2025 Year in Review: January through June
January through June
January 2025
Several Scotland County elected officials took their oath of office on December 29, 2024.
The first baby of the New Year was born at Scholand County Hospital. Macie Autumn was born at 10:54 a.m.
Payton Miller received the DAR Good Citizens Award.
The driving while intoxicated criminal case against Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney, was dropped by special prosecutor David Goring, the Adair County prosecuting attorney, just ahead of the trial. One week after the case was dismissed the prosecutor refiled the same criminal charge against Whitney.
Senator Cindy O’Laughlin became the first woman to lead the Missouri Senate.
Northeast Missouri Caring Communities partnered with the Salvation Army for the first annual bell ringing campaign.
Mike Kehoe was sworn in as the 58th Governor of Missouri.
The January SCH Spirit Award was given to Ashley Tharp, RN, BSN.
The Scotland County Courtwarming Royalty were King, Layne Stott and Queen, Payton Miller.
TMJ treatment is now available as Memphis Medical Services.
The Scotland County Hospital earned a grant to stockpile supplies.
Scotland County Hospital and Dr. Randall Tobler were scheduled to appear in court on February 5 for a hearing on Tobler’s attorney fees in the Sunshine Law lawsuit he won against the hospital in November.
February 2025
Jennifer McGoldrick, MLS, was named the SCH Spirit of the month winner.
Dr. Harlo Donelson celebrated his 93rd birthday.
Missouri Sunshine Law Training drew a large crowd in Edina and Palmyra.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe outlined bold education proposals in the 2025 State of the State Address.
Judge Rick Roberts ordered Scotland County Memorial Hospital District to pay Dr. Randall Tobler $27,247.78 in attorney fees and $429.78 in costs after ruling the hospital board violated Missouri’s Sunshine Law.
The 8th grade Lady Tigers qualified for Iowa and Missouri State Championships.
Donna Small, LPN and Carrie Hamner, PT were recognized for 25 years of service with Scotland County Hospital.
A new jury trial was set for the driving while intoxicated case against Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney. The defense for the case won the argument to keep the DWI case in Scotland County.
The Memphis License Office opened again. The new contract was awarded to Taylar Townsend.
March 2025
The Scotland County Farm Bureau celebrated “Thank a Farmer Week.”
Dr. Davis-Humes advocated for rural health care in Jefferson City at the annual Missouri Academy of Family Physicians Advocacy Day.
The Northeast Corner of Widow Sons, Rutledge Chapter #343 Order of the Eastern Star, and the Memphis Lodge #16 A.F. & A.M. each donated to the Memphis Community Players to purchase new lights and controls for the theater.
Scotland County R-1 High School FFA member Zada Ketchum was selected to serve as the 2025- 2026 Area III Sentinel.
A fire caused major damage to a The Cheese Post in Downing, MO.
Third grade student, Chandler Harris was the champion of the Second and Third Grade Spelling Bee.
Fifth grade student, Evolette Hoyal was the champion of the Fourth-Sixth Grade Spelling Bee.
The Hospital Auxiliary donated money for a new Wound Care Center treatment chair.
Dr. Jeff Davis served as Master of Ceremonies at the Physician Advocacy Day at the Missouri Capitol.
High School senior, Owen Brown, earned an “Honorable Mention” in the 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 Program.
NEMR selected three local high school students to attend the 2025 Foundation for Rural Service Youth Tour in Washington D.C. Selected were Katie Halley, Morgan Jackson, and Keregan Middleton.
A powerful windstorm tore off the roof of the former Memphis Mercantile building on the south side of the Memphis Square on March 21. Capstones were also blown from a wall, falling through the awning near Monroe Chiropractic.
Mary Lou Kraus was named the March Spirit of SCH.
Scotland County R-1 High School held their 2025 Prom. The Prom King was Logan Buford, and the Prom Queen was Sarah Xavier.
April 2025
Hopkins Lumber was named the SBA Small Business of the Year.
After serving for 28 years, Shannon Smith retired as a Conservation Agent.
Ravis Kirkland of Memphis was the lucky winner of the quilt donated to the Scotland County Nutrition Site by Tina Newcomb, who made the quilt, and Donna McDaniel, who quilted it.
VFW Post 4958 and its Auxiliary presented a $7,315 check to the Scotland County Cancer Fund.
There was a low turnout in Scotland County as voters cast their ballots in the municipal election. Proposition 1, a county-wide measure to renew a one-half of one percent sales tax for county road improvements, passed with 84.7% approval.
Kwyn Hamlin placed 1st in the high jump, second in the 200-meter dash, and third in the 100-meter at the Clark County Relays.
Longtime Northeast Missouri KMEM broadcaster Rick Fischer died at age 66. He was one of the most recognized and beloved local radio personalities.
Mrs. Jenny Bergeson was recognized as the NEMSCA Elementary Counselor of the Year.
A case of measles was confirmed in Missouri in Taney County.
Alison Closser, RN, BSN, was the April Spirit of SCH winner.
May 2025
Many Memphis FFA members received their State Degrees. They were Jaci Knupp, Emma Carper, Hannah Campbell, Holly Mauch, Kendall Small, Beau Triplett, Merit Miller, Mason Mallett, Brenna Phillips, and Layne Stott.
Hospice of Northeast Missouri recognized Elaine Forrester for her volunteer efforts.
The Scotland County Commission moved forward with the purchase of the former U.S. Bank building in downtown Memphis, citing a growing need for office space and long-term cost savings for county government.
Judges from the First Judicial Circuit honored retiring Judge Rick Roberts.
At the Lewis & Clark Conference meet, the Scotland County track and field lady Tigers performed well. Charlee Holland won first in the triple jump. The 4×100 meter relay team of Holland, McBee, McKinney, and Hamlin placed first as well.
Meagan Weber was the May Spirit of SCH winner.
Chrissie Burkhiser of Scotland County Hospital was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Tom Glass received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
The Scotland County R-1 High School celebrated their graduation on May 18.
Rutledge Eastern Star Chapter No. 343 donated $9,000 to Scotland County R-1 School District to purchase playground equipment. The chapter raised $3,000 locally and that was double matched by the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership Program.
Dane Blessing won the Class 1, District 2 Golf Tournament.
NEMR awarded a $500 Scholarship to Beau Triplett.
The VFW Post 4958 held their 80th annual Memorial Day Service.
The Gorin Board of Aldermen voted to impeach Mayor Frank Nicholson and appointed Teel Pflum as the new mayor during a special meeting held on May 23.
Scotland County Girls shined at the Class 2 Track and Field State Championships. Kwyn Hamlin placed seventh in the 200-meter dash and ninth in the 100-meter dash. She earned a silver medal in the high jump, clearing 1.61 meters. In the 300-meter hurdles, Dean McKinney placed 13th in the preliminaries. Senior Charlee Holland placed seventh in the long jump with a mark of 5.11 meters.
June 2025
The building that was once home to Morris Bros. Chevrolet and more recently Cook Insurance collapsed in downtown Memphis.
Hometown Radio Group GM and Sports Director Corey Stott was honored at the recent MBA convention in the Best Play-by-Play category with a second place in the state award.
Scotland County Hospital welcomed Dr. Lori Claypool, a full-time Obstetrics and Gynecologist.
Doc Wiggins celebrated 60 years in business as the premier veterinarian of Scotland County.
Danny and Terri Emel celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
The Scotland County Lanes closed after 65 years in business.
Many kids attended the Kids’ Safety Day and Ag Day at the Scotland County Fairgrounds.
