February 2, 1937 – October 24, 2025 Robert Keith Kerby, age 88 of Glenwood, Missouri passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025, at Cox Hospital in Lamar, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones. He was a teacher, farmer, scholar, historian, world traveler, a beloved father, brother, uncle, a Grampy, a Papa, and a friend. Born on February 2, 1937, in a rented farmhouse northwest of Glenwood, Missouri, Keith was the son of Benjamin Lincoln Kerby and Eileen Kerby Graves. He had an older brother who died in infancy, and his sister Nancy Janette Kerby Ayer was a loving sister until the…

The 1st Circuit Children’s Division collaborated with the NE Widows Sons offering local foster youth and their families a fun-filled evening. Attendees enjoyed varies activities: Homemade hot cocoa, soup and an array of sweets. Children engaged in making ornaments, decorating cookies, and getting their faces painted. The evening’s peak was a visit from Santa Claus. We extend gratitude to all contributors, including the VFW Post 4958 in Memphis. Those interested in donating to future events are encouraged to contact the Widows Sons: Marlin Oberholtzer at 660-341-8680 or Bradley Hamner at 660-341-2454. Back row: Sherri Oberholtzer, Marlin Oberholtzer, Tegan Burbridge, Aimee…

There’s a very old saying: “When God closes a door, he then opens a window.” It has been attributed to both Helen Keller and Alexander Graham Bell. However, it may be in the movie The Sound of Music where it takes on a more Christian reference, according to experts. It implies that when things don’t go according to our plans, there may be benefits or possibilities elsewhere. It’s a good saying for an optimist. It’s like Noah saying, “Well, the garden drowned out, but now I have more time to fish!” I’m an optimist by nature, and I think it’s…

The rush to capitalize on lucrative federal tax incentives is driving utility-scale solar developers into Missouri’s agricultural heartland, treating prime farmland as a cheap, disposable commodity. This solar land rush has created an imbalance of power, leaving small, rural counties financially exposed and fundamentally changing their way of life—often before residents even know what is happening. The Asymmetry of Expertise: Uneven Negotiation Solar developers arrive armed with a team of lawyers, specialized financial analysts, and land acquisition experts who negotiate billion-dollar contracts daily. They face a rural county commission often comprised of part-time, volunteer, or minimally compensated citizens whose primary…

By Emily Bontrager Recipes that stand the test of time and have been passed down through generations are treasured in my family, and I imagine they are in many other families as well. Small boxes of recipes sit in my family’s baker’s cabinet, each one holding a piece of our own type of culinary history. Inside these boxes are recipes that have been saved, handwritten, cut out, or copied onto recipe cards. Some come from my grandmother, Alberta York; my great-grandmother, Ione Gilbert; my great-great-great-aunt, Olive Evans; my parents; and even a few from myself from when I used to…

  Jaws of Life Used to Free Driver From Crushed Truck Cab By Echo Menges   KNOX COUNTY, Mo. — Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 – A rock truck driver from Greentop is lucky to be alive after a violent rollover crash in Knox County Tuesday 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…

MSHP Press Release Portions of Missouri have already been impacted by winter weather. With more winter weather impacting a significant portion of the state, the Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind travelers to practice safe driving behaviors. Before traveling, pay attention to weather conditions and make smart decisions regarding travel. Motorists may check road conditions on MoDOT’s Road Condition Map. The MoDOT Traveler Information Map app can be downloaded for free to your smart devices. If conditions dictate, avoid driving on Missouri’s roadways. If you are traveling, make sure you follow the safety behaviors below: · Make sure…

April 23, 1976 – November 23, 2025 Courtney Marie (Fry) Frederick, 49 of Clarksville, Tennessee, formerly of Queen City, Missouri, passed away at her home. The daughter of Gary E. and Christine Alice (Mueller) Fry, she was born on April 23, 1976 in Kirksville, Missouri. She was a 1994 graduate of the Schuyler County High in Lancaster, Missouri. On November 25, 1995 in Memphis, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Joshua Frederick and to this union two children, Melissa and Gareth were born. After moving to Tennessee in 2018, she met her now fiancé, Richard Cottone who she is…

On an October drive back from a waterfowl hunt in South Dakota, riding shotgun with me was good friend and fellow church member Mark Arnold. On such trips, those riding shotgun have two purposes: first, to make sure we don’t get lost and take the wrong turn; second — and certainly more important — to keep the driver from drifting off and falling asleep at the wheel. This may sound like no big deal, but after three mornings of getting up early and then doing the same to make a nine‑hour drive home, it can turn into a long nine…