Tigers Blank St. Joseph Christian to Win Second Game

The Worth County football team remained undefeated as they blanked St. Joseph Christian at halftime, 72-0 as they scored nine times and converted all extra point tries. The Lions had been a regular opponent for Worth County, but formed a cooperative and went to eight man football in 2019 and 2020 with Northland Christian. But the new cooperative didn't win a single game, had to travel to Maryville for districts in 2019, and didn't hold a single opponent under 50 points last year. The cooperative broke up for this year's campaign and formed separate football teams. Northland beat Christian 42-20 in week one. The Lions are rebuilding this year with 16 players, 12 of whom are freshmen and sophomores.

The game was over quickly as Alex Rinehart, on Worth County's second play from scrimmage, broke a host of tackles, got some good blocking up front, and took it to the house with 11:15 from 55 yards out. Aydan Gladstone rolled out and threw it to Alex for the two points to make it 8-0.

The Lions came out in a triple option look built around their lone senior, Caleb Carlson. But Jace Latham formed a human wall against the dive play and flowed to the ball well, while everybody else stuck to their assignments. As a result, Christian never got a first down and never crossed into Tiger territory. The Lions elected to go for it on fourth and three at their own 29, but Dawson Vore stopped Carlson two yards short of the first down at the 30 to give the Tigers back the ball on downs with a short field. Levi Cassavaugh took it seven yards, Alex Rinehart took an option three more to the 20, and then Aydan Gladstone faked to Alex and took it himself for the remaining 20 yards with 7:48 left. Dylan McIntyre caught the pass to make it 16-0.

Christian tried a flat pass on third down at the 28, but Jace Latham moved down the line well and blew up the play, forcing them to punt. A good kick and a late hit pinned the Tigers on their own two, but that only made things more interesting. This time, Alex Rinehart broke three different tackles and took it to the house from 78 yards out, Worth County's longest ever play from scrimmage at the eight man level, to get on the board again. Alex also caught the pass to make it 24-0.

The Lions fumbled the ball to Worth County, but the Tigers fumbled it right back to them. A holding penalty backed up the Lions and they were forced to punt. A good kick pinned the Tigers at their own six, but the Tigers moved the ball, aided by a nine yard run from Aydan Gladstone and a pass interference that placed it on the 31. From there, Aydan Gladstone optioned it down the left side to Alex Rinehart, Dylan McIntyre knocked his man down to spring him loose, and Alex took it to the house from 49 yards out. Alex made a one handed grab to put the Tigers up 32-0 with 39.2 seconds left in the first.

Dylan Wilmes blew up a play on third down after Aydan Gladstone tackled Carlson for a loss to force another punt. This time, Worth County took to the air. The first time, Aydan's pass was incomplete, but then he got the timing back with his receivers that he had two years ago that he lost last year after missing half the year with an injury. He threw a strike to Dylan McIntyre over the middle and he took it 18 yards to the 27, and then aired out a perfect strike to Jackson Runde for 23 more to the 4 after Runde got behind his man and spotted up perfectly for the throw. Runde caught another pass for a score after some good blocking gave Aydan time, and Alex Rinehart added the extra point pass to make it 40-0 with 9:52 left in the second.

Dylan McIntyre recovered a fumble, got a good block from Alex Rinehart, and took it for an apparent scoop and score. The official right on top of the play didn't throw a flag, but the official from clear across the field threw a block in the back penalty after McIntyre had scored that placed the ball on the Lion 35. Worth County, which had 15 penalties against South Holt, only had three against Christian, and they were able to overcome all three. This time, they needed only one play to overcome the penalty as the line gave Aydan Gladstone an eternity to throw and he led McIntyre perfectly on a deep crossing route for a score, and Alex Rinehart ran in the extra points.

That finished the night for the varsity offense, with Alex Rinehart getting five carries for 186 yards after getting over 200 the week before, and Aydan Gladstone threw for another 80 yards. But the second string was able to tack on three more scores. Christian, with nothing to lose, tried to go for it but Carlson was tackled six yards short of the first down and the reserves had a short field to work with at the Lion 28. Grant McIntyre ripped off 9 yards and Jackson Smith caught a short pass from Tyler New and muscled his way for 10 yards to the 9. A late hit pinned the Tigers back to the 22, but like before, it just made things more interesting. This time, Landon Wilmes took a quick pitch to the house with 4:33 left and Grant McIntyre caught the extra point pass to make it 56-0.

Cody Meyer recovered a Lion fumble on the 14 and it only took one play to convert, as Grant McIntyre bounced outside down the right side of the field to the house to score with 3:19 left. Jon Galanakis caught the extra point pass from Tyler New. Jackson Smith recovered a Lion fumble on the 26 and Worth County gave Levi Cassavaugh a couple of carries and he ripped off gains of 7 and 8 to the 11. That set up Worth County's final score as Landon Wilmes broke a host of tackles to score and Grant McIntyre caught the extra point pass from Tyler New.

Maryville Man Ejected from Motorcycle, Life Flighted

A Maryville man was ejected from his motorcycle and lifeflighted Thursday afternoon at around 3:18 pm near Stanberry. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2002 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle driven by Robert Hunter (72) of Maryville was westbound on Route 136 three miles west of Stanberry when he failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the north side, and through a ditch, ejecting Hunter from his motorcycle. Hunter received serious injuries and was lifeflighted to Mosaic in St. Joseph.

Bluejays Blank South Holt for Third Straight Win

Northeast Nodaway showed that their epic 10-9 win over North Harrison to start the win was no fluke as they kept right on winning. Against Stewartsville, they used a parade of walks as well as timely hitting from Lauren McIntyre and Jaden Atkins to pull away for the 13-2 win. And against South Holt, an experienced team that had some dangerous bats and who could beat anyone on a given night, Hadley DeFreece blanked the Knights for Northeast's third straight win to start the season.

The Bluejays started off slowly, but hit the ball better as the game progressed, with Lauren McIntyre hitting one that nearly left the yard. Even when they were getting out, they were putting it in play as they built up a 9-0 lead after four innings.

The floodgates opened in the fifth inning as Jaden Atkins singled to left and Baylee Busby reached on an error to put runners on first and third. Busby stole second, Lauren McIntyre popped out, but Meredith Adwell reached on what looked like a routine grounder to third, but she had no play anywhere as Atkins scored and Adwell got the scratch hit. In a scene reminiscent of Worth County's game against Albany from the tournament, Northeast showed the uncanny ability to beat out infield hits, beating out four in the fifth inning alone.

Lindsey Jackson singled to right center after Adwell stole second to score two more. Kiersten Morrow walked, and then Ruby Wilmes hit a slow roller that found no man's land between the mound and the second baseman for another scratch hit to load the bases. Hadley DeFreece reached on an error as South Holt threw away a force play at third to score Lily Burns (running for Jackson). Jill Boswell hit a shot off the pitcher's glove for a scratch hit to score Makenzie Pride (running for Morrow). Jaden Atkins reached on an error as the ball rolled through the third baseman's as she reached first and Boswell third; two runs scored on the play. Baylee Busby reached on a bad hop single off the second baseman to score Boswell and put Atkins on second. Lauren McIntyre grounded into a force play at third, but Meredith Adwell reached on a dropped force play to keep the inning going and Lily Burns singled to left to score two more and cap off Northeast's nine run inning.

The game was the first shutout since 2018, the first time the Bluejays had run ruled an opponent since 2018, and the most runs they had scored since 2018, when they had 18 runs against West Platte and 18 against Winston that year.

Obituary -- Lonnie Huntsman 1946-2021

Lonnie Lowell Huntsman, son of Lowell Enos & Lila Irene (Day) Huntsman, was born May 31, 1946.

Lonnie lived in Iowa and in recent years, made Mount Ayr his home. He was an over the road truck driver and did autobody repair work in younger years.

Lonnie was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors.

Lonnie passed away on August 31, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his children Shelly (Allen) Jackson, Vicky Hughes, Nancy Gepner, J.J. Chumbley, Jeremy Huntsman, and Raelette Derks; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Dennis (Linda) Huntsman; nieces, nephews and friends.

Lonnie has been cremated and no services are scheduled at this time.

Obituary -- Joyce Cordell 1939-2021

Funeral Services for Joyce Cordell, 81, of Bedford were held Monday, August, 23, 2021 at 11 AM at Cummings Family Funeral Home.  Interment was held at Athelstan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed towards the family to be established. Services for Mrs. Cordell were entrusted to Cummings Family Funeral Home.

Illa Joyce Cordell, daughter of the late Harry Ellsworth and Agnes Bell (Graham) Mutchler, was born on September 3rd, 1939, in Blanchard, Iowa. She passed away August 18, 2021, at Azria Health Care in Clarinda, Iowa.

Joyce was united in marriage to Leonard Cordell on June 21, 1955, and to this union they were blessed with five children. Joyce was a stay-at-home mother for a few years before working at O’ Bryan Brothers, retiring after the factory had closed.

Family was very important to Joyce, she coordinated the Mutchler family reunions for several years, which were filled with fun games for all as well as the baseball game that had to be played.

Joyce and Leonard loved to dance and listen to country music as well as visiting with friends and family and spending time with their grandchildren. Joyce always kept an endless supply of cookies for the kids to stop in and grab after school, she looked forward to those moments every year. Joyce enjoyed telling jokes and talking on the phone with family and friends. Joyce always had a great memory, if you couldn’t think of a phone number, you’d call her, and she would tell you.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; sons, Randy Neil and Terry Lee; grandson, Levi Cordell; great-granddaughter, Peyten Spencer and all 11 of her siblings.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Deb (John) Weaver of Blockton, Cindy Moore of Bedford, and Kathy (James) Schrodt of Bedford; stepson, Keith Cordell (Rusty) of Billings, Montana; Cindra Elliot of Bosworth, Missouri; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Obituary -- Vern Summa 1939-2021

Vern Wayne Summa, age 82, of Maryville, MO, passed away from this life on August 23rd, 2021, at home. 

He was born on February 9th, 1939, in Pattonsburg, MO, to Lionel and Artela (Lowrey) Summa. Their family relocated and Vern spent most of his childhood in Hollister, CA. Their family moved back to Missouri where he graduated from Albany High School in 1957. 

In 1957, Vern met Evelyn Walker on a blind date. Later in his life when asked what his favorite season was, he responded by saying “fall, because that is when I met the love of my life.” They were married on February 9th, 1958, and had two children, Brenda (1959) and Terri (1961).

His career life included becoming a barber in 1965 and opening ‘Summa Barber Shop’ from 1967-1973. He then went to work for Light and Power for 27 years until he retired.

Vern was very active with the Masonic Lodge #470 AF&AM, for 50 plus years. He enjoyed many family gatherings, playing 42 and horseshoes with his brothers-in-law, and was an avid carpenter and a fan of western novels. He was a member of the Ravenwood Christian Church.

Vern is proceeded in death by his parents and his three brothers Gerald, Clyde, and Floyd, his father and mother-in-law LB and Nora (Chapman) Walker, sisters-in-law Wilma (Walker) Smith, Marlys (Ryker) Walker and Bonnie (May) Summa; brothers-in-law Willis, Laymon, Bill, and Rolland Walker, and a son-in-law Bob Palmer. 

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, his two daughters Brenda (Summa) Stiens and Vicki Salsbury, Terri (Summa) Palmer, and Steve Christiason; his grandchildren Jeremy, and Jessica Davison, Kyle, and Cassie, Logan, and Katelyn Stiens, and Joe Campbell; his great grandchildren Madix, Orion, and Leo Morrison and Havyn and Zoe Stiens, brothers-in-law Harland Walker and Ronald Smith, sisters-in-law Barbara Summa, Judy Summa, Beverly Walker, Vicki Walker, Donna Walker, and Jerri Walker; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held at Bram Funeral Home August 25, 2021 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with Masonic Services to follow.

Funeral services were held at Ravenwood Christian Church on August 26th, 2021 at 10:30am with burial immediately following at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Evelyn Summa for a charity to be determined.

Courthouse News for September 1st, 2021

On August 23, 2021, Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Alfredo "Freddie" Zapata, 31, of Lenox, on an outstanding Taylor County warrant. Zapata was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a Class C felony. The warrant was issued following a continuing investigation into the distribution of narcotics in Taylor County and the surrounding area. Zapata is being held on no bond until being seen by a Magistrate. 

On August 23, 2021, Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop on a 2014 Chevy Cruze in the 200 block of North Main Street in Lenox. The driver, Shawn Beard, 49, of Lenox, was found to have a revoked license through the state of Iowa for a prior operating while intoxicated charge. Beard was taken into custody and transported to the Taylor County Jail where she is being held on $1,000 cash only bond pending an initial appearance before a Magistrate. 

On August 23, 2021, Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office located Kristen Oliphant at her residence in the 600 block of East Ohio Street in Lenox. Oliphant, 31, of Lenox was taken into custody on outstanding Taylor County warrants. Oliphant was charged with two (2) counts of possession of a controlled substance third or subsequent offense (marijuana and methamphetamine), both Class D felonies. Additionally, Oliphant was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia.  The warrants were issued pending an investigation into a traffic stop that was made on March 13, 2021, in the 100 block of East Michigan Street in Lenox. Oliphant is being held on no bond until being seen by a Magistrate at the Taylor County Jail.

On August 24, 2021, Deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Samuel Chaney, 36, of Lenox, on an outstanding Taylor County warrant. Chaney was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a Class C felony. The warrant was issued following a continuing investigation into the distribution of narcotics in Taylor County and the surrounding area. Chaney is being held on no bond until being seen by a Magistrate. 

On August 24th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Chuck Johnson (48) of Stewartsville alleging DWI and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway.

On August 24th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Randy Randle (52) of Cainsville alleging No Valid License (Felony), No Plates, and No Seat Belt.

On August 24th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Alicia Osuna-Gonzalez (23) of Lakeville (MN) alleging Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony). 

On August 24th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Trenton Braby (40) of Bethany alleging Property Damage (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash only.

On August 24th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Tanner Sims (29) of Bethany alleging Domestic Assault (Felony). Bond was set at $30,000, cash only.

On August 24th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Caleb Phillips filed charges against Dean Hewitt (57) of Burlington Junction alleging Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident).

On August 25th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Mark Bottcher (41) of Ridgeway alleging Stealing (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash only.

On August 26, 2021, a 15-year old juvenile became a victim of sexual enticement of a minor. Taylor County Deputies started an undercover sting operation related to the enticement. Later, on August 26, 2021, an undercover Deputy posing as the victim made contact with Evan Escobar, 26, of Kent, Iowa. During the conversation Escobar made plans to meet with the victim, knowing them to be a 15-year old minor. Escobar was located at the predetermined meeting location where he was taken into custody without incident. Escobar is being charged with Enticing a Minor, a Class D felony, and was additionally charged with Stalking. Escobar is being held at the Taylor County Jail on no bond pending an initial appearance before the Magistrate. If you have any additional information regarding this individual please contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 523- 2153.

On August 27th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Caleb Phillips filed charges against Zachery Sapp (20) of Maryville alleging DWI (Prior), Speeding, and Driving While Revoked.

On August 27th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Caleb Phillips filed charges against Montana Padilla (31) of Italy (TX) alleging DWI, Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway, No Valid License, and No Insurance.

On August 27th, Harrison County Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Marshall Norris (22) of Bethany alleging DWI.

On August 28th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Dakota Leeper (22) of Graham in Nodaway County on charges of DWI (Felony, Physical Injury) and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway (Accident). On August 28th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Caleb Phillips filed charges. Bond was set at $10,000, Signature Bond.

On August 28, 2021, Martin Grace, 50, of Corning, turned himself in on an outstanding Taylor County warrant. Grace was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, methamphetamine, a Class C felony. The warrant was issued following a continuing investigation into the distribution of narcotics in Taylor County and the surrounding area. Grace is being held on no bond until being seen by a Magistrate. 

On August 29th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested Jamie Alvarez-Sandoval (23) of Woodbridge (VA) in Harrison County on a charge of Speeding (116 mph).

On August 29th, Abraham J. Schweers, 39, of Lenox, was arrested in the 200 block of north Spear Street in Lenox, Iowa. He was charged with domestic abuse assault and is being held at the Taylor County Jail on no bond pending an initial appearance with the magistrate.

On August 30th, Special Prosecutor Johnathan Meyer filed charges against Timothy Portwood (49) of Denver in Gentry County alleging Domestic Assault (Felony). Bond was denied.

Charges listed are mere 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.