Jacobi Matney 1954-2025

Jacobi Diane Matney, lovingly known as Cobi, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, in Independence, Missouri, at the age of 71. Born on June 9, 1954, in North Kansas City, Missouri, Cobi brought joy and warmth to all who knew her, embodying a spirited personality that was as feisty as it was loving.

Cobi dedicated her life to her family and was a proud homemaker who cherished every moment spent with those she loved. She graduated from Van Horn High School, where she likely began to nurture the passions that defined her life. Family was at the heart of Cobi's existence; she was renowned for her vibrant spirit, laughter, and ability to make everyone feel welcome. Her love for family extended not just to her children, but to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored fiercely.

Alongside her husband, Edward Matney, Cobi shared a beautiful partnership, often enjoying nights filled with dancing. She cherished being twirled around the dance floor, where her heart danced as freely as her feet. Music played a vital role in her life, and there wasn't a genre she didn't appreciate. Cobi could often be found walking the streets, soaking in her surroundings while clearing her mind.

Her creative talents shone through in her sewing, creating beautiful pillows, and soft blankets that brought comfort to her family. Cobi had a particular love for her television shows, often immersing herself in Old Westerns that entertained her and sparked joy in her daily life.

As a keeper of all critters, Cobi opened her heart and home to a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, squirrels, raccoons, and pigs. Her compassion for creatures large and small mirrored her loving nature and reflected her belief that every living being deserved kindness.

Cobi's legacy is carried on by her devoted family. She is survived by her husband, Edward Matney; her mother, Beverly Morin; her beloved children, Edward Matney Jr., Samuel Conn, Nichole Matney, Tessa McGee, Stephanie Matney and Olivia Conn; cherished grandchildren, Brandon Matney, Edward Matney III-(Tre), Carrigan Conn, Locklyn Conn, Ryder Mowen Easton Mowen, Leland Mowen, Tori Lynch, Taylor Hough, Natalie Hough, and Aubreigh Webb; loving brother, Don Morin Jr.; along with additional grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and an extended family and circle of dear friends who will deeply miss her.

Cobi was predeceased by her daughter, Tressa Ann Lynch, her father, Don Morin Sr., and her brothers, Chuck and Doug Morin. They, too, contributed to her vibrant life story, leaving behind memories that will forever be cherished in the hearts of her family.

In every dance she shared, every song she sang, and every creature she nurtured, Jacobi Diane Matney left an indelible mark on the world. As we celebrate her life, may we carry forward her spirit of love, creativity, and warmth in our hearts.

 

Bills Proposed in the Missouri Legislature

House

HB 1608, 1672, 1854, 2033 — Ends a sunset clause, which would make restrictions on prescribing sex change hormones or puberty-blocking drugs to individuals under 18 and participating in sporting events by transgendered women in women’s sporting events permanent. Such prescriptions given prior to August 28th, 2023 would no longer be considered valid. Three other House bills, 1607, 1663, and 1973 would allow female students to participate in athletic competitions designed for male students if no corresponding competition for female students is offered, such as baseball or football.

HB 1667, 2294 — Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act. Makes it illegal for a provider to harm a baby that survives a failed abortion. Sets such acts as First Degree Murder. (Rep. Brian Seitz)

HB 1908, 2337 — Allows pregnant women to file for divorce. (Rep. Ceceile Williams, Rep. Raychel Proudie)

HB 1940 — Increases the time a successor publication can form and claim legal status from a defunct newspaper from 30 days to 90 days. Reduces the time that a new newspaper can claim legal status from three years to one. Newspapers that already satisfy these conditions can purchase an existing paper or establish a new paper and immediately qualify. (Rep. Peggy McGaugh)

HB 2230 — Limits digital instruction for students from grades K through 5th grade to 45 minutes in schools. Requires cursive handwriting instruction in second grade. Technology cannot be the primary mode of instruction in reading, math, handwriting, science lessons, or social studies. At least 70% of assignments would be required to be completed using pen and paper. Schools could not rely exclusively on digital textbooks or reading platforms. This law would take effect at the start of the 2027-28 school year. (Rep. Tricia Byrns)

HB 2278 — Requires the Missouri State High School Activities Association to be overseen by a five-member board of directors appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. It would also apply to any such high school activities association established in the state, such as the FFA.  A similar bill, SB 863 (Sen. Jason Bean) is also being considered in the Senate. (Rep. Bennie Cook)

HB 2686 — Would exempt sales of used tangible personal property at auction from sales and use tax, with specified exclusions for titled motor vehicles, trailers, boats, and outboard motors.

HB 2748 — Would expand physical activity requirements in public schools by requiring students in grades K-12 to participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily, expand recess requirements to all grade levels, and require at least one 20-minute recess period.

HB 2859 — Would exempt certain tangible personal property, including farm machinery and motor vehicles, from personal property taxation. This bill is subject to voter approval.

HJR 154 — Establishes work requirements for Missouri Medicaid. The original bill required recipients to prove their employment for three months preceding application or review; the substitute requires one month. This measure is subject to voter approval.

Senate

SB 893 — Establishes the crime of grooming a minor for sexual purposes. Applies to someone who is 18 or older and engages in a pattern of conduct with at least one overtly sexual act directed towards a person who is under 18. Also establishes the offense of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images and making a threat of disseminating such images and removes the requirement that the victim be at least 18. (Sen. Jill Carter)

SB 969 — Keeps high-risk sex offenders away from schools and school events regardless of parental status even if their child is enrolled at the school or participating in the activity in question. (Sen. Travis Fitzwater)

SB 982 — Requires anyone who has committed a tier one, two, or three sexual offense since 1979 to register as a sex offender. (Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman)

SB 1004 — The Angel Investor Incentive Act. Allows investors to claim a tax credit worth 40% of their investment in a qualified business, or 50% if it is located in a rural county. No individual can get more than $75,000. Individual investors can give no more than $300,000. The total program is limited to $6 million for the first two years. The bill has a sunset clause in 2033. (Sen. Kurtis Gregory)

SB 1067 — Protects speakers at public meetings against meritless lawsuits, also known as Anti-SLAPP. Provides for dismissal of such cases if the person was communicating during an official proceeding, communicating on an issue under consideration or review, and exercising their 1st Amendment right to free speech. (Sen. Mike Henderson)

Iowa

The House passed a bill 64-28 that would block companies from using eminent domain to build carbon sequestration pipelines in Iowa. The measure proceeds to the Senate for further consideration. (Successful Farming)

Federal

House Ag Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig filed a bill she says would provide more than $17 billion in relief to farmers from the tariffs. This is in addition to the relief the Trump Administration already announced. It would provide $11.5 billion for one-time payments to row crop farmers, $5 billion in one-time payments to specialty crop farmers, $330 million for one-time payments to sugar beet producers, and $520 million to forest producers.

 

Phillip Bell 1960-2026

Phillip Dean Bell, 66, of old Trenton, MO, passed away at 6:15 a.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at his residence. Born January 8, 1960 in St. Louis, MO to James (Jim) and Lois (Pugh) Bell., he was raised and loved by Rose (Bell) and Frank Smith.  

Phillip was very proud to have served over 26 years in the National Guard, Reserves, and United States Army. During that time, he was deployed as a track mechanic during Desert Storm, served in the postal unit, and held many other positions. Phillip found great honor in serving his country. He loved playing any kind of billiards and was known for playing into the late hours.

Survivors include his taco eating cat George, daughter Autumn (Lonnie) Hoskins of Platte City, MO, sons; James (Jay) Bell (Salena Brazzell) of Edgerton, MO, and Brandin (Halley) Bell of Darlington, MO, brothers; Bill Smith of Trenton, MO, and Bruce Bell of Gallatin, MO, Greg and Bryan Bell, and grandchildren; Makaila, Reese, Callie, Dexter, Abel, William, Déjà, Jase and Jax. Special mention: Great friend and roommate at times, Evette Hall; in-laws Lorie and Dennis Wilmes and Chris and Jennifer Prettyman. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, adopted parents, brothers Charles Bell, David Smith, and Eddie Bell. Special mention: in-laws Robert and Marilyn Hardin and Geraldine Weese.

Graveside Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026 at Miller Cemetery at Denver, MO. Memorial donations are suggested to be made to the Veteran’s Community Project and may be left with or mailed to the Slater Neal Funeral Home.

 

Worth County Extends Chris Healy’s Contract, Accepts Megan Humphrey’s Resignation

The Worth County School Board, at its regular meeting Wednesday, extended the contract of Superintendent Chris Healy through the 2027-28 school year. The board accepted the resignation of Title I Math Teacher Megan Humphrey effective at the end of the school year.

The next meeting will be February 18th at 6 pm.

The school is proposing a start date of August 24th for the 2026-27 school year. The school is seeking a waiver from the state which would allow it to start earlier. The school says it will better balance the length of the first and second semesters.

Mrs. Amanda Pottorff and Mrs. Allie Rush presented the Kindness Club, which has 30 students from grades 3-5. The club will distribute homemade cards to health and safety workers.

The school rated its technology program as “Excellent.” The school continues to maintain its technology hardware by purchasing and replacing Chromebooks each year and by rotating the old hardware from vocational grants into the elementary. All district computers now have 16 GB of RAM. The school purchased a new 3D printer with a vocational grant. There are now security cameras on the electric buses. A new entryway at the front has improved access. Multi-factor authentication has been implemented for key users. The school has updated its cyber response plan. There is now a new HUDL camera for the gym and football field. Professional development this month focused on technology training. The school continues to be 1:1 device to student for grades 3-12 and students can take Chromebooks home. The business department provides coding courses for students. The fire alarm systems have been upgraded.

The Extracurricular programs were rated “Excellent” by the school. 95% of junior high and high school students are involved in extracurricular activities. Many teams and organizations have achieved high levels of success in the past year. A new batting cage was installed at the softball field. All coaches are trained in CPR, AED, First Aid, and concussion management. The school plans to install new backboards in the gym.

The school purchased uniforms in 2024 for high school track and softball, 2023 for high school football, 2022 for high school basketball and junior high track, and in 2021 for junior high football, softball, and basketball. They last got choir uniforms in 2015 and band uniforms in 1995.

Concerns listed include leveling the outfield on the softball diamond, continuing irrigation and upkeep on the practice field, and coordinating practice times and meetings due to the fact that the school only has one gym and many students participate in multiple activities.

Elementary Principal Amber Hawk reported on the attendance winners. The winners for December were Mrs. Schlapia’s kindergarteners. Every class had at least a 94.24% attendance rate. The elementary has collected 78.6 pounds of pop tabs with the sixth graders leading with 17.4 pounds.

High School Principal Josh Smith reported on the things students were learning in school. English II students are reading Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,” with attention given to the interpretation of the play. Seventh Grand English students are studying Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Intro to Computer Programming students are learning how to work with Express Code. They will later transition into Python programming later in the course. The winner of the attendance challenge was the seventh grade with an attendance rate of 97.66%. They were followed by the juniors and the eighth grade.

Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that Worth County will host the GRC Band on February 7th.

 

 

Worth County Elementary Honor Rolls

A HONOR ROLL

Fourth Grade — Madison Collins, Cora Davidson, Colbie Seipel.

Fifth Grade — Addison Cass, Emerlee Clarkson, Sophia Combs, Riley Dignan, Robby Helt Jr., Elley Maudlin, Sutton Patrick, Riggin Smyser.

Sixth Grade — Hadley Downing, Maebry Escobar, Gwyn Healy, Kyah Joslin.

B HONOR ROLL

Fourth Grade — Aurora Cadle, Leah Combs, Emily Dannar, Kellan Dannar, Gracee Frisch, Oliver Lovan, Eva Porter, Lincoln Richards, Kash Winther.

Fifth Grade — Kade Adams, Bristol Benson, Thiel Dalton, Malary Fojtik, Luke Riley, Alaina Roush, Iris Thomas.

Sixth Grade — Cree Blankenship, Addison Cadle, Desmond Dannar, Chase Davidson, Daden Findley, Mason Hern, Grayson Mullock, Coy Pickering, Jarrett Rush.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Pre-K — Bobbie Fleetwood, Gianna Morin.

Kindergarten — Dean Cain, Liam McCord, Harper Staton, Hadley Briner.

First Grade — Landon Combs, Kamryn Fisher, Jessica Green, Isabella Hubbard, Declan Mullock.

Second Grade — Haven Briner, Piper Green, Rylia Hall, Cleo Jenkins, Riglie McPike, Arden Moser, Layne Pickering, Carter Schrock.

Third Grade — Henry Cass, Bowen Findley, Carter Mullock, Bronx Ridge, Poseidon Thomas, Avery Baca, Jaxon Cain, Cam Clarkson, Nolan Gilland, Gemma Hall, Barrett Hauber, Malea Ridge.

Fourth Grade — Madison Collins, Calvin Combs, Leah Combs, Emily Dannar, Cora Davidson, Lincoln Richards.

Fifth Grade — Kade Adams, Bristol Benson, Addison Cass, Emerlee Clarkson, Lilla Hall, Robby Helt Jr., Sutton Patrick, Riggin Smyser, Iris Thomas.

Sixth Grade — Cree Blankenship, Chase Davidson, Hadley Downing, Gwyn Healy, Elsie Jenkins, Jarrett Rush, Ridley Ware.

 

Route 169 Bridge Now Open

The Middle Fork Grand River Bridge on U.S. Route 169 in Worth County is open. The bridge was closed by Capital Paving & Construction, LLC, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, in August 2025 for a bridge deck replacement project.  

This project also included replacing the decks of the Middle Fork Grand River Bridge and the East Fork Grand River Bridge in Worth County and the Zounds Creek Bridge in Gentry County. 

 

Pattonsburg Second Quarter Honor Roll

GOLD HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade — Addley Hulet, Payton mason, Kentley Plymell.

Seventh Grade — Eliza Shock.

Sophomores — Patrick Hartman, Aden Woodward.

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade — Daisy Crabtree, Emma Durham.

Seventh Grade — Avasa Cook, Case Gardner.

Freshmen — Colton Crone, Brantley Gardner, Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet, Cole Manion, Emsleigh McCrary, Addison Shepherd.

Sophomores — Brandon Heath, Drake Sperry.

Juniors — Jayden Goble, Caden McCrary, Samantha Peterson, Josie Shock.

Seniors — Kara Bernardino, Willow Carter, Annabelle Gardner, Gavin Humphrey.

REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade — Wyatt Hambleton, Jax Karl, Zayden Leeper, Haydin Thrash, Zaylee Tucker.

Seventh Grade — Kaylee Davis, Kyndall Hunter, Lillyin Provance, Bryson Sorrentino.

Eighth Grade — Landen Carter, Taylor Mason, Jaxon Roeder, Emma Sperry, Thomas Warren.

Freshmen — Keiona Davis, Gabriella Jacobs, Gabriel Jeswald, Zoey Turner.

Sophomores — Reagan Coin, Taylen Fore.

Seniors — Camden Mossburg, Kavinly Rutledge.