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By Echo Menges HURDLAND, Mo. — A citizen-requested petition seeking a more comprehensive audit of the Knox County Public Water Supply District No. 1 took center stage during a public town hall meeting Wednesday evening, where organizers outlined what they say are ongoing concerns with the district’s governance, finances and transparency. The citizen petition follows a separate audit already initiated by State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Dist. 18), who requested the Missouri State Auditor’s Office review the district earlier this year. Green told attendees she supports that audit but believes a citizen-requested audit, which requires verified voter signatures, could allow auditors…
By Echo Menges The 2026 Knox County 4-H/FFA Fair officially opened Tuesday evening at the fairgrounds north of Edina with a celebration of youth achievement, community involvement and county tradition. Before the evening’s awards and presentations, fairgoers enjoyed a free community meal sponsored by The Citizens Bank of Edina. Bank employees and volunteers served the bank’s traditional hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks at no charge, continuing a longstanding opening-night tradition that drew a large crowd to the fairgrounds. The opening night program recognized dozens of 4-H and FFA members for their accomplishments in the Art Hall before crowning…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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By Echo Menges HURDLAND, Mo. — A citizen-requested petition seeking a more comprehensive audit of the Knox County Public Water Supply District No. 1 took center stage during a public town hall meeting Wednesday evening, where organizers outlined what they say are ongoing concerns with the district’s governance, finances and transparency. The citizen petition follows a separate audit already initiated by State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Dist. 18), who requested the Missouri State Auditor’s Office review the district earlier this year. Green told attendees she supports that audit but believes a citizen-requested audit, which requires verified voter signatures, could allow auditors…
Read More By Echo Menges The 2026 Knox County 4-H/FFA Fair officially opened Tuesday evening at the fairgrounds north of Edina with a celebration of youth achievement, community involvement and county tradition. Before the evening’s awards and presentations, fairgoers enjoyed a free community meal sponsored by The Citizens Bank of Edina. Bank employees and volunteers served the bank’s traditional hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks at no charge, continuing a longstanding opening-night tradition that drew a large crowd to the fairgrounds. The opening night program recognized dozens of 4-H and FFA members for their accomplishments in the Art Hall before crowning…
Read MoreArea Obituaries
Betty Jean Ewalt, 90, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Hospice of the Valley Lund Home in Gilbert, Arizona. Betty was born on February 8, 1936, in Salem, Illinois, the daughter of Austin Herbert and Mandy Estella Dial Weems in Salem, Illinois. Betty attended grade school in Ewing, Missouri, later graduating from Ewing High School in the class of 1954. Betty was joined into marriage to Garland Francis, “Bud” Ewalt on October 31, 1959, in Quincy, Illinois. Betty spent her early days of employment working at Motorola in both Quincy, Illinois as well as…
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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, 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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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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