Area News

Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers can also find locally sourced food and goods.  Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers…

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Students from Scotland County have been attending Truman State University — or the same school under one of its six previous names — for over 150 years. That history is being celebrated this year, and current students are benefiting. Emma Carper is the first ever recipient of the Scotland County Scholarship, which was endowed by generous alumni with connections to SCR-1. Carper, a 2024 graduate of Scotland County, is currently pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders at Truman. She says: “Although I am extremely grateful to be the first ever recipient of the Scotland County…

By Ella Aguilar Artificial intelligence might sound like something built for Silicon Valley tech giants. Still, at this month’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, made one thing clear: AI is already here, and small businesses cannot afford to ignore it. To put the speed of change into perspective, Bareis opened with a comparison. It took the radio 38 years to reach 100 million users. Television reached that milestone in about 13 years. The internet did it in roughly 4 years. Smartphones? Around 2 years. AI tools like ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just a matter of months.  The pace isn’t…

Justin Shearman, the new Missouri Department of Conservation Agent assigned to both Scotland and Schuyler Counties presented a program to the members of the Rotary Club of Scotland County on January 14, 2026. Agent Shearman is a 2013 graduate of Washington High School in Washington, Missouri. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2015-2020. He is a graduate of Lindenwood University in St. Charles with a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. He currently resides in Memphis. There were 20 graduates in his class from the MDC Agent Academy. During the training academy, the agents spend six months housed…

Brandon M. White, captain of the Field Operations Bureau, announces the following promotion effective January 16, 2025: Trooper Cole T. Hinshaw will be promoted to the rank of corporal. Hinshaw was appointed to the Patrol on August 3, 2020. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. On February 1, 2022, Hinshaw transferred to Zone 11, serving the citizens of Randolph and Monroe counties. Hinshaw was then assigned to the Troop B water patrol division in June 2023. In September 2024, he was designated as a Troop B…

Nominations are now open for the Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence. The award was established in 2023 thanks to the generous donation by Drs. Ron and Elsie Gaber of Kirksville to the Hannibal Regional Foundation to support hospice services in northeast Missouri. The endowment created assists in recognizing hospice care workers and volunteers who go above and beyond in their service to hospice care and the patients of Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted for both hospice team members as well as volunteers. Nominations are open until March 9, 2026 and the nomination form can…

Hannibal, Mo. – In partnership with United Way Worldwide, United Way of the Mark Twain Area is promoting My Free Taxes®, a free and secure online tax filing service for individuals and families who earned less than $89,000 in 2025. With no local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites available in the five counties of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area (Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, and Shelby Counties), this is the only option to file federal and state taxes for free locally. MyFreeTaxes.com allows residents to file from their phone, tablet, or computer, often in under an hour.…

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…

Northeast Missouri Caring Communities Partners with Salvation Army for Second Annual Bell Ringing Campaign in Scotland County Northeast Missouri Caring Communities (NEMOCC) is a proud partner of the Salvation Army in Scotland County’s efforts to raise money through the annual bell ringing campaign. Scotland County retains 80% of funds to assist residents in need. During the 2025 Christmas season the local Scotland County R-1 NHS, FBLA, FCCLA, and FFA organizations and community members volunteered to ring the bell at Gas N More, TJ’s Hometown Grocery, and Boyer Event Center. Hair Co., Scotland County Pharmacy, and Corner Studio Salon also agreed…