Power Surge Knocks Out County Property

A power surge, possibly caused by a lightning strike during one of the recent storms, disabled the elevator, destroyed several phones and damaged others, and knocked out the Internet at the Courthouse, the Worth County Commission learned at their meeting Monday. The county will try to get reimbursed through insurance.

Commissioners looked at the 130th and 140th road culverts, which are slated for possible replacement. Water nearly went over the road.

Discussion was held on a possible new round of brush letters to send.

Commissioners received complaints from landowners about roads following the recent rains. Issues reported included tubes in danger of washing out, flooding, and people having to drive through water that was over roads.

There was discussion on possible speakers at the quarterly commissioners’ meeting to be held at Sheridan on September 18th.

The Board of Equalization meeting will be held July 21st at the Courthouse at 10:30 am. Commissioners approved a flat $100 pay rate for people serving on the board.

 

Keith Plymell 1935-2025

Keith R. Plymell, 89, of Pattonsburg, MO passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025 at his home.  

He was born June 29, 1935, in Pattonsburg, Missouri, the son of Delbert J. and Donna (Gardner) Plymell.  He grew up on a farm that had been in the family for generations.

Keith attended grade school at Oak Ridge and graduated from Pattonsburg High School in 1953.  After graduation, he bought a tractor and started renting ground.  He began fishing, hunting and trapping at a very early age.  He liked to hunt geese and ducks on the refuges around Chillicothe.  Keith made many trips to Iowa pheasant hunting and also enjoyed fishing trips to Minnesota and Arkansas.  He liked to grow things and planted huge watermelon and muskmelon patches which he enjoyed sharing with his friends and neighbors.  He bought his first farm just before entering the services. Keith later expanded his farm and raised soybeans, corn, wheat, hay and Black Angus cattle until his retirement in 2002.

Keith served in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Aberdeen Proving Grounds and Fulda, Germany.  While on time off in Europe, he and two friends traveled by car through many countries seeing most of the major sights and cities. After returning home, Keith married Betty Lou Mooney on October 21, 1960 at the Heath Methodist Chapel.  He used his gardening interest to add color to their space in the world by planting trees, shrubs and flowers every year.

Keith’s knowledge of plants and weeds was amazing.  He loved raising watermelon and shared his success with many others

Keith instilled his love of books, gardening, fishing and hunting in his children.  Keith and Betty started taking them on picnics and to explore the countryside on Sunday afternoons when they were quite young.  Later, they all enjoyed camping trips.

Keith served for many years as a delegate on the MFA board, Soil and Water board, MFA Oil board and Township Road board.  He received several awards for soil conservation practices. Keith’s carpentry skills enabled him to beautifully restore and renovate the historic home they moved from Old Pattonsburg in 1996.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Betty Plymell, of the home; daughters, Shannon Plymell of the home, Gina Scott of Pattonsburg, MO and Jacqueline (Scott) McClure of Bethany, MO; son, Kenton (Pam) Plymell of Pattonsburg, MO; sister, Joan Boeglin of Martinsville, MO; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild and 1 step-great-grandchild; plus several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at Roberson Funeral Home, Pattonsburg, MO.  Burial with Military Rites will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Pattonsburg, MO.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to the Pattonsburg Senior Center in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. box 152, Pattonsburg, MO  64670.  

Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com. 

 

Study Finds Vaping More Toxic Than Cigarettes

It is popularly believed, especially among teens, that vaping is less harmful than tobacco. Major tobacco companies are required to display warnings at stores about the harm that tobacco does and the role that tobacco companies have had in covering up the risks. But a new study from the University of California-Davis, reported on by Futurism, a website about technology, found that vaping is actually a lot more toxic. In fact, some popular vapes contain levels of toxic metals so appalling, it is the equivalent of smoking packs of cigarettes.

When scientists did their study measuring the toxins found in vaping devices, they were so shocked that they thought their instruments were broken.

Specifically, they found concentrations of toxic forms of metals like nickel, chromium, and antimony. Nickel can cause lung and nasal cancer. Chromium can cause lung, nasal, and sinus cancers along with chronic bronchitis, asthma-like symptoms, and lung tissue damage. It can also cause nerve damage, cognitive impairment, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Antimony can lead to heart and lung problems when inhaled as a dust and cause vomiting when swallowed.

In addition, there is the matter of lead. The study in question showed that the first 200 puffs of one popular brand emitted more lead than 20 packs of cigarettes. Lead exposure, especially among children, leads to cognitive impairment; in fact, scientists have attributed the sudden drop in crime in the 1990’s to tougher lead regulations. In addition, it causes fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation, and loss of appetite. Missouri has passed laws requiring schools to get lead out of their water systems, test extensively, and declare water taps with too much lead in them not safe for drinking. In addition, cities are now required to monitor their water systems a lot more for lead. Grant City has been having a contractor come and test its water system for lead.

Two of the vapes studied emitted enough nickel and antimony to exceed cancer risk limits, while four of the vapes studied had nickel and lead emissions severe enough to be considered a risk for neurological damage and respiratory diseases. Another study found elevated uranium levels.

In Missouri, possession of a vaping device is an infraction under Missouri law. But schools can come down harshly on teens caught with a device on school property, including suspension from school, suspension from athletic contests, and loss of A+ scholarship and other scholarship opportunities.

 

State Rep. Mazzie Christensen -- No Taxpayer Dollars for Private Stadiums

To the Great Constituents of District 2,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”- 1 John 3:16

We returned to Jefferson City earlier this month for a special legislative session, which concluded on June 11. This session was called by Governor Mike Kehoe with two key objectives: To create incentives to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, and to approve disaster relief funding following the recent tornado in the St. Louis area.

Three main bills were considered:

—SB 1 – To appropriate money to the Department of Economic Development for the Missouri Housing Development Commission

—SB 3 – Stadium Incentives & Property Tax Amendment

—SB 4 – Authorizes the expedited disbursement of funds from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for emergency aid

SB 3:

—Sporting Event Tax Credits: Event sponsors must now be members of the Sports Events and Tourism Association, and no longer need to document costs. Instead, they only need to provide ticket sales or participant data. Credit amounts were increased to $6 per ticket (up from $5) and $12 per participant (up from $10). The annual statewide cap was raised from $3 million to $6 million, and the cap for Jackson County or St. Louis City was increased from $2.7 million to $5.5 million. The credit will now run through 2032.

—Show-Me Sports Investment Act: The state can now fund sports facility projects based on past tax revenue generated by the team’s facility. Agreements can last up to 30 years, and the state can cover up to 50% of project costs through bonds. If a team relocates, they must repay the state. Private investors can receive tax credits worth 50% of their contributions, capped at $50 million or 10% of the project cost.

—This act requires certain counties to put a property tax credit question on the ballot by the April 2026 election for eligible taxpayers. Eligible taxpayers are those who own or have a legal interest in a homestead and are responsible for paying property taxes on it. The credit equals the difference between the current year’s tax liability and the year the taxpayer became eligible. For five percent counties, the credit can increase by no more than 5% per year or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is higher. In zero percent counties, the credit can’t increase beyond the original liability. The credit will be applied to the taxpayer’s property tax bill and noted on their tax statement. It will also count as tax revenue for the county when calculating property tax levies.

I opposed these measures because, while I value the Chiefs and Royals, I do not believe taxpayer dollars or incentives should be used to fund private stadiums for billion-dollar franchises. Your hard-earned money should not subsidize their facilities. At the same time, many Missourians have faced property assessment increases of 10–15%, largely due to pressure from the State Tax Commission on local assessors. Some assessors, fearing a loss of funding, signed agreements under that pressure.

Rather than addressing this state overreach, a last-minute amendment to SB 3 capped property assessment increases at 5%—but only in 97 counties. Others received no relief at all, depending solely on whether their senator included them, which is unconstitutional and has a high probability of being taken to court. The bill also includes a severability clause, meaning if one part is struck down in court, the rest remains in effect.

During debate, it was said that we “pass unconstitutional bills all the time” and that keeping the Chiefs and Royals was justification enough. I strongly disagree. I swore an oath to uphold the Missouri Constitution, and I take that responsibility seriously. After the Senate passed these bills, the House had little ability—or will—to improve them, despite our efforts. The legislature's job is to review and amend bills to best serve Missourians, but that didn’t happen in this special session. And in the end, the Chiefs thanked the legislature—but also said they’re still keeping their options open.

SB 1 and SB 4 included the following provisions:

—$100 million to the Disaster Relief Fund for rebuilding efforts.

—Up to $5,000 in tax credits to help individuals cover insurance deductibles in federally declared disaster zones

—$25 million in emergency housing support

—Increased income eligibility for emergency housing support, raising the threshold from 50% to 75% of the area median income

—In the event of a presidential disaster declaration, emergency funds from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund will be quickly transferred to the Missouri Housing Development Commission, with administrative costs waived. Eligibility for aid will be based on household income, set at 75% or less of the median family income for the area or state, bypassing normal eligibility rules.

While I deeply sympathize with those affected by the tornado, I voted “Present” on these bills. Why? Because most of the funding is going to NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and I was unable to get a clear answer on how much of the money would go toward actual aid versus administrative expenses. The Missouri Housing Commission could not even tell me what percentage of the funds would go toward operating costs. When we’re spending your tax dollars, we must demand accountability and transparency.

As your Representative, I will always advocate for fiscal responsibility, local control, and fair treatment for all Missourians. Rushed legislation, political bargaining, and special favors have no place in our state Capitol.

It's a pleasure to serve and as always if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (573) 751-4285 or email Mazzie.Christensen@house.mo.gov.

All my Best,
Mazzie Christensen,
State Representative for District 2

Opinion -- Trump Administration Humiliating Discharged Trans Servicemembers

By Bree Fram

Yesterday, I attended the first of what promises to be a string of heartbreaking events: service members retiring next to their uniform, not in it. The uniform standing beside the person who sacrificed, sweated, and, in many cases, bled for what it represented. Yet, they are denied the opportunity for a final honor: to wear, one last time, the uniform that defined them, that meant everything to them.

At the end of this year, it will be my turn to stand beside the uniform that carried my heart for 23 years.

The first to face this indignity is Coast Guard Captain Trey Wirth. And if you know Trey, you know he is a man of deep dignity, quiet strength, and boundless grace. You would have seen that in his ceremony through his words of gratitude and reverence for a country whose government has now said he is unworthy of the uniform. You would have seen it in the love and respect offered by those who served with him and under him.

The tears that are common at these ceremonies weren’t just in Trey’s eyes. They were in everyone’s, as story after story revealed his dedication, achievements, and the deep relationships he built over 25 years of honorable service.

Why was Trey, as many others will be, being denied the chance to wear the uniform?

Because under the auspices of Executive Order 14183, which cast aspersions on our character, we are being discharged with codes that mark us as national security concerns. Because the government has unilaterally imposed standards upon us based on our sex assigned at birth and ordered leaders to enforce them.

That means if we wear the uniform we've worn for years, the one that reflects who we are, we could face disciplinary action, including court-martial, a less-than-honorable discharge, and the loss of benefits.

Trey, and so many other honorable transgender service members, played by the rules. They did the right thing, even when it meant gritting their teeth and persevering through pain. Now the rules have changed. And we’ve been recast as the problem.

A problem which is apparently so severe that we’re not even allowed the simple dignity of wearing our uniforms on the way out the door. 

Bree Fram is an Astronautical Engineer with the US Space Force.

 

First reports of Japanese Beetles Received in Missouri

University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management reports the capture of its first Japanese beetles of the season, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

The beetles appeared in Stoddard, Barton, Christian and Holt counties, as reported by MU’s Pest Monitoring Network, which gathers information from across the state.

Since Japanese beetles are highly mobile, Valmorbida advises corn and soybean growers to begin scouting fields.

Adult Japanese beetles mainly feed on the upper canopy leaves, causing defoliation in soybean. Leaves become skeletonized with veins still intact.

Insecticide treatments for soybean are based on growth stage and amount of defoliation, including injury from other defoliators, because it is difficult to distinguish among types of feeding injury.

Foliar insecticides are recommended when defoliation is expected to exceed 30% before bloom (V1-R2 growth stages), 10% from pod development to pod fill (R3-R5) and 15% at the R6 (full seed) growth stage.

Japanese beetles are also considered a pest in corn crops. They can clip corn silks necessary for pollination, which can lead to some yield reductions, says Valmorbida. He says foliar insecticide application is warranted in corn if three conditions are met:

There’s an average of three or more beetles per ear.

Silks have been clipped to less than 0.5 inch.

Pollination is less than 50% complete.

MU Extension’s pest monitoring website offers an alert system for Japanese beetles and other pests. Subscribe to alerts at https://ipm.missouri.edu or email ipm@missouri.edu.

 

Kochia Found in NW Missouri Fields

Kochia, a highly competitive weed that can reduce yields by as much as 70%, has been found in northwestern Missouri soybean fields, says Wayne Flanary, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.

Kochia is not new to Missouri, according to Flora of Missouri, a project of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Missouri Department of Conservation. However, this may be the first report of kochia showing up in cropland, says MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.

“I have never gotten calls or complaints about this species in corn or soybean fields,” says Bradley. “And I spend time actively looking for these kinds of situations and have never seen it in a Missouri corn or soybean field before.”

Flanary says kochia likely made its way to agricultural land via flooding of the Missouri River and its tributaries. Flanary found large, scattered plants in Atchison County soybean fields.

Prolific early emerger

Kochia threatens yields, grows rapidly and aggressively outcompetes crops for water, nutrients and sunlight. It tolerates drought, produces up to 30,000 seeds per plant and germinates quickly – within two or three hours with the right conditions. It emerges as early as February in Kansas, and chemical control is difficult.

May be herbicide-resistant

The biggest concern is that kochia may already be herbicide-resistant. “Growers should keep in mind that they may already be dealing with a population that is resistant to glyphosate or perhaps some other herbicide,” Bradley says.

In Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas, kochia is a “driver weed,” influencing or driving weed management decisions in farming operations, Bradley says. “There are numerous types of herbicide-resistant kochia populations in these states, including populations with resistance to the triazines (group 5 herbicides), to glyphosate, and even some populations with resistance to dicamba,” he says.

“As far as control, we don’t really know what to expect in this situation with these populations in northwest Missouri because they could have been transported from other states through flooding of the river. Also, at the time they were discovered, they were already pretty large.” Bradley suggested spot spraying and hand roguing the scattered plants that were found in the Atchison County field.

Identification

Kochia has an alternating arrangement of linear leaves covered with dense hairs. It can grow 6 feet tall and has a spherical shape. Roots can extend 15 feet and measure 21 feet in diameter.

Management

• Crop rotation.

• Early control. Fall cover crops may suppress establishment, and tillage disrupts roots.

• Apply pre-emergence herbicides to soil in late fall or early spring.

• Target small weeds after emergence.

• Prevent seed production by killing before flowering.

Spread

Kochia can spread through the wind. As it matures, the stem can separate from the root, and the plant becomes a tumbleweed that spreads seeds across fields.

 

Opinion -- Hawley Demands Energy Department Terminate Government Funding of Grain Belt Express

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a follow-up letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright demanding he terminate the more than $4 billion in federal funding for the Grain Belt Express, an elitist land grab harming Missouri farmers and ranchers.

In the letter, Senator Hawley wrote, "I write to you once again to urge the termination of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $4.9 billion conditional loan to the green-energy Grain Belt Express (GBE) transmission line. Your department recently terminated 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), citing 'that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.' Yet the GBE conditional loan has not been cancelled."

He continued, "I have repeatedly raised concerns to DOE about the viability of this transmission line. Most recently, on March 25, 2025, I wrote to you after officials from the Department of Energy confirmed that your department is moving forward with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, a key step in approving the loan. I have yet to receive a substantive response to that letter."

Senator Hawley concluded, "During a recent House hearing, you stated, 'It is deeply concerning how billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration.' I completely agree. The Biden administration’s Department of Energy approved the loan to the Grain Belt Express at the eleventh hour... Your department should be taking every possible action to stop this loan – not only to save taxpayer’s money, but also to save generational land from being ripped away from families and hard-working farmers and ranchers in Missouri. Now is the time to act. I urge you to immediately terminate all agency actions related to the Department of Energy’s $4.9 billion loan to the Grain Belt Express."

Read the full letter below.

Dear Secretary Wright,

I write to you once again to urge the termination of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $4.9 billion conditional loan to the green-energy Grain Belt Express (GBE) transmission line. Your department recently terminated 24 awards issued by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), citing “that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.” Yet the GBE conditional loan has not been cancelled.

I have repeatedly raised concerns to DOE about the viability of this transmission line. Most recently, on March 25, 2025, I wrote to you after officials from the Department of Energy confirmed that your department is moving forward with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, a key step in approving the loan. I have yet to receive a substantive response to that letter.

During a recent House hearing, you stated, “It is deeply concerning how billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration.” I completely agree. The Biden administration’s Department of Energy approved the loan to the Grain Belt Express at the eleventh hour.

While I applaud DOE’s current efforts to roll back last-minute Biden era green energy projects that were not vetted nor were reliable energy projects, I’ve become increasingly concerned that DOE apparently has not taken action to halt all federal funding to the Grain Belt Express. Your department should be taking every possible action to stop this loan – not only to save taxpayer’s money, but also to save generational land from being ripped away from families and hard-working farmers and ranchers in Missouri.

Now is the time to act. I urge you to immediately terminate all agency actions related to the Department of Energy’s $4.9 billion loan to the Grain Belt Express. Additionally, please answer the following questions by no later than June 30, 2025:

—Why has your department not yet cancelled the Grain Belt Express $4.9 billion conditional loan?

—Does your department plan to terminate all agency actions related to advancing the loan to the Grain Belt Express?

—If not, can you provide clear and concise reasons as to why you and your department continue to advance this project over the objections of Missouri farmers and ranchers?

Sincerely,
Josh Hawley
United States Senator

Construction to Start on Daviess, Harrison County Roads

A project focused on resurfacing low volume rural routes in several counties across Northwest Missouri is scheduled to begin in July. Herzog Contracting Corp., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will begin resurfacing Daviess/Gentry County Route T on Monday, July 7.

The following routes will also be resurfaced with this project:

Daviess County Routes B, NN, V, Y, YY

Harrison County Route H

Livingston County Routes A, T

Caldwell/Daviess County Routes CC, M

Traffic Impacts: During resurfacing, each route will be closed in up to 2-mile sections. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route during the closures.  

To stay up to date with project progress and traffic impacts, visit the MoDOT Traveler Information Map or read the Planned Roadwork for Northwest Missouri, published each Friday by visiting News | Missouri Department of Transportation or by signing up for email updates at MoDOT E-Updates.

All 11 routes are anticipated to be complete by mid-September 2025. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

In 2024, the Governor signed the Fiscal Year 2025 budget including an additional $100 million to continue low-volume road improvements. This funding will be used to improve conditions on 1,985 lane miles of rural roads at 149 locations, including the ones listed below. For more information on the Governor’s Rural Roads Program, visit Governor's Rural Roads Program | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org). 

Know before you go by visiting the MoDOT Traveler Information Map for work zone information and road conditions at http://traveler.modot.org/map/, or downloading from your smart phone’s app store.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.