Looking Back on 2021, Year In Review Part 2

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By Emilie Rumble

July

July 7 – The Kentucky Headhunters drew a huge crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people for the 149th annual Hurdland Fourth of July celebration. Hurdland Fourth of July Parade winners included Best Band – Knox County Community Band; Best Fire Truck – Hurdland Fire Truck # 707; Best Auto – Y2K Bug; Best Tractor – Larry K’s 1959 AL; Best ATV – Logan Moots; Best Horse – Mya Huffman; Best of Parade – Randy Hopfeld.

A son, Jace Emerson was born to Sidney and Sharon Oberholtzer of Memphis, Missouri, on Saturday, June 26, at Scotland County Hospital, Memphis.

Macy Hamlin, a Lewis County 4-H member set the bar by having the highest test scores on four tests dealing with Wildlife ID, Management, General Outdoor Skills, and Map/Compass.

July 14 – Knox County Sophomore Austin Jansen was the youngest member of Knox County’s 2021 Class 1 State Championship 4×400 meter relay team. Jansen along with junior Jacob Becker, and seniors Coltin Morrow and Connor Hayes carry the distinction of being the first KCR-1 high school boys to win state track and field gold medals since consolidation in 1963. It was in 2018 when KCMS student/athlete Austin Jansen had what he and his family believed was a pulled hip muscle. A visit to QMG uncovered what was a one-time believed to be a mass. Austin’s parents are Scott and Kim Jansen of rural Knox County. Austin was sent from Quincy to St. Louis Children’s Hospital and a biopsy was done, finding a mass so big it was almost through the side of his bones and amputation might be needed. Much to their relief, the mass was found to be benign. Because of the size of the mass Austin had to have a bone transplant and graph, both synthetic and donated. A wheelchair, crutches, physical therapy and rehab followed the corrective hip surgery. The recovery process continued when Austin, 14, decided to resume his athletic career. He sat the bench during basketball season until he was cleared to play, and he was put in a game for 3-4 minutes. Jansen was unable to run track during his eighth-grade season and then Covid-19 shut down almost all 2020 track and field season. In his sophomore season Jansen went out for football and then played basketball during the 2020-21 season. The track and field brought a state championship dream come true for Jansen and his 4×400 meter relay team. Jansen’s plans include playing football, basketball, and track and field for the 2021-22 school year.

Serenity Shahan and Henry McCormick Hupfeld were selected as the Little Miss and Little Mister Firecracker of the 149th Hurdland Fourth of July Annual celebration.

July 21 – Knox County 4-H/FFA Fair Royalty Queen Lane James, King Levi Clark, Princess Marli Western and Prince Jason Devlin reigned over the week of fair festivities.

The Knox County Health department warned that those unwilling to vaccinate, mask, social distance or avoid large crowds were at great odds of contracting Covid-19 as a resurgence of the virus moved in northeast Missouri.

Vandals spray-painted foul language on a picnic table bench and a piece of equipment, as well as images and markings in the picnic area. The Edina Police Chief Ryan Bishop asked for the help of the community and within hours two juveniles were identified as suspects.

July 28 – William “Bill” Steffen, 81, of rural LaBelle was found shot to death with multiple gunshot wounds on Friday morning, July 16, 2021. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Local volunteer firefighters responded to the scene of a tractor/ bailer/grass fire on Friday afternoon, July 23. Dispatchers initially called on the Edina Volunteer Fire Dept. and Knox County Rescue Squad to respond to a tractor explosion two miles west of Edina on Airline Street in rural Knox County. The driver of the tractor was reported to have jumped from it before the explosion happened.

Chelsea Fellinger was sworn in as the new Edina City Attorney during the City Council meeting on July 12.

August

Aug. 4 – Kimberly Hatfield of Knox City was appointed by Governor Michael Parson as the Knox County Circuit Clerk and officially sworn into office by Judge Tom Redington on July 1, 2021, in the Knox County Courtroom.

Seven Knox Countians, Randy Schultz, Laura Greenly, Corey Moon, Andrea Wilson, Jordin Luthenauer, Katelyn Chapius and Tom Redington participated in the St. Jude Run on July 17, 2021. The team raised $6,998.00, as their contribution in support of St. Jude Hospital.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced n July 1, 2021, that Navy Fireman 1st Class Robert J. Harr, 25, of Dallas City, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for on February 12, 2021. On December 7, 1941, Harr was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford. Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The attack on the USS Oklahoma resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Harr. Unidentified remains of men from the USS Oklahoma were buried in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Between June and November of 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. Harr’s remains were identified using anthropological analysis, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. Harr will be buried on August 14, 2021, in Rutledge Missouri, later this month.

Jason and Staci Shotts of Revere, Missouri, are the parents of a son, Hudson Elwood Shotts born July 25, 2021, at Scotland County Hospital, Memphis.

Aug. 11 – Olivia Trujillo, 27, of Edina, officially opened a brick-and-mortar storefront, Copacetic Cosmetics, in downtown Edina at 403 East Lafayette Street, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Trujillo founded the business on July 1, 2017, as an online makeup company with 18 products which included nail polish, eyeshadow, makeup pallets, lipstick and more with successful international sales.

On August 6, law enforcement officers from several agencies raided a residence at 705A East Morgan Street in Edina at sunrise on Thursday

employee hours, mounting brackets, and needed equipment are incurred by all Knox County taxpayers. The Knox County Commission budgets approximately $2,000 for replacement signs and mounting parts. The order for October alone expected to exceed $1,000. Depending on the amount and value of the signs stolen, one could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony charge.

Oct. 27 – Murder, arson and assault charges were filed against Wesley E. Ruggles, 39, of LaBelle, Missouri, in the death of a rural Knox City man, Ray Tripp, Jr., 61, when Tripp’s body was discovered in the burned-out ruins of the Tripp home on June 14.

Water advocates, Steam Teams United and the Northeast Missouri Clean water Project with the Missouri Prairie Foundation, the Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water Commission, the Missouri Rural Water Association, MFA Inc., and Missouri River Relief hosted a day of clean water education and outreach featuring speakers , presentations and tours, mobilized to increase awareness about American drinking water systems, infrastructure and the effort to bring clean water customers into the conversation by asking people to imagine a day without water.

Nov. 3 – The Edina water tower was fully inspected by a two-person inspection team from Klingner & Associates on Oct. 26. The top-to-bottom inspection encompassed the entire tower with the assistance of the City of Edina work crew, Superintendent of Utilities Joe Dimmit and Wastewater Superintendent Mike Wriedt. A mini-submarine equipped with cameras, lights and remote operating equipment was used to inspect the water tank for cleanliness and the condition of the coating. The use of the mini-submarine saved the City Superintendents from draining the tower to allow divers in to inspect the massive 200,000 gallon water tank, which also saved Edina water customers from the inconvenience of limited water during the inspection.

County agencies, The Knox County Salvation Army Holiday Kettle Campaign, The Knox County Food Cupboard and the Knox County Red Cross Blood drive for servicing the community shared. Bell ringers kicked off the season of giving on Oct. 30 at C&R Markets in Edina to help those in need in the coming year. The Knox County Food Cupboard encouraged Senior Citizens to sign up for the “Senior Box” by calling Carolyn Snelling at 660- 397-2322. The Nov. Food Commodities distributed by volunteers at the Knox County Food Cupboard located at East Morgan Street across the street from the Edina Post Office set on the first Friday of the month with extended hours.

November

Nov. 10 – Fire destroyed The Critter Kitchen at Dancing Rabbit Eco Village on Nov. 3, after a smoldering ember from a cook stove ignited at approximately 1:15 a.m. The building was an outdoor kitchen. Firefighters from Rutledge and Gorin were called to the structure fire, and they worked to save three structures that were at risk of burning. Firefighters worked for approximately two hours until the buildings were safe.

Missouri State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin advised Northeast Missouri nursing home administrators on Nov. 9, 2021, that we are on the cusp of losing our homes for the elderly. Nursing homes received notice that they would need to evict Veterans Affairs (VA) residents if their facilities employees are not vaccinated for Covid-19. For those needing to contact Senator O’Laughlin call Jefferson City at 573-751-7985.

KCR-1 staff members were recognized for their years of service. Those honored for the 2020-21 School Year, included Marsha Burton 50 years; Bob Kincaid 40 years; Vickie Miller 35 years; Dean Woods 30 years; Kathy Palmer, Lisa Spilker, Bobbette Kelley 20 years; Melissa Vannoy and Rhonda Cardwell 15 years; Lacy Hayes and Amy McNabb 10 years; Terry “Red” Callahan, Cathy McCallum, Toni Lucas, Becca Mallett and Roberta Penn 5 years. Staff honored for the 2021-22 School Year included Lisa Clark and Any Turgeon 15 years; Kim Miller and Gale Hustead 10 years; Ginnie Scoggin, Amy Ackman, Luisa Cardwell, Libby Hunziker, Mandi Delaney, Taylor Cason and Stephanie Snyder 5 years.

Nov. 17 – Two new businesses are now open in Edina. Tin Roof Boutique owned by Emily Schrage is located at 104 South Main. The boutique features clothing and loaded teas. The Edina Art Studio opened for business under the ownership of Tana and Jon Tuftee and Randy Carlson, who also own Edina Home Décor and the neighboring American Legion building which will house Granny Pam’s Bakery operated by Pam Ausmus.

A thirty-five-year-old Hurdland man, Jarod C. Shrouf, was arrested in Shelby County for felony possession of a controlled substance, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and a Schuyler County warrant.

Nov. 24 – A Christmas Extravaganza was planned on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, with the Magic Tree lighting to take place in addition to a visit with Santa, holiday treat crawl, vendor gift fair, soup supper, hayrides and more in store to encourage Knox County citizens to SHOP LOCAL!

Once again, the Knox County Adopt-A-Child campaign was in full swing offering locations including all Knox County Churches, the KCR-1 School District, and The Edina Sentinel Office to the community at large for selecting children to adopt and provide Christmas gifts for.

The City of Edina Council was given a report from Klingner & Associates regarding the inspection of the water tower finding that the tower is in good condition with only some minor recommendations. The overall exterior of the tower is in good condition for the age of the coating, which is 25 years, and that rehabilitation of the tank could be delayed for 2-3 years. The current estimate for minor repairs, sandblasting and exterior painting of the tower is $252,900.00 and that due to the location of the tower, the recommendation would be to have the tower encapsulated during sandblasting and painting which would be an additional $80,000.00- $100,000.00. The general consensus of the board, was to delay this project for 2-3 years.

Jared’s Jams officially opened for business on Nov. 5, 2021, at 106 North Fourth Street offering an assortment of jams, jellies, syrups, coffee flavors, home décor items and more.

Larry and Sharon Davis celebrated their diamond anniversary on October 29, 2021, marking 60 years of life together.

December

Dec. 1- Small Business Saturday was deemed a great success for the daylong Christmas Extravaganza which also included the Magic Tree Lighting, visits with Santa Claus, Hayrides, Soup Supper and Light Up Car Show.

A Baring man, Trevor Hettinger, 25, was involved in a one-vehicle accident resulting in his arrest at 1:08 a.m. for careless and imprudent driving and no seatbelt when the 2008 Pontiac Torrent he was driving westbound traveled off the left side of the roadway, impacting the railroad tracks, coming to rest on the other side. Hettinger was released for transport to Scotland County Hospital.

A Brashear man, 32-year-old Tyler N. Tucker was arrested in Scotland County for felony Adair County warrant for tampering with a motor vehicle. Tucker was held for no bond in Adair County.

Dec. 8 – Edina Mayor Alex Reel welcomed representatives from six counties and thirty-nine villages and cities that comprise the Northeast Regional Planning Commission and Rural Development Corporation (NEMO RPC) service area to Edina at the 2021 Annual Meeting held in the Knox County Community Center. NEMO RPC Executive Director Derek Weber addressed the gathering with highlights of achievements in the 20020-21 fiscal year including the Community development Block Grants , one of which aided Adair County and Moberly Area Community College in securing a $480,688 grant this year to help fund the creation of a wind lab at the college’s Kirksville campus to train technicians for wind turbine maintenance. NEMO RPC has worked on nearly 200 CBD grants totaling more than $55 million over its history with some of the more recent projects including bridge replacement in Lewis and Scotland Counties and wastewater upgrades in Lewistown and Brashear and blight removal demolition grants in Rutledge and LaBelle.

The KCR-1 School District welcomed Amy Gudehus as the “Test to Stay In” nurse. The Test to Stay In program was approved by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Oct. 2021. The Test and Stay In option, offers students and staff the ability to get tested at school if they are in close contact with someone who is known to be positive for Covid-19.

Dec. 15 – Knox County welcomed MDC Agent Dustin Snead as the newest agent assigned to Knox County. Snead will work to enforce the Wildlife Code of Missouri through community policing. Snead aims to help preserve Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife for future generations.

The Gathering Place opened its doors in the former Assembly of God Church building in Newark on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16. A reception was held with board members, Daniel and Eliza Bock, Bruce and Kathy Bridgman, Claudette and Don Roper, Cali and Daniel Ballard and Mike and Debbie Bock showcasing the Mission.

On Thursday evening, Dec. 9, beautifully dressed carolers made their way around the square singing traditional Christmas carols in celebration of the Christmas shoppers found supporting businesses staying open in the evening on Small Business Thursdays to continue through to Dec. 23. A soup supper was held at the Knox County Community Center for shoppers to find respite, in the midst of shopping.

Dec. 22 – A power pole fire, off of Highway K just west of Highway EE junction, between Baring and Edina brought out volunteer firefighters and an Ameren Missouri technician on Thursday night, Dec. 16 at about 8:03 p.m., due to high winds blowing an insulating blanket off of part of a construction project. Power was turned off to the pole about 9:06 p.m. The hot wire arced long enough to catch the pole on fire. Ameren technicians repaired the line and pole and restored power about 2 ½ hours later.

Knox County FFA alumni Cadie Violette, Sadie Snelling, Brittany Harsell, and Jaron Poor were awarded the highest degree that National FFA bestows upon its members – the American Degree at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dec. 29 – On Dec. 26, 2021, approximately forty train cars came off the tracks in rural Knox County early Sunday morning at 6:41 a.m. A BNSF Railway representative advised that no injuries or hazardous material spills from the mass of toppled train cars and twisted metal were reported. The cause for the derailment is under investigation.

According to Mike Wriedt, Edina Wastewater Superintendent, every Monday, vials of wastewater from the water treatment plant have been collected weekly in Edina, as well as throughout the state of Missouri, for testing of levels of Covid-19 and known variants like Delta and Omicron. The information gathered in the testing is used to help predict spikes in positive Covid-19 cases for communities in the program as part of the Missouri Sewershed Surveillance Program with county health departments, wastewater operators and the public shared via the DHSS website.