Tiger Girls Win Two More, but Bubble Bursts Against King City

Worth County’s girls won two more games last week, but the bubble finally burst against King City Friday, with the Tigers falling at home.

Against North Nodaway, Rylee Ruckman hit a 3-pointer to start the game, but the Tigers fell behind when Lacy Riley hit two free throws and Lily Blane hit from the right wing to put the Mustangs up 4-3. Ruckman dropped another 3-pointer, and then Kristen Tracy got a steal and Briner aired it out to Audrey Runde. Keira Hardy hit Kambree Briner inside to make it 10-4 before Lacy Riley cut it to 10-6 after one.

Rylee Ruckman hit her third triple of the night and Kristen Tracy hit two free throws to make it 15-6 before North Nodaway rallied, getting five points from Riley to cut it to 16-11. Kristen Tracy scored four straight and Audrey Runde hit a 3-pointer before Lily Blane raced up the floor and hit a logo three right before the halftime buzzer to keep North Nodaway in the game at 23-14.

Megan Tracy had the hot hand to start the third quarter after Blane cut it to 23-16, getting four straight to make it 27-16. Audrey Runde hit one and Kambree Briner got one over the taller Jackie Wray and converted a three point play to make it 33-18. North Nodaway hung around, with Lily Blane driving and scoring and then cashing in off a steal from Trynzlee Ebrecht to close her team to within 34-22. But Kristen Tracy hit four and a block from Tracy set up a Briner score as the Tigers led 40-22 at the 37 second mark. Kennedy Murphy got on the board to make it 42-23 after three before Worth County subbed freely in the fourth to come away with the 47-33 win.

Kristen Tracy had 12 for the Tigers. Rylee Ruckman had 9, Kambree Briner 8, Audrey Runde 7, Kynlee Steele 5, Megan Tracy 4, and Kennedy Murphy 2.

Kambree Briner had 2 blocks and Kristen Tracy 1.

Kristen Tracy had 5 rebounds. Kambree Briner, Rylee Ruckman, and Kennedy Murphy had 4 each, Megan Tracy 3, Kynlee Steele 2, and Audrey Runde and Keira Hardy 1.

Kambree Briner had 7 assists. Keira Hardy and Rylee Ruckman had 4 and Kristen Tracy and Megan Tracy had 2.

Megan Tracy had 6 tips. Audrey Runde and Keira Hardy had 4 each, Rylee Ruckman 3, Kambree Briner 2, and Kristen Tracy 1.

Kristen Tracy had 7 steals. Rylee Ruckman, Kambree Briner, Kynlee Steele, and Megan Tracy had 2 and Keira Hardy had 1.

For North Nodaway, Lily Blane had 13, Lacy Riley 12, Zoey Phillips 4, and Jackie Wray and Pyper Smith 2.

Lacy Riley had 1 block.

Jackie Wray, Eliza Clements, and Lacy Riley had 4 boards. Zoey Phillips had 3, Lily Blane and Pyper Smith 2, and Trynzlee Ebrecht 1.

Lily Blane had 5 assists. Eliza Clements had 3, Zoey Phillips 2, and Taccoa Moyer, Trynzlee Ebrecht, and Lacy Riley 1.

Zoey Phillips had 4 tips. Lacy Riley had 3, Lily Blane and Eliza Clements 2, and Jackie Wray and Trynzlee Ebrecht 1.

Jackie Wray, Lily Blane, Trynzlee Ebrecht, Eliza Clements, and Zoey Phillips had 2 steals. Lacy Riley and Pyper Smith had 1.

In their 51-30 win against Northeast Nodaway, Worth County jumped out to a 5-0 lead as Rylee Ruckman got to the rim after Worth County got the opening tip and Megan Tracy hit a 3-pointer. But Northeast got it right back when Blair Nelson cut inside and scored and Mylee Wilmes inbounded one to Brianna Meyer for three to tie it at 5. Worth County built it back up after Nelson picked up her second foul, getting another triple from Megan Tracy, a putback from Kristen Tracy, and a shot from the right wing by Megan Tracy to make it 12-5.

Kristen Tracy got the hot hand for Worth County as she knocked one down from the high post, got loose on an inbounds play, and got loose in transition while Audrey Runde added a triple as Worth County led 21-8 early in the second. Rylee Scadden cut it to 21-10, but Runde scored off a Rylee Ruckman steal, Kristen Tracy scored off a Kambree Briner steal, and Keira Hardy added another steal to make it 27-10.

Northeast, still searching for its first win and playing the numbers game with just seven, has had games where they started off strong, only to fade in the latter stages. But they found their second wind this time as Blair Nelson came back and scored six in the last 2:48 of the period as the Bluejays cut their deficit to 29-16 at the half.

Worth County regained control in the third quarter as Rylee Ruckman aired one out to Audrey Runde, Ruckman added a 3-pointer, Kristen Tracy got a perfect high-low pass from Kambree Briner, and Kristen Tracy cleaned up on a transition look to make it 38-16. Northeast fought back once again as Mylee Wilmes broke the run and then Blair Nelson got a putback at the third quarter buzzer and drove the high post and scored to cut it to 38-22.

The Tigers answered as Rylee Ruckman scored off a drive and Megan Tracy hit a 3-pointer to make it 44-23. Nelson converted a three-point play to make it 44-26, but after Brianna Meyer picked up her fourth foul, Worth County took advantage as Tracy got a backdoor look, Audrey Runde got a steal and a three point play, and Kennedy Murphy came off the bench to take a high-low pass from Kynlee Steele to make it 51-26. Hayley Yost, back from an ankle injury, scored for NEN, as did Nelson at the end.

For Worth County, Kristen Tracy had 18, Megan Tracy 11, Audrey Runde 10, Rylee Ruckman 7, Kambree Briner and Kennedy Murphy 2, and Kynlee Steele 1. For Northeast Nodaway, Blair Nelson had a career-high 17. Brianna Meyer had 5, Hayley Yost 4, Rylee Scadden 2, and Mylee Wilmes 2.

But the bubble finally burst against King City as the Tigers fell 45-35 Friday. They got off to a good start, with Rylee Ruckman hitting a 3-pointer and Kristen Tracy getting loose inside to make it 5-2. But then King City started beating Worth County up and down the floor, limiting them to one shot and then getting out and running. Brylin Armfield ran wild in the game, getting 22 points for the night as Worth County kept losing track of her on defense. By the five minute mark of the first quarter, the Tiger lead was gone, and by the four minute mark of the second quarter, the deficit was 25-15 before Worth County finally picked it up defensively and stopped the bleeding, cutting it to 25-17 at the break.

The second half started off much more promising for the Tigers as Rylee Ruckman hit a 3-pointer and then hit Kambree Briner for a drive to make it 25-22. But then, the Tigers went through a long scoreless stretch and they lost Armfield one too many times on defense as she beat the third quarter buzzer to make it 30-22.

After falling behind by as much as nine in the fourth, Worth County fought back to within 35-31 after Audrey Runde hit a 3-pointer and Kambree Briner went coast to coast. But then Rylee Ruckman fouled out, and Worth County lost their best ball-handler. They fought back twice to make it a five point game, but then overextended themselves in the closing minutes trying to get the ball back and King City pulled away again for a 45-35 win.

Kambree Briner had 12 points. Audrey Runde had 10, Rylee Ruckman 6, Kristen Tracy 3, and Megan Tracy 3.

Opinion -- Bill to Protect Children from Predatory Chatbots Gains Sponsors

By Senator Josh Hawley’s Office

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced additional cosponsors for the GUARD Act, his bipartisan legislation that would protect children from predatory AI chatbots. In addition to the GUARD Act's original cosponsors Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), Senator Hawley secured additional support for the GUARD Act from Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R- Utah) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.). 

Senator Hawley's GUARD Act would ban AI companions for minors, mandate that AI chatbots disclose its non-human status, and create new crimes for companies that make AI for minors that solicit or produce sexual content. The legislation is gaining traction in the Senate as a bipartisan coalition works to protect the most vulnerable.

“AI chatbots are killing our kids. I'm thankful to see this issue gaining bipartisan momentum in the Senate," said Senator Hawley. "We must unite to ensure our children are protected from predatory AI chatbots."

“It’s too easy for our children to gain access to AI bots that produce horrific content," said Senator Cotton. "Our bill will require companies to use proper age verification to ensure minors don’t have access to AI-generated explicit content.”

“AI chatbots with no safeguards pose real harm to our children. Parents should not have to wonder whether a digital tool in their home is manipulating or endangering their kids,” said Senator Lankford. “The GUARD Act sets firm safety standards and prevents companies from giving minors access to unsafe AI systems. Families deserve that level of protection.”

“AI chatbots can act like online predators, luring our kids into mental health issues and exploitation,” said Senator Lee. “Parents want better tools and fewer threats to their families, and kids deserve protection from AI-perpetrated harm. The GUARD Act would criminalize targeting minors with fake AI companions and hold big tech accountable for lying to our children.”

“Nearly three-quarters of all young people in our country are now turning to unregulated AI chatbots, with alarming consequences—in some cases, even encouraging kids to engage in behavior that can hurt themselves and others. And Big Tech isn’t doing enough to address it,” said Senator Welch. “The safety of our children must always come first. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will hold Big Tech accountable and protect kids across the country from predatory chatbots.”

In October, Senator Hawley hosted a press conference highlighting the tragic stories of children who received guidance from AI chatbots on how to harm themselves or end their life. Hawley was joined by the GUARD Act's initial cosponsors: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). 

The GUARD Act has also received broad support from advocacy organizations, including the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the National Parents Union, the Family Research Council, and more.

The GUARD Act would:

—Ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors. 

—Mandate that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials for all users 

—Create new crimes for companies which knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content

Opinion -- Graves Bill Creates Tuition Assistance for Air Guard Members

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressmen Sam Graves (MO-06), Brad Finstad (MN-01), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17), introduced the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act, bipartisan legislation that requires the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a permanent federal tuition assistance program for drill status guard (DSG) members of the Air National Guard (ANG). 

This tuition assistance program would be consistent with the program already available to the Army National Guard. The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). 

"The Air Guard STATUS Act is about finally closing a gap that should’ve never existed. It gives Air National Guard members the same federal tuition assistance the Army National Guard already receives, helping recruit, retain, and take care of the Airmen who keep our communities and our country safe. We value their service and investing in their education is one of the clearest ways to show it,” said Rep. Graves. 

“I’m proud to join Reps. Sorensen and Graves in introducing the Air Guard STATUS Act, which will deliver much needed educational assistance to the brave men and women serving in the Air National Guard and create parity with the benefits afforded to the Army National Guard. This legislation will ensure deserved benefits and recognition reach all DSG members of the National Guard who have answered the call to serve our great nation,” said Rep. Finstad. 

“Our Airmen proudly serve our communities and our country, and they should have equal access to education benefits no matter where they live,” said Congressman Sorensen. “I am proud to stand alongside Reps. Finstad and Graves to make sure we invest in our Air National Guard members across the country.”

 

Opinion -- Graves Delivers Wins for North Missouri in Defense Bill

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered important wins for North Missouri in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House today. The bill supports our troops at home and abroad, their families, and their mission in keeping our country safe.

“We have to ensure our military remains the most lethal, most effective fighting force in the world,” said Graves. “To do that, we have to give our troops the tools they need to fight and win—while supporting them and their families at home and abroad. I’m proud to have worked in the House Armed Services Committee to ensure this year’s defense bill does just that, while also supporting the vital mission of the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph and good-paying skilled jobs at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence.”

Wins for North Missouri:

$200 million for procuring 2 C-130Js for Air National Guard

Extends C-130 fleet protections through FY28, including the minimum inventory requirement and the prohibition on reducing Air National Guard C-130 aircraft.

Requires annual reports through FY28 on Air Force C-130 inventory, planned retirements, modernization and recapitalization efforts, and basing plans for fielding C-130Js for Air National Guard

Fosters development of a Domestic Operations Tactics Training Center for C-130J aircrews at Rosecrans, building on the 139th Airlift Wing’s expertise in responding to domestic disasters and training crews in advanced airlift tactics.

Encourages the expansion of C-130J simulator training, including training at the 139th Airlift Wing.

Highlights the strategic warfighting training done at the Advanced Airlift Tactics Center at Rosecrans.

$15.5 million to partner with the private sector and academic institutions like the University of Missouri – Kansas City to develop and demonstrate technologies needed for the domestic production of critical materials from domestic mineral sources.

Nearly $700 million for small arms ammunition produced or will be produced at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

Another $1 billion for small arms facilities modernization, including Lake City Army Ammunition Plant 

Wins for Missouri:

Prohibits the Air Force from reducing the A-10 fleet below 93 primary mission aircraft in FY26, and requires a briefing on plans to fully divest the A-10 before FY29.

Ensures there’s a plan to recapitalize the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base

Protect Fort Leonard Wood’s Military Treatment Facility (MTF) by extending the freeze on cutting medical billets to 10 years and requiring a full-year notice with stricter oversight before DoD can reduce or change any MTF services.

$2.59 billion for procurement of B-21 long-range bombers, which will be based at Whiteman Air Force Base

$407 million to manufacture MQ-25 Stingrays in St. Louis

$576 million to modernize and sustain F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs in St. Louis

$50.6 million to produce the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in St. Louis

$33 million for military construction at Whiteman Air Force Base to support the B-21 bomber

$132.6 million for the Joint Assault Bridge, made in Bridgeton

Wins for Our Troops:

Delivers a hard-earned 3.8 percent pay raise for our servicemembers and expands military bonuses and special pay.

Increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed servicemembers

Authorizes $1.5 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing.

Mandates a plan to meet the government’s unfulfilled legal obligations on health, safety, and environmental hazards in military housing.

Requires an independent evaluation of military housing conditions

The FY2026 NDAA now heads to the Senate for final passage before it can be signed into law by President Trump.

Mission Possible Receives $4,500 Donation

First Interstate Bank recently awarded $4,500 to Mission Possible’s Food Pantry as part of their Community Grant program. Because of the challenging economic and political climate, in November the board of directors of Mission Possible voted to increase the amount of meat/protein given to each food pantry household for a year.   First Interstate Bank agreed to support this effort. Their grant will supply almost 90% of the money needed for the additional meat.

The Mission Possible Food Pantry supplies free nutritional food to households in Worth County experiencing food insecurity.  Clients can visit the food pantry twice a month where they shop for grocery items, produce, bakery, and meat/dairy choices.  They receive an allocation in pounds of food based on their household size. 

Mission Possible Food Pantry receives some food donations and monetary gifts, but it’s adjacent Thrift Store raises most of the money needed to buy food for the Pantry. 

First Interstate Bank has been a regular supporter of Mission Possible with financial grants for the Food Pantry and a companion program called Friday Friends, which supplies food for elementary school children on weekends during the school year.   The local FIB employees recently held a food drive, and they have volunteered on the Mission’s board, in the Thrift Store, Food Pantry and with Friday Friends.  First Interstate Bank strives to make the communities they serve better places to live and work, and they are actively doing that in Worth County.

 

 

Leslie Owens 1953-2025

Leslie Owens, 72, of Delmar, Iowa, passed away Tuesday morning, December 9, 2025, at home, following a prolonged battle with kidney failure.

Leslie David Owens was born August 15, 1953, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Billie and Delores (Jacobs) Owens. After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years, completing NDT with certification as a welding inspector. Les married Garland Wake on March 1, 1976. They spent the first 18 years of their marriage in California, where Les continued to serve in the Navy, working in industrial radiology as a welding inspector. They then lived in Missouri for several years before settling in Iowa.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Garland; his children, Christy (Hugo) Lindblom of Arlington, Washington, and Arthor (Angie) Owens of Clearfield, Iowa; 4 grandchildren; a brother, 2 sisters; nieces and nephews.

Leslie’s cremated remains will be buried at sea.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

 

Eagleville Bridge Over I-35 Now Open

The Missouri Department of Transportation contracted Capital Paving & Construction, LLC to complete a bridge deck replacement project on the Harrison County Route N bridge over Interstate 35 near Eagleville. The Route N bridge reopened to traffic Friday, Dec. 12.

The bridge had been closed since Aug. 25.

For more information about this project, visit: Missouri Route 6 and Route N Bridge Rehabilitation over Interstate 35 in Daviess and Harrison Counties | Missouri Department of Transportation.

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

Get project and work zone news straight to your email by signing up for eUpdates. Information is also available 24/7 by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visiting www.modot.org/northwest.