Two Teens Injured in Wreck Near Blythedale

Two teens were injured Saturday morning in a wreck near Blythedale at around 12:05 am. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 1988 Ford F-150 driven by a 17 year old Cainsville boy was eastbound on East 177th street two miles south of Blythedale when it failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the east side, overturned, and came to rest on the driver’s side. The 17 year old boy was seriously injured and taken to Harrison County Community Hospital. A passenger, Leon Nobles (18) of Cainsville, received minor injuries and was taken to Harrison County Hospital.

Eric Greitens Campaign -- Statement to All Warmongers on Ukraine

By the Eric Greitens Campaign

Former Missouri governor and Navy SEAL Eric Greitens released the following statement in response to those calling for an escalation of war with Russia:

The Democrats, establishment RINOs, and journalists who want to establish a no-fly zone above Ukraine should be truthful about what the ramifications will be. Many of them do not understand what a no-fly zone is, or they are lying about it means: war.

War with Russia. 

War with Putin who has 6,000 nuclear weapons.

The war mongers want to put us into a war while we are led by the same illegitimate senile man in Joe Biden who led us into the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Biden did not know to get civilians out of Afghanistan. He did not know to hold onto our strategic air base. He did not know to ship out or destroy our weapons before we left.

Biden can barely walk to a podium. Now anyone wants him to walk a nuclear tightrope of war with Russia?

Disastrous mistakes would be guaranteed. Those mistakes will lead to more death. More misery. More refugees. 

Democrats, RINOs, and the media have now resorted to blaming the war in Ukraine for Democrat disastrous policies that have given us skyrocketing gas prices and inflation, inflicting misery on Americans. They seek to distract from their disastrous open border, supply chain breakdown, and defund the police policies at home. 

To all of the Democrats, RINO’s, and journalists begging for war: I have one question. When are you going? Anyone can grab a rifle and fly to the front lines to fight the Russians for a few weeks. Then come back and tell Americans why they should jeopardize their own safety for a war that does not directly serve our national interest.

I know firsthand what war means. War means body bags. War means funerals. War means Gold Star Families. War means children who do not have mothers and fathers.

If you think war is the solution in Ukraine, you should go yourself, but do not drag our country into World War 3.

Three Year Old Boy Struck by Vehicle, Killed

A three year old boy was killed in an accident Thursday morning near Cosby. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by Timothy Sweeney (73) of Easton was stopped in a private drive two miles east of Cosby at around 5:51 pm and the boy was in front of the front passenger side. The GMC traveled west in the private drive and struck the boy, killing him. Sweeney was not injured.

Obituary -- Bill Welch 1927-2022

William Vernon Welch, 94, of Maryville, MO, passed from this life on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at the Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville. 

Bill was born on August 30, 1927, in Parnell, MO, the 4th of 9 children to Frank I. and Christine B. (Waldeier) Welch.  

His parents preceded him in death; also, his siblings: Durwood Sylvester, Herman Francis, Victor Alan, James (Jim) Marion, Bernard Joseph, Robert (Bobby) Ambrose, and Rose Marie; and his child: Judy Louise, in 1954. 

Bill farmed all his life in the area. He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Parnell, MO, and also of the St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Maryville, MO. 

Bill kept busy working on the farm, and he even built his own house. He could fix things: his car, tractor, equipment, even his toaster, almost anything. He enjoyed music and singing to the radio. He was good at pool which he enjoyed playing with friends and family. He grew strawberries and other tree fruit. He loved his dog, Emme. He loved family gatherings and visiting, and spending time with his grandchildren.  

His survivors include his 8 children: Sharon Kay, William Benjamin (Peggy), Daniel Franklin, Kirby Wayne (Theresa), Janet Marie (Phil) Meier, Patricia Gail (Kevin) Kolega, Diane Lynn, Scott Michael (Debra); his brother, Lawrence Edward; 27 grandchildren, and 9 step-grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, and 12 step-great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends starting at 7:00 PM, on Friday, March 18, 2022, at the St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Maryville, and the parish and family Rosary will follow.  

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, March 19, 2022. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Parnell, MO. It was Bill’s wish to be cremated after the service.  

Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, MO 

Memorials can be directed to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Parnell, MO, or to St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Maryville, MO. 

North Nodaway Adds 6th Grade to Junior High Sports Programs

The North Nodaway School Board voted unanimously at its regular school board meeting Thursday to add sixth graders to its junior high sports programs, subject to parental approval. After this year, the Missouri State High School Activities Association will no longer allow freshmen to compete in junior high sports; they must play up in high school. However, they will allow sixth graders to compete in junior high, subject to board approval. Previously, MSHSAA allowed sixth graders to compete in junior high on an emergency basis, but would not insure it.

The school had done surveys of students to determine interest. There were 14 interested in football for a 6th to 8th grade program. There were 14 interested in girls volleyball, 10 for girls basketball, 16 for boys basketball, 15 for boys track, and 11 for girls track. Without 6th graders, there were 9 interested in football, 10 for volleyball, 9 for boys basketball, 6 for girls basketball, 9 for boys track, and 9 for girls track, meaning that the girls basketball team would have been playing the numbers game.

The Platte Valley football cooperative, of which North Nodaway is a part, is allowing 6th graders to join its program. 6th graders who participate will be subject to grade checks and random drug tests along with older athletes. 

Principal Roger Johnson expressed concern about academics. He said that the school uses 6th grade as a transitional year, in which 6th graders can get oriented to higher level work without having to worry about sports as well, and that it was working really well. He noted that 8th hour is usually a study hall, but would now be used for travel for 6th grade athletes. “I worry about academics, but it doesn’t mean we can’t manage,” he said. 

Superintendent Chris Turpin recommended approval of adding 6th graders to junior high sports, saying that without it, athletes would be at a disadvantage, and that the majority of schools in the area were going to it. He noted that the fact that a 6th grader going out for sports was subject to parental approval would allow parents to decide if their student could balance academics and athletics. 

Letter to the Editor -- Improvements to North Nodaway School are Worth Small Cost

 

Editor's Note -- The Sheridan Express welcomes letters both for and against the bond issue. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sheridan Express, the board of directors, or the cooperative members. Send letters to Sheridan Express, 205 N. 4th Street #8, Sheridan, MO 64486 or email us at express@grm.net

Why you should vote yes!

This shows the top land owners in our school district. Only 4 of the top 10 are family farm owners. Most people will pay less than $300 a year in taxes.

LESS than $300 a year to help make some much needed improvements to our school facilities and increase safety precautions...

They are NOT asking to increase our taxes, but only to extend the current tax rate we already have. The same rate we have been paying for the last 4 years. Is that too much to ask?

We are in a unique situation, we could be able to do some wonderful improvements and really make a difference in our kids lives and their education.

Voting YES!

Means having one building for the elementary with the preschool addition, no more trailer sitting off the the side, no more bundling up the preschoolers to come in for lunch.

Having a designated lunch room and opening up the gym availability.

A bus barn to be able to work on our own school buses with simple maintenance.

A safe, secure, confidential and designated entrance to the high school with an elevator to be inclusive of all people and to replace the outdated and broken chair lift.

Voting YES!

Means being competitive with teachers salaries.

The difference between voting yes to the bond and just "saving up the wind mill money" is completing these projects now instead of in 8 years or even more.

Voting yes for the Proposition for the Kids is showing our kids we are putting a priority on the education and their lives.

Stephanie Clements

Pickering, MO

Proposition PFK (Progress for Kids): While Wind Farm Money Helps, It's Not a Magic Bullet

North Nodaway Superintendent Chris Turpin gave out more information to voters at a town hall Wednesday, encouraging people to get out and vote April 5th on the $2.65 million bond issue. In Nodaway County, absentee voting is open right now with a valid photo ID. On April 2nd, the Nodaway County Courthouse will be open from 8 am to noon for those wishing to vote absentee. Polls are open from 6 am to 7 pm on April 5th. People in Hopkins Township will vote in the Community Hall. People in Independence Township (Gaynor) will vote in the Parnell Fire Station. People in Union Township (Pickering) will vote in the Community Building. People in Atchison Township, near Clearmont, will vote in the Little Red Schoolhouse in Clearmont. People in Polk Township will vote at the Laura Street Baptist Church in Maryville. Passage requires a four sevenths majority.

If Proposition PFK passes, the existing 59 cent debt service levy will be continued; taxes will not increase. Three projects will be built in order of priorities. The top priority is an elementary addition with a preschool. The second priority is a new bus barn. The third priority is a secure safety entrance at the high school with an elevator. The school would have three years to spend the $2.65 million. The school would finalize plans and put the projects out for bid. There is a $300,000 contingency fund in case some of the bids are over the estimates. The process would start right away. During the construction of the preschool, the preschool students would temporarily be moved to where the teacher workroom is now.

If Proposition PFK fails, the 59 cent levy will be phased out for the next school year and completely go away for the 2023-2024 school year. The money cannot be spent on anything but paying back bonds. Turpin said the priorities were based on input from the community. "I hope to never have to come to you and ask for money for the operating levy," he said Wednesday. 

The school received its first wind farm money in January 2021. While the wind turbine money has helped North Nodaway increase its reserves from $1.2 million to $1.7 million, the school has not let the estimated $665,000 annual revenue sit around, but it is already being spent. Among some of the projects it is being spent on include:

--Deferred maintenance. Funds have been used to address facility repairs and items that have been put off due to a lack of extra funding. This includes air conditioning in the gym, carpeting and flooring in the elementary, water drainage issues at the high school, and ceiling repairs at the old gym at the high school. The Pickering gym got a new floor that replaced the original floor.

--Increased salaries for non-certified staff. Salaries were increased to bring many non-teaching positions to at least minimum wage. This year, the school will address teacher salaries, which are 12th out of 18 area schools. These cost increases will be permanent. Currently, the school has a $3.5 million annual budget as of the current school year. Out of that, almost $2.2 million is spent on teacher salaries, non-certified staff, and administration. Teacher salaries alone cost the school $1.5 million a year. At the PTO meeting, Turpin said that the $665,000 annual wind farm money is not guaranteed, meaning that if it goes away, the school would have much less to work with. Also, Fund 1, which covers operating expenses, collects $2,579,500, of which almost $2.2 million goes towards salaries. Around $420,000 goes towards the debt service levy, while $472,000 goes towards capital improvements. Currently, the school's levy, including the debt service levy, stands at $4.6505 per $100 assessed valuation.

--Academic program costs. The school is the first in the state to offer classes in robotics and drones, which will put the school at a competitive advantage if open enrollment passes the Missouri Legislature. The drone program has an end of course test that certifies one with an FAA drone permit. Previously, the school limited student participation in vo-tech; however, with wind turbine money, they were able to allow anyone to enroll. There are 22 kids this year going to vo-tech after the school had limited enrollment to 10-12 in the past. The school plans to purchase new textbooks this year with wind farm money; many are 12-14 years old, and a history textbook the school uses is at least 30 years old, when George Bush I was President. The school now pays for one ACT test or Accuplacer test for students.

--Updated technology needs. The school has upgraded its computer hardware and software, which includes computer ports, switchers, chrome books, and laptops. The district is now one to one for students and teachers having access to these devices.

--Reserves. The school has saved a portion of the wind turbine funds for reserves to help with unforeseen expenditures or shortfalls in federal or state funding. Health insurance for school employees is going up, with rates at the group provider the school uses going up 12% for the upcoming school year, which would cost the school $28,000 a year. Legislators are looking at open enrollment, more money for charter schools, and changing the funding formula, all of which could reduce state funding for schools. The governor can withhold funding if state revenues don't meet projections, meaning there is always potential for unexpected shortfalls.

--Other priorities. Other priorities that are needed with current funding, including wind farm money, include smart boards, an exterior corridor to the Ag room, new doors with locks, sealing the parking lots, work on lockers, upgrading playground equipment, replacing inefficient windows, more work on heating and cooling, and elementary roofs.

The school's goal for the wind farm money is to pay for small or medium sized projects which can be paid in a year. However, assuming the school saves 50% of the wind turbine money revenue annually, it will take almost 8 years to save the $2,650,000 in cash. At that point, the cost might be much higher; inflation this year is at its highest rate in 40 years and has hit construction especially hard. Passage of the bond issue would free up money for other projects.

Passage of Proposition PFK would allow the school to construct a new addition to the elementary school, which would allow the school to have a new preschool classroom, a new safety entrance with office spaces, and a new library. The current library would be converted to a lunch room, freeing up the gym for more recess or PE time. Kitchen space would be freed up, meaning the school would not have to transport so much food from Hopkins to Pickering. All of the louder learning activities would be at one end of the building, allowing more learning in classrooms.

If money is still available, the second priority would be to build a bus barn on the lot north of the high school. It would allow the school to protect its bus fleet from extreme weather and allow the maintenance worker to perform basic maintenance such as oil changes and putting in new tires as well as cleaning. If money is available after the elementary addition and the bus barn are bid out, the third priority would be to build a new security entrance at the high school. It would provide a new safety entrance for visitors, provide a clear identification at the main entrance, free up office, storage, or classroom space, allow the school to build an ADA compliant elevator, and allow for more confidentiality for students. 

The current debt service levy means that a home with an appraised value of $80,000 would cost an estimated $89.68. An auto appraised at $10,000 costs $19.66, while an auto appraised at $15,000 costs $29.50. Around 87% of taxpayers pay $372.17 or less under the current 59 cent debt service levy. Only 13% pay more. 

Out of school revenues, 47% comes out of local taxes, which is common. 4% comes from the county, 37% comes from the state, and 12% comes from federal funds. However, the federal share could drop to 5% to 6% as COVID relief money dries up. 

Turpin said at the Town Hall that the door is always open for voters to ask questions about the bond issue. His cell phone is (660) 254-6105 or people can call the school office while school is in session. He said he was impressed with the revitalization of the community, with both the CBC and the PTO, among other organizations, stepping up and taking active roles in the community. "Things like this motivate the kids," he said. Surveys done by the school showed a high level of interest among incoming 6th through 8th graders in participating in sports across the board. And 220 people attended the recent Academic Night, which is more than attendance at some ballgames.