Harrison County Ambulance Districts Reach Settlement

On February 18th, the North Harrison Ambulance District and the Noel T. Adams District reached a tentative settlement in a lawsuit that had been brought against the Noel T. Adams District by the North Harrison District and the Harrison County Commission.

The North Harrison Ambulance District and the Noel T. Adams District were seeking to merge. A new board will be elected during the April 8th municipal election. The suit sought to enjoin the Noel T. Adams District from entering into any contracts that would extend beyond April 8th, citing what the plaintiffs said was irreparable harm. The Noel T. Adams District had been seeking to set up a non-profit which would temporarily run the new district while it obtained the licenses from the government necessary to run the new service. 3rd Circuit Judge Matthew Krohn granted a temporary injunction.

On February 18th, despite below zero temperatures and deteriorating road conditions, a court hearing was held that started at 3:30 that afternoon and took three hours. The defendants made a motion for a directed verdict, but Judge Krohn ruled that the plaintiffs had standing to bring the lawsuit and that the court had jurisdiction over the case.

Following a recess, the parties announced a settlement, the terms of which are as follows:

—The Noel T. Adams District will add three additional board members so that the interests of the current North Harrison District will have representation. Subsequently, the North Harrison Ambulance District announced that Breann Warner, Kineta Keith, and Jerry Johnson were appointed to the board.

—The North Harrison Ambulance District will issue an endorsement in favor of Noel T. Adams Emergency Services, Inc., the non-profit in question, for full coverage for ambulance service within the new district’s boundaries.

—The new board of directors will enter into a contract for the purpose of jointly applying for a new ground ambulance service and all attendant permits and licenses, with the contract to end April 30th, 2026.

—The new contract will not include a non-compete agreement for the parties’ current providers.

—The Noel T. Adams Emergency Services non-profit will be treated and deemed as a public entity subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law.

—The parties agree to reduce the settlement agreement to writing and will file a stipulation agreement with the court.

—There will be no transfer of assets until the parties mutually agree otherwise or until further order of the court.

—Lifting the temporary restraining order will be addressed in the settlement agreement to be filed by the parties.

—The case will remain pending until either the parties agree otherwise or until further order of the court.

Caleb New Hits Career High in Tiger Victory; Mason Casner Scores 15 in Last Game

Worth County's boys showed flashes of their old form from last year as Caleb New heated up for the Tigers, hanging 24 on North Nodaway as the Tigers raced to a 26-point third quarter lead. Then, the Mustangs took advantage of Tiger foul trouble and made things interesting, coming as close as 11 before Worth County closed out the game in the last three minutes. Mason Casner led the charge for the Mustangs in the second half, scoring all of his 15 points.

The trouble for the Mustangs started right off the bat as one of the players got a technical foul for hanging on the net during pregame warmups and New hit both free throws. Kaeden Nave countered for North Nodaway to tie it at 2, but the Karson Briner scored from inside, Caleb New hit a pullup, then cut inside and got a pass from Hayden Sanders to make it 8-2 after one.

Then, the foul trouble mounted for the Mustangs as Hayden Sanders took a charge on defense and both North Nodaway big men, Blaine Clements and Jordan DeLeon, got in foul trouble and Draven Rowland and Weston Alexander were pressed into extended minutes. Caleb New exploded to the rim and drew a foul to make it 10-2 to start the second. Owen Martin drove and scored to make it 10-4, but then Karson Briner and Lucas Frisch got putbacks, Caleb New hit a drive and pullup, and then New hit a 3-pointer to make it 19-4 at the half. The game was a defensive standoff between the two teams, with Caleb New the only player hitting for either team consistently.

Hayden Sanders, who spent much of the second half of the season trying to rediscover his shot after injuring his Achilles, missed a ton of shots in the first half but finally found the range to start the third to make it 22-4. As the frustration mounted for North Nodaway, Cannon Fletcher got on the board with a free throw, Caleb New hit a 3-pointer, Cannon Fletcher hit a 3-pointer set up by a Cole Ruby drive, and Cole Ruby added a free throw to make it 32-6.

But then Worth County started getting into foul trouble of its own, with Karson Briner picking up his third foul. Without their best post defender, North Nodaway suddenly started finding open looks and they started mounting a comeback. Mason Casner got a putback and then Kaeden Nave got a steal and fed Owen Martin to make it 32-10. Caleb New stole an outlet and scored over Jordan DeLeon, but then Casner rediscovered his left hand and scored and Jordan DeLeon hit a free throw to make it 34-13 after three.

The Mustangs, with nothing to lose, started swarming and pressing. Caleb New hit a free throw to start the fourth, but then Mason Casner drove and exploded with his left hand, then drove again and this time spun and finished with his right hand to make it 35-16. Jordan DeLeon cleaned up in transition, and then Mason Casner hit a 3-pointer and all of a sudden, it was 35-21.

Something had to change and Hayden Sanders attacked the press, getting to the rim, scoring, and getting clotheslined by Owen Martin, who was called for an intentional foul. Sanders made one of two to make it 38-21. But the Mustangs kept coming as Owen Martin and then Mason Casner hit 3-pointers and the Tiger lead was down to 11 at 38-27. But then Caleb New stepped through a defender and stopped the bleeding, putting the Tigers up 40-27. Blaine Clements got a putback to make it 40-29 and Hayden Sanders got his fifth foul, but Caleb New put the team on his shoulders, hitting a free throw and then driving and scoring to make it 43-29. Owen Martin countered with a drive, but Karson Briner converted a three-point play and Cannon Fletcher hit two free throws to seal the win.

For Worth County, Caleb New had 24 points. Cannon Fletcher had 8, Karson Briner 7, Hayden Sanders 6, Lucas Frisch 2, and Cole Ruby 1.

Hayden Sanders and Karson Briner had 1 block.

Lucas Frisch had 7 boards. Karson Briner had 6, Caleb New 3, Hayden Sanders 3, and Cannon Fletcher, Andrew Griffin, and Ryder Smyser had 1.

Cole Ruby had 5 assists. Hayden Sanders had 4, Cannon Fletcher 3, and Caleb New and Lucas Frisch 1.

Hayden Sanders had 7 tips. Cole Ruby had 5, Cannon Fletcher and Lucas Frisch 3 each, and Karson Briner 2.

Cole Ruby, Lucas Frisch, and Caleb New had 3 steals each. Karson Briner, Hayden Sanders, and Cannon Fletcher had 2.

For North Nodaway, Mason Casner had 15, Owen Martin 9, Jordan DeLeon 5, and Kaeden Nave and Blaine Clements had 2.

Kaeden Nave, Owen Martin, and Blaine Clements had 1 block each.

Jordan DeLeon had 10 boards. Blaine Clements and Mason Casner had 6 each, Kaeden Nave 5, Owen Martin 3, Ridge Clements 2, and Aiden James 1.

Kaeden Nave had 4 assists and Owen Martin had 3.

Owen Martin had 9 tips. Mason Casner had 3, Jordan DeLeon and Blaine Clements 2, and Kaeden Nave 1.

Jordan DeLeon, Kaeden Nave, and Mason Casner had 2 steals. Owen Martin, Ridge Clements, and Blaine Clements had 1 each.

Pattonsburg Green Team Medals at Science Olympiad for Sixth Straight Year

On February 22nd, Pattonsburg fielded two teams for the Junior High Science Olympiad at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville. The Green team earned a medal for the sixth year in a row. The White team did well.

The Science Olympiad consists of 23 events, locally practiced at two division levels. For the third year in a row, Pattonsburg had enough interest to take two Junior High teams to compete. Freshmen are allowed to pay at the Junior High or High School level, although only five per team are allowed.

The Green Team earned medals in all 23 events. The White team medaled in 15 of the 18 events they entered. The State Science Olympiad will be held Saturday, April 26th at Central.

All Pattonsburg Science Olympiad teams are coached by Mrs. Tuanette Hulet and assisted by Hunter Scott.

The following students medaled:

1st Air Trajectory—(Green Team) Alanna Hulet, Cash Teel

1st Anatomy & Physiology—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Addison Shepherd

1st Disease Detectives—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

1st Microbe Mission—(Green Team) Havok Sweiger, Aden Woodward

1st Mission Possible—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Brantley Gardner

1st Reach for the Stars—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

1st Road Scholar—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Cole Manion

1st Tower—(Green Team) Alanna Hulet, Cash Teel

1st Wind Power—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Cash Teel

2nd Codebusters—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Thomas Warren, Aden Woodward

2nd Ecology—(Green Team) Colton Crone, Cole Manion

2nd Entomology—(White Team) Gabe Jeswald, Carlie Pittsenbarger

2nd Experimental Design—(Green Team) Brantley Gardner, Anoushka Hedrick, Alanna Hulet

2nd Fossils—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Taylen Fore

2nd Helicopter—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Evan Mason

2nd Meteorology—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Aden Woodward

2nd Metric Mastery–(Green Team) Havok Sweiger, Thomas Warren

2nd Optics—(Green Team) Anoushka Hedrick, Cole Manion

2nd Potions and Poisons—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Havok Sweiger

2nd Scrambler Wheeled Vehicle—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Evan Mason

2nd Write It Do It—(Green Team) Addison Shepherd, Thomas Warren

3rd Crime Busters—(Green Team) Brantley Gardner, Addison Shepherd

3rd Dynamic Planet—(Green Team) Logan Dixon, Thomas Warren

3rd Ecology—(White Team) Gabe Jeswald, Jaxson Teel

3rd Entomology—(Green Team) Reagan Coin, Brantley Gardner

3rd Experimental Design—(White Team) Avasa Cook, Case Gardner, Harley Manion

3rd Meteorology—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

3rd Microbe Mission—(White Team) Taylen Fore, Carlie Pittsenbarger

3rd Optics—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

3rd Reach for the Stars—(White Team) Taylen Fore, Cheyanne Miller

3rd Wind Power—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

4th Anatomy and Physiology—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Taylen Fore

4th Disease Detectives—(White Team) Avasa Cook, Harley Manion

4th Dynamic Planet–(White Team) Cheyanne Miller, Carlie Pittsenbarger

4th Fossils—(Green Team) Drake Sperry, Havok Sweiger

4th Metric Mastery—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Carlie Pittsenbarger

4th Road Scholar—(White Team) Case Gardner, Jaxson Teel

4th Write It, Do It—(White Team) Keiona Davis, Gabe Jeswald

Rusty Black Receives Outstanding Legislator Award

Adam Dohrman, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA), presented the Outstanding Legislator Award to Senator Rusty Black (R-12th District) during the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo on February 18. Senator Black was chosen for his outstanding support of the Missouri Pork Association, the Missouri pork industry and all of agriculture.

“Senator Black has long been an advocate for the pork industry and Missouri agriculture,” said Dohrman. “He brings practicality and common sense to the legislative process while advocating for Missouri’s #1 industry.”

Senator Black is a former public educator dedicating 33 years teaching Missouri kids agriculture. During Sen. Black’s political career, that same dedication has continued as a strong leader in recognizing and advancing agriculture, especially animal agriculture. Specifically, his recent efforts in securing funding for the new abattoir and meat science center at the University of Missouri will pay dividends to Missouri for years to come. Additionally, Sen. Black is an ardent supporter of youth leadership programs, which are so very important to preparing our next generation of kids.

Pork producers from across the state attended the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo held in Osage Beach, Missouri on February 18-19. Highlights included a trade show, educational sessions, and guest speakers.

I-29 Resurfacing to Start March 5th

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted Herzog Contracting Corp. to resurface a section of Interstate 29 from U.S. Route 59 in Holt County to Business 71 just north of St. Joseph beginning Wednesday, March 5.

The project will begin in the southbound passing (left) lane. Crews will remove then replace the pavement in 2-mile sections. Once paving is complete on the roadway, crews will repave the ramps along the portion of interstate.

Traffic Impacts: During construction, I-29 will be narrowed to one lane beginning on the southbound lanes, then switch to the northbound lanes.

Crews are scheduled to work Monday-Saturday during daylight hours. All work is scheduled to be completed by July 2025.

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.

Roger Johnson Resigns as North Nodaway High School Principal

The North Nodaway School Board accepted the resignation of High School Principal Roger Johnson, effective at the end of the current school year.

The board also voted to accept the resignation of Adam James as a bus driver, effective February 14th. The board voted to approve Jerald Everhart as a morning bus driver for the remainder of the school year. The board voted to approve Barrett Lodge as the assistant Baseball Coach under Cody Bix.

The board voted to approve Orlo T. Simmons, Ashley Marriott, Hope Reeves, and Marie Stone to the substitute teacher list.

The board approved the new school calendar for the upcoming school year. School will begin on August 20th. The Thanksgiving Break will be November 26th to 28th. The Christmas Break will be from December 22nd to January 5th. Spring Break will be from April 9th to 13th. The final day of school will be May 19th. Graduation will be May 17th.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that the PTO Change Wars raised $840.92. The fifth grade won by raising $252.80.

Teachers Audrey Trimble, Sami Jackson, Cody Jenkins, Beth Pedersen, Jake Hoy, and Townsend went to the Powerful Learning Conference at Tan-Tar-A and took away a lot of new information regarding effective data teams.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that the school was planning for its Academic Showcase which will be held on March 12th from 5 pm. Students are also getting ready for testing. Johnson and Townsend participated in mock interviews at Northwest on January 29th.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the school was working on salary proposals for the board to review for next year.  He estimated that meeting the minimum baseline salary of $40,000 and the 10 year Master’s salary requirement of $46,000 a year could cost the district between $90,000 to $120,000 for certified staff.

Turpin reported that the City of Pickering approved him writing a grant for a new community sign, which would be worth at least $56,000.

The school will have bus inspections on March 13th.

The legislature is pushing House Bill 711, allowing open enrollment. There are two bills that are being looked at currently. State funding continues to drop each month, and they are projecting state revenues to be lower than expected.

The school has used two of its five AMI days. If they use them, they will not have to make up any days.

 

 

House Passes Bill to Combat Crime

This week, the Missouri House of Representatives passed HCS #2 HB 495, a sweeping public safety measure aimed at addressing crime, policing, and penalties for various offenses across the state. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Brad Christ, introduces significant changes designed to enhance public safety and address law enforcement challenges statewide.

A key provision in the bill establishes a new Board of Police Commissioners to oversee the St. Louis Police Department, effective August 28, 2025. The new board will consist of four local citizen commissioners, along with the Mayor of St. Louis, providing direct authority over the city’s police force.

Proponents argue this move will bring stability, improve public safety, and address issues related to rising crime and officer retention. Critics, however, see it as an unnecessary shift away from local governance.

"For over a century, things remained unchanged, but after the shift, we’ve seen the police force stretched thin and crime rise. Some argue crime is down—I disagree. When you factor in population decline due to crime, the per capita numbers tell a different story. Crimes are underreported, multiple incidents are counted as one, and justifiable homicides skew the data,” Rep. Christ, R-St. Louis, said. “The truth is this: since the boards changed, the city has lost nearly 40,000 residents—a 13% decline. Over 500 businesses have left since 2019. More than a thousand officers have walked away. The patrol budget has been slashed by tens of millions. Investors won’t commit. These are the indisputable facts that speak louder than any manipulated crime stat."

Other notable provisions in the bill include:

—Enhanced Penalties for Stunt Driving and Street Takeovers: Repeat offenders will now face felony charges, aiming to curb dangerous driving behaviors.

—Strengthened Child Welfare Protections: First-degree child endangerment will be classified as a "dangerous felony," especially when involving fentanyl or other drugs.

—Expanded Definition of Rioting: The legislation broadens the scope of rioting and increases penalties, while removing the need to prove conspiracy in related offenses.

—School Safety Committee: A new Committee on School Safety will be created to develop guidelines to prevent school firearm violence.

—Immigration Reporting: Law enforcement agencies will be required to report the immigration status of criminal offenders to the state.

—Increased Penalties for Crime: The bill introduces tougher penalties for crimes like burglary, organized retail theft, tampering with water supplies, and sex trafficking of minors.

The bill also includes provisions that allow law enforcement agencies to request assistance from other jurisdictions, including out-of-state agencies. Additionally, it permits police vehicles involved in undercover operations to forgo using audible or visual signals when conducting surveillance or speed enforcement.

“This bill is a vital step forward in making Missouri’s communities safer,” Rep. Christ said. “By increasing accountability, providing the resources law enforcement needs, and implementing tougher penalties for crime, we are taking proactive measures to protect Missouri families. This robust bill will create a foundation for a safer Missouri.”

With a vote of 106-47, HB 495 now heads to the Missouri Senate for further review.