By Emily Bontrager The First Baptist Church in Memphis, Missouri welcomed its new senior pastor, Patrick Wilson, in December. Pastor Wilson and his wife, Donna, recently moved to the area and are excited to become part of the community. Pastor Wilson, 59, grew up in Emerson, Missouri, and graduated from Marion County R-II in 1984. He joined the Air Force immediately after high school and later attended Hannibal- LaGrange College for two years. It wasn’t until 2018 that he felt the Lord calling him to ministry. He attended Southwest Baptist University, graduating in 2020 with a degree in Christian Ministry.…

Bond and Wayne’s friendship goes back to their days playing on the USC college football team. In the movie, Bond’s character works hard at maintaining the peace, but he also enjoys fly fishing for a huge salmon that lives in a particular stream near the town of Innisfree, Ireland. I know full well it’s just a movie, but I connected with Father Lonergan. He reminded me of my pastor for many years, Dr. David Castrodale. I knew I could ask him anything at any time for advice; I knew he loved the Lord and was serious about his duties. But…

Storm Spotter Training in Edina on Jan. 27 By Echo Menges The National Weather Service St. Louis office has released the 2026 list of on-site and online storm spotter training opportunities. The training is a free offering to communities throughout the office’s coverage area, and everyone with an interest—especially those living in a severe-weather-prone region like ours— is encouraged to participate. There is no prerequisite to take the two-hour training for the first time or to refresh your knowledge for those who have taken storm spotter training in the past. This year, The Edina Sentinel/ NEMOnews Media Group is partnering…

By Echo Menges MEMPHIS, Mo. — The first baby of the new year has arrived at Scotland County Hospital. Abel Drew Walton, son of Andrew and Rebecca (Whitmire) Walton of Hurdland, was born at 8:03 p.m. Jan. 7, 2026. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Abel was welcomed home by his big sister, Raeann, age 4. To celebrate his arrival, the Walton family received a bundle of gifts donated by local businesses and community members, including: Community Bank of Memphis, Country View Store, Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri, Hawkins-Harrison Insurance, Kay Eggleston Bookkeeping & Tax,…

By Echo Menges RUTLEDGE, Mo. — Family, friends and neighbors gathered Friday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Rutledge Community Center to celebrate a milestone few reach — Marge Ward’s 100th birthday. Ward officially turned 100 on Dec. 21, but the celebration came a day early, filling the community center with conversation, laughter and a steady flow of visitors eager to share memories and well wishes. Guests enjoyed a meal, birthday cake and time visiting with Ward, who sat in a place of honor wearing a tiara beneath a festive pink-and-gold balloon backdrop, greeting everyone who came through the door. The…

We sat in the dark, listening carefully for any noise to let us know our target creatures were getting close. Years of shooting a gun without hearing protection has curtailed my hearing, but when I heard my hunting buddy say, “I just heard them,” I walked out quickly and turned on the H.S. Undertaker electronic call. After returning to my makeshift blind of stacked dead brush, I settled in. That’s when I saw the crows heading across the field, winging in our direction. They were higher than I would have liked, but these were not the foolish birds that come…