Featured News
Ringing 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 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 MoreScurlock’s Celebrate 70th Anniversary
Donald and Carol Scurlock will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on December 25. Their son Jerry (Margaret) Scurlock and daughter Joy (Scott) Aylward will hold an open house for them on December 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the Downing Christian Church. They have four grandkids, Jennifer (Brett) Tuttle, John (Sara) Scurlock, Kimberly (Zac) Campbell, and Laura (Quentin) Winters. They also have nine great grandkids and one great great grandkid. They have worked together on their farm north of Downing their entire lives. They enjoyed camping, boating, hunting, and traveling with friends. Carol was famous for her cakes and chocolate chip…
Read MoreNew Minister at Downing Christian Church
Downing Christian Church has hired Jake Levett to fill the full-time minister position at the church. Jake grew up in Callao, Missouri and said he is a middle child having an older and younger brother. Jake stated that he more or less grew up in the ministry. “The preacher in the Callao Chrisitan Church started a program called “Preacher Boys.” I was one of the very first boys in the program and preached my first sermon at the age of eight. It was probably about three minutes long and out of Revelations. I continued going to classes and took an…
Read MoreSchuyler County Welcomes New Youth Wrestling Club with Impressive First Season
Submitted A brand-new opportunity for young athletes has arrived in Schuyler County: the Schuyler Youth Wrestling Club, led by Head Coach Alex Yedlik, officially launched this season—and the response has been outstanding. The club has 35 wrestlers signed up, marking an impressive start for its first year. Even after registration closed, interest in the program has continued to grow, showing just how excited local families are to bring wrestling back into the community. Practices are underway at the Field House Armory in Kirksville, where athletes are training in the fully equipped combat room. The mix of seasoned wrestlers and first-timers…
Read MoreStudent Safety Guides Winter Closure Decisions in NEMO
By Mike Scott, NEMOnews Media Group NORTHEAST MISSOURI — With winter weather forcing school closures across northeast Missouri, some residents are left wondering why student activities — such as basketball games — sometimes still go on. NEMOnews Media group contacted several area school superintendents who say student safety is always the top priority, even if conditions change throughout the day. “We always make our decisions on what is best and safest for kids,” said Ryan Bergeson, superintendent of Scotland County R-1. “Each situation is unique such as morning, afternoon, and evening temperatures. There are occasions when travel is not safe…
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