Area News

HES PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY – Ten Highland Elementary School students got to be “Principal for the Day” as a reward for highest sales of PTO candy bar! These very professional principals gave out Positive Office Referrals, made announcements over the intercom, visited classrooms, emailed teachers, supervised in the hallways and at recess, and attended a meeting with district administration. They had some great ideas to share about the future of our district! This was an incredible real world learning opportunity for them and gave Mr. Scifres and Ms. Carmody a lot of help at the end of a long…

Senior Elijah Reel and Junior Ruah Park traveled to Moberly HS on Monday November 3rd to audition for the NEMO All-District Band. There were almost 300 students auditioning for a spot in the ensembles. Elijah was named the first chair euphonium in the Honorable Mention Band (2nd band). Elijah is the only KCHS student in the past 30 years (maybe ever) to make district band all four years of high school. Ruah was named the ninth chair clarinet in the District (top) Band. He is now eligible to audition for the all-state band on December 6th. They traveled to Troy…

EDINA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released its 2024-25 Annual Performance Report (APR) for the Knox County R-I School District. The district earned 72.7 percent of the total points possible, maintaining full accreditation under the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6). The APR evaluates school districts on academic achievement, growth, attendance, graduation, and readiness for college or careers. Knox County’s results show steady progress in several areas, particularly in science and social studies, along with strong attendance and full compliance with state standards. In English Language Arts, Knox County posted a mean proficiency…

By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — The Knox County R-1 School District hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony Friday morning, bringing together students, staff, families, and community members to recognize and honor local service members. The event filled the high school gym with patriotic music, student presentations, and a program emphasizing service, remembrance, and gratitude. This year’s guest speaker was retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kelby Hagerla, a 1999 graduate of Knox County High School. Hagerla spent 20 years in the military, serving as a C-17 Globemaster pilot, instructor pilot, and liaison officer in both active duty and reserve…

Schuyler County’s own Adalyn Sevits, and Knox County’s Hailey Luthenauer each played a key role as a member of the Missouri 4-H State Hippology Team, which earned an impressive 8th place overall at the Eastern National Livestock Exposition and 4-H Roundup held November 8, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. The team competed against more than 30 of the top 4-H Hippology teams from across the nation and secured top-ten finishes in several major categories, including: • 8th in Written Exam • 8th in Stations • 6th in Team Problem Presentation The strong finish reflects months of preparation and outstanding teamwork among…

By Emily Bontrager A nearly century-long era of local, family-owned business in Memphis is ending. Pepsi-Cola Memphis Bottling Company, founded in 1929 and operated by three generations of the Johnson family, has been sold to WP Beverages, a Midwest-based Pepsi bottler and distributor. The transition in ownership took effect on November 3, 2025. The business began when J. Harold “Pop” Johnson and his wife, Muriel, opened Memphis Bottling Works in a small building at 204 S. Market Street. In the early days, the company bottled its own line of flavored soft drinks known as “Johnson’s Target Beverages.” After securing a…