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Community Celebrates Independence Day at Knox Co. Nursing Home

July 7, 2026

EDINA, Mo. — Residents, families and community members gathered Thursday evening, July 2, for the Knox County Nursing Home’s annual Fourth of July celebration, an event that has become a summertime tradition for both nursing home residents and the surrounding community. Each year, the nursing home’s administration and staff organize and host the celebration, transforming the front lawn and parking area into a gathering place where residents can celebrate Independence Day with their loved ones while welcoming the public to join them. Visitors arrived with lawn chairs and blankets as children played on the grounds and families spent time visiting…

One Constant Through Decades of Change

July 7, 2026

After 54 years as Edina’s city clerk, Margaret Gibson retires following a career that spanned generations of change in city government. By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — When Margaret Gibson arrived at Edina City Hall in late June 1972, nearly every task performed by the city clerk’s office required paper, carbon copies and a typewriter. There were no computers. No email. No photocopier. Payroll checks were typed one at a time. City licenses were prepared individually. Tax records were completed by hand using large books and carbon paper, and council meeting minutes were carefully typed into oversized bound volumes that…

Parade, Fireworks Highlight Hurdland’s Fourth of July Celebration

July 7, 2026

By Echo Menges HURDLAND, Mo. — The 154th Hurdland Fourth of July Celebration brought neighbors, families and visitors together July 3-4 as one of northeast Missouri’s longest-running Independence Day traditions filled the town square with patriotic spirit, hometown entertainment and community fellowship. The two-day celebration began Friday evening with live music by Side of Country, the community’s popular tenderloin meal, bingo and the annual Little Mister and Miss Firecracker contest. Festivities continued Saturday morning as the annual parade stepped off through downtown Hurdland. Veterans, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, horses, tractors, floats and community organizations made their way along the parade route…

Knox County Road, Bridge Projects Included in New MoDOT Five-Year Plan

July 7, 2026

Knox County is set to see about $20.7 million in highway and bridge projects move toward construction under Missouri’s newly approved 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the five-year STIP on July 1. The plan lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. Statewide, the STIP makes available $13 billion in federal and state revenue for all modes of transportation, including $9.3 billion in contractor awards for road and bridge construction. The STIP is MoDOT’s five-year road map for transportation improvements. It is considered…

Edina City Council Holds June Meeting, Longtime Clerk to Retire

July 2, 2026

DRAFT – June 8, 2026 – The Board of Aldermen met in regular session with Mayor Linda Kerr presiding. Aldermen present: Dot Kriegshauser, Delmar Strange, David Bugh, Rick Yoakum, and Staci Rimer. Absent: Don Crim. Others present: Roger Parton, Superintendent of Utilities; Peggy Collinge, City Treasurer; Kathy Poore, City Collector; David Dudley, Chief of Police and Officer Brian Salsberry; and the following citizens, John Greenley and Donna Lachman Mansy. Mayor Kerr called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by everyone present. Motion was made by Delmar Strange and seconded…

Lay Honored for Helping Preserve Military Funeral Tradition

July 2, 2026

By Echo Menges LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — As communities across northeast Missouri prepare to celebrate Independence Day and honor the nation’s veterans, a Lewis County student is being featured for helping ensure local service members receive one of the military’s most meaningful final tributes. On the final day of the school year, representatives of Canton American Legion Post 170 and Lewistown American Legion Post 578 honored Walter Lay with a Certificate of Appreciation and a $100 Murphy’s Filling Station gas card in recognition of his volunteer service performing military funeral honors throughout Lewis County. The recognition was presented by Lewis…

Retirement Reception Planned for Longtime Edina City Clerk Margaret Gibson

June 26, 2026

EDINA, Mo. — Friends, co-workers and community members are invited to celebrate the retirement of longtime Edina City Clerk Margaret Gibson during an open house Sunday, June 28. The City of Edina will host the retirement celebration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Knox County Community Center in Edina. Gibson is retiring after more than 54 years of dedicated service to the City of Edina. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside generations of city officials and residents, becoming one of the community’s longest-serving public employees. The public is invited to stop by, offer congratulations and thank Gibson for…

Knox County Endowment Fund Launches with $5,000 Contribution from Northeast Power Cooperative

June 26, 2026

Community Foundation Press Release Edina, MO – A permanent investment in Knox County’s future is now underway with the establishment of the Knox County Endowment Fund, a new charitable endowment created through the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. Built to grow alongside the communities it serves, the Knox County Endowment Fund will provide a sustained source of support for local nonprofits, community projects, and charitable initiatives in Knox County — now and for generations ahead. Contributions to the fund are invested, with earnings distributed annually to address local needs as they evolve over time. Thanks to…

State Auditor Opens Investigation Into Knox County Public Water Supply District No. 1

June 25, 2026

By Echo Menges KNOX COUNTY, Mo. — Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick’s Office has opened an investigation into the Knox County Public Water Supply District No. 1 at the request of State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, the senator confirmed Thursday. “The issues with the governance of the water district appear to be complex enough to warrant the oversight of the Auditor,” O’Laughlin told The Edina Sentinel. “He is best positioned to assess what needs to be fixed, and from there steps can be taken to get back on track. Local citizens deserve accountability.” O’Laughlin said the Auditor’s Office will examine district…

Lindsey Watts Still Missing One Month Later; Community Encouraged to Prioritize Self-Care

June 18, 2026

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…

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Area News

Community Celebrates Independence Day at Knox Co. Nursing Home

July 7, 2026

EDINA, Mo. — Residents, families and community members gathered Thursday evening, July 2, for the Knox County Nursing Home’s annual Fourth of July celebration, an event that has become a summertime tradition for both nursing home residents and the surrounding community. Each year, the nursing home’s administration and staff organize and host the celebration, transforming the front lawn and parking area into a gathering place where residents can celebrate Independence Day with their loved ones while welcoming the public to join them. Visitors arrived with lawn chairs and blankets as children played on the grounds and families spent time visiting…

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One Constant Through Decades of Change

July 7, 2026

After 54 years as Edina’s city clerk, Margaret Gibson retires following a career that spanned generations of change in city government. By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — When Margaret Gibson arrived at Edina City Hall in late June 1972, nearly every task performed by the city clerk’s office required paper, carbon copies and a typewriter. There were no computers. No email. No photocopier. Payroll checks were typed one at a time. City licenses were prepared individually. Tax records were completed by hand using large books and carbon paper, and council meeting minutes were carefully typed into oversized bound volumes that…

Read More

Parade, Fireworks Highlight Hurdland’s Fourth of July Celebration

July 7, 2026

By Echo Menges HURDLAND, Mo. — The 154th Hurdland Fourth of July Celebration brought neighbors, families and visitors together July 3-4 as one of northeast Missouri’s longest-running Independence Day traditions filled the town square with patriotic spirit, hometown entertainment and community fellowship. The two-day celebration began Friday evening with live music by Side of Country, the community’s popular tenderloin meal, bingo and the annual Little Mister and Miss Firecracker contest. Festivities continued Saturday morning as the annual parade stepped off through downtown Hurdland. Veterans, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, horses, tractors, floats and community organizations made their way along the parade route…

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Area Obituaries

SOPHIE JEWELL HUBBARD

July 2, 2026

SOPHIE JEWELL HUBBARD September 7, 2000 – June 22, 2026 Surrounded by her loving family, Sophie Jewell Hubbard, daughter of Larry and Kami Hubbard went to Jesus in the early morning of June 22, 2026. Her strength and bravery this past year showed her faith and confidence in Jesus. This was reflected in her tattooed life verse, Romans 8:18, “The pain that you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming.” Sophie made her home in Columbia, MO. She was a dedicated educator for five years at High Road School of Boone County. She was passionate about…

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MICHAEL ALLEN HAMLIN

June 26, 2026

Michael Allen Hamlin, age 75, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was born in Kirksville, Missouri, on March 18, 1951, the son of Ralph Allen and Mildred Walter Hamlin. He was united in marriage to Roma Turpin in 1973, and to this union two sons were born, Michael Shane Hamlin and Ronald Allen Hamlin. On December 26, 1986, in Edina, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Theresa Allen and to this union, Allen Travis Hamlin was born. Surviving are his wife, Theresa Hamlin of Edina, MO; his mother, Mildred Hamlin of Edina,…

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CLAYTON ALFRED HUSTEAD

June 26, 2026

Clayton Alfred Hustead, age 87, of Colony, Missouri, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 14, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. Born June 8, 1939, in Colony, Missouri, to parents, Granville David and Mary Isalona Hustead. Clayton was united in marriage to Carrol Jean Tibbs, February 6, 1959, in Gorin, Missouri, and to this union four children were born. Surviving are his wife, Carrol, of Colony and three daughters, Christy (Rocky) Riekeberg of Colony, MO, Carla (Ash) Hustead of Edina, MO, and Cherrie (Larry) Fraley of Edina, MO; daughter-in-law, Gale Hustead of Colony; one brother-in-law, Dean (Beverly) Tibbs of Eagen,…

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Area Sports

Knox County Boys Dominate District Relays

May 15, 2026

Clair sweeps sprints at Class 1 District 3 meet GLASGOW, Mo. — Cooper Clair powered Knox County’s boys track team with a sprint sweep Saturday, May 9, at the MSHSAA Class 1 District 3 meet at Glasgow High School. Clair won the boys 100-meter dash in 11.05 seconds and added a district title in the 200-meter dash in 22.19. He was part of a strong Knox County district showing that included three winning boys relays and multiple sectional qualifiers. The top four finishers in each event advanced to sectionals next weekend. Knox County won the boys 4×100-meter relay in 44.88,…

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Highland Collects Five District Titles at Class 2 District 3 Meet

May 15, 2026

SHELBINA, Mo. — Highland turned in a deep list of sectional qualifiers Saturday, May 9, at the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 track and field meet at South Shelby High School. Chevie Sharpe led the Highland girls with two district championships, winning the 800-meter run in 2:22.43 and the 1,600-meter run in 5:22.45. Bailie Crist added another girls title in the javelin with a winning throw of 37.75 meters. On the boys side, Porter Peters won the 400-meter dash in 51.35 seconds, and Highland’s 4×400-meter relay team captured a district title in 3:33.97. Christopher Gaus also had a strong meet,…

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Wild Tigers Pound Out Win Over Higbee

May 1, 2026

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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