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FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021
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TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 157th Year - No. 100
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Republican-Times Changing Hands Honeycutts To Take Ownership Effective Sept. 1 After nearly 60 years of ownership by the Lenhart and Alexander families, the Republican-Times will have new owners effective Sept. 1. Jamey and D’Anna Honeycutt of Plattsburg have purchased the assets of the newspaper and the companion Green Hills Weekly shopper. They also own the Clinton County Leader in Plattsburg.
Jamey was publisher of the Cameron Citizen-Observer newspaper and The Shopper from 2001 to 2010. Before purchasing the Plattsburg newspaper he was a group publisher for Community Publishers, Inc. in southwestern Missouri. D’Anna also worked at the Cameron newspaper from 2004 to 2011 in multiple capacities including reporter, editor, general manager, sales manager and publisher. “There’s not going to be a lot of change in how the Republican-Times operates and its core values,” Jamey Honeycutt said. “We want to take what the Lenharts and Alexanders
have done and continue that. It’s a shame that a lot of communities are losing their newspapers. It doesn’t have to be that way. And we want to ensure that’s not how it’s going to be for Grundy County.” The Honeycutts will be the fifth generation of owners of the Republican-Times after it was consolidated by it’s original publisher, W.B. Rogers. He was followed in that role by his daughter, Carrie Rogers Clark and Ray Van Meter. Van Meter sold the paper to William O. Lenhart and Willis Alexander in 1963.
A DREAM COME TRUE Roller Coaster Ride Takes Family On ‘Dream’ Trip BY RONDA LICKTEIG R-T EDITOR
I
t’s really not surprising that Mackenzie Cunningham’s favorite ride at Disney World was the roller coaster - it’s kind of an analogy for how her life has been since being diagnosed with cancer. Mackenzie, the five-year-old daughter of Kylie and Eric Cunningham of rural Trenton, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2018. The diagnosis came quickly after blood tests were conducted to see what was causing a low-grade fever she’d had for about a week. “They did the bloodwork and it came back totally abnormal,” Kylie recalls. “We went to Children’s Mercy that night. The diagnosis was traumatizing. It was definitely shocking. You know, no one thinks it will ever happen to them.” Mackenzie had just turned three and would begin what would ultimately be 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy - definitely not the childhood anyone would hope for their little girl. Enter the Dream Factory, an organization that is dedicated to making the dreams of critically and chronically ill children come true. Someone who knew what Macken[See DREAM, Page 3]
BRIEFS COVID Case Activity Is High
Grundy County is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases and is in the highest category of case activity in Missouri. According to Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson, the county recorded 41 new cases from Monday through Wednesday, including 22 new cases on Wednesday alone. That brings the total number of active cases to 68 for a pandemic total of 1,492. With one additional death recorded this week, the total number of those in Grundy County whose death has been attributed to the virus is at 43. Ms. Gibson said the positivity rate in the county over the past 14 days is 25.08, which puts the county in the highest category of case activity for Missouri with over 985 cases per 100,000 over the past 14 days. Mrs. Gibson said the CDC is recommending a third vaccine dose for moderately to severely immunocompromised people. Those seeking a third dose will have to sign a form attesting that they qualify, although no documentation of health status will be required. People should check with their health providers and the third dose should be the same vaccine as the first two doses. The health department has both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available, with a Moderna clinic set for Aug. 23 and a Pfizer clinic on Aug. 30. Appointments can be made by calling the health department at 359-4196. The link to the state guidance provided to the health department on a third dose can be found at https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/e6e7164973dc-4ca6-bf44-0e589132cdf8/certain-immunocompromised-individuals-can-now-receive-third-dose-of-covid-1 9-vaccine-in-missouri.
Street Closed For Move-In Day
A section of Mable Street will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 21, to maintain student safety while they move into the North Central Missouri College residence halls for the fall semester. Mable Street will be closed from 13th Street to Crowder Road from 8 a.m. until midnight. Day and evening activities are planned for the students on the lawn and street between the residence halls and the Ketcham Community Center.
Photo Courtesy of Cunningham Family
Mackenzie Cunningham had the trip of a lifetime when she and her parents, Kylie and Eric, were treated to a trip to Disney World by the Dream Factory.
Dream Factory Benefit
Five Points Festival Set For Aug. 28
Colorguard at 11 a.m. and the THS Band at 11:30 a.m. Kim Suttenfield will perIt’s not cheap making the dreams of critically and chronically ill form at noon, followed by children come true and one way to help the Dream Factory organizaColton Hammond at 12:30 tion fulfill those dreams is to buy a ticket to the Rhonda Vincent conp.m., Trisha Sharp at 1 cert, scheduled for the Trenton R-9 Performing Arts Center on The “Five Points Festi- p.m., NCMC Dance Wave Wednesday, Oct. 6. val” is scheduled for at 1:30 p.m. and Deadwood Tickets for the concert are on sale at the Trenton Hy-Vee customer downtown Trenton on Sat- at 3 p.m. service counter and at Ron Dougan Insurance Agency (660-359-0100) Deadwood is a urday, Aug. 28 and will feaand the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association office, both loture a day of activities and blues/rock band from cated at 903 Main St., in Trenton. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 entertainment, including Kirksville. Founded in at the door. the “Art on a Line” t-shirt 1998, the band has been a Ms. Vincent, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, is a Kirksville native decorating contest and an mainstay on the northeast who was raised in Greentop. She performs with her band, The Rage, afternoon performance by Missouri music scene for and together they are the most awarded band in bluegrass history. over two decades. The the band Deadwood. The day will get under performance is free, but way at 10 a.m. with a corn- free will donations will be hole tournament and an ap- accepted to benefit Art’s pearance by the Trenton Alive, an organization High School mascots. committed to bringing back Games with NCMC ath- the arts in Grundy County. Entries are still being masks back on,” he said, responded that parents website. That plan, a re- letes, face painting and taken for “Art on a Line” in bounce houses will run noting that if that happens, have the option of virtual quirement of the ESSER which participants will defrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. it would hopefully be for a school or homeschooling if III federal funding, outlines sign a t-shirt that supports Entertainment will be at short period of time, maybe they are uncomfortable steps the district is taking to Missouri’s Bicentennial. the Sesquicentennial Park two or three weeks. He sur- sending their student to minimize risk while keepEntry forms are available at beginning with THS Golding students in school for mised that Daviess County, school. Dynamic Tax and Accountrush at 10:30 a.m., follike many others, will be “Every school district in in-person learning as much lowed by the THS [See FESTIVAL, Page 3] hit with the Delta variant of the state is going through as possible. Dr. Copple discussed the virus and if that this,” he said. happens, the district will Responding to a ques- training for new staff make every effort to stay in tion from board member members and said the reschool. He said extra masks Pam Critten, Dr. Copple cent Bright Futures Galla“News Every Day...When YOU Want It” have been purchased in said there has been some tin Back to School event order to be prepared for legislation passed that pro- was a success, with a lot of republican-times.com what might happen. Fed- vides liability protection positive feedback. He outeral law requires that for entities such as school lined upgrades made to disWEATHER WHAT’S masks be worn on all buses districts when it comes to trict property recently, ALMANAC regardless of the district’s COVID-19 but that legisla- including the purchase of a Day: High/Low Rain INSIDE mask policy inside the tion has not been tested in new vehicle, two new Monday 86/63 — SPORTS................PAGE 2 the courts. buses, a new phone system, buildings. Tuesday 90/65 — LOCAL.................PAGE 3 Later in the meeting it a new camera system in the Board member Anita Wednesday 90/69 — OP/ED................PAGE 4 Riley asked what the dis- was noted that parents who high school building, roof CALENDAR..........PAGE 5 trict’s exposure could be ask, especially those new to repairs, additional pebble Barton Campus AGRICULTURE.....PAGE 6 from a legal standpoint if the district, are directed to rock on the playground Wednesday 88/65 — COMICS...............PAGE 8 they know the virus is “out read the Safe Return to In- and improvements to the CROSSWORDS.....PAGE 9 there” and don’t do every- Person Instruction and parking lots. CLASSIFIEDS.....PAGE 10 In his report, High thing possible to limit ex- Continuity of Services Plan AREA.................PAGE 12 [See BOARDS, Page 4] posure. Dr. Copple which is on the district
Band Deadwood To Headline Downtown Event
Gallatin Discusses Return To School Newtown-Harris, Spickard Boards Hold Meetings Like basically all students in the area, those in the Gallatin R-5 District will not be required to wear masks when they return to class next week. During a meeting of the Gallatin R-5 Board of Education held Monday evening, the board discussed the return to class, with Superintendent Dr. Bryan Copple telling the board that the goal is to operate as normally as possible this year. Masks will be optional, he said, but district personnel will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation within the district and alter the plan if needed. “If need be, we’ll put the
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