2024 Year in Review July through December
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July 2024
Audrey Glass was honored for his 50 years as a Certified Flight Instructor. Over the years, Glass taught around 300 local pilots how to fly.
A thief broke into Zimmerman’s store and restaurant in Rutledge, MO. The burglar forced a customer doorway open, broke into the ATM machine and stole approximately $1,000.
Scotland County Route T, over North Fork Middle Fabius River, 1.9 miles west of Missouri Route 15 near Bible Grove, was completed and opened up to traffic.
The Scotland County Fair kicked off on July 6 and ended July 14. This year’s Scotland County Fair Queen was Emma Harvey and the 2024 Miss Memphis FFA was Hannah Campbell.
The 2024 Scotland County 4-H Royalty were Princess Brinley Shultz, Prince Xander Mathes, Queen Cora Ketchum, and King Jaxon Cowell.
The 2024 Scotland County Fair Scholarship recipients were Hugh Baker and Corbin Blessing.
The 2024 Scotland County State Fair Farm Family was the Musgrove family.
Eighteen students performed in the production of “The Claw” at the Memphis Theatre. This event was sponsored by the Memphis Community Players, Inc.
Jadin Fuller, a Scotland County R-1 2024 graduate, received a scholarship from the Memphis Community Players, Inc. Fuller performed in MCP summer productions during his SCR-1 school careers. He appeared in the 2015 production of “Music Man” and the 2017 show “Oklahoma”.
The Scotland County Rotary Club held their annual banquet to present scholarship recipients with a check and to install officers. The scholarships totaled $2,000 this year and $500 checks were presented to four 2024 Scotland County seniors. The recipients were Kendal Anderson, Hugh Baker, Corbin Blessing, and Mazy
See REVIEW, Page 8
Dodge.
Kendal Anderson was the recipient of the $3,000 American Patriot Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by an anonymous donor who is a retired career military officer.
A town hall meeting was set for July 15 to discuss the Scotland County Nursing Home District Bond Issue. The bond issue would help repair, upgrade, and reopen the Scotland County Care Center in Memphis, MO.
A retirement reception for Dr. Elliott Nissenbaum, Cardiologist, was held July 8 at the Scotland County Hospital.
Demolition work began on the old City Hall building on the southwest corner of the Memphis square. Later in the day, the adjacent building collapsed, causing the Home Style Restaurant to temporarily close.
The Scotland County 4-H and FFA Shooting Sports Programs received donations from Joe McVeigh and Little Fox River Sporting Clays, owned by Dave & Lu Koch.
August 2024
The Memphis Community Player’s put on a production of “Honky Tonk Hissy Fit” at the beginning of August at the Memphis Theatre.
Citizens alleged there were Sunshine Law Violations by the City of Memphis. Jacob and Lexi Howard reported to the Memphis City Council that they were denied public meeting minutes by city staff and the City Administrator. The couple also reported they filed four Sunshine Law violation complaints against the City of Memphis with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
The Cheese Post in Downing was burglarized on August 1. There were multiple items stolen and damage done to the property.
Bible Grove Preservation Days took place on August 17 and 18.
In the race for Western District Commissioner, David Wiggins received 231 votes, while James Spray received 206 votes. Brent Rockhold received 253 votes for Associate Commissioner Eastern District, while Tom Glass received 87 votes. Oleva Frederick received 536 votes for Public Administrator, followed by Serena Stott with 214 votes.
The Scotland County Antique Fair was held August 22 through August 24. The theme was “Yesterday’s Memories & Tomorrow’s Future.”
The First Annual Tiger Football Alumni Night fundraiser on August 3 brought in over $14,000 in donations that went toward the Tiger football program.
A Bike Car Night was held at the Memphis Town Square on August 3. The Grand Prize winners were Chuck Ash and Dustin Kirchner.
On August 17, the Memphis Masonic Lodge #16, A.F. & A.M. presented Brother Max Eggleston with a 50-year pin.
The Wyaconda Tractor Pull announced David Wiggins as the 2024 Honoree. David started pulling when he was 10 years old with a B John Deere.
September 2024
Chris Chinn, Missouri Director of Agriculture was the featured speaker at the Scotland County Farm Bureau annual meeting.
On Wednesday, September 4, Judge Rick Roberts, presiding judge of the First Judicial Circuit, ruled that the media is allowed to take still photos and video record the bench trial of Case No. 23SE-CC00015 – Randall Tobler, MD v. Scotland County Memorial et al.
Olivia Steele, RN, BSN, was the September Spirit of SCH winner.
A newly built bridge was named in memory of the late Ann Schmitz, who is remembered as a proud farm wife, farmer, and mother of six. A dedication and bridge opening ceremony was held ahead of the bridge opening to the public.
Thanks to the organizational efforts of Weaverland Disaster Services and a team of Amish and Mennonite builders in the area, 12 Baring Senior Housing apartments were built in one week.
Batina Dodge of Memphis was among 15 men and women that completed the Leadership Northeast Missouri program.
The 5th Annual Walkin’ in Memphis BBQ Contest was September 27 and September 28. Around 15 teams competed in the contest, which is sanctioned by the Heartland BBQ Society.
NEMOnews Media Group won 10 awards in the Better News Contest, sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. The Memphis Democrat was awarded in the Best Story About the Outdoors category with Emily Bontrager’s feature about 100-year-old hunter Ray Swingle.
October 2024
Scotland County R-1 Schools were awarded a $238,120 grant through a joint funding effort on behalf of the Safe Routes to School Program and the Transportation Alternative Program. The grant funding will allow Scotland County R-1 to improve public access to the school campus with the creation of ADA compliant sidewalks which will connect the entire campus.
Seniors Owen Brown and Kendall Small were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.
The Memphis FFA Girls A Team celebrated their victory as State Champions at the MYSSA State Trap shoot in Linn Creek, competing against 17 squads.
The Scotland County Marching Tigers swept the awards in Class 1 at Highland High School.
Local canoeist, Bill Cottrell, met up with a fellow paddler, Thorin Loeks, a native of the Yukon Territory in Canada on the Missouri River. The two met up in New Haven, Missouri and paddled to the St. Louis Arch.
Laura Crawford showcased a series of paintings in a solo show at Gallery 6202 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The series was titled “Love Letters to Scotland County” and featured seven acrylic paintings.
An original Townsend Wagon was delivered to Memphis and is now being stored at The Wiggens Museum. The wagon was originally built in Memphis in 1874 at the Jackie Goosey building on West Monroe Street.
The Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Halloween Trick or Treat Safe Stop on October 31.
November 2024
The Scotland County R-1 Elementary School held a successful food drive. They collected 2,891 total food items to be donated to the local food pantry and Tiger Pack program.
The bench trial in Case No. 23SE-CC00015, Randall Tobler, MD, v. Scotland County Memorial Hospital District, et al., took place on September 23, 2024. First Circuit Presiding Judge Rick Roberts ruled that the Scotland County Hospital Board of Directors violated the Missouri Sunshine Law.
The Scotland County Hospital issued a response to the judge’s ruling.
Nearly five months after a bench trial in Case No. 23SE-CC00034, Bryan Whitney v. Director of Revenue, Judge Kristie Swaim upheld the mandatory one-year suspension of Whitney’s driver’s license. A jury trial is set in Scotland County for December 16 for Case No. 24SE-CR00006, State v. Bryan Whitney. Whitney is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
In the November 5 general election, Scotland County had a voter turnout of 71.14% with 1,930 ballots cast out of 2,713 registered voters.
A short dedication and bridge opening ceremony was held at the Claude Crook Memorial Bridge on Scotland County Road 961 on November 6.
Kurtis Hurley started his own drone business called Recon1 LLC Drone Services. Hurley’s business provides aerial photography and videography for farms, weddings, and other events. It also provides search and rescue for pets and people, and other services.
Scotland County Senior Vince Dale signed his letter of intent to play baseball at John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL.
December 2024
The Widows Sons hosted a soup supper fundraiser on December 6 at the Masonic Lodge on the square.
Midnight Gladness kicked off on December 6. The Chamber of Commerce Lighting of the Square and annual Christmas Parade lit up the square that evening.
The Scotland County Hospital received a 2024 Rural Health Champion award in Jefferson City.
Minimum wage is set to increase to $13.75 per hour on January 1, 2025.
Dr. Randall Tobler, through his attorney Lowell Pearson, filed an application for his attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the Sunshine Law lawsuit brought against Scotland County Hospital in Case No. 23SE-CC00015.
The Jauflione chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a tree dedication ceremony for Richard Gale, Sr.
Judge Rick Roberts swore in Tom Enloe, Scotland County’s new deputy.
Seniors Vince Dale and Kwyn Hamlin were named to the Tri-Rivers Classic All-Tournament Team.
Scotland County received the Missouri Association of Counties Risk Management Award.
The Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual house and business decoration contest. The 1st place winner in the house category was Sara Eggleston. The 1st place business was the Scotland County Hospital.
A burglar was apprehended during a break-in in Gorin. Scott M. Ebiling was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold at the Scotland County Jail. According to Sheriff Whitney, formal charges were pending.
With the help and support of Randy and Jenny Walker of rural Knox County, the Missouri Disabled Sportsmen hosted their largest hunt for mobility-challenged hunters in the history of the organization.
