Year In Review: 2025

July through December

July 2025

Schuyler R-1 Class of ‘85 gathered for a big reunion.

Two fire departments received state matching grants. Lancaster Fire & Rescue received $1,500 to help purchase chainsaws and leaf blowers. Downing Community Fire Association was awarded $930 to assist purchasing four leaf blowers and a chainsaw.

Mike Scott talked about how newspapers matter, but delivery delays are hurting everyone.

International Rotarians from Africa visited Northeast Missouri.

Demolition work is nearing completion on the south side of the Lancaster square.

Scotland County Hospital celebrated 55 years.

Schuyler County was set to see nearly $340,000 in pavement improvement projects under Missouri’s STIP for fiscal years 2026- 2030.

The Queen City Pioneer Days was set for July 23-26. The 4-H/FFA Royalty were Carson Jackson, Prince; Harper Eddy, Princess; Lydia Melvin, Queen; and Dalton Rodgers, King. The Oldest Resident attending Queen City’s Pioneer Days was Bette Herbert, 101 ½.

NEMOnews Media Group was named to E&P’s 2025 “Media That Matters” Class.

Ryan Meador of Lancaster earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Maryland Global Campus.

August 2025

The Lancaster Old Settler’s Reunion was held on August 1-3. The marshal for the parade was Rita Brunk.

The 2025 Old Settlers Queen was Gerry Ashmead.

Superintendents responded with their thoughts on new laws recently signed by Governor Mike Kehoe. One of the laws aimed to change a statewide ban on student cell phone use during the school day.

The 2025 Glenwood Reunion was held on August 15-17. The Glenwood Princess was Elivia Ferdig.

The Historical Society was on a mission to raise money for a new roof for the W.P. Hall Museum.

The Schuyler County Bighorn Brigade marched in the Antique Fair Parade in Memphis on August 23.

The Schuyler County Rotary partnered with the Schuyler County Council on Aging to invite businesses and individuals to create artwork and display it in the Nutrition Site as a fundraiser.

September 2025

Downing Appreciation Days was set for September 4-6. Little Miss was Dahlia Brimer, Little Mr. was Grayson Gibson, and Princess was Finley Shinn.

The Schuyler County Bighorn Brigade marched in the Downing Appreciation Day Parade.

Gerald and Georgia Ann Robinson of Greentop celebrated their 70th anniversary on September 4.

The Downing High School Class of 1965 met during the Downing Appreciation Days.

NEMOnews Media Group won Five First- Place Awards at the State Newspaper Contest.

The Queen City Board of Alderman advanced multiple items of city business, including approval of a $717,000 sewer system revenue bond.

The Schuyler FBLA traveled to St. Louis for the Cardinals Career Day.

October 2025

=Kade and Chelsea Jackson and family were chosen as the Missouri Farm Family for Schuyler County.

Schuyler R-1 High School announced that Chelsea Miller was awarded a rootEd Undergraduate Scholarship of up to $12,000 annually, renewable for up to five years, to support her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

The Schuyler County Bighorn Brigade marched in the Parade of Champions in Kahoka.

Lindsay Gravett was appointed as Circuit Judge in the First Judicial Circuit. She is the first female presiding judge of the 1st Judicial Circuit.

The Queen City Masonic Lodge #380 A.F. & A.M. celebrated two members. Brother Audrey Drummond and Brother Robert Seamster received their 50-year pins and certificates.

The Schuyler R-1 Class of 1975 held their 50th Class Reunion at Hammermill Restaurant in Downing, MO.

The Schuyler FBLA chapter celebrated Missouri FBLA Day at Truman University.

The Department of Natural Resources awarded $1.79 million to Queen City for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system. The project is estimated at $2.5 million, and the city expects to complete it by April 2027.

November 2025

The Lancaster Fall Festival took place in Lancaster on November 1.

Greg Sharpe officially launched a campaign for Missouri State Senate – District 18.

A 90th birthday party was held in Queen City for Jim McBee.

Schuyler County’s Asher Applegate qualified for the State meet.

Schuyler County’s Adalyn Sevits helped the Missouri 4-H Hippology Team place eighth nationally.

The Schuyler R-1 FBLA officers and members hosted an annual Mom Prom.

Schuyler R-1 honored veterans at the Veterans Day assembly. Veterans and their spouses were welcomed with coffee and refreshments prior to the program.

Schuyler County R-1 earned 79.5% on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 2024-25 Annual Performance Report.

Tiffany Harris, a former Schuyler teacher, illustrated a book called “The Pretend Princess” by Iowa author Lynne Roers.

December 2025

The Schuyler County Health Department announced a contract continuance to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2026.

Automated license plate reader cameras are expanding across Northeast Missouri, helping law enforcement track stolen vehicles and criminal suspects.

A late November snowstorm blanketed much of northeast Missouri with several inches of heavy, wet snow.

The 1st Circuit Children’s Division collaborated with the NE Widows Sons to offer local foster youth and their families with a fun-filled evening. Attendees enjoyed homemade hot cocoa, soup, sweets, making ornaments, decorating cookies, and getting their faces painted.

The Missouri Department of Conservation welcomed 20 new conservation agents. Agent Justin Shearman was assigned to serve Schuyler and Scotland Counties. Agent Jacie Hopfinger was assigned to Putnam County. Agent Andrea Kachuba was assigned to Sullivan County.

NEMR was set to bring high-speed fiber internet to Downing in the spring.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a $3.9M contract to W.L. Miller Company for resurfacing projects in Schuyler and Scotland counties.

A Greentop truck driver is lucky to be alive after a violent rollover crash in Knox County.

Schuyler County welcomes a new youth wrestling club. The Schuyler Youth Wrestling Club, led by head coach Alex Yedlik, officially launched this season. The club has 35 wrestlers.

Donald and Carol Scurlock celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on December 25.

A new minister was hired at the Downing Christian Church. Jake Levett is excited to be the full-time minister at the church.

The Downing Community Fire Association was approved for a state equipment grant of up to $15,000 through the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Cheyenne Neagle, RN, BSN, CRHCP, Director of the Rural Health Clinics at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis received the 2025 Rural Health Champion Award from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.