PDF PAGES FOR WEBISTE.qxp_Layout 1 12/21/18 2:59 PM Page 1
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 155th Year - No. 33
75¢ per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Twelve Pages
Photos Courtesy of Phil Schlarb
Persons coming into downtown Trenton have been greeted this holiday season by the Christmas lights in Sesquicentennial Park, pictured above, as well as lights outlining many of the business buildings, including the Grundy County Courthouse, at left. The Five Points Alive Group and the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association, along with other individuals, businesses and organizations, continue to raise funds for Christmas lighting in the downtown area, with hopes of having the entire downtown area lighted during the holidays.
NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE
Emerita Status Granted To Dr. Beverly Hooker
Board Approves ‘Clean Audit’ The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees heard a good report from the college’s auditor during a meeting held on Thursday evening on the campus. The board approved the Fiscal Year 2018 financial audit report, conducted by KPMG Auditor Corey Wallace. Wallace told the board that the audit is “unmodified” meaning it is clean and free from material mistakes. Wallace praised trustees for their hard work in keeping the college on sound financial footing. “The college is operating very well and that’s definitely something to congratulate yourself on,” he said. Board members approved the purchase of property/casualty/liability insurance through the Missouri United School Insurance Council for the 2019 calendar year at a cost of $166,899. This amount is $14,789 more than last year’s premium, with all line rates staying the same as the previous year. The assessment is up due to changes in payroll and property values as well as increases in Worker’s Compensation claims. Trustees granted emerita status to Dr. Beverly Hooker, who is retiring as executive director of the Green Hills Head Start Program. She reminded the board that fed-
2018 IN REVIEW
eral Head Start officials will have to approve her replacement, with trustees providing the name, qualifications and the process they took to hire the new director. The board approved the retirement of Robyn Melte as Chillicothe Head Start teacher, effective Nov. 19 and approved the employment of Linda Brown of Numa, IA as co-teacher at the Unionville Head Start Center. NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver gave an update on legislative activities that affect the college as well as sharing highlights of the December Missouri Community College Association Presidents and Chancellors meeting. Financial aid issues, including those involving the A-Plus program, were included in those highlights as were possible changes to the amount that can be earned by those receiving PSRS retirement benefits. During the time set aside for reports, the board heard from Dr. Hooker, who discussed the Head Start wait list, which shows that the vast majority of those on the wait list are over income. A total of 92 percent of those on the traditional Head Start wait list are over-income, while 62 percent of those on the Early Head Start wait list are overincome. Dr. Hooker also told trustees that she has made application
for federal funding for a 1.77 percent cost of living allowance for Head Start. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tristan Londre said the new Blackboard platform will be ready for the spring semester and said the pre-application for accreditation for the nursing program has been approved. The college now has three years to get full accreditation. He noted that the program is already licensed and that accreditation will move it to the next level. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Kristen Alley reported on students on academic probation and suspension and said the college is about where they were last year in that regard. Advisors are being asked to follow up with those students. She said there is an effort to pilot an Academic Recovery Workshop for the Fall 2019 semester, with more intensive advising being a part of that program. She also noted that head count is up slightly for the intersession, with credit hours generated down slightly. An executive session had been listed on the agenda, however, none was needed. The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22, with a board retreat scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17.
January, February, March, April
ConAgra Among Top Stories Editor’s Note: This is part one of a multi-part story, recapping the top stories in Trenton and Grundy County during 2018. January A story about how the Works Progress Administration contributed to the infrastructure in Grundy County during the Great Depression appeared in the RepublicanTimes. The two-part story was written by Allene Maloney. Trenton was abuzz when ConAgra Foods gave its formal notice to the state of Missouri concerning the closure of the Trenton plant. The company had announced in 2016 it would be closing the plant. In January, it was noted that talks were in progress to bring in a buyer for the plant and in
March, Nestle announced it would bring its food lines to Trenton. The change took place in June. The Trenton City Council considered once again a breedspecific dog ordinance, opting to continue the ordinance, which prohibits the ownership of Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Akitas and Dobermans. McCarty’s Market was the subject of an “I Remember Trenton” story appearing in the R-T. The story, written by Kim Andereck, focused on how the market affected the eastside neighborhood and the families it served. Seniors Lathan Croy and Abbie Shuler were named the 2018 Trenton High School Courtwarming King and
Queen. Other senior candidates included Mason Owen, Ashten Whitaker and Cole Schilling, with attendants including juniors Mykah Hurley and Jarvis Collis, sophomores McKenna Cox and Noah Lewis and freshmen Maci Moore and Royce Jackson. Greenley Orndorff was the flower girl, with Keaton Anderson being the crownbearer. Cub Scout Pack 23 held its annual Pinewood Derby with Peyton Baker being awarded Best of Show. Other overall winners included Gavin McAtee, first; Benjamin Shuler, second; and James Chamberlain, third. North Central Missouri College announced its plans to open the North Belt Center located in Andrew County, just
National Weather Service Rain and snow are likely on Wednesday night under cloudy skies and a low around 35. Rain and snow is also likely on Thursday, with a high near 47 under mostly cloudy skies. The high on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Government Weather Station at Trenton was 39, the low was 30. The Dec. 20 high at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 38, the low was 28 and there was .01 of an inch of precipitation recorded.
north of St. Joseph. The Trenton High School and Trenton Middle School chapters of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America competed in STAR Events, sending nine teams to state. The THS representatives included Sarah Jordan, Mykah Hurley and Salem Croy, senior life event planning; Maci Henson and Bailea Jeannoutot, senior food innovations; and Werthen Gass, senior food innovations. The TMS representatives included Haley Hall and Adria Willey, advocacy; Eliana Cowling, Summer Martin and Savannah Triplet, chapter service project portfolio; Ivy Foster, Kaylea Boyle and Zoie McGowan, focus on chil-
Briefs... Trenton City Council Filing Kenny Weaver of 313 Town and Country Lane has filed for the first ward position on the Trenton City Council, subject to the April 2 election. Weaver is the first person to file for the council and is seeking the two-year position currently held by Glen Briggs. Other council positions up for election include Larry Porter in the second ward, Travis Elbert in the third ward and Jennifer Hottes in the fourth ward. Dr. Nick McHargue has filed for re-election as mayor. Persons wanting to file for the council can do so during regular business hours at Trenton City Hall. The filing deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 15.
Coffee With A Cop The Trenton Police Department will hold “Coffee with a Cop” on Friday, Dec. 28 at Hy-Vee in Trenton. The event will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. Citizens are invited to visit with members of the police department and ask questions about the department, special programs or law enforcement in general.
WMH Bloodmobile Visit The Community Blood Center will be bringing its bloodmobile to Wright Memorial Hospital on Friday, Dec. 28. The bloodmobile will be at the hospital’s education center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who offer to make a donation will receive a free Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt t. To make an appointment online, persons can go to www.esavealivenow.org, click the schedule and appointment icon and enter the sponsor code, wrightmemorial.
Chillicothe Man Pleads Guilty CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A farmer who owned an Iowa grain brokerage has pleaded guilty to falsely marketing $140 million dollars' worth of corn, soybeans and wheat as "certified organic." Sixty-one-year-old Randy Constant of Chillicothe pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Cedar Rapids. Constant faces a potential prison sentence of 12 years or more, but that could be reduced at sentencing due to his ongoing cooperation. The deal calls for Constant to forfeit $128 million, but his lawyer says he's broke. Attorney Mark Weinhardt says Constant's profit was a tiny fraction of the $140 million in total sales and mostly supported a sustainable fish production company that has failed.
Man Charged With Threats CAMERON, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say a man who is accused of threatening to shoot President Donald Trump and a Missouri sheriff had 30 firearms in his home when he was arrested. Forty-two-year-old Christopher Kelley was charged with possessing a firearm despite a domestic violence order of protection. Federal documents say Kelley talked about killing the Clinton County sheriff and the president in October while at the county courthouse. He subsequently was banned from possessing weapons and denied having any when officers went to his home Monday. But after telling a witness he "might hurt somebody," police obtained a search warrant. They found multiple shotguns, handguns and several M1 .30-caliber rifles.
See Year-End, Page 4
What’s Inside... The Mercer boys and girls teams picked up a sweep of LaPlata during Thursday’s Holiday Hoops basketball action. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for photos and a recap from the games, along with other Hoops results.
Trenton Republican-Times “News Every Day...When YOU Want It”
SNOW, RAIN
www.republican-times.com
What’s Inside Sports ...........................pages 2 Local News .......pages 3, 4 & 6 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Business .........................page 7 Comics ...........................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 9 Crosswords....................page 9 Church.........................page 11