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By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Friday, June 19, marks one month since 35-year-old Lindsey Watts was last seen in Edina, a milestone that has left many in Knox County reflecting on the emotional toll her disappearance has taken on her family, friends, co-workers, clients, neighbors, investigators and the community as a whole. In a tight-knit community like ours, it can be difficult to escape the stress and uncertainty surrounding Lindsey’s disappearance. While law enforcement continues to investigate Lindsey’s disappearance outside of the public eye, the many unanswered questions have weighed heavily throughout the region. Prolonged uncertainty can affect emotional…
By Travis L. Mathes, Lewis County REC On June 13, 2026, Lewis County REC will mark the retirement of a man whose name has become synonymous with dedication, service, and commitment to rural electrification. After 38 years of faithfully serving the membership of Lewis County REC, David Cox will officially conclude a remarkable career that began on June 13, 1988. David’s story is one deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the rural electric cooperative movement. The Cox family’s connection to rural electrification dates back nearly a century. In 1939, David’s grandfather, Charlie Cox, set the first pole for…
By Gentrie Davis, Submitted by Missouri Farmers Care Dr. Dan Goehl has spent his life serving the people, livestock and communities of Agri-Ready Designated Lewis County. Dan has made a lasting impact on northeast Missouri agriculture through his dedication to producers, animal care, and the next generation of rural communities. Growing Up in The Farm Crisis Growing up on a family farm in northeast Missouri during the farm crisis of the 1980s, Dan witnessed both the challenges and resilience that define Missouri agriculture. That experience influenced his decision to pursue veterinary medicine while remaining connected to the livestock industry he…
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Knox County R-I music teacher Lisa Blake will return to the stage later this month for her 11th season with the Muddy River Opera Company during the annual Summer Sky Concert in Quincy, Illinois. Blake, a mezzo-soprano, has performed in numerous opera productions with the company over the past 11 seasons, including La Bohème, Carmen, The Magic Flute and La Traviata. She has also appeared as a featured soloist in works by Bach, Duruflé, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Vivaldi. In addition to teaching middle and high school band and choir at Knox County R-I,…
By Echo Menges KNOX COUNTY, Mo. — Thursday, June 11, 2026 — A feed truck overturned on Missouri Highway 6 west of Edina Thursday morning, temporarily closing the highway while emergency crews and heavy wreckers worked for several hours to clear the scene. The crash occurred between Edina and Hurdland, where the semi came to rest on the driver’s side, spilling a large load of corn and blocking both lanes of traffic at approximately 8 a.m. Emergency responders from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Knox County Ambulance District, Knox County Rescue Squad and Edina Volunteer Fire…
Seasonal retailers may legally sell fireworks in Missouri from June 20 to July 10 JEFFERSON CITY – As Missourians prepare for a summer filled with even more festivities and celebrations than usual – including the “America 250” commemoration and FIFA World Cup events in the Kansas City area – the Division of Fire Safety is urging residents to keep safety at the forefront of their planning. “Because July 4th – the largest fireworks event each year – is also the 250th anniversary of American independence this year, we expect to see more gatherings and an uptick in the use of…
By Emilie Rumble Imagine stepping over the threshold of a building that is more than 100 years old and finding yourself immediately traveling through time. That is exactly what you will do when you walk through the doors of Sparks Retail, which was most recently home to Golden Rose Auction, and traveling further back in time once the home of the Ben Franklin owned by LaVerne and Joyce Dabney, found on the south side of Lafayette Street on the Downtown Square of Edina. On May 19, 2026, Jesse and Tammy Sparks opened a variety store at that historic site and…
MEMPHIS, MO – The new medical staff officers of Scotland County Hospital officially took office at the April Board meeting. The officers are Kelsey Davis-Humes, DO – Chief of Staff, Matthew Ragsdell, DO – Vice-Chief of Staff, Nicholas Comstock, DO – Secretary Dr. Davis-Humes is a Family Medicine Physician and works at Memphis Medical Services and Wyaconda Medical Services. She is also one of the physicians that delivers babies in the Women’s Center at the Hospital. Dr. Matthew Ragsdell is an Orthopedic Surgeon and he works at Memphis Medical Services. Dr. Comstock is a Family Medicine Physician and he works…
People of Interest Identified in Lindsey Watts Investigation By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — June 12, 2026 — Investigators have identified people of interest in the disappearance of Lindsey Watts, 35, as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies continue their investigation into the Edina woman’s disappearance. Watts was reported missing by her family on May 20. The sheriff remains tight-lipped about details of the investigation’s progress, which is standard practice during active criminal investigations. “I’m not focused on winning in the court of public opinion. I’m focused on winning in a court of law. Our investigators…
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By Gentrie Davis, Submitted by Missouri Farmers Care Dr. Dan Goehl has spent his life serving the people, livestock and communities of Agri-Ready Designated Lewis County. Dan has made a lasting impact on northeast Missouri agriculture through his dedication to producers, animal care, and the next generation of rural communities. Growing Up in The Farm Crisis Growing up on a family farm in northeast Missouri during the farm crisis of the 1980s, Dan witnessed both the challenges and resilience that define Missouri agriculture. That experience influenced his decision to pursue veterinary medicine while remaining connected to the livestock industry he…
Read More By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Knox County R-I music teacher Lisa Blake will return to the stage later this month for her 11th season with the Muddy River Opera Company during the annual Summer Sky Concert in Quincy, Illinois. Blake, a mezzo-soprano, has performed in numerous opera productions with the company over the past 11 seasons, including La Bohème, Carmen, The Magic Flute and La Traviata. She has also appeared as a featured soloist in works by Bach, Duruflé, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Vivaldi. In addition to teaching middle and high school band and choir at Knox County R-I,…
Read More By Echo Menges KNOX COUNTY, Mo. — Thursday, June 11, 2026 — A feed truck overturned on Missouri Highway 6 west of Edina Thursday morning, temporarily closing the highway while emergency crews and heavy wreckers worked for several hours to clear the scene. The crash occurred between Edina and Hurdland, where the semi came to rest on the driver’s side, spilling a large load of corn and blocking both lanes of traffic at approximately 8 a.m. Emergency responders from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Knox County Ambulance District, Knox County Rescue Squad and Edina Volunteer Fire…
Read MoreArea Obituaries
Eugene “Gene” Yoakum, 86, of Brashear, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at his residence north of Hurdland, Missouri. Gene was born March 23, 1940, in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of Orvie Leon and Agnes Theresa Rodey Yoakum. He attended Black Rural School before graduating from the Hurdland High School in the Class of 1958. On December 22, 1962, in Edina, Missouri, he married Reta Frances Rowlison, and they made their home north of Hurdland, Missouri. He farmed his entire life, was a NFO member and was a hog buyer for them for several years. He served on the…
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Gayle “Lynn” Parton, age 65, of Marshall, Missouri, formerly of Edina, Missouri, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026, in Marshall. Surrounded by her loved ones peacefully. She was born September 1, 1960, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Bernard Cleo “Barney” and Marjorie Louise “Marge” Duggins Parton. Lynn was raised in Edina, Missouri, where she received her education graduating from Knox County High School. After High School she attended Moberly Area Community College where she graduated with a Registered Nursing Degree. Lynn worked as an RN at Fitzgibbon Hospital for 8 years on Med Surg, in Marshall, MO, from there…
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In loving memory of Stephen L. Hunolt, age 77, who passed away March 16, 2026. On June 5, 2026, Steve’s family gathered at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri, where Steve was laid to rest with military honors. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving in Vietnam during the war. Steve was born July 5, 1948, to Richard E. Hunolt and Helen M. Hunolt, formerly of Edina, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard M. Hunolt; grandparents Thomas A. Hunolt and Nell Scearce Hunolt of Edina, and J. Albert…
Read MoreArea Sports
By David Sharp Brashear scored 14 runs on ten hits, powering to a 14-2, six inning win over Higbee (3-11) in baseball play at Kirksville High School. The contest was moved due wo wet grounds at Higbee. Cole Erwin and Quincy Chapman drilled one out RBI hits for a 1-0 Brashear (7-2) first inning lead. Bailyn Halley plated Kienii Scott with another run producing hit in the Wild Tiger second. Jacob Love reached on an error and stole home during the second inning rally. Chase Price led off the Tiger second inning with a double. Brashear hurler Bailyn Halley fanned…
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Missouri Independent
- 60-day clock starts for negotiations with Iran over strait, nuclear future
- Trump couldn’t send troops to the polls without approval of Congress under Dem bill
- Trump administration tightens oversight of state Medicaid demonstration programs
- Trump changes pregnancy-prevention program to promote childbearing
- Elder abuse reports in Missouri continue to rise. Experts still consider them an undercount
- Nationwide survey shows ongoing struggles for pregnant patients on Medicaid
- Missouri voters passed a sales tax cap. Under Amendment 4, it would have failed
- FTC, 4 states sue trans healthcare nonprofit over gender-affirming treatment
- White House discloses outline of deal to end Iran war, open Strait of Hormuz
- FEMA nominee pressed on whether Trump favors disaster funding requests from GOP states