By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Hallsville, a town of about 2,000 people northeast of Columbia, was peppered with homemade purple and gold “Yes on Prop 2” signs adorning front lawns early this spring.

The Hallsville School District was asking for a $6.5 million bond issue to finance more parking for the growing high school, a new elementary classroom and increased security for schools. And on April 8,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/results/20250408SGM.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 75% of voters</a>&nbsp;approved the measure, and the district launched pre-construction and design work.

But the project came to a halt the afternoon of June 6 when Superintendent Tyler Walker learned the district hadn’t met public-notice requirements before the election. So their bond counsel, the law firm Gilmore &amp; Bell, couldn’t submit the bond issue for certification to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.

“This was not the fault of the school district,” Walker told The Independent, “yet the school district and the students we educate are unfortunately being punished.”

Hallsville is the only school district to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/voters-approve-hallsville-school-bond-issue-but-state-auditor-says-no/article_d4619f98-a255-4bda-a630-61dca5fa6015.html" target="_blank">publicly acknowledge</a>&nbsp;issues with its bond measure, but there could be as many as 10 political subdivisions forced to throw out the results of the April election.

Mark Grimm, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell, said in a June 3 email to the auditor’s office that eight to 10 of his firm’s clients may need to put voter-approved bonds back on the ballot because they appear to have fallen short of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.127" target="_blank">the state law laying out public notice requirements in the run up to an election</a>.&nbsp;

Notice of a bond issue must be published in local newspapers twice — once two weeks prior to the election and again within one week of the election. In each instance, Grimm wrote, notice ran three and two weeks before the election.

Exactly which bond measures are in jeopardy isn’t clear. The firm couldn’t comment on specifics about its clients, and the auditor’s office — which must certify that local bond measures comply with state law — was not provided with a list.

In an interview with The Independent, Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said the state law is clear. The last thing he wanted to do was disqualify a voter-approved measure, Fitzpatrick said, but his hands are tied because public notice requirements are very specific and allow no flexibility.&nbsp;

“If we’re aware of the deficiency,” he said “we can’t knowingly certify that the bonds comply with all the laws.”

Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Shell Knob, acknowledged similar issues with public notice have gone undetected over the years. In fact, an $8.5 million bond measure for the Centralia R-VI School District, Hallsville’s neighbor to the northeast, was certified with similar problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The office has historically relied on bond attorneys like Gilmore &amp; Bell, Fitzpatrick said, to ensure their clients are in compliance with state laws before submitting paperwork for certification. While his staff ensures publication takes place, “it was not part of our process to closely check the dates of the publications.”

“There’s a level of trust that has been historically built into this process,” he said, “because this is a sporadic thing. It’s not something where we have a team of people sitting around all day and their only job is to review these bonds and check every single law.”

Bill Burns, general counsel for Gilmore &amp; Bell, doesn’t agree with the auditor’s position. He believes Missouri law gives Fitzpatrick enough wiggle room to certify voter-approved bonds despite “minor deficiencies relating to publication notices that would not in any way affect the outcome of the election.”

But Fitzpatrick said the law firm should have been on the lookout for these sorts of problems after a dust up in February involving the Higbee Fire Protection District — another Gilmore &amp; Bell client — resulted in a bond measure being refused certification over similar issues.&nbsp;

“I am surprised that we’re dealing with this now,” he said. “I would expect that bond counsel will be more proactive and communicate with the county clerk on these deals moving forward to make sure the publication dates are where they need to be. But I would have also thought that following the February deal.”

Over the course of two elections last year, voters in Randolph County approved $1.6 million in bonds to support the Higbee Fire Protection District. It was only supposed to take one election, but the county clerk put the wrong total on the August ballot, requiring the rest of the bonds to be approved in November.&nbsp;

By February, all that was left for the bonds to finally be issued was the certification of the auditor’s office.

Fitzpatrick’s staff kept asking for a copy of the sample ballot that was published in the newspaper prior to the election. Erick Creach, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell representing the district, instead sent affidavits attesting that the county clerk published a sample ballot.

As it turns out, the reason Creach couldn’t share a copy of the sample ballot was because it was never published as required by law.&nbsp;

“Erick called first thing this morning,” wrote Leslie Korte, general counsel for the auditor’s office, in a Feb. 26 email obtained by The Independent through Missouri’s Sunshine Law. “He admitted that despite their prior representations and the certification of the clerk, they in fact did not publish the notice as required. For any election. He basically wanted us to let that slide.”

Korte wrote that she informed Creach that the auditor “cannot certify a bond that we know does not comply with state law.”

“I also addressed the secondary issue, which is Gilmore &amp; Bell sending us documents certifying to facts that are not true, and him providing us documents yesterday afternoon identifying them as something they are not,” she wrote. “I told him all bond packages we receive from them going forward will be under heightened scrutiny, and if anything like this happens again, how it is addressed by our office will be escalated.”

Creach responded later that day reiterating that sharing the affidavits wasn’t an attempt to fool anyone but rather to “keep your office updated as I was piecing together the information, which to your point should have been addressed prior to submission of the transcript in the first place.”

The firm, Creach wrote, will “have a call today internally to discuss best practices regarding&nbsp;submission of transcripts and review of documentation to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.”

Fitzpatrick said in an interview this week that Gilmore &amp; Bell “kind of intended to mislead us on that one, and we were unable to certify those bonds because no publication took place.”

In May, the auditor’s office refused to certify bonds for the Brookfield R-III School District in Linn County, again due to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kttn.com/clerical-mistake-halts-school-bond-approvals-in-brookfield-and-meadville-school-districts/" target="_blank">public notice deficiencies</a>.&nbsp;

Though the school district was not a Gilmore &amp; Bell client, the firm took note and decided it would “submit certain hypothetical fact situations” to the auditor in the hopes of clarifying what could disqualify a bond measure, said Burns, the firm’s general counsel.&nbsp;

One of the hypotheticals the firm submitted was publication three weeks and two weeks before the election. The auditor’s office confirmed it would not certify under those circumstances.&nbsp;

Grim responded that “we believe there are 8-10 bond elections from April for political subdivisions we represent where the election authority complied with all publication requirements except the publications fell slightly outside of the two week/one week provision.”

“While we definitely agree that good public policy is to ensure compliance with election laws,” Grimm wrote, “failing to register bonds due to election law technicalities has the result of effectively annulling an election.”

He requested the auditor’s office consider certifying bonds regardless of the public notice issue, with the understanding that “going forward, no such grace will be provided.” And he noted the auditor’s office had just certified a bond for one of the firm’s other clients, Centralia, that had the exact same deficiencies.&nbsp;

Korte responded in a June 4 email that for Centralia, the auditor’s office “relied on the representation of bond counsel that the bonds complied with all state laws, including state law that dictates when those publications must take place.”

Given the number of state laws that exist to cover the issuance of bonds, Korte wrote, it would not be surprising if over the years a bond was certified “despite having an unknown or undisclosed legal defect.”

“That should never be taken as a tacit approval of any failure to comply with state law,” she wrote. “If anything, it should be used by bond counsel as a cautionary tale causing them to double down on their efforts to ensure they are monitoring their clients’ bonds and advising on how to issue bonds in full compliance.”

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon, who oversees elections including publishing notices,&nbsp; told The Independent that her office intentionally chose to publish sample ballots three and two weeks before the election.

“We have tried, especially this past time, to make sure that we have some (safeguard),” she said. “So if there is a mistake that’s made in one of the weekly papers, we still have a grace period to be able to publish.”

A changing newspaper industry has made it harder to publish sample ballots. After a local paper was bought by a large corporation, Lennon’s office struggled to get edits made of notices and receive proofs prior to printing.

Lennon didn’t think her notice strategy would run into statutory issues, since the heart of the law is to ensure voters are informed. Her office goes beyond the law’s requirements and sends sample ballots in the mail to voters and posts them online in advance of all elections.

Hallsville plans on resubmitting the bond issue for November’s election, which Walker estimates will cost the district “between $10,000 and $20,000.” Until the issue is funded and approved by the state, no payment is due to Gilmore &amp; Bell.

The cost of delaying construction isn’t quantifiable, he said, and will cause “significant planning issues for the district,” with improvements critically needed.

“The safety and education of our students is of utmost importance to all of us in Hallsville,” he said.

Walker felt he had no reason to doubt the district’s bond counsel, since Hallsville previously passed three bond issues with Gilmore &amp; Bell’s assistance, and he knew the firm’s reputation as “one of the best.”

“Districts rely on bond counsel because the process to pass a bond issue and finance a successful issue is a complicated one,” he said. “It requires the assistance of a bond counsel to navigate the legal and financial complexities that are involved in the process from start to finish.”

Fitzpatrick said his office will begin requiring bond counsel to sign an affidavit when submitting paperwork for certification of a bond measure “basically saying that, to the best of their knowledge, all laws have been complied with.”

State lawmakers have also reached out to him, Fitzpatrick said, with interest in changing the public notice law when the legislature reconvenes in January. Burns said his firm agrees that the law needs to be adjusted.&nbsp;

“The main thing I think that really needs to be changed is becoming more lenient with the date of the publication,” Fitzpatrick said, adding: “There’s a lot of kind of antiquated aspects of it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670081515655.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Hallsville, a town of about 2,000 people northeast of Columbia, was peppered with homemade purple and gold “Yes on Prop 2” signs adorning front lawns early this spring.The Hallsville School District was asking for a $6.5 million bond issue to finance more parking for the growing high school, a new elementary classroom and increased security for schools. And on April 8,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.showmeboone.com/clerk/elections/results/20250408SGM.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 75% of voters</a>&nbsp;approved the measure, and the district launched pre-construction and design work.But the project came to a halt the afternoon of June 6 when Superintendent Tyler Walker learned the district hadn’t met public-notice requirements before the election. So their bond counsel, the law firm Gilmore &amp; Bell, couldn’t submit the bond issue for certification to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office.“This was not the fault of the school district,” Walker told The Independent, “yet the school district and the students we educate are unfortunately being punished.”Hallsville is the only school district to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/voters-approve-hallsville-school-bond-issue-but-state-auditor-says-no/article_d4619f98-a255-4bda-a630-61dca5fa6015.html" target="_blank">publicly acknowledge</a>&nbsp;issues with its bond measure, but there could be as many as 10 political subdivisions forced to throw out the results of the April election.Mark Grimm, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell, said in a June 3 email to the auditor’s office that eight to 10 of his firm’s clients may need to put voter-approved bonds back on the ballot because they appear to have fallen short of&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.127" target="_blank">the state law laying out public notice requirements in the run up to an election</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751110830433.png" alt=" Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick speaks to reporters about a critical report of the Secretary of State’s office on Jan. 23, 2024 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick speaks to reporters about a critical report of the Secretary of State’s office on Jan. 23, 2024 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Notice of a bond issue must be published in local newspapers twice — once two weeks prior to the election and again within one week of the election. In each instance, Grimm wrote, notice ran three and two weeks before the election.Exactly which bond measures are in jeopardy isn’t clear. The firm couldn’t comment on specifics about its clients, and the auditor’s office — which must certify that local bond measures comply with state law — was not provided with a list.In an interview with The Independent, Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said the state law is clear. The last thing he wanted to do was disqualify a voter-approved measure, Fitzpatrick said, but his hands are tied because public notice requirements are very specific and allow no flexibility.&nbsp;“If we’re aware of the deficiency,” he said “we can’t knowingly certify that the bonds comply with all the laws.”Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Shell Knob, acknowledged similar issues with public notice have gone undetected over the years. In fact, an $8.5 million bond measure for the Centralia R-VI School District, Hallsville’s neighbor to the northeast, was certified with similar problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;The office has historically relied on bond attorneys like Gilmore &amp; Bell, Fitzpatrick said, to ensure their clients are in compliance with state laws before submitting paperwork for certification. While his staff ensures publication takes place, “it was not part of our process to closely check the dates of the publications.”“There’s a level of trust that has been historically built into this process,” he said, “because this is a sporadic thing. It’s not something where we have a team of people sitting around all day and their only job is to review these bonds and check every single law.”Bill Burns, general counsel for Gilmore &amp; Bell, doesn’t agree with the auditor’s position. He believes Missouri law gives Fitzpatrick enough wiggle room to certify voter-approved bonds despite “minor deficiencies relating to publication notices that would not in any way affect the outcome of the election.”But Fitzpatrick said the law firm should have been on the lookout for these sorts of problems after a dust up in February involving the Higbee Fire Protection District — another Gilmore &amp; Bell client — resulted in a bond measure being refused certification over similar issues.&nbsp;“I am surprised that we’re dealing with this now,” he said. “I would expect that bond counsel will be more proactive and communicate with the county clerk on these deals moving forward to make sure the publication dates are where they need to be. But I would have also thought that following the February deal.”<h2>Higbee Fire Protection District</h2>Over the course of two elections last year, voters in Randolph County approved $1.6 million in bonds to support the Higbee Fire Protection District. It was only supposed to take one election, but the county clerk put the wrong total on the August ballot, requiring the rest of the bonds to be approved in November.&nbsp;By February, all that was left for the bonds to finally be issued was the certification of the auditor’s office.And that’s where things went sideways.Fitzpatrick’s staff kept asking for a copy of the sample ballot that was published in the newspaper prior to the election. Erick Creach, an attorney with Gilmore &amp; Bell representing the district, instead sent affidavits attesting that the county clerk published a sample ballot.As it turns out, the reason Creach couldn’t share a copy of the sample ballot was because it was never published as required by law.&nbsp;“Erick called first thing this morning,” wrote Leslie Korte, general counsel for the auditor’s office, in a Feb. 26 email obtained by The Independent through Missouri’s Sunshine Law. “He admitted that despite their prior representations and the certification of the clerk, they in fact did not publish the notice as required. For any election. He basically wanted us to let that slide.”Korte wrote that she informed Creach that the auditor “cannot certify a bond that we know does not comply with state law.”“I also addressed the secondary issue, which is Gilmore &amp; Bell sending us documents certifying to facts that are not true, and him providing us documents yesterday afternoon identifying them as something they are not,” she wrote. “I told him all bond packages we receive from them going forward will be under heightened scrutiny, and if anything like this happens again, how it is addressed by our office will be escalated.”Creach responded later that day reiterating that sharing the affidavits wasn’t an attempt to fool anyone but rather to “keep your office updated as I was piecing together the information, which to your point should have been addressed prior to submission of the transcript in the first place.”The firm, Creach wrote, will “have a call today internally to discuss best practices regarding&nbsp;submission of transcripts and review of documentation to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.”Fitzpatrick said in an interview this week that Gilmore &amp; Bell “kind of intended to mislead us on that one, and we were unable to certify those bonds because no publication took place.”<h2>Brookfield R-III School District</h2>In May, the auditor’s office refused to certify bonds for the Brookfield R-III School District in Linn County, again due to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kttn.com/clerical-mistake-halts-school-bond-approvals-in-brookfield-and-meadville-school-districts/" target="_blank">public notice deficiencies</a>.&nbsp;Though the school district was not a Gilmore &amp; Bell client, the firm took note and decided it would “submit certain hypothetical fact situations” to the auditor in the hopes of clarifying what could disqualify a bond measure, said Burns, the firm’s general counsel.&nbsp;One of the hypotheticals the firm submitted was publication three weeks and two weeks before the election. The auditor’s office confirmed it would not certify under those circumstances.&nbsp;Grim responded that “we believe there are 8-10 bond elections from April for political subdivisions we represent where the election authority complied with all publication requirements except the publications fell slightly outside of the two week/one week provision.”One of those was Hallsville.&nbsp;“While we definitely agree that good public policy is to ensure compliance with election laws,” Grimm wrote, “failing to register bonds due to election law technicalities has the result of effectively annulling an election.”He requested the auditor’s office consider certifying bonds regardless of the public notice issue, with the understanding that “going forward, no such grace will be provided.” And he noted the auditor’s office had just certified a bond for one of the firm’s other clients, Centralia, that had the exact same deficiencies.&nbsp;Korte responded in a June 4 email that for Centralia, the auditor’s office “relied on the representation of bond counsel that the bonds complied with all state laws, including state law that dictates when those publications must take place.”Given the number of state laws that exist to cover the issuance of bonds, Korte wrote, it would not be surprising if over the years a bond was certified “despite having an unknown or undisclosed legal defect.”“That should never be taken as a tacit approval of any failure to comply with state law,” she wrote. “If anything, it should be used by bond counsel as a cautionary tale causing them to double down on their efforts to ensure they are monitoring their clients’ bonds and advising on how to issue bonds in full compliance.”<h2>Hallsville School District</h2>Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon, who oversees elections including publishing notices,&nbsp; told The Independent that her office intentionally chose to publish sample ballots three and two weeks before the election.“We have tried, especially this past time, to make sure that we have some (safeguard),” she said. “So if there is a mistake that’s made in one of the weekly papers, we still have a grace period to be able to publish.”A changing newspaper industry has made it harder to publish sample ballots. After a local paper was bought by a large corporation, Lennon’s office struggled to get edits made of notices and receive proofs prior to printing.Lennon didn’t think her notice strategy would run into statutory issues, since the heart of the law is to ensure voters are informed. Her office goes beyond the law’s requirements and sends sample ballots in the mail to voters and posts them online in advance of all elections.Hallsville plans on resubmitting the bond issue for November’s election, which Walker estimates will cost the district “between $10,000 and $20,000.” Until the issue is funded and approved by the state, no payment is due to Gilmore &amp; Bell.The cost of delaying construction isn’t quantifiable, he said, and will cause “significant planning issues for the district,” with improvements critically needed.“The safety and education of our students is of utmost importance to all of us in Hallsville,” he said.Walker felt he had no reason to doubt the district’s bond counsel, since Hallsville previously passed three bond issues with Gilmore &amp; Bell’s assistance, and he knew the firm’s reputation as “one of the best.”“Districts rely on bond counsel because the process to pass a bond issue and finance a successful issue is a complicated one,” he said. “It requires the assistance of a bond counsel to navigate the legal and financial complexities that are involved in the process from start to finish.”Fitzpatrick said his office will begin requiring bond counsel to sign an affidavit when submitting paperwork for certification of a bond measure “basically saying that, to the best of their knowledge, all laws have been complied with.”State lawmakers have also reached out to him, Fitzpatrick said, with interest in changing the public notice law when the legislature reconvenes in January. Burns said his firm agrees that the law needs to be adjusted.&nbsp;“The main thing I think that really needs to be changed is becoming more lenient with the date of the publication,” Fitzpatrick said, adding: “There’s a lot of kind of antiquated aspects of it.”

Numerous voter-approved bonds in jeopardy for violating Missouri public notice law

A sweeping public safety bill that began with a focus on Missouri’s fireworks industry has officially become law.

Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory of Marshall, modernizes fireworks regulations in Missouri and includes a broad range of public safety updates. The legislation was signed into law and took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

Senator Gregory emphasized Missouri’s national importance in the fireworks industry:

While Senate Bill 81 started with fireworks, the final version includes a variety of public safety provisions:

Senator Gregory says the bill reflects Missouri’s ongoing commitment to both economic strength and public safety, while bringing long-overdue updates to outdated state statutes.

The legislation is now in effect statewide.

A sweeping public safety bill that began with a focus on Missouri’s fireworks industry has officially become law.Senate Bill 81, sponsored by Senator Curtis Gregory of Marshall, modernizes fireworks regulations in Missouri and includes a broad range of public safety updates. The legislation was signed into law and took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.Senator Gregory emphasized Missouri’s national importance in the fireworks industry:<h2>Key Provisions Beyond Fireworks</h2>While Senate Bill 81 started with fireworks, the final version includes a variety of public safety provisions:<ul>
 <li>Extends the Line of Duty Compensation Act for fallen first responders by six more years.
</li><li>Updates criminal background check requirements for specific public safety roles.
</li><li>Modifies duties of the Missouri Emergency Response Commission, including coordination improvements.
</li><li>Expands licensing waivers for law enforcement officers and their spouses, aiding recruitment and relocation.
</li><li>Broadens the legal definition of childhood sexual abuse in civil court, enabling more survivors to seek damages for long-term effects of abuse.
</li>
 </ul>Senator Gregory says the bill reflects Missouri’s ongoing commitment to both economic strength and public safety, while bringing long-overdue updates to outdated state statutes.The legislation is now in effect statewide.

Senate Bill 81 Updates Missouri Fireworks Laws, Public Safety Measures

A treasured landmark in downtown Albany is closer to coming back to life.

The Rigney Theatre, once a community hub for movies, live performances, and public gatherings, has launched a 30-day fundraising campaign to raise $50,000—an amount that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Patterson Family Foundation to support its long-awaited restoration.

The building has stood quiet for more than a decade, but supporters are hopeful that silence will soon be replaced with applause, music, and community spirit once again.

Linda Place, Board Member of Albany Community Development, says the theater holds a special place in the hearts of residents.

Donations can be made online through the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, or in person by cash or check. Thanks to the matching grant, each contribution will go twice as far, with every dollar donated matched up to the $50,000 goal.

The campaign runs through July 15, and local leaders are optimistic that the community will rally around the cause.

This weekend offers the perfect opportunity to get a closer look at the historic building. Albany’s annual Rhythm n' Roots Festival takes place this Saturday, featuring live music, food vendors, and activities downtown—including a chance to see the Rigney Theatre in person.

To make a donation or learn more about the project, visit <a href="http://therigney.org/match">therigney.org/match</a>.

With community support and the matching grant in play, the Rigney may once again shine as a cultural and historic gem in Gentry County.

A treasured landmark in downtown Albany is closer to coming back to life.The Rigney Theatre, once a community hub for movies, live performances, and public gatherings, has launched a 30-day fundraising campaign to raise $50,000—an amount that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Patterson Family Foundation to support its long-awaited restoration.The building has stood quiet for more than a decade, but supporters are hopeful that silence will soon be replaced with applause, music, and community spirit once again.Linda Place, Board Member of Albany Community Development, says the theater holds a special place in the hearts of residents.Donations can be made online through the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, or in person by cash or check. Thanks to the matching grant, each contribution will go twice as far, with every dollar donated matched up to the $50,000 goal.The campaign runs through July 15, and local leaders are optimistic that the community will rally around the cause.<h2>A Festival and a Visit</h2>This weekend offers the perfect opportunity to get a closer look at the historic building. Albany’s annual Rhythm n' Roots Festival takes place this Saturday, featuring live music, food vendors, and activities downtown—including a chance to see the Rigney Theatre in person.To make a donation or learn more about the project, visit <a href="http://therigney.org/match">therigney.org/match</a>.With community support and the matching grant in play, the Rigney may once again shine as a cultural and historic gem in Gentry County.

Albany’s Historic Rigney Theatre Eyes Comeback with $50,000 Fundraising Match

With a growing number of visitors, upgraded facilities, and major projects on the horizon, Maryville’s Parks and Recreation Department continues to play a vital role in the community’s quality of life.

In an annual report presented at Monday’s City Council meeting, Assistant Director Maggie Rockwood shared highlights from the past year, including strong park usage and progress on multiple facility upgrades.

Data gathered by PlacerAi, a mobile analytics firm, estimated more than 200,000 visits to Maryville’s 12 parks over the past year. In addition, over 30,000 people participated in city-run events and programs.

The data also suggests parks may be boosting the local economy.

Looking ahead, the department is collaborating with a design firm to explore three options for Maryville’s aquatic future:

Spring’s cooler-than-normal weather delayed pool openings across the region, including in Maryville. But Rockwood says recent warm temperatures have helped.

With a dog park on the way, continued capital improvements, and increased out-of-town traffic, Maryville Parks and Recreation looks to remain a central piece of the city’s summer and year-round offerings.

With a growing number of visitors, upgraded facilities, and major projects on the horizon, Maryville’s Parks and Recreation Department continues to play a vital role in the community’s quality of life.In an annual report presented at Monday’s City Council meeting, Assistant Director Maggie Rockwood shared highlights from the past year, including strong park usage and progress on multiple facility upgrades.Data gathered by PlacerAi, a mobile analytics firm, estimated more than 200,000 visits to Maryville’s 12 parks over the past year. In addition, over 30,000 people participated in city-run events and programs.The data also suggests parks may be boosting the local economy.<h2>Notable 2024–2025 Accomplishments:</h2><ul>
 <li>New bridges at Judah Park
</li><li>Playground installed at Sisson Eek Park
</li><li>Splash pad landscaping enhancements
</li><li>Asphalt overlays at various locations
</li><li>Recreation center improvements
</li>
 </ul>Looking ahead, the department is collaborating with a design firm to explore three options for Maryville’s aquatic future:<ol>
 <li>A new indoor pool facility
</li><li>A new outdoor pool
</li><li>Major renovations to the existing pool
</li>
 </ol>Spring’s cooler-than-normal weather delayed pool openings across the region, including in Maryville. But Rockwood says recent warm temperatures have helped.With a dog park on the way, continued capital improvements, and increased out-of-town traffic, Maryville Parks and Recreation looks to remain a central piece of the city’s summer and year-round offerings.

Maryville Parks and Recreation Sees Over 200,000 Visits; Future Pool Project Under Review

 The Mozingo Advisory Board met on June 16 to review a slate of upcoming improvement projects and ongoing maintenance efforts at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, with Park Director Jordyn Greenhaw providing key updates.

Topping the list was the planned rebuild of bunkers on the Sechrest 18 golf course. The current bunkers, now 30 years old, are well past their typical 15–20-year lifespan and have become difficult for staff to maintain. Greenhaw said she is still reviewing options and pricing for the project.

Greenhaw noted that exact pricing for many of the projects is still being collected and that the park may need to pursue Certificates of Participation (COPS) funding to help finance the improvements.

Several recent upgrades were also reported as complete:

The Mozingo Advisory Board met on June 16 to review a slate of upcoming improvement projects and ongoing maintenance efforts at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, with Park Director Jordyn Greenhaw providing key updates.Topping the list was the planned rebuild of bunkers on the Sechrest 18 golf course. The current bunkers, now 30 years old, are well past their typical 15–20-year lifespan and have become difficult for staff to maintain. Greenhaw said she is still reviewing options and pricing for the project.Also under consideration:<ul>
 <li>New flooring and interior paint for the event center
</li><li>Cabin upgrades, including new countertops, following recent rate increases
</li><li>A potential mill-and-overlay asphalt project on Liberty Road
</li>
 </ul>Greenhaw noted that exact pricing for many of the projects is still being collected and that the park may need to pursue Certificates of Participation (COPS) funding to help finance the improvements.Several recent upgrades were also reported as complete:<ul>
 <li>New directional and tee signage has been installed on the golf course
</li><li>A golf cart pad concrete project has been successfully wrapped up
</li><li>Tee sign sponsorships are being explored as a way to generate additional revenue
</li>
 </ul>

Mozingo Advisory Board Discusses Golf Course, Facility Improvements

City officials in Sidney are weighing their options for upgrades to the public library’s HVAC system following recent equipment issues during a heat wave.

During a recent City Council meeting, members reviewed estimates from Lynn Furnace for either a full replacement of the building’s nearly 20-year-old system or partial fixes targeting the air conditioning units or furnaces.

Library Director Brenda Benedict reported that the air conditioners — original to the building — were not working properly. Mayor Justin Shirley noted that the issue became apparent as temperatures climbed.

Cost estimates presented to the council include:

Shirley said the city is seeking additional bids before moving forward, though the issue is not currently deemed an emergency due to the two functioning units keeping up with demand.

Additionally, council members discussed relocating the system's condensers back to the west side of the library for improved efficiency. Shirley explained the condensers had been moved to the south side during the construction of an outdoor reading area, which required running extra copper lines.

In other updates, the council addressed sidewalk repairs at the library, specifically an ADA-accessible ramp that began cracking. The issue was linked to settling beneath a decorative brick wall along the building’s north side. The city hired a local mason to stabilize the wall, allowing contractors to repour the ramp, which is now complete and available for use.

City officials in Sidney are weighing their options for upgrades to the public library’s HVAC system following recent equipment issues during a heat wave.During a recent City Council meeting, members reviewed estimates from Lynn Furnace for either a full replacement of the building’s nearly 20-year-old system or partial fixes targeting the air conditioning units or furnaces.Library Director Brenda Benedict reported that the air conditioners — original to the building — were not working properly. Mayor Justin Shirley noted that the issue became apparent as temperatures climbed.Cost estimates presented to the council include:<ul>
 <li>$35,600+ for a complete HVAC overhaul
</li><li>$21,000 to replace all three air conditioners
</li><li>$7,315 to replace just the inoperable unit
</li>
 </ul>Shirley said the city is seeking additional bids before moving forward, though the issue is not currently deemed an emergency due to the two functioning units keeping up with demand.Additionally, council members discussed relocating the system's condensers back to the west side of the library for improved efficiency. Shirley explained the condensers had been moved to the south side during the construction of an outdoor reading area, which required running extra copper lines.In other updates, the council addressed sidewalk repairs at the library, specifically an ADA-accessible ramp that began cracking. The issue was linked to settling beneath a decorative brick wall along the building’s north side. The city hired a local mason to stabilize the wall, allowing contractors to repour the ramp, which is now complete and available for use.

Sidney Explores HVAC Upgrades, Addresses Library Sidewalk Concerns

A Tarkio man was injured in a single-vehicle accident early Tuesday morning in Nodaway County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred around 5:20 a.m. on U.S. Highway 136, approximately eight miles west of Burlington Junction, during heavy rainfall. Authorities say a 2015 Dodge Ram, driven by a 25-year-old male from Tarkio, was eastbound when the driver lost control.

The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and came to rest in a bean field, upright and facing east.

The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by Atchison Holt EMS to Fairfax Community Hospital for treatment.

A Tarkio man was injured in a single-vehicle accident early Tuesday morning in Nodaway County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.The crash occurred around 5:20 a.m. on U.S. Highway 136, approximately eight miles west of Burlington Junction, during heavy rainfall. Authorities say a 2015 Dodge Ram, driven by a 25-year-old male from Tarkio, was eastbound when the driver lost control.The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and came to rest in a bean field, upright and facing east.The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained moderate injuries and was transported by Atchison Holt EMS to Fairfax Community Hospital for treatment.

Tarkio Man Injured in Rain-Related Crash Near Burlington Junction

The Clarinda Community School District will continue collaborating with the Stanton School District in several key operational areas in the upcoming school year.

During its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Clarinda School Board unanimously approved a shared special programs/education director agreement with Stanton for the 2025-26 school year. Under the agreement, Stanton will reimburse Clarinda $20,000 toward the director’s salary. Travel costs related to duties performed between the two districts will be shared equally.

Clarinda Superintendent Jeff Privia explained that the director will be primarily based in Clarinda.

The board also approved continuation of sharing agreements with Stanton for both the transportation director and maintenance director positions, solidifying ongoing collaboration between the two districts in operational leadership.

Additionally, the board set student fees for the upcoming school year. No increases were made, with fees remaining at $35 for pre-K through 6th grade students, and $55 for students in grades 7-12.

The Clarinda Community School District will continue collaborating with the Stanton School District in several key operational areas in the upcoming school year.During its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Clarinda School Board unanimously approved a shared special programs/education director agreement with Stanton for the 2025-26 school year. Under the agreement, Stanton will reimburse Clarinda $20,000 toward the director’s salary. Travel costs related to duties performed between the two districts will be shared equally.Clarinda Superintendent Jeff Privia explained that the director will be primarily based in Clarinda.The board also approved continuation of sharing agreements with Stanton for both the transportation director and maintenance director positions, solidifying ongoing collaboration between the two districts in operational leadership.Additionally, the board set student fees for the upcoming school year. No increases were made, with fees remaining at $35 for pre-K through 6th grade students, and $55 for students in grades 7-12.

Clarinda School Board Renews Shared Services Agreements with Stanton for 2025-26

Following the award of a new state grant, the Clarinda City Council approved additional engineering services Wednesday night to advance plans for the Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park on the city’s south side.

In regular session, the council unanimously approved a supplemental engineering agreement totaling approximately $111,000. The funds will support infrastructure design and improvements for the business park, located along Highway 2 between Agrivision Equipment and Agriland FS.

City Manager Gary McClarnon explained that a portion of the added engineering work—$53,000—is tied to Clarinda’s participation in the Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative, a program managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

McClarnon said a state grant of nearly $30,000 will offset most of the site certification engineering costs. The remaining $58,700 in engineering fees will go toward design for two new turning lanes that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) now requires to access the park from the bypass.

McClarnon added that preliminary construction estimates for the turning lanes are around $1 million, although those costs could be partially recouped through land sales within the park. He suggested that the city delay infrastructure installation on the south side of the bypass to help manage immediate expenses.

Mayor Craig Hill agreed with that strategy, emphasizing the city’s current focus on development north of the bypass.

The city previously issued $3.5 million in general obligation corporate purpose bonds in February to fund infrastructure work at the business park, including roads, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water.

Following the award of a new state grant, the Clarinda City Council approved additional engineering services Wednesday night to advance plans for the Hugh and Maxine Loudon Business Park on the city’s south side.In regular session, the council unanimously approved a supplemental engineering agreement totaling approximately $111,000. The funds will support infrastructure design and improvements for the business park, located along Highway 2 between Agrivision Equipment and Agriland FS.City Manager Gary McClarnon explained that a portion of the added engineering work—$53,000—is tied to Clarinda’s participation in the Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative, a program managed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).McClarnon said a state grant of nearly $30,000 will offset most of the site certification engineering costs. The remaining $58,700 in engineering fees will go toward design for two new turning lanes that the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) now requires to access the park from the bypass.McClarnon added that preliminary construction estimates for the turning lanes are around $1 million, although those costs could be partially recouped through land sales within the park. He suggested that the city delay infrastructure installation on the south side of the bypass to help manage immediate expenses.Mayor Craig Hill agreed with that strategy, emphasizing the city’s current focus on development north of the bypass.The city previously issued $3.5 million in general obligation corporate purpose bonds in February to fund infrastructure work at the business park, including roads, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water.<h2>Other Council Actions:</h2><ul>
 <li>Reappointed Jonathan Haney and Joy Nordyke to the Library Board of Trustees through June 30, 2031.
</li><li>Appointed Adam Samuelson and reappointed Kory Ryckman to the Board of Adjustment, with terms ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2030, respectively.
</li><li>Approved annual street closures requested by the Page County Fair.
</li><li>Approved codification services for $6,800 to update the city code and ordinances.
</li><li>Approved a 4% raise for City Manager Gary McClarnon for the upcoming fiscal year.
</li>
 </ul>

Clarinda Backs Additional Engineering Services for Business Park Project

Two Shenandoah department heads are set to receive substantial salary increases in the upcoming fiscal year after the Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved staff wages and rates for FY 2026 during its Tuesday night meeting.

The council approved across-the-board salaries for full- and part-time city employees effective July 1, but not without discussion. Councilman Richard Jones questioned the 33% salary boosts granted to Water Superintendent Tim Martin and Wastewater Superintendent Tom Foutch.

City Administrator A.J. Lyman explained that the pay raises stemmed from a new approach the city used this year, comparing not just the size of municipalities but also the ratings and complexity of water and wastewater plants.

Based on those plant ratings, Lyman says both Martin and Foutch were being paid significantly below average for operators overseeing systems of similar scope and complexity.

He emphasized that the decision also reflects growing difficulties in retaining certified operators, particularly those with level 4 certification for water and level 3 for wastewater.

Rather than apply incremental increases over time, Lyman said city officials opted for a single adjustment to help the superintendents catch up to industry standards and keep pace with cost-of-living pressures.

A complete listing of staff salaries and wages for FY 2026 is available for public review at Shenandoah City Hall.

Two Shenandoah department heads are set to receive substantial salary increases in the upcoming fiscal year after the Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved staff wages and rates for FY 2026 during its Tuesday night meeting.The council approved across-the-board salaries for full- and part-time city employees effective July 1, but not without discussion. Councilman Richard Jones questioned the 33% salary boosts granted to Water Superintendent Tim Martin and Wastewater Superintendent Tom Foutch.City Administrator A.J. Lyman explained that the pay raises stemmed from a new approach the city used this year, comparing not just the size of municipalities but also the ratings and complexity of water and wastewater plants.Based on those plant ratings, Lyman says both Martin and Foutch were being paid significantly below average for operators overseeing systems of similar scope and complexity.He emphasized that the decision also reflects growing difficulties in retaining certified operators, particularly those with level 4 certification for water and level 3 for wastewater.Rather than apply incremental increases over time, Lyman said city officials opted for a single adjustment to help the superintendents catch up to industry standards and keep pace with cost-of-living pressures.A complete listing of staff salaries and wages for FY 2026 is available for public review at Shenandoah City Hall.

Shenandoah Council Approves Pay Increases for City Water and Wastewater Superintendents

Residents gathered at Auburn Manor on Wednesday to learn more about Nebraska’s exploration of Next Generation Nuclear energy, including the potential siting of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the region.

The public meeting, hosted by the Auburn Board of Public Works, the Village of Brownville, the City of Auburn, and Grow Auburn Inc., included updates from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and its consulting partner, 1898 &amp; Company.

Nick Wohlers, a representative of 1898 &amp; Company, shared details of the statewide feasibility study, funded by $1 million in federal pandemic aid directed toward strengthening grid resilience in low-income communities. The study aims to evaluate potential locations for SMRs, focusing on key criteria like health and safety, community conditions, flood plains, wetlands, ecological impact, and water availability.

Originally, 32 communities were under consideration. As of this year, that list has been narrowed to 16, including Brownville in Nemaha County—a site that gained traction partly due to its proximity to the Cooper Nuclear Station.

The project is currently in Phase II, which will further narrow the candidate list to four final locations. Wohlers noted this phase will apply stricter criteria as potential sites are evaluated.

Don Buhman, NPPD's Director of Nuclear Oversight and Strategic Asset Management, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the utility’s decades-long track record of safe nuclear power production at the Cooper plant. Buhman explained that SMRs represent a different approach: factory-manufactured, modular units that can be shipped and assembled on-site, rather than massive, custom-built facilities.

While acknowledging that the initial costs for SMRs could range from $1 to $4 billion, Buhman expressed confidence that costs would decrease as technology advances and more units are deployed.

Buhman also highlighted potential economic benefits, stating that a new SMR could bring hundreds of permanent jobs to the area, along with a significant construction workforce during development.

Water usage, a critical consideration, will depend on the size and design of the facility. Some SMRs, Buhman said, may require minimal water or even offer air-cooled designs, making them more flexible in terms of environmental impact.

Residents gathered at Auburn Manor on Wednesday to learn more about Nebraska’s exploration of Next Generation Nuclear energy, including the potential siting of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the region.The public meeting, hosted by the Auburn Board of Public Works, the Village of Brownville, the City of Auburn, and Grow Auburn Inc., included updates from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and its consulting partner, 1898 &amp; Company.Nick Wohlers, a representative of 1898 &amp; Company, shared details of the statewide feasibility study, funded by $1 million in federal pandemic aid directed toward strengthening grid resilience in low-income communities. The study aims to evaluate potential locations for SMRs, focusing on key criteria like health and safety, community conditions, flood plains, wetlands, ecological impact, and water availability.Originally, 32 communities were under consideration. As of this year, that list has been narrowed to 16, including Brownville in Nemaha County—a site that gained traction partly due to its proximity to the Cooper Nuclear Station.The project is currently in Phase II, which will further narrow the candidate list to four final locations. Wohlers noted this phase will apply stricter criteria as potential sites are evaluated.Don Buhman, NPPD's Director of Nuclear Oversight and Strategic Asset Management, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the utility’s decades-long track record of safe nuclear power production at the Cooper plant. Buhman explained that SMRs represent a different approach: factory-manufactured, modular units that can be shipped and assembled on-site, rather than massive, custom-built facilities.While acknowledging that the initial costs for SMRs could range from $1 to $4 billion, Buhman expressed confidence that costs would decrease as technology advances and more units are deployed.Buhman also highlighted potential economic benefits, stating that a new SMR could bring hundreds of permanent jobs to the area, along with a significant construction workforce during development.Water usage, a critical consideration, will depend on the size and design of the facility. Some SMRs, Buhman said, may require minimal water or even offer air-cooled designs, making them more flexible in terms of environmental impact.

Brownville Among Finalists for Potential Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Site

A Fairfax man already facing serious charges is now accused of 17 additional counts of possession of child pornography and one count of second-degree child molestation.

According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Andrew Riley, James Ball was initially arrested on June 4 by deputies with assistance from the Cyber Crimes Task Force. At that time, Ball was charged with first-degree sodomy and possession of child pornography.

On June 18, Atchison County deputies amended the probable cause statement submitted to the Atchison County Attorney's Office, resulting in the filing of the new charges.

A Fairfax man already facing serious charges is now accused of 17 additional counts of possession of child pornography and one count of second-degree child molestation.According to a release from Atchison County Sheriff Andrew Riley, James Ball was initially arrested on June 4 by deputies with assistance from the Cyber Crimes Task Force. At that time, Ball was charged with first-degree sodomy and possession of child pornography.On June 18, Atchison County deputies amended the probable cause statement submitted to the Atchison County Attorney's Office, resulting in the filing of the new charges.

Fairfax Man Faces Additional Child Pornography, Molestation Charges

ATCHISON COUNTY —A joint investigation conducted by the Atchison Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation resulted in a number of arrests on Wednesday night, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 The investigation continued throughout the night with police officers, detectives, and KBI agents taking into seven into custody.

Allison R. Blakley, 29, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 600 block College Street on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a controlled substance. Taken to County Jail.

Ivan Cushinberry, Jr., 66, Atchison, arrested at 1518 South 7th Street on requested charges of distribution and possession of cocaine, manufacturing a controlled substance, and distribution and possession of methamphetamine. Shortly before 2:00AM on Thursday officers and agents executed a search warrant at 1518 South 7th Street where numerous items of evidence were seized. Cushinberry was taken to the County Jail.

Cecilia Y. Daniels, 57, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 600 block Commercial on requested charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several traffic charges. Taken to County Jail.

Harold D. Bowen, 76, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 600 block Commercial on requested charges of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

Felicia K. Lynch, 33, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 1200 block South 6th Street on requested charges of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

Kevin V. Maxey, Jr., 37, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 600 block College Street and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and disorderly conduct. Taken to County Jail.

Kattibrie D. Lynch, 30, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 800 block Raven Hill Road on requested charges with possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

ATCHISON COUNTY —A joint investigation conducted by the Atchison Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation resulted in a number of arrests on Wednesday night, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The investigation continued throughout the night with police officers, detectives, and KBI agents taking into seven into custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750969497358.png" alt="Blakley has previous convictions for aggravated arson, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the KDOC." />
 <figcaption>Blakley has previous convictions for aggravated arson, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the KDOC.</figcaption>
 </figure>Allison R. Blakley, 29, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 600 block College Street on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a controlled substance. Taken to County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750969734157.png" alt="Cushinberry photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Cushinberry photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ivan Cushinberry, Jr., 66, Atchison, arrested at 1518 South 7th Street on requested charges of distribution and possession of cocaine, manufacturing a controlled substance, and distribution and possession of methamphetamine. Shortly before 2:00AM on Thursday officers and agents executed a search warrant at 1518 South 7th Street where numerous items of evidence were seized. Cushinberry was taken to the County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750969800559.png" alt="Daniels photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Daniels photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Cecilia Y. Daniels, 57, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 600 block Commercial on requested charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and several traffic charges. Taken to County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750969850282.png" alt="Bowen photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Bowen photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Harold D. Bowen, 76, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 600 block Commercial on requested charges of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750969976133.png" alt="Felicia Lynch-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Felicia Lynch-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Felicia K. Lynch, 33, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 1200 block South 6th Street on requested charges of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750970116281.png" alt="Maxey photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Maxey photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kevin V. Maxey, Jr., 37, Atchison, arrested on a traffic stop in the 600 block College Street and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and disorderly conduct. Taken to County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750970037950.png" alt="Kattibrie Lynch -photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kattibrie Lynch -photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kattibrie D. Lynch, 30, Atchison, arrested following a traffic stop in the 800 block Raven Hill Road on requested charges with possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Taken to County Jail.

Seven arrested in NE Kansas drug investigation

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Questions about the constitutionality of a property tax cap included in the governor’s stadium funding plan earlier this month may draw Missouri lawmakers back into session later this year.

House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, on Monday formed the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform and empowered it to study Missouri’s property tax system and recommend “solutions to ensure fairness, transparency and sustainability for taxpayers and municipalities across the state.”

The committee’s formation comes on the heels of Patterson floating the idea of a special legislative session in September, when lawmakers are already required to consider whether to override gubernatorial vetoes.

“You go around to any of the counties… and they’re bringing up property taxes,” Patterson said earlier this month. “This is a huge problem. I would say it goes to crisis levels.”

Asked about the possibility of convening another special session focused on property taxes, a spokeswoman for Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said he has been “in discussions on this issue and looks forward to reviewing the work of the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform.”

Property taxes are the main source of revenue for local governments, funding schools, public safety and other functions. Rising housing costs, coupled with property reassessments, have put the way the taxes are calculated under the microscope, with lawmakers looking to provide relief to taxpayers without bankrupting local governments.

The topic even emerged as part of discussion over the state’s public school funding formula. A state task force created to study Missouri’s education spending spent its latest hearing this week focused on how property taxes have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/23/missouri-school-funding-task-force-turns-its-attention-to-property-tax-inequities/">contributed funding inequities</a>.

Kehoe called lawmakers back into session earlier this month to consider a $1.5 billion incentive package for professional sports stadiums in Kansas City, he agreed to allow an amendment requiring most counties to put a hard cap on increases in property tax bills.

In 75 counties, tax bills would not increase more than 5% per year from a base amount, or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. In 22 others, no increase in the basic bill would be allowed.There are exceptions built in for newly voted levies and the additional value from improvements.

Many of the larger counties of the state, including Boone, Greene, Jackson, St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis, were excluded altogether from the legislation.

The property tax amendment caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/09/missouri-freedom-caucus-royals-chiefs-stadium/">fissure among conservatives in the Missouri Senate</a>. Some supported the measure in an attempt to win tax relief concessions during the special session. Others decried it as an unconstitutional bait and switch designed to fool taxpayers, pointing to a requirement in the Missouri Constitution that property taxes be “uniform upon the same class or subclass of subjects.”

Even Patterson, who voted in support of the bill that included stadium funding and the property tax cap, acknowledged questions about whether it could survive a constitutional challenge.

“One thing I don’t do is guess what is going to happen in our courts,” Patterson said. “I’ve heard from a lot of attorneys that say it absolutely is. I’ve heard from some that said that it isn’t. I do think it’s constitutional.”

The interim committee created by Patterson will hold seven hearings across the state this summer to gather input and explore legislative solutions. State Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, will serve as chairman.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, will serve as the ranking minority member.

“Property taxes are one of the most common concerns we hear from Missourians,” Taylor said, “and it’s clear that our system needs a closer look.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750932735993.png" alt=" House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, speaks at a press conference at the end of special session on June 11 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, speaks at a press conference at the end of special session on June 11 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Questions about the constitutionality of a property tax cap included in the governor’s stadium funding plan earlier this month may draw Missouri lawmakers back into session later this year.House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican, on Monday formed the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform and empowered it to study Missouri’s property tax system and recommend “solutions to ensure fairness, transparency and sustainability for taxpayers and municipalities across the state.”The committee’s formation comes on the heels of Patterson floating the idea of a special legislative session in September, when lawmakers are already required to consider whether to override gubernatorial vetoes.“You go around to any of the counties… and they’re bringing up property taxes,” Patterson said earlier this month. “This is a huge problem. I would say it goes to crisis levels.”Asked about the possibility of convening another special session focused on property taxes, a spokeswoman for Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said he has been “in discussions on this issue and looks forward to reviewing the work of the Special Interim Committee on Property Tax Reform.”Property taxes are the main source of revenue for local governments, funding schools, public safety and other functions. Rising housing costs, coupled with property reassessments, have put the way the taxes are calculated under the microscope, with lawmakers looking to provide relief to taxpayers without bankrupting local governments.The topic even emerged as part of discussion over the state’s public school funding formula. A state task force created to study Missouri’s education spending spent its latest hearing this week focused on how property taxes have&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/23/missouri-school-funding-task-force-turns-its-attention-to-property-tax-inequities/">contributed funding inequities</a>.Kehoe called lawmakers back into session earlier this month to consider a $1.5 billion incentive package for professional sports stadiums in Kansas City, he agreed to allow an amendment requiring most counties to put a hard cap on increases in property tax bills.In 75 counties, tax bills would not increase more than 5% per year from a base amount, or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater. In 22 others, no increase in the basic bill would be allowed.There are exceptions built in for newly voted levies and the additional value from improvements.Many of the larger counties of the state, including Boone, Greene, Jackson, St. Louis County and the city of St. Louis, were excluded altogether from the legislation.The property tax amendment caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/09/missouri-freedom-caucus-royals-chiefs-stadium/">fissure among conservatives in the Missouri Senate</a>. Some supported the measure in an attempt to win tax relief concessions during the special session. Others decried it as an unconstitutional bait and switch designed to fool taxpayers, pointing to a requirement in the Missouri Constitution that property taxes be “uniform upon the same class or subclass of subjects.”Even Patterson, who voted in support of the bill that included stadium funding and the property tax cap, acknowledged questions about whether it could survive a constitutional challenge.“One thing I don’t do is guess what is going to happen in our courts,” Patterson said. “I’ve heard from a lot of attorneys that say it absolutely is. I’ve heard from some that said that it isn’t. I do think it’s constitutional.”The interim committee created by Patterson will hold seven hearings across the state this summer to gather input and explore legislative solutions. State Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, will serve as chairman.State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, will serve as the ranking minority member.“Property taxes are one of the most common concerns we hear from Missourians,” Taylor said, “and it’s clear that our system needs a closer look.”

Missouri lawmakers could return to session this fall to debate property taxes

The Kansas City Chiefs announced that training camp will be back on the campus of Missouri Western State University for a 15th year this summer.  

Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter says the relationship with the Chiefs has been great, but the existing agreement ended after last year's camp, and things have changed quite a bit since camp first came to the college 

"They were great to work with, they were really good, really attentive, and it just kind of picked up a little steam as we started looking at things a little differently, both sides," Carter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "And I think this is a natural progression of what the future looks like, and I'm excited about it." 

Carter says since the camp announcement, he's heard a lot of excitement about the Chiefs coming back for another year.  

A failed capital improvement plan did cause some doubts about camp at Missouri Western.  

House Bill 19, which the House Budget Committee chair did not even bring to a vote, contained $2.8 million that Carter says would have helped to offset the cost of training camp 

Carter says it would have helped Missouri Western meet the needs of the Chiefs during Training Camp, without sacrificing the colleges mission of educating young people 

"It gave everybody a little bit of a pause, but we quickly got right back in and dug through and figured out some ways that we could make this happen, and I feel good about where we are," Carter explains.  "And we have the ability to continue to have dialogue with them about what the future looks like and I think it looks really good." 

The Chiefs and Missouri Western agreed on a multi-year extension to keep training camp in St. Joseph, starting with the camp this summer.  

Carter says it's especially exciting for him to have the Chiefs in town because it feels like the kickoff to the fall sports season on campus 

"To me fall on a college campus, that's where it's at, the energy level, the excitement level, all of that's there," Carter says.  "And our fall sports are going to be really, really good this year and I'm excited about getting into the school year and having all that happen." 

The Chiefs hold their first practice on July 22nd for season ticket members, and the first open to the general public on July 23rd.  The full team reports to St. Joseph July 20th. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE The Kansas City Chiefs announced that training camp will be back on the campus of Missouri Western State University for a 15th year this summer. Missouri Western Athletic Director Andy Carter says the relationship with the Chiefs has been great, but the existing agreement ended after last year's camp, and things have changed quite a bit since camp first came to the college "They were great to work with, they were really good, really attentive, and it just kind of picked up a little steam as we started looking at things a little differently, both sides," Carter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And I think this is a natural progression of what the future looks like, and I'm excited about it." Carter says since the camp announcement, he's heard a lot of excitement about the Chiefs coming back for another year. A failed capital improvement plan did cause some doubts about camp at Missouri Western. House Bill 19, which the House Budget Committee chair did not even bring to a vote, contained $2.8 million that Carter says would have helped to offset the cost of training camp Carter says it would have helped Missouri Western meet the needs of the Chiefs during Training Camp, without sacrificing the colleges mission of educating young people "It gave everybody a little bit of a pause, but we quickly got right back in and dug through and figured out some ways that we could make this happen, and I feel good about where we are," Carter explains. "And we have the ability to continue to have dialogue with them about what the future looks like and I think it looks really good." The Chiefs and Missouri Western agreed on a multi-year extension to keep training camp in St. Joseph, starting with the camp this summer. Carter says it's especially exciting for him to have the Chiefs in town because it feels like the kickoff to the fall sports season on campus "To me fall on a college campus, that's where it's at, the energy level, the excitement level, all of that's there," Carter says. "And our fall sports are going to be really, really good this year and I'm excited about getting into the school year and having all that happen." The Chiefs hold their first practice on July 22nd for season ticket members, and the first open to the general public on July 23rd. The full team reports to St. Joseph July 20th. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

MWSU AD Carter excited to see Chiefs return to campus

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Nodaway County continues to benefit from strong local support, most recently receiving a $1,750 donation from Southern Bank on June 9.

Pictured during the check presentation were Kimberly Ferrell and Community Bank President David Schmidt of Southern Bank, along with Lynette Harbin, executive director of BBBS. The funds will support mentoring programs for local youth.

In addition to Southern Bank's contribution, Evergy has also provided financial support to the organization in recent weeks.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Nodaway County continues to benefit from strong local support, most recently receiving a $1,750 donation from Southern Bank on June 9.Pictured during the check presentation were Kimberly Ferrell and Community Bank President David Schmidt of Southern Bank, along with Lynette Harbin, executive director of BBBS. The funds will support mentoring programs for local youth.In addition to Southern Bank's contribution, Evergy has also provided financial support to the organization in recent weeks.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Receives Donations from Southern Bank and Evergy

Fewer residents took part in this year’s Spring Citywide Cleanup, but city officials still call it a success.

At their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved Shenandoah Sanitation’s report for the event held May 15–17, authorizing payment of $20,514.32 in expenses.

According to Kelsey Bergeson, Shenandoah Sanitation's customer service representative, 668 vehicles came through this spring, down from 802 last year. She credited the decline in part to the company's monthly bulk pickup days, which she says are helping to distribute waste disposal throughout the year.

Bergeson also said the company’s recent route changes and updated postcards highlighting the bulk pickup option may help reduce the need for large-scale events in the future.

Mayor Roger McQueen echoed the sentiment, pointing to last fall’s smaller-scale event, which drew 322 vehicles, as part of a strategy to prevent residents from accumulating excessive junk between cleanups.

Breakdown of daily participation for the spring event:

Fewer residents took part in this year’s Spring Citywide Cleanup, but city officials still call it a success.At their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Shenandoah City Council unanimously approved Shenandoah Sanitation’s report for the event held May 15–17, authorizing payment of $20,514.32 in expenses.According to Kelsey Bergeson, Shenandoah Sanitation's customer service representative, 668 vehicles came through this spring, down from 802 last year. She credited the decline in part to the company's monthly bulk pickup days, which she says are helping to distribute waste disposal throughout the year.Bergeson also said the company’s recent route changes and updated postcards highlighting the bulk pickup option may help reduce the need for large-scale events in the future.Mayor Roger McQueen echoed the sentiment, pointing to last fall’s smaller-scale event, which drew 322 vehicles, as part of a strategy to prevent residents from accumulating excessive junk between cleanups.Breakdown of daily participation for the spring event:<ul>
 <li>Thursday: 189 vehicles
</li><li>Friday: 246 vehicles
</li><li>Saturday (4-hour window): 233 vehicles
</li>
 </ul><h2>Also at Tuesday’s Council Meeting:</h2><ul>
 <li>Three volunteer firefighters were approved: Madison Dickerson, Jonah Chandler, and Jack Campbell.
</li><li>The city’s water ordinance was amended to allow polyethylene pipes as an alternative to copper.
</li><li>The council approved fiscal year 2025 fund transfers to general, debt service, and capital improvement funds.
</li><li>An agreement with Morton Township for fire and emergency services was approved for a three-year term beginning July 1.
</li><li>A public benefit event permit was granted for KMA’s 100th anniversary celebration on September 27, including street closures on North Elm Street.
</li><li>The council ratified salaries and wages for all city employees for fiscal year 2026, as set in the approved budget and union agreements.</li>
 </ul>

Shenandoah Spring Cleanup Declared a Success Despite Lower Turnout

The Maryville Writers Guild invites local writers and history enthusiasts to its next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, at the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum, located at 110 North Walnut Street in Maryville.

This month’s meeting will include a guided tour of the museum and an introduction to the research resources available to the public. Guild members and visitors will have a chance to explore historical documents, photographs, and archives that may serve as inspiration or supporting material for writing projects.

The Maryville Writers Guild invites local writers and history enthusiasts to its next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, at the Nodaway County Historical Society Museum, located at 110 North Walnut Street in Maryville.This month’s meeting will include a guided tour of the museum and an introduction to the research resources available to the public. Guild members and visitors will have a chance to explore historical documents, photographs, and archives that may serve as inspiration or supporting material for writing projects.

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