Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for September 23rd, 2026

On September 14th, Marco Harris (29) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Felony), and Possession of Firearm and Controlled Substance (Felony). He was sentenced to six years in the Missouri Department of Corrections by Judge Corey Herron. 

On September 14th, Tyan Elder (45) of St. Joseph pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Burglary (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant may not enter any Wal-Mart. 

On September 14th, Skylar Hamilton pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Forgery (Felony). He was placed on five years’ probation by Judge Corey Herron. Defendant must make restitution to two different victims of $5,030. Defendant must serve 60 days shock time with work release granted if approved by the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department. Costs to be paid prior to discharge from probation. 

On September 14th, Jeff VanGundy (55) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court to a charge of Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). He was placed on five years probation by Judge Corey Herron. 

On September 15th, Matthew Pottorff (36) of Gallatin pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Harassment. He was placed on two years’ probation by Judge Micha Lea Dixon. Defendant may have no contact with the victim except via My Family Wizard regarding their child. 

On September 15th, Ronnie Stevens (36) of Maysville pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Stealing. He was sentenced to 25 days in jail by Judge Micha Lea Dixon with credit for 25 days served. 

On September 15th, Nodaway County Circuit Judge Corey Herron revoked the probation of Brian Clapp (42) of Butler (MO) and sentenced him to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections, to be served concurrently with cases from Cass County and Cooper County. The defendant was on probation in Nodaway County on a charge of Stealing (Felony). 

On September 15th, Kyle Potts (42) of Rosendale pleaded guilty in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Violation of Protection Order. He was placed to two years’ probation by Judge Micha Lea Dixon. Defendant may have no contact with the victim. 

On September 15th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 43-year-old Darlington man was killed following a two-vehicle crash. The Patrol says the vehicle driven by the Darlington man traveled into the path of a Ford F-250 on Route 190 near Jamesport and was struck by the pickup. The pickup driver, a 77-year-old Gilman City man, and a passenger, a 75-year-old Gilman City woman, were seriously injured and were lifeflighted to North Kansas City.

On September 15th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that James Lyon (80) of Independence pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently obtaining $124,262 in disability payments from the VA. The defendant allegedly lied about his military service, including falsely claiming he had earned various combat decorations while serving in Vietnam and that he had been diagnosed with ALS. In fact, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office alleges, the defendant refused Marine Corps training in 1966 as a Conscientious Objector. 

On September 15th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that John Weaver (44) of Licking (MO) pleaded guilty in federal court to using a minor to produce child pornography, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of Firearm. 

On September 15th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported the indictment of Gregory Porter (57) of Mountain View (MO) alleging that he possessed at least 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment also alleges that the defendant possessed an additional 33 firearms after he had been convicted of a felony. 

On September 16th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that the Federal Government had been cleared of wrongdoing in Richardson vs. United States, a wrongful death lawsuit filed following a use of force incident in Springfield. The verdict was handed down by Federal Judge Roseann Ketchmark following a three-day bench trial in April. On November 2nd, 2020, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office alleges that Drug Enforcement Administration agents were conducting surveillance at an apartment complex in Springfield when officers confronted Caleb Slay. During a struggle between the officers and the decedent, one of the officers believed that Mr. Slay was reaching for a handgun and shot and killed him. The court ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove that the DEA agent used unreasonable force and that use-of-force decisions must be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene making split-second judgements. 

On September 16th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Van Callahan Jr. (46) of Kansas City (KS) was convicted of Stealing a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime. The defendant allegedly assaulted an individual at a bus stop in Kansas City and stole a firearm from the victim. An off-duty officer observed the assault and attempted to intervene. The defendant allegedly pointed the firearm at the officer and stole their vehicle. The vehicle was located in Kansas City (KS), and the defendant allegedly wrecked the vehicle into a house and fled on foot before he was arrested. 

On September 16th, Judge Rebecca Spencer revoked the probation of Jerrod Naze (25) of Grant City in Buchanan County Associate Circuit Court and ordered him to serve 12 months in the Buchanan County Jail, to run concurrent with a Nodaway County case. The defendant had been on probation for Violation of Protection Order. The Court will stay execution of sentence until November 2nd, when he is to be taken into custody in Nodaway County. 

On September 16th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported the conviction of Amador Salinas-Rodriguez (47) of Mexico for Illegal Reentry. On August 1st, 1999, the defendant allegedly entered the US at a border crossing in Arizona using someone else’s border crossing card. He was subsequently arrested and deported. In February 2025 and February 2026, the defendant was again found in the US, this time in Columbia (MO), without the consent of the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the US. The defendant was convicted following a jury trial. 

On September 17th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported the indictments of Alyshia Smith (33) of Kansas City and Michelle Green (36) of Grandview (MO) alleging COVID-19 fraud. The defendants allegedly submitted fraudulent loan applications for PPP loans totaling $55,312, which were then forgiven by the Small Business Administration. 

On September 17th, I-29 between Mound City and Oregon was closed both northbound and southbound due to a vehicle crash involving hazardous materials for several hours. Traffic was redirected onto Route 59. Both lanes were reopened that evening. 

On September 18th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 78-year-old Denver woman sustained moderate injuries on Route C near Albany when her vehicle veered off the west side of the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree. 

On September 18th, the fire alarm at the Worth County School went off at around 2:00 pm. It was a planned fire drill. Most schools typically conduct safety drills at the start of each new school year. 

On September 18th, Tracy Begley (50) of Princeton pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to three counts of Animal Abandonment. She was placed on two years probation by Judge Jay Hemenway. Defendant must make $300 payment to the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund. Defendant must write one page handwritten letter imagining what it would be like to die of starvation. 

On September 21st, KSIB Radio reported that the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department arrested Charles Giles (44) of Kellerton on charges of Third Degree Theft Against an Older Individual (Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, three counts Fifth Degree Theft Against an Older Individual, Tampering with Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $13,600, cash only. 

On September 21st, a Missouri State Highway Patrol Officer had someone stopped near the Tuck Point Bar & Grill on Route 46 in Ravenwood just before 5:00 pm. 

On September 21st, WHO-TV reported that Homecoming activities were canceled as well as an upcoming football game were cancelled at Oskaloosa (IA) followed by numerous allegations of misconduct, including vandalism and racial slurs. Subsequently, more than 80 students came forward with their involvement in these activities. 

On September 21st, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Megan Morales (33) of Tulsa (OK) alleging DWI and Speeding (76 mph). Bond was set at $1,000, cash only. 

On September 21st, Harrison County Prosecutor Michael Wulff filed charges against Joshua Fletcher (31) of McFall alleging DWI (Felony), No Valid License (Felony), and No Plates. Bond was set at $50,000, cash only. 

On September 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Dylan Kelley (30) of St. Joseph alleging Stealing (Felony), Burglary (Felony), Driving While Revoked (Felony), and Resisting Arrest (Felony). An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant, after multiple shoplifting and stealing incidents at the Maryville Wal-Mart during September, led officers on a chase south of Maryville on September 14th with speeds exceeding 100 mph. Bond was denied.

On September 21st, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Deiter filed charges against Scott Alkire (69) of Barnard alleging Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Felony), Unlawful Use of Weapon (Felony), and Assault. Bond was denied.

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.

Community Calendar for September 23rd, 2026

Community Calendar items are free of charge. To submit, email us at express@grm.net. All events are subject to change or last-minute cancelation.

REPEATING EVENTS

Mondays (except holidays) – Worth County Commissioners meet at 9 am.

Every 1^st & 3^rd Tuesday – Grant City Lions Club, Allendale Community Building, 7 pm.

Fridays – Bedford Jam, United Christian Presbyterian Church, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Snacks and drinks available. Walk-ons are welcome. For information, call (712) 523-2282.

Fridays– Community Market, Memorial Park Shelter, Bethany. Fridays 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Saturdays – Stanberry Community Farmers Market, 8 am to noon. Crafts, donuts, and more. Located six miles north of Stanberry on Highway B to AF. 4371 Highway AF.

Every Second Wednesday – Worth County Suicide Prevention Coalition, 5:00 pm, Worth County Community Church.

REGULAR ANNOUNCEMENTS

September 23^rd – Second Harvest Food Pantry, Pattonsburg City Hall, 10:00 am. Free and open to the public regardless of income.

September 24^th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

September 25^th – Worth County Homecoming Parade, 1:15 pm.

September 25^th – Gentry Opry. Doors open 5:00 pm. Concert begins at 7:30 pm. With special guest Josh Daniels.

September 25^th – Johnny & Gale Rowlett at Highway 13 Christian Church, Bethany, 6:30 pm.

September 25^th – Homecoming game, Worth County vs. Albany, 7:00 pm.

September 26^th – North Harrison Softball Round Robin, 9:00 am.

September 26^th – Big Ed’s Classic Cruise & Antique Car Show, Ravenwood. Cars arrive at 12 noon. Meal at 1:00 pm. Vintage cars, trucks, tractors, and motorcycles.

September 26^th – Evanell Havner 90^th birthday party, 2 pm to 4 pm, Worth County Community Church.

September 26^th – North Harrison FFA BBQ, 5:30 pm.

September 27^th – Ravenwood Community Breakfast, 8 am to 12 noon. The Northeast Nodaway cheerleaders will be helping serve.

September 27^th – Parnell United Methodist Church Fish Fry, 11 am to 1:30 pm. Free will donation.  White pollock fish, deep fried chicken, baked potatoes, cole slaw, baked beans, corn, green beans, hot rolls, desserts, and drinks. Take-out meals available. Church basement now handicapped-accessible.

September 27^th – Hopkins Community Club Beef & Noodle Dinner, 11 am to 1 pm, Hopkins Community Building.

September 27^th – Sheridan Express Cooperative Meeting, 5:00 pm, Sheridan Housing Laundry Room.

September 28^th – No school at NEN. Teacher in-service.

September 29^th – Kidsight Vision Screening at NEN, 9 am to 11 am. For PK through 1^st grade.

September 29^th – Healthy Aging Event, 10 am to 2 pm, Bethany Community Gym. 13+ vendors present. Local resources will be available. Sponsored by the Harrison County Health Department.

September 29^th – Data Center Informational Meeting, Graham Community Building, 6:30 pm. Topics: White Cloud Acres Data Center Project, White Cloud Generating LLC Project, Proposed White Cloud Township Zoning ballot measure. Cookies and beverages are provided. Free and open to the public.

September 30^th – North Nodaway National Honor Society Inductions, 6:00 pm.

October 1^st – Fall FFA Contest at Maryville.

October 1^st – Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic, North Nodaway Elementary, 3:45 pm to 5:30 pm. Bring insurance card or $20.

October 2^nd – Learn about managing forests and woodlands with the Missouri Department of Conservation at Hundley-Whaley in Albany from noon to 4 pm. Space is limited and registration is required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220528.

October 3^rd – No school at North Harrison. Teacher in-service.

October 3^rd – Band Jamboree at Clarinda.

October 3^rd – Great Northwest Winefest, 1805 Nebraska Street, Mound City (Swimming Pool), 11:30 am. Proceeds will go to raise funds for Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation.

October 3^rd – Open House, Snodderly Lumber Co., Clearmont, 1 pm to 5 pm.

October 3^rd – Big Brothers/Big Sisters Glow Walk/Run, 6:00 pm. The run will start at Mosaic in Maryville, follow the Safe Routes to School trail, through the Crestview Addition on South Munn, and return on the same route back to the hospital.

October 4^th – Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8:00 am.

October 4^th – Pattonsburg Car Show. Registration 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Awards at 3:00 pm. Music, food, and vendors. $15 per car entry.

October 4^th – Celebration of Life for Trevin Wyllie, 2 pm, Mozingo Event Center.

October 5^th – No school at North Harrison. Professional Development.

October 6^th – First Fluoride Treatment for NEN Elementary Students, 8:30 am.

October 6^th – Kids Sight Screening at North Nodaway at both Hopkins and Pickering, 8:30 am.

October 7^th – Final day to register to vote for the November 3^rd election.

October 8^th -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

October 8^th – Shamrock Softball vs. Putnam County, 5:30 pm. Pink Out Night.

October 8^th – Bluejay Softball (V/JV) vs. King City, 5:30 pm. Senior Night.

October 8^th – Mustang Volleyball vs. Mound City, 5:30 pm. Senior Night.

October 8^th – Hawk Softball vs. Meadville, 5:30 pm. Senior Night.

October 9^th – Pot Luck, 12 noon, Worth County Senior Center.

October 10^th – Maryville Fall into Fun, 12 noon to 6 pm. Market vendors, music, kids activities, and more.

October 10^th – Grant City Lions Club Corn Maze, Allendale, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Play in the park, enjoy hot dogs, ride a way wagon, tackle the corn maze, and find the “Candy Lion.” “Littles” 3 & under free. All others $5. Food is extra.

October 10^th – Sheridan Halloween Lock-in, Sheridan Community Building, 6 pm. Please come pick up your child on October 11^th at 6:00 am. Your child does not have to stay all night if they don’t want to. For grades K-8. Pre-K can come, but parents should come get them after the activities. Costume contest, coloring pages, cookie decorating, face painting, movies, board games, pony rides, and more. Pizza, popcorn, and brownies along with drinks.

October 11^th – St. Joseph Catholic Church Fall Dinner, 11 am, church basement. Free will donation.

October 11^th – Open House, 2 pm to 4 pm, Crossroads Church, Grant City. Len and Rita Green will be celebrating 40 years at the church.

October 12^th – No mail delivery. Columbus Day.

October 12^th – No school at Worth County or North Nodaway. Professional Development.

October 12^th – GRM Networks 75^th Anniversary Open House, 11 am to 2 pm. Food, giveaways, door prizes.

October 12^th – Hawk Softball vs. Gallatin, 5:00 pm. Senior Night.

October 13^th – Kidsight vision screening at North Harrison, 9:00 am. For grades PK through 6^th grade.

October 13^th – Hopkins Historical Society Fall Meeting, 7:00 pm.

October 15^th – NEN School Board Meeting, 7:00 pm.

October 15^th – Tiger Football vs. Pattonsburg, 7:00 pm. Senior Night.

October 16^th – Early Dismissal at Gilman City. End of Quarter.

October 16^th – Special Olympics, 10 am, NEN.

October 17^th – Missouri Days Marching Band Festival at Trenton.

October 17^th – Halloween in the Park Trunk or Treat & Movie Night, Grant City Pool Park. Trick or Treating 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Movie starts at 7:00 pm. If you would like to have a trunk and hand out candy, call (660) 254-3898. Sponsored by Small Town Bounce Co., the Worth County Word, and the City of Grant City.

October 17^th – Gilman City Barnwarming, 7:00 pm.

October 18^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Post 464 membership.

October 18^th -- Grant City Lions Club Corn Maze, Allendale, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Play in the park, enjoy hot dogs, ride a way wagon, tackle the corn maze, and find the “Candy Lion.” “Littles” 3 & under free. All others $5. Food is extra.

October 21^st – North Harrison School Board Meeting.

October 21^st – Worth County School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

October 21^st – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

October 22^nd – No school at NEN or North Harrison. Parent/Teacher Conferences.

October 22^nd – Early dismissal at Worth County and Gilman City. Parent/Teacher Conferences.

October 22^nd -- Hopkins Food Pantry, 3 pm to 5 pm, Hopkins Christian Church Parsonage.

October 23^rd – No school at NEN, Gilman City, North Harrison, or Worth County. End of Quarter.

October 23^rd – Last day to file as a write-in candidate for the November 3^rd election, 5:00 pm.

October 24^th – Halloween Costume 5K and Kids Trick or Treat, 2811 Yellowstone Avenue, Blockton, 3 pm. Sponsored by the Taylor County Conservation Board.

October 24^th – Haunted corn maze, Allendale. “Littles” from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. “Spooks” from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. $5 per person. 3 and under are free. Sponsored by the Grant City Lions Club.

October 25^th – Ravenwood Community Breakfast, 8:00 am to 12 noon. The Girls Softball Team will be helping.

October 29^th – Early dismissal at North Nodaway. Parent/Teacher Conferences.

October 30^th – No school at North Nodaway. End of quarter.

October 31^st – Northwest Missouri State Homecoming Parade.

November 1^st – Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8:00 am.

November 2^nd – No school at North Nodaway. Professional Development.

November 3^rd – General election for Missouri. Polls open at 6 am and close at 7 pm.

November 5^th – NEN School and Community Health Fair in the commons area, 4:30 pm. Bluejay JH Basketball vs. Worth County, 5:30 pm.

November 9^th – 275 Conference Band Day at Northwest Missouri State.

November 9^th – No school at Worth County. Professional Development.

November 11^th – No mail delivery. Veterans Day.

November 11^th – Worth County Veterans Day Program, 2 pm.

November 13^th – Early dismissal at Gilman City. Professional Development.

November 13^th – North Nodaway Veterans Day Assembly, 9:00 am.

November 13^th – Pot Luck, Worth County Senior Center, 12 noon. Free will donation.

November 15^th -- Tri-C Memorial Post 464 Pancake Breakfast, 7 am to 11 am, Conception Junction. Proceeds to Ladies Auxiliary Unit 464.

November 18^th – North Harrison School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm.

November 18^th – Worth County School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

November 18^th – North Nodaway School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

November 24^th – Early dismissal at North Nodaway and Gilman City, Thanksgiving.

November 25^th to 29^th – All schools dismiss for Thanksgiving Break. School will resume on November 30^th.

November 26^th – Thanksgiving. No school or mail delivery.

December 6^th – Legion Breakfast, Parnell Legion Hall, 8:00 am.

May 29^th – North Nodaway Alumni Reunion, North Nodaway School, 5:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nodaway County Rural Water District Proposes Rate Hike

The Nodaway County Rural Water District, at its meeting on Monday, put several different options on the table for raising water rates to customers. The Maryville City Council recently approved a rate hike of 50% across the board for 2027. This will mean $615,000 in increased costs for the Rural Water Districts, without factoring in any other price hikes or extra labor should the data center project south of Maryville move forward.

Options for raising the rates included a $3 across the board increase for everyone to a gradated increase which would hit bigger customers such as Sheridan harder. Currently, the Rural Water District charges a $35 rate for a minimum of 1,000 gallons of use. The risk of increasing the minimum water rate is that it would create hardship for customers on fixed incomes. Many of the options presented included leaving the minimum rate as it is.

On the other end, targeting bigger customers with higher rate increases could also affect people on fixed incomes. Barnard has one of the highest rates in the area, charging a minimum of $120 a month for water and sewer. Other cities purchasing their water from the Rural Water District would also have to pass costs on to their customers.

The board took no action on the rate hike at Monday's meeting. It will be on October's agenda as an action item. The district has been seeking water from other sources to reduce costs.

Brock Pfost reported that people from the Rural Water District, the City of Maryville, and two Maryville council members met to discuss the city providing wastewater to the data center should it come. They are seeking formal numbers and parameters regarding usage.

Wyatt Maize Returns Kickoff for Score to Spark Princeton to Easy Win

Wyatt Maize ran back the opening kickoff 70 yards for a score, and Princeton had little trouble putting away Pattonsburg 58-0 Friday for their Homecoming game. Hector Garcia kicked the extra point, and the rest of the game belonged to Princeton.

A long year for Pattonsburg just got even longer during Friday night's battle. Princeton's Gavin Tatum caught one of the Panther backs in the end zone for a safety early in the game, and the Pattonsburg player had to be taken off on a stretcher. Another Panther player was taken off the field with an injury later in the game, and they were already shorthanded, with two players dressed in street clothes.

They showed little resemblance to the Panther teams of the past, which would light up the scoreboard like an arcade game win or lose, and live and die by the passing game. They attempted 5 passes and 29 runs in Friday's game, reversing stats from the last several years.

With Wyatt Maize and Gavin Tatum getting straight tackles for losses from the 21 to the 12, Pattonsburg lined up to punt. They tried a fake punt, but it was snuffed out, and Ryker Fortner tackled Michael Warner at the 20 to give Princeton a short field to work with. A few plays later, Gage Fortner bobbled a snap but took a busted play to the house with 8:36 left in the first to make it 14-0 after Garcia's extra point. With 8:27 left, the safety in question followed to make it 16-0.

After a lengthy delay, Pattonsburg tried a squib kick, but it was covered by Princeton at the Panther 34, and they had another short field to work with. Wyatt Maize burst up the middle 24 yards to the 10. A block in the back penalty and an incompletion made it second and goal at the 20, but Kash Holt's pass in the middle of the field put it at the 8, and Mitchell Walker took a screen pass to the house with 7:39 left in the first to make it 23-0 after Garcia's extra point.

Andrew Fordyce, who lived rent-free in the Pattonsburg backfield all night, forced a quarterback hurry on the next series and Ryker Fortner picked off Warner and took it back to the Pattonsburg one. The play was called back to the Pattonsburg 37 due to a block in the back, but it didn't matter as Gage Fortner aired it out to Judd Henke for six. Hector Garcia added the extra point to make it 30-0 with 6:40 left in the first.

Pattonsburg got their most promising drive going as Michael Warner scrambled for 14 yards for a first down, and Porter Simmons caught a short pass for seven yards to Princeton’s 35. But one of many false start penalties for Pattonsburg derailed the drive, and Dynten Hale, who had never played football and who was out for the first time this year, recorded a sack. A late hit gave Pattonsburg new life at the Princeton 31, but a diving pick by Ryker Fortner killed the drive. Two plays later, Mitchell Walker took a sweep down the left side and cut back down the right side and into the clear for a score with 2:49 left in the first to make it 37-0 after Garcia's kick.

To show the kind of year Pattonsburg has been having, just as it looked like they were finally turning the corner on the next drive, getting some good runs with Porter Simmons to the 40, their biggest lineman, Remington White, got injured at the end of the quarter. Ryker Fortner and Reed Mitchell combined to blow up a fourth and one, and Princeton had the ball at Pattonsburg’s 35.

Mitchell Walker spun his way to the Panther five, but Pattonsburg made a stand as Evan Mason and Kaos Sweiger blew up a running play back to the nine. Gage Fortner made a rare miscue as his knee hit the ground as he was handling a snap. But he atoned for it by throwing a pass to Kash Holt, and Hector Garcia added the extra point to make it 44-0 with 10:45 left in the second.

Princeton began subbing freely to start the second, but they still pulled away. After they forced a three and out, Reed Michell fielded a short kick in Pattonsburg territory. He had one of the hardest hits all night, shoving his own man out of the way as he took it to the house. Hector Garcia added the extra point to make it 51-0.

They got their final score late in the first half when Michael Parsons pounced on a muffed punt at Pattonsburg’s 11. Two plays later, Reed Mitchell got a block from Scotty Briggs and took it to the house to make it 58-0 after Garcia's extra point kick.

Anna Mae Parker 1951-2026

Anna Mae Parker, 75, of Parnell, Missouri passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Anna Mae was born on February 10, 1951, in Hopkins, Missouri to Charles and Opal (Adams) Auten. She attended Northeast Nodaway High School. She worked for K.T. Bar & Grill in Parnell. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Parnell and enjoyed sewing, making blankets, reading, flowers, playing games on her iPad and spending time with grandkids.

She married Robert E. “Bob” Parker on December 27, 1976, in Hopkins, Missouri. He survives of the home. Additional survivors include their children, Annetta (Kevin) Owens, Bobby (Angela) Parker, and stepdaughter Racheal Healy/Parker. Grandchildren, Megan (Taylor) Wallace, Adam Ebrecht, Amber Ebrecht, Justin (Kim) Parker and Kristin Chitty. One great grandchild, Weston Parker.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings (6 brothers and 8 sisters).

The body has been cremated under the care of Price Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In memory of Anna Mae, her family suggests memorials to the United Methodist Church of Parnell.

Connie Brewington 1946-2026

Constance "Connie" Lee Swaim-Brewington, 79, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026. Born on November 19, 1946, in Maryville, Missouri, Connie grew up in the Grant City area and graduated from Worth County High School. In 1968, she moved to Stone County, settling in McCord Bend, Galena, Missouri. She later moved to Reeds Spring, and after marrying her husband, Robert Brewington, settled in Kimberling City. Connie dedicated her professional life to the real estate industry, building a successful career guided by her strong work ethic and commitment to helping others in her community.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Irene Swaim; her brother, Marvin Dean Swaim; and her beloved husband, Robert Brewington.

She is survived by her loving sister, Mary Lou Swaim-Daniels; her three devoted children, Billie Jo Kregel of Kimberling City, Mary Ruth Kurban of Kimberling City, and Robert John Kurban (and wife Jodi) of Springfield; four grandchildren, Alexander Kurban, Colby Kregel, William Kurban, and Katelynn Kurban; and two great-grandchildren, Victoria Kurban and Alexander Kurban.

A private family gathering to celebrate Connie's life and memory will be held at a later date.

Cremation is under the care of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, Missouri.

Mary Swaim 1948-2026

Mary Lou was born on November 24, 1948, to Joe and Irene Swaim. She grew up in Bedford, IA and Grant City, MO. She graduated from NWMSU in 1971 and taught in the North Kansas City School District for 28 Years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Marvin, her sister Connie Brewington, and her husband Dean Daniels. 

Mary Lou is survived by her nieces Billie Jo Kregel and Mary Kurban; nephew Robert Kurban and their families.  

“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love. Then we return home.” 

Per Mary Lou’s request, she has been cremated and requests no service. Her family requests donations to first responders or a local pet rescue. 

Cremation is under care of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, Missouri.

Justin Donovan, Stanberry Firefighter, Passes Away

Justin Donovan of the Stanberry Fire Department passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, September 15th, the Fire Department announced on its Facebook page. He was knowledgeable about emergency medicine, firefighting, and had a passion for Stanberry. He was an integral part of Stanberry's Fourth of July Celebration.

Numerous fire trucks and ambulances from all over NW Missouri accompanied the procession as Donovan was returned from Kansas City. On Saturday, the Albany Fire Department covered for them as they attended Donovan's funeral.

Editorial -- City of Fremont (NE) Attacks Homeschooling

There was a deeply disturbing article from WOWT-TV out of Omaha. They reported that a volunteer firefighter, Andrew Coates (22), who was homeschooled, applied to the Fremont Fire Department to pursue his dream of saving lives. The city rejected his application because he was homeschooled.

Apparently, in the City of Fremont's world, you get hired for who you are, not because of your qualifications or merits. According to WOWT, Mr. Coates has the backing of his boss, the Cedar Bluffs Fire Chief, and he got his state EMT license. 

We were homeschooled after third grade, so this struck close to home. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Cap Factory in Grant City for taking a chance on us even though we didn't have a GED at the time. We made quota on one station and got 75% on two others in the 1 1/2 years we were there. We would have been broke or not doing this paper without it.

If we want kids to make good choices, the last thing people with hiring authority should do is throw up barriers where there should be none. We hear people all the time complain about why people won't work anymore. We submit that actions like the City of Fremont's are one reason why nobody wants to work. 

The best way to change this elitist mentality or to prevent it in the first place is for people to attend their local council meetings, county commission meetings, and other local governing bodies. Elections at the city council level matter just as much as elections for the White House. 

Opinion -- House Approves Graves Water Resource Bill

 by Rep. Sam Graves Office

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, a bipartisan bill that addresses improvements for the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, environment, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. The bill, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), was approved 415 to 9 on Wednesday. 

Communities nationwide and the U.S. economy rely on WRDA-authorized investments in water resources infrastructure and projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits.

“WRDA 2026 makes significant improvements across the country to our inland waterways, ports and harbors, flood protection, and other critical water infrastructure. This bill also makes common-sense reforms to the Army Corps of Engineers’ policies, empowers local communities, and expedites project delivery,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “For North Missouri, WRDA 2026 advances a comprehensive flood control plan on the Missouri River, ensuring that people and property are the main priority when managing the river. It also expands the ways our levee owners can work with the Corps to build flood risk management infrastructure and provides necessary, streamlined assistance to levee districts facing maintenance challenges. I look forward to working with the other chief sponsors of this bill – T&I Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica Wilson – in addition to my colleagues in the House and our counterparts in the Senate to see a final WRDA bill signed into law by the end of this Congress.”

Numerous stakeholders have also expressed support for passing WRDA 2026.

As approved by the House today, WRDA 2026 authorizes 133 new feasibility studies for locally proposed water resources infrastructure projects and 14 projects that have been vetted by the Corps and are ready for construction authorization by Congress.

In addition, WRDA 2026 includes various policy changes to improve infrastructure project delivery. These include strengthening and reauthorizing alternative project delivery programs, emphasizing non-federal interests’ input for feasibility studies, and helping ensure non-federal interests can find the right Corps resources to get projects off the ground. 

The bill improves the partnership between the Corps and non-federal interests by establishing offices with expertise on inland navigation, alternative delivery, water supply, and technical assistance.  Policies in this bill will improve non-federal interests’ ability to obtain valuable technical assistance and to fund construction more quickly, as well as to encourage the Corps to increase use of multi-year contracts.

WRDA 2026 provisions will better support the Corps’ navigation mission, improve the Corps’ accountability to Congress, strengthen flood and coastal storm risk management, and address dam safety through the reauthorization of the High Hazard Potential Dam program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) National Dam Safety Program.

Wins for North Missouri:

--Streamlines the Corps of Engineers’ process so local partners can more easily make needed improvements to federal water projects.

--Protects the Missouri River by ensuring its waters cannot be diverted out of the basin to Western states without the Governor’s approval.

--Directs the Corps to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to slow the buildup of sediment in the largest reservoir system in the country, the Missouri River Reservoir System, preserving the storage capacity necessary to protect communities from flooding and support navigation.

--Implements a comprehensive flood protection plan on the Lower Missouri River that puts local levee districts and communities in the drivers seat to move new flood control projects forward with help from the Corps.

--Ensures members of the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) elect their own chair, giving navigators, levee districts, communities, and other stakeholders a stronger voice in the committee.

--Ensures Mississippi River communities and levee districts aren’t hit with devastating new bureaucratic requirements until the Corps comes up with a workable plan to protect communities from flooding.

--Authorizes a nationwide review of the inland waterways to identify ways to modernize and strengthen them for the future.

--Encourages the Corps to clearly communicate what land rights local interests actually need to maintain flood protection projects.

Weekly Area Road Work for September 23rd, 2026

Daviess County

Route T – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Route AA to Bean Avenue, Sept. 23, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route T – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 145th Street to 130th Street, Sept. 24, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Harrison County

I-35 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to Route N near Eagleville through October 2026. An 11-foot width restriction will be in place. (Contractor: Emery Sapp & Sons)

Nodaway County

U.S. Route 71 – Intersection improvement project at 340th Street through early November 2026. (Contractor: Leavenworth Excavating & Equipment Company, Inc.) https://www.modot.org/projects/us-route-71-j-turn-installation-nodaway-county

U.S. Route 71 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to Route CC north of Maryville through September 2026. The road will be narrowed to one lane, and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place.

U.S. Route 46 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 59 to Nodaway River through late October. The road will be narrowed to one lane. with an 11-foot width restriction. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.)

U.S. Route 136 – Resurfacing project from I-29 to Route 71, east of the Burlington Junction. The road will be narrowed to one lane. with an 11-foot width restriction. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.)

Route E – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to U.S. Route 136 through September 2026. The road will be narrowed to one lane, with a 10-foot width restriction in place. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.)

Route EE – Resurfacing project from Route NN to U.S. Route 136 through September 2026. The road will be narrowed to one lane, with a 10-foot width restriction in place. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.)

Route VV – CLOSED for a deck replacement project at the Platte River Bridge through December 2026. (Contractor: Louis-Company, LLC) https://www.modot.org/projects/route-vv-bridge-replacement-nodaway-county

Route A – Bridge maintenance at the bridge over the Nodaway River, Sept. 21-25. The bridge will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock with temporary traffic signals.

Route AF – CLOSED for pavement repair from 300th Street to 300th Street, Sept. 21-25, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

U.S. Route 71 – Shoulder work from Route AB to Fortune Road, Sept. 23.

Worth County

Routes E and PP – Pothole patching, Sept. 24-25.

Opinion -- Bill Would Regulate License Plate Readers

by State Rep. Brad Christ's Office

State Rep. Brad Christ (R-Sappington) announced Friday that he will support legislation next legislative session to regulate automated license plate reader cameras in Missouri, which currently operate under no state law. More than 3,400 of the cameras are in use across the state according to community mapping projects.

The bill would require license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within thirty days, prohibit vendors from sharing or commercializing Missouri-generated data, limit the use of ALPR technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes, require accountability measures to prevent and penalize misuse, and prohibit the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with ALPR systems.

"Our police should keep every tool that catches criminals, and our government should not keep a map of where every law-abiding family drives," Christ said. "Right now, Missouri has no law on this at all. A Joplin officer ran one plate almost 400 times, a St. Charles County employee used the cameras for personal reasons, and a man from Sunset Hills was told at the Kirkwood Lowe's that his own car was stolen. Nobody voted for any of this. My bill keeps the cameras, puts real limits on the data, and puts a felony behind those limits."

Christ made the announcement after several concerns reached his office including a Sunset Hills resident Jim Dobernic who was stopped by police in the Kirkwood Lowe's parking lot and told his car was stolen.

"I was completely surprised to be swarmed by police and accused of stealing my own car," Dobernic said. "I had to show them my driver's license and registration to keep them from towing it. They told me they stopped me because my license plate matched one that had been reported stolen and a license plate camera tracked him in Kirkwood."

The Missouri Sheriffs' Association said in August that it supports a statutory retention limit, agency ownership of camera data and penalties for misuse. Six bills to ban the cameras outright have been filed since 2024; none received a hearing. Christ's desires in future legislation is the first to combine a short retention cap, a sharing ban, a suppression remedy and criminal penalties.

The license plate bill builds on Christ's earlier work on data privacy. In the 2025 session he sponsored House Bill 500, the Biometric Information Privacy Act, which would require private companies to get written consent before collecting a person's fingerprints, facial scans, DNA or other biometric identifiers; bar them from selling or profiting from that data; require a public schedule for destroying it; and let individuals sue for $1,000 to $5,000 per violation. Christ has said the two bills address the same problem from two directions: a fingerprint or a DNA sample can't be reissued like a credit card number, and neither can a year-long record of where a family drives. "Whether it's a company scanning your face or a camera logging your plate, the rule should be the same," Christ said. "Collect only what you need, keep it only as long as you need it, and answer for it if you abuse it."

Christ chairs the House Emerging Issues Committee and is endorsed by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the St. Louis County Police Association. He was first elected in 2022 and represents the 96th District, which includes Sunset Hills, Crestwood, Fenton, Sappington and Oakland. 

Hayden Sanders Rushes for 115, Bo Collins Gets Pick Six in 68-22 Tiger Win

Worth County overcame an early deficit against previously unbeaten North Andrew as Hayden Sanders rushed for 115 yards and led the team in tackling with nine stops as he was fully recovered from a hip flexor injury he suffered against Princeton. Bo Collins added a pick-six that was a backbreaker, while Brock Healy completed 7 of 8 passes for 166 yards.

Last week, it was the offense that struggled against Princeton as Sanders had to come out after struggling in the sweltering heat and the increased workload, as he now plays defense full-time. This week, it was the defense that struggled in the first quarter against a North Andrew squad that featured a lot of new wrinkles. Normally a power running team under the guidance of Dewayne Williams and his son Dustyn, they opened up the passing game this year with Levi McAfee, a dual threat. They now call the play in the huddle and then rush up to the line of scrimmage before snapping it, a legal play as long as they have a legal formation and they are set for one second prior to the snap; that kept the Tigers off balance.

To take the load off Sanders, Worth County alternated him and Brock Healy at quarterback. The results were immediate; they rarely let the play clock run low, and Hayden was able to stay fresh for the whole game. Asked if he was in any pain after the game, Hayden Sanders said, “No, I feel good.”

The Tigers have a similar makeup to the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers, who had both a powerful running quarterback in Tommie Frazier and a powerful passing quarterback in Brook Berringer. That Cornhusker team won the National Championship and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football teams of all time. Despite all that, their coach, Tom Osborne, was very humble about his accomplishments. “I’m the same man I was before we won our national championships,” he said during a talk he gave when he came to Northwest Missouri State.

The question was who would lead the junior varsity, since Healy was promoted to varsity quarterback along with Sanders. Liam Cordell, who had never played quarterback before, quarterbacked the Junior Varsity on Monday, September 14^th. He showed some early jitters, but showed some mad scrambling ability, and he threw some good balls as well as he guided the Tigers to an easy victory.

On fourth and two at their own 20 on their first possession, Worth County gambled and it paid off when Hayden Sanders got a block from Jace Burns and burst through a big hole for 45 yards to flip the field to the Cardinal 15. Cole Ruby weaved his way to the six, Hayden Sanders bounced outside to the two on a counter, and Jude Archer burst up the middle for a score with 9:30 left. Cole Ruby ran in the extra points to make it 8-0.

Worth County put North Andrew behind the sticks as Boston Cole met Ryder Smyser after Jordan Dannar’s tackle pinned them at the 20 on the kickoff. North Andrew spread it out, but Smyser dropped Levi McAfee for no gain. But a defensive holding penalty gave North Andrew a first down at the 32. Ethan Lininger dropped Ruger Herbert for no gain. McAfee picked up four to set up third and six, but once again, Worth County could not get off the field as McAfee aired it out to Isaac Coats to the Tiger 5. Then, nobody picked up Adler Miller coming out of the backfield a few plays later, and North Andrew was on the board. Jacob Hill caught the extra point pass to tie it up at 8-8.

Once again, Worth County was faced with a fourth and two at their own 32, and once again, they successfully went for it. Hayden Sanders picked up three yards, and a facemask penalty put it on the Cardinal 30. Hayden Sanders picked up two to the 28, and then Dylan Smith, subbing for Wyatt Scadden who was shaken up during the kickoff, made a diving grab at the 10 after a pass from Brock Healy. Cole Ruby got blocks from Ethan Lininger, Bo Collins, and Hayden Sanders as he took it the rest of the way to make it 14-8 with 3:04 left in the first.

But North Andrew struck right back as Worth County was still not ready for the Cards’ scrambling up to the line and getting the snap off quickly; Levi McAfee scored off a burst through a big hole to with 1:41 left to put them on the board. Nobody picked up Isaac Coats on the extra point pass, and he caught it to put North Andrew up 16-14.

North Andrew tried to take control with an onsides kick, but Worth County covered it at their own 37 to set up a short field. Jude Archer picked up six to the 37. Hayden Sanders picked up eight more to the Cardinal 29. A drop was followed by an offsides penalty to put the ball on the 24. Hayden Sanders picked up 12 yards after getting a block from Bo Collins, Cole Ruby started off to the right side on the next play, and then got a block from Jace Burns that sprung him free down the left side to the house with 11 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 20-16.

Worth County finally got a break as Ethan Lininger forced a fumble and recovered it at the Cardinal 18 on their second play from scrimmage. Cole Ruby got a block from Jace Burns and picked up six to the 12. Jude Archer scrambled for five down to the seven, and Jude Archer got a block from Cole Ruby to the house with 11:01 left in the second. Brock Healy threw a strike to Bo Collins to make it 28-16.

Jordan Dannar pinned the Cardinals deep at their own 19, but Levi McAfee picked up a 24-yard burst to the Tiger 37. They nearly had them stopped, but then nobody picked up Boston Cole on the guard eligible play, and he took it to the 11. But McAfee met Jordan Dannar at the 10, and Dannar broke up a pass to set up third and nine. Bo Collins dropped Levi McAfee at the 11, and then a hurry forced an incompletion and Worth County finally got a stop on defense. On their first play from scrimmage, Jude Archer took a burst up the middle 69 yards to the house with 6:46 left in the second quarter. Wyatt Scadden came back from being shaken up and caught a pass to make it 36-16.

With the graduation of Wyatt Hill, Coach Jon Adwell had been trying several different people at kicker, but finally found his man in Xander Bodle, who drilled one into the end zone on the ensuing kickoff. Hayden Sanders dropped Miller and McAfee on consecutive plays to set up third and ten. Bentin Roberts broke up a pass to force a three and out. On the ensuing punt, Worth County once again had a long runback wiped out by a penalty and they started at their own 35. But it didn’t matter this time as Brock Healy threw a strike to Bo Collins with 5:15 left. On the extra point try, Hayden Sanders came under a heavy rush, but threw a sidearm sling to Cole Ruby for the two points to make it 44-16.

Lance Runde pinned North Andrew at its own 20 on the next play on the kickoff. Ruger Herbert picked up five on North Andrew’s first play, but Ethan Lininger dropped him for no gain. McAfee was stopped three yards short by Bo Collins, and North Andrew was forced to punt. A good kick pinned Worth County at the 17. Cole Ruby picked up three to the 20, and there was a heartstopping moment as Bo Collins took a short pass from Brock Healy, and his catch and run looked headed to the house, only for him to fumble it. But he got back on it at the Cardinal 29. Hayden Sanders got a block from Jace Burns and took it the rest of the way with 1:52 left in the second, and Brock Healy threw a strike to Jude Archer to make it 52-16.

Once again, Worth County was caught out of position when North Andrew scrambled to the line and snapped the ball, and five different players took themselves out of the play as Adler Miller burst through for 60 yards to the Tiger six after Xander Bodle had pinned them deep at their own 15. But Miller was met by Ethan Lininger on the next play for no gain. Levi McAfee ran into Jude Archer on the next to set up third and goal. McAfee tried to throw it in the end zone, but left it too far for Isaac Coats to set up fourth down. On the next play, Bo Collins made up for his previous miscue as he jumped a route, picked off the pass, and took it 75 yards to the house as time expired. Jude Archer made a diving catch to make it 60-16.

Frustration set in for North Andrew, and they picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that pinned them at their own 8. On third down, Jude Archer slipped and fell, but McAfee led his man too far, and the Cardinals were forced to punt. Worth County got a sack, a negative play, and a holding penalty that put them third and 29 at their own 23. But in a play reminiscent of the 2017 State Championship game, Worth County gave it to Jude Archer to get as much as he could with it. He burst free 56 yards before being tackled at the one. Hayden Sanders took it the rest of the way, and Bo Collins caught the extra point pass to make it 68-16.

McAfee took it in with 1:25 left in the third from four yards out as the Tigers were starting to take out key players. The game was called after three quarters.

Brock Healy completed 7 out of 8 passes for 166 yards.

Hayden Sanders rushed 9 times for 115 yards. Jude Archer had 5 carries for 84 yards. Cole Ruby had 7 carries for 44 yards.

Bo Collins had 2 catches for 76 yards. Jude Archer had 5 catches for 70 yards, and Dylan Smith had 1 catch for 18 yards.

Hayden Sanders had 9 tackles for the Tigers. Bentin Roberts, Jude Archer, and Jordan Dannar had 8. Bo Collins and Ethan Lininger had 5 each. Cole Ruby had 4, Ryder Smyser 3, Brock Healy 2, and Lance Runde and Hudson Cameron 1.