Winning Week 1
Both Lathrop and East Buchanan football start the year with victories
CLINTON COUNTY
LEADER
PLATTSBURG SCHOOLS
Fifth graders move from cramped Ellis to CCMS
The school year is well underway in Plattsburg, and for the Clinton County R-III School District, that includes a major shift for some of its students.
The fifth grade at Plattsburg has moved from Ellis Elementary to Clinton County Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year in an effort to alleviate cramped space at the elementary.
The issue was evident last school year, as officials had to use whatever space was available for certain activities.
“We had staff members in the hallways to work and also meet with students,”
said Clinton County R-III Superintendent Dr. Sandy Steggall. “We also had to double up teachers in classrooms and some had to leave their office during the day so a parent meeting could be facilitated.”
SAVING THE DEPOT
by brett adkison leader editor
A brick relic of a bygone era could soon see new life in Plattsburg.
Community leaders are starting to rally around an effort to purchase and restore the Santa Fe Depot, which sits on Seventh Street near Perry Park and was once a hub of commerce and travel in the community.
School officials were proactive in addressing the issue, meeting last winter to go over their options. Immediate consideration was given to moving the fifth grade to Clinton County Middle School, which, along with
Plattsburg High School, was projected to have three or four open classrooms for this school year.
Enrollment projections at that time put the initial enrollment at Ellis for the new
Budget clears first hurdle despite initial tough talk
The Cameron City Council met Tuesday night, September 3, in an attempt to ratify a budget on the first reading, but it was obvious that was going to be a tall task from the get-go.
Before the anticipated public hearing to discuss hot-button issues, including staffing, pay increases and city hall repairs, a routine annual amendment was made to the Alliance wastewater management contract with a vote of 5-0.
In the public hearing to discuss the budget, the public was invited to comment. Park Board President Matt Arndt spoke first, questioning budget items concerning projects the board might undertake. The amount had been reduced and Arndt was informed that there were no real identified plans for projects, so the amount was reduced to a minimum amount with some regular expenditures included.
The Clinton County Historical Society is hoping to raise $210,000 to fund the effort, along with in-kind donations and possible grant funding that could follow the purchase. The campaign could ultimately be bolstered in part by the city’s recent move to establish a community committee to consider historic landmarks and districts, opening additional avenues for funding.
Leader, the last freight train out of Plattsburg departed on June 21, 1979. The Santa Fe Line had previously been slated for abandonment but was saved in 1974 by a community effort, extending its use for several years. The Santa Fe Depot is the last of three that once stood in Plattsburg.
According to the historical society, citing information from The Plattsburg
The historical society has preserved a painting, The Grand Canyon of Arizona from Hermit Rim Road
by Thomas Moran, that once hung in the depot. The society hopes to restore the painting to its former home one day.
The society has already started formulating fundraising opportunities. For those who would like more information or to donate, you can contact Lesli Shaver at (816) 682-9250.
Next, local business woman Sue Manion took the mic and encouraged the council to keep the cost of living adjustments (COLA) and merit increases that were on the chopping block. Despite the price tag to taxpayers of over $300,000, Manion insisted that they were necessary to hire and retain good employees.
“As a citizen, it is one place I don’t care, you spend as much as you want to, but you make sure these folks (city employees) are taken care of,” said Manion.
The comments must have hit home, because when the vote came later, the merit increase was left unchanged and COLA was funded, but at only one
Carrel looks forward to serving the community
This January when A.J. Carrel and other newlyelected county officials take the oath of office, it will mark a homecoming of sorts for Clinton County’s new sheriff. Carrel hasn’t left the area. He’s been firmly en-
trenched in the Lathrop community for some years, including volunteer work with the schools, Friendship Festival and more. But his career in law enforcement has stretched far beyond the county line, building an impressive and broad resume. He hopes to put those experiences to work for
Clinton County. “I’ve been blessed in my career to be able to be a part of a lot of different aspects of law enforcement, whether that be as a training officer for a brand new deputy, all of the way up to working major case squads for homicides,” Carrel said. “That large scope—being
able to know what’s needed for each position and finding the right people for each of those positions—is probably the best thing I’ll bring to the table.”
He felt a pull toward law enforcement early in his life. Carrel grew up in St. Joseph, where his uncle, the late Mickey Gill, served as
the Buchanan County sher
iff. A.J. recalls wandering the halls of the courthouse with his uncle, whom he counts as one of many great mentors in law enforcement career.
Carrel graduated from Central High School in 2002 and went on to get a degree in criminal justice. He then graduated from the Missouri Sheriff’s Academy in 2009. His very first job in law enforcement was with Clinton County as a road deputy. He worked the road and conducted narcotics investigations for two-and-ahalf years.
He said he fell in love
||Continued on A2
-
CLINTON COUNTY
with Clinton County, but salaries weren’t what they are now, and he made the decision to join the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. At both agencies he spearheaded selffunded K9 officer programs.
He’s also worked with the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team, a special victims unit that investigates child crimes and provides valuable resources to smaller agencies that don’t have the capability. He said it was taxing but important work.
Carrel made his return to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department as a captain for the newlyelected sheriff, Larry Fish. He was later promoted to chief deputy but left the department in late 2021. Most recently he has been working as an investigator for a large shipping company, part of a four-man regional team investigating large shipments of drugs, workplace violence and elder fraud at 22 facilities.
Carrel has also volunteered with the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team, a 501(c)(3) organization that plans and carries out funerals for those who die in the line of duty. They also help the surviving families with a multitude of resources.
Carrel saw the team’s impact first-hand when his daughter’s biological father tragically passed in the line of duty. He wanted to be a part of their mission and he’s now in his ninth year organizing and running a golf tournament that raises upwards of $25,000 annually, allowing the team to expand their services.
Though working elsewhere, Carrel remained part of the local community. But he said at football games or the grocery store, residents would tell him of unfortunate interactions with area officers and how those moments tainted their perception of law enforcement.
“That was one of my big deciding factors to come back,” he said. “There’s so much negativity about interactions with law enforcement. It wasn’t just the sheriff’s department. It was the highway patrol, police departments. The world we live in right now, we’ve had some really unfortunate circumstances in law enforcement and it leads people to kind of jump on that bandwagon, if you will, and go, ‘Well this happened to them, so I don’t like them either.’ My goal is always to change that.”
He said communication and interaction will be key in that goal. He wants his department and its members to be a part of their communities and to be involved with local service organizations.
When Carrel takes office in January, he said the first step will be meeting and talking with the staff of the sheriff’s department. He said that, after what some have called a contentious election, it’s important to meet with those on the inside of the department, let them know where they stand, and see whether they’re in the best position to succeed as a department.
“I think there’s great, great
people at the sheriff’s office,” he said, “but maybe seeing if there’s other opportunities within the agency that they might be better for serving the community and better for their mental health.”
He also hopes to go over ongoing projects in the department and he would like to get a jump on the budget, which is crafted and finalized throughout the month of January. He said he has a great relationship with the commissioners and will be meeting with them regularly to be part of the overall solution to county issues.
“The sheriff’s department is the largest funded department inside of Clinton County,” Carrel said. “Knowing that, it’s heavy on your shoulders. But where we can help—maybe something happens at road and bridge, and we had a project that was scheduled. Maybe we can scoot that project back and have that good working relationship with them.”
The next sheriff also wants to increase mental health resources within the department. Carrel hopes to get a mental health liaison embedded with the department who can not only respond to mental health calls for service, but also serve the law enforcement officials within the department.
Beyond that, Carrel said that he’s going to ask his department members to be a part of their local communities. He wants to see them join service organizations and see what they can do for the community beyond their shift behind the badge.
One area where Clinton County has improved is in deputy pay, bolstered in large part by the recent addition of the law enforcement sales tax.
“The cost of living is still climbing, but I think once that sales tax passed, you could see tenured deputies who wanted to stay in their communities and are able to,” Carrel said. “Again, you won’t find a law enforcement officer who will say, ‘I’m doing this for the money.’ They’re doing it for whatever reason it is. ‘It makes me feel good to help people. It makes me feel good to not just be a cop but be part of the community I live in.’”
school year at 365 students (including pre-kindergarten students), Clinton County Middle School at 164 students and Plattsburg High School at 192 students. With the switch, the district is starting this year with 310 students at the elementary, 201 students at the middle school and 206 students at the high school.
Dr. Steggall said the fifth graders have transitioned well to the new building.
“One of the primary challenges of moving the fifth grade to CCMS has been ensuring that students and families feel comfortable and supported in a new building,” she said. “The shift to a middle school brings new routines, expectations, and social dynamics, which can be daunting for both students and their families. Despite these challenges, our staff, students, and families have handled the transition remarkably well. We put several measures in place last spring and at the beginning of the school year to ease the transition and create a welcoming environment for our fifth graders.”
Some of those measures included early orientation and meet and greet nights last May for those elementary students transitioning to the middle school this fall. The district also held a mock school day for those students to help them understand
the flow and expectations that come along with education at the middle school.
The transition came at a key time, too, as the district has seen an increase in the number of prekindergarten students enrolled for this school year.
“We’re really excited to have more (pre-K) students this year, because getting them into school early makes a big difference,” Dr. Steggall said. “It helps them get comfortable with the school environment, which makes the transition to kindergarten smoother and easier for them.
While the fifth grade transition is alleviating space issues in the short term, the district could choose to seek a long-term solution in the coming months. Dr.
Steggall said the school board expects to meet with Joe Kinder of Stifel Financial Corporation this October to discuss no-taxincrease bonding options. Last winter, the board received information on the possibility of either building new space at Ellis Elementary or even building a new Early Childhood Center that could include preschool, Head Start, Parents as Teachers and more.
That information projected the cost for an addition at Ellis Elementary at $8.4 million and an Early Childhood Center between $8.5 million and $11 million. Both options would require bond approval and take two to three years for completion.
Cameron Budget, Continued from Page A1
percent instead of the usual three percent.
No other citizens spoke for or against the budget during the public hearing, and discussion continued for almost an hour before a vote was called.
Despite all the calls for cuts to brace for the unfunded liabilities the city faces repairing utility infrastructure and streets (and now a $3 million city hall emergency repair), the budget passed fairly unchanged from the initial version presented weeks ago. Despite rigorous opposition to adding the position of IT Director by John Breckenridge, that position was approved by a vote of 3-2, with Feighert and Breckinridge voting no.
A 10-percent, across-theboard cut, as suggested by councilman Feighert, was addressed by staff as being very difficult to accomplish based on the governmental and tax funds that cannot be redirected or saved for a rainy day. The council seemed frustrated by the lack of options to cut the budget and the staff seemed content to accept the current “balanced “ version despite a public appetite for cuts to prepare for huge repair expenses
and no desire for more bonding of debt.
In the end, after much hand wringing and threats to not pass the budget, it was approved by a unanimous vote, 5-0.
In an ominous pivot, the next items on the agenda were to approve rate increases to water and sewer rates that Assistant City Manager Zac Johnson referred to as “not the last increase in the next year” due to the switch to American Water as the pipeline comes on line.
Water rates are going up approx $5 per month with an increase of minimum cost of service from $20 to $25 per month and sewer minimum cost of service charge going from $39.52 to $40.12.
Johnson warned that the increases were necessary, as the sewer department’s reserves were “next to nothing.”
The water rate increase was approved 4-1 with Feighert voting against, commenting he could not vote to reduce employees’ COLA and then vote for an increase in water rates, but then voted to increase sewer rates, as the council approved that increase 5-0.
Next, a resolution approving the City of Cameron to partner with the Historical Preservation Society to pursue a Brownfield Grant for remediation of lead and asbestos at the Old School passed. Economic Development Director Lance Rains reminded the council that the grant match of 20 percent would be paid by the Historical Preservation Society and the 80 percent was free money that the city would likely have to pay out of pocket if not for the grant.
Also on the agenda was discussion of the project to pave Reservoir Trail Loop. Park Board president Matt Arndt approached council again and asked for their honest assessment and appetite for funding further trail development beyond current allocated funds. The council admitted they were not in favor of further expenditures to help develop that area until the economics of the city improved.
The city will revisit the budget one more time at the September 16 meeting, but after that approval, the budget will be final. Residents are invited to address the council before that vote in public participation.
Plattsburg schools move to ticketing app for games
The Clinton County RIII School District has made the full switch to app-based ticketing for sporting events this school year.
Those attending Plattsburg’s high school and middle school contests can utilize the Hometown Fan application (available on both Apple and Android) to purchase and present their tickets at entry. Fans can also purchase tickets on the school website and then present the digital ticket on their phone or a printed paper version.
All senior citizens, Clinton County R-III students and children six and under have free admission to Plattsburg home sporting events (excluding the postseason).
It isn’t an entirely new process, as Clinton County R-III Athletic Director Hunter Adkins pointed out. Plattsburg fans have had to utilize the same options for postseason tickets through the Missouri State High School Activities Association in recent years.
“Being that we host so many events, it seems like a natural transition at this point,” Adkins said. “We were able to get a gym full of people entered last basketball season in less than 15 minutes, as the scanning allows for a quicker entry to the activity.”
He also said that the move will improve safety for gate workers, who formerly had to gather large amounts of cash.
“We host both softball and baseball off campus,”
Adkins said. “When I took the job, that is something that didn’t sit right with me—having our workers sit out away from everyone at the entrance to Perkins Park. Nothing nefarious ever happened, but just because it hasn’t doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
District officials who supervise the contests also had to secure and account for gate funds, taking them away from the supervision of the contests, themselves.
Adkins said that all ticket links are shared with opposing athletic directors a week prior to competition.
Clinton County R-III also shares the links through its school messaging systems, social media, and specific ticket links through a QR code on event programs.
New Bench to be Dedicated
MoDOT roadwork in Northwest Missouri this week
St. Joseph, Mo. – The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of Sept. 2-8.
There also may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. Check the MoDOT Traveler Information Map at http://traveler. modot.org, or download the app for updated information. MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.
Andrew County
U.S. Route 71 – Resurfacing project on portions of north and southbound lanes from Route V south of Maryville to U.S. Route 59 north of Savannah, through September 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.).
U.S. Route 169 – Resurfacing project from intersection of Missouri Route 31 (DeKalb County) to Interstate 29 (Buchanan County) through September 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.).
Route 48 – Resurfacing project from Martin Street (King City) to the intersection of U.S. Route 71 (Savannah) though early September 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.).
Business Route 71 – Culvert replacement at 3rd Street, Sept. 4, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Buchanan County Cook Road Bridge –CLOSED for a bridge rehabilitation project over I-29 in St. Joseph through October 2024. (Contractor: Clarkson Construction Company) https://www.modot.org/ interstate-29-bridge-rehabilitation-buchanan.
U.S. Route 169 – Resurfacing project from intersection of Missouri Route 31 (DeKalb County) to Interstate 29 (Buchanan County), through September 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.). Route 752 (Alabama) – Sig-
nal repair at the King Hill intersection, Sept. 4, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Caldwell County Route D – CLOSED until further notice at the Shoal Creek Bridge due to deck deterioration. This bridge is currently scheduled for the January 2025 contractor letting through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
Route 13 – CLOSED from Route P to Far West Drive for a resurfacing project from the south city limits of Hamilton to just north of Route HH in Kingston through mid-September 2024. (Contractor: Phillips Hardy, Inc.). https://www. modot.org/13-pavementresurfacing-caldwell-anddaviess.
Route A - Resurfacing project Sept. 3-23. The roadway will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place. *2
Route KK – Resurfacing project Sept. 3-23. The roadway will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place. *2
Route E – Resurfacing project Sept. 7-23. The roadway will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place. *2
Carroll County
Route M – CLOSED at the Grand River bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through Oct. 1, 2024. (Contractor: Hardy Construction, LLC) Route M Bridge Rehabilitation in Carroll and Chariton | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org).
Route CC – CLOSED at the Little Wakenda Creek Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through October (Capital-Horner & Shifrin). *1
Route KK – Resurfacing project Sept. 3-23. The roadway will be narrowed to one lane and a 10-foot width restriction will be in place. *2
Chariton County
Route JJ – CLOSED at the Slater Branch Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through October. (CapitalHorner & Shifrin). *1
Route D – CLOSED at the West Fork of Bee Creek
Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project, through October. (Capital-Horner & Shifrin). *1
Route M – CLOSED at the Grand River bridge for a bridge rehabilitation through Oct. 1, 2024. (Contractor: Hardy Construction, LLC)
Route M Bridge Rehabilitation in Carroll and Chariton | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org).
Clinton County
Route H – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project from NE Estep Road to U.S. Route 69 through November 2024. (Contractor: Phillips Hardy, Inc.) https://www. modot.org/route-h-bridgereplacement-clinton.
I-35 – Concrete repair project from Missouri Route 116 to 1 mile north of Shoal Creek (just north of U.S. Route 69 intersection), through December. (Contractor: Phillips Hardy, Inc.).
Daviess County
U.S. Route 69 – Pulling shoulders from Route 6 to Route T, Sept. 3-6. Route 6 – Pothole patching from Route 13 to Route V, Sept. 3-6.
DeKalb County
U.S. Route 69 – Intersection improvement project at Route EE through November 2024 (Contractor: Leavenworth Excavating & Equipment Company, Inc.).
U.S. Route 169 – Resurfacing project from intersection of Missouri Route 31 (DeKalb County) to Interstate 29 (Buchanan County), through September 2024 (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.).
Grundy County Route B – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 10th Avenue to Route Y, Sept. 4, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Route 6 – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Lake Manor Drive to Route Y, Sept. 5, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Harrison County Route M – CLOSED for multiple culvert replacements from Route D going north to Route D going south in Washington Center, Sept. 3-6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
See what Honeycutt Media can do for your business! Give us a call (660) 359-2212 and ask about the Green Hills Shopper
Holt County Route DD – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 100 Road to 110 Road, Sept. 5, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Linn County
U.S. Route 36 – Pavement repair westbound from Route FF to Katy Drive, Sept. 3-5.
Livingston County Route CC – CLOSED at the Leeper Creek Bridge southeast of Chillicothe for a bridge rehabilitation project through November. (CapitalHorner & Shifrin). *1
Route W – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from LIV 506 to LIV 508, Sept. 3, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Nodaway County
U.S. Route 71 – Resurfacing project on portions of north and southbound lanes from Route V south of Maryville to U.S. Route 59 north of Savannah, through September 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.)
Route DD – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Nodaway Atchison Road to Birch Road, Sept. 3 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Route NN – CLOSED until further notice at the Platte
River Bridge west of Parnell due to significant bridge deterioration.
U.S. Route 71 – Culvert replacement from Route FF to Galaxy Road, Sept. 3. Route AB – CLOSED for a culvert replacement at U.S. Route 71, Sept. 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. U.S. Route 71 – Culvert replacement from 180th Road to 170th Road, Sept. 5. Putnam County Route U - CLOSED at the East Locust Creek Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project, Sept. 3 to mid-December. (Capital-Horner & Shifrin). *1
On Saturday, September 14, there will be a dedication of a new bench outside the Clinton County Courthouse, which is being set in honor of Delmas Green and Clifford Kelley. The dedication will be at 11 a.m. Sheriff Larry Fish will be there, along with members of the Green and Kelley families.
by brett adkison leader editor
OPINIONS
WHAT’S THE SHAPE OF THE WORLD?
KC artist brings Jefferson Highway back to life
You know you’re growin’ older when... You can remember when the dead sea was only sick (Stan Dedman).
* * * *
The history of the Jefferson Highway has a story to tell, and part of that fascinating story is being brought to life by artist Daniel Bartle. His huge canvas is the west wall of the building C.R. Young built in 1916, and was later purchased by H.O. Tinnen in 1936 to operate Tinnen Motor Company, a Ford dealership in downtown Plattsburg.
Bartle’s interest in art began early, at the age of six,
when he was growing up in Colorado. He said he told his mother that he wanted to be a painter. From that declaration, he followed his dream when he enrolled at the Kansas City Art Institute. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the institute and began his career as a freelance artist.
As a freelance artist, he participated in the Parade of Hearts as part of the local artists, creating 101 works of heart (five-foot by fivefoot hearts in a unique design). He has designed and painted murals, illustrations, 3D modeling and animation. During his career he has worked as an architectural illustrator for Populous. His resume includes marketing
as a conceptual artist, doing storyboards, environmental design, illustration and animation.
He has produced murals for Nike, J.E. Dunn, Children’s Mercy Hospital and Cafe Ca Phe.
Late last fall, the Plattsburg Community Betterment and Arts Council and Clinton County Historical Society sought artists to submit ideas for painting a mural on the Town Hall’s west wall with a Jefferson Highway theme. Bartle’s submission was deemed the winner over several other artists who submitted design ideas.
Since accepting the job of painting the mural, Bartle has faced numerous chal-
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
||Continued on A12
Time for Clinton County to play Jeff City’s game
Based off what I’ve read in The Leader, I’m deeply unimpressed with Cameron’s plans to fix the city hall. I know there are few good options available to the city and I am sympathetic to the difficult position the city council finds itself in. If the city raises taxes for a new building, that will likely drive people out of Cameron, putting a larger tax burden on increasingly fewer shoulders. From the 2010 to 2020 census, the population of Cameron already plummeted by over 1,000 people. There is little need to accelerate that problem. However, merely putting an expensive patch on an inadequate building stinks of political indecision and an inability to look to the future. It sounds like refusing to plan for the future and a lack of vision led to this problem in the first place. So I would like to propose my own idea
for how Cameron, and Clinton County, might be able to get the money to properly fix up their ailing civic buildings.
Way back in the days of the dearly departed Bob Griffin, you could have your trusted state rep. put a few words into a bill and money would fall from the sky to solve any problem in the county. Sadly, we’ve lost our political importance in the state, so we need a more sophisticated plan.
There are about 34 Republican State Representatives in the Missouri House that represent rural Class 3 and 4 counties. There are also 51 Democrat State Representatives. Combine those numbers and you can pass any bill in the House. I bet you each of those rural counties has their civic building issues, making those Reps yes votes. As for the Demo-
crats, that’s where a bit of cunning comes in. If you have a bill that would help pay for civic buildings in rural counties and you put stipulations on the spending in that bill that gives advantages to union contractors for the bidding, you bet those trade unions would force each of those Democrat Reps to vote yes. It may be sneaky and it may be underhanded but it works. Looking at the difficulties the area has faced, I have a hard time disavowing the methods of Bob Griffin. With governments on all levels failing to solve problems, maybe it’s a time for proven methods. Remember, decline is a choice.
Michael Pyles Lathrop, Mo.
THIS MIGHT STING Infected with the Status Quo
by jamey honeycutt leader publisher
I’ll admit, I was hopeful that all the talk of tightening the purse strings was going to come to fruition. That the “buck was going to stop” here. But alas, the City of Cameron again had a chance to be proactive, and punted.
Optimism appears futile despite it normally being my “go-to.”
It is tough to say, and perhaps tougher for some to hear, but I am not sure we have the right people to get the job done at Cameron City Hall.
Now hear me when I say, I don’t think there are any bad actors or conspiracy theories at play. Sometimes they just can’t all be five-star recruits, but I think it is time to ask ourselves
the tough questions: Are these the right people to lead Cameron through the next few, tough years? Both on the council and managing the staff, from the lead dog to the department heads he hires? Who is passing with flying colors and who needs to be given the ability to be successful elsewhere?
I am not going to say specifically where the
changes should come from, but I will tell you the things that Cameron cannot abide.
First is the status quo.
The status quo has stagnated Cameron for the past 15 years and caused a rot and decay to the infrastructure and core of the town now infecting the anchor tenant, your own city hall. Little to no real effort has been made in the past decade to care for or upkeep our most identifiable asset, save the entrance sign and water tower. These are in the words of the council members, themselves.
The city, under Mark Gaugh as manager, apparently paid tax dollars for a roof survey to get to the bottom of leaks and then ignored the findings for years until they were lost
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Waking up to America’s new mass confusion
Our nation seems to be in a great state of confusion at this time in history. It seems that we are becoming a nation:
• That says there’s no such thing as gender, but fights for women’s rights.
• Who can’t define what a woman is, but demands a woman president.
• That now claims a man can become pregnant, but tries to erase mothers, calling them birthing persons and chest feeders.
• That believes no child should be left behind, but we have aborted over 60 million children, and where killing murderers is wrong, but killing unborn or just born babies is okay.
• Where heroes have died so our flag can fly over a free nation, but where athletes (who have become our heroes) kneel in disrespect of our flag.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
• That has “In God we Trust” printed on our money, yet the ACLU sues people who make His name known in public.
• That has taken the Ten Commandments out of our classrooms, but places litter boxes in them.
• Known as the greatest nation on Earth, yet we consume more anti-depressants than any other nation on earth.
• That pledges we are “one nation under God,” but have deep divisions in every area of life.
• Who welcomes “the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” but we’ve opened our borders to human traffickers, drug lords and militaryaged men from countries such as China, Iraq and Russia who come with a nefarious agenda.
• Where they say Russians
influencing our elections is bad, but illegals voting in our elections is good • In which people who have never been able to afford college pay the debts of college students who took out huge loans for their degrees.
• Who has seen many other countries that have collapsed as a result of socialism, but it seems like a great idea for us. We are clearly living in an upside down world where right is wrong and wrong is right, where moral is immoral and immoral is moral, where good is evil and evil is good. God is not the author of confusion but of peace.
Wake up America! The great unsinkable ship, America, has hit an iceberg (this is only the tip) and is sinking fast.
School Vouchers: A Threat to Missouri’s Public Education
Recently, the debate over school vouchers has intensified, with proponents arguing that they provide necessary choices and promote competition, while critics warn of their potential to undermine public education. In Missouri, the introduction of school voucher programs poses a significant threat to our public education system. It is crucial to understand why school vouchers are a misguided policy that could harm our schools, students, and communities.
Public schools in Missouri provide a source of pride and a bedrock of our smaller communities. They are institutions where all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, receive an education. School vouchers, which allow public funds to be used for private school tuition, siphon resources away from public schools. The consequence is an erosion of the quality of education in public schools, as they are left with fewer funds to support teachers, maintain facilities, and provide necessary programs.
students are not required to adhere to the same standards as public schools. This means they may not be subject to the same regulations regarding special education services, free or reduced lunch programs, and other supports that are critical for disadvantaged students.
One of the fundamental issues with school vouchers is that they often make educational inequality worse, rather than alleviate it. Private schools that accept voucher
As a result, vouchers will create a two-tiered education system where only those who can supplement the voucher with additional funds get access to quality education, while others are left with inadequate options. When public funds are diverted to private schools, local school
THE CLINTON COUNTY LEADER
Becca
districts may face budget shortfalls and fewer resources for students. This financial strain can undermine the ability of public schools to provide a comprehensive education to every student, particularly those from low-income families. Public schools are subject to state and federal accountability measures. Private schools, that accept vouchers, often operate with much less oversight. This lack of oversight can lead to poor educational quality and fewer guarantees that voucher-funded schools are meeting the needs of all students. There is no assurance that these
schools are providing a quality education for their students. Especially religious schools. School vouchers threaten to undermine the quality and equity of our public education system, strain local resources, and introduce accountability concerns. Instead of diverting funds away from public schools, we should focus on investing in and improving our existing educational institutions. Supporting public education will ensure that every student has access to highquality education.
DAVID RICE ATCHISON • “President for a Day”
JAMEY HONEYCUTT LEADER PUBLISHER
Joyce Tichenor Turney, Mo.
Mike Shryock Trimble, Mo.
Labors of Love on Labor Day: Working for the Lord
By Fr. Tom Ludwig St. Munchin Catholic Church
We are coming off the final three-day weekend of the summer. Some ascribe Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day is much more than that. You can google the history of Labor Day, so I will not take up space here for that. Labor Day is a day
to recognize and appreciate all who labor for their livelihood, which is probably anyone who reads this article. How did we, as Christians, respond to this national holiday? Did we at any moment give thanks and praise to God for the job(s) we have? Did we at any moment give thanks and praise to God for the work that others do that benefits us? Did
we at any moment stop and give thanks to God for the opportunities we have to work for the Lord through our daily job?
Several years ago (in another parish), I offered a program called Labors of Love. This program was based on 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
This program was meant to encourage and inspire people to: 1.) Recognize in their own life the positive impact they can have on others through their work; 2.) invite them to seek ways in which they can ex-
Upcoming Events in the Region
• Looking to get the car out of the garage one more time before putting it up for the winter? A show next month in Gower is your best bet!
The Gower Convalescent Center will be hosting its inaugural car show on Wednesday, September 18, at 2 p.m. The center is hoping to get at least 10 cars to the convalescent center (323 US 169 Highway, Gower) for the delight of their residents. The staff will also dress up that day in their best outfits from the 50s to take photos with the cars.
• The Cameron Historical Society and Depot Museum will give residents a glimpse into the past with its 2024 Cemetery Tour on Sunday, September 8, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The presentation will include the stories of upwards of 10 interesting
families or people of Cameron, including several new biographies compared to last year’s tour. Those wishing to attend will need to line-up at the depot by 2:30 p.m. behind the hearse, as there will be a faux-funeral procession to the cemetery. There is a $5 donation requested at the cemetery. For more information, visit the Cameron Depot Museum on Facebook.
• The Clinton County Historical Society will be hosting The Ghostly Gallivant, a tour of the community’s S. Main cemeteries. The event will be Sunday, Octboer 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the only cost being a free will donation. Tours begin at the museum at 308 S. Birch, with the final tour beginning at 6:45 p.m.
• Northeast of Cameron, the Kidder
Baptist Church will be providing food, fun and fellowship later this month.
The church is hosting its Kidder Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 183 Walnut Street in Kidder.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be free popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones, as well as horse carriages and wagon rides, kid’s crafts and games, a cakewalk, bounce house, cornhole and vendors. There will be open microphone music and testimony from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be a free fish fry and burgers and Lyden Francis will speak. There will also be featured music from Sonshine Road. All are welcome.
tend a helping hand to others. My brothers and sisters in Christ (as St. Paul often writes), there are a plethora of ways we can do both. If we believe that we are doing in our secular job what God is asking of us, then we are God’s instruments in that job, and who knows how God will use us. Each day we are given opportunities to lend a helping hand, lend
an ear, lend a few moments of our time, lend a prayer. It is amazing what can happen in our lives, and the lives of others, when we strive each day to “work for the Lord.” When we look at our jobs, or any work we do from a Christ-centered perspective, anything we do could become a Labor of Love.
PHS Film Club headed for New York City
The Plattsburg High School Film Club has punched their ticket to New York City, but it will take some help from the community to get them there.
The club beat out thousands of other hopefuls to earn a spot in the All-American High School Film Festival in New York City in October, but it will cost approximately
$12,000 to make the trip.
To start off their fundraising efforts, the club will be hosting dinner ahead of the Plattsburg football team’s season opener this Friday, September 6, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, in the performing arts center. The pulled pork sandwich meal will be for a free-will donation. The club will also be showing their short film at 6 p.m.
MoDOT announces primary road closures near St. Joe
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Necessary bridge repairs will soon close Buchanan County Route AC (Riverside Road) over U.S. Route 36. Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will close the bridge beginning Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 a.m., through Friday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m., to complete bridge deck repairs.
Motorists will need to seek an alternate route around the closure. In addition, single-lane closures may be necessary during daytime hours on U.S. Route 36 under Riverside Road. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change.
MoDOT asks drivers
to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.
While at modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASKMODOT (275-6636) or via social media.
The north and southbound off ramps from Interstate 29 to U.S. Route 169 (Exit 50) in St. Joseph are scheduled to close for resurfacing as a part of a multi-county project on U.S. Route 169. Crews from Herzog Contracting Corp.,
working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plan to close the ramp at 4 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7.
During the closure, motorists should seek an alternate route.
Herzog Contracting Corp. LLC is paving the ramps as part of a larger
resurfacing project including portions of U.S. Route 169 in Andrew, Buchanan and DeKalb counties; U.S. Route 59 in Buchanan County; Missouri Route 48 in Andrew and Gentry counties; Route 45 in Buchanan County; Andrew County Route E; and Gentry County Route CC.
The Assessor's Office will close early at 12:00pm on September 9th and will be closed September 10th and 11th for training. We will be back open on September 12th. Cindy Carter Clinton County Assessor
All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving
East Buchanan runs roughshod over Central KC
It might be a new era and a new year for the East Buchanan football team, but in their season opener Saturday, the Bulldogs were able to put together much the same result.
East Buchanan scored four touchdowns in the first quarter to speed away from Class 3 Center on Saturday, August 31, rolling to a 55-14 win in Kansas City. It was the 17th-straight regular season victory of the Bulldogs, and the fifthstraight years East Buchanan opened the year with a win.
Bulldogs head coach Dan Ritter credited the team’s attention to detail for their ability to seal the victory early on.
“We, as coaches, had been hard on the players lately because we believe they should have high expectations, and the players really rose to the occasion and focused in on Saturday,” Ritter said. “We did a lot of little things well, which in the end resulted in the scoreboard being on our side.”
Aidan Smith burst out of the gate against Central,
scoring East Buchanan’s first two touchdowns (a 20-yard run followed by a 15-yard run). Quarterback
Phoenix Baugh added a 56-yard touchdown pass to Kohen Brown and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ty Ingle, as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 27-0 in just the first 12 minutes.
Smith scored on the ground in the second, as he finished the day with 102 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries. He also had a 20-yard reception. Bode Griffin ran for 48 yards on seven carries, one of which went for a touch-
down. Reece Dixon added a 42-yard run on the day. Landon Smith ran for 60 yards and added 1.5 sacks on defense.
In his first game as the full-time starting quarterback, Baugh connected on eight of his 12 pass attempts for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, Jacob King and Bode Griffin each had a sack. King had two tackles and two assists, as did Dixon. Trey Johnson recovered a fumble and Braxton Scott pulled in an interception. Kade Webb nearly added to the scoring
column, as he nabbed and returned an interception for a touchdown, but the play was called back on a penalty.
The road figures to get a little tougher this Friday when East Buchanan welcomes the Savannah Savages to Gower for the home opener. The Class 4 team started the year with a close loss to Pleasant Hill, 14-12, last week, but that isn’t going to lull the Bulldogs into a trap.
“The Savages are strong and physical,” Ritter said. “They should have beat Pleasant Hill, who is
a perennial powerhouse in Class 4 (9-2 last year).
(Savannah) had multiple chances to score in their red zone and turned the ball over. We have to match their physicality. They are going to try to push us around, and even though we are smaller, we have to rise to the occasion and match that physicality. We also have to connect. If we want to have a chance in the game, we have to capitalize on opportunities. We have to make tackles on first contact, we have to catch the ball in our area, and we have to get turnovers when they are presented.”
Late touchdown lifts Lathrop past Lexington
The Lathrop Mules used some late-game heroics to notch their first win of 2024 and end a seven-game skid dating back to last season.
Tied with Lexington 20-20 deep in the fourth quarter Friday, August 30, Lathrop’s defense forced a turnover, which senior quarterback Brody Spear turned into a three-yard rushing touchdown moments later, earning the Mules a 27-20 victory in front of the home crowd.
Lexington led 14-12 at the half and extended that lead to 20-12 with a third quarter score. That wasn’t enough to put away Lathrop, however.
“We have preached all offseason on finishing, answering adversity, and when things don’t go your way, be the one to step up and pick everyone else up around
you,” said Lathrop head coach Corey Creason. “We had a few miscues that hurt us and put our defense in a bind. We had other players pick up when we needed it. I was proud of our guys. We haven’t seen that in a few years. I told them after the game that that’s a step in the right direction. We made plays when we absolutely had to. Guys were calling
for the ball in certain situations and we love seeing that.”
Spear put together a massive performance for Lathrop. The senior threw for 96 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Along with his late rushing touchdown, Spear had a hand in all four Lathrop touchdowns Friday.
“He was seeing the
field well,” said
“We talked all week on what would be open because of the aggressive nature from the safety. He took what he saw in film and what
in the ground game, so we didn’t go away
Lady Tigers win home tourney, Lathrop splits pair
Plattsburg breaks out the bats, outpaces both LeBlond and Polo
The Plattsburg Lady Tigers stormed out to a strong start to the 2024 softball season on Saturday, sweeping LeBlond and Polo to win their home tournament. The Lady Tigers started the morning by speeding past LeBlond for a 20-0 win in just three innings. Allie Roberson knocked in three RBIs to go with a pair of runs, while Penelope Irizzary went three-for-three with three runs scored and three RBIs. Irizarry also struck out four batters in three spotless innings on the rubber, giving up just two hits. Addison Ford went two-for-three with two
runs scored and two RBIs. Sophie Schmitten scored twice with two RBIs, reaching base four times. Lilly Nelson scored twice and knocked in two runs. Sophia Hadley scored twice and Avery Mumm scored three runs. Kaylee Wehmeyer scored three runs with three RBIs. The second game was a
little more competitive, with the Lady Tigers fending off Polo for a 9-5 victory. Hadley went three-for-three with two runs scored and two RBIs. Nelson knocked in a pair of runs and scored another. Schmitten scored three runs. Irizarry and Madison Huke each knocked in a run. Irizarry spread out eight
hits over six innings pitched, striking out four batters. The Lathrop Lady Mules opened the year with a trip north to the Cameron Tournament on Saturday, splitting their slate 2-2. That was headlined by a 7-6 come-from-behind victory against Cameron. Lathrop racked up 12 hits in the game. Jo Ash-
craft went two-for-four with three RBIs and a run scored. Kenzie Keith went two-forfour with two RBIs and a run scored. Arlie Hawkins scored twice and Alayna Williams scored a run with an RBI. Peyton Cobb threw six innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run. The Lady Mules also
Creason.
we practiced and it translated on the field. We felt we could have thrown the ball more, but we were also getting yards
from what was working until we needed to.”
Jesse James reeled in two of those passing touchdowns—one in the second
(Above) Lathrop receiver Lucas Quinn lines up wide ahead of a play Friday against Lexington. (Right) Lathrop’s Jesse James pulls in a touchdown in the back of the end zone for a score on Friday at Lathrop High School. brett adkison | the leader
(Above) Plattsburg right fielder Charleigh Mooney throws the ball into the infield Saturday in the Plattsburg softball tournament. (Right) Plattsburg shortstop Addison Ford tags out a LeBlond runner Saturday in the Lady Tigers’ victory at Perkins Park. brett adkison | the leader
by brett adkison
Lathrop Mules win season opener over Lexington
Discover nature during the last days of summer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
– Soak up the last days of summer with help from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Agents of Discovery! To help kids and adults get outside, MDC is partnering with Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app for its late-summer Missions.
Agents of Discovery is an educational gaming app that allows users to engage with nature while completing “Missions”, or games –proving that screen time can be green time.
Missions include prizes to reward “Agents”, or players who participate. Once an Agent completes a Mission, they can earn stickers, pins, and other prizes. Find new Missions at the following MDC locations: Wild About Wildlife Mission at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs Learn about Missouri animals and the habitats they call home in the Wild About Wildlife Mission! This Mission will take place on the Missouri Tree Trail where Agents will see a for-
est, prairie, pond, and glade habitat. After completing this 30-minute Mission, Agents can come to the nature center to collect a prize! Summer Wildlife Mission at Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood Summertime at Powder Valley is full of wonderful wildlife! In a new summer Mission, Agents will learn all about the deer, turtles, and birds that call this place home. This mission will have challenges inside the building and along Tanglevine Trail. The Mission should take about 30-min-
utes to complete. Secrets of the Trees Mission at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City
Take a hike on Runge’s shadiest trail to discover little-known facts of the biggest plants in the forest—trees! Agents will get acquainted with several trees and learn some of their secrets and stories. Towering Oak Trail has a nearly continuous canopy of shade and features a variety of trees, including some enormous white oak trees that are 150-200 years old. The trail includes some hills, is
a half-mile long, and the surface is wood chips. The Mission should take around 30-minutes to complete.
Download the free Agents of Discovery app and create and Agent profile. Then pick a Mission in your area.
Download the Mission before heading out so the game can be played without
a WiFi or data connection. Then use the secret Agent tool to find and unlock challenges.
Agents of Discovery is available for download through the App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit agentsofdiscovery.com.
Softball, Continued from Page A7
scored a 14-0 run-ruled victory against KCI foe Hamilton. Hawkins, just a freshman, impressed at the plate, going three-for-three with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Cobb scored twice, Williams scored two runs and batted in two runs, while Keith and David each scored twice. Cobb gave up just one hit in three innings pitched.
The Lady Mules fell in their other two contests, losing to Trenton 14-5 and Lawson 10-2.
Football, Continued from Page A7
quarter and a 40-yard strike in the third—for 51 yards. Lucas Quinn grabbed two receptions for 34 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Elijah Crain did most of the damage in the running game, toting the ball 29 times for 106 yards.
This week, the Mules will play the first of threestraight road games when they travel over the state line to face Christ Preparatory Academy in Lenexa, Kan. Lathrop won’t be back home until a September 27 match-up with KCI rival East Buchanan. Friday’s victory, and the lessons that came with it, could serve Lathrop’s purpose as they progress through the season.
“We will never play a perfect game, as much as you’d like to,” Creason said. “That’s the beauty with football. At some point, we will face adversity. When that time comes, everyone together must answer the call. We did that at times on Friday and we look to build on that to where we are playing our game with full confidence.”
(Left) Lathrop quarterback Brody Spear threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in Lathrop’s win against Lexington. (Right) Lathrop defensive lineman Remi Wolfe fires off the line on Friday. brett adkison | the leader
Jamey Honeycutt,
in a file cabinet. They were eventually found as the staff was abandoning ship out of health concerns in the form of black mold due to years of steady leaking and decay.
Obviously there were mistakes in the past, but those folks are long gone. But what about the past five years? What responsibility is it of the current administration that has just recently started taking action? I have invited City Manager Steve Rasmussen to write a monthly column in The Clinton County Leader and he has accepted. I hope that he can
use our platform to communicate directly with the residents he serves and address these and other issues.
On the other side of the equation is our city council. Again, all well-meaning public servants, but are they the right people for the job? I am not sure–after watching them struggle to get consensus and navigate this unprecedented series of emergency events–that all of them even still want to be there. My guess is that if the election filings were next week, three of the five would not run again, and that might
not be a bad idea. Hell, if I were on the council I would probably run screaming.
These are crazy times when you add up the magnitude of the task these six people (council and city manager) face.
First, they have to rebuild or recreate city hall from the scrap heap and not blow past early estimates of $3.1 million in the most inflation-riddled and uncertain time in recent history.
Second, warnings of the condition of water mains under Third Street set off cold sweats in public works
Farm management series
‘On My Own’
A program to help women landowners and operators understand agricultural leases and the value of land and agricultural activities will be offered this fall in a series of evening events.
University of Missouri Extension will hold “On My Own” classes on various weeknights at locations throughout the state from Oct. 15, 2024, through Feb. 25, 2025. There are also two opportunities for taking the class online.
“I will have fresh data from the most recent MU Extension rental rates survey and farmland values opinions survey to share,” said Amie Breshears, ag business specialist for MU Extension in Benton County.
The workshop will help participants understand the basic elements of agricultural leases and other resources that can be leveraged to de-
offered this fall
termine land values and rates for custom work.
Participants will learn: Components and common types of agricultural lease arrangements.
How to determine the approximate monetary value of leasing ag lands.
How to determine the approximate value of ag lands.
How to determine the average rate for a variety of custom work activities (such as land clearing and custom baling).
The “On My Own” program is specifically designed for women who are first-time sole operators of their farm enterprises, but it is open to everyone, Breshears said.
“These workshops are an opportunity to network and build connections with other participants in similar operating roles.”
The format is informal, conversational and interac-
tive, she said. Attendees will receive a folder full of information and resources that they can take home.
Dates and locations
All classes are 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 15. Warsaw, Warsaw First United Methodist Church.
Oct. 24. Warrensburg, Johnson County Extension Center.
Nov. 6. Boonville, Cooper County Extension Center.
Dec. 10. Online.
Dec. 12. Sedalia, Pettis County Extension Center.
Jan. 14, 2025. California, California City Hall.
Jan. 21, 2025. Versailles, Morgan County Extension Center.
Jan. 30, 2025. Online.
Feb. 18, 2025. Clinton, Henry County Extension Center. Feb. 25, 2025. Harrisonville, Cass County Extension Center.
and utilities when they think about turning on the pipeline from St. Joseph in the near future. That infrastructure improvement bill could be staggering, and to add insult to injury, those water repairs could disrupt downtown when it could least afford another disruption. No less than four buildings downtown have been deemed dangerous and condemned recently.
Communication is my third concern, as it seemed like several times along the way the council and staff were not on the same page.
Those communication errors caused the time crunch and the hurried approach we are seeing to the budget.
Whether it was the council or city staff, too little time was allotted to the process to attempt the kinds of cuts and savings that were needed.
In the end, it appears that the council is ready to just move forward rather than chart a different course.
I really hoped this council had the intestinal fortitude to reset the culture and make this unpleasant event the last unforced error by the
City of Cameron. Unless the actions or the actors change pretty quickly, we will just be kicking the can down the road for another decade and reading the same tired headlines from self-important blowhards like me.
Editors Note: Jamey Honeycutt is the owner and publisher of The Clinton County Leader and welcomes letters or support or criticism. Opinions are not wrong but he really tries to test that theory at times, so let him have it.
Early preparation equals a successful breeding season
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo.
– Breeding season will be here before we know it. Is your herd prepped for success? Here are steps you can take to maximize your breeding season.
The easiest thing you can do to prep for breeding season is make sure you have healthy, reproductively sound cattle. Have your vet come out to exam your herd, perform any needed testing and update vaccines. You can also schedule breeding soundness exams (BSEs) for your bulls if you’re planning on using one.
“Having your vet out also gives you a chance to update your vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR),” said Chloe Collins, dairy field specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Wright County. “This will come in handy if you need certain drugs for your
breeding protocols or for the upcoming calving season.”
You can do this in conjunction with the vet visit prior to breeding season. The recommendation is that vaccines are administered 30-60 days before breeding to develop the immune response in cows and heifers, Collins said. A pre-breeding vaccination program can save you in the long run by making sure your cows are protected and prepared to carry healthy calves to full-term delivery. Several diseases and viruses are associated with reproductive loss, and it’s easy to miss unless there is a massive percentage of loss in the herd. Make sure these vaccines are on your list to update:
• Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause abor-
tion.
• Parainfluenza 3 (PI3), a respiratory disease that can cause secondary infections like pneumonia.
• Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), a viral infection that can cause decreased fertility, abortion and malformations in calves.
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection than can cause infertility, reduced milk production and abortion.
• Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), a widespread respiratory virus.
To quickly evaluate the nutritional condition of your herd, you can use body condition scoring (BCS). This is a visual evaluation of the body composition of a cow. It’s best to have one person taking scores for consistency across the herd.
THE LEADER
Proudly serving Clinton County, Missouri, for more than 125 years
Public Notice
The City of Lathrop is now accepting proposals for a solid waste contractor to remove and dispose of all residential and City of Lathrop solid waste. The Request for Proposals include detailed specifications, conditions and bid requirements. The Solid Waste Request for Proposal specifics are available at Lathrop City Hall. The contract is for a three (3) year term reviewable each year. The contract shall commence on December 1, 2024 and terminate on November 30, 2027. Contact Bob Burns, City Administrator, for the Solid Waste Bid information. The City of Lathrop reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals. Please forward proposals in a sealed envelope to Susie Freece, City Clerk, Lathrop City Hall, P. 0. Box 225, Lathrop, MO 64465 by 5:00 PM on October 14, 2024. Please mark envelope with "Proposal-Solid Waste". Proposals will be opened at the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting at approximately 6:00 PM on October 15, 2024.
Bob Bums
City Administrator
(9/5/2024)
Agriculture
See Consumer Oil & Supply for your One Stop Shop for Muck and Lacrosse boots and gloves. Consumer Oil & Supply 614 Harris Ave. 359-2258
Buying standing walnut, oak & cottonwood timber. Cash or on shares. Call Mike at 816-248-3091
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
2 bedroom apartment. Hale Mo. Back ground check required. Utilities included. 1st month rent and deposit. No pets. Available now. 660-6452269 or 660-645-2316
For Sale
Attention customers! Trenton Hardware has all your home building & re-
8-22, 8-29, 9-5,9-12,9-19 24
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
To All Persons INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF Michael D. New, DECEDENT
The undersigned, Jason Brown, Jeremy Henry and Ken Baker, are the acting Co-Trustees of the Michael D. New Trust UAD 3/19/20. Michael D. New died on June 11, 2024. The terms of the trust provide that the debts of Michael D. New may be paid by the Co-Trustees upon receipt of proper proof thereof. The addresses of the Co-Trustees are 301 SE US Highway 169, Gower, MO 64454, PO Box 257, Gower, MO 64454 and 13480 SE US Highway 169, Gower, MO 64454, respectively. All creditors of the deceased settlor are noticed to present their claims to the undersigned within six (6) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or be forever barred.
Jason Brown, Jeremy Henry and Ken Baker, Co-Trustees (8-29, 9-5, 9-12,9-19-24)
pair supplies. If we ain't got it...you don't need it! Trenton Hardware, 901 Main, 660-359-3660.
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
*SEAMLESS GUTTERING* We are ready to replace your old gutters with new seamless aluminum gutters! MOORE’S CONSTRUCTION & 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.
JAMESPORT BUILDERS, 660-6846931, 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
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!
Garage Sales Sale Behind house. Sept 6 8am-5pm & Sept. 7
In the Estate of REX L HOWELL, Deceased. Notice of Letters of Administration with Will Annexed Granted Case Number: 24CN-PR00065
To All Persons Interested in the Estate of REX L HOWELL, Decedent:
On August 29, 2024, the following individual was appointed the personal representative of the estate of REX L HOWELL, decedent, by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of CLINTON COUNTY, Missouri.
The personal representative's business address and phone number is: ROBERT E HOWELL, 1021 MALLARD DRIVE , FORNEY, TX 75126
The personal representative may administer the estate independently without adjudication, order, or direction of the Probate Division of the Circuit Court, unless a petition for supervised administration is made to and granted by the court.
The personal representative's attorney's name, business address and phone number is: LINDSEY HOLCUMBRINK 3007 FREDERICK AVE, ST. JOSEPH, MO 64506 (816)3646677
All creditors of said decedent are notified to file claims in court within six months from the 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 twomonth period do not extend the limitation period that would bar claims one year after Decedent's death, as provided in Section 473.444, RSMo, or any other applicable limitation periods. Nothing in Section 473.033, RSMo, shall be construed to bar any action against a decedent's liability insurance carrier through a defendant ad I item pursuant to Section 537.021, RSMo.
(9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26/24)
PUBLIC NOTICES
“because the people must know”
(Editor’s Note: Public Notice advertising plays a unique role both in American history and in the process by which this country’s democracy is preserved. Its one premise is that people must be informed if they are to govern themselves competently. Public Notice advertising first came into being with the Congress of 1792. That body, recognizing its responsibility to the people, required the Postmaster General to advertise for bids for the construction of new post offices. From that inauspicious beginning to the complex publication requirements in federal, state and local laws today, government officials have come more and more to understand their obligations to inform the public through Public Notice advertising. Newspapers over the years have been the vehicle by which these obligations have been fulfilled. They will continue to be as long as the public demands that it be informed frequently and by the best means possible.)
8am-?. Belt buckles, airline memorabilia, dryer,
lenges, far more than just the basics required to paint, availability of water, and electricity. Mother Nature played a role in presenting unforeseen difficulties for painting.
“This was the most ambitious mural in both size and scope,” Bartle said as he described the unexpected challenges. “The heavy winds and rain. The faulty lift rental equipment. And the wasps. So many wasps added more demand than just painting. Challenges aside, the results are proving successful. And the extra time I’ve spent in Plattsburg has allowed me more opportunities to meet the townspeople and learn about the
town’s history. The encouragement and support I’ve experienced from the people in Plattsburg has been heartwarming and inspiring. The faith they’ve placed in me is a great source of motivation in trying to make this mural exemplary.”
While Daniel puts the finishing touches to the mural, the mural committee has set a date for the dedication for Saturday, September 28, 2024. The dedication event will be held at Tinnen Town Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Members from the Kansas City Chuggers will be bringing their historic vehicles to help with the celebration.
“We’re excited to see
the finished product when the scaffolding is removed,” said Laurel DeFreece, president of the arts council.
“Daniel’s wonderful painting and extra work has definitely brought life to the historic Jefferson Highway mural.”
* * * * Some smiles courtesy of that ‘happy’ Hawaiian Jim Nicholson, Honolulu.
• Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you. Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.
• If you can’t think of a word, just say, “I forgot the English word for it.” That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.
Food for thought: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
– Pablo Ruiz Picasso (18811973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer who spent most of his adult life in France. One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, he is known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and for the wide variety of styles that he helped develop and explore.
* * * *
Amazing Business Opportunity! This nearly 8,000 sq ft building can be transformed into your dream business/living/income producing adventure! Commercial and residential use, the property holds a commercial kitchen, upstairs living quarters or ofce space. It is currently equipped for a restaurant and catering business with a private adjoining bar and ice cream parlor. The upper oor features a large conference area, three additional rooms, two bathrooms, a shower, kitchenette and private entrance. It has been home to a banquet hall, medical ofce, dance studio and living quarters. This is an extraordinary opportunity to envision your future with this lovingly preserved piece of the past.
• My goal for this year was to lose 10 pounds. Only have 14 to go.
* * * * *
Talk to you all next week! And don’t be afraid to reach out at stevetinnen@yahoo. com
Free grief recovery support group
Those who are impacted by grief from a recent loss or other events can take part in a free resource to help in their healing jour-
ney. Good Grief, an eightweek, free grief recovery support group, will be meeting from September 16
Bus Mechanics
Needed for Clinton and DeKalb County Schools
Bus Mechanic needed in Gower and Maysville MO. For more information or to apply contact Don Gibson Maintenance Director Jarnik Buses
Peoples Transportation Service Don.Gibson@JarnikPeoples.com (816) 797-2109
through November 4. The meetings will be on Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided and the sessions will be at Broadway United Methodist Church in Plattsburg.
Those who would like to sign up can call the BUMC office at (816) 5393246. The sessions will be led by Krista Gonzalez, PLPC. Krista is passionate about walking alongside others in their journey to experiencing healing and embracing their authentic self. Krista is a provisionally-licensed professional counselor and graduated with her Masters in counseling with an
emphasis in clinical mental health from the University of Central Missouri. Krista primarily uses a person-centered approach to counseling, meaning that she trusts that each person she works with is an expert on themselves.
She sees the counseling relationship as transformative, and seeks to fully understand her clients. Krista is gifted in creating a safe, accepting and non-judgemental environment that allows people to explore their fears and pain, develop their strengths, try out new behaviors, and experience healing and integration.
Daniel Bartle received his Bachelor of Fine Art in painting from the Kansas City Art Institute. He and his wife Katie live in Gladstone with their two children Melody, 11, and Gemma, 8.