The Leader • 6-13-24

LEADER CLINTON COUNTY

Zoning signs off on proposed meat processing plant

A proposed beef processing facility near I-35 just outside of Lathrop has moved one step closer to reality.

The Clinton County

Planning and Zoning Commission approved the rezoning and special use permit for the proposed business on Thursday, June 6, at the courthouse in Plattsburg. The two items will go to the Clinton County Commis-

Rains brings experience to to economic development

While Lance Rains may be new to Cameron City Hall, his roots run deep in Northwest Missouri.

Born in the old hospital in Cameron, the city’s new economic development director graduated high school in Gallatin as a National Honor Society member, varsity wrestler and an active member of both the FFA and 4-H.

College took Rains to the University of Missouri, where he majored in agriculture with a minor in animal science and agriculture economics.

After graduating, Rains accepted a position with the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (GHRPC), and in 1993 he wrote the grant that led to the relocation of Old Pattonsburg to its present location. In total, the flood grant that Rains wrote to move the town was an $18 million project. It is still one of the biggest projects Rains has been associated with in his years of economic development experience.

That sort of a project was unheard of at the time and was the first time the Department of Economic Development offered one-time flood buy-outs. The framework of the plan was later used in New Or-

sioners for final approval.

The commission is expected to consider the items Thursday morning, June 13.

Murphy Land and Cattle made the request with the intention of building a beef processing center at the

proposed location (just over 45 acres) on the south side of SE 248th Street, about a half mile south of the 116 Highway/Interstate 35 intersection, and two miles east of the town of Lathrop. The zoning board approved the

request for rezoning to M-2

Heavy Industrial along with a special use permit that’s needed specifically for the slaughter of animals.

At full capacity, the center could process upwards of 40 head daily while pro-

viding as many as 55 jobs, though a representative of the company said Thursday they plan to work up to those numbers.

After hearing from representatives of Murphy Land

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A SUMMERTIME OASIS

perfect place to watch

eclipse. (Left to Right) Josh Mallen (Tom’s son), Tom Mallen, Della Mallen, Teresa (Mallen) Reed and Rebecca Mallen (Tom’s daughter). submitted photo

LEADER FEATURE

Mallen family catches total solar eclipse in Texas

The intrigue of the total solar eclipse this past April didn’t escape Tom Mallen, an engineer for Northrop Grumman who worked as a subsystem engineer on the James T. Webb Telescope. In 2017, he traveled back to his hometown of Plattsburg from Redondo

Beach, California, for the solar eclipse, only to join the thousands of other local sun watchers who were disappointed due to the cloud cover.

This time around, he hoped (and planned) it would be different. And it was. Mallen flew with his son, Josh, and daughter,

Rebecca, from California to Dallas, where they met up Tom’s mother, Della Mallen, of Plattsburg. He had chosen Texas for a couple of reasons, but especially due to the length of totality.

“Ultimately, I chose Terrell, Texas, because it was very close to maximum totality at four minutes, 22

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The summer temperatures are on the rise, and soon kids and adults alike will seek refuge in the cool waters of our local pools, including Bodie’s Pool in Plattsburg (above). Whether it’s in Cameron, Plattsburg or Gower, there are plenty of ways to hit the waves in 2024, including nearby Watkin’s Mill, Wallace State Park and Smithville Lake.

CLINTON COUNTY

CAMERON

CITY OF PLATTSBURG

Council approves MOU, changes to agenda policy

by brett adkison leader editor

The Plattsburg City Council held a short meeting Monday, June 10, during which they signed off on a mutual aid agreement to be executed through the Missouri Public Utilities Alliance.

The city is a member of the alliance, and through the agreement, the city would give or receive mutual aid to and from fellow members in

times of disaster or emergency relating to public works and utilities, such as natural gas, water, wastewater and electric utilities.

Also Monday, the board approved a suggestion from Councilman Larry Schussler to make meeting agendas and packets publicly available at the time the council receives them. Until Monday, those documents were made available to the public 24 hours ahead of the meet-

ings. Schussler said the aim of the suggestion was to provide more transparency.

Ahead of the vote, interim City Administrator Steve Garrett noted that, with the switch, the city won’t be able to make any last minute changes or additions to the agenda, which was ultimately fine by both the board and Garrett.

During public participation, Karen Farnell with the University of Missouri Clin-

Sees Eclipse, Continued from Page A1

seconds in duration. It was close to a major airport, and historically, it had the highest probability for clear skies,” Mallen said. “Working on Webb heightened my interest in astronomy and celestial events in general, and eclipses in particular. It inspired me to learn more about stars and our sun and it’s 11-year solar cycle. We are very near the solar max with a lot of sunspots and solar flares occurring, which could be seen during this eclipse.”

He said that the feeling of being around a crowd of people from all over the world added to the thrill of the eclipse—people from Europe, South America, and all over the United States. They all claimed that Terrell was the

place to be for maximum totality.

The exact location, The Shops at Terrell, proved to be a sight, just like the viewing of the eclipse. The city had provided food trucks and facilities to accommodate the crowds. Terrell Mayor Rick Carmona even stopped by to talk to them.

Mallen recalled the eclipse and its effect on him and his surroundings.

“As totality approached, it got darker, and the streetlights came on,” he said. “We were all watching with our special glasses just as totality happened. It was suddenly dark, and we could feel the chill, and everyone started cheering in awe, and even the crickets started chirping.

ton County Extension spoke to the council and said that many residents don’t know that the Extension offers many free classes, including lessons on cooking (adults and kids), adulting (for older children), health, well being, economics, agriculture and much more. Those who might be interested are urged to call the University of Missouri Extension Office.

Darrell Morgan spoke and had questions about the

“As I took my glasses off, I was stunned. The view of the total eclipse was surreal and very eerie. It was very strange to look at the sky and see a hole in it. No photo could ever come close to seeing it with your own eyes. The sky behind was not total darkness but a very deep shade of blue. I could see the light streams coming off the sun and they were slowly changing as time went on. At the very bottom of the eclipse was a tiny bright spot that changed colors, like a tiny diamond. The feeling I got when I saw the eclipse was a sense of awe from the understanding that what I was seeing is very rare for most people and very special. It’s a sight that I will always remember and ex-

Clinton County Planning and Zoning,

and Cattle and nearby residents, the zoning board added stipulations for both the rezoning and permit before applying their stamp. The rezoning, itself, would be conditional, limited specifically to the operation of a meat processing center. Through the special use permit recommended by the zoning board, the plant would be limited to: 40 red meat animals processed daily; 40 red meat animals held on site daily; hours of operation between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday; the waste lagoon to be cleaned within a maximum of 365 days and to be built/ serviced to comply with standards from the Department of Natural Resources; physical processing waste removed each operating day; waste lagoon to be aerated and meet DNR standards; stored grease to be removed within 90 days maximum;

council’s use of closed executive sessions ahead of the meetings, themselves, as well as the consent agenda. Mike Gassman spoke, stating that several people have asked about meetings beginning at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m., as some residents who work can’t make the earlier time. Jim Banks spoke and said that Plattsburg has a bad drug problem, specifically, fentanyl, and if they fixed the cameras on the back of

periencing that moment with my family was very special.”

Della enjoyed the family trip, too, since she was able to spend some time with her son and grandchildren.

“The trip was a lot of fun and we also got to do some sightseeing in the Dallas area,” she said. “This eclipse experience is so special and rare. So much better than 2017. The trip was definitely worth it.”

The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

“Unless I travel to another country, this will likely be the last total eclipse I’ll get to see in my lifetime,” Mallen said.

water storage tanks on site will be filled at night to avoid causing water pressure issues in the area.

When the Clinton County Commissioners consider the issue Thursday morning, they can also consider making changes or amendments to the zoning board’s recommendations.

More than 50 people packed into the community room of the Clinton County Courthouse for Thursday evening’s public hearing on the requests. Testimony was limited to an hour, split evenly between those in opposition of the requests and those in favor. The county sent notification letters to 10 property owners in near proximity to the affected land, with two in attendance Thursday.

James Claypool with Mid-American Beef was introduced and explained some of the company’s structure. He said he has nearly five decades of experience in the cattle business and started Claypool Land and Cattle in 2002. He said his brother-in-law, Jeff Murphy, joined the industry in 2008 with Murphy Land and Cattle. The two operations merged in 2019 to create Mid-American Beef. The operation currently includes upwards of 8,000 acres and 1,000 “momma cows” located near Polo, Cowgill and Richmond.

He said it’s a family operation, with their two sons and additional family working for the business, and they employ locals from the Lathrop area (several of which were in attendance Thursday).

“When COVID came, we couldn’t get meat into the stores,” Claypool said. “We couldn’t get our animals processed for a year out, sometimes a year and a half. That’s when the idea was prompted, ‘Hey, serve our community, a fair price, a great product, humanly raised.’ It’s all about the animals, it’s all about the land, it’s all about conserving for future generations.”

He added they have plenty to learn with the new venture, but said they want

Plattsburg City Hall, they could probably capture a lot of deals going down. He said he got that from a good source. He also asked about minutes from closed session meetings. He said he spoke to a lady at city hall who said they don’t keep minutes from the sessions. City Clerk Lisa Read said those minutes can be picked up after 72 hours and that he could come see her to get them.

Saddle Club to host yearly Ranch Rodeo

The Plattsburg Saddle Club will host its annual Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, June 22, at its grounds south of Plattsburg High School.

Packed with fun each and every summer, it will include sorting, mugging, branding and several more events for the competing teams. The kiddos will especially have fun with the chicken chase and mutton busting.

The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. that night. For more information contact Lisa Routh at (816) 592-0116. There is an admission cost at the gate to attend.

to do it right.

Jason Lehtinen, the project manager, spoke next. He said that 10 to 20 percent of the plant’s processing capacity will be used for their own cattle, with the rest serving local farmers. They’ll begin with eight to 10 head per day. He said some of the space in the plant, named Mid-American Meats, will be dedicated to specialty products like smoked meats and beef jerky.

Lehtinen reiterated they want to be a small, custom processor and they’ll be compliant with local, state and federal requirements, with a USDA inspector on site. He said that when a customer brings in an animal, they’ll receive the meat specifically from that animal. He compared the size of the facility to Paradise Locker Meats in Trimble, also noting Paradise’s close proximity to the town and nearby residents.

Lehtinen said that they could open the doors to the facility in 12 to 18 months and that they are building a retail store between Lathrop and Polo in Caldwell County, which is expected to include a restaurant.

The company moved into some of the technical aspects. Lehtinen said they aim to have zero environmental impact. The bones and offal will be ground up and taken off site to one of their farming locations, where it will be composted and used as fertilizer. The entire site will have proper rain and storm water runoff design. A sealed lagoon with aeration will have 180 days of storage for waste products from the processed animals, which will also be used for fertilizer.

“We’re not here to take waste from our animals and let it get into our creeks, streams, rivers and lakes,” Lehtinen said. “It’s about being a good steward of the land. The family likes to hunt. They have an appreciation for the land.”

Of the possible odor, he said similar-sized plants don’t usually suffer from a smell, which he said is usually associated with feedlots.

Animal drop-offs will be timed where they aren’t outside of the facility for long.

Project engineer Daniel DeHaan spoke and explained some of the regulations on the lagoon and the plant, and some of the technology they’ll use to meet those standards.

Ultimately, the plant is expected to have a total imprint between 25,000 and 30,000 square-feet, with the building being upwards of 25 feet tall. They expect operations to run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day (including cleaning crews), five days a week. They also anticipate little impact to roads, projecting one to six daily truckloads of varying sizes. They have 5,000 square-feet outside the plant earmarked for animal holding and will be able to hold up to 40 head.

The hearing was opened to public participation, with several residents stepping forward to voice their concerns with the proposed plant. Those concerns included water run-off, increased demands on the roads and other infrastructure, Clinton County getting the processing plant while Caldwell County receives retail taxes on the store, the possibility of odor from the plant or the compost location, whether the company could expand without coming back to the county for approval, and the number of animals that can be housed at the location at any given time.

Several residents also voiced their support for the project.

Taking the concerns into consideration, the Clinton County Planning and Zoning Commission went on to approve both the rezoning and the special use permit, 7-0 (Board Member Beth Franklin was unable to attend the meeting), with the aforementioned stipulations. Check back in next week’s edition of The Leader for more on the story.

46th Annual Lathrop Antique Car, Tractor and Engine Show

The Lathrop Antique Club is geared up and ready to go for its 46th annual June show this weekend. The Lathrop Antique Car, Tractor and Engine Show will be Thursday, June 13, through Sunday, June 16, at the showgrounds on 33 Highway on the south side of Lathrop. Attendees will see countless pieces of antique farm equipment, more than two dozen working demonstrations, and much more. The events kick off Thursday with the tractor cruise around the region, and the night is capped by the pony pulls at 6 p.m. Friday will see a Parade of Power at 4 p.m. and the draft horse pulling contest at 7 p.m.

Saturday features a packed schedule, starting with the kids’ pedal power tractor pull at 10 a.m. The tractor pulls will start at 11:30 a.m. with different di-

visions for tractors made before or after 1957. The micro mini tractor pull is at noon and the Parade of Power is at 4 p.m. There will be bluegrass music throughout the day, while Stanley Steamers will be playing country music at 7 p.m.

Sunday will start with

church services at 8:30 a.m. and the stock garden tractor pull is at 11 a.m. Bluegrass music begins at 1 p.m. and the Parade of Power is at 4 p.m. The annual car show is also that day, with numerous classes and prizes up for grabs. Demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend, including steam engines black smith shop, saw mill, corn schilling, print shop, general store, a rock crusher, wheel wright shop, veneer mill, and much more. For more information contact Jim Plowman at (816) 8965546.

Clinton County Sheriff’s Dept.’s Weekly Calls for Service

Friday, May 31

12:41 a.m.: Medical call on Clinton Street in Lathrop.

3:14 a.m.: Medical call on Old BB Highway in Holt.

6:05 a.m.: Animal call on 33 Highway in Clinton County.

6:10 a.m.: Vehicle crash on 69 Highway in Clinton County.

10:50 a.m.: Gas leak on W. Locust in Plattsburg.

11:46 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

12:43 p.m.: Fire alarm on SE 228th Street in Lathrop.

2:04 p.m.: Medical call on North Street in Lathrop.

2:57 p.m.: Fire alarm on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

5:12 p.m.: Medical call on SE Perren Road in Holt.

7:37 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 33 Highway in Lathrop.

8:07 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on SE Arrowhead Drive in Holt.

8:40 p.m.: Animal call on SE Cougar in Lathrop.

10:44 p.m.: Medical call on Locust Street in Plattsburg.

Saturday, June 1

1:42 a.m.: Suicidal subject on SE Deer Run in Lathrop.

4:31 a.m.: Medical call on W. Clay in Plattsburg.

9:12 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in

Clinton County. 9:42 a.m.: Stalking (not in progress) in Plattsburg.

10:37 a.m.: Fire alarm on SE Timberlake Drive in Holt.

11:28 a.m.: Medical call on O Highway in Trimble.

1:14 p.m.: Medical call on SE Piute Drive in Holt.

1:33 p.m.: Medical call on SE Piute Drive in Holt.

1:37 p.m.: Medical call on Ballpark Road in Edgerton.

3:18 p.m.: Suspicious activity in progress on 247th Street in Gower.

3:26 p.m.: Animal call on Gary Street in Plattsburg.

3:50 p.m.: Medical call on SW O Highway in Trimble.

4:30 p.m.: Stealing (not in progress) on NW 268th Street in Gower.

4:37 p.m.: Medical call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

4:48 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Clinton County.

5:35 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on Concha Street in Lathrop.

7:22 p.m.: Medical call on Morrow Road in Lawson.

8:39 p.m.: Animal call on SE Cougar Drive in Lathrop.

9:44 p.m.: Medical call on Kay Drive in Lathrop.

11:20 p.m.: Vehicle crash on SE H Highway in Gower.

Sunday, June 2

5:27 a.m.: Structure fire in Gower.

6:47 a.m.: Animal call on C Highway in Clinton County.

9:22 a.m.: Medical call on W. Walnut in Plattsburg.

9:50 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on I-35 in Clinton County.

12:07 p.m.: Medical call on Ellinston Street in Holt.

12:43 p.m.: Domestic in progress on W. Locust in Plattsburg.

1:03 p.m.: Medical call on County Park Road in Easton.

2:51 p.m.: Medical call on NE A Highway in Lathrop.

3:42 p.m.: Medical call on SE 202nd Street in Holt.

4:16 p.m.: Vehicle crash on 69 Highway in Lawson.

5:15 p.m.: Natural cover fire on Fourth Street in Plattsburg.

5:43 p.m.: Animal call on Cougar Drive in Lathrop.

6:06 p.m.: Property damage on Elm Street in Lathrop.

6:33 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

7:00 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle (not in progress) on 224th Street in Clinton County.

7:54 p.m.: Medical call in Lathrop.

8:05 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on N. Main in Clinton County.

8:30 p.m.: Medical call on Center Street in Lathrop.

8:58 p.m.: Medical call on Center Street in Lathrop.

9:07 p.m.: Property damage on 201st Street in Holt.

Monday, June 3

1:21 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on NE 121 Highway in Cameron.

9:51 a.m.: Medical call on E. Clay Avenue in Plattsburg.

11:49 a.m.: Medical call on 33 Highway in Holt.

8:39 p.m.: Property damage on SE Perren in Holt.

8:45 p.m.: Property damage on SE 207th Street in Holt.

9:03 p.m.: Smoke investigation on W. South Street in Plattsburg.

11:26 p.m.: Pursuit on E. Concord in Plattsburg.

Tuesday, June 4

3:50 a.m.: Medical call on SE 200th Street in Holt.

4:04 a.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Clinton County.

6:50 a.m.: Assault in progress on W. Grogan in Plattsburg.

8:12 a.m.: Medical call on W. Missouri Avenue in Plattsburg.

9:00 a.m.: Property damage on SE Perren in Holt.

9:09 a.m.: Assault (not in progress) on C Highway in

Cameron.

11:31 a.m.: Medical call on County Line Road in Gower.

12:19 p.m.: Vehicle crash on Oak Street in Lathrop.

12:21 p.m.: Medical call on Old Cannonball Road in Holt.

12:45 p.m.: Medical call on SE Cannon Ball in Lathrop.

1:25 p.m.: Disturbance in progress on Plotsky in Plattsburg.

4:21 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on 116 Highway in Lathrop.

8:55 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on Main Street in Holt.

8:59 p.m.: Animal call on Third Street in Plattsburg.

9:05 p.m.: Medical call on Z Highway in Edgerton.

9:53 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle in progress on SW 169 Highway in Clinton County.

9:57 p.m.: Medical call on Cummings Drive in Gower.

11:30 p.m.: Medical call on South Street in Lathrop.

Wednesday, June 5

1:50 a.m.: Disturbance in progress on 116 Highway in Lathrop.

8:11 a.m.: Animal call on NE Crouch Road in Cameron.

10:45 a.m.: Medical call on Redbird in Plattsburg.

11:12 a.m.: Medical call on W. Clay in Plattsburg.

1:16 p.m.: Medical call on N. Cedar in Plattsburg.

3:15 p.m.: Animal call on Pine Street in Lathrop.

5:53 p.m.: Animal call on Lisa Avenue in Lathrop.

9:53 p.m.: Fire call on Colonia Drive in Lathrop.

Thursday, June 6

12:04 a.m.: Medical call on 121 Highway in Cameron.

6:31 a.m.: Fire alarm on East Street in Lathrop.

7:00 a.m.: Medical call on Park Street in Lathrop.

10:31 a.m.: Vehicle crash on W Highway in Clinton County.

12:43 p.m.: Vehicle crash on I-35 in Clinton County.

1:20 p.m.: Animal call on 116 Highway in Plattsburg.

1:49 p.m.: Medical call on Matthews Lane in Gower.

4:38 p.m.: Medical call on SE 240th Street in Lathrop.

4:53 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on NE Stonum Road in Lathrop.

4:55 p.m.: Careless and imprudent driver on SW Arnold Road in Plattsburg.

5:25 p.m.: Fire call on Pine Street in Lathrop.

7:54 p.m.: Vehicle crash on Shanks Road in Holt.

Balance & Zoning

We’ve had our fair share of contentious governmental issues in Clinton County in recent years, often stoked by social media and influenced by a national political landscape that favors drama over results. But if anything, last Thursday’s county zoning meeting—where the board approved the rezoning and special use permit for a planned beef processing center east of Lathrop—was a cause for optimism.

Both the Clinton County Planning and Zoning Commission and those concerned residents in attendance should be commended for the way they conducted themselves.

The zoning board—led by Chairman Michael Adair and Zoning Administrator Tricia Knight—was fair, thorough and knowledgable. With such meetings, it can be tough to balance the need for formality and decorum while also allowing the public enough rein to voice their concerns and seek answers. They did so perfectly.

And in the audience, there were no pitchforks or torches. Those in opposition didn’t try to drown the proposal under a heap of conspiracies or disingenuous sticking points. They were concerned for their roads, their land and the air they breathe. They asked those questions directly with a sense of openness. Even if they remained opposed at the end of the evening, they were reasonable (something of which Washington, DC, and national political junkies could use a dose).

The zoning board—which has a wealth of experience in members such as Adair, Terry Beers, Nathan York, and others—was even-handed, and they were as precise as possible in their use of zoning designations and the regulations adjoined to the special use permit. In doing so, the aim was clear—protect Clinton Countians without stifling the business aspirations of Murphy Land and Cattle.

Zoning will only become more important as Clinton County continues to grow.

This is where rural Missouri meets Metropolitan Kansas City. With an assessed valuation of nearly $375 million, we’re now one of just two Third Class counties in the state that are surrounded by three different First Class counties (assessed valuation over $900 million). Our northern half is dominated by farmland, while our southern half is a burgeoning destination for commuter families and businesses, and those two seas converge right along 116 Highway.

Both planning and zoning and the Clinton County Commissioners will need to be discerning with each and every issue. They’ll need to understand when to go heavy with the red tape and when to get out the scissors. If Thursday is any indication, the zoning board is up to the task.

Thursday’s meeting brought about a philosophical question, too. If there’s a meeting in the courthouse’s community room, but the people in back can’t hear it, was there really a meeting to begin with?

The answer is pretty clear, but perhaps not for the woman who, as testimony in the public hearing began Thursday, nonchalantly walked to the front of the room and turned the podium around to face the crowd. By no means is Clinton County well off like its neighbors to the south, but with more than $3 million in ARPA funds in our coffers, we can at least buy a couple speakers, eh?

OPINIONS

Thanks, but no thanks, to the MLA

y jamey honeycutt leader publisher

The Missouri Librarians Association (MLA) needs to butt out of our local school decisions. Granted, so far it is just a letter, but if you haven’t read their sanctimonious “We know better than parents” letter to the Cameron R-1 Board of Education (below), take a few minutes and then rejoin this column already in progress.

Now, I understand that “associations” exist to support their members, but just a few paragraphs into this diatribe and it is obvious the primary purpose of the organization is to promote sexual indoctrination into the LGBTQ+ syndrome America is experiencing.

I say enough already!

School should not be ALL about sexual identity, and that seems to be a fixation of groups like this! Maybe if we weren’t exposing students at alarmingly young ages to graphic alternate sexual images and text they wouldn’t be having as many issues.

Why can’t we just let kids be kids?

As a Gen X’er, I remember my parents having to sign a waiver so I could sit through Sex-Ed in the sixth grade as a 13-yearold. Now the left is offended if we deny a drag show exhibition for seven-year-olds.

My question is this: Why does second grade library time have to include graphic descriptions of lesbian sex or homosexual rape? It may sound like I am being dramatic but these are

actual passages in texts present at one time or available to children in school libraries in Cameron that patrons called into question over the past year.

Our school board took steps to restrict some access and now the MLA is claiming trust is being eroded between kids and the schools.

Puh-lease!

The MLA appears to think students won’t feel safe and have the ability to learn unless they have access to deviant moral content.

Seriously? Why is their trust in the school going to be destroyed if their parents decide they should not be exposed to that filth? And yes MLA, out here in “the sticks” we still think some abominations rise to the level of “filth.”

You have the right to your opinion. I support that. But your opinion doesn’t mean squat in Clinton County. Nor should it.

Concerned parents are not anti-First Amendment. Quite the contrary. They simply think that content should be age appropriate and the best folks to make that determination are local parents, patrons and teachers. The MLA thinks librarians are the only custodian of appropriate library content. They mention that at least twice.

Concerned parents are not crying for bans. This is not about “banning” anything, as the website for the MLA features prominently on its homepage. I would be in favor of any book being available at the public library but certain content should be age

appropriate, even there. Content in our local libraries should be guided by our local community standards, not some group of social justice warriors from across the state.

I will take it a step further. Our school libraries should have none of this graphic content, if it were up to me. House it in a restricted portion of the public library, if you must, where it could only be viewed with parental consent. Parents know what is best. It has NO PLACE in any student library, especially those in elementary or middle schools. If a teacher or librarian can legitimately defend why graphic novels of sexual behavior have educational value in our library, I would consider their argument, but that would have to be one humdinger of an argument!

Again, this is not about free speech, or inclusion or trust. This is about indoctrination into an alternative lifestyle that destroys the moral fiber and religious institutions this country was founded on and is hanging onto by a thread. Why does the MLA not care about those beliefs? Maybe

I don’t feel safe or trusting of a school district that would embrace the filth the MLA is pushing.

We are being forced to normalize and rationalize the abnormal and irrational everyday in America and now the schools are under attack. If they can get the hearts, minds and souls of our youth, they control the future, and currently they are rounding third and heading for home.

The question is this: Can we stop them in time?

I don’t know what we can do if we don’t start pushing back right now. Our midwestern conservative values are being battered and our voices are being squelched right here in our rural counties by leftist groups like the MLA.

Why are we over-sexualizing our school-age children?

We are telling them it is ok to be sexually active at these obscenely young ages and then we are shocked when they are pregnant, addicted and suicidal?

Our children’s innocence has been stolen and it is organizations like the MLA (which should be protecting them) that are leading them straight into the gutter.

We need civil discussion and respectful tones but it is time good people stand up for the innocence and morality of our most vulnerable. If we cannot protect them in our rural, midwestern corner of the world, where can they be safe?

MLA Committee Pens Letter to Cameron R-1

Dear Cameron School Board

President Ice and Dr. Robinson, As Missouri librarians and members of the Missouri Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, we would like to express to you our concern over the recent method of the school board on reviewing, evaluation, and the removal of books using BookLooks reviews, as well as the demand to cancel orders on books that highlight people of color and those of the LGBTQ+ communities. This is deeply concerning. If the administration

is going to defer to pre-existing review websites, there are a number of rigorous and professional publications curated by experts in children’s literature, child development, literacy, and librarianship. These include Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and Booklist. In our professional opinion, BookLooks is not a rigorous source for accurate reviews and is driven by an ideology which is exclusionary of diverse voices and experiences in its various critiques (which contradicts Cam-

eron School Board policy in the objectives of selection of library materials detailed in IIAC-R1 in the school board policy manual). BookLooks’ rating system is idiosyncratic, and provides no real holistic explanation of a book’s content, instead progressing from the premise that censorship is inevitable or necessary in the realm of children’s literature.

Of particular concern is the platform’s use of “gender ideology” as a criteria for requiring added scrutiny of books. This is an example of the aforemen-

tioned bias and exclusionary criteria, and should not be used to rate children’s literature. Instead, we encourage you to rely on librarians, your resident experts on what books are appropriate for children from a developmental, social, and cultural perspective. We further encourage you to allocate to your librarian the time and resources necessary to do the work based on their networks and expertise. We further promote Gateway and Truman awards, which are chosen by Missouri

Pres. candidates handle D-Day differently

It was with a bit of sadness and a great deal of pride that I recently watched and listened to a presidential candidate and the current President of the United States give a heartwarming address to the crowd at Normandy. This prepared speech was somewhat different than most of my president’s speeches in that he was totally without teleprompter, a slick device that can bridge the age gaps and cognitive awareness of we humans. This being the eightieth, and possibly the last, gathering of June 6 D-

Day veterans, it seemed fitting that great world leaders (and I would also think those aspiring to become one, or become one again) would have been in attendance to be at least seen on such an auspicious occasion.

President Zelensky of Ukraine also made an appearance and displayed a heartfelt emotional exchange with one of the wheelchair D-Day veterans. Some, if not all, of their exchange was later displayed. This exchange showed the true mettle of this world leader, an ability to

THE CLINTON COUNTY LEADER

Publishers

Becca Giesken General Manager

Brett Adkison...................................Editor

Becca Giesken............... Advertising Rep. Jim Bonebrake............................Reporter Clint Dye....................................Reporter Connie Collins......

gap the generations, the homelands, and the current situations, actually communicating with one of the Greatest Generation. At the same time, I also watched and listened to another U.S. presidential candidate give a speech (or something to that effect). Mr. Trump’s political speech was also without a teleprompter, much to his chagrin. He immediately declared that the supplier of the equipment was not getting paid for their services. This came without any evidence that the A/V contrac-

tor was negligent in any way.

The message I gleaned from this stump speech was somewhat different in content than President Biden’s. I learned from Mr. Trump in his prepared speech on D-Day weekend that SHARKS ARE DANGEROUS, and he would rather be electrocuted than bit by a shark.

Yours, Richard Canaday Lathrop, Mo.

DAVID RICE ATCHISON

JAMEY HONEYCUTT

b

From the Pastor: To bear God’s image,

By Pastor Terry Beasley

First Baptist Church Cameron

The pinnacle of God’s creation of the world was the formation of man. Scripture is clear that from the beginning man had a Creator and a purpose for existing. Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over

all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

The first point of significance from the above verse is that man was created in the image of God. We were designed to represent His natural and moral likeness. For a brief period of time, the nature of God was accurately displayed in Adam and Eve. However, sin soon entered the garden and the moral likeness that man shared with God was marred. As

a result of the fall of man, every person (except One) has been born with a natural inclination to sin. Following the desires of sinful human nature will lead to eternal separation. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a) However, the verse continues “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) Salvation is free because Jesus paid for our debt of sin through His perfect sacrifice. He alone

fully bore the image of God when He came, in the form of a baby, as God in human flesh. By His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). By trusting in His resurrection for our victory over death, we are reconciled to our perfect Creator. (Romans 10:9) The second point of importance from the Genesis 1:26 passage is that man was created for a purpose. Adam was given dominion over the fish, birds, cattle, and every creeping thing. With the

Local Extension to host Small Farm Day

Do you want to own goats? How do you feel about backyard chickens? Maybe you’d like to start your own beehives. Or are plants your love? If any of these things are true, mark your calendar Saturday, June 29. That’s when Clinton County University of Missouri Extension Council is hosting its third annual Small Farm Day at the 4-H Youth Building and livestock pavilion at 251 E. Hwy. 116 in Plattsburg. Ad-

mission is free. The event runs from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Margaret Chamas, coowner of Storm Dancer Farm in Smithville, will talk about the care and feeding of dairy goats. Jim Humphrey, MU Extension livestock field specialist, will answer your questions about meat goats and sheep. Backyard chickens are the topic for a speaker to be determined. Lathrop beekeeper Trevor Angle will get you started on

the art and science of raising bees.

For plant people, the Clinton County Master Gardeners will offer tours of a recently completed grow barn that is outfitted as a year-round facility to start and grow plants. The Master Gardeners also have raised beds to show off. Todd Higgins, MU Extension field specialist in horticulture, will give a program entitled “Plants that Bees and Butterflies Love.”

Each program will last one hour with plenty of time for questions. Refreshments will be available. Most of the presentations are indoors, so the event will happen rain or shine.

Pre-registration is requested but not necessary. For more information and a schedule of the presentations, call 816-649-8579. Or register online: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/ clinton-county-small-farmday-0

Plattsburg Senior Center June Menu

Thursday, June 13

Tuna casserole, creamed peas, buttered beets, applesauce, wheat bread.

Friday, June 14

Beef hot dog with whole wheat bun, baked beans, corn, peaches.

Monday, June 17

Goulash, cauliflower, creamed peas, pineapple, wheat bread.

Tuesday, June 18

Chicken tenders, potato

salad, broccoli, mandarin oranges, wheat bread.

Wednesday, June 19

Hot roast beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, peaches, June birthday cake.

Thursday, June 20

Chef’s salad with meats, vegetables, cheese and egg, tomato salad, apricots, crackers.

Friday, June 21

Sloppy joe on bun, potato

available every weekday at our office.

Secure medications in a plastic bag with no holes. Use caution when handling, and wash your hands after bagging the medications. Bring them to our office between 8 and 4 weekdays, and we’ll see that they’re properly disposed of at no cost to you.

Follow us on Facebook for news, local alerts and updates.

wedges, corn, mixed fruit.

Monday, June 24

Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, pears, wheat bread.

Tuesday, June 25

Baked potato bar with meats and cheese, broccoli, peaches, wheat bread.

Wednesday, June 26

Swiss steak, buttered beets, carrots, applesauce, wheat bread.

Thursday, June 27

Chicken and rice, cauliflower, corn, mandarin oranges, wheat bread.

God-given authority to rule came the expectation to care for God’s creation. With control comes responsibility and accountability to the One who granted control. Mankind will answer to God for our care of the world in which He placed us. We will also give an account as to how we have attended to the people whom He has placed on our life’s path. How have we loved people? How have we represented Him to our children and grandchildren;

our neighbor or co-worker; our friend, and even our enemy? To bear His image, we must know Him. This begins by seeking Him in the truth of His Word and by acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Accept His offer of salvation. Confess Him as Lord and King of your life. Grow in your faith. Represent Him well in the fallen world in which you live.

Walk to benefit Angie Courtney

Community members have organized a two-mile walk ALS fundraiser for former Clinton County Middle School Principal Angie Courtney. The walk will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, at Perkins Park in Plattsburg. All proceeds from the tickets sold will go toward assisting Mrs. Courtney’s family with medical expenses and other necessary requirements. Participants will receive a complimentary shirt. There will also be food trucks and vendors set up for lunch.

For more information and ticket prices, visit the event’s page on Facebook.

Photos: 1979 Plattsburg football team inducted in

The 1979 Plattsburg Tigers football team was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 19, in Kansas City. Front Row (left to right): Coach Jim Freeman, John Hudson, Richard Wade, Scott Taylor, Coach Joe Trotter, John Gassman, Denny Bartee, Scott Wilson, Coach George Garrett. Back Row: Dennis Hudson, Roger Mead, David Adam, Dan Booth, Greg Smith, Troy McKay, and Jeff Howard.

(Above Left) ‘79 Tiger Richard Wade is interviewed at the ceremonies at Union Station.

(Above Right) The Tigers score in their 1979 semifinal win against Stockton.

(Left) Fellow inductees Tom Watson and Eric Hosmer.

(Right) ‘79 Tiger John Gassman shares a few stories with ‘79 coaches Jim Freeman (right) and Joe Trotter (left). steve tinnen | the leader

A BIG THANK YOU!

The Don Talley Memorial Golf Tournament was a huge success. The Plattsburg Rotary Club thanks our hole sponsors and donors. Proceeds will help provide scholarships to local students. This was one of Don’s favorite causes.

4-D RANCHES

6R OUTDOORS

AMERICAN LEGION

ATHA BROS. AG

BANK OF PLATTSBURG

BOULWARE LAWN & LANDSCAPE

BRANDON LIBERTY ENTERPRISES

CAMERON REGIONAL

MEDICAL CENTER

CATHY AND LANE BOND

DEFREECE REAL

ESTATE TEAM

DYKES CONSTRUCTION

DIANE TALLEY

D-TONE FEED & GRAIN

GAGNON LAW FIRM

GRASSROOTS GARDEN & LOUNGE

HY-KLAS FOODS

JORDAN ROTH OF EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS

KOZAK’S LAKETOWN GRILL

LARRY’S ONE STOP

MEFFORD PEST CONTROL

MISSOURI HOMETOWN

MUTUAL INS.

OAKRIDGE OF PLATTSBURG

PEO CHAPTER-DF

PLATTSBURG

PLATTSBURG BOWL

SHOW-ME REAL ESTATE OF SMITHVILLE

Donors:

PLATSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PLATTSBURG LICENSE OFFICE

SHAW EXCAVATING & GRADING

SHOW-ME REAL ESTATE OF PLATTSBURG

SURE-AG LLC

STYLES PLUS TALLEY FARMS

UNITED CO-OP

U.S. BANK

VICKIE KILGORE

VICTORY CHEVROLET

WADE FARMS

WOODWARD REAL ESTATE

ZANE MYERS AGENCY

Backwoods Venue 222, Grassroots Garden Lounge, China Restaurant, Hildebrand Estivo Dental, Karen’s Hair Station, Kennedy’s Bar and Grill, Nodaway Valley Bank, CB Pressure Washing, Worth Harley Davidson, Dirk and Julie Talley, Trey and Brittany Talley, Diane Talley, Plattsburg Floral & Gifts, The Backyard, Cathy and Lane Bond, Trager Limestone LLC.

leans following Hurricane Katrina, according to Rains. While it’s one of his largest economic projects, Rains is hard pressed to pick out a favorite.

“It used to drive my kids nuts,” he said. “As we would drive around the countryside, and I would go ‘I got the funding for that water tower’ or ‘I’m working on getting funding for that town’s sewer system improvements.’ So it’s really hard to say which is my favorite because each town, they all feel like my hometown because I have spent so much time in each of them.

“You get to know the communities by going to the city council and working on the projects.”

After almost three decades at GHRPC, Lance decided to return to Gallatin as their city administrator in 2019, and he was selected over five other applicants.

During Rains’ five years at the helm, numerous projects were started and completed with grants and other funding secured by Rains and his team. In total, almost $10 million in grants was brought to Daviess County because of Rains’ efforts.

One of the largest grants he received in Gallatin was more than $5 million for new water lines, but one of the most satisfying was his work to begin restoration of the Cupola Build-

ing on the historic square. That grant was $1.6 million, with the Friends of Gallatin Downtown raising an additional $400,000.

Rains also transitioned Gallatin from manual-read utility meters to wirelesslymonitored meters, saving time and money.

Since being at his post in Cameron, Lance hasn’t been sitting still. Inquiries have been coming in and Rains is busy following up on requests. “I have three projects for consideration on my desk right now,” said Rains. When asked about the scope of the projects, Rains used the word “significant.”

Rains plans on leaning on previous experiences and training to guide his tenure in Cameron, but he knows that economic development is a team game and partners play a valuable role.

“I have met with some members of the Chamber of Commerce and we are focused on working together because we all want to row in the same direction,” he said. “There is no reason to row in our individual boats.”

In order to attract business and growth, you have to look the part and be business friendly. For that reason, planning and zoning is important, and Lance will be highly involved with policy and protocol in that regard.

“I will be ensuring that permitting requests go through, letters go out and

signage is properly displayed,” added Rains.

When zoning became popular in the early 90’s, Rains was at the GHRPC and helped write plans for Chillicothe, Gallatin, Trenton, Brookfield and many other towns in the 11-county region.

When asked about Cameron’s biggest obstacle in regards to economic development, Rains thought for a minute and commented, “Probably the perception of the public on how fast things should move.”

So much of what happens ‘behind the scenes’ has to remain behind the scenes and often no one knows that there is a plan being hashed out. Sometimes the wheels move slowly.

Rains is ready to get to work for Cameron and he admits it is a good story to tell and sell. “When you are the Crossroads of the Nation... It’s literally in your slogan, you have a great opportunity,” said Rains. “US Highway 36 and I-35 are very desirable and we have great land available for development in our industrial park.”

Now who wouldn’t want to tell that story?

Cameron Regional Medical Center (CRMC) released last month the results of the medical center’s high school scholarship program for 2024. Warren McElwain, CRMC Board President and Chairman of the Scholarship and Education Committee, indicated the CRMC Board of Directors awarded a total of $17,500 in renewable scholarships to 18 area high school seniors this year. These graduates represent 11 different school districts in a five-county area. This is the 35th year for the Medical Center’s high school scholarship program.

Recipients of CRMC scholarships have made a commitment to pursuing a health care field of study on a full-time basis beginning this fall. Final selection of recipients is based on such criteria as high school GPA, ACT score, goals, school and community involvement, and need. Candidates must live in Clinton, Caldwell, DeKalb, Daviess, or Harrison Counties in order to be eligible, or be the child of a CRMC employee.

The following local students were among the scholarship recipients: Al-

lison Brown of Cameron, Allie M. Cass of Cameron, Josey Watkins of Cameron, Emilie Vinyard of Cameron, Faith Milburn of Cameron, Kaitlyn Morgan of Lathrop and Hadlie Sunderman of Lathrop. Joe Abrutz, CRMC Administrator, said, “The CRMC Board of Directors implemented this scholarship program 35 years ago with the hope it would serve as a recruitment tool for bringing our area students back to us when they are ready to pursue their professional lives. As long as they meet certain criteria, a student can realize as much as $4,000 during their undergraduate years.”

In addition to its high school scholarship program, CRMC provides a total of $10,000 to secondyear Allied Health Care students at North Central

Missouri College in Trenton on an annual basis. As a third prong to the center’s scholarship efforts, the CRMC medical staff awards one $5,000 scholarship each year to a promising first-year medical student.

“The CRMC Board of Directors is pleased to play a role in encouraging our area youth and their educational objectives,” stated McElwain. “The workforce shortage has been an ongoing challenge for the health care industry across the entire country for some time now. We feel it important to maintain these annual scholarship programs as part of the medical center’s community-oriented mission.”

Cameron Regional Medical Center is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit facility.

Gary Jenkins’ Program Relives Kansas City Mob History

Retired KCMO Police Det. Recalls Violent Era

You know you’re growin’ older when... Most people don’t know how old you are until they hear you stand up.

* * * *

5/2/24 2:26 PM Page 54

You might think that the interest over the years about Kansas City’s mob has dwindled just like the powerful people who have now died or are ready to be picking oatmeal out of their shirt pockets in prison or a convalescent home.

You would be wrong judging from the crowd that filled the room at the Kansas City Public Library downtown on Sunday afternoon.

Headlining the event entitled, “Battle for the River Quay: Mob Wars and Urban Renewal” as part of the library’s series, “Missouri

Letter

Valley Sunday,” was Gary Jenkins, a retired KC Police detective, who along with his partner, detective Bob Arnold, was assigned to Operation Strawman. It was in 1976, and they helped the FBI follow Kansas City mafia members to learn which pay phones they were using to call their mob contacts in Las Vegas. His book, “Leaving Vegas: The True Story of How the FBI Wiretaps Ended Mob Domination of Las Vegas Casinos,” explains their role in bringing down the mob.

Through dialog and video clips, Jenkins led the crowd to the history of how Kansas City’s City Market area, known in the 1970s as the River Quay, was redeveloped with restaurants, nightclubs and Bohemian shops. While initially a popular

entertainment destination, many River Quay businesses fell under mob control and it became the site of a violent turf war.

Jenkins explained the district’s rise and fall, from its early success as an urban renewal project to the mafia bombings and murders that dominated newspaper headlines and spelled the end of the development.

Jenkins said the mob ran seedy night clubs and strip joints along 12th Street downtown. They saw an opportunity in the River Quay to move those operations to a more upscale operation.

There was push back from Freddy Bonadonna, owner of a popular River Quay restaurant “Poor Freddies.” The problem was his father David was a made man in the Civella family.

Freddy’s defiance led to his father’s demise and his body was found in the trunk of a Mustang.

Freddy sought protection and some organized crime associates were enlisted for security for himself and his business.

Taking on the Civella family was a bad idea. Busi-

from MLA Committee, Continued from Page A4

residents based on thoughtful criteria, and have a place in any collection in this state or elsewhere.

We are further concerned that decisions made to remove or restrict could cause harm to the trust that children and their families have in the schools they attend, as well as the students’ ability to pursue inquiry and access materials (see again IIAC-R1 in the school board policy manual). LGBTQ+ students need access to au-

thentic representations of Queer experience to provide context for growing up in a predominantly “straight” society, just as cis/heterosexual children benefit from perspectives from non-binary characters that help them empathize with and understand the broader scope of human experience. We ask you to consider why someone would want to restrict access to these perspectives, particularly as our social context becomes increasing-

ly global and interconnected, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ participate in an increasingly open and integrated way in our society. We ask you to consider if restricting or removing these works truly serves all the students in your district in their pursuit of knowledge and growth.

Please know that in our MLA statement on intellectual freedom, we outline the necessity of protecting the opportunities for ac-

cess to diverse perspectives of which our students avail themselves of available resources to be well-rounded citizens and empathetic participants in contemporary society. As with other challenges in the state, we ask you to consider the irreparable harm that undermining intellectual freedom causes to students and their trust in public institutions that come between them and attempts to understand their world. We support those teachers, librarians, and employees working toward maintaining and promoting inclusive library collections, and those who cultivate spaces for free inquiry and curiosity to flourish in schools. We support parents working to promote access to materials in your district, and applaud their efforts to

nesses were burned in 1976, and in 1977, two popular river Quay establishments, Judge Roy Bean’s and Pat O’Brien’s, were reduced to rubble by bombs.

As a result, Freddy entered the Witness Protection Program and moved to Florida.

For those interested in the rest of the story, check out Jenkins’ popular smart phone app called Kansas City Mob Tour. Gary’s fun and interesting true crime podcast, Gangland Wire, continues to enjoy success. Check it out. It’s sure to entertain and educate you about the mob in Kansas City.

support their kids during this fraught time. We lament the amount of abuse, stress, and other negative consequences students and hardworking teachers and librarians suffer as these regrettable censorship campaigns continue. Please support your students by reconsidering your recent decision to integrate BookLooks into professional practices, and please reinstate book orders of Gateway and Truman titles for the upcoming year.

While we understand the inclination to safeguard students from certain topics, we firmly believe in the right of each student and parents informed by the expertise of your librarians to decide what is right for each individual. In prioritizing students’ developmental and intellectual needs, we believe

you can begin regaining the trust of your community as well as step back into best practices in education and librarianship. Serving your students’ developmental and intellectual needs should be your first priority, your recent choices merely mirror the biases and moral panic sweeping our country, and ultimately have no benefit to your community or patrons.

Sincerely, Missouri Library Association- Intellectual Freedom Committee (MLA-IFC) 2023 Winners of the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award

Gary Jenkins presents at the Kansas City Public Library.

THE LEADER

Proudly serving Clinton County, Missouri, for more than 125 years

is available on an equal opportunity basis."

FOR SALE

AGRICULTURE

Buying standing walnut, oak & cottonwood timber. Cash or on shares. Call Mike at 816-248-3091

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

Gravel, sand, top soil, mulch, river rock, boulders-Turney Mini Quarry 816248-2523.

For Sale: One grass fed beef. Sold by hanging weight. Call 66o-645-2269

Kingsville Livestock Auction. Located 45 miles SE of Kansas City, MO. On 58 Hwy. East of Modern. 816.597.3331. www.kingsvillelivestock.com fwda

Summers Crop Serv-

ices, LLC in Lathrop. Fertilizer & lime applications. Call Curtis Summers for a free quote. 816564-7116, fwda

Tina Livestock Market. 435 W 2nd St., Tina, MO 64682. Call 660-622-4214. www.tinalivestockmarket.com fwda

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 1br apt and one studio apt. NO PETS, first month rent and deposit required, Appliances and utilities furnished. Ideal for someone on a fixed income. Immideate possession, background check required. Please call 660-645-2269

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: “All rental property advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

"We will not knowingly accept any advertising for rental property which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis."

PUBLIC NOTICES

Because The People Must Know

IN THE 43RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, CLINTON COUNTY, MISSOURI PROBATE DIVISION Case Number: 24CN-PR00046

In the Estate of ROGER E FENN, Deceased. Notice of Letters Testamentary Granted (Independent Administration)

To All Persons Interested in the Estate of ROGER E FENN, Decedent:

On May 23,2024, the last will of Decedent having been admitted to probate, the following individual was appointed the personal representative of the estate of ROGER E FENN, decedent, by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of CLINTON COUNTY Missouri. 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 name, business address and phone number of the personal representative is: SYLVIA M FENN, 605 S. CHESTNUT STREET , CAMERON, MO 64429

The personal representative's attorney's name, business address and phone number is: PAUL STEVEN WILSON 421 W BROADWAY, SUITE 200, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51503 (712)322-6000

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 two-month period do not extend the limitation period that would bar claims one year after the 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 litem pursuant to Section 537 .021, RSMo. Date of the decedent's death: 25-MAY-2023

Date of first publication: 5/30/24 /s/ Deana Morton Clerk

Receipt of this notice by mail should not be construed by the recipient to indicate that the recipient 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 above referenced Circuit Court. (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

REAL ESTATE

Are you a Real Estate Agent, Broker or office looking to develop a relationship with someone who can help provide soft décor items for staging homes?

Bannad Studios Custom Pillows, Cushions, Covers, bedding & Drapes. Call us today. 816-7240694 If no answer, we're in the workroom or with customers. Please leave message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible. We look forward to working with you!

FOR SALE: Home in Spickard, MO. 3 bed 1 bath. Has older two car garage. No heat or air. Older move in ready home. No title Insurance. Serious inquires only. Please call 660-748-3339

PUBLISHER'S

NOTE: "All property advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

"We will not knowingly accept any advertising for property which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all advertised property

Garden Headquarters! Garden seeds, assorted garden tools, best prices in town. Trenton Hardware, 901 Main, Trenton. 660-3593660.

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 Tdtf

HELTON INSUR-

ANCE SOLUTIONS

Williams Shopping Center, Trenton, MO. New To Medicare or Want To Compare Pricing ... Call Brian McDaniel 816-2891935 or Leah Helton 660-359-3806 or 660-635-0537 "Our Quality Of Service Is What Makes Us Different"

Registered Jack Russell Puppies for sale. Males only. $350 Call 816-8070382.

Shelly's Pet Care, 660-684-6864, 103 S. Locust St., Jamesport, MO 64648. Professional, Personalized Grooming. Appointments available Monday - Saturday. 35 Years of Experience! Serving the Green Hills Area since 1996!

EMPLOYMENT

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

TRUSTEE’S SALE

East 28th Street, Trenton, MO 64683. E.O.E

North Central Missouri College is seeking a Residential Life Coordinator/Assistant Women's Softball Coach. This is a fulltime position with benefits included. Interested applicants should visit www.ncmissouri.edu /jobs for more information and how to apply or call 660357-6203. NCMC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Help Wanted: Home Visitor, Caldwell County Head Start. This position is responsible for planning home-based learning experiences that focus on promoting high-quality early learning in the home. Full-Time with the following benefits: 4-day work week, Dental/Health/Life insurance, Retirement, LifeFlight, Sick Leave, Paid tuition to NCMC. This position is responsible for the supervision of center staff and volunteers. As well as planning, monitoring, and managing the facility’s daily program, social services, and family engagement activities. Visit http://www.greenhillsheadstart.org for job description and application or call 660-359-2214. E.O.I.

NOTICES

THE PEOPLE’S CO-OP 1736 East 9th St. 359-3313. Premium Diesel, Gas, 10% Ethanol –CENEX. 83 years of service & experience. MR. TIRE –Mastercraft and Yokohama tires.

IN RE: Clark Montgomery and Nora Montgomery, husband and wife Trustee’s Sale: For default in payment of debt and performance of obligation secured by Deed of Trust executed by Clark Montgomery and Nora Montgomery, husband and wife dated September 24, 2021 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Clinton County, Missouri as Instrument Number: 202103726 the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note will on Monday, June 24, 2024 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., (at the specific time of 12:50 PM), at the West Front Door of the Court House, City of Plattsburg, County of Clinton, State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash the following described real estate, described in said Deed of Trust, and situated in Clinton County, State of Missouri, to wit: LOT 133, IN SOUTH CAMERON, AN ADDITION TO THE CITY OF CAMERON, CLINTON COUNTY, MISSOURI. to satisfy said debt and cost.

MILLSAP & SINGER, P.C., Successor Trustee 612 Spirit Drive St. Louis, MO 63005 (636) 537-0110 File No: 221939.062424.444832 FC

NOTICE

Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no information concerning the collection of this debt may be given without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction. The debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

PUBLISH ON: May 30, 2024

06/06/2024, 06/13/2024, 06/20/2024 (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

Pleasant View R-VI is accepting bids for health insurance and insurance brokerage services. Bids are due to the school by noon on June 7th, 2024. More information can be obtained by emailing rsteinhoff@pleasantviewr6.org. Pleasant View R-VI is an equal-opportunity employer.

Replacement Parts; Accessories; Chemicals; Tool & equipment. www.tlauto supply.com

SERVICES

Mid-States Services is now offering: Fiber Optic installs in rural Trenton! MidStates will STILL WAIVE the $150 installation free for those who sign up NOW! Sign up TODAY by calling 660-359-2045 or at http://www.midstates.net. 4100 Oklahoma Ave., Trenton, MO 64683.

Carquest Auto Parts T & L Auto Supply, Inc., 1823 East 9th, Trenton, 359-2268, tlautosupply.com Monday-Friday, 7-5, Saturday, 7:30-12.

CRP Grass seeding and management. Experienced life long grass farmer. Ray Schwarz 816-2234712

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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

Bannad Studios Custom Soft Décor. Pillows, Cushions, Covers, bedding & Drapes. Are you a homeowner looking to sell who needs new or custom designed décor for staging your home? Call us today. 816-7240694 If no answer, we're in the workroom or with customers. Please leave message. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.

*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.

BUY - SELLTRADE -BIG NASTY'S GUNS & AMMO - Stop in and see us at our New Location - 1515 E. 9th Street, Trenton, MO. Nathan Rorebeck, 660-6350469, www.bignastys.com

VEHICLE FOR SALE VIA SEALED BIDS

The Clinton County Public Administrator is selling a 2013 Nissan four door, through the process of private, sealed bids. Please mail any potential bids for the said vehicle to the attorney for the Public Administrator, Kim Brown, Attorney at Law, LLC, 1803 N. Walnut, P.O. Box 77, Cameron, Missouri 64429. Bids need to be sealed and notarized. Vehicle available to be seen by appointment only. Contact the Clinton County Public Administrator at 816-592-0177. Appointments available from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, beginning June 6, 2024, and ending June 26, 2024. If you intend to send any bids for the vehicle, please have them mailed to attorney Kim Brown, no later than June 26th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20/24)

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR FACILITIES ASSESSMENT

The Lathrop R-II School District is requesting Statements of Qualifications for an Architectural firm for assessment of existing facilities for their district in Lathrop, Missouri. The School District is in Clinton County.

Companies interested in submitting qualifications should contact the District Superintendent, Dr. Adam Willard, at 816710-6110 or adam.willard@lathropschools.com for a formal copy of the Request for Qualifications. Submissions will be due no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 25, 2024, in the District Central Office located at 700 East Street, Lathrop, Missouri 64465.

The School District reserves the right to reject any or all submittals and to waive any informality and irregularity in the qualifications and to select the firm that is in the best interest of the District and in compliance with the terms set herein. The Lathrop R-II School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites the submission of proposals from minority- and women-owned firms.

(6/6, 6/13)

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.)

Students in Gower enjoy water fight with emergency personnel

MoDOT Weekly Roadwork Around Northwest Missouri

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 June 10-16.

Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. There also may be moving operations throughout the region, in addition to the work mentioned below. 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 Route 48 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 169 (Gentry County) to U.S. Route 71, through June 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp,).

Route H – Scrub seal from U.S. Route 59 to the Nodaway County line, June 10.

Route A – Scrub seal from U.S. Route 71 to Route H, June 11.

Buchanan County

Loop 29 (Pear Street)Drainage work from U.S. 169 (Belt Highway) to Easton Road, through midJune. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp.).

Route U – Resurfacing project through June 2024. (Contractor: Emery Sapp & Sons).

Route DD – CLOSED for asphalt repairs from I-29 to Cherry Street, June 10, 4-8 a.m.

I-29 Off Ramps – CLOSED for asphalt repairs at Route DD (Exit 35/Pilot Truck Stop), June 10, 4-8 a.m. Gene Field Road – CLOSED around-the-clock for bridge deck repairs at the bridge over I-29, June 11-12.

Route A – Permit/utility work at Route H, June 10 – August 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. The road will be narrowed to one lane during working hours, with flaggers directing traffic through the work zone.

Caldwell County Route 13 – CLOSED from Far West Drive to Kingston for a resurfacing project from the south city limits of Hamilton to just north of Route HH in Kingston through June 17

Route 13 – Pavement repairs from Mill Creek Drive

in Hamilton to Route P, through July. (Contractor: Phillips Hardy, Inc.).

Clinton County Route H – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project from NE Estep Road to U.S. Route 69 through November 2024.

I-35 – Concrete replacement northbound from mile marker 43.8 to 46.4, June 10-14. The road will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock with a 12-foot width restriction.

I-35 – Concrete replacement southbound from mile marker 43.6 to 42.4, June 10-14. The road will be narrowed to one lane around-the-clock with a 12-foot width restriction.

Route OO – Pothole patching from 202 Street to the Jameson city limits, June 10-14.

DeKalb County Route C – Resurfacing project, June 11-12. (Contractor: Idecker, Inc.).

Gentry County Route 48 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 169 to U.S. Route 71 (Andrew County), through June 2024. (Contractor: Herzog Contracting Corp,).

Route AF – CLOSED for pavement repairs from 430th Street to Route B, June 10, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Livingston County Route D – CLOSED at the Rattlesnake Creek Bridge for a bridge rehabilitation project through mid-August.

U.S. Route 36 – Pavement improvement project under the U.S. Route 65 bridge and the Kansas City Sub railroad bridge in Chillicothe

through July. One lane may be closed in either direction around-the-clock with a 10-foot width restriction in place (Contractor: Magruder Paving, LLC).

Route B – ADA/Sidewalk improvement project in

Wheeling through June. (Contractor: BRS Construction, LLC.). Route B, Route D, and Route K Sidewalk/ ADA Improvements in Livingston | Missouri Department of Transportation

Chris Holt headed for Hall of Fame

State Championship Game.

going 48-21 while winning two district titles, two KCI Conference titles, twice making the state semifinals and earning a spot in the 2018 Missouri Class 2

Visiting Shatto

“It is a reward for anyone who has been a part of our success,” Holt said of his Hall of Fame selection. “It was a lifelong goal for me, but it took great players, coaches, administrators and communities who bought in together to work towards being great.”

Holt went 156-81 in over 20 years as a head coach. He started his head coaching career with Princeton before heading up the Maryville program, where he helped build the foundation of the Spoofhounds’ football dynasty. Holt’s teams won 59 games in six seasons, including two state title game appearances and one state championship.

He coached at Oak Park in 2012 and 2013 before stepping away from the game for a short stint. But a fateful call from a friend in Lathrop, then-athletic director Brian Banker, lured him back to the sidelines in 2015.

“It was what I needed to get back into coaching,” Holt said of Lathrop. “Mr. Banker called and said it was time, and he was right. The

staff and kids bought in and once we got a taste, we went to another level. Without a doubt, my biggest regret was not bringing a title to the school. We were close, but I have never been satisfied with close.”

He added that he is thankful to the Lathrop community for welcoming him and his family, and that they made lifelong friendships in the Former Mule Capital.

The Mules, who went 2-8 in 2014, improved their record in each of their first four seasons under Holt, including a 9-3 record in 2017, as Lathrop made a district title game appearance (falling to Lafayette County).

The team broke out the following season, going 14-1 while winning both a conference and district championship. In the Missouri Class 2 State Semifinals, they defeated Lamar, seven-time defending state champion, to earn a spot in the state title game. They fell to champ Blair Oaks that year.

The next year, the Mules repeated as conference and district champions, going 13-1. Their only loss

came in the state semifinals, a loss to eventual champion Lutheran North. To win the district title, the Mules had to knock off Maryville in Nodaway County, ending a 67-game winning streak that began with Holt’s tenure there.

Holt coached one more year at Lathrop before resigning in 2021. He had intended to coach another season, but with departures on the coaching staff, Holt felt it was a good time for

and

the next head coach to come in and build fresh, while giving Holt more time to see his children participate in the extracurriculars.

He returned to Northwest Missouri football in 2022, helping the Gallatin Bulldogs to a 12-1 record

the Missouri Class 1 State Quarterfinals, falling to eventual state champion East Buchanan in a close battle. He coached the 2023 season at Gallatin before retiring.

Former Lathrop football coach Chris Holt during the coin flip of the 2018 Class 2 state title game. leader file photo

Residents at Oakridge of Plattsburg took time last week to visit nearby Shatto Dairy, where they tasted the products, toured the facility and even met some of the stars! (as pictured). photo courtesy of oakridge