Year In Review: A Look Back at Schuyler County’s Second Half of 2024
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As the calendar flipped to July, Schuyler County embraced a second half of the year filled with community milestones, celebrations, and forward strides. From the return of cherished traditions to new initiatives and recognitions, the latter half of 2024 showcased the resilience and vibrancy of Schuyler County residents. Let’s dive into the key headlines that defined July through December.
July:
Community Spirit Shines Amid Challenges
The Schuyler County Historical Society kicked off their new season with special events and tours.
Severe weather ripped through Lancaster, leaving lots of destruction after a storm rolled through.
The Scotland County Hospital received an MFA Oil Foundation grant for $2,000 to go towards the purchase of a 2023 Boss Snowrator.
Marissa Buckallew graduated from Graceland University.
Tasheina Dale earned her Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) certification.
Two out-of-state men were arrested in connection with an alleged card skimming incident at the Casey’s store in Lancaster.
The Trump Train was in Lancaster as part of the Schuyler County Political Forum.
The Queen City Pioneer Days & Junior Livestock Show took place July 24-27. The theme was “Happy Trails & Livestock Tails.”
Pioneer Days Royalty were: Prince – Landyn Tallman, Princess – Dally Weaver, King – Tristen Vincent, and Queen – Lily March. Little Miss was Kallie Shirely and Little Mister was Kalvin Shultz. Miss Pioneer was Emersyn Love and Mister was Tuff Hartley.
The Farm Bureau Missouri State Fair Farm Family was the Whitlow Family.
August:
Reviving Traditions and Making Connections
The Lancaster Old Settlers Reunion made a comeback this year after a two-decade hiatus. The theme was “Looking Back, Moving Forward.” Frances Norman was the Grand Marshall for the parade.
The 2024 Lancaster Old Settlers Reunion King & Queen was Ronnie Oliver and Rita Brunk.
The Old Settlers Royalty were: Princess – Parker Kaden, Prince – Jack Buckallew, Little Miss – Kallie Sue Shively, and Little Mister – Leland Ketchum.
The Green Acres Sew & Vac held a grand opening at their new location. The new location is 211 West Grand Avenue in Memphis.
A new 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program started on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Downing First Christian Church in Downing, MO. The program is hosted by chairman, Mike Cantril.
The Cheese Post in Downing was burglarized on Thursday, August 1.
The 47th Annual Field Day event was held at the Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm in rural Novelty, MO on August 1.
The Glenwood Reunion was held August 16-18. The theme was “Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights.”
The Glenwood Royalty were: Prince – Andrew Kimbrell, Princess – Aliyah Snethen, Mini Prince – Daniel Kimbrell, Mini Princess – Evelyn Reed, Boys 0-2 – Hueston Forsythe, and Girls 0-2 – Hollis McCarthy.
Mason Oliver of Glenwood, MO, competed at the AAU Junior Olympics and placed third in the long jump.
Dave Hart from Hart Systems- Advanced Machining and Automation presented a program to the Rotary Club of Scotland County.
Five generations of the Forsythe family gathered together.
The NEMO RPC Housing Enhancement Northeast completed its first building in Lancaster, MO. HEN’s objective is to build and sell single-family homes in the area.
A second wind turbine collapsed in Schuyler County.
September:
Homecoming Highlights and Community Achievements
The Downing Appreciation Days took place September 5 through 7.
Gunner Nagata, from the Big Island of Hawaii, performed guitar music before the “Aloha” Downing Appreciation Days parade.
The Downing Appreciation Days Royalty were Lil Miss – Elle Ward, Lil Mr. – Grayson Gibson, Princess – Butterfly Jackson, and Prince – Gonzalo Cruz.
The Scotland County Hospital was awarded for efforts to improve rural acute cardiac care.
Kelsey Cohagan was named to Missouri State University’s Summer 2024 Dean’s List.
The Schuyler R-1 FBLA Chapter attended a Cardinals vs. Reds game.
The Greentop City Council voted to close two alleys.
The 2024 Homecoming King was Diego Flores, and the Queen was Brenna Whitlow.
October:
Honors, Innovation, and Creative Contributions
Mike Scheib, CEO/ General Manager of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, was honored with the Lifesaving Award by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
The Bighorn Brigade competed at the 33rd Annual Parade of Champions in Kahoka. The band took first place in Class 1A.
Helicopters were flying low in northeast Missouri to study underground aquifers.
A Bible inspired ABC book was published with illustrations by Schuyler County teacher, Tiffany Harris.
Schuyler FBLA Chapter officers attended the Missouri FBLA Fall Leadership Conference.
CAPNEMO held their annual coat drive.
The Schuyler R-1 School Board approved upgrades to the facilities. These upgrades included an outside key system from Doors, Inc., which improved security to the district buildings.
NEMR donated $500 to the Schuyler County Athletic Booster Club.
Western Smokehouse planned to establish a new manufacturing facility in Mexico.
The Scotland County Hospital offered a Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support Program for diabetic patients.
On October 24, the Schuyler County Rotary Club visited Advance Machining & Automation Inc. in Lancaster, MO.
November:
Civic Engagement and Community Support
The Missouri Department of Revenue ushered in a new modernized driver license system.
Mallory Oliver, postmaster in Lancaster, hosted the USPS Customer Appreciation and Meet the Postmaster Day on November 5.
MFA Oil Foundation awarded a grant to the Schuyler County Council on Aging to assist with purchasing two new office computers.
The Schuyler County Boys Cross country team headed to the State meet. The team of Tristen Vincent, Tyson Droste, Gabriel Kimbrell, Jaxson Kaden and Asher Applegate placed third in the Class 1 District meet at Fulton. At State, the team placed 14th overall.
Northeast Missouri Caring Communities (NEMOCC) partnered with the Salvation Army in its efforts to raise money through the annual bell-ringing campaign.
100 year old Frances Norman voted at the Schuyler County Courthouse in Lancaster, MO.
At the general election, there was a high voter turnout of 72.97%, with 1,963 ballots cast from 2,690 registered voters.
The Schuyler County Community Center held a soup supper fundraiser on November 16.
Mom Prom was hosted by the Schuyler FBLA. The evening was filled with dancing, crafts, and bingo.
Hospice of Northeast Missouri celebrated thirty years of service.
The bridge replacement project on Adair County Route A was completed and opened up to traffic.
The Schuyler County Health Department continued to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2025.
Schuyler County students participated in the Truman State University Pitch contest.
December:
Holiday Cheer and Investments in the Future
The Queen City 4-H held their annual Winter Coat Drive & Visit Santa’s Workshop event on December 7.
Scotland County Hospital received a 2024 Rural Health Champion Award.
The Schuyler County R-1 School Board approved many facility improvement projects, including replacing bleachers, installing a new video board, scoreboard, and scorer’s table.
Shawn Corbett was named as the new Superintendent of Schuyler County R-1.
100 Schuyler County children received gifts through the Schuyler County Adopt-A-Child for Christmas program, which is sponsored by Northeast Missouri Caring Communities.
Mallory King passed the exam to become a certified hospice and palliative care nurse.
As we wrap up the review of 2024, the stories from Schuyler County remind us of the power of community, tradition, and progress. From festive celebrations to meaningful upgrades in local facilities, the second half of the year was marked by impactful moments that brought people together. As we step into 2025, let us carry forward the lessons, laughter, and legacy of a remarkable 2024. Here’s to another year of growth and shared successes!
