8.15.24 Republican-Times

REPUBLICAN-TIMES

TFD Responds to House Fire

East 9th Court in Trenton.

When firefighters arrived, they found the rear half of the house completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters deployed two 1 ¾ inch attack

Trenton R-IX Hands Special Services Reins to Thorne

After twenty three years as a special education instructor at Trenton High School, Brenda Thorne has moved into the “captain’s chair” as Director of Special Services for the District.

With a service roster of 179-students PK-12 and a staff of 12-teachers and 21 paraprofessionals, Thorne is a masterfully prepared professional whose job, as she sees it, “is to level the playing field for all students.”

and results inside!!

Back to School: A Conversation with Superintendent Daniel Gott

Students receiving special education services have long been stigmatized, categorized, and for many years up until 1993, were segregated from the regular school classroom and other students in self-contained classrooms.

into trades, careers and even professional degree programs.”Thorne said.

The concept of “Least Restrictive Environment” and it’s operable process of “mainstreaming” identified where students needed assistance, where learning disabilities existed, but emphasized the social needs of all kids to belong, “It is so critical that students receiving assistance are able to interact, learn not just the communication and social skills with others, but the necessary work skills to transition

Thorne works in partnership with “Case managers” and administrative assistant Kim Suttenfield, who for 12-years has served in the role of facilitating the work of staff, making necessary appointments for students with therapy providers, and communicating rights and processes to parents.

“I write evaluation reports for all PK-12 students receiving services.”Suttenfield says.”I schedule testing, score the results, and provide them back to our

[See SPECIAL, Page 2]

The 2024-25 school year begins for teachers with a teacher workshop and inservice August 14. It begins for students on August 20.

It began July 1 for Superintendent Daniel Gott, when the calendar clicked over the change of a new fiscal year.

Gott wears many hats… visionary, CEO and CFO, juggling -programming, staffing and hiring, and financials with a deft skill, good political instincts, and a practical series of tasks which have everything in place when kids will make their way into the building

ROTARY NEWS

The Workforce Development Board of North Missouri was the topic of a program presented to members of the Trenton Rotary Club at their weekly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the BTC Bank community room. Jackie Soptic presided at the meeting, Joe MacDonald gave the prayer and Megan Taul was the sergeant at arms.

Program Chairman Kristi Harris introduced WDB Executive Director Brent Stevens, who told about the programs offered by the organization, which is administered through North Central Missouri College. The current WDB was originally made up of two regions, but recently was consolidated by the state to serve a 34-county area, stretching from St. Joseph to the Troy, MO area near St. Louis. There are several job

centers located throughout the service area where individuals can go for assistance, however, Stevens said services can also be offered outside of the service center

WBD provides a variety of services including job searches, resume and interview preparation, education and training programs and assisting dislocated workers with available resources to help them as they work to get back into the workplace. Assistance for such things as daycare, books, uniforms, etc., is also available if needed by workers for their employment. The WBD has also organized job fairs and employee training for businesses as well as working with businesses on apprenticeship programs on-the-job training. The WBD will be hosting a “Build My Future” program this fall in Bethany,

August 20 as the THS Marching Band and Drum Corps serenade them on the way in.

“We spent a lot of the summer finishing hiring, and every year, you have some people who were committed who at the last minute withdraw.”Gott said.”That requires some hustling to get everything covered.”

A very tight financial environment for the school involved dealing with limited new state monies, trying to navigate the landscape of salary schedules and whether or not to participate in the state’s $40,000

salary mandate program for beginning teachers.

“We did not participate in the $38,000 baseline grant program,”Gott said.”The state would have provided 70% of those new monies for first year staff, but nothing for retained teachers who put in four, five or multiple years in the district.”

“In 2025-26, the $40,000 mandate will be in effect for all schools, not optional, and we’ll have to figure out how to absorb that, and extend it’s benefits to everyone.”Gott said.”At some point, we have to be

Old Glory flying at Five Points

Photo by D’Anna Honeycutt

The Trenton Fire Department responded August 12 at 5:25 AM to reports of a house fire at 515

Dont forget to check out all the fair fun

Photo by North Central Missouri Fair

Tom Witten, left, was presented with a Paul Harris +1 pin in recognition of his service to Rotary and contributions to the Rotary Foundation. The presentation was made at the Trenton Rotary Club’s Aug. 8 meeting by Past President Jackie Soptic, right. Submitted Photo

FLOWER SHOW PARTICIPANTS AT NCMO FAIR

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

TAKIN' IT SERIOUS----Tractor Pull action at NCMO Fair.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

competitive with surrounding schools, and we’ve opted to put more into 2nd year, 3rd year and beyond salaries for now with a $36,500 base.”

Gott says that when that mandate is put into place, it will represent a 9.5% increase in all salaries for all District workers, from administrators to custodians, and planning needs to go into preparing for that.

“We figure that that will amount to about $750,000 that we need to provide for.”Gott said.”and we look at that versus just $31,000 in new state money from property tax distribution.”

The well-documented lack of a property tax reevaluation in 2023 had a cost that is hard to project. Gott, in budgeting, has to figure in all of the different anticipated sources of income from all sources, and the odd year tax -reevaluation generally results in a six-figure pay out to the school in the next year, this time, the 2024-25 school year.

The big payday, anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 comes in the even year, and the $31,000 amount of extra monies received is an amount one might see in the odd year.

“We managed this year not to cut any staff.”Gott said.”we managed to do everything under and within budget and existing monies, but that gets tougher next year.”

“We do have options.”Gott said.” Do we cut out the $135,000 we pay out to staff in Career Ladder? We could. Do we

cut positions next year? Do we cut programs?”

“I work just trying to figure out how to pay for all of it.”Gott said.”I need $300,000 of new money just to pay salaries, and still have to cover food, transportation costs and contracted services.”

Long story short, the tightrope that Gott walks in planning how to pay staff and retain them gets harder under those circumstances.

“The number one job I have is to make sure we get all of our people…teachers, administrators, support staff, cooks, custodians, and maintain the salary they deserve.”

When the discussion turns to academics, and kids’ progressing in the classroom, Gott’s face brightens.

He said that building administrators have received individual EOC and MAP scores and note positive trends in growth in soft areas of ELA and Math.

“We’re seeing improvement in ELA, and have a lot of work to do in Math.”Gott said.”Our CSIP plan pointed to a multi-year build-up in these areas and we’ve been doing that.”

Director of Academics Johanna Bauer worked over the last year on the development of the school’s Literacy Program, a full frontal assault on improving reading capability, skills, uses, and says that implementation of the program will significantly, and logically improve ELA scores.

“Our biggest challenge in Math over the last two or

which allows high school seniors a chance for handson experience in the areas of construction and related jobs.

During the business meeting, it was announced the annual Rotary Fish Fry will be held from 5 to 6:30 pm on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Rock Barn. Tickets were distributed for sale by members. The cost will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The meal will included fried fish, sides, dessert and a drink. There will be both in-person

three years has been that everyone was doing different bits and pieces of Math without great coordination.”Gott said.

He points to two years worth of curriculum work working to align Math concepts, strategies, and process instruction under the “Big Ideas Math” program currently being instituted.

“From K to 12, we want there to be a “common language” in Math.”Gott said.”Processes that build from grade to grade and level to level, taught consistently, practiced and reinforced constantly, and integrated completely.”

Gott oversaw massive infrastructure school improvements this summer, as well as insurance paid repairs from storm damage, New HVAC units were installed, a new phone system, and new security measures are either completed and installed, or on going, roofs repaired, and placing new laptops at the high school.

Gott will be discussing vision with staff in his yearopening address at 8:45 August 15 at the Performing Arts Center, treachers will have building level meetings, trainings on CPR, first aid, and other items, and getting rooms and materials ready for day one.

The first day of school is one of the city’s biggest days and involves almost everyone in town in some way or another.

The work has been done to make sure that the launch is smooth, and school staff and students hit the ground running.

and pickup dining available.

The club voted to provide side dishes for the Trenton R-9 Staff Back to School meal prior to the start of classes, with BTC Bank providing the main course. Tom Witten was presented with a Paul Harris +1 pin in recognition of his service to Rotary and contribution to the Rotary Foundation.

The program for the Aug. 15 meeting will be presented by Kasey Bailey, regional director of the RootED program.

SPECIAL • FROM FRONT PAGE•

special ed teachers.”

The process is an ever-moving process of moving goalposts, targets, evaluations, and recommendations, and Thorne is pointed in saying that Suttenfield is the indispensable player in the department.

Thorne is also emphatic in noting the work of paraprofessionals who are the “force multipliers” in the classroom with students.

“We tell our students that our paras are extra teachers in the classroom and that they are to be treated as such.”Thorne said.”Teachers, as case managers rely on paras to assist with implementing the modifications and combinations that are tailored for each individual student.”

Students in special education do not display limits, they present “differences” in processing, and disabilities present from students who do not fall easily within the “cookie cutter” approach of regular education.

The “broad” model of regular education presents a “template” that the vast majority of students can fit into and succeed. Disabilities, as they are defined, require intervention by staff and specialists who fill in the gaps.

“Disabilities do not define who you are.”Thorne said.”The way some kids process is just different.”

Some have paras on “overwatch” prepared to assist them, and some are self-sufficient. The evaluation process specifically designs the add-ons necessary to help provide special education students with an “equivalent” education to any regular education student in the school.

As students move into high school, the focus of PK-14 (yes, 14)is really empha-

• FROM FRONT PAGE•

lines to extinguish the fire.

The house and contents were considered a total loss.

TFD spent 3-hours on the scene of the fire, with the cause of the fire currently under investigation by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety Fire Investigation Unit. Supporting units responding to the fire included Grundy County Rural Fire Department, Grundy County EMS, Trenton Police Department, and Trenton Municipal Utilities.

After action report was provided by TFD Fire Chief Brandon Gibler.

sized, with the transition from school to the workforce being the essential mission of the Department.

“We focus on life skills, transition skills, and use work release/work experience to give students the opportunity to build real world experience and real work experience that can springboard them later.”

The Department receives the assistance of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and is buttressed by the SAIL program from NCMC which “bridges” high school and community college coursework into students age 18-20.

The SAIL program is an essential plus to kids coming from the R-IX program, in that it positions them to take college classes while still receiving Individual Education Plan (IEP) support.

Out of the new staff this year, three of the 18 instructors are new, and 4 of the 22paraprofessionals are first year hires in their respective school.

The R-T will be taking new staff pictures and will get the full special services staff together for a photo with ID’s in order to shine a little light on the good work they are doing.

The good work of the department is remarkable, and Thorne may have the most expansive duties of anyone in the District with human resources in three buildings, with different skills and specialties, and a support staff in the trenches doing the good work with students.

Thorne has a prevailing mission, and it’s a showstopper.

“We don’t give our kids an opportunity to fail.”Thorne said.”Failure is not an option.”

Fall Series to Highlight What Agricultural Lenders Need to Know in 2025

Lenders serving farmers and rural communities are invited to attend a ‘What Ag Lenders Need to Know in 2025’ seminar, hosted by University of Missouri Extension, this fall for important updates on enterprise budgets, market outlook and trends. The 44th annual seminar series will be hosted in six locations across Missouri.

Agricultural business and policy specialists will present market outlooks, farm financial conditions and land values, said Ben Brown, MU Extension agricultural economist and event organizer. Brown encourages both new and seasoned lenders to consider attending a seminar and equipping themselves with insights and resources to service their clientele in the year ahead.

‘What Ag Lenders Need to Know in 2025’ seminar topics will include: 2025 commodity outlooks. Production costs and 2025 agricultural enterprise budgets. Update on local land values and cash rents. Outlook on farm policy and farm bill update.

“Crop and livestock producers frequently ask what management options exist to weather a period of low margins and high interest rates, which indicates that liquidity concerns are building,” said Brown. “Additionally, there continues to be interest in enterprise budget calculators and support available through federal safety net programs. All these ques-

tions signal producers are looking for management recommendations. By attending a ‘What Ag Lenders Need to Know in 2025’ seminar, lenders can help their clients mitigate risk and make sound management decisions.”

In-person ‘What Ag Lenders Need to Know in 2025’ seminars will be held at six locations in Missouri, with programming starting promptly at 10 a.m.: Nov. 5 – Jefferson City, Nov. 7 –Mt. Vernon, Nov. 14 – Sikeston, Nov. 19 – Bolivar, Nov. 21 – Chillicothe, & Nov. 26 – Mexico.

In addition to in-person seminar opportunities, an exclusive webinar series will be available to registered lenders that can be shared with clients. Available in early 2025, these webinars are designed to provide updates on emerging issues ahead of spring planting.

Attending the Missouri Agricultural Lenders Seminar is a tradition for many, Brown said. One 2023 attendee said “Great meeting, always look forward to it every year.” Another attendee from the 2023 seminar series said on the program evaluation “Thank you for being a great resource!” Find location-specific details and registration links at http://muext.us/aglenders25

For more information, contact Ben Brown at bpbrown@missouri.edu or 573-882-6527, or any MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist.

LOCAL

Things to Think About, Plan for and Boxes to Check

By Mark McLaughlin StaffWriter@Republican-Times.com

T-Minus five days and counting until the start of the 2024-25 school year.

It’s an exciting time for most students as they return to see friends they haven’t seen in three months, a chance to meet new teachers, take new classes, start new activities and sports a “year older” and partake in the joy of what is…school lunch.

With a past of 35-years in the education business and sixteen years as a school counselor, the R-T will share some insights, thoughts and suggestions for students and parents as they move from full-time leisure and back into active learning again.

A Few Thoughts

1—Learning Loss

—Education experts say that “learning loss” is a real thing, and that most students will regress in their skills and understanding that in about one month, so for English and Math classes especially, teachers will be working with kids to reconnect to baseline principles and ideas. Trenton R-IX Superintendent Daniel Gott noted that it may take students a few weeks to get back “fully in the saddle” before the foundation and gaps are filled. Though we are in the third year back since COVID restrictions, AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction), sporadic if not extended days out of school created issues that could not just be filled in. What was missed took time.

Math should be expected to take the longest, and for students moving from Algebra to Geometry or the advanced math of trigonometry and calculus, and others, there are changes in processes that tap other areas of the brain.

Not every Algebra student who excels will immediately latch on to Geometry. Some more visual learners may actually do better in Geometry than Algebra.

Know that building habits, sticking with it through tough days, asking for and accepting extra help are not signs of failure, but rather signs of resilience and strength.

2—Transitions

—The transition from kindergarten to 1st grade, from 4th to 5th, and from 8th to 9th represent growth in cognitive functioning, and will present differences in expectations, movement within the building, in some cases going from single, self-contained all-day teachers to subject specific teachers…most prevalent in the intermediate to middle school level.

Great grade 1 through 4 habit development makes for successful middle school transition. More than at any other time in their growing up, the physical “gaps” between 8th graders who look 17, are shaving, and have deep voices stand next to 8th graders who look 12.

The social development of middle schoolers is as important a task as anything they do during the grades 58 years. Building friends and peer groups, fitting in,

handling peer pressure and bullying, and surviving in the social media world of TikTok, SnapChat, and other social media platforms put a lot of pressure on kids.

Some are social butterflies. Others are socially awkward, lack confidence, would prefer to just disappear And definitely do not want to be noticed or stand out.

Eighth grade represents probably the last year where cognitive operations are more concrete than abstract. Final foundational principles must be in place. “If, then, therefore” thought processes are applied to Math, Science, Social Studies and …peer interactions.

Nervous young people need to be guided to school counselors(and are already on the radar in their buildings) as they get to high school. Self-conscious, stressed, nervous kids need to be encouraged to do one important thing,.

“Never go into your own mind alone.” It takes a lot more effort to plant, build and reinforce positive selftalk. One mean action directed at a student by inconsiderate others requires ten positives to get back to the surface again.

Teachers and counselors are watching for this. Parents need to be aware and if they see those signs they need to touch base with their counselors.

High school represents another major transition… Teachers aren’t going to be as forgiving, if at all, for missed assignments,deadlines or projects. They don’t give out cookies, and won’t accept excuses.

Suck it up, buttercup. Deadlines are deadlines. Expectations are expectations. Mom isn’t here to pick up your slack, or hand you a kleenex and a binkie when you “mess up”.

Time to grow up.

3—Things to expect early on

— Bed times need to be rolled back in the five days before school starts.

K-4 kids need 8-10 hours of sleep a night, grades 5-8 kids need 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and high school kids need 6-7 hours a night.

Cell phones and screens need to go off an hour before bedtime, as blue screens adversely affect sleep patterns. Curfews need to change starting Friday to get students back in the mode of what “school nights” are.

Don’t be surprised if your kids are coming home and collapse on the couch for a nap. Kids who slept til noon all summer are going to have some dramatically tough mornings for up to three weeks to rejigger their systems to a 6:30 or 7 AM wake-up call. Teachers may be contacting you about kids falling asleep in class.

It’s not alarming, it’s just an adjustment.

The very most important habit to create early is having books, assignments, lunch, needed materials all ready to go and lined up by

the door. If your kid’s room looks like a tornado, his backpack will, and his locker will by the end of week two.

4—Be Tactical in your thinking as a parent, and be technically sound in your understanding of school resources

—The school sent out and posted “parent portal” information on the web page in the last week.

Be able to log in, check grades, leave messages for your child’s teachers, and respond back to teacher emails, texts and phone messages.

Parents are the third cog in the “three-legged stool” of the Teacher-Student-Parent dynamic. Your child’s teachers are “learning facilitators”, not babysitters. Your role is to know as much as you possibly can about what’s going on in the classroom, in the lesson plans of teachers, and test, quiz and project due dates.

Be certain that you set aside time for kids to do homework — Make sure you know what Trenton RIX suggests for homework “set aside”, or if it’s needed. Different schools promote homework, other schools would rather that students didn’t have a lot.

Active kids —those with sports and after school activities will usually be home by 6:00 PM, maybe earlier on Church night. In the early going, they’ll be exceptionally tired, and adjustments in schedule, meals, TV or screen time need to be factored in.

Most habits require 21days to “take”, so the efforts parents consciously make to help their child settle into “their new normal” set the tone for success, and for happy kids.

Oh…one last thing. First quarter parent-teacher conferences pop up in September at Trenton R-IX. In this old teacher’s experience, teachers see the parents of kids doing the best, and tend not and never to see parents of kids who start out slow, fall behind, and risk failure.

It’s hard to get bad news, and many parents resent the implication that their child is falling short. Some take the affront personally, that it’s a reflection on their parenting that their child isn’t doing well.

Put that aside.

It’s about your kid. Your most important and most valuable resource. Your greatest accomplishment as a human being, the best part of two people who created that life with love.

Working with the school, parents can be assured that if both sets of adults are on the same page, the child can only benefit.

Never let “perfect” be the enemy of “good”.

Get ready for the house to be a little quiet. It’s a postpartum moment when the nest is empty, at least until 3:00 in the afternoon.

Your children are in good hands. Put your feet up…for a minute

Brenda Becker

Brenda Becker, 61, passed away on August 1st, 2024 in Kansas City. Brenda was Born on July 18th, 1963. She graduated

from Trenton High School. Brenda was preceeded in death by her father Don Tatum and her mother Gene Tatum.

Rick Dale Leeper

Cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Rick Leeper, entered into rest on Friday morning, August 9, 2024 in Branson, MO.

Ricky Dale Leeper was born on July 26, 1956 in Trenton, Missouri to Truman Dale Leeper & Garnett Nadine (Thomas) Leeper. He spent much of his life in Trenton, going to school there, working and raising his family. It was on December 31, 1983, that he married the love of his life, Tammy Hall in Trenton and they were blessed with three children.

Rick worked as a mechanic for the Union Pacific Railroad while also living on his farm in Trenton where he enjoyed rais-

ing longhorn cattle. As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing all of his life. Trips to Minnesota, fishing on Red River were some of his favorite times as well as spoonbill fishing and snagging in Warsaw, MO and on the James River. Fishing, hunting and camping were all made better by the involvement of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the adventures and many trips together as a family.

In 2018 he and Tammy retired to Branson where Rick continued to use his mechanical skills volunteering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Branson. Rick will be deeply missed but the great mem-

ories will live on with his family: wife, Tammy Leeper of Branson; daughter, Sara Leeper of Hollister; son, Richard Leeper of Mooresville, MO; his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Connie Dale & husband Jerry of Brookfield, MO and niece Andee Applebury & husband Rod of Macon, MO.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Gretta Leeper.

In Rick ™s memory donations are requested to the American Cancer Society or to the family to assist with medical expenses in care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, 1638 E. State Hwy 76, Branson, MO 65616.

UPCOMING SALE DATES

660-734-1307

Chalk Talk

by Mark McLaughlin R-T Staff Writer

Missouri Politics

Primary Elections are now in the rear view mirror and watching the final “culling” of multiple candidates into square offs going into the General Election, I have one overall impression of Missouri State and County politics.

Spasmodic…

Grundy County challengers swept out long-time incumbent commissioners and a long-serving and capable Circuit Court judge with a lot of daylight between the challengers and the incumbents. There were no pockets of support for the incumbents, there was distance in all 10precincts.

The takeaway at the County level is that voters demonstrated a readiness for new energy and fresh outlooks to come in and take on some weighty issues.

The bittersweet 3rd Circuit Court Judge race between Matt Krohn and Steve Hudson was one for me where I hate to see either of these good public servants lose.

Krohn moves to Hudson’s office in January. A good move would be for the Governor to appoint Hudson to fill Krohn’s Associate District Court position.

He’s too good a man to sideline.

The state races showed some big wins for establishment Republicans with Mike Kehoe taking the GOP nomination for Governor. It was encouraging for the Grass Roots that Senator Bill Eigel surged towards the end, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kehoe’s endorsements and money advantage.

Dave Wasinger edged Lincoln Hough for the Lieutenant Governor’s nomination, while Andrew Bailey showed surprising veracity in holding off Will Scharff for A.G.

Grundy County Democrats to Meet August 20th

In accordance with the Missouri Democratic Party by-laws, the Grundy County Democratic Central Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at noon, at El Toro Restaurant, 1410 East 9 th Street, Trenton, Missouri to elect officers to serve for the next two years. This includes chairman, vice- chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Other committees may also be appointed.

The Grass Roots took one big position in securing the Secretary of State nomination for Senator Denny Hoskins.

Most interestingly, Congresswoman Cori Bush, a St. Louis BLM activist and Squad agitator, was shown the door by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, who had the support of several Pro-Jewish groups in pulling the seat back more towards the moderate side of Democratic Party politics.

Senator Josh Hawley will take on Lucas Kunce in what will be a high-profile U.S. Senate Race, and Kunce is formidable, talented, and thoughtful. Hawley cuts a large profile in Washington, filling the “gap” left by South Carolina Representative Trey Gowdy as the top prosecutor in Congress.

He’ll be hard to beat. The Governor’s race now centers on Mike Kehoe and Crystal Quade, the House Minority Leader. Quade will be a capable and tough opponent for Kehoe, bringing “woman’s health”(translation: abortion rights)to the campaign, while Kehoe will pledge to change income tax standing and address foreign investment in Missouri farmland.

NOW THE BATTLE IS JOINED

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz selection by Kamala Harris as her running mate sets up the most liberal Democratic presidential ticket ever.

Several miles to the left of George McGovern and Sargent Shriver, and a day’s drive from Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen.

Harris and Walz are an interesting pair, with Walz calling the 2020 George Floyd riots in his state “exciting” and Harris promoting the Minnesota Freedom Fund that sought to bail out BLM rioters and support their legal defense.

Walz stood by and watched it happen. His introductory speech to a raucous crowd in Philadelphia last Tuesday was interesting, after Harris’s strange and oddly meandering roll out of her running mate.

If the first consequential decision Harris made was to choose a running mate that could help her win, it was a huge swing and a miss.

Walz has so many negative “receipts” tied to him that Trump-Vance can and will tie to him.

First, foremost and most disturbing are the “stolen valor” accusations against Walz, who served as a National Guard master sergeant, then bailed on his unit and declared for Congress when that unit was set to deploy. Walz claimed 25-years in the Guard and the rank of Command

LOCAL

Master Sergeant on his website and campaign literature. The Harris campaign is playing clean-up on aisle five with written clarifying news releases, and surrogate interviews. He abandoned his troops to run for Congress just before they deployed. They never forgave him for it.

“If you “Splainin’ you be losin’.”...

Walz had a travel business to China, and took 30-trips to China funded by the Chinese Communist Party. He stressed to the tourist group of American high school kids the need to “tamp down their Americanism”.

The CCP was elated that Walz was Harris’ choice. “He understands China.”they said.

Walz presided over the funneling of $250 million in COVID/ARPA monies to Muslim affiliated groups in Minnesota. When charges of fraud emerged, he tried to intervene. When the groups, who sprint the money on apartments, houses and cars cried “racism”, he backed off.

Trump and Vance need to stick to the message and hit issues, issues, issues…Opening the spigots on gas, natural gas, and drilling, priming the economic pump, and hitting Harris again and again and again on climate change nutsiness. Israel’s precarious situation, continuing war in Ukraine, are areas where the Biden administration’s next steps will either cool the rush to World War III, or push us even closer to it.

Kamala Harris and her self-declared “press lid”---no interviews, no press conferences will soon end. Events will require her to speak off the cuff and then the deconstruction will begin. Debates will happen in the next 30-days, and with less than 90-days to go until election day, Trump and Vance have to “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and not allow the Democrats to hide.

24-hours out from Walz’s announcement as V.P., the snub of Josh Shapiro was a puzzler. That he was “too Jewish”, “too ambitious”, and too likely to overshadow the top of the ticket, is only part of the Walz pick, and signals this…

Kamala believes she can win with the hard left and ONLY the hard left.

Time will tell.

The Chinese have a backhanded blessing/curse they use when wishing one well. They say,”may your children live in interesting times.”

At least if the Democrats win, they can bring that to pass…interesting times indeed.

Trenton R-IX Kicks Off 24-25 School Year Aug 20

Discussion will also be held on upcoming events and the committee’s involvement in the most important upcoming election in November.

If you have any questions, please call Marie Dolan at 573-659-0568.

The committee members who filed for office during the filing period will also fill some vacancies in wards and townships where no one filed.

Students in the Trenton R-IX School District return to classes on Tuesday August 20 across all buildings in the District

S.M. Rissler Elementary Open House will be August 15 for K-1 and August 16 for 2-4 beginning at 6:00 PM.

School start and end times were announced by Superintendent Daniel Gott as 7:50 to 3:00 at Rissler next year and 8:05 to 3:15 at TMS and THS.

Students began the pro-

cess of online registration August 6 at the R-IX school district at www.trentonr9.k12.mo.us . Students and parents may also register at any of the three school offices.

Online registration is important in updating information, including address, contact info, pick-up and drop-off adults permissions, allergies, medications and other information, including school breakfast and lunch including but not limited to “reduced and free

lunch” status.

MAP scores from the 2024 spring test will be handed out during the Back to School Open House on August 15th and 19th. Any that are not picked up will be mailed out later.

Sports practices for football, softball, volleyball, and girls tennis and golf began Monday, August 12. Individual and team sports pictures are scheduled for August 15 throughout the day.

FFA will be holding it’s

Back to School Bash from 6:00-7:00 PM August 20 at the Ag Building.

The first sports events of the year will include a volleyball jamboree Friday August 23 including Lathrop, Polo and North Platte, a softball jamboree Saturday, August 24 at Trenton including Brookfield and Putnam County.

Bulldog football opens with their first game Friday, August 30 versus Brookfield and C.M. Russell Field.

Grundy Electric Cooperative Held 86th Annual Membership Meeting

Grundy Electric Cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting was held August 1, 2024, at the North Mercer R-III School in Mercer, Missouri. Over 250 members and guests began the evening with dinner served by Mercer County 4H Members. Entertainment was provided by Jeremiah Hamilton and Makayla Mejia.

Members browsed the Grundy Electric Cooperative safety booth and Mid-States Services, LLC information booth. Lynne Shea, Principal Economic Development Specialist, of Associated Electric Cooperative presented information regarding the mix of generating resources and technologies used to provide member-owners with safe, reliable electricity at the lowest cost possible.

Prior to the business meeting, GEC Community Foundation Pres-

ident Cliff Addison and Foundation Trustee Tony Nelson presented fourth quarter grants to area schools totaling $9,339.

Pastor Mike Tipton offered the invocation. Grundy Electric Cooperative Board President Eric Woodard presided over the business meeting. Woodard welcomed and thanked members for their attendance and participation in the Cooperative’s Annual Business Meeting. He introduced Grundy’s Board of Directors.

President Woodard announced that the Board of Directors approved a capital credit refund of 100% for 1991 and 25% of 2023 totaling $ 199,597.12. Capital credit checks will be credited to members’ October bills.

General Manager Scott Wilson thanked members for their commitment to the cooperative by attend-

By Mark McLaughlin StaffWriter@Republican-Times.com

(An ongoing series)

In a major ruling in the case of Loper vs. Bright Enterprises-Raimondo, the Supreme Court on June 24 cut back sharply on the power of federal agencies to interpret the laws they administer and ruled that courts should rely on their own interpretation of ambiguous laws. The decision will likely have far-reaching effects across the country, from environmental regulation to healthcare costs.

By a vote of 6-3, the justices overruled their landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which gave rise to the doctrine known as the Chevron doctrine. Under that doctrine, if Congress has not directly addressed the question at the center of a dispute, a court was required to uphold the agency’s interpretation of the statute as long as it was reasonable. But in a 35-page ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts, the justices rejected that doctrine, calling it “fundamentally misguided.”

This Supreme Court case turned back the clock on the administrative state, brought into being by President Woodrow Wilson, as a means of separating “administration from politics and administration from government.”

Wilson said in his 1887 book,”The weightier debates of constitutional principle are even yet by no means concluded; but they are no longer of more immediate practical moment than questions of administration. It is getting to be harder to run a constitution than to frame one. …”

Wilson believed that the way government worked up until his time in office was limited to the spaces and policies it was actually able to control. In order to respond to the growing role of the United States as a world power, Wilson believed that the government could not run itself like a general store. It had to organize and conduct itself like a “big business”, with experts in place to control things like railroads, telegraphs and telephones, the postal system, and to begin building a military that could project force around the world. The system and workings of the government needed to change. After Wilson, the building of the Administrative State grew and exploded. The further into the 20th Century the nation moved, the more directly the administrative state took control of implementing new laws through the use of policy, regulations, and “interpretations” of the Legislative branch’s work that said this…Congress can pass laws. But we will bring them into being.

The 1974 Chevron case, which became known as “Chevron Deference” more or less had the Congress, the Executive, and even the Judiciary to follow the principle that when an “administrative action” came before a federal court, the Courts would defer to the bureaucracy as the “experts who knew what to do.”

ing their Annual Membership Meeting. Wilson discussed the delivery of safe, reliable, and affordable power through a diligent right-of-way plan and continued maintenance by changing poles and reconductoring efforts. He discussed electronic and software upgrades that allow for better service, optimal operations, and reduced costs. Wilson also discussed the rate adjustment implemented this year, necessary to meet rising costs and increasing regulations; however, the cooperative will remain dedicated to providing exceptional service and affordable electricity.

Members elected three directors to each serve a 3-year term. Reelected were board incumbents: Adrian Cox of rural Trenton, representing Area 1; Dan Lentz of rural Browning, representing Area 2, and Alan Guernsey of rural Be-

thany, representing Area 5. Members voted in favor of the proposed Bylaw Amendment Proposition to provide greater flexibility of when the nominating committee may be appointed and hold their meeting.

The prize drawing included six $200 electric bill credits, two $50 VISA gift cards, a $100 Home Depot gift card, a $75 Washington Street gift certificate, and a Vizio television.

Grundy Electric Cooperative directors held a re-organizational meeting in which the following officers were elected: Eric Woodard, President; Joe Hartley, Vice President; Marvin Harding, Secretary; Richard Moore, Treasurer, and Alan Guernsey, Assistant Secretary. Other board members are Rodney Ewing, Dan Lentz, and Adrian Cox.

The Internal Revenue Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Border Patrol, and other agencies like it got bigger and bigger and bigger.

Following Ronald Reagan’s firing of PATCO Air Traffic Controllers, public employees who went on strike, public employees in all of the bureaucracy worked to unionize, and to secure from the executive branch the most important power they held … the ability to shield itself from accountability that removing an incompetent, or corrupt individual by firing is next to impossible.

The most recent hiring of 87,000 Internal Revenue Service auditors, aimed at ramping up collections from delinquent taxpayers was the most recent and significant mass hiring of government employees whose job became…bring American citizens into compliance with tax laws…or else.

The bureaucracy has developed a perception by the American people of being unresponsive, tied up in red tape, punitive to a farmer with a farm pond which the EPA, for example, determines to be a water way subject to their regulation.

Where the American people’s attention most came into focus on the “Deep State” was during the Presidency of Donald Trump, when the nation’s 2.8 million employees, hired for life or retirement, in large part blocked, slow-walked, stonewalled, or ignored executive directives in implementing policy.

The Veterans Administration Scandal, in which hospital administrators incentivized their administrators, doctors and staff with bonuses in finding ways to limit expenses. This came at the expense of veterans with long waits to receive services, get needed appointments, treatments, surgeries and other services. Numerous of these people died while waiting.

2017 V.A. legislation made it possible for veterans to obtain services when needed from local hospitals if they were more than 100-miles away from a V.A. hospital. It also resulted in white collar firings, though with great difficulties and legal challenges from those federal workers.

By the time of the June 24 Supreme Court decision the administrative state had become the fourth branch of government — run by unelected career employees, without accountability (though Congress has tried), and practically impossible to fire or remove from their positions.

Loper vs. Bright Enterprises-Raimondo essentially stripped the administrative state of the ability to make those decisions that carry the force of law, and force the Congress, President and Courts to interpret what the laws mean and how the federal agencies of the government are to implement them. No longer would the bureaucracy dictate to the Amer-

NORTH 65 CENTER MENU

Fri August 16

Breaded fish sandwiches, coleslaw, mixed vegetables, fruit juice, chocolate cake.

Mon August 19

Hamburger on bun, pickles and onions, pea salad, 1/2 banana.

Tues August 20

Baked ham, Fried cabbage, pickled beets, tropical fruit, pudding cup, wheat bread.

Wed August 21

Biscuits and gravy, sausage links, potato cakes, sliced tomato, fresh oranges, jello cake

Thur August 22

Beef lasagna, corn, house salad, pineapple, garlic stick.

ican people or the rest of the government the policies, regulations or interpretations they were forced to follow without anything but costly, expensive and nearly impossible court action.

While the repeal of Chevron Deference signals many changes, and inevitable consequences for how government functions, at least in principle, the powers of the Constitution are coming back into focus again.

It’s said that the administrative state was a “necessary evil. When the FBI categorized Catholics and Christians as domestic terror threats, opened investigations and prosecuted parents who questioned and challenged their local school boards as domestic terrorists, and investigated the military at a price tag of $40 million to determine the presence and prevalence of “white supremacy”, the Deep State went from being a “necessary evil” to something else.

Just evil.

Next week, we will discuss the controversy surrounding the “linkage” of Project 2025, a “white paper” of policy and Presidential transition proposals with President Donald Trump. Trump has debunked his interest in the 985-page plan, but study of this document lays out ways in which the “Deep State” needed to be reorganized, and restructured in order to make it responsive to policy makers…the people actually elected to do the job

In City of Trenton vs. Jon Frederick Ashford, charged with following another vehicle too closely, the defendant appeared in court. The case was continued to September 17, 2024.

In City of Trenton vs. David V. Ayala, charged with separate counts of expired plates and operating a motor vehicle on highway without maintaining financial responsibility, the defendant previously entered a guilty plea and concluded fees and fines of $137.00 in court.

In City of Trenton vs. Robert Glenn Blozvich, charged with separate counts of operating a motor vehicle on highway without maintaining financial responsibility, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, the defendant appeared in court and at the city’s request, the case was continued to September 17,2024.

In City of Trenton vs.Ryan Eugene Burkeybile, charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, the defendant en-

Municipal Court

tered a guilty plea, and was ordered to pay fees and fines of $188.50, paid in full to the court.

In City of Trenton vs,. Joey Michael Cahill, charged with a peace disturbance, a guilty plea was entered and fees and fines were waived with credit given for time served,

In City of Trenton vs,. Sonya Nichole Carpenter, charged with Failure to Yield, the defendant entered a guilty plea and was ordered to pay fees and fines in the amount of $99.50 by September 3, 2024.

In City of Trenton vs. Texcucano Ang Laura Coyotl, charged with exceeding posted speed limit by 11-15 mph. Over, a guilty plea was entered and the defendant paid fees and fines of $70.50 plus court costs.

In City of Trenton vs Terry Michael Delauder, charged with two counts of expired plates, the defendant pled guilty, and was ordered to pay fees and fines of $89.00 taken

Arrest Records

Jacob Alexander Heule, 36, of Keokuk, Iowa was arrested August 9, 2024 on multiple felony charges, including Attempted Robbery-1st Degre, a Class B Felony, Felony E Unlawful use of a weapon-subsection 4-exhibiting, Felony D Assault-2nd Degree, Felony D, endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk-1st degree-1st offense-no sexual conduct and Felony unclassified Armed Criminal Action. He was ordered held on no bond in the Grundy County Jail. His court case will be heard August 13, 2024.\

Denis Logan Linard, 67, of Purdin, MO was arrested August 5 on charges of DWI-

habitual, a Class B Felony. He was ordered held on a $40,000 cash only bond with bond administered by North Missouri Court Services, and was ordered subject to SCRAM-alcohol monitoring. He will appear in court August 13, 2024.

Jeremy Donald Hamilton, 38, of Trenton was arrested on August 5, 2024 on an arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. The arrest stemmed from a December 2023 arrest on Misdemeanor A Driving while Revoked/ Suspended-2nd or 3rd offense. He is ordered held onb $3,700 cash only bond and will go to court August 13, 2024.

from paid bond.

In City of Trenton vs. Michael Ryan Hiles, charged with exceeding posted speed limit by 11-15 mph. Over, a guilty plea was entered and the defendant paid fees and fines in the amount of $109.50 in court.

In City of Trenton vs,. Gregory Lee Hogan, charged with failure to yield, a guilty plea was entered and the defendant paid fees and fines of $99.50 in open court.

In City of Trenton vs. Brayden Shae Hughs, charged with operating a motor vehicle on highway without maintaining financial responsibility, no court record was provided on CaseNet.

In City of Trenton vs, Semisi Kalisitiane Iongi, charged with operating a motor vehicle on highway without maintaining financial responsibility, the defendant entered a guilty plea and was ordered to pay $25.00 and court costs.

In City of Trenton vs Kaley Sha Singer, charged with operating a motor vehicle on

highway without maintaining financial responsibility, a guilty plea was entered and the defendant was ordered to pay fines and court costs of $64.00 by September 3, 2024.

In City of Trenton vs. Alicia Rey Tiney, charged with failing to drive on the right side of the road when roadway was of sufficient width, no court record was provided on CaseNet.

In City of Trenton vs. Alicia Rey Tiney, charged with Driving while revoked/suspended and for DWI-alcohol, no records were provided on CaseNet.

In City of Trenton vs. Jennifer Lynn Neff, charged with expired plates, displayed/ possessed fictitious/ canceled/ suspended/ revoked/ altered driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle without maintaining proof of financial responsibility, the defendant appeared in court and required a final continuance. Her case will be disposed on September 17, 2024.

Marriage Dissolutions Granted

Mark Andrew Beach vs., SherLynne Marie Beach

Anastasia Annette Irene Branstetter vs. Jesse Wayne Branstetter

Tommy Joe Brittain vs. Elizabeth Ann Bachman

Brooke Nicole Ashford vs. Jon Frederick Ashford

Name Change Granted

City Council Meets August 12; Handles Full Slate of Business

The Trenton City Council met in regular session Monday, August 12 at City Hall in Trenton.

Present for the meeting were Mayor Jackie Soptic, City Administrator Ron Urton, Councilmembers Tim Meinecke, David Mlika, Duane Urich, Lou Fisher, Glenn Briggs, Calvin Brown and Marvin Humphreys. City Clerk Cindy Simpson, Assistant City Clerk Anita Ewing and City Attorney Kenton Kenney were also in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer by Joe McDonald, minutes of the July 22 meeting were approved 8-0 and bills were paid by a similar 8-0 total.

In reports, City Administrator Ron Urton shared his report for both the city and for TMU. Urton reported regular operations and maintenance on the Electric Department, noting that street lighting will be completed going to Dollar General. Urton is obtaining a material list and cost for 2400v conversion. Normal operations were reported at the Water Plant with the Clarifier Modification project. Irvinbilt is working in west basin half of re-carb chamber.

Urton stated that RICE testing had been completed and all but one engine passed muster. Urton said the City was working with the inspector to clear the non-approved engine, but that steps were being taken to have it repaired.

Sewer plant reported normal operations. Distribution/Collection reports normal operations with the 10th and Oklahoma Phase 2 project underway.

The Airport reports normal operations and maintenance with the FAA/MODOT approval of the hangar project pending. Urton told the Council that MODOT was requesting the completion of paperwork, suggesting that FAA was preparing to release funding for the project.

The Street department crews are performing regular maintenance work. Contract haulers are hauling rock and sand. The asphalt plant is running, with steady sales. Fire and police have been working with normal operations. Administration worked on a sewer and stormwater easements, waiting to get these signed. Work was completed on the wayfinding sign project, to present to the CVB on August 14.

Mayor Jackie Soptic reported that City Attorney Kenton Kenney would be officing at City Hall during those days when he is at Municipal Court.

In public comment, there were no visitors to the council.

In ordinances and resolutions, the Council heard a request from Lynn Davenport for a minor subdivision to allow her to subdivide property to be split into three (3) parcels located at 1823 East 9th Street, Trenton, Missouri. Councilman David Mlika noted that the request had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and

recommended it’;s approval. The Council voted 7-0 to approve the request.

In Bill #39, the Council voted 7-0 reaffirm the Chapter 130 Entitled Conflict of Interest of Title I in the City Charter.

In Bill #40, the Council voted 7-0 to approve a contract with Howe Company LLC for drainage improvements at 13th and Main. Urton told the Council that NCMC had approached the City to work with them on how excess rainwater rushes down 13th, and jumps the curb by Shakespeare Park. Howe will do the structuring work to create a basin at the bottom of the hill to divert water from entering businesses at the bottom of the hill. Part of the impetus for the move is to complete this in time for NCMC’s 100th anniversary next year.

In Bill #41 the Council voted 7-0 for City Hall drainage improvements, and to complete the paving of the City’s half of the parking lot directly west of City Hall. Urton said that NCMC owns half of the lot, and will be paving it, and told the Council it would be prudent for the City to do the same.

In Bill #41, following some significant discussion, the Council voted 7-0 to contract with Green Hills Regional Planning Commission for grant-writing and administrative services. At issue was the potential of a $200,000 grant for purposes of demolition of distressed properties in the City. GHRPC would receive expenses plus $10,000 for the writing, approval and administration of the grant.

Mayor Soptic commented that the focus of the grant would be the removal of “slum and blight” conditions on some 54-properties owned by residents unwilling or unable to afford the $500 investment to tear down the property.

In new business, the Council voted 7-0 to contract with Poor Boy Tree Service for the clean-up of areas around transmission lines in the city, removing small trees with herbicide and cutting treatment. The contract would be for up to $25,000, and would follow Poor Boy’s provided list of services. Urton told the Council that they would identify priority projects, tap the costs, complete the work, and then stop when they reached the $25,000 expenditure level. Urton said that Poor Boy had been contracted in previous years for similar work and done an excellent job in the provision of the service to the City.

The next item of new business tacked back to the CBDG Demo Cash Grant and how “in kind” contributions from residents, the grant and the city could address the 54eligible houses up for demolition.

Urton explained to the Council how City water, sewer, and electric parched out time in shutting down water, electric and other utility service to a house being prepared for

demolition. To do this for all 54-houses on the list would represent a $145,000 cost to the city.

Councilman Briggs asked if the current amount of budgeted monies aimed at demolition, between $25,00050,000 currently appropriated could be committed to the City’s “in kind” contribution.

Urton told them it could. Following a motion by Mlika and second by Briggs, the Council voted 7-0 to approve that recommendation.

In discussion on Electric Rate adjustments, significant discussion, review of financials, and explanations of the “workings” of the process, the Council approved a $2.50 per month increase for residential customers for the 202425 year.

Soptic noted, for example, that Evergy raised rates by 14% for the next year, and that this was significantly less than that, working out to a 2.7% increase. Rates are slated to increase 2.6% in 2025-26, 2.6% in 2026-27 and 2.5% in 2027-28.

The Council recognized that doing this now in small pieces was significantly better than “kicking the can down the road” for another Council to handle.

Councilman Brown said, “we’ll need to do this eventually.” and urged the Council to “rip off the bandaid.”

The vote passed 4-3 with Fischer, Mlika and Meinecke voting no.

The Council’s final piece of business was to discuss whether or not the City should contribute something to the Fireworks show. Briggs brought up the matter, and had asked Kenney for an opinion over whether or not the City could legally assist.

Kenney replied that it was his recommendation that the City not contribute to the Fireworks project, noting that the Constitution prohibits City Government from contributing to a “corporation, association or individual.”

Discussion then turned to the differences between the City and TMU, which is not an “entity” but an “enterprise”.

The Council discussed the formulation of a policy that, despite TMU’s different status, that it be tied as well to following the same restrictions as the City and not contribute monies to charity or other similar causes.

“We would be paying out taxpayer money in any case.”Brown said.”We have to be good stewards and frugal with the taxpayers money.”

The Council directed Kenney to write up a policy with wording to tie TMU and City contributions to the same set of limitations.

The Council adjourned at 8:11 PM.

Jacob Elwood Black changed to Rooster Jacob Elwood Black

The Grundy County Premium Livestock Auction was once againe a huge success. All of the Members of the Grundy County 4-H groups and local FFA organizations would like to thank everyone who helped with this auction.

Exhibitor

Kale Batson

Carson Beverlin

Catelin Bowe

Tyler Dixon

Cutler Epperson

Makenzee Epperson

Kinze Hanson

Jackson Huber-Bethards

Macey Lowrey

Ayra Meeker

Benjamin Shuler

Cierra Shuler

Michael Shuler

Bailey Williams

Claire Woodard

WE APPRECIATE

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

of Trenton

and Sarah Lowrey

River Ag

Ag Chem, American Family Insurance, Cara McClellan Agency, Betz Farms Inc., Binney Farms Inc, Bowe Family Farms, Carl & Leslie Woodard, Charles & Vickie Bowe, Chris & Jackie Hoffman, Cox Family Dentistry DDS, PC, Cutler Epperson, Dale & Tawny Ward, Danny Westcott Trucking, David & Melissa Lowrey, Don and Marsha Kennedy, Farmers State Bank, Hudson Club Calves, Steve & Jeanette Hudson, JL Urich Farms, Judy Hanson

Jumps & Roy Auction, Kendall & Mary Jo Foster, Landes Oil, Locust Creek Seed, Matt & Kelly Krohn, Mazzie Christensen, MFA Agriservices, Trenton & Laredo, Mid Mo Insulation & Excavating, Mike Epperson, MK Urich Farms, No Creek Custom Drone Application, North Missouri Livestock Auction, Osborn Livestock Auction, Peggy Scott, Pettijohn Ford & Off Road, Phil & Kristie Fox, Putnam County State Bank, Rocetia Hutson, Scott Roy Family, Tim & Leisa Miller, Tommie Patridge, & Washed Away Laundry.

Jenna Vandel Selected as NCMC’s Outstanding Employee

Jenna Vandel, NCMC’s Criminal Justice Instructor, has been selected as North Central Missouri College’s Outstanding Employee for August. Jenna is from Trenton, MO (her hometown is Laredo, MO) and has worked for NCMC for 14 years. She holds a bachelor's in criminal justice administration and a master's in criminal justice.

Jenna's vision for the future is to continue evolving

classes to provide the best education for those entering the field. She also aims to see criminal justice courses offered at the Savannah campus. When asked what her favorite thing about NCMC is, Jenna said, “The people!”

When Jenna isn’t at work, she spends time with her family or cheers on her daughter in whatever sport she is playing. She also enjoys knitting and golfing.

Community Participation Sought for NCMC Student Organization Fair

Area businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations are invited to participate in the annual North Central Missouri College Student Organization Fair on Wednesday, August 21. The Student Organization Fair is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. and run until approximately 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Cross Hall on the Main Campus in Trenton, MO. NCMC wants to give the community and area businesses the opportunity

to welcome students and make students aware of what the community has to offer. Great Western Dining Service will serve lunch for only five dollars. There is no charge for the Student Organization Fair participants. Interested parties may contact Lesli Collins to reserve a table. Lesli can be contacted at lcollins@mail.ncmissouri.edu or 660-357-6245. All RSVPs must be in by August 19.

The Wilford Family Reunion 2024 Trenton, Missouri Shepard Family Reunion, 2024

The 41st annual Wilford family reunion of the descendants of Jacob and Elizabeth Wilford was held Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Trenton, Missouri beginning at noon. Dan Wilford asked the blessing before a carry-in dinner was served to 29 persons.

Carol Wilford, reunion president, conducted the business meeting. Secretary minutes from 2023 were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given by Karla Worthington and disbursement approved for a donation to the First Baptist Church of Trenton. A collection for next year was taken up. Officers elected for the coming year stayed the same with those being: Carol Wilford, President; Mary Gonzalez, Vice-President; Karla Worthington, Treasurer; Rhonda Johnson, Secretary. Barbara Stoops agreed to continue duties of Historian with genealogy updates. It was agreed that the 2025 reunion would be held at the same location and time.

Gifts were awarded to the following: Claren O’Bannon for traveling the farthest,

Jennie Wilford for being the oldest person present, Shaina Frisbie for having the longest hair and the most pets, Barbara and Larry Stoops for having the most grandchildren, Andrew Gonzalez for being the youngest present, and Mary Gonzalez for having lived the most years overseas.

Genealogy updates were distributed by Barbara (Wilford) Stoops.

Family updates were read from Steve and Naomi Campbell by Mary Gonzalez, John and Ingrid family updates were read by Carol Wilford, Tim and Amy Burke family updates were read by Rhonda Johnson. A brief update on Mindy Elledge was given by Carol Wilford. Murlin and Janice Osborn are back home in Texas.

The afternoon was spent taking pictures, visiting, doing trivia and playing games in addition to several gift drawings. A few new births and upcoming births were announced. Entertainment included a comical reading by Karla Worthington at the request of Luetta (Wilford) Lambrecht.

Barbara Stoops received a 1979 Galt Town and Country Garden Club membership informative memorabilia from Carol Wilford.

Those attending from Missouri were Dale and Rhonda Johnson; Larry and Barbara Stoops, Delvin and Jennie Wilford; Craig, Laurie and Shaina Frisbie; Richard and Sherry Ishmael all of Trenton; Jeff and Karla Worthington and Cheryl Claybrook, Kansas City; Dan and Carol Wilford, Laredo; Luetta Lambrecht of Marshall; Carrie Cavender and Sayla Sherard, Springfield; Claren O’Bannon, Fenton. Those attending from Kansas were George and Florence Thexton; Mary, Sam, Andrew and Joshua Gonzalez, Kansas City; Deb Maiwald, Leawood; and Kevin and Daniel Thexton, Overland Park. Afternoon callers included Rob Maloney.

The 2025 reunion will be at the Trenton First Baptist Church July 28 (the last Sunday in July) in the basement fellowship hall. People may arrive as early as 12 O’clock with the carry-in meal to begin at 1 p.m.

The 47th annual reunion of the descendants of Delmar Lee and Ocie Olive (Turner) Shepard of Mount Moriah, Mo. was held in the Moberly Park shelter house in Trenton, Mo. on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. A carry-in meal was held at noon with family from far and near in attendance. Besides getting reacquainted and telling wild stories, we attended the Grundy County Fair and other activities. We had a going home breakfast at Dino's Diner Sunday morning.

Next year's reunion will be held at the same location on Saturday, August 2nd,

2025. For more information or corrections send an email to Roger at mitteemo48@gmail.com. We also have a family site on Facebook.

A partial list of those in attendance follows: Linda Crowder, Rosendale, Mo., Doug and Lynett Clapham, Harris, Mo., Dixie Yates, Trenton, Mo., Beryl Stinson, El Dorado, Judy Crawford, El Dorado Springs, Mo., John and Marilyn Wynne, Trenton, Mo., Clifford and Alice Shepard, Raytown, Mo., Boyd and Angie Gafford, Lone Jack, Mo., Jimmie Shepard, Graham, Mo., Jimmie Shepard Jr., Chan-

dler, Tx., Cynthia Kinder, Maryville, Mo., Kathy Theas, Rockport, Mo., Aaron and Sara Theas, Maryville, Mo., Destany Theas, Auburn, Ne., Joe Davis, Auburn, Ne., Ace Allen, Fairfax, Mo., Kaylee Allen, Fairfax, Mo., Haleena Allen, Fairfax, Mo., Roger and Babara Cain, Trenton, Mo., Patty Covey Vulgamott, Trenton, Mo., Kyle Graves, Trenton, Mo., Elizabeth Buckler, Trenton, Mo., Patience Buckler, Trenton, Mo., Adam Buckler, Trenton, Mo., Susan Gayhart, Trenton, Mo., Zayvier Ewing, Trenton, Mo., Tyler Livingston, Trenton, Mo.

Thank You

Hello, this is Matt Krohn and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who supported me during my campaign, whether it was letting me display a yard sign, a friendly handshake, your encouraging words, or your support at the polls. A special thanks to my family, my friends and to Allen Berry, my Treasurer. I am also thankful to God for the opportunities and blessings He has bestowed on me and my family. I truly appreciate the trust the people of the four counties have placed in me, and I look forward to faithfully serving as your next Circuit Judge. Thank you so much and may God bless you all and our communities!

Ad paid for the committee to elect Matt Krohn, Allen Berry, Treasurer.

Sr. showmanship winner Jaclyn Hines from Bogard, MO Photo by Brandy Burton

Jr showmanship winner Knox Head from Chillicothe, MO with Kennedy Warner FFA and Judge Janie Elliott.

Photo by Brandy Burton

The Grand River Garden Club Yard of the month is at 610 West 12th Street and owned by Jim and Dana Gross.

Photo by Mark McLaughlin

Intermediate showmanship winner Malory Chalfant from Gilman City, MO

Photo by Brandy Burton

Reserve 4 Class winner Emmalyn Daley with her Holland Lop from Chillicothe, MO.

Photo by Brandy Burton

Best 4 Class winner and Best In Show winner Jaclyn Hines with her Mini Rex from Bogard, MO. Also pictured is Kennedy Warner FFA officer and Judge Janie Elliott.

Photo by Brandy Burton

Best 6 Class winner and Reserve In Show winner Ashley Chalfant with her Californian from Gilman City, MO.

Photo by Brandy Burton

Reserve 6 Class winner Paisley Mallen with her New Zealand from Cameron, MO

Photo by Brandy Burton

Champion Boar, Lyla’s Smith with her Yorkshire boar, Chillicothe MO.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Gilt — Haley Walker, Hamilton MO

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Showmanship winners pictured left to right, Charlotte Sykes JR winner Chillicothe, MO; Cierra Shuler Intermediate winner Trenton, MO; Carley Sheil SR winner from Kellerton, IA; judge Scott Gray, and FFA Kennedy Warner.

Photo by Brandy Burton

Best 4 Class winner and Best In Show winner Jaclyn Hines with her Mini Rex from Bogard, MO. Also pictured is Kennedy Warner FFA officer and Judge Janie Elliott. Photo by Brandy Burton

Pictured left to Right, Candace Zollman Reserve In Show winner, Kellerton IA, judge Scott Gray, Kennedy Warner FFA, Carley Sheil Best In Show winner from Kellerton, IA.

Photo by Brandy Burton

ON

MIDWAY...NCMO Fair

of their life at the fair.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Midway. Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Grand Champion Market Hog, Rylee Anderson, Chillicothe MO. Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Champion Market Hog, Lexi Clark, Chillicothe MO.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Champion Ram, Jason Schutter, Kirksville Mo Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Gilt, Haley Walker, Hamilton Mo

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Missouri Fair.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Young’n’s waiting for their turn at the tractor pull at the NCM Fair

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Gilt —Haley Walker, Hamilton MO

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Swine showmanship — Senior-Brock Pitt, Norborne, MO. Intermediate -Cash Walker, Hamilton, MO. Junior- Charlie Gilgour, Hamilton, MO.

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Reserve Campion Boar, Cash walker with his Duroc Hamilton MO. Photo by North Central Mo Fair

Champion Ram, Justin Schutter, Kirksville Mo

Photo by North Central Mo Fair

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS

PUBLIC NOTICES

Because The People Must Know

Grundy County Nursing Home District will hold its tax levy during the regular meeting of the Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, August 20,2024. The hearing will be held in the Administrator's office of Sunnyview Nursing home at 4:00 pm. The district is proposing a tax of $.15 on the $100 assessed valuation. The proposed rate is the same as the previous year. (8/15/2024)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

T & L Auto Supply, Inc.

A public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024, at City Hall, 1100 Main Street at which time citizens may be heard on the property tax rates proposed to be set by the City of Trenton, Missouri. The tax rates shall be set to produce the revenues, which the budget shows to be required from the property tax. Each tax rate is determined by dividing the amount of gross revenue needed by the current assessed valuation. (The result is multiplied by 100 as the tax rate will be expressed in cents per $100 valuation.)

Assessed Valuation Current Tax Prior Tax (By categories) Year 2024 Year 2023 Real Estate

$37,814,395 $37,836,965 Personal Property $16,810,193 $15,940,063 Railroad & Utilities

$59,128,961 $58,310,077 Budgeted Tax Rate Maximum Tax Rate Proposed Tax Revenues for Ceiling After Sales Tax Rate for 2024 2024 rollback

CITY COUNCIL OF TRENTON, MISSOURI

Cindy Simpson, City Clerk

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(8/15/2024)

PUBLIC NOTICE:

The Towers, LLC doing business as Vertical Bridge proposes to construct a 165-foot monopole communications tower. Anticipated lighting application is medium intensity dual red/white strobes. The Site location is near 101 Country Club Place, Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri, 40° 03' 59.38" N / 93° 36' 58.44" W. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1286546.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS “ Interested persons may review the application (www.fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn:

Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

HISTORIC PROPERTIES EFFECTS -

Public comments regarding potential effects on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to:

Terracon Consultants, Inc., Noah Oswald, 15080 A Circle, Omaha, NE 68144, 402-330-2202, noah.oswald@terracon.com. (8/15/2024)

(7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15/2024)

Agriculture

See Consumer Oil & Supply for your One Stop Shop for Muck and Lacrosse boots and gloves. Consumer Oil & Supply 614 Harris Ave. 3592258

Buying standing walnut, oak & cottonwood timber. Cash or on shares. Call Mike at 816248-3091

Gravel, sand, top soil, mulch, river rock, boulders-Turney Mini Quarry 816-248-2523.

PAYING $75/ACRE FOR RENTAL PASTURE. Will consider any size and location. 816-288-9060.

For Rent

Sunnyview Apartments is taking applications for single & double apartments. Sunnyview is a residential care facility for the elderly. We provide qualified staff to administer medications, provide three meals a day and offer minimal assistance with the activities of daily living. Now accepting Medicaid. For more information contact Cassandra Brewer at 660-359-5647.

FOR RENT Hale, Mo.

One 2 bed apt, one 1 bed apt, 1 studio. NO PETS First month rent & dep req. appliances & utilities furnished. Background check req, 660-645-2269

For Rent Cameron, Mo. 3 BR 1 Bath ranch style home. NO pets. You will receive a text questionnaire. Text 816-284-0570 for info.

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS

Wanted North Central Missouri College is seeking a parttime Library Assistant. Interested applicants should visit www.ncmissouri.edu/jobs for more information and how to apply or call 660-3576203. NCMC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer

For Sale

We're back! St. Ann's Garage Sale St. Ann's Hall, Eighth and Osage in Plattsburg. Friday, August 9, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items for a free will offering. Proceeds benefit the Ladies Visitation Sodality and St. Mary's Home for Mothers. Can't wait to see you!!!

BASEMENT GARAGE

SALE August 17, 2024 8am-noon 119 Fisher Avenue, Gilman City Everything is priced to sell I am closing out my inventory. Totes, kitchenware, tupperware, small appliances, puzzles, rugs, decor, etc.

Registered Jack Russells 816-807-0382

For Sale 2021 Polaris Ranger XP1000. Air-Heat wipers. Electric windows, winch, back up mirror, side mirrors, dump bed. Call 660-359-7643

Bannad Studios Custom Soft Décor. Pillows, Cushions & Covers. In Any Size. Any shape. We will use your fabric or ours. Designer and discount fabrics available. Indoor and outdoor Cushions, pillows, bedding, etc. Call today for

your quote. 816-7240694 If no answer, we're in the workroom. Please leave a message.

Pond building supplies. Roll plastic pipe, 100 lb. & 160 lb. PSI. Pond shutoff & stock tank valves, hydrants. Trenton Hardware, 901 Main, Trenton, 660-359-3660.

HELTON INSURANCE SOLUTIONS Williams Shopping Center, Trenton, MO. New To Medicare or Want To Compare Pricing ... Call Brian McDaniel 816-289-1935 or Leah Helton 660-3593806 or 660-635-0537 "Our Quality Of Service Is What Makes Us Different"

Shelter Insurance – Cale Gondringer 1601 E 9th St., Suite D. 660-3594100. LIFE * HOME * AUTO * FARM * BUSINESS. We’re your shield. We’re your shelter.ShelterInsurance.com

Shelly's Pet Care, 660684-6864, 103 S. Locust St., Jamesport, MO 64648. Professional, Personalized Grooming. Ap-

pointments available Monday - Saturday. 35 Years of Experience!Serving the Green Hills Area since 1996!

Help Wanted Sunnyview Nursing Home has job openings available for the following positions: RN, LPN, CNA, Dietary and Level I Medication Aide. Please fill out a job application at 1311 East 28th Street, Trenton, MO 64683. E.O.E.

Notices

THE PEOPLE’S CO-OP 1736 East 9th St. 3593313. Premium Diesel, Gas, 10% Ethanol –CENEX. 83 years of service & experience. MR. TIRE – Dean, Hankook, Cooper tires.

Replacement Parts; Accessories; Chemicals; Tool & equipment. www.tlautosupply.com

Services

*SEAMLESS GUTTERING* We are ready to replace your old gutters with new seamless aluminum gutters! MOORE’S CONSTRUC -

TION & WOODWORK, INC. 359-5477. 52 Years Experience.

WANTED!! Used & Abused Cars & Trucks, Highest prices paid! You Call - We Come Get It!

FRONTIER AUTO & TRUCK PARTS, (formerly Jim’s Auto Salvage). 145 Hwy. W., Trenton, 3593888.

Carquest Auto Parts T & L Auto Supply, Inc., 1823 East 9th, Trenton, 3592268. tlautosupply.com Monday-Friday, 7-5, Saturday, 7:30-12.

Call MIDWEST MECHANICAL & rely on comfort. 800-425-0976 or 485-6611, Brian S. Israel, owner. For your heating & cooling needs. All Tax Credits & Rebates available! Geostar Geothermal Heat Pumps. Over 25 years experience.

RED BARN MINI STOR-

AGE, across from the new hospital on Iowa Blvd in Trenton. 5 Unit sizes available. Call Mike or Jane Cooksey 660359-7683.

JAMESPORT LUMBER Full Service Lumberyard. We also sell Trusses/ metal/rebar/concrete blocks. New Hardware Department - Gift Certificates and Delivery Available - Free Estimates 32089 St. Hwy 6, Jamesport 660-684-6404

JAMESPORT BUILDERS, 660-684-6931, 32137 State Hwy 6, Jamesport. POLE BARNS - GARAGES, Spray foam insulation.

BUY - SELL - TRADEBIG NASTY'S GUNS & AMMO - Stop in and see us at our New Location1515 E. 9th Street, Trenton, MO. Nathan Rorebeck, 660-635-0469, www.bignastys.com

In Re: Tanner Moore, A Single Person

TRUSTEE’S SALE

Under the terms of the Deed of Trust executed by Tanner Moore, A Single Person dated 03/03/2022, and recorded on 03/04/2022 Book 686 Page 819 Document 22LR0352 in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Grundy County, MISSOURI, the undersigned Successor Trustee, will on 08/21/2024 at 2:00 PM at the West Front Door of the Grundy County Courthouse 700 Main St. Trenton, MO 64683, sell at public venue to the highest bidder for cash subject to the terms announced at the sale, the realty described in said deed of trust, to wit: ALL OF LOT TWELVE (12), IN BLOCK TWO (2), IN COUNTRY CLUB ADDITION TO THE CITY OF TRENTON, GRUNDY COUNTY, MISSOURI.. Eastplains Corporation

SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE

(7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15/24)

CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is given this 15th day of August 2024 that the Planning & Zoning will hold a public hearing on September 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, for purpose of hearing a request from Vance Cox in care of American Sportsman LLC for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for 2 Camper hookups to be located behind his existing building located at 3007 E 10th Street.

Mr. Donnie Vandevender, Chairman

Mr. Michael Ormsby, Secretary (8/15/2024)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is given this 15th day of August 2024 that the Planning & Zoning will hold a public hearing on September 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, for purpose of hearing a request from Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri in care of North Central Missouri Mental Health Center for a Minor Sub-division to allow for a strip of land owned by Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri to be subdivided so North Central Missouri Mental Health Center could purchase the property located between 1601 E 28th Street and 2910 Oklahoma Ave.

Mr. Donnie Vandevender, Chairman

Mr. Michael Ormsby, Secretary (8/15/2024)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is given this 15th day of August 2024 that the Planning & Zoning will hold a public hearing on September 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, for purpose of hearing a request from Riverside Country Club in care of KGI Wireless on behalf of Vertical Bridge for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a them to construct a new 155-foot Monopole Tower to provide Verizon Wireless Service on property located at 101 Country Club Place.

Mr. Donnie Vandevender, Chairman

Mr. Michael Ormsby, Secretary

NOTICE OF TAX RATE HEARING

Taylor Township will hold a tax rate hearing at the Brimson Community Building, Main Street Brimson, MO on August 23, 2024 at 6 p.m.

(8/17/23)

NOTICE OF TAX RATE HEARING

The Village of Brimson will hold a tax rate hearing on August 23, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Brimson Community Building, Main Street, Brimson, MO.

(8/15/2024)

NOTICE

Myers Township will hold a public tax levy hearing on August 23, 2024 at 5:30 pm at the Fairview School House on the corner of NE 80th Avenue and NE 100th Street. Please contact Kris Smith at krisrn96319@yahoo.com for additional information.

(8/15/2024)

Mid-States Services is now offering: Fiber Optic installs in rural Trenton! Mid-States will STILL WAIVE the $150 installation free for those who sign up NOW! Sign up TODAY by calling 660359-2045 or at http://www.midstates.net. 4100 Oklahoma Ave., Trenton, MO 64683.

Willing Workers LLP - Do you need your siding or roof replaced? Give Willing Workers a call today for a FREE estimate... 660-973-5694, John Kramer, 17594 St. Hwy. 190, Jamesport, MO 64648

PAGE TREE SERVICE Jeff Page 660-359-3699shop, 660-359-2202home. Serving the entire Green Hills Area! Specializing in tree trimming, stump grinding & complete removal. 75' bucket truck, chipper & stump grinder. Licensed & insured. Free Estimates!

Agriculture

See Consumer Oil & Supply for your One Stop Shop for Muck and Lacrosse boots and gloves. Consumer Oil & Supply 614 Harris Ave. 3592258

Buying standing walnut,

Notice of Tax Rate Hearing City of Tindall

The City of Tindall will hold a tax rate meeting on August 20th, 2024 at 7:00pm at 412 Austin St. in Trenton, Mo. (8/15/2024)

TO: BRYAN MACGUIRE, THE FATHER OF A CHILD BORN ON THE 15 TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that there is now on file in the Office of the Clerk of Court for Polk County, Iowa, a Petition in Case Number JGJV253869 which prays for the appointment of a guardian for a minor child born on the 15 th day of October, 2014.

The Petitioner’s attorney is Kevin Cunningham whose address is Cunningham & Kelso, P.L.L.C., 2830 100 th Street, Suite 106, Urbandale, IA 50322, telephone (515) 278-4200.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that there will be a final hearing in this matter to appoint a guardian before the Iowa District Court for Polk County, at Room 220 of the Polk County Justice Center in Des Moines, Iowa, at 2:00 p.m. on the 3 rd day of October, 2024.

For further details, contact the Clerk’s office.

(7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8)

This case has been filed in a county that utilizes electronic filing. General rules and information on electronic filing are contained in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16. I nformation regarding the protection of personal information in court filings is contained in Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16, Division VI.

If you need assistance to participate in Court due to a disability, call the disability coordinator at 515-561-5818. Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800- 735-2942. Disability coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT Polk County, Iowa

(8/1, 8/8, 8/15/24)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF GRUNDY COUNTY, MISSOURI

In the Estate of ALAN P. THRASHER, Deceased

PROBATE DIVISION

NOTICE OF TESTAMENTARY GRANTED

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ALAN P. THRASHER, deceased:

Estate No. 24AG-PRO0031

On the 25 day of June, 2024, Patty S. Thrasher was appointed personal Representative by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Grundy County, Missouri. The business address of the Personal Representative is: Patty S. Thrasher, 311 Atkinson, Galt, Missouri 64641 and her attorney is Tara L. Walker whose business address is 605 E. 9th Street, P.O. Box 457, Trenton, Missouri 64683 and whose telephone number is 660-339-5050.

All creditors of said decedent are notified to file claims in the probate division of this court within 6 months from the first date of the first publication of this notice or if a copy of this notice was mailed to, or served upon, such creditor by the personal representative, then within two months from the date it was mailed or served, whichever is later, or be forever barred to the fullest extent permissible by law. Such six-month period and such two-month period do not extend the l imitation period that would bar claims one year after the decedent's death, as provided in Section 473.033 RSMo, or any other applicable limitation periods. Nothing in section 473.0336 RSMo shall be construed to bar any action against a decedent's liability insurance carrier through a defendant ad litem pursuant to section 537.021, RSMo.

Receipt of this notice by mail should not be construed by the recipient to indicate that he or she necessarily has a beneficial interest in the estate. The nature and extent of any person's interest, if any, can be determined from the files and records of this estate in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Grundy County, Missouri.

Date of decedent's death was October 29, 2023.

Date of first publication of this notice is August 1, 2024 /S/ Michelle Smith

Clerk of the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Grundy County, Missuori

PUBLIC RELEASE

(8/1,8/8,8/15,8/22/24)

Trenton R-IX, Grundy R-V, Laredo R-VII, Pleasant View R-VI, and Spickard R-II announced its revised free and reduced price policy for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Local education officials have adopted the following family-size income criteria for determining eligibility:

3

Children from families whose current income is at or below those shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Applications are available at the school office. To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility. A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of social security number or indication of no social security number of adult household member signing the application. School officials may verify current income or other information provided on the application at any time during the school year. Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Households with children who are eligible under the foster, Head Start, homeless, migrant, or runaway programs should contact the school for assistance in receiving meal benefits. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Children who are members of households currently certified as receiving Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR are eligible for free meals. To complete an application, the household must provide the names of the children, a statement that the household receives the qualifying benefits, the Food Stamps/TANF/FDPIR case number, and the signature of the adult household member making application. When known by the school that members of a household are receiving assistance from Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free school meals. If any children in the household were not listed on the eligibility notice or not listed on the application, the household should contact the school to have benefits extended to all children in the household. If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits. Under the provisions of the policy, the verifying official will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Superintendent. Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy. A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it. USDA Non-discrimination Statement: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative me ans of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)-8778339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:

Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

ACROSS 1. Mongolian city __ Bator 5. Coconut palms 10. Rounded knob 14. Japanese city 15. Type of sandwiches 16. A type of shape 17. Son of Shem 18. French modernist painter 19. Grandmother 20. Mammary gland of female cattle 22. Hill or rocky peak

23. Secret political clique 24. Songs to one’s beloved 27. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Gretchen 30. Father 31. Chinese philosophical principle

32. Restrict the

Daily Commuter Puzzle by Jacqueline E. Mathews

number or amount of

35. Combined into a single entity

37. Brother or sister

38. Evil spirit

39. Materials in the earth’s crust

40. Partner to cheese

41. Of the sun

42. Baseball great Ty

43. After B 44. Place to relax on the beach

45. Folk singer DiFranco

46. Partly digested food

47. Small dog breed 48. Japanese honorific

49. Salts

52. Beard moss genus

55. Mountain pass 56. Type of sword

60. Albanian language 61. Metric weight unit

63. Italian Seaport 64. Longtime late night host 65. Extremely angry 66. Wading bird 67. Days in mid-month 68. Omitted from printed matter 69. Upper body part DOWN 1. Two-toed sloth 2. Cooking ingredient 3. Iranian city 4. Accuses 5. Corrie 6. Delivered a speech 7. Collection of sacred books 8. Theatrical 9. Very fast airplane 10. Arm bones 11. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea

12. __ fide: legit 13. Gemstone 21. Counsels 23. Corporate bigwig 25. Cool! 26. Touch lightly 27. Small Milky Way constellation 28. Satirical website

29. Border lines 32. Soft drinks

33. Capital of Guam 34. Six-membered ring (chemistry)

36. Bar bill

37. Car mechanics group

38. Notable Bill Murray character

40. Health care for the aged 41. Gurus

43. A passage with access only at one end 44. Reduce 46. Spy organization 47. The upper surface of the mouth

49. Plants of the lily family

50. Type of reef 51. Oral polio vaccine developer 52. Mottled citrus fruit

Lose

Former Brazilian NBAer

Baseball great Ruth

__ Clapton, musician

Chance

Spanish soldier

CNN’s founder

Garfield® by Jim Davis

Alley Oop® by Joey Alison Sayers and Jonathan Lemon

For Better or For Worse® by Lynn Johnson

Frank & Ernest® by Bob Thaves

The Born Loser® by Art and Chip Sansom

Shoe® by Jeff MacNelly

Back To School : New Rissler Principal Excited About Start of the Year

S.M. Rissler Principal Wade Profitt and Assistant Principal Kameron Cool have officially started as the new administrative team at S.M. Rissler Elementary School, and both bring enormous enthusiasm to their new jobs.

Profitt, the past Assistant Principal last year after 3-years as Middle School Principal at Carrollton, takes the helm from principal Sue Gott. He brings with him a social studies background and numerous years as a basketball coach.

The William Woods graduate says that last year’s experience, a great deal of preparation over the summer, and his teaming with Cool have been a great experience, and he’s ready for the challenge.

“We’ve all been working to provide our kids with everything we can, building culture, fostering teacher-student relationships and aiming everything at the whole child.””Profitt said.”That encompasses academics, building relationship skills with

staff and between kids, and creating a safe, welcoming, high energy place.”

Cool, in his 9th year in the district following five years of teaching ELA and four years of Social Studies follows in the footsteps of former Chillicothe Middle School principal Tim Cool, also a Hall-of-Fame coach now retired from administration.

It is clearly the family business.

Cool is focused on many of the processes of the school day, including “Community Circle” time, which dedicates time to giving kids a time to feel heard, valued, to teach character traits led by counseling staff.

“What are three ways you can show kindness?”Cool stated, as an example.”How have others shown kindness to you?”

“We have teachers and counselors who are extremely gifted in pursuing this important daily time.”Cool said.

The pair point to a newly minted vision

for Rissler, "Fostering an environment that inspires social, emotional, and academic success of children through the collaboration of ALL.", noting that the school’s vision is supported by individual teachers, subject disciplines also following up with their own personal and department “visions” as well.

Profitt points to the work of Director of Academics Johanna Bauher, who over the last year has facilitated the development of curriculum, completing written curriculums for 95% of all coursework across the District. The curriculums share complete PK-12 common language, principles and processes that represent an “alignment” in curriculum where kids flow seamlessly from one grade level to the next.

The new PK-4 Literacy program involved immersing staff at those grade levels in the process of incorporating the literacy enhancement strategies into their already existing teaching practices.

The principals note that PK-4th grade classes are self-contained, with one teacher working with a class for the entire day. A target for them as spring approaches for 4th graders is to prep them for the “transition” to middle school, which includes subject teachers and movement between classes for the first time.

Kids split out and move for specials, intervention time, and BARK time, which gives students a taste of class to class mobility.

The academic side of the school’s approach is “data driven”, meaning that staff members are constantly studying test results, from I-Ready standards-based assessments all the way up to MAP testing.

“We will spend seven in-service days this year teaming on data to drive decisions on programming, curriculum, and how we teach.”Profitt said.”Giving staff these opportunities are very critical in helping us to get to where we need to go.”

Profitt and Cool spoke to the frustration

The Old Ball Coach

by Mark McLaughlin StaffWriter@Republican-Times.com

OLYMPICS PURE GOLD...

I watched ten minutes of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics and thought I was watching Drag Queen reading hour in elementary schools. I tuned out. The closing ceremonies included making Olympians jump in the Seine River, essentially a toxic waste dump, and swim the river.

Several German athletes reported getting sick. I never watched it.

Anything you give Steven Spielberg and his team of creative freaks to do, you can count on it being godless, obscene, and just plain revolting.

But let the kids do their thing in the two intervening weeks between, you had a few little controversies —trans guys winning gold medals in women’s boxing, Jordan Chiles being cheated out of Olympic Bronze and a bunch of Chinese swimmers being disqualified for PED’s, not a surprise, you washed all that stupidity away with Steph Curry going off in the men’s basket-

ball Gold Medal Game to save victory for the USA against France.

You saw the Olympic women win their eighth straight good.

You saw American swimmers and their conquests in the pool and Steven Hedrocek’s gold on the pommel horse…donnedx with the nickname of “Clark Kent”, think he was more “Peter Parker”, but there you have it.

US women in soccer beating Brazil for Gold…great stuff.

The Olympics gave us people to root for, to be proud of, and to feel good about in a national and international climate where the world seems ready to go spin off its axis.

We need to enjoy those moments, revel in them, and now go back to our regularly scheduled programming.

American Ninja Warrior. America’s Got Talent. And the most outrageous group of crazy people ever on Big Brother.

Is it too late to put out a contract on Crazy Angela on Big

Brother? Sorry, she makes my skin crawl.

At least there’s “Tulsa King” with Stallone on Sunday evening.

Tom Cruise gave us the most memorable send off moment from the 2024 games with his ridiculous aerial stunt to signal the countdown to Los Angeles in 2028.

I hope we’re all here to enjoy it.

Back to School Means Back to Fun, Fun, Fun Practice began Monday to torrential rain in the City of Trenton. Kind of hard to do burpees, quarter eagles and up downs in the commons. Summer is over. Whatever work you were going to do to get better, you either got bigger, stronger, faster or fatter.

You either pumped the protein, or overdid the Cheese Whiz. We shall see.

In ten to sixteen days, football, volleyball and softball will

many administrators and staff express about how testing success is achieved. Where a common practice was to compare one 4th grade class to the next year’s 4th grade class, apples to oranges in essence, a useful change is in studying the “growth within cohort”, in other words, how 4th graders this year perform as 5th graders next year.

Growth in standards and performance can then be more adequately tracked, assessed and targeted for improvement.

Grade level to grade level growth is the new normal for Missouri schools.

With school now just five days away, both of these old/young coach/principals point to their excitement about the start-up of the year.

“You can feel the energy of staff members in the halls as they are prepping their rooms, putting displays up, and getting ready to go.”Cool said.”That’s a contagious thing.”

“We have so many great staff members here and it brings me joy when I pop into a classroom.”Proffit says.”I see kids engaged with their teachers, and their teachers doing ‘God’s work’.

“There will not be a kid in our building without a connection to a trusted adult.”Proffit said.”Teachers will be able to tell their kids’ stories.”

Cool and Proffit view the 179-days of work with kids like coaches see their players in practice. While the process of testing is the “payoff” for a year’s worth of hard work by everyone in the building, Cool makes a very cogent point.

“Testing day is like District Tournaments in basketball.”Cool said.”But practice is the only time that coaches win.”

There will be a lot of wins at Rissler this year, a lot of good practice, and a lot of good coaching.,

“Doing what’s best for our kids here is unmatched anywhere.”Proffit said.”We can’t wait to get going.”

all play in jamboree games to shake off the rust and get ready for it to get real.

Never in the history of man have people been treated to so much endorphin producing joy as what we will see when September 1 rolls over on the calendar.

I can’t wait.

Two Weeks Until College Football

My favorite time of the year. Week zero is just one week away, with a semi-interesting game between Florida State and Georgia Tech at 11 AM August 24.

There are a handful of FCS and FCS/FBS games on the 24th, but hey…it’s college football and we’ll get Gameday on ESPN at 9:00 AM.

On August 31, the best games out there will be:

Clemson vs. Georgia, 11 AM on ABC

Penn State vs. West Virginia, 11 AM on Fox

Miami vs. Florida, 2:30 PM on ABC

Notre Dame vs. Texas A & M, 6:30 pm on ABC

September 1 brings us the best game of the weekend with LSU and USC playing at 6:30 PM on ABC.

Loading up on chips, salsa, sliders and buffalo wings for Saturday during the day, tums and pepto bismol at night. What a country…but no Pac 12 at night. Missouri plays Murray State August 29 at 7 PM on ESPN, Iowa plays Illinois State at 11 AM on the Big Ten Channel August 31, and Kansas plays FCS Lindenwood August 29 at 7:00 PM.

Get your grill going, the beer chilling, and load for the tailgate if headed to the game for the real deal.

College football means that life is good.

Thursday, August 15, 2024 –

Tyler King and Coach Jeremy Esry To

Attend Prestigious NCAA Basketball

Academy Event

Tyler King, an exceptional basketball talent from North Central Missouri College, has been invited to attend the NCAA Basketball Academy Camp in Rock Hill, SC. This prestigious event, set to take place from July 23-25, will feature only 54 junior college players from across the nation, highlighting King's outstanding skills and potential. King was a 1st Team All-American in his freshman campaign for the Pirates in 2023-24 where he averaged 21.6 points per game and led his team to the NJCAA National Tournament. The NCAA Basketball Academy Camp is renowned for its competitive environment and high-level coaching, offering players a unique opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of top college coaches and scouts. King's invitation is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and impressive performance on the court.

On top of King’s invite,

NCMC Head Coach Jeremy Esry also received an invite to the event. He is 1 of 12 junior college coaches to earn the honor. He had these comments about the event. “I am super excited for Tyler to be selected as one of the top junior college players in the nation and attend a prestigious invite only camp that the NCAA puts on. Not only will it be a great opportunity for Tyler to play in front of Division 1 coaches and compete against the best, he will also get a great learning experience off the court with classroom sessions on leadership and development from former coaches and NBA players.”

King has been a standout player for the Pirates, demonstrating remarkable skill, leadership, and sportsmanship. His participation in the NCAA Basketball Academy Camp is not only a personal milestone but also a significant achievement for the entire NCMC community.

NCMC SkillsUSA Robotics Team Competes at National Level

The North Central Missouri College SkillsUSA robotics team, represented by Keaton Pettlon and Zachary Walker, recently achieved a significant milestone by competing nationally in the SkillsUSA National Robotics Automation Technology Contest held in Atlanta, Georgia. Their journey to the national competition began with a first place win at the Missouri SkillsUSA Robotics Automation Technology competition. Under the guidance of their coach, Rick Sharp, NCMC Indus-

trial Technology Instructor, they demonstrated their skills and placed seventh in

the nation at the competition.

Coach Sharp said, “The students worked very hard at the national level. Zach and Keaton competed for eleven hours at their contest, which was very challenging. We hope to return to compete again.”

SkillsUSA is the number one workforce development organization for students. It empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members (skillsusa.org).

36 NCMC Pirates Receive NJCAA Academic Student Athlete Awards

North Central Missouri College athletics proudly announces that the department had thirty-six student athletes receive NJCAA Academic Student Athlete Awards for the 2023-24 school year. Baseball led all teams with twelve individual honorees. Softball had ten players earn the distinction; women's basketball had eight while men's basketball totaled four. Women’s golf rounded out the teams with honorees with two. Thirteen student athletes earned 1st Team status by carrying a 4.0 GPA for the entire school year. To receive the recognition a student athlete must earn at minimum a 3.60 cumulative GPA. "I am very proud of our student athlete's that were able to earn this recognition. Being a student athlete is difficult, but these individuals showed what hard work could do. Here at NCMC, we emphasize the importance of academics and our coaches and North Central Missouri College employees play an important role in the success of our student athletes, both on and off the field," remarked NCMC's Athletic Director Nate Gamet. Additionally, four of the athletic department’s six varsity teams reached a team GPA over 3.0 to be honored collectively. Those teams were Softball (3.55), Women’s Basketball (3.31), Women’s Golf (3.19) and Baseball (3.13).

Here is a full list of individual honorees; 1st Team (4.0 GPA): Chloe Bell (Softball), Briley Bouma (Softball), Rawlins Brant (Baseball), Alex Darling (Women’s Basketball), Kennedy Dickerson (Women’s Golf), Bailey Fleming (Women’s Basketball), Julio Guerrero (Baseball), Hope Helton (Softball), Lauren Krohn (Softball), Jacie Morris (Women’s Basketball), Shodai Nishihara (Baseball), Roman Phillips (Men’s Basketball), Jordi Ventura (Baseball) 2nd Team (3.80-3.99 GPA): Rafael Calcano (Baseball), Joe Clark (Men’s Basketball), Justin Dameron (Baseball), Kiara Franklin (Women’s Basketball), Micah Johnson (Men’s Basketball) 3rd Team (3.60-3.79 GPA): Truman Bodenhausen (Baseball), Rylie Boyer (Softball), Mary Copeland (Women’s Basketball), Laydon Fields (Baseball), Cesar Grau (Baseball), Chloe Helmer (Softball), Addison Huber (Softball), Aiden van Kimmenaede (Baseball), Giovanni Mack (Men’s Basketball), Tori Meinecke (Women’s Basketball), Rylee Murray (Softball), Mollee Olszowka (Women’s Golf), Amelia Pingleton (Softball), Jessica Reeter (Women’s Basketball), Cassi Rodgers (Softball), Jaxon Tanner (Baseball), Oliviya Tinoco (Women’s Basketball), Eric Torrero (Baseball)

Tyler King

Coach Jeremy Esry