Outdoors With Kevin Fox: New Year’s Resolutions or Promises Made and Promises Kept
Another year has arrived, and with it, many resolutions will be made by people who know full well they will never keep them. The usual one is to lose weight. I’ve done that— maybe not as much as I should have—but 40 pounds over a couple of years was enough for me. Besides, I just looked it up: The Earth is spinning right now at a speed of 1,000 miles per hour. There’s probably no danger of my suddenly losing 10 pounds and being thrown into outer space, but why risk it? My resolutions are more like goals for the…
Read MoreYear in Review 2025: Schuyler County Times
In the tight-knit towns of Schuyler County, 2025 unfolded with familiar charm and quiet determination. Whether it was school pride, community service, or longstanding traditions, local residents once again showed what it means to come together and make a difference close to home. As we reflect on the first half of the year, these moments serve as more than milestones—they’re a testament to the values that define life in Schuyler County. From classroom accomplishments to community improvements, here’s a look back at the stories that shaped our year from January through June. January 2025 Several Schuyler County elected officials were…
Read MoreRinging in the New Year, One Tradition at a Time
As the final seconds of the year tick away, people across the globe prepare to welcome the new year with traditions as varied as the cultures that celebrate them. Some rituals involve feasting. Others focus on reflection. Many are rooted in age-old beliefs about luck, prosperity and new beginnings. From fireworks in New York City to grape eating in Madrid, these customs reveal how the human desire for fresh starts is both universal and deeply personal. A World of Celebration In Spain, New Year’s Eve calls for a quick snack: eating 12 grapes at midnight — one for each chime…
Read MoreNeagle Wins 2025 Rural Health Champion Award
Cheyenne Neagle, RN, BSN, CRHCP, Director of the Rural Health Clinics at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis has received the 2025 Rural Health Champion Award from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. The award recognizes Neagle’s visionary leadership and tireless dedication to improving the billing/finances and processes of the Rural Health Clinics that are owned and operated by Scotland County Hospital. This recognition reflects a deep commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for the rural communities served by Scotland County Hospital in Northeast Missouri. According to her nomination, “She has…
Read MoreEDITH GLENN
Edith May Glenn, 101, of rural Ottumwa passed away peacefully early Friday morning December 5, 2025, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born April 11, 1924, to Ada Belle Chambers Smyser and Everett Phillip Smyser. She attended school in Schuyler County, Missouri. On April 29, 1944, she was united in marriage to Earl J. Glenn and they farmed together for over 55 years. Edith’s family always came first, but her passion was horses. She was known for her gentle hands, patient heart, and uncanny ability to calm even the most spirited mare, a gift that seemed…
Read MoreDowning Community Fire Association Approved for State Equipment Grant
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Downing Community Fire Association has been approved for a state equipment grant of up to $15,000 through the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The funding is part of a new initiative aimed at helping small volunteer fire departments purchase critical firefighting equipment. The grant program, announced in October, is designed for departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less. It requires a 5 percent local match, which means for equipment valued at $15,789.47, the department’s contribution would be $789.47, with the state covering the remaining 95 percent. Eligible equipment includes radios, turnout gear, hoses…
Read MoreSchuyler R-1 Board Closes Semester with Audit Approval, Staff Changes, and Student Success Highlights
QUEEN CITY, Mo. — The Schuyler R-1 Board of Education met twice in December, addressing a full agenda of financial oversight, personnel updates, and student-centered reports as the district prepared to close out the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. At a special regular session held on Thursday, Dec. 11, the board reviewed the district’s annual audit report, presented by John Gillum. The audit confirmed that Schuyler R-1 is in full compliance with both state and federal requirements. Following the presentation, the board unanimously approved the audit and voted to retain Gillum’s services for the 2025-2026 school year at…
Read MoreGorin Home Destroyed by Fire, Four Left Homeless
By Echo Menges GORIN, Mo. – Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 – A home in Gorin was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning, leaving four people and two pet dogs displaced just two weeks before Christmas. The family lost all of their possessions in the fire. Volunteer firefighters from the Gorin and Rutledge volunteer fire departments and the Scotland County Ambulance District were dispatched to the fire at approximately 7:44 a.m., arriving to find the home fully engulfed in flames, according to Gorin VFD Fire Chief Kenneth Hoover. When firefighters arrived, flames were visible from windows on the south and west…
Read MoreRock Truck Driver Trapped in Wreckage After Violent Rollover
By Echo Menges KNOX COUNTY, Mo. — Monday, Dec. 9, 2025 – A rock truck driver from Greentop is lucky to be alive after a violent rollover crash in Knox County Monday afternoon. According to a witness, the fully loaded tractor-trailer was headed north on Missouri Route 15 when it rolled completely over—rotating more than 360 degrees—and landed on the driver’s side. The roof of the cab was crushed flat, and the truck came to rest on the north side of the highway at a curve known locally as Three Mile Corner, about three miles north of Edina near Route…
Read MoreLARRY KENNETH HOLMAN
November 4, 1946 – December 9, 2025 Larry Kenneth Holman, 79, died on December 9, 2025, in Monticello, Illinois. Son of Kenneth and Eva Holman, Larry was born on November 4, 1946, in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a 1963 graduate of Scotland County R-1 High School, a 1968 graduate of Northeast Missouri State College with a B.S. in Education, and a 1972 graduate of Central Missouri State University with an M.S. in Education. He was a devoted educator and coach throughout his career. On August 26, 1967, Larry married Sharon Merrell at the Christian Church of La Belle, Missouri. In…
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