YEAR IN REVIEW
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
JANUARY 3, 2024
BARING TORNADO FUNDS TRANSFERRED – Following months of organizing, training, planning and preparation, the Baring Area Recovery Team (BART) has accepted a check from the Knox County Ministerial Alliance totaling over $71,081.62, in funds raised for and donated to those effected by the tornado in Baring on August 4, 2023. United Methodist Parish Pastor Graig Connell and St. Joseph Church Deacon Ken Berry, representatives of the Knox County Ministerial Alliance presented the check to BART Committee members, Keli Luthenauer, Carolyn Snelling, Sue Cheffee. Photo by Echo Menges.
DAUGHTER WELCOMED – The November 12, 2023, birth of Sophia Irene Dunn at Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Illinois, was announced by her parents, Gary Joseph Dunn III and Stephanie Marie Love Dunn of Quincy, Illinois.
ACCIDENT – The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a two-vehicle accident at noon on Thursday, December 28, 2023, on Dairy Avenue, one mile south of Baring.
JANUARY 10, 2024
WHISTLEBLOWER – The Knox County Commission fired their Administrative Assistant, Michelle Gilbert, at the end of 2023 amid well documented claims of alleged wrongdoing made against one of the Commissioners. During the month of December, The Edina Sentinel received reports from county employees and began investigating allegations that Knox County Commissioner Leslie Cardwell allegedly intimidated and pressured the Commission’s Administrative Assistant to allegedly fabricate documentation being submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The firing was carried out following a closed to the public Commission meeting on December 29. According to the public meeting minutes of the closed session, the minutes stated, “Leslie (Cardwell) motioned, and Ronnie (Leckbee) seconded. Roll call vote: Leslie yes, Ronnie yes, Luther (Green) no.”
FIRE – Dozens of firefighters from Edina, Baring and Hurdland responded to a fire at 607 N. East Avenue in Edina on Thursday night, January 4, 2024, where homeowner Harold “Rusty” Dever was reported to be home at the time of the fire and was found at a neighbor’s home suffering with burns from the blaze. Dever was taken by helicopter to the Burn Center at Iowa City, Iowa. The home and belongings were a total loss.
EXPLOSION – Volunteer firefighters were called to a fire at a concentrated animal feeing operation (CAFO) at the Ira Hoover farm approximately five miles west of Baring on Tuesday afternoon, January 2, 2024. According to Baring VFD Fire Chief Merlin Oberholtzer, the fire was believed to have been caused by a buildup of methane gas in the pit below the building. Two people were inside the building at the time of the explosion however they were not hurt and escaped the fire that followed. No animals were in the building at the time when the explosion occurred.
JANUARY 17, 2024
WINTER WEATHER – The City of Edina snowplowed overnight Monday, January 8, 2024, through Tuesday, January 9, when nine inches of snow kept the city work crew busy through the week preparing for sleet, snow, and frigid temperatures on Friday, January 12.
MUSIC FOR DONATIONS – David Tague of Gorin played his mandolin at C&R Market in Edina to raise money for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign in December 2023. The red kettle campaign donations help throughout the year with food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance, as well as youth programs, veteran services, senior centers, and emergency disaster relief. Tague is self-taught on several instruments including the cornet, mandolin, guitar and banjo.
JANUARY 24, 2024
OFFICALLY OPEN – A new flower and gift shop, Rosebud’s Floral & Gift Boutique owned by Devon Lingenfelter, officially opened in Edina on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, located at Highway 6 north of H2Grafx at 103 North Second Street, Edina. Rosebud’s offers an assortment of fresh flowers and flower arrangements, home décor items, greeting cards, beauty products, jewelry, candles and more.
ACCIDENTS – A winter snowstorm was the cause for a Scotland County R-1 school bus to slide off the east side of the highway between Novelty and Edina on Thursday night, January 18, 2024. The bus was traveling back to Scotland County from the North Shelby High School basketball tournament. The driver and three coaches were the only occupants on the bus at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported.
The MSHP reported that two Knox County women were injured during a rear-end collision at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, on Route V, eight miles north of Knox City. Katrina K. Hustead of Edina, Missouri, was driving a 1996 Chevy Silverado northbound on Route V, when it struck a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by James M. Miller of Knox City, that was stopped at a mailbox. Hustead and her passenger, Reva M. Hustead of Rutledge were not wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. Both were taken to the hospital by the Knox County Ambulance.
HOUSE FIRE – Volunteer firefighters from Hurdland and Edina were called to a structure fire at 212 North Second Street in Hurdland on Tuesday morning, January 16, 2024, at approximately 7:10 a.m. An emergency responder said that the fire was concentrated in the attic of the home and fire crews were able to extinguish the flames before the fire overtook the house. No on was injured.
JANUARY 31, 2024
RETIREMENTS ANNOUNCED – Lt. Col. Kelby Hagerla, a former Knox County resident and 1999 graduate of Knox County High School was honored with a retirement ceremony where Hagerla was presented the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service in performing duties as the regional safety officer for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Civil Air Patrol and a Certificate of Retirement and Certificate of Appreciation from the President.
Superintendent Andy Turgeon announced his retirement from Knox County Schools effective June 30, 2025. Turgeon’s replacement will be Alex Van Delft.
KCHS COURTWARMING ROYALTY – The 2024 Knox County Court Warming Queen Savanna Schrage and King Collin Hayes reigned over festivities at the Eagle basketball gymnasium on January 26, 2024.
RECOGNITION – Highland High School’s 2023 Girls Golf Team was recognized on January 25, 2024, during a home basketball game as the Lady Cougars won the first ever Clarence Cannon Conference Girls Golf Tournament with three members of the team competing at State. Morgan Crist placed 3rd in Class 1. Team members: Josie Murphy, Savannah Bowen, Ali Reed, Rachel Bringer, Natalie Bowen, Morgan Crist, coached by Joe Hattey.
FEBRUARY 7, 2024
ROTARY DRIVE – The Knox County Rotary Club participated in the 23rd Annual Shoes for Orphan Souls Shoe Drive that would be held through to April 2024. New shoes, socks, shoelaces, and financial gifts accepted for the shoe drive. Rotary Clubs across Missouri planned to achieve the goal of raising 50,000 pair of shoes for orphan and vulnerable children. In 2023, the Rotary District 6040 shoe collection was sent to children living in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Rotary Collection Sites included The Citizen’s Bank of Edina, United State Bank in Edina, Doss Funeral Home, The Knox County Community Center, the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office, and The Edina Sentinel.
ART SHOW – The artwork of Bebe Rimer of Edina was featured during an art show at the McKnight Place in St. Louis. Rimer had been working on new sketches and was able to display her work on January 29, 2024.
COOK OFF – The Novelty Christian Church hosted a Chili Cook off for some warm winter fun and time of fellowship in January with Rebekah and Alice Yoder taking the Most Creative category prize; Jared Peavler and Robert Reed Miller taking the Hottest Chili category title; and Jace Holman taking the Best Overall honors for the event.
FEBRUARY 14, 2024
SWEET VALENTINE TREAT – The Knox County Chamber of Commerce featured their annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser, delicious Chocolate Covered Strawberries, with the chamber members gathering at Jared’s Jams to create the delicious, sweet treats by the dozens. A total of 120 dozen strawberries were dipped and decorated and were completely sold out on Monday, February 12.
BENEFIT FOR AMARI – Members of the community made plans to gather in support with a benefit for expenses for medical care and family expenses for little Amari Brandon, who was born October 17, 2023, with (Congenital Heart Disease) CHD, with ventricular septal defects, strial septal defects, small left sided structures, parachute mitral valve, small and aortic arch hypoplasia. The baby had already had two heart surgeries, the first at just 21 days old to replace his aortic arch and the placement of a PA band on his pulmonary artery and the second open heart procedure (Norwood) to reconstruct his heart. It was planned to perform a (Glen/) procedure at 7-8 months of age, followed by a (Fotan) at 3-4 years of age and then a heart transplant would be performed following in time to come. The benefit planned at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Edina on February 24, 2024.
CELEBRATION – Plans for a celebration of the 105th birthday of Verne Marble, of Edina, was planned by her family with the community asked to participate in a card shower.
FEBRUARY 21, 2024
ACCIDENT – A tractor trailer hauling rock overturned on Highway 15 approximately one mile north of Edina on February 19, 2024, around 12:30 p.m. The driver said he was forced to take the ditch after coming over the crest and determined he would not be able to avoid a collision with another vehicle stopped on the highway which was attempting to make a left turn. The driver of the tractor trailer brought the vehicle to a very low rate of speed of five miles per hour before going into the ditch and overturning. The driver was not injured in the crash and was able to climb out of the driver side window immediately following the rollover.
TRAINING – The National Weather Service to hold Storm Spotter Training at the Knox County Community Center in Edina was scheduled for February 22, 2024. The event was free and open to the public. The event was sponsored by The Edina Sentinel/NEMOnews Media Group and the Knox County Community Center.
KCHS SENIOR NIGHT – Winter sports honors were presented on Senior Night, February 13, 2024, at Knox County High School to cheerleaders, band members, softball, and basketball seniors.
ATTEND LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – Highland High School FBLA attended the District 3 Leadership Conference at Truman State University February 7, 2024, with members placing in the top 5 of eighteen different events with many members advancing to State in April.
FEBRUARY 28, 2024
SUCCESSFUL BENEFIT – Approximately 85-100 items were donated to the well-attended benefit for little four-month-old Amari Brandon on Saturday evening, February 24, 2024. Amari’s family attended the event as the baby was being cared for at a St. Louis hospital. Several hundred persons supported the benefit by eating the free-will fish dinner and silent auction. Mercy’s Bridge Band played music for the event sponsored by the Knox City Assembly of God Church under the leadership of the Rev. Mike Myers.
STORM SPOTTER TRAINING – The two-hour NEMO Storm Spotter Class was held at the Knox County Community Center on February 22, with a total of fifty-two people attending from Knox and surrounding communities to obtain National Weather Service Storm Spotter status, to take a class or refresher course. A lead meteorologist with the NWS St. Louis office lead the training.
KC SCHOLAR TEAMS COMPETE – On Saturday, February 17, 2024, the KC Middle School scholar bowl teams attended the Truman Winter Invitational with the Sixth-Grade ending the day with 4 wins-4 losses. The Seventh-grade team finished in third place with 5 wins-3 losses. The Eighth-grade team finished with a record of 4 wins-5 losses. Thatcher Townsend claimed Captain of the All-Tournament Team with 71.43 points per game. Ezra Scoggin took second place on the All- Tournament team with 58.57 points per game, and Jason Devlin tied for eighth place with 28,57 points per game.
HONORED – The Brashear High School 2003- 2004 undefeated state championship team was recognized on February 10, 2024, at the Brashear Tournament championship day. The 2003-2004 Lady Tiger season finished 32-0 having claimed the 2003 state title. The Lady Tigers won 43 consecutive games during two seasons. Coach Sara Williams lead Kimberly Elsea Callaghan, ChaRae Cole Wagner, Dani Moyer McCarty, Holly Hazen Lewellen, Brooke Salter Miller, Brooke Crandall Kelsey, and Jenny Elsea Billington, on the field. The team was scheduled to be honored at the 2024 Class 1 MSHSAA Basketball Championships Legends Series.
MARCH 6, 2024
NEW KNOX COUNTY DEPUTY – The Knox County Sheriff’s Office recently welcomed Deputy Don Travis, 58, to the community. The law enforcement veteran has been working in the field for twenty years with training in Council Law Enforcement Education and Training, Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Academy, as well as work on the Violent Offenders Task Force with U.S. Marshals, High Risk Warrant Service with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and a Fugitive Unit. Prior to his law enforcement service Travis served in artillery with the U.S. Army for six years. Travis said the hardest part of his work in law enforcement is dealing with crimes against children.
4-H FEEDS KNOX COUNTY – Knox County 4-H members collected food donations for the Knox County Food Cupboard on February 29, 2024, for the 4-H Feeding Missouri program. Members donated 102.3 pounds of food and $275.52 collected in Knox County.
CONCERT – Novelty Christian Church of Novelty made plans to host Missouri’s own legendary Southern Gospel family, The Lesters in concert with an evening of music and fellowship hour with pie and ice cream following the concert. The Lester’s have spent nine decades bringing the gospel in song in live concerts and on weekly televised shows.
MARCH 13, 2024
SCAMMER ARRESTED – On Friday, March 8, 2024, Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche announced that a scam artist was arrested in Knox County on Thursday, March 7, after allegedly stealing $95,000 in cash from a 79-year-old Knox County resident earlier in the week. Dongyi Guo, 27, of Flushing, New York, were apprehended during an operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Edina Police department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Scotland County Sheriff’s Office. Guo, a Chinese national, is in the United States with an employment authorization through the People’s Republic of China. Guo was arrested at the victim’s home within the boundaries of Knox County. Sheriff Carl Knoche said that his office was contacted on the evening of March 6, 2024, by a concerned family member stating that they were concerned that an individual had been coming to the victim’s house and taking large sums of money from her. Information was gathered through interviews and speaking with the victim and were able to ascertain that the suspect was potentially coming back to the house. Area law enforcement coordinated their efforts before the suspect arrived at the home of the victim and Guo was taken into custody without incident at noon on Thursday and taken to the Lewis County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. Following Guo’s arrest, law enforcement seized $42,600 in cash from the trunk of the suspect’s vehicle after obtaining a search warrant signed by Knox County Associate Circuit judge Tom Redington.
SCHOLARS – The Knox County Varsity Scholars competed at the Conference Tournament on March 9, 2024, going undefeated in preliminary rounds. The team lost to Marceline in the semi-final round. The team finished conference matches with a record of 9-2. John Clark took first place All-Conference Team and second place All-Tournament Team while Grayson Miller placed seventh on the All- Tournament team.
Highland Elementary 5th and 6th Grade students competed at the Scotland County Quiz Bowl Tournament on March 2, 2024. Jackson Jones was named to the All-Tournament Team.
MARCH 20, 2024
SCAM SUSPECT HEARING – The initial court hearing for scam suspect, Dongyi Guo of Flushing, New York, was held Tuesday morning, March 12, 2024, at the Lewis County Courthouse before Knox County Associate Circuit Judge Tom Redington. During the hearing Guo told the court he was being represented and asked why his lawyer was not present. Judge Redington continued the hearing as Guo was without counsel. Guo is scheduled to appear in Knox County on Tuesday, March 26 for an arraignment. Guo is facing three charges of financial exploitation of an elderly person in Knox County, accused of stealing $95,000 from a Knox County resident. Guo continued to be held in the Lewis County Jail.
ANNUAL MEETING – Northeast Missouri COOP held its annual meeting on March 14, 2024, at the Edina facility with a customer appreciation ribeye lunch and gifts. General Manager Dannie Dale and the NEMO COOP crew served the meal to COOP members and held the business meeting in the afternoon.
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC – KCR-1 band students participated in the All-Conference Band at Marceline under the direction of Kirksville Band Director Brad Hudson to present a concert. Eagle students performing in the All-Conference Band included Elijah Reel, 3rd Chair Euphonium; Agnes Reel, 1st Chair Clarinet; and Elliott Bosch, 2nd Chair Trumpet.
The KCHS choir participated in the MSHSAA State Large Group Music Festival held at Truman State University and earned the honor of an Exemplary rating for their hard work.
The KCHS Marching Eagles competed on March 11, 2024, for the Band Large Group Contest earning an Exemplary rating for their performance.
PERFECT SCORES – Highland Elementary student, John McKenzie was recognized for achieving perfect scores on his ELA Evaluate in February and March 2024.
MARCH 27, 2024
CELEBRATE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY – The Knox City Christian Church was the setting for the wedding of Larry Goodson and Doris Pulse on March 27, 1949. The couple made their home on a farm outside of Knox City.
HONORED – On March 21, 2024, the Niemeyer family was honored with the Leadership Honor Roll Award presented by the Knox County University of Missouri Extension Office during the Ag Partnership Annual Meeting for their work in bringing their Edina business to the forefront.
LEAD TESTING – The City of Edina asked all water customers to complete a city survey to help identify if lead water service lines are in place throughout the city. The surveys are part of a national push to eliminate lead water service lines.
MEET CANDIDATES – Karisha Devlin, Jason Doss and Marty Strange filed as candidates to serve on the Knox County R-1 School Board.
MAN CHARGED – A Quincy, Illinois man, Justin T. Snow, formerly of Lewis County, Missouri, was arrested on March 11, 2024, for committing four (4) felony counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse with a victim under the age of 18/Trust and with four (4) felony charges of aggravated criminal sex abuse with a victim under the age of 13. Snow was held in the Adams County, Illinois Jail without bond.
FUNDS RAISED – Kay Robertson of La Belle #316 Order of the Eastern Star presented a check in the amount of $4,050.00 to Highland Elementary Principal Larry Post to purchase a new portable adjustable basketball hoop for the school. This was made possible by the assistance of the Masonic Home Create a Partnership Program.
SCHOLAR – Macy Hamlin of Highland High School earned first team honors on the All- Conference Scholar Bowl.
SCHOLARSHIP – KCHS student, Hannah Green accepted a three-year ROTC scholarship and one-year National Guard tuition assistance to Truman State University on March 22, 2024.
APRIL 3, 2024
BOND DENIED – Dongyi Guo, 27, of Flushing, New York, appeared in Knox County for an arraignment before Judge Tom Redington on Tuesday afternoon, March 26, 2024. Guo faces three felony counts of financial exploitation of an elderly/ disabled person. Guo appeared with his Attorney Daniel Viets of Columbia, Missouri. The hearing served as a chance for the court to identify Guo’s lawyer after three different lawyers had entered the case as counsel for the defendant. Two layers representing Guo were Attorney Travis White of Kansas City and Public Defense Attorney Jennifer Richardson of Hannibal, motioned the court to withdraw from the case this week, leaving Viets as Guo’s sole counsel on the case. During the hearing, Viets told the court an interpreter for Guo was listening to the hearing via Viets’ cell phone, however, the interpreter was not identified outside of giving the Judge the woman’s first name. Viets also told the Court that the interpreter was from a law firm based in Flushing, New York, however, the firm was not identified either. Oddly, the interpreter did not participate during the hearing whatsoever. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Interpreter services were not used during Guo’s initial appearance in Lew County before the same Judge – during which the defendant and Judge conversed openly, on the record, and in English.)
RECEIVES HONOR – The La Belle Manor Care Center was notified that the center had earned a 5-Star rating from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for providing care that is well above average quality. Administrator Kelli Pinson expressed that she was beyond proud of the La Belle Manor Care Center staff for their hard work and dedication in achieving this goal.
SCHOLARSHIP – Lady Eagle Javelin Thrower Agnes Reel signed her letter of intent to participate in Track and Field and Choir at Benedictine College during a signing ceremony at KCHS.
Look for Part Two of the 2024 Year In Review in next week’s edition of The Edina Sentinel.
