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I sat in a very comfortable folding chair and had moved my electric heater from inside the cabin to the deck, where I would spend the evening deer hunting. It had been a quiet evening without seeing a deer, but that didn’t surprise me, as I fully expected the deer not to appear until the last 20 minutes of the day. There were plenty of tracks revealing that deer had been coming out to feed on the harvested cornfield I was hunting over. It was the Alternative Methods whitetail deer season, and unlike this year, a deer was needed to…

Hannibal Regional hosted an official groundbreaking for the new state-of-the-art cancer center to be built in Kirksville on Tuesday, December 2. More than 100 community members joined in the event, celebrating a major milestone in Hannibal Regional’s journey to bring radiation oncology services back to Kirksville. Leading the ceremony, Hannibal Regional President & CEO Todd Ahrens shared, “Today marks a very important step to bringing radiation oncology back to Kirksville, as we break ground on our new, state-of-the art cancer center, which should be open to patients in early spring of 2027.” Joining Mr. Ahrens at the podium was Mr.…

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…