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Tuesday, June 30, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 85
Trenton, MO 64683
GRUNDY R-5 GRADUATION
Eight Pages TRENTON R-9 Levy Hearing Set
11 Receive Diplomas During Saturday Ceremony
Urich, Williams Are Top Students Robert Urich was recognized as the valedictorian of the Grundy R-5 Class of 2020 during ceremonies on Saturday afternoon in the high school gym at Galt. Urich finished his high school career with a grade point average of 4.159 on a 4.0 scale. Salutatorian of the class was Tanner Williams, who had a GPA of 4.075. Urich told his classmates that while this was an unusual year, with their senior year being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only a few things would really change for them. “We will still learn, whether it be from experience or further education. We will still work at our jobs, just with longer hours. There will still be basketball games to attend, only we will not be playing,” he said. “What really changes is not seeing your old friends every week and growing apart. We’ll each go our separate ways, down different walks of life.” He recognized each of his classmates and the special memories he had of each one. Williams noted that while many activities that make a senior year special did not occur, it didn’t take away from all the hard work he and his classmates put in to get to their graduation day. “I believe there were a lot of things our class was looking forward to that did not work out for us,” he said. “I could go on and on about how our senior year was ‘ruined,’ but I rather like to think that as a class we were blessed.” Williams mentioned the support provided by the many teachers, coaches and parents/guardians, whom he said helped develop the graduates “into good people, ready to go out into the world and show what we are made of.” He concluded by telling his classmates to count their blessings. “It’s the little things,” he said. “Accentuate the positives, eliminate the negatives, latch on to the affirmative
BRIGHT FUTURES TRENTON
and don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.” In addition to Urich and Williams, five other graduates were recognized for being on the “A” honor roll all four years of school. They included Ellen Baxter, Briana Carpio, Aubrey Gann, Anna Milazzo and Jandie Peterson. Superintendent Phil Fox and Board President Alex Peterson presented diplomas to 11 graduates - Ellen Sue Baxter, Kyra Dawn Burns, Briana Elizabeth Carpio, Shonna Marie Clark, Aubrey Elizabeth Gann, Dorothy Leanne Mathews, Maryanna Rose Milazzo, Jandie Ann Peterson, Kyle Lee Randall, Robert Michael Urich and Charles Tanner Williams. Counselor Erin Hunolt presented individual awards and honors. All graduates received a certificate of recognition from the Missouri House of Representatives and a certificate of recognition. Other individual awards included: Ellen Sue Baxter - “A” honor roll all four years, A-Plus completion, the Bright Flight Scholarship, the Carolyn Whitney Memorial Scholarship, the Jack N., Mildred M., Noble J. & Myra A. Young Pirates Pride Scholarship and the Pebble Horn Memorial Scholarship. Kyra Dawn Burns - A-Plus completion. Briana Elizabeth Carpio - “A” honor roll all four years, the Everett and Hazel Frey Memorial Renewable Scholarship, the Cindy Gott Memorial Scholarship, the Trenton Coca-Cola Scholarship and the Grundy R-5 Alumni Scholarship. Aubrey Elizabeth Gann - “A” honor roll all four years, A-Plus completion, the D. Lee Cloyed Memorial Scholarship, the Cindy Gott Memorial Scholarship, the Trenton Coca-Cola Scholarship and the Grundy R-5 Alumni Scholarship. Maryanna Rose Milazzo - “A” honor roll all four years, A-Plus completion, the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Scholarship, the
Robert Urich - Valedictorian
Tanner Williams - Salutatorian
FFA State Officer CAFNR Award, the Jim Cassity Memorial Scholarship, the Helena Acre HomeGrown Scholarship, the Cara McClellan Agency Scholarship, the Grundy R-5 FFA Alumni Scholarship, the Smithfield-Milan Scholarship, the Grundy R-5 CTA Scholarship and The Velda Kincaid Memorial Scholarship. She will serve as an FFA state officer for the 20202021 school year. Jandie Ann Peterson - “A” honor roll all four years, A-Plus completion, the FCS Financial Scholarship, the Midwest Dairy Scholarship, the Green Hills MFA Agri Services Scholarship, the Grundy R-5 CTA Scholarship and The Velda Kincaid Memorial Scholarship. Robert Michael Urich - “A” honor roll all four years, the Chancellor’s Scholarship from Missouri S&T, the Bright Flight Scholarship and the Galt Lions Club Scholarship. Charles Tanner Williams - “A” honor roll all four years, the Union Plus Scholarship, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship, the University of
Missouri’s Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Access Missouri Scholarship, the Bright Flight Scholarship, the Missouri Elks Scholarship, the Galt Lions Club Scholarship, the Murphy Memorial Scholarship and the Pebble Horn Memorial Scholarship. Fifth & Sixth Grade Diplomas were presented to 5 fifth graders and 6 sixth graders during Grundy R-5 Elementary School graduation ceremonies held on Saturday morning at the high school in Galt. Diplomas were presented to Cristal Barriga, Dylan James Lawson, Logan Michael Lea, Noah James Leah, Lexa Jayne Stonger and Ryker Jeremiah Summers, sixth grade; and Valente Junior Rios Barriga, Audrey Raylea Coffman, Gracie Lynn Dale, Aidan James Maddox and Bethany Ann White, fifth grade. Awards were presented to: Perfect Attendance (missing only one day) - Bethany White and Ryker
while most past events will be held in some format again this year, the Grundy County Health Department will not be offering health screenings as well as sponsoring the pool party at the end of the day. There will also be no family cookout or snacks at the local movie theater. What will occur includes events being held at Trenton Middle School, the First Baptist Church and Activity Center, First Assembly of God Church, the Rissler Elementary School gymnasium and the First Christian Church Activity Center. Individual schools (Laredo, Spickard, Pleasant View R-6 and Grundy R-5) will also be having individual activities. Mrs. Critten said the Bright Futures Back to School planning team is working closely with the GCHD to plan a safe event. “We have spread out events in an effort to avoid over-
National Weather Service
Summer will hit with full force this week with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low 90s. Lows will be in the low 70s. The high at Trenton on Thursday, June 25 was 91, Friday’s high was 93 and Saturday’s high was 88 with .17 of an inch of rain. Sunday’s high was 90 with a low of 67 and .35 of an inch of rain recorded. The high on Sunday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 86, the low was 66.
Indepe endence e Day Holid day
crowding,” she said. “We will limit the number of people inside each building and will provide for social distancing and traffic flow.” All participants, students and parents are also being asked to wear masks to each event. Events planned so far, along with the scheduled participation times, include (open to all schools unless specified): Trenton R-9 Backpack and School Supply Distribution - Trenton Middle School gym, noon to 6 p.m. Cub Scout “Gym Shoe Dash” (gently used gym shoes) and “Suds for Students” (hygiene items and laundry detergent) - First Assembly of God Activity Center, 4 to 7 p.m. New Soles for Bright Futures New Shoe Distribution - Rissler Elementary School, 4 to 7 p.m. See School, Page 8
See R-5, Page 8
Briefs...
All County Schools Included
Back To School Event Set For Aug. 13 The third annual Bright Futures Trenton Back to School Event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, with officials announcing several changes being made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as efforts to assist students in the small Grundy County school districts. In the past, the event has focused on the needs of students served by the Trenton R-9 School District. However, because of struggles families may possibly be facing due to the pandemic, Bright Futures Trenton has reached out to the Laredo R-7, Spickard R-2, Pleasant View R-6 and Grundy R-5 school districts for participation in this year’s activities. All students who attend school in Grundy County and who need assistance through the goods and services offered at the event are invited to participate. Bright Futures co-coordinator Terri Critten noted that
Several offices and businesses have announced their plans to close on Friday, July 3 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Closed will be the Trenton Republican-Times, Trenton City Hall/Trenton Municipal Utilities, the Grundy County Courthouse, the Grundy County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce/License Bureau, the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library, the Grundy County Health Department, the North Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center, the North 65 Center, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (the Career Center will also be closed), Grundy Electric Cooperative/Grundy and Livingston County Public Water District offices and Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri. Closed on Saturday will be the Trenton Post Office (no box or home delivery), Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, Farmers State Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust, US Bank and BTC Bank.
COVIID -19 Up pdate e There are now five active cases of COVID-19 in Grundy County, with one new case reported over the weekend. According to the Grundy County Health Department, the five active cases are either within the isolation period or still experiencing symptoms. Grundy County has a total of 19 positive cases reported in the county since May 21. Other area county totals (as of Monday morning) included Sullivan, 110 (12 active); Linn, 16; Harrison, 13; Caldwell, 12; Livingston, 11; Carroll, 11; Daviess, 8 (4 active); Mercer, 6; and Putnam, 2. The GCHD is encouraging residents to wear face coverings in public, especially in indoor spaces. Face masks protect others in case the wearer is infected and work best when also worn by others. Face coverings should not be worn by children under age two or by people who might experience breathing problems while wearing masks.
What’s Inside... Area amateur radio operators gathered in Trenton on Saturday to test their equipment for use in an emergency situation. See page 8 of today’s Republican-Times for a photo from the event, held on the Grundy County Courthouse lawn.
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Board OKs Deficit Budget
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The Trenton R-9 School District anticipates spending at a deficit next year, although the actual difference between estimated expenditures and revenues at this time could fluctuate as soon as next week. The 2020-21 budget approved on Friday by the board of education shows anticipated revenues of $12,413,807 while expenditures are listed at $16,751,003. However, $4,344,500 of the expenditures listed are for costs associated with the construction project, which is being paid for by bond revenues the district received last year and are not included in the new budget. This makes the actual anticipated deficit $277,607, leaving the district with a 2020-21 year-end fund balance of $2,948,831, or around 25.04 percent. Superintendent Mike Stegman said that the district could be receiving some additional state monies prior to the end of the current school year (June 30). If those are received, those revenues would push the anticipated year-end fund balance for 2020-21 to $3,228,820 or 27.41 percent. With either scenario, Stegman said he felt the district was still in good financial shape, given all the uncertainties schools will be facing in the coming year. The state has already withheld some funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Trenton’s withhold was $227,762) and more reductions in state funding may or may not come in the future. Stegman said he used “very conservative” numbers in putting together the new budget, figuring Average Daily Attendance revenues in several categories at less than what the state has recommended. He said the district did receive CARES Act funding money to help pay for costs associated with the shutdown of the school due to COVID19. Those funds helped the district end 2019-20 with a fund balance of around 29.77 percent. Stegman said he will continue to watch finances closely as the district moves forward into the new school year. “Right now, the numbers look great,” Stegman said. “But we don’t know what is going to happen down the road.” In related matters, the board also approved the 2019-20 end-of-year bills and actualization of revenues and expenditures for the year. Approval was given to a See R-9, Page 8
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News ....................page 3 Calendars ......................page 3 Comics ...........................page 4 Dear Annie ....................page 5 Crosswords....................page 5 Classifieds ..............page 6 & 7