Featured News
“We Just Want Our Sister Home” Community Rallies Around Watts Family During Prayer Vigil
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Hundreds gathered Saturday evening on the Knox County Courthouse lawn in Edina for a community prayer vigil for missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts as the search for the 35-year-old entered its fifth day. Residents from across Knox County and surrounding communities joined local pastors, law enforcement supporters, family members and friends during the hour-long vigil organized by the Knox County Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Brian Burton of Edina Assembly of God Church opened the vigil by encouraging the community to remain hopeful while continuing to support both the family and investigators. “We come together as…
Read MoreHolland, Buford Medal at State for Scotland County
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Scotland County earned two all-state medals at the MSHSAA Class 1 state track and field meet May 22-23 at Jefferson City High School. Charlee Holland led the Lady Tigers with a fourth-place finish in the girls long jump, recording a leap of 5.09 meters. Holland also competed in the triple jump, placing ninth with a mark of 10.1 meters. Matyson Buford added another state medal for Scotland County in the girls discus, placing sixth with a throw of 32.23 meters. Buford also placed 13th in the shot put with a throw of 9.61 meters. Kierstyn Moore…
Read MoreMemphis Memorial Day Service Honors Fallen Heroes
MEMPHIS, Mo. — A bright sun shone over the Scotland County Courthouse lawn Monday morning as about 300 people gathered for a tradition built on memory, gratitude and sacrifice. The 81st annual Memorial Day Service, hosted by Wallace W. Gillespie Memorial Post 4958 VFW, brought veterans, families, local residents, students and community members together May 25 in downtown Memphis. Flags moved gently in the morning air as the crowd gathered not for a celebration, but for a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom. Air Force veteran Billy Davis, a 1969 graduate of Gorin R-III, served as the featured speaker.…
Read MoreDraft STIP Lists $3.1 Million In Scotland County Road, Bridge Work
Scotland County would see just over $3 million in highway and bridge construction work under MoDOT’s draft 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The draft STIP, which covers fiscal years 2027 through 2031, is available for public review and comment through June 5. Comments may be submitted to MoDOT by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT or emailing STIPcomments@ modot.mo.gov. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is expected to consider the final program July 1. The largest Scotland County project listed in the construction schedule is a $2.207 million U.S. 136 bridge improvement over Gunns Branch, 0.7 mile east of Route MM near Memphis. The…
Read More2026 Northeast Missouri Beekeepers Association Youth Beekeeping Scholarship Recipient
Peightyn Johnson, 10, of Revere, Missouri, was awarded the Northeast Missouri Beekeepers Association Youth Beekeeping Scholarship. The scholarship opportunity was released to the public in December 2024, and all youth (ages 8-18), in Lewis, Clark, Scotland, and Knox counties were eligible to apply. Peightyn Johnson is a 4th grader who loves learning new things and staying busy. Her favorite subject in school is math, and she enjoys reading the Billie B Brown series. Peightyn enjoys dance, tumbling, and pageants, and she stays involved in many activities. She is active in 4-H and was proud to serve as Treasurer for Student…
Read MoreScotland County Sends Seven Entries to State Meet
CENTRALIA, Mo. — Scotland County turned in a strong sectional showing Saturday, May 16, at the MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional 2 track and field meet at Centralia High School, qualifying seven girls entries for the state meet. The top four finishers in each event advanced to state. Matyson Buford led Scotland County with a sectional championship in the discus, winning the event with a throw of 32.44 meters. Buford also qualified in the shot put, placing second at 10.63 meters. Charlee Holland advanced in two field events, placing second in the long jump at 5.15 meters and third in the…
Read MorePatriot’s Service Remembered With Marker Dedication: Scotland County honors Revolutionary War veteran Richard Gale Sr.
MEMPHIS, Mo. — More than two centuries after a teenage soldier from New York first answered the call to serve a nation not yet born, his story was lifted again Friday afternoon in Scotland County. A Revolutionary America marker honoring Pvt. Richard Gale Sr., believed to be the only Revolutionary War veteran buried in Scotland County, was dedicated May 15 at the Downing House Museum Complex in Memphis. The ceremony, hosted by the Jauflione Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, brought together descendants, veterans, local officials, historians and community members for a patriotic program filled with…
Read MoreScotland County Graduates Class of 2026
MEMPHIS, Mo. — Scotland County R-1 High School celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement exercises Sunday, May 17, in Memphis. The ceremony opened with “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Scotland County R-1 Concert Band under the direction of Ben Oliver. Class President Zada Ketchum welcomed family, friends, faculty and community members, saying graduation is about growth and reflecting on the class motto: “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” Ketchum thanked the community, families, advisers, teachers and mentors who helped guide the class to graduation day. High…
Read MoreSheriff: ‘Hundreds’ of Hours Invested in Search for Missing Edina Woman
By Echo Menges MEDIA: Video Interview YouTube Link Below EDINA, Mo. — 1 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026 — Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche said Friday that “hundreds” of man-hours have already been invested in the investigation into the disappearance of missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts as multiple agencies continue working the case around the clock. Watts, 35, of Edina was reported missing Wednesday after family members discovered she was no longer at her residence on North Fifth Street. Authorities have described the disappearance as “very concerning.” Speaking Friday afternoon outside the Knox County Courthouse, Knoche said investigators are…
Read MoreSearch Underway for Missing Edina Woman
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — 5:45 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026 — Law enforcement agencies are investigating the disappearance of a missing Edina woman described by authorities as “very concerning.” Lindsey Watts, 35, of Edina was last seen Tuesday night, May 19, at approximately 11 p.m. by a family member after returning home to 510 N. Fifth St. following her shift at The Blessing Center in Edina. According to Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche, family members discovered Wednesday morning, May 20, that Watts was no longer at the residence. Watts did not report to her scheduled shift at work…
Read More