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Friday, June 5, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683 CLASS OF 2020
75¢
per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Eight Pages & 1 Insert
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 79
JUNE 2 ELECTION Low Turnout
67 To Receive Diplomas In Outdoor Ceremony
THS Graduation Set For Saturday Sixty-seven seniors will be receiving diplomas during Trenton High School graduation ceremonies on Saturday, June 6 at C.F. Russell Stadium. The 2 p.m. event will include addresses by the class co-valedictorians, Mackenzie McAtee and Oakley Madden, and the class salutatorian, Lindi Moulin. There will also be recognition of the honor graduates by THS Principal Kasey Bailey along with presentation of diplomas by Bailey, Superintendent Michael Stegman and Board of Education Vice President Brandon Gibler. The THS Concert Band, under the direction of Ethan Stewart, and THS Gold Rush, under the direction of Tyler Busick, will also provide music during the ceremony. Those planning to attend are asked to enter through the gate at the southeast corner of the stadium, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Due to social distancing guidelines that will be in place, guests will be seated in a designated area on the football field, behind the senior class and school staff, and must bring their own seating. Masks are also encouraged. Members of the THS Class of 2020 include (* - honor graduate, # National Honor Society member): Ann Violet Airey, Allena Faye Allen#, Erin Grace Allen, Rebekah Dawn Allen#, Dustin James Baker, McKayla Kirk Blackburn *#, Natosha Jane Brown, Sabastian Micheal Brown, Carson Dale Burchett*#, Dalton Keith
TRENTON PARK BOARD
Photo Courtesy of Trenton R-9 School District
Pictured above are the seating arrangements for Saturday’s Trenton High School graduation ceremonies at C.F. Russell Stadium. Those attending are to use the main gate at the southeast corner of the stadium. The gate will be open for seating at 12:30 p.m. No seating will be allowed in the regular stadium seating area.
Burchett*#, Jamie Renae Burkeybile, Noah Allen Burkeybile, Britney Marie Colston, McKenna Elizabeth Cox*#, Kayli Meagan Crawford#, Kendall Elise Crowley, Madison Suzanne Cutsinger*#, Tierney Nicole Doolittle, Elizabeth Morgan Fewins*#, Sydney Cheyenne Fitzpatrick, Juan Alvino Garcia, Maci Marie Henson, Jonathan Dolan Huber, Quentin David Hughs, Ashley Brooke Johnson, Mackenzie Marie Klinginsmith*#, Emily Katlyn Kosse*, Madison Mae Lambert, Je-
remy D. Landers, Noah Benjamin Lewis, Kaitlee Marie Lovell, Quentin Alexander Lovell, Jessica Loree Mace; Oakley Ana Madden*#, Rudy Lyn Mathews, Mackenzie Grace McAtee*#, Gavin L. McClintock, Mary Elizabeth McNabb, Jordin Paige Miller, Katie Elizabeth Miller, William Reece Miller, Lindi Rae Moulin*#, Kasie Layne Otto#, Tyson Loren Persinger, Rillie Lynn Ratliff*#, Riley Cimmaron Raymo, Emma Grace Rorebeck#, Samuel George Hayden
The Trenton Family Aquatic Center will not open for the 2020 season following action taken during a Wednesday meeting of the Trenton Park Board. The decision, which was unanimous among board members present, came after it was reported there are only 14 lifeguards available for the season and only eight of those are certified, including manager Emily Kasinger. Normally, the TFAC employs around 30 lifeguards, with 10 needed to operate the center at any given time. Lifeguards are usually certified and recertified during the spring, with Chris Parks conducting the classes at the Stacy Center in Princeton. With the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling all activities this spring, the training wasn’t held. Board President Duane Helmandollar said Parks isn’t even sure that he could conduct the class now under American Red Cross rules. Board members, who indicated they have heard from the public in support of both options, had already delayed the opening of the pool at its May meeting and at that time indi-
GRUNDY COUNTY COMMISSION
Positiive Te est Fro om May 30 Evventt
cated if the center could not open by June 15, it would remain closed for the season. Helmandollar said he has been in close contact with Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson, who has recommended that the board follow the guidelines set out by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. Under the current guidelines, which were extended from June 1 to June 15, the pool would only be able to operate at 25 percent capacity, meaning only about 60 people, including lifeguards, would be allowed into the facility at one time. Helmandollar said a typical day in years past would find 200 to 250 people at the pool. The board would have had to come up with procedures for operating the facility that would include social distancing, disinfecting, etc. Several board members appeared ready to do that, even knowing that the park department would have realized a very large financial loss. However, the inability to fully staff the center as required made it virtually impossible to open it. Board members also See Aquatic, Page 4
Weekly Meeting
Routine Reports Heard He also discussed the need for elected officials and staff to have photo identification tags with QR codes to identify personnel and their credentials during emergency incidents. Ambulance Director Steve Tracy told the commission that due to unrest near Saint Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza, patient transfers are being diverted to other facilities when possible until conditions improve. Grundy County Health De-
One individual, who lives outside of Grundy County, tested positive for COVID-19 during the May 30 community testing event held in Trenton. The individual has been notified of the positive result and the case has been referred to the appropriate county health official. The Grundy County Health Department reports all other tests conducted on May 30 have been negative. Free community testing is being offered in locations throughout Missouri. A test is planned in St. Joseph on Tuesday, June 9 from 2 to 7 p.m. Persons can call 877435-8411 to register.
KCC Clo osed For Gyym Wo ork The Ketcham Community Center will be resurfacing the gym floor on June 12-24 for its yearly varnish treatment. The KCC will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 12 and remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. The KCC will then reopen for regular hours on Monday, June 15 for track, cardio and strength machines. The gym will continue to be inaccessible through June 24.
Prince eton Bo oard To Meet The Princeton R-5 Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8 at the school. Items on the announced agenda include updates on graduation and prom, summer maintenance projects and the budget; and setting a special board meeting for June 25 to close out the fiscal year. An executive session for personnel, real estate and records protected from disclosure is also planned.
20 020 0 Plat Books For Sa ale
partment Administrator Elizabeth Gibson reported 137 tests were performed during the May 30 COVID-19 testing, with the county now recording its third positive case. The agenda for the Tuesday, June 9 meeting includes reports from the road and bridge department at 8:30 a.m.; Briggs at 9 a.m.; Tracy at 10 a.m.; and Ms. Gibson at 10:45 a.m.
National Weather Service
There’s a chance of rain on Friday night before the sun appears for most of the weekend and into Monday. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s and lows will be in the upper 60s. The high at Trenton on Monday, June 1 was 86, Tuesday’s high was 91 and Wednesday’s high was 90, the low was 71. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 86, the low was 64 and .59 of an inch of rain fell.
Schilling, Rachel Beth Sibbit, Marcus Ryan Slater, Matthew Aaron Slater#, Braxton Alexander Smith, Ryan Ethan Souders, Logan Matthew Stanton, Jerrick Wayne Stotts, Gabriel James Swann, Mark Riley Trump, Jasmine Alana Vanhoozer, Jose Ryan Velazquez, Dakota Leroy Wendt, Austin Garrett Weyer, Alexis Jean Whitaker, Lily Hayden White, Jaren Joseph Whitney, Camryn Michele Willey*#, Halley Beth Windsor*# and Benjamin Joseph Woodson.
Briefs...
Park Facilities Remain Closed
Lack Of Staff Keeps Pool From Opening
The Grundy County Commission met on Monday, a day earlier than usual due to the June 2 election. In addition to helping set up election equipment, the commission heard a report from Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs, who said that due to COVID-19 precautions, site inspections on bridges damaged in flooding were not done and the inspections will resume on June 15.
Trenton Voters Approve ‘Bed Tax’
The 2020 Grundy County plat books are now for sale in the Grundy County Clerk’s office. The books are $30 each and can be purchased in the clerk’s office, located on the second floor of the courthouse.
La aredo Gradua ates Eightt Lanie Lewis was named valedictorian of the Laredo R7 eighth grade class during graduation ceremonies on Monday night. Miss Lewis also received the citizenship award. The class salutatorian was Morgan Foster. Other members of the class included Jaiden Carter, Eric Davidson, Peyton Moore, Chas Pittman, Abby Smith and Chloe Weske.
What’s Inside... Signs of a fall season for the Trenton R-9 School District athletic department made themselves known this week as small group workouts were held at C.F. Russell Stadium. See page 2 of today’s newspaper for additional information.
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Just over 10 percent of Grundy County voters made it to the polls on Tuesday as Trenton residents approved a 5 percent “bed tax” as well as voters deciding other school and municipal issues. A total of 528 county voters cast ballots in the election, which had been moved from April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several precincts were also combined for this election due to the low number of issues on the ballot. Trenton voters gave nearly 70 percent approval of the “bed tax,” which will be assessed to those individuals who stay in hotels and motels located within the city limits. There were 247 votes in favor of the measure while 107 were opposed. According to the state statute, which allows for the “bed tax,” the city will collect the tax revenue to be placed in a separate fund and used for the promotion of the community as a tourism destination. A board that determines dispersal of the tax money would be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. Also on the ballot in Grundy County: Municipal Voters in Laredo re-elected Carol Holloway as mayor. Ms. Holloway received 30 votes to defeat challenger Cassidy Russell, who received 15 votes. Bruce McFie and Helen Golden were re-elected to a two-year term on the city’s board of aldermen with 35 and 32 votes, respectively. There were no contested races for Trenton City Council, which had its candidates on the ballot in addition to the bed tax. Elected for a two-year term and their vote totals were Kevin Klinginsmith, first ward, 67; Marvin Humphreys, second ward, 52; David Mlika, third ward, 102; and Duane Urich, fourth ward, 115. Mlika is an incumbent while Urich is serving an unexpired term. School Elected to the Trenton R-9 Board of Education for a three-year term were Andy Burress, 373; Brandon Gibler, 361; and Corey Leeper, 340. Doug Franklin was also on the ballot, however, had announced he was withdrawing from the race after ballots were printed. He received 145 votes. Gibler and Leeper are incumbents. Chelsea White and Charles Holtzclaw were elected to the Spickard R-2 Board of Education with 33 and 30 votes, respectively. A third candidate, Roger Bonnett, received 17 votes. The totals include votes in both Grundy and Mercer counties. There were no votes cast by Grundy County residents for See Election, Page 4
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 NASCAR .......................page 2 Calendars ......................page 3 Agriculture....................page 3 Opinion/Editorial .........page 4 Comics ...........................page 5 Crosswords....................page 6 Dear Annie ....................page 6 Classifieds .....................page 7