

March 2nd Thorough 8th is Thank a Farmer Week

March 2nd through 8th will be Thank a Farmer Week.

Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel, and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers can also find locally sourced food and goods. Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers produce.

Missouri Farm Bureau and county farm bureaus throughout the state are joining forces to celebrate Thank a Farmer Week.

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, a 2021 study of the economic concentration of Missouri agriculture and forestry showed that agriculture is a $93.7 billion industry. It employs almost 460,000 people. The state is ranked in the top 10 for 12 commodities, including number of farms, goats, beef cattle, poultry, hay, rice, and cotton.

With all that they produce, farm and ranch families account for less than 2% of the US population. Across the US, there are 2 million farms with 3.4 million farm operators. This number includes owners, their families, hired workers, tenants, renters, and sharecroppers. Many farms today find multiple generations working together to produce food and fiber.

“Agriculture is important to our daily lives. Because 98% of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers,” said Julie Tracy, Promotion and Education Chairperson. “Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the important contributions made by farmers.

 

Grant City Council Hikes Water Rates

The Grant City Council, at its regular meeting Wednesday, voted to increase water rates by 11.11%. This reflects the increase from Nodaway County. This rate increase will affect Parnell as well as the Rural Water District. The city will discuss a gas rate increase at the September meeting.

The council also voted to increase gravel purchases from $55.05 to $70, since the cost of gravel purchases for the city has gone up by 20% for this year.

Lizzie Jeanes and Debbie Roach attended Great Northwest Days, and the city was second place for the booth they set up out of 19 booths.

The city will serve papers on property owners with properties the city says are in violation of city ordinances. If they cannot be served, the city will publicize the hearing. A hearing date has been tentatively set for 5:45 before the regular April meeting.

Ryan Fletchall was not present, but left a report. Nitrogen has been a bit high on the water samples, but he said it was probably because of the cold and the ponds being frozen over. There was a water line break on 5th and Front Streets on February 6th that crews had to work through the night to get fixed. It turned out that the icicle on the water tower is not a leak. The city is in the process of creating physical maps for all the water and sewer lines in town.

Carl Staton was not present, but left a report for the city. He helped with water leaks, pushed snow, and is working on his online gas classes. He submitted a proposal for a new gas truck.

Tyson Troutwine reported that the city got permission from two landowners to cut brush where the water main crosses so the city can access it in event of a leak.

The city voted to donate $100 to the Worth County After-Prom. The dues from the Northwest Missouri Regional Council based on the 2020 census will be $457.52. The auditor will be in Grant City on March 12th and 13th to do the 2024 audit.

 

Harrison County Ambulance Districts Reach Settlement

On February 18th, the North Harrison Ambulance District and the Noel T. Adams District reached a tentative settlement in a lawsuit that had been brought against the Noel T. Adams District by the North Harrison District and the Harrison County Commission.

The North Harrison Ambulance District and the Noel T. Adams District were seeking to merge. A new board will be elected during the April 8th municipal election. The suit sought to enjoin the Noel T. Adams District from entering into any contracts that would extend beyond April 8th, citing what the plaintiffs said was irreparable harm. The Noel T. Adams District had been seeking to set up a non-profit which would temporarily run the new district while it obtained the licenses from the government necessary to run the new service. 3rd Circuit Judge Matthew Krohn granted a temporary injunction.

On February 18th, despite below zero temperatures and deteriorating road conditions, a court hearing was held that started at 3:30 that afternoon and took three hours. The defendants made a motion for a directed verdict, but Judge Krohn ruled that the plaintiffs had standing to bring the lawsuit and that the court had jurisdiction over the case.

Following a recess, the parties announced a settlement, the terms of which are as follows:

—The Noel T. Adams District will add three additional board members so that the interests of the current North Harrison District will have representation. Subsequently, the North Harrison Ambulance District announced that Breann Warner, Kineta Keith, and Jerry Johnson were appointed to the board.

—The North Harrison Ambulance District will issue an endorsement in favor of Noel T. Adams Emergency Services, Inc., the non-profit in question, for full coverage for ambulance service within the new district’s boundaries.

—The new board of directors will enter into a contract for the purpose of jointly applying for a new ground ambulance service and all attendant permits and licenses, with the contract to end April 30th, 2026.

—The new contract will not include a non-compete agreement for the parties’ current providers.

—The Noel T. Adams Emergency Services non-profit will be treated and deemed as a public entity subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law.

—The parties agree to reduce the settlement agreement to writing and will file a stipulation agreement with the court.

—There will be no transfer of assets until the parties mutually agree otherwise or until further order of the court.

—Lifting the temporary restraining order will be addressed in the settlement agreement to be filed by the parties.

—The case will remain pending until either the parties agree otherwise or until further order of the court.

Caleb New Hits Career High in Tiger Victory; Mason Casner Scores 15 in Last Game

Worth County's boys showed flashes of their old form from last year as Caleb New heated up for the Tigers, hanging 24 on North Nodaway as the Tigers raced to a 26-point third quarter lead. Then, the Mustangs took advantage of Tiger foul trouble and made things interesting, coming as close as 11 before Worth County closed out the game in the last three minutes. Mason Casner led the charge for the Mustangs in the second half, scoring all of his 15 points.

The trouble for the Mustangs started right off the bat as one of the players got a technical foul for hanging on the net during pregame warmups and New hit both free throws. Kaeden Nave countered for North Nodaway to tie it at 2, but the Karson Briner scored from inside, Caleb New hit a pullup, then cut inside and got a pass from Hayden Sanders to make it 8-2 after one.

Then, the foul trouble mounted for the Mustangs as Hayden Sanders took a charge on defense and both North Nodaway big men, Blaine Clements and Jordan DeLeon, got in foul trouble and Draven Rowland and Weston Alexander were pressed into extended minutes. Caleb New exploded to the rim and drew a foul to make it 10-2 to start the second. Owen Martin drove and scored to make it 10-4, but then Karson Briner and Lucas Frisch got putbacks, Caleb New hit a drive and pullup, and then New hit a 3-pointer to make it 19-4 at the half. The game was a defensive standoff between the two teams, with Caleb New the only player hitting for either team consistently.

Hayden Sanders, who spent much of the second half of the season trying to rediscover his shot after injuring his Achilles, missed a ton of shots in the first half but finally found the range to start the third to make it 22-4. As the frustration mounted for North Nodaway, Cannon Fletcher got on the board with a free throw, Caleb New hit a 3-pointer, Cannon Fletcher hit a 3-pointer set up by a Cole Ruby drive, and Cole Ruby added a free throw to make it 32-6.

But then Worth County started getting into foul trouble of its own, with Karson Briner picking up his third foul. Without their best post defender, North Nodaway suddenly started finding open looks and they started mounting a comeback. Mason Casner got a putback and then Kaeden Nave got a steal and fed Owen Martin to make it 32-10. Caleb New stole an outlet and scored over Jordan DeLeon, but then Casner rediscovered his left hand and scored and Jordan DeLeon hit a free throw to make it 34-13 after three.

The Mustangs, with nothing to lose, started swarming and pressing. Caleb New hit a free throw to start the fourth, but then Mason Casner drove and exploded with his left hand, then drove again and this time spun and finished with his right hand to make it 35-16. Jordan DeLeon cleaned up in transition, and then Mason Casner hit a 3-pointer and all of a sudden, it was 35-21.

Something had to change and Hayden Sanders attacked the press, getting to the rim, scoring, and getting clotheslined by Owen Martin, who was called for an intentional foul. Sanders made one of two to make it 38-21. But the Mustangs kept coming as Owen Martin and then Mason Casner hit 3-pointers and the Tiger lead was down to 11 at 38-27. But then Caleb New stepped through a defender and stopped the bleeding, putting the Tigers up 40-27. Blaine Clements got a putback to make it 40-29 and Hayden Sanders got his fifth foul, but Caleb New put the team on his shoulders, hitting a free throw and then driving and scoring to make it 43-29. Owen Martin countered with a drive, but Karson Briner converted a three-point play and Cannon Fletcher hit two free throws to seal the win.

For Worth County, Caleb New had 24 points. Cannon Fletcher had 8, Karson Briner 7, Hayden Sanders 6, Lucas Frisch 2, and Cole Ruby 1.

Hayden Sanders and Karson Briner had 1 block.

Lucas Frisch had 7 boards. Karson Briner had 6, Caleb New 3, Hayden Sanders 3, and Cannon Fletcher, Andrew Griffin, and Ryder Smyser had 1.

Cole Ruby had 5 assists. Hayden Sanders had 4, Cannon Fletcher 3, and Caleb New and Lucas Frisch 1.

Hayden Sanders had 7 tips. Cole Ruby had 5, Cannon Fletcher and Lucas Frisch 3 each, and Karson Briner 2.

Cole Ruby, Lucas Frisch, and Caleb New had 3 steals each. Karson Briner, Hayden Sanders, and Cannon Fletcher had 2.

For North Nodaway, Mason Casner had 15, Owen Martin 9, Jordan DeLeon 5, and Kaeden Nave and Blaine Clements had 2.

Kaeden Nave, Owen Martin, and Blaine Clements had 1 block each.

Jordan DeLeon had 10 boards. Blaine Clements and Mason Casner had 6 each, Kaeden Nave 5, Owen Martin 3, Ridge Clements 2, and Aiden James 1.

Kaeden Nave had 4 assists and Owen Martin had 3.

Owen Martin had 9 tips. Mason Casner had 3, Jordan DeLeon and Blaine Clements 2, and Kaeden Nave 1.

Jordan DeLeon, Kaeden Nave, and Mason Casner had 2 steals. Owen Martin, Ridge Clements, and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

Pattonsburg Green Team Medals at Science Olympiad for Sixth Straight Year

On February 22nd, Pattonsburg fielded two teams for the Junior High Science Olympiad at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. The Green team earned a medal for the sixth year in a row. The White team did well.

The Science Olympiad consists of 23 events, locally practiced at two division levels. For the third year in a row, Pattonsburg had enough interest to take two Junior High teams to compete. Freshmen are allowed to pay at the Junior High or High School level, although only five per team are allowed.

The Green Team earned medals in all 23 events. The White team medaled in 15 of the 18 events they entered. The State Science Olympiad will be held Saturday, April 26th at Central.

All Pattonsburg Science Olympiad teams are coached by Mrs. Tuanette Hulet and assisted by Hunter Scott.

The following students medaled:

1st Air Trajectory—(Green Team) Alanna Hulet, Cash Teel

1st Anatomy & Physiology—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Addison Shepherd

1st Disease Detectives—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

1st Microbe Mission—(Green Team) Havok Sweiger, Aden Woodward

1st Mission Possible—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Brantley Gardner

1st Reach for the Stars—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

1st Road Scholar—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Cole Manion

1st Tower—(Green Team) Alanna Hulet, Cash Teel

1st Wind Power—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Cash Teel

2nd Codebusters—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Thomas Warren, Aden Woodward

2nd Ecology—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Cole Manion

2nd Entomology—(White Team) Gabe Jeswald, Carlie Pittsenbarger

2nd Experimental Design—(Green Team) Brantley Gardner, Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

2nd Fossils—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Taylen Fore

2nd Helicopter—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Evan Mason

2nd Meteorology—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Aden Woodward

2nd Metric Mastery–(Green Team) Havok Sweiger, Thomas Warren

2nd Optics—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Cole Manion

2nd Potions and Poisons—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Havok Sweiger

2nd Scrambler Wheeled Vehicle—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Evan Mason

2nd Write It Do It—(Green Team) Addison Shepherd, Thomas Warren

3rd Crime Busters—(Green Team) Brantley Gardner, Addison Shepherd

3rd Dynamic Planet—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Thomas Warren

3rd Ecology—(White Team) Gabe Jeswald, Jaxson Teel

3rd Entomology—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Brantley Gardner

3rd Experimental Design—(White Team) Avasa Cook, Case Gardner, Harley Manion

3rd Meteorology—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

3rd Microbe Mission—(White Team) Taylen Fore, Carlie Pittsenbarger

3rd Optics—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

3rd Reach for the Stars—(White Team) Taylen Fore, Cheyanne Miller

3rd Wind Power—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

4th Anatomy and Physiology—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Taylen Fore

4th Disease Detectives—(White Team) Avasa Cook, Harley Manion

4th Dynamic Planet–(White Team) Cheyanne Miller, Carlie Pittsenbarger

4th Fossils—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Havok Sweiger

4th Metric Mastery—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Carlie Pittsenbarger

4th Road Scholar—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

4th Write It, Do It—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Gabe Jeswald

Rusty Black Receives Outstanding Legislator Award

Adam Dohrman, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA), presented the Outstanding Legislator Award to Senator Rusty Black (R-12th District) during the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo on February 18. Senator Black was chosen for his outstanding support of the Missouri Pork Association, the Missouri pork industry and all of agriculture.

“Senator Black has long been an advocate for the pork industry and Missouri agriculture,” said Dohrman. “He brings practicality and common sense to the legislative process while advocating for Missouri’s #1 industry.”

Senator Black is a former public educator dedicating 33 years teaching Missouri kids agriculture. During Sen. Black’s political career, that same dedication has continued as a strong leader in recognizing and advancing agriculture, especially animal agriculture. Specifically, his recent efforts in securing funding for the new abattoir and meat science center at the University of Missouri will pay dividends to Missouri for years to come. Additionally, Sen. Black is an ardent supporter of youth leadership programs, which are so very important to preparing our next generation of kids.

Pork producers from across the state attended the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo held in Osage Beach, Missouri on February 18-19. Highlights included a trade show, educational sessions, and guest speakers.

I-29 Resurfacing to Start March 5th

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted Herzog Contracting Corp. to resurface a section of Interstate 29 from U.S. Route 59 in Holt County to Business 71 just north of St. Joseph beginning Wednesday, March 5.

The project will begin in the southbound passing (left) lane. Crews will remove then replace the pavement in 2-mile sections. Once paving is complete on the roadway, crews will repave the ramps along the portion of interstate.

Traffic Impacts: During construction, I-29 will be narrowed to one lane beginning on the southbound lanes, then switch to the northbound lanes.

Crews are scheduled to work Monday-Saturday during daylight hours. All work is scheduled to be completed by July 2025.

All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change. MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phones down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

Roger Johnson Resigns as North Nodaway High School Principal

The North Nodaway School Board accepted the resignation of High School Principal Roger Johnson, effective at the end of the current school year.

The board also voted to accept the resignation of Adam James as a bus driver, effective February 14th. The board voted to approve Jerald Everhart as a morning bus driver for the remainder of the school year. The board voted to approve Barrett Lodge as the assistant Baseball Coach under Cody Bix.

The board voted to approve Orlo T. Simmons, Ashley Marriott, Hope Reeves, and Marie Stone to the substitute teacher list.

The board approved the new school calendar for the upcoming school year. School will begin on August 20th. The Thanksgiving Break will be November 26th to 28th. The Christmas Break will be from December 22nd to January 5th. Spring Break will be from April 9th to 13th. The final day of school will be May 19th. Graduation will be May 17th.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that the PTO Change Wars raised $840.92. The fifth grade won by raising $252.80.

Teachers Audrey Trimble, Sami Jackson, Cody Jenkins, Beth Pedersen, Jake Hoy, and Townsend went to the Powerful Learning Conference at Tan-Tar-A and took away a lot of new information regarding effective data teams.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that the school was planning for its Academic Showcase which will be held on March 12th from 5 pm. Students are also getting ready for testing. Johnson and Townsend participated in mock interviews at Northwest on January 29th.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the school was working on salary proposals for the board to review for next year.  He estimated that meeting the minimum baseline salary of $40,000 and the 10 year Master’s salary requirement of $46,000 a year could cost the district between $90,000 to $120,000 for certified staff.

Turpin reported that the City of Pickering approved him writing a grant for a new community sign, which would be worth at least $56,000.

The school will have bus inspections on March 13th.

The legislature is pushing House Bill 711, allowing open enrollment. There are two bills that are being looked at currently. State funding continues to drop each month, and they are projecting state revenues to be lower than expected.

The school has used two of its five AMI days. If they use them, they will not have to make up any days.

 

 

House Passes Bill to Combat Crime

This week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed HCS #2 HB 495, a sweeping public safety measure aimed at addressing crime, policing, and penalties for various offenses across the state. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Brad Christ, introduces significant changes designed to enhance public safety and address law enforcement challenges statewide.

A key provision in the bill establishes a new Board of Police Commissioners to oversee the St. Louis Police Department, effective August 28, 2025. The new board will consist of four local citizen commissioners, along with the Mayor of St. Louis, providing direct authority over the city’s police force.

Proponents argue this move will bring stability, improve public safety, and address issues related to rising crime and officer retention. Critics, however, see it as an unnecessary shift away from local governance.

"For over a century, things remained unchanged, but after the shift, we’ve seen the police force stretched thin and crime rise. Some argue crime is down—I disagree. When you factor in population decline due to crime, the per capita numbers tell a different story. Crimes are underreported, multiple incidents are counted as one, and justifiable homicides skew the data,” Rep. Christ, R-St. Louis, said. “The truth is this: since the boards changed, the city has lost nearly 40,000 residents—a 13% decline. Over 500 businesses have left since 2019. More than a thousand officers have walked away. The patrol budget has been slashed by tens of millions. Investors won’t commit. These are the indisputable facts that speak louder than any manipulated crime stat."

Other notable provisions in the bill include:

—Enhanced Penalties for Stunt Driving and Street Takeovers: Repeat offenders will now face felony charges, aiming to curb dangerous driving behaviors.

—Strengthened Child Welfare Protections: First-degree child endangerment will be classified as a "dangerous felony," especially when involving fentanyl or other drugs.

—Expanded Definition of Rioting: The legislation broadens the scope of rioting and increases penalties, while removing the need to prove conspiracy in related offenses.

—School Safety Committee: A new Committee on School Safety will be created to develop guidelines to prevent school firearm violence.

—Immigration Reporting: Law enforcement agencies will be required to report the immigration status of criminal offenders to the state.

—Increased Penalties for Crime: The bill introduces tougher penalties for crimes like burglary, organized retail theft, tampering with water supplies, and sex trafficking of minors.

The bill also includes provisions that allow law enforcement agencies to request assistance from other jurisdictions, including out-of-state agencies. Additionally, it permits police vehicles involved in undercover operations to forgo using audible or visual signals when conducting surveillance or speed enforcement.

“This bill is a vital step forward in making Missouri’s communities safer,” Rep. Christ said. “By increasing accountability, providing the resources law enforcement needs, and implementing tougher penalties for crime, we are taking proactive measures to protect Missouri families. This robust bill will create a foundation for a safer Missouri.”

With a vote of 106-47, HB 495 now heads to the Missouri Senate for further review.