Featured Stories
Local News
University of Missouri Extension NOVELTY, Mo. – Waterlogging and flooding are among the most damaging weather-related stresses in crop production worldwide, and their impacts are increasing as extreme rainfall becomes more frequent. Flooding ranks second only to drought among abiotic stresses. Research by Gurbir Singh, a soil scientist with University of Missouri Extension at MU’s Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm, along with Gurpreet Kaur, assistant research professor in the MU School of Natural Resources, and others, shows how excess water affects crops, soils and nutrient management, and outlines strategies farmers can use to reduce losses. Flooding submerges plants, while…
JEFFERSON CITY – The Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $1.455 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments that provide critical protection to their rural communities. The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be strained. “Missouri’s firefighters stand guard, protecting our communities from fires, natural disasters and other emergencies each and every day,” Governor Mike Kehoe said. “We’re glad to…
By David Sharp Highland placed in seven events at the May 23-24, 2026 Class 2 MSHSAA Track and Field Championships at Jefferson City, Mo. The Lady Cougars scored 23 team points, good for ninth overall in the state. Senior Chris Gaus competed in the Class 2 boys 100m dash, placing 12th overall in 11.34 seconds. Senior Bailie Crist placed fifth overall in the Class 2 girl’s Javelin competition with a toss of 125’6”. Senior Chevie Sharpe won the Class 2 Girl’s Bronze medal in the 1600m run. Her time was 5:08.55 seconds. Cougar junior Porter Peters placed 13th overall in…
By David Sharp Knox County senior Cooper Clair won three Class 1 State Championships at the May 23-24, 2026 Class 1 Boys Track and Field Championships at Jefferson City. Clair won the boys 200m dash in 22.01 seconds. Cooper Clair won the silver medal, good for second place in the boys 100m dash in 11.05 seconds after winning his heat race the previous day. Cooper Clair, Anthony Bruegenhemke, Creighton Karhoff, and Grayson Miller won first place in both the boys 4x100m and 4x200m relay events. Knox County won the boys 4x200m relay in 1:30.98 seconds. The Eagles won the boys…
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Thursday, May 21, 2026 – Knox County has a new interim prosecuting attorney following the recent appointment of former Prosecutor Andrew Boster to the bench. Judge Matthew Wilson signed an administrative order on May 20 appointing Chelsea Fellinger, 33, of rural Canton in Lewis County, as interim Knox County prosecutor effective at 12:00 a.m. on May 21. Fellinger was officially sworn in Thursday morning, May 21, at the Lewis County Courthouse by Wilson. Fellinger has served as assistant prosecuting attorney in Lewis County since 2018 and was elected Lewis County prosecutor in 2022. She…
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Hundreds gathered Saturday evening on the Knox County Courthouse lawn in Edina for a community prayer vigil for missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts as the search for the 35-year-old entered its fifth day. Residents from across Knox County and surrounding communities joined local pastors, law enforcement supporters, family members and friends during the hour-long vigil organized by the Knox County Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Brian Burton of Edina Assembly of God Church opened the vigil by encouraging the community to remain hopeful while continuing to support both the family and investigators. “We come together as…
By David Sharp An estimated 53 graduates crossed the stage and received diplomas during the May 17, 2026 Graduation Ceremony at Highland HS. Superintendent John French and High School Principal Dr. Susan Rossmiller presided. Board of Education President Robert Reed Miller and members of the Board assisted presenting Diplomas. Brianna Reed was the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Rylee Hopkins was named Salutatorian. Present and retired members of the United States Military were honored. Graduating Senior Tyson Voth has entered into Military service. Voth was recognized and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Several members of the Class of…
CENTRALIA, Mo. — Knox County turned in a strong day at the MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional 2 track and field meet Saturday, May 16, at Centralia High School, qualifying six entries for the state meet. The top four finishers in each event advanced. Cooper Clair led the Eagles with sectional championships in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, while Knox County also won the boys 4×100 and 4×200 relays. Adison Strong qualified in the girls long jump, Patrick Clark advanced in the boys high jump and the boys 4×400 relay also earned a state berth with a fourth-place finish. Clair…
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Family, friends and community members gathered Sunday afternoon, May 17, as Knox County High School honored the Class of 2026 during commencement exercises held in the high school gymnasium. The ceremony opened with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by Lisa Blake, followed by introductions from Superintendent Alex Van Delft. Senior class president Madison Davis welcomed those in attendance before the honor choir performed “Forever Young.” Retired educator Beverly Peters served as the featured speaker during the ceremony. Alana McCarty later performed “Never Grow Up” before a video presentation was shown for graduates and…
Latest E-Edition
Area News
University of Missouri Extension NOVELTY, Mo. – Waterlogging and flooding are among the most damaging weather-related stresses in crop production worldwide, and their impacts are increasing as extreme rainfall becomes more frequent. Flooding ranks second only to drought among abiotic stresses. Research by Gurbir Singh, a soil scientist with University of Missouri Extension at MU’s Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm, along with Gurpreet Kaur, assistant research professor in the MU School of Natural Resources, and others, shows how excess water affects crops, soils and nutrient management, and outlines strategies farmers can use to reduce losses. Flooding submerges plants, while…
Read More JEFFERSON CITY – The Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $1.455 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments that provide critical protection to their rural communities. The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be strained. “Missouri’s firefighters stand guard, protecting our communities from fires, natural disasters and other emergencies each and every day,” Governor Mike Kehoe said. “We’re glad to…
Read More By David Sharp Highland placed in seven events at the May 23-24, 2026 Class 2 MSHSAA Track and Field Championships at Jefferson City, Mo. The Lady Cougars scored 23 team points, good for ninth overall in the state. Senior Chris Gaus competed in the Class 2 boys 100m dash, placing 12th overall in 11.34 seconds. Senior Bailie Crist placed fifth overall in the Class 2 girl’s Javelin competition with a toss of 125’6”. Senior Chevie Sharpe won the Class 2 Girl’s Bronze medal in the 1600m run. Her time was 5:08.55 seconds. Cougar junior Porter Peters placed 13th overall in…
Read MoreArea Obituaries
Layton Kenneth “Kenny” Roberts, 93, of Macon, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Boone Hospital in Columbia. Born on November 10, 1932, in Mendon, Missouri, he was the son of James Layton Roberts and Delma Ruth (Blackman) Roberts. Kenny was a proud graduate of Rothville High School and continued his education at Northeast Teachers College, earning a master’s degree. He devoted his life to education, serving as a teacher, coach, and administrator from 1958 until 1990 in numerous Missouri communities, including Novinger, Marceline, Lebanon, LaBelle, Knox County, Canton, Linn County, Fairfax, Cairo, St. Clair, and Bosworth.…
Read More
Kevin Lynn Rhoades, age 66, of Clarence, Missouri, passed away at his home in Clarence on May 23, 2026. Kevin was born September 2, 1959, in Novelty, Missouri, the son of Elmore Clinton and Alice Lodema Hudson Rhoades. He was united in marriage to Karen Samantha Jo Fierge in January 2016, in Clarence, Missouri. Kevin attended school at Novelty, Missouri. He had been employed with Keith March Trucking in Macon, Missouri, for several years. For the past 12 years he resided in Macon, Missouri. Kevin was a much-loved husband and grandfather. Kevin enjoyed fishing and camping. Surviving are his wife…
Read More
JV Norton, age 88, of Knox City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO. He was born December 25, 1937, in rural Knox City, Missouri, the son of Johnnie Lee and Vadah Belle Matticks Norton. JV was united in marriage to Joyce Ann Layman in Knox City, MO on March 23, 1958. JV attended White Oak School and graduated from Knox City High School in 1955. After graduating from high school JV worked with the FBI in St. Louis, MO but his true calling was to return to the farm in…
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…
Read MoreState News
Missouri Independent
- Treasury’s Bessent mum on Trump’s IRS immunity deal
- US House approves measure to restrain Trump action in Iran
- Congress weighs cuts to states’ already ‘insufficient’ election security dollars
- Farm animal welfare rules might be rolled back by Congress
- Black midwives are suing Southern states, claiming regulations make it harder to help patients
- VA clinical trial on psychedelic-assisted therapy gives Missouri lawmakers hope
- US Senate panel pans DHS plan to stop customs processing at blue-city airports
- States face tight timeline as feds unveil new Medicaid work requirement rules
- Trump administration dumps $1.77B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
- Missouri Realtors pour $1.9 million into campaign to defeat Amendment 5 tax plan