Work Set to Begin on Old 169 Bridge

Work is set to begin on the Old 169 Bridge south of Grant City. The tentative date for the start of construction will be May 11th and continue for three months. The tentative end date for construction will be August 11th. The old bridge will be demolished and replaced by a new 180-foot three span prestressed girder bridge, including a guardrail, riprap, and permanent erosion control. The county will notify the public two weeks before construction officially begins. Old 169 will be closed at the site of the bridge, and there will be no traffic allowed across the bridge.

The funds will be paid for out of the Federal BRO Program. Representatives from Great Rivers Engineering, the contractor, and the Missouri Department of Transportation met with the county commission Monday to do paperwork related to the project. Another BRO bridge north of Denver will be built shortly, and two boxcar culverts on 130th and 140th roads will be replaced with bridges shortly.

The announcement of the Old 169 project means that it could close while there is still construction on the Marlowe Creek bridge. Traffic which normally uses Old 169 to detour into Grant City can take Route YY to Route 169 and go north into Grant City.

The contractor will be required to complete the project within 90 days after the Notice to Proceed is issued or September 1st, whichever is earlier. If they do not, they could be liable to $1,100 in liquidated damages per day. There will be four subcontractors working on the project. Collins & Hermann will work on the guardrails. Keith Contracting will work on traffic control, Lehman Bryant Industries will work on erosion control, and Decker will work on pilings. The bridge will be built under Missouri DOT standards.

There will be a temporary crossing at the construction site. Farmers will not be allowed to cross due to liability concerns. The crossing will be on the east side due to a water line being on the west side. The contractor will call 811 to verify that there are no other utility lines present.

All right of ways and easements have been signed with landowners. Landowners will not have authority to change the design or the scope of the project. OSHA training cards will be on file with the consultant for all employees on site. There will be personal protective equipment requirements.

The Regional Council is seeking a grant that would hire a Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Worth and Gentry Counties for two years. It would be in addition to current Emergency Management Director Abby Hawk and Economic Developer Kevin Fisher. They would coordinate with the Disaster Recovery Coordinator. Kirk Klopper of the Regional Council met with Gentry County commissioners regarding the plan. The proposal would require a match, which could be covered through in-kind hours. The Disaster Recovery Coordinator would work two days a week in Worth County and two days a week in Gentry County. The money would come through the USDA, BRIC, and CDBG. They would be responsible for writing disaster recovery grants in the event a disaster strikes.

All but three permits have been approved by the state for the 130th and 140th box culvert project. It is still in the design phase. A new BRO cycle is opening and the county will look at its wish list after the current projects are complete.

The county adopted a Code of Ethics policy regarding conflicts of interest. This must be done every two years.

The county is bidding off surplus air conditioners and miscellaneous items.

The county has both the red truck and the white truck in the shop, and there were issues with the Kenworth as well.

 

 

Department of Justice Joins State Lawsuit Against MSHSAA

The Missouri Independent reported Friday that the US Department of Justice is getting involved in a lawsuit between the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) over allegations that organization denied a board position to a white man.

In 2004, the MSHSAA created a policy reserving two at-large positions on its 10-member board for “candidates representing the under-represented gender of the current board or an under-represented ethnicity.” They created this policy after they had never , with one exception, had a minority or female board member, the organization’s attorney, Natalie Hoernschemeyer, wrote in a series of exchanges between her and State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. Following those exchanges, Mr. Fitzpatrick referred the matter to the Missouri Attorney General.

In March 2025, the Independent reported that Cassville Superintendent Merlyn Johnson was advised by an employee of MSHSAA that due to that policy, he could not run for an at-large spot. Mr. Johnson reported the alleged discrimination to Mr. Fitzpatrick, which prompted the exchange of letters.

The US Department of Justice argued in a Thursday motion to intervene that Loving vs. Virginia, a 1967 case which struck down laws banning interracial marriage, means that MSHSAA’s policy constitutes “systemic unconstitutional race and sex discrimination.”

The US Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in 2023. The difficulty is that MSHSAA is a private non-profit that is not normally subject to such claims under the 14th Amendment. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the DOJ argue that MSHSAA is public, given that its members are predominantly public schools and that its employees are eligible for the state retirement system.

Worth County Land Transfers for March 2026

March 2nd — Book 211, Page 155; Anita Henggeler, David Mercer, Kent Mercer, Nancy Mercer, and Richard Mercer to Haley Boulting and Levi Boulting; Warranty Deed.

March 2nd — Book 211, Page 156; Haley Boulting and Levi Boulting to FCS Financial; Deed of Trust.

March 2nd — Book 211, Page 157; Haley Boulting and Levi Boulting to Farm Service Agency; Deed of Trust.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 160; Jack Spainhower and Patti Spainhower to Lisa Cox and William Cox; Warranty Deed.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 161; Lisa Cox and William Cox to FCS Financial; Deed of Trust.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 162; Brenda Boswell, David Baldwin, Debra Baldwin, and Wayne Boswell to Dakota Auffert and Heather Auffert; Warranty Deed.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 163; Dakota Auffert and Heather Auffert to State Savings Bank; Deed of Trust.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 164; Dakota Auffert and Heather Auffert to Farm Service Agency; Deed of Trust.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 166; Anita Henggeler, David Mercer, Kent Mercer, Nancy Mercer, and Richard Mercer to Hunt Family Trust; Warranty Deed; See Record.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 167; Hunt Family Trust to BTC Bank; Deed of Trust; See Record.

March 3rd — Book 211, Page 168; David Mercer, Kent Mercer, Nancy Mercer, and Richard Mercer to Anita Henggeler; Warranty Deed.

March 6th — Book 211, Page 169; FCS Financial to Steven Cordell Revocable Inter Vivos Trust and Terry Beatty Revocable Trust; Deed of Release.

March 6th — Book 211, Page 170; FCS Financial to Diane Runde and Rodney Runde; Deed of Release.

March 9th — Book 211, Page 171; FCS Financial to Kenneth Runde and Teresa Runde; Deed of Release.

March 11th — Book 211, Page 174; Matt Douglass, Melia Douglass, and Paul Sackett to Shirley Olney; Warranty Deed.

March 11th — Book 211, Page 175; Abby Troutwine and Tyson Troutwine to Brianna Dillavou; Quit Claim Deed.

March 12th — Book 211; Page 176; Woods Family Trust to Robert & Terri Lager Joint Revocable Trust; Trustee’s Deed.

March 12th — Book 211, Page 177; Chris Spainhower and Suzanne Spainhower to Anna Spainhower and Jessica Spainhower; Beneficiary Deed.

March 13th — Book 211, Page 178; Bonnie Gipe to Abby Troutwine and Tyson Troutwine; Quit Claim Deed.

March 13th — Book 211, Page 179; Benita Lamb, Carolyn Davenport, Charlene Green, Martin Lamb, and Scott Davenport to Abby Troutwine and Tyson Troutwine; Warranty Deed.

March 13th — Book 211, Page 180; Abby Troutwine and Tyson Troutwine to Nodaway Valley Bank; Deed of Trust.

March 19th — Book 211, Page 181; First Interstate Bank to Dannie Findley and Glenda Findley; Deed of Release.

March 19th — Book 211, Page 182; Three J Holdings to James Brothers Holdings; Quit Claim Deed.

March 20th — Book 211, Page 184; Charles Phillips and Salley Crossley to City of Grant City; Miscellaneous.

March 20th — Book 211, Page 185; Jo-Quetta Briner and Zeb Harker to Breanna Harker; Quit Claim Deed.

March 23rd — Book 211, Page 186; Winifred Burns to Clifford Burns; Beneficiary Deed.

March 24th — Book 211, Page 188; Bart & Karla Hawk to Northwest Bank; Deed of Trust.

March 25th — Book 211, Page 189; Nodaway Valley Bank to Duane & Patricia Warner Revocable Living Trust; Deed of Release.

March 27th — Book 211, Page 190; Harley Charles to Veterans United Home Loans; Deed of Trust.

March 27th — Book 211, Page 191; Exchange Bank to Daniel and Traci Runde; Deed of Release.

March 30th — Book 211, Page 192; Connie & Robert Wonderly to Julie & Keith Cassavaugh; Warranty Deed.

March 30th — Book 211, Page 193; Julie & Keith Cassavaugh to Nodaway Valley Bank; Deed of Trust.

March 30th — Book 211, Page 194; BTC Bank to Sherri James; Deed of Release.

March 30th — Book 211, Page 195; Janet Nail and Jeffrey Nail to First Bankers Trust Company; Deed of Trust.

March 30th — Book 211, Page 197; Entrust Group to Janet Nail and Jeffrey Nail; Warranty Deed.

Grant City Golf Course Releases Schedule

The Grant City Golf Course has released its schedule for 2026.

April 11th — Work Day at 9:00 am.

May 2nd — Men’s Night at 6:00 pm.

May 7th — Ladies Night.

May 24th — Memorial Day Tournament, 1:00 pm.

June 14th — Club Tournament at 1:00 pm.

June 28th — Worth County Progress Organization Tournament.

July 4th — Tournament at 1:00 pm.

July 12th — Two-Person Bags & Golf Tournament.

July 25th — Aivry Griffin Memorial Tournament.

All events are subject to change and new events may be added.

Board members are Ernie Owens (President), Dan Moyer (Vice President), Roberta Owens (Secretary/Treasurer), Nate Lewis, Jake Groom, Tiffany Huntsman, Dereck Verbick, Ben Abplanalp, Caleb Moyer, and Dale Saville.

Memberships are $230 for families, $190 for individuals, $90 for students, and $60 for social. Cart fees are $80 for electric and $75 for gas.

 

Junior High Mustang Boys Collect 16 Points at Worth County

North Nodaway’s boys collected 16 team points at Worth County Tuesday, March 31st.

Trenton Roberts was fifth in the 800 with a time of 2:40.01. Tristen Wray was third in the 1600 with a time of 5:40.60. The 4x400 team of Tristen Wray, Trenton Roberts, Gannon Stricker, and McClellan Clements was sixth with a time of 4:46.85. Gannon Stricker was sixth in the Shot Put with a throw of 9.20 meters. Stricker was third in the Discus with a throw of 26.69 meters.

For the girls, Arianna Owens was second in the 1600 with a time of 6:03.53. The 4x400 team of Marin Alexander, Zoey Pearson, Avary Volner, and Arianna Owens was sixth with a time of 5:21.14.

 

Junior High Shamrock Boys Fourth at Worth County

North Harrison’s junior high boys were fourth at the Worth County Early Bird Tuesday, March 31st with 35 team points.

Scotty Briggs won the 400 with a time of 1:01.22. Jhet Rinehart was fourth in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 19.21.

The 4x400 team of Jhet Rinehart, Hayze Pottorff, Eli Jacobs, and Scotty Briggs was third with a time of 4:34.51.

Jhet Rinehart was second in the High Jump with a height of 1.57 meters. Eli Jacobs was fifth in the Pole Vault with a height of 2.13 meters. Scotty Briggs was fourth in the Triple Jump with a height of 9.56 meters. Logan Hamilton was sixth in the Discus with a throw of 20.39 meters.

For the girls, Draylee Davis is following in the footsteps of Hali Smith and taking up Pole Vaulting. Only a sixth grader, she was third with a height of 1.68 meters.

 

Junior High Tiger Teams Sweep at Early Bird

Worth County’s teams swept the Junior High Early Bird Tuesday, March 31st.

The girls had 121 points. Stanberry had 62, NEN 58, Albany 51, Platte Valley 41, South Harrison 37, Nodaway Valley 28, North Andrew 26, Princeton 16, Craig 10, North Nodaway 9, and North Harrison 6.

The boys had 98 points. Craig had 48, Stanberry 46, North Harrison 35, Platte Valley 34, Albany 30, Nodaway Valley 30, Princeton 26, South Harrison 25, North Andrew 25, Tri-County 24, North Nodaway 16, NEN 13, Mercer 9, Union Star 4, and East Harrison 2.

For the girls, Brooklyn Smith was second in the 100 with a time of 13.54. Smith was second in the 200 with a time of 29.23. Kaydence Downing was fourth in the 400 with a time of 1:12.07. Kinley Fletchall was fourth in the 800 with a time of 2:58.90. Hadley Rush was sixth with a time of 2:59.39. Renae Gladstone was second in the 100 Hurdles with a personal best time of 18.64. Jolee Hauber was third with a personal best time of 19 seconds.

The 4x100 team of Kaydence Downing, Brecklyn Rush, Kinley Fletchall, and Hadley Rush won with a time of 57.59. The 4x200 team of Kaydence Downing, Brecklyn Rush, Renae Gladstone, and Brooklyn Smith won with a time of 2:00.42.

Kinley Fletchall was third in the High Jump with a height of 1.35 meters. Brecklyn Rush was fourth, also with a height of 1.35 meters. The Tigers were 1-2 in the Pole Vault. Hadley Rush won with a height of 2.01 meters. She edged out Renae Gladstone on tiebreaks; she also had a height of 2.01. Kylie Combs would have placed; she had a height of 1.68 meters. Only two athletes from any one school can place.

Brooklyn Smith was second in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.51 meters. Hadley Rush was third in the Triple Jump with a jump of 8.94 meters. Catelynn Moyer was fifth in the Shot Put with a personal best throw of 8.76 meters.

The Tigers were 1-2 in the Discus. Jane Hawk won with a throw of 24.05 meters. Gabbey Maudlin was second with a throw of 23.12.

For the boys, Cole Hardy won  the 100 with a time of 11.43, a personal best. Hudson Cameron was third with a personal best time of 12.11. Cole Hardy won the 200 with a time of 25.64. David Wideman was fourth in the 800 with a time of 1:08.96. Max Hiatt was second in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 17.52.

The 4x100 team of Hudson Cameron, Max Hiatt, Silas Brown, and Cole Hardy won with a time of 49.11. The 4x200 team of Max Hiatt, Gunnar Smith, Jarrett Gilland, and Hudson Cameron won with a time of 1:51.14.

Silas Brown was sixth in the High Jump with a height of 1.47 meters. Jarrett Gilland was second in the Pole Vault with a height of 2.32 meters. Max Hiatt was third, also with a height of 2.32 meters.

Silas Brown won the Long Jump with a personal best of 5.08 meters. He won his third event in the Triple Jump with a personal best of 11.21 meters. Jace Mullock was sixth with a personal best jump of 8.62 meters. Gunnar Smith was fourth in the Shot Put with a throw of 9.62 meters.

 

Junior High Bluejay Girls Third at Worth County

Northeast Nodaway’s junior high girls placed third at Worth County Tuesday, March 31st.

Emma Wilmes was fourth in the 100 with a time of 13.95. Ellie Jackson won the 200 with a time of 29.20. Emma Wilmes won the 400 with a time of 1:07.16. Aubrey Wilmes was third in the 800 with a time of 2:52.97. Kiley Yost was sixth in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 21.48.

The 4x100 team of Bexlie Busby, Kenzley Yost, Khloe Burns, and Ellie Jackson was fifth with a time of 59.05. The 4x400 team of Ellie Jackson, Kenzley Yost, Aubrey Wilmes, and Emma Wilmes was second with a time of 4:52.31.

Emma Wilmes and Kenzley Yost tied for sixth in the High Jump with a height of 1.30 meters. Khloe Burns won the Shot Put with a throw of 10.63 meters, running away with the competition. Burns was third in the Discus with a throw of 19.36 meters.

For the boys, Gracin Runde was second in the 800 with a time of 2:27.58. Runde was sixth in the 1600 with a time of 5:49.86.

The 4x200 team of Jaxen Taylor, Brody Jackson, Cooper Jackson, and Noah Cordell was fifth with a time of 2:08.35.

Gracin Runde was fifth in the Triple Jump with a jump of 8.85 meters.

 

Helen Plymell 1933-2026

Helen Maxine (Daniel) Plymell, age 92, of Roach, MO peacefully passed away on March 29, 2026 at Hermitage Nursing Home. Helen was born on April 26, 1933 to Everett and Mary Lou (Hooper) Daniel. She married Kenneth N. Plymell on January 1, 1951 at Oak Ridge Church. To this union three children were born.

Helen worked on the farm with Kenneth, took care of a home and their three children. She worked for several years at the cap factory in Pattonsburg and the Best Western in Bethany. In 1984, she and Kenneth moved to Pompano Beach, Florida. While there Helen worked as a clerk at Hertz Auto. Upon returning to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1993, Helen began working for Walmart in the office and then as a cashier. She retired from Walmart after 19 years at the age of 80.

Helen was an active member of Heath United Methodist Church, Harper Chapel United Methodist Church, Rebekah Lodge, Amicitia Society and was an active 4-H Club Leader.

As a young adult at home, she and her family enjoyed music and performing on Sundays with her uncles, brothers, mother and neighbors. She played softball and rode horses before her children became active and needed her attention and help. While still living on the farm, she enjoyed crafting ceramics and even purchased her own kiln to fire her creations. Some of her work was sold in a Columbia and a Jefferson City craft shop. While living at the Lake of the Ozarks, she took a floral and wreath arrangement class which she thoroughly enjoyed. You would find at least one wreath in almost every room of her home and she gifted others to family and friends. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and cooking for family. Each of her family members had at least one afghan. Helen loved feeding and watching the hummingbirds. At one location at the Lake of the Ozarks, she had so many hummingbirds that she was using 10-15 pounds of sugar a week. Helen enjoyed planting and caring for pots of flowers. Even though she had her favorites (red geraniums especially), she was always on the lookout for something new and interesting.

Helen is survived by her husband Kenneth, daughter Beverly, sons Rick (Christi) and Gary (Debbie), 4 grandchildren: April (John) LeJeune, Luke (B J) Plymell, Gwynne (Brad) Allen, Jennifer (Tim) Turner, 11 great grandchildren, 6 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers, Gene, John R and Max Daniel, grandson-in-law Chad Hawk and great grandson Caden Hawk.

A visitation was held at Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home in Macks Creek on Thursday, April 2 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. A second visitation was held at Roberson Funeral Home in Pattonsburg, MO on Friday, April 3rd 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Services followed at 11:00 a.m. with burial at Salmon Cemetery north of Pattonsburg.

The family requests memorials to the Salmon Cemetery. Donations may be sent to Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 152, Pattonsburg, MO 64670.

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

 

John Stegmayer 1936-2026

John Jack Stegmayer, 89, of Eagleville, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Crestview Care Center in Bethany, Missouri.

John was born on October 23, 1936. He moved to Eagleville with his wife Shirley in the 1990’s where he worked for the hog farms. He and Shirley raised Siberian Husky dogs and he very much enjoyed gardening.

John was cremated under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home. There are no services scheduled.

 

Sandra Hayes 1937-2026

Sandra Viola Hayes, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, faithful servant of the lord, and cherished member of the Maryville community, passed away on Sunday, March 29th, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on September 10th, 1937, in Hopkins, Missouri, Sandra was a lifelong resident of the area, residing in Maryville, MO.

Sandra was a graduate of Hopkins High School, class of '55. On June 11th, 1961, she married the love of her life, Jim Hayes. Together they built a beautiful life rooted in love, faith , and family. Their marriage was a testimony to devotion, perseverance, and Christ-centered love.

She was a devoted housewife who took great pride in creating a warm and welcoming home. As a mother, she was nurturing, steady, and full of wisdom. As a grandmother, she found her greatest joy. Her grandchildren were truly her pride and joy. She cherished each one deeply, celebrating their lives, praying over them faithfully and loving them unconditionally. Her relationship with the Lord was evident in the way she loved, encouraged, and cared for those around her.

A devout Christian, Sandra had been an active member of the Countryside Christian Church since 1997. She was a member of Clearmont Christian Church where she devoted time to teaching Sunday School and Bible School. She loved to study the Bible, and she participated in many Bible study groups throughout her years of service. She lived out her faith daily through prayer, kindness, and service to others. Her dedication to her church community was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Her compassion and desire to make a difference extended beyond her immediate community. Facing her own struggle with rheumatoid arthritis Sandra saw an opportunity to help others and willingly participated in many clinical trials in hopes that her condition could help others in the future. She also served, several years, on the board of the Arthritis Foundation to continue assisting those with similar struggles.

Though her family grieves her loss deeply, they rejoice in the promise that she is now in the presence of her Savior, whom she loved so dearly. Her legacy of faith, love, and devotion will live on through the generations she poured these virtues into.

Sandra is survived by her sons, Troy (Merv) Hayes and Todd (Rita Ann) Hayes, both of Maryville, MO; her brother-in-law, Joe Hayes, and sister-in-law, Shirley Hayes, also of Maryville, MO. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her grandchildren: Sarah, Shelby, Hunter, Jake, Josh, Chad, Cody, Cristin, and Cara, as well as her great-grandchildren: Rhett, Axel, Harlyn, Canon, Creed, Chase, Owen, Mason, Austin, Kendall, Riley, Daniel, Gwyn, Nolan, Ava, Gavin, Landon, Cooper, Margo, Wesley, Whitley, Hudson, Palmer, and Grayson.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Hayes; her parents, Landon Wallace and Sarah May Workman; her brother, Lewis Wallace; her father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Irene Hayes; her brother-in-law, Gene Hayes; and her sister-in-law, Bonnie Hayes.

Visitation will be held at Bram Funeral Home in Maryville, MO, on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A funeral service to celebrate Sandra's life will take place at Bram Funeral Home on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, at 10:30 am. Pallbearers will include Jake Hayes, Josh Hayes, Hunter Hayes, Cody Lewis, Steve Hayes, and Coby Hayes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Show-me Christian Children's Home, a cause close to Sandra's heart.

Arrangements are under the care of Bram Funeral Home. Sandra's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their support and condolences during this difficult time. Her legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to inspire all who knew her.