Featured News
New Tax Break On Overtime Pay Comes With Limits
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new federal tax provision allows some workers to deduct part of their overtime pay from their taxable income, but the change is narrower and more complicated than it may sound. The provision, in effect for tax years 2025 through 2028, does not eliminate taxes on all overtime pay, according to Andrew Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Instead, it allows a deduction for the overtime “premium” — the extra pay workers receive beyond their regular hourly wage — subject to income limits and documentation requirements. Under the law, eligible workers may…
Read MoreHurdland Girl Called a Hero After Rescuing Siblings, Dogs From Fire
*This story has been updated with donation information. Those who wish to make a financial donation to the family can give it to the United State Bank in Edina for Amber Halstead or Sam Russell. Dog Pulled From Burning Garage Revived After Dramatic Resuscitation By Echo Menges HURDLAND, Mo. — Jan. 29, 2026 — Volunteer firefighters from three departments — Hurdland, Baring and Edina — responded to a structure fire at 508 North Second Street in Hurdland Thursday morning. Firefighters were called at approximately 8 a.m. and arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. They began an hourslong…
Read MoreScotland County Girls Overtake Lady Eagles
By David Sharp Knox County got off to a good start in their first round girls’ matchup with conference rival Scotland County at the 38th Annual North Shelby Varsity basketball tournament. The Lady Eagles (5-9) scored the first eight points. Scotland County (13-3) came back for the 34- 29 win. Myleigh Miller sank a free throw with four minutes remaining in the first period for the 8-0 advantage. The Lady Eagles led 15-7 after taking advantage of early game Tiger turnovers. A solid Scotland County team outscored Knox County in each of the final three quarters. Knox County turned the…
Read MoreApplications for Missouri Century Farms open Feb. 1
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1926, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, MU Extension Ag and Environment team and Missouri Farm Bureau sponsor the program. Applications to be recognized as a 2026 Missouri Century Farm open Feb. 1. Deadline is May 1. To qualify, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings and nephews…
Read MoreOutdoors With Kevin Fox: The Necessity of Shooting Sticks
The buck suddenly appeared on the path that ran below me along a dry creek bed. Sometimes that’s what deer do — one minute there’s nothing to see, and the next there’s a deer standing there. If the buck continued on the way he was walking, he would come to within more than 50 yards of me. If I had been using a different gun, I would have already taken the shot. However, I wasn’t using just any rifle. Lying across my lap was my Thompson/ Center Hawken black‑powder rifle, loaded with 60 grains of fffg powder topped by a…
Read MoreLady Cougars Win Tony Lenzini Tourney
By David Sharp Monroe City (11-5) got off to a good start in their January 24, 2026 Tony Lenzini Tournament girl’s championship game. The Lady Panthers did their best to avenge a December 12, 2025 loss in the girls’ championship game of the Monroe City Tournament. Monroe City led 10-7 after the first quarter and 17-16 at halftime. Highland made halftime adjustments and outscored the Lady Panthers 13-7 in the third quarter for a 29- 24 lead. Highland won going away, closing on a 20-2 run to a 49-26 win. Highland (17-3) won their third major area tournament girls’ championship…
Read MoreHighland Grad Honored at County Cat Games
By David Sharp Highland High School graduate Greg Logsdon was the Guest of Honor at an alumni recognition ceremony held between games of the January 13, 2026 varsity basketball games with Canton held at the Highland Field House. Greg Logsdon is a 1987 graduate of Highland HS. Mr. Logsdon graduated as the leading scorer for the Cougar boys basketball program at that time. Logsdon attended Culver Stockton College on a Men’s Basketball Scholarship. He graduated in 1991 with a Degree in Business Administration. Greg Logsdon has had a successful career in business and coaching. He has coached high school and…
Read MoreEdina City Council Welcomes New Police Chief
By Echo Menges The Edina City Council has hired a new chief of police for the Edina Police Department. The council met in closed session Tuesday, Jan. 20, to interview the applicant and offer the job. According to Edina Mayor Linda Kerr, the decision to hire was unanimous. City Clerk Margaret Gibson said David Dudley, who was offered the job the following morning, accepted the position the same day. Dudley, 59, of Columbia, Missouri, confirmed to The Edina Sentinel that he has accepted the position and hopes to begin his duties within about three weeks. He is making arrangements to…
Read More“That’s powerful. That’s America.”
The Inside Story About One Northeast Missouri Man’s Journey to Become a U.S. Citizen By Echo Menges For those of us born into it, citizenship is often something we don’t think much about. We grow up with a passport, the right to vote, the ability to work and live freely — and rarely question whether that will ever change. But for Javi Gil, 51, of rural Rutledge, none of those things were guaranteed. Not even after spending decades in the United States, raising a family, leading a fire department, and dedicating his life to public service. When delays in renewing…
Read MoreNominations Open for Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence at Hospice of Northeast Missouri
Nominations are now open for the Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence. The award was established in 2023 thanks to the generous donation by Drs. Ron and Elsie Gaber of Kirksville to the Hannibal Regional Foundation to support hospice services in northeast Missouri. The endowment created assists in recognizing hospice care workers and volunteers who go above and beyond in their service to hospice care and the patients of Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted for both hospice team members as well as volunteers. Nominations are open until March 9, 2026 and the nomination form can…
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