The Edina Sentinel 2021 Year in Review Part 1
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Compiled by Emilie Rumble
January
Jan. 6 – Knox County elected and re-elected officials took the oath of office from Knox County Associate Circuit Judge Tom Redington in the courtroom on Thursday morning, December 31, 2020. Newly elected to office was Western District Commissioner Luther Green and those re-elected included Coroner Alan Rimer, Public Administrator Theresa Allen-Hamlin, Sheriff Allen Gudehus, and Eastern District Commissioner Ronnie Leckbee. Assessor Anita James was re-elected but will be sworn in when her current term was completed.
Jan. 13 – Large ruts were made by someone doing donuts throughout the Hurdland Sever Lake camping areas on Sat., January 9, 2021. The volleyball court was also damaged.
A Newark Man, Clayton Wainwright, 45, was arrested on drug and jail bond violation charges following a joint investigation between the Knox County and Shelby County Sheriff’s Offices and the North Missouri Drug Task Force. Wainwright was initially contacted by law enforcement during a stolen property investigation at his residence in Newark. A search resulted in the confiscation of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Knox County residents were encouraged to tie winter scarves around trees and winter gloves and hats left for those in need on benches in the Knox County Courtyard.
Knox County Athletic Director Keith Gudehus informed The Edina Sentinel that the Lewis and Clark Conference basketball games scheduled for January 15, 2021, were postponed due to Covid related quarantine issues.
Jan. 20 – Mike Irvine, 60, took on the role of Officer in Charge at the Edina Post Office when Theresa Hunolt took a leave of absence for medical reasons.
A local group of Knox and Schuyler County citizens met with the Knox County Commission on Friday, January 8, 2021, to express concerns about the sound, shadow flicker, livestock, wildlife and hunting disruptions cause by the massive wind turbines of Tenaska’s NEMO Wind Project.
Fire destroyed the home of a Leonard woman, Edra Beach, during the early morning hours of January 13, 2021.
Jan 27 – Knox County Health department began vaccinating First Responders on January 20, 2021.
Jordin Luthenauer, 31, of Baring, Missouri, is the new Knox County and Scotland County Probation and Parole Officer through the Missouri Department of Corrections beginning January 1, 2021. Luthenauer replaces Jamie Goodwin of Lewis County. Luthenauer will continue her duties as the Knox County and Lewis County Drug Court programs as a Supervising Probation Officer.
February
Feb. 3 – The Knox County Health Department advised that six new cases were added Friday, making high risk citizens aware that Covid was wide-spread among all ages and all communities in Knox County. Testing was being conducted on Monday morning and possibly Wednesday morning and vaccines for Tier 1 and Emergency Responders had been completed.
The University of Missouri Extension’s annual survey revealed that all classes of Missouri land values grew steadily in the past year. Survey respondents gave estimates of land values reported the statewide average value of good non-irrigated cropland at $5,555 per acre, $134 or 2% above the 2019 value. The average statewide value for irrigated cropland came in at$6,335 per acre, up $186 from the year before. Missouri timberland was up $251 to $2,561 per acre. Hunting/recreation land was up $125 to $2,581 per acre.
Feb. 10 – Knox County R-1 School District joined the MO Beef MO Kids program, the latest school to beef up lunches through the Kids Mo Fit (MoBKF) program of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. The program connects schools and their food service professionals to Missouri cattle farmers and ranchers to provide more beef, more often on school lunches. The Greenley family was the first in Knox County to donate beef to the school lunch program.
Larry and Lois Overstreet, married sixty-four years and Delbert and Jean Hawkins were featured at the Valentine Sweethearts in the stories of lasting love in the February 10 edition of The Edina Sentinel.
Roy Carter Ellison was born to Kyle and Lorrie Ellison of Columbia on January 11.
Feb. 17 – The first Electric School Bus in the state arrived in Knox County, Missouri on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The weather halted in-person learning for the week in the district, however frigid temperatures and snowy conditions did not stop KCR-1 Superintendent Andy Turgeon and Bus Maintenance Manager Joe Holman from being on hand for the history making moment.
A new salon, Studio 106 opened in Edina during the first week of February, when Shelby Schrage officially opened for business. Stylists of Studio Six are Evan Glasgow, Garles Hamlin and Shelby Schrage.
Feb. 24 – Firefighters from the Hurdland Volunteer Fire department were called to the scene of a house fire on Friday afternoon, February 19, at 412 Second Street, across the street from the fire station house. Homeowner David Russell was not home at the time of the fire, bur resident Hannah Komerous was asleep in the living room when the fire began to overwhelm the structure. A gas heater malfunctioned and started the fire.
Firefighters from Knox City and Edina Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a structure fire off of State Highway V in Knox City on Thursday afternoon, February 18. A total of sixty-two hogs and piglets were housed in the structure, belonging to Ron and Scarlett Leckbee. The cause of the fire was believed to be electrical.
March
Mar. 3 – Knox County Eagles celebrated Courtwarming by crowning royalty during halftime of the home basketball game. Queen Riley Strange and King Coltin Morrow reigned over the evening festivities.
The Knox County Rotary Club Annual Recognition was held at the School with Rotary Club President Bobbi Clark awarding winners with medals as well as being served a catered meal at the school.
Knox County girl’s basketball team overcame the Cairo girl’s team for the District win.
Agnes Reel prepared a solo to qualify for an audition of the 2020-2021 NEMO All District Choir.
Mar. 10 – The Glen and Victoria Pruett home on the western edge of Knox County on Liberty Avenue near the Adair County line, was destroyed by fire on Thursday, March 3, 2021. Firefighters pumped water from a nearby pond to fight the fire, but the structure was too far gone. The fire began in the chimney flue.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration website noted retail propane prices had jumped by more than 34% since the last week in January, from $1.807 per gallon to $2.429 per gallon on March 1. The movement in propane prices was directly tied to the Arctic blast, that blanketed the majority of the country, in snow and freezing temperatures.
Mar. 17 – Missouri Republican U.S. Senator Roy Blunt announced that he would not seek re-election in 2022. U.S. Congressman Sam Graves said, “Senator Roy Blunt is the single most influential political leader in Missouri this century and his public service places him among the elite in state political history.”
As of March 15, 2021, the Knox County Nutrition Site reopened for dine-in meal service. Patrons were reminded that home-delivered meals and carry-out meals were available and should you be running a temperature or felt ill, to please not come into the site.
Volunteer firefighters responded to a housefire in Knox County on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at the Shaw/Klataske residence on Highway F, approximately six miles south of Hurdland. The fire was contained to the kitchen, but smoke and water extensively damaged the home and two animals perished in the fire. Firefighters from Hurdland, Edina and Novelty-Plevna responded to the call.
Mar. 24 – The Wind Energy Impact Public Informational Meeting was held in Edina on March 18. 2021, at the Knox County Community Center. Approximately 135 people attended with a featured lineup of speakers against bringing Tenaska’s Knox County Wind Project to the county. Co-organizers Ben Bradley and Michelle Davis spearheaded the meeting enticing local landowners to hear of the downfalls of the proposed wind project. Concerns voiced included the woes of being a non-participating landowner in the High Prairie Wind Farm, concerns about damage to local roads, concerns of decreasing residential property values, the negative effects of the construction of the project, the effects turbines have on livestock, and the possible health consequences of living near the turbines. When Tenaska representatives attempted to respond to the concerns of the crowd, they were met with jeers and noise. The meeting was live streamed on NEMOnews Facebook page.
Knox County Health Department announced that nearly 700 Knox County residents (23.7%) were counted as fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Fabius River Fantails awarded Coltin Morrow a $500 scholarship during the annual banquet held February 27, 2021.
Mar. 31 – Holy Week was observed within the community as “The Last Supper” was presented through the portrayal of “The Life of Jesus Christ” by the Knox County Ministerial Alliance drive through production directed by LeaAnn Hamlin and presented by churches in Knox County on March 28, in Edina.
Knox County received $767,000 in additional stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11. In addition, Edina will receive over $207,000; Knox City to receive nearly $88,000; Hurdland will receive just under $29,000; Novelty to receive slightly over $24,000; Baring to receive just over $23,000 and Newark to receive a little over $16,500.
April
Weather permitting, resurfacing and sidewalk work on Highway 15 north of Highway 6 in Knox and Scotland was scheduled to begin April 12. W.L. Miller Company of Hamilton, Illinois was awarded the project in the amount of $2,635,410.20 with 100 days set to complete the project.
April 7 – KCR-1 Superintendent of Schools Andy Turgeon was one of eight Missouri superintendents nominated for the prestigious Robert L. Pearce Award presented annually by the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA).
State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Dist. 18) hosted a meeting at the KCCC to bring local government officials together and begin the process of thinking of ways to best use millions of dollars being distributed through the American Rescue Plant Act (ARPA) beginning in May. A lineup of speakers specializing in regional development pointed out some of the most challenging issues that NEMO communities are facing. Topics included the need for better and faster internet service, the need for housing, the lack of childcare, needed water and sewer system improvements and workforce development.
Rebecca Whitmire and Andrew Walton of Hurdland, Missouri are the parents of a daughter, Raeann Marie Walton was born March 30, 2021, at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Missouri.
April 14 – Bert Oberdahlhoff, of Edina, and a Knox County native, reached a 30-year milestone of service with the U.S. Postal Service. Oberdahlhoff began her career with the U.S. Postal service in Lancaster on April 6, 1991. Around 1998, she transferred to the Edina Post Office working as a clerk and route mail carrier. In 2005, she became a fulltime mail carrier that occasionally performs the duties of Clerk.
Members of the Knox County Drug Court Team were honored for graduating in an outdoor setting in the courtyard of the Knox County Courthouse on April 6, 2021. Second Circuit Drug Court Judge Tom Redington, Second Circuit Drug Court Case Manager Jane Moore, Probation and Parole Officer Jordin Luthenauer, and Drug Court Counselors Crystal Rogers and Jackie Bringman participated in the recognition of six drug court participants who had accumulated over 3,400 days of sobriety.
Stanlee and Kayla Zimmerman of Cantril, Iowa, are the parents of a son, Garrett Lincoln Zimmerman born March 8, 2021, at Fort Madison Community Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa.
April 21 – An Edina man was criminally charged after allegedly lighting the hands of three children on fire. Robert Gray, of Edina, was charged with three counts of abuse or neglect of a child, Class D felonies. The Edina Police Department and the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division began investigating Gray and his fiancée Tiffany Clark on April 7, 2021, after receiving an emergency child abuse report from the KCR-1 School District.
The Scotland County Care Center Nursing Home welcomed a new administrator, Tim Schrage, of Edina, Missouri, to oversee the daily operations of the facility. Schrage’s officials first day as acting Administrator was April 1. The SCCC is a 96-bed facility. Schrage was the licensed administrator of the Knox County Nursing Home for over twenty-one years.
The Edina Police Department investigated vandalism at the Pauline Campbell Baseball Field in Edina. Someone attempted to kick in the doors of the snack shack and damaged the building.
Knox County Prosecutor Corey Moon of Edina was sworn-in to the Missouri National Guard on April 8, 2021. Moon plans to serve as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer following completion of basic training and a course on military law.
April 28 – Another Hurdland home was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning, April 25, 2021. The home of the late Harry and Virginia Holman was destroyed by a fire believed to have been started on the front porch of the residence located at 102 W. Gardner Street. David Russell moved into the house following the February fire that consumed his Hurdland home. Russell and two others asleep in the residence woke when they heard and noise at the time the fire broke out. The three occupants and three animals made it out unharmed. The fire is under investigation by the Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office.
Royalty for the April 24, 2021, KCR-1 Prom were King Matthew Carlson and Queen Megan Miller.
Newly elected KCR-1 School Board members, Mrs. Debbie Hagerla and Dr. Karisha Devlin took oaths of office at the April 20, 2021, board meeting.
Two to three inches of snow fell in the region on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The snowstorm lasted several hours.
May
May 5 – The Board of Directors of the Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) awarded the 2020 Claire McCaskill Award to Jane Moore, Second Judicial Court Treatment Court Case Manager during the 23rd Annual Treatment Court Conference. The McCaskill Award is the Association’s highest honor and is given each year to a Treatment Court professional who exemplifies the commitment and responsibility as the “most valuable player” within the Missouri Treatment Court system. Moore has been the Case Manager for the 2nd Circuit Treatment Court programs for six years and served in other capacities prior to that. Moore was nominated for the award by Knox County Associate Circuit Judge Tom Redington.
United State Bank (USB) branch manager Jeanie James officially retired from her responsibilities at USB on April 30, 2021. James began her service at a part-time Bank Teller in 1995 and was promoted to Branch Manager in December 2009 following the retirement of Nancy Hamlin.
United State Bank (USB) Vice President Craig Miller presented a $955.15 donation to KCR-1 School District Superintendent Andy Turgeon through the Eagle School Spirit Debit Card program.
May 12 – On Friday, May 7, 2021, Knox County Prosecutor Corey Moon was appointed by Governor Mike Parson as the new Lewis County Associate Circuit Judge following the retirement of Judge Fred Westhoff.
Cordelio Power announced the acquisition of the Knox County Wind Project from Tenaska on Friday, May 7. It was announced that Tenaska intends on being a partner in the project long term with Cordelio making the decisions for the project going forward stated Tenaska Director of Strategic Development and Acquisition Monte Ten Kley. All of the agreements that landowners signed were signed with the project company Northeast Missouri Wind. “Cordelio owns the project company so nothing will change for the landowners,” stated Ten Kley.
The Missouri Veteran’s Affairs Mobile Vet Center was in Edina on May 6, 2021. The mobile center travels the state assisting veterans in any way that they can to help find employment, counseling and more.
May 19 – New Knox County Prosecutor Andrew Boster was sworn into office by Knox County Associate Circuit Judge Tom Redington on Friday, May 14, 2021, at the Knox County Courthouse. Boster was approached by former Knox County Prosecutor Corey Moon about accepting the position as the new Knox County Prosecutor. Corey Moon was officially sworn into office at Monticello Courthouse by Judge Russell Steele on May 14, 2021.
KCR-1 HS/MS Assistant Principal Keith Gudehus was presented with the 2021-22 Northeast Missouri Assistant Principal of the Year Award on May 13, 2021.
The KCR-1 School District Class of 2021 was featured in the annual graduation issue.
May 26 – Roma March officially retired from more than 36 years of dedicated service to the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Knox County on May 31, 2021. A reception was held on May 21 to honor March’s dedication.
Graduation ceremonies were held for the Knox County High School Class of 2021 on Sunday afternoon, May 23. Honors were bestowed upon Class Valedictorian Matthew Carlson and Salutatorian Elliott Ogden.
The Knox County Eagle Track and Field Boys’ team won the MSHSAA Class 1 gold medals for the 4×400 meter relay.
The Knox County Rotary Club Award Banquet was held at the Knox County Community Center on May 17, 2021, to recognize students in grades 6-12 in the school district for ranking in the top ten percent of their classes.
Coltin Morrow signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Hannibal-LaGrange University and will participate in track and field with the HLG Trojans.
Highland Boys claimed two of the top three boys 100M dash medals and medals for the 300M hurdles and 110M hurdles at the state track and field championships.
June
June 2 – The builders of the St. Joseph School Memorial made a remarkable find while salvaging the cornerstone of the old school building Memorial Day weekend. Sunday afternoon, May 30, 2021, after removing a stone cemented to the top, Justin Morgret uncovered a time capsule wedged into the school cornerstone. The bottom of the small copper box was flush with the stone and was carefully removed. As the box was removed, the time capsule opened as the lid did not come out with it and a silver pendant fell from the box. Melanie Morgret cleaned the pendant which revealed the words “In Commemoration of the Jubilee Year” and the year 1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Small celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on May 21, 2021.
Members of the Knox County American Legion Posts and the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented colors during the Memorial Day service held at the Veteran’s Memorial at the Knox County Courtyard on May 31, 2021.
Eddison Ross Zimmerman was born to Louis and Megan Zimmerman of Rutledge on May 25, 2021, at Scotland County Hospital, Memphis.
June 9 – Scott Bryant of Bryant’s Dozing, LLC, volunteered his equipment and time to level a large area on the east side of the Edina City Lake in preparation of a new building on the site for the Knox County 4-H program. Lewis County REC donated time and equipment to the run power to the site. Because of those donations the 4-H Council was able to save thousands of dollars. The southeast section of land at the Edina City Lake was leased by the Knox County Extension Council for the 4-H program earlier this year.
More Relics have been discovered from the time capsule at the old Saint Joseph School site in Edina. The remains of three newspapers and another pendant were discovered.
Jarrett Hubble and Caedon Brown, both of Lewis County, sealed their commitment to service in the United States Army on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Highland High School. Hubble’s lifelong dream has been to be an Army Ranger. Following training, Brownell will serve as a tanker.
The Knox County Choir earned outstanding ratings from the judges in the MSHSAA Large Group State Music Contest, the second highest rating out of five categories. The KCMS band students came home from the North Shelby Solo and Ensemble Festival on April 24, 2021, with one bronze, four silvers and one gold rating. Music students, SAB Trio consisting of Agnes Reel, Connor Melendez, and Zoee McKee medaled silver and Abigail Becker medaled bronze with a Bari Sax Solo at the State Solo and Ensemble contest.
June 16 – Sixteen-year-old Elijah Browning of Thompson Station, Tennessee, made his debut on national television at the end of May as the first teenage America Ninja Warrior competitor. Browning was the first in the grueling physical competition to finish the course, finishing the course with the second-best time. Browning has close family ties to Edina, Missouri, as his late grandparents, Jim and Sandra Browning, are still well-known throughout Knox County.
The Time Capsule was replaced in the old cornerstone of the St. Joseph School Memorial Site on June 12, 2021, with Janice McGinnis, Larry Clark, Dot Kriegshauser, Father Simeon Etonu, and Justin Morgret participating in the event.
Members, Zach Jensen, Fire Chief Todd Goodwin, Terry Goodwin, John Zeiset, and Larry Davis of the Knox City Rural Fire Department received a donation of $2,500 from America’s Farmers Grow Communities sponsored by the Bayer Fund on June 9, 2021, at the Knox City Firehouse.
Nathan Pippert and Stephanie Henley-Pippert are the parents of a son, Bowen Henley Pippert born June 4, 2021, at Scotland County Hospital, Memphis, Missouri.
The engagement and pending marriage of Shelby Bailey to Jared Novak was c by the parents of the couple. A small family wedding planned to take place July 10 at Windermere Chapel in Camdenton, Missouri.
June 23 – Multiple agencies are investigating the fire and suspicious death in rural Knox County after a body was found in a burned-out home north of Knox City on Monday morning, June 14, 2021. The home of Ray Tripp, Jr., 51422 Economy Road in rural northwest Knox City, off of Highway AA, was fully engulfed by flames and the property owner’s dog, Spot alone at the scene. The owner’s vehicle was not at the home which led firefighters to believe Tripp was away from the home at the time of the fire. Several firefighters reported the dog acting very frightened during the fire. It was not known that a person was inside the residence until the fire had nearly been extinguished and firefighters were clearing debris to put out hot spots. The badly burned body was not identifiable at the time. Two men, Wesley E. Ruggles of LaBelle, Missouri, and Bradley S. Wilkins of Kirksville, Missouri, were arrested on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in connection with the investigation. Ruggles was charged with felony counts of First Degree Assault, First Degree Burglary, First Degree Armed Criminal Action, Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, and Misdemeanor Stealing. Wilkins charged with Felony Arson First Degree, Burglary First Degree, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Stealing Firearm/Explosive Weapon/Ammonium Nitrate, Tampering with Motor Vehicle First Degree.
Reata Witherow, 4, rural Baring, won the prize for the longest fish at the First Annual Bright Futures Knox County Fishing Derby at the Edina City Lake May 15, 2021. Reata is the daughter of Shane Witherow.
June 30 – The City of Edina contracted with W.L. Miller Co., from Illinois to use hot mix on three blocks on the north, east and west sides of the Knox County Courthouse on the town square. Roger Parton and City Superintendent Joe Dimmit supervised work begun June 24, 2021, to mill down areas of the streets which uncovered large sections of Edina’s historic brick roads originally covered with asphalt in 1915.
Hurdland Fourth of July will feature the Kentucky Headhunters during the 149th annual weekend celebration. The band will perform Sunday night before the annual fireworks display.
The engagement of Renee Setter and Jeff Berning was announced by her parents. A July 2021 wedding planned at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa, Kansas.
Look for Part 2 in next week’s newspaper!
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