A bin that people can place
7159 Hall. A similar bin is placed in front of the Ragan-Hickman American Legion Post 477 Hall/Mercer Community Center. The flags are stored until there are enough for a flag retirement ceremony can be held. Flags are burned as part of a retirement ceremony, per the U.S. Flag Code.
They’re in front of Princeton VFW, Mercer Legion halls
GREG FROST
Special to the Post-Telegraph
MERCER, Mo. As I and my fellow members of the VFW and American Legion who have emptied them have noticed, people in Mercer and Princeton have discovered that there are flag collection bins in front of the VFW and Legion halls in Princeton and Mercer. Both of them have been full more than once with old, worn out American flags that need to be disposed of properly. That is exactly what the bins in front of the buildings are for - so that the public can leave their old flags for us, the VFW and Legion, to dispose of as they should be, in a flag retirement ceremony.
The bins are regular plastic trash cans that were painted patriotically, then placed in front of the buildings by me. The purpose is to provide convenient places where people can drop off American flags that are torn, stained, or otherwise should no longer be displayed. Flags such as these should not simply be thrown in the trash or burned with a person’s paper trash. These flags need to
be disposed of in a formal flag retirement ceremony, which is held by organizations such as the VFW and Legion. During one of these ceremonies, there is a reading for the retirement of the flags, Taps is played, and then the flags are placed in a barrel and burned. Later, the ashes are buried with honor.
If you have any American flags that need disposed of, please feel free to leave them in one of these bins. They will be collected and kept until a flag retirement ceremony is held and then disposed of properly. Old, worn-out American flags may also be left at the Mercer school. Stop by the principal’s office during regular hours, usually 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and leave them at the school.
When a flag retirement ceremony is announced, the public is welcome to attend.
As a final note, in respect to the flags that are in the bins, please do not put trash in the bins, just flags.
Thank you for supporting the activities of the VFW and American Legion posts and its veterans!
SHERIFF JEFF SPENCER
Special to the Post-Telegraph
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office has undergone a lot of changes in 2024. Since becoming your sheriff at the end of March, we have faced many challenges. I am proud to say we have a fully functional Sheriff’s Office.
Mission Statement
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is to enhance the quality of life for all its members of the community by providing quality law enforcement services. We strive to obtain this goal by providing a sense of security to our community and its citizens through dedicated, respectful and progressive service.
Vision Statement
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office will capitalize on its resources to provide a high-quality service throughout the 21st century. We are committed to increasing the public’s awareness level to criminal activities. We shall strive to maintain an atmosphere of trust, mutual support and understanding by participative involvement within the community and with its citizens.
Here are some of the highlights for the year:
• Fully staffed - sheriff and 3 full-time deputies
• Went from monthly pay to semimonthly pay
• Competitive deputy salaries
• All new department-issued firearms at minimal cost to the county
• Department-issued body
cameras
• Department-issued tasers
• Upgraded reporting system and sharing agreements with all surrounding counties
• Expanded radio communications with all surrounding counties
• Updated policy manual
• Obtained a grant from the U.S. Deputy Sheriffs Association for new body armor for all deputies at NO cost to the county
• Obtained a deputy sheriff’s supplemental salary grant which provides deputies with an additional $1,500 a year
One of the main priorities has been crime prevention and community outreach and engagement. My deputies and I have participated in several public events, including school safety programs, civic meetings and charity events.
In line with national trends, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office has had a large increase in mental health crisis calls for service. Recognizing the need for specialized response, the Sheriff’s Office now has a community behavioral health
liaison working at of the Sheriff’s Office one day a week.
Since May 1, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office has answered a total of 1,642 calls for service, made 174 vehicle stops, and numerous misdemeanors and felony arrests. The average daily inmate count is six in custody. As 2024 ends, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office remains committed to serving and protecting the community. Throughout the new year, the Sheriff’s Office is looking forward to working with the newly established 911 board in bringing 911 dispatch back to Mercer County. We are excited to be going to mobile patrol dispatching for our deputies. I am looking into partnering with the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission and seeking a community development block grant to remodel the Sheriff’s Office. This will be to make room for the new 911 center. I would like to thank the Mercer County Commission for putting their trust in m3 to get the Sheriff’s Office back up and running. My family and I would like to thank the community for their support and words of encouragement, and a very warm welcome to Mercer County. Most importantly, I would like to thank Chief Deputy Randy Francis and Office Administrator Brenda Courtney for sticking by him throughout this transitional period.
Sheriff Jeff Spencer became the Mercer County sheriff after the resignation of former Sheriff Jose Lopez.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo. GRM Networks offers six scholarships to rural youth through the GRM Networks Scholarship Program. These scholarships demonstrate the cooperative’s commitment to supporting higher education and aim to empower young individuals by providing them with the financial resources needed to pursue their academic dreams. Additionally, GRM Networks partners with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA
- The Rural Broadband Association, to provide the opportunity for numerous additional scholarships to local students. Students will need to complete two separate applications for these scholarships - one for the scholarships from GRM Networks and one for the scholarships from FRS.
The GRM Networks scholarship awards up to $8,000 in scholarship money. This includes:
• One $2,000 scholarship
• Two $1,500 scholarships
• Three $1,000 scholarships
Students may learn more about the GRM Networks scholarship, and complete an application, at grm.net/aboutus/scholarships/. The application deadline for the GRM Networks scholarship is Friday, Feb. 14. FRS awards several scholarships. Students may learn more about the scholarships available and obtain an application at frs.org/programs/youth-programs/scholarships. Applications must be submitted to FRS no later than Feb. 14.
Special to the Post-Telegraph PRINCETON, Mo. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, Feb. 14 for the GRM Networks’ sponsored Youth Tour to our nation’s capital. This summer, GRM Networks will sponsor two high school students on an all-expense paid, once in a lifetime trip to the 2025 Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour, June 2-6 in Washington. Youth representing GRM Networks will join other students representing rural telecommunication providers from across the United States as they learn
about legislative and government processes and the importance of quality broadband connections. Selected youth will also tour famous historical sites, monuments and meet with representatives from the Federal Communications Commission as well as staff and members of congress from the youth’s congressional district. Youth will also attend sessions focused on developing leadership skills. Area high school students who are age 15, 16 or 17 at the time of the tour, and whose parents or legal guardians are
members of GRM Networks, may apply. Immediate family members of GRM Networks employees and board members are not eligible to participate.
An informational flier and application may be obtained:
• from the guidance counselor at any high school served by GRM Networks
• by visiting any GRM Networks business office and requesting an application
• by downloading the application from grm.net/about-us/ youthtour/
See Youth Tour, Page 2
OBITUARIES
Bessie McLain
Princeton, Mo.
Bessie Mae (Laws) McLain, 90, of Princeton, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 at Pearl’s II Eden for Elders in Princeton.
She was born on January 8, 1935, on the family farm between Princeton and Ravanna the daughter of Elda Stephen and Audra (Pickett) Laws.
Bessie graduated from Ravanna High School in 1952. She worked numerous jobs, sometimes as many as three at a time before retiring from GRM Networks after 22 years. She was the mother of three sons, and one daughter, plus a stepson and a stepdaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert “Bob” Laws and Paul Laws; sisters, Mary Lou (Smith) Wayman and Dixieanna “Ditty” Moore; and her husband, Jack McLain whom she adored.
Bessie is survived by her children, Steve (Cathay) Swan, Lola (Jon) Schreffler, John (Lora) Swan, Matt (Michael) Hydorn, Tracy (Barb) McLain, and Toni (Tim) Dunagan; and 12 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 13 at Roberson Funeral Home in Princeton. Burial followed in Ravanna Cemetery at Ravanna.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. at the church.
The family extends the invitation to celebrate two of Dad’s passionsthe Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas City Chiefs - by wearing red, or Huskers or Chiefs gear, and jeans.
William Shive
Johnnie Eugene Delameter, 81, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 at his home. John was born Sept. 29, 1943 in Mercer County, Mo., the ninth of 11 children to Charles and Opal (Kelley) Delameter.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers HA (Lenora), George (Dorothy), Clay (Louise), Foster (Audrey), Jerrie, and Derald; and a sister, Lillian (Ewalt) Hageman.
He is survived by his son, David of Kansas City, Mo.; his daughter, Beth (Brian) of Bloomington, Ill.; grandchildren Lynna (Anthony) Gaines of Bensonville, Ill., Mikayla (Chris) Snyder of Fort Worth, Texas, Ian (Beth “the younger”) of Normal, Ill., Robert (Mickalya) Delameter of Kansas City, and Levi of Bloomington, Ill.
John is also survived by isters Lea Hickman (Loren), Twylia Hicks, Jo Delameter, all of Princeton, as well as several nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.
His funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Princeton, Mo. John Delameter Princeton, Mo.
Sedalia, Mo.
William E. Shive, 85, of Sedalia, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, Mo.
His graveside service, with military honors, was held Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, Mo. Visitation was held at Roberson Funeral Home in Princeton. Pallbearers were Brad Summers, Craig Summers, Terry Summers, Kelby Shive, Matthew Rohner, and Aaron Shive. Honorary pallbearers were Donald Ray Summers, Harold Minshall, Frank Minshall, Sonny Shive, and Art McElroy.
Memorials are suggested to the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel; 519 South Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301.
Born March 3, 1939 in Kansas City, Mo., he was the son of the late Arthur A. “Mac” McElroy and Vivian Kathleen Krebs McElroy. On Feb. 20, 1965 in Princeton, he married Carolyn J. Minshall, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 2, 2010.
He is survived by two sons, Dwayne G. Shive (Sara Dunn), and Billy Shive, all of Sedalia; three grandchildren, Aaron Shive (Ashley), Kelby Shive (Leah), and
Madison Rohner (Matthew); five great-grandchildren, Carolyn Shive, Charlotte Shive, Braxton Rohner, Peyton Shive, and Brayden Rohner; two brothers, Art McElroy of Egin, Minn., and Henry “Sonny” Shive of Glasgow, Mo.; and a sister, Betty Lou Ferkenhoff.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Jo Ann Herbert and Linda Sue Powell.
Mr. Shive was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. He was a 1957 graduate of Hickman High School in Kansas City. He retired after twenty-six years of active duty in the military, and later worked with Job Services in Sedalia and Raymore, Mo., before his retirement.
From Page 1
Completed applications must be submitted no later than Feb. 14, and may be submitted:
• by email to Amy Davison at adavison@corp. grm.net
• by mail to Amy Davison, GRM Networks, 1001 Kentucky Street, Princeton, MO 64673
• in person at any GRM Networks business office, attention Davison
A committee of GRM Networks employees and board members will interview finalists on March 6, at the GRM Networks business office in Princeton. Applicants must be able to attend this interview. Questions regarding the Youth Tour should be directed to Davison at 888-748-2110 or at adavison@corp.grm.net.
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
MELANIE CHANEY
Not much to say as far as I know from around the ‘Ville! Please send me news for the papers!
There is no school on Jan. 20. There are basketball games at Cainsville on Jan. 21 against Grundy County/Newtown-Harris. There will be a school board meeting Jan. 23. Homecoming will be Feb. 7.
There is a fundraiser to help with expenses while dealing with some health issues for Lyle Parkhurst.
Lyle is the custodian at Cainsville R-1. Alex Irvin has donated a knife that he made for a raffle. There will be a freewill donation supper and auction on March 1 also. More information to follow.
Lakelynn Chaney and Lilah Chaney celebrated their second birthday on Jan. 8. Have a great week!
305 West Main, Princeton 660-748-3630
JANUARY 2025
WIC services
Thursday, Jan. 23, at office, by appointment. Open lab Friday, Jan. 24, 8-10 a.m., by appointment. Other items
• Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Board meeting: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m.
• The MCHD is still offering COVID-19 and flu shots for all persons 6 months of age and older regardless of insurance status; state vaccine provided by VFC and 317 programs. Regular and high-dose flu shots
are available. RSV vaccines may be available for those age 60 or older, and women during their 32nd through 36th weeks of pregnancy. Inventory is limited. A monoclonal antibody injection is also available for infants in their first RSV season. Call 660748-3630 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Friday, Jan. 3
• David E. Stutzman to Carlos Romero.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
• Carlos Romero to Carlos L. Romero, co-trustee, et ux.
• Donald M. Shaw Sr. to Miles Tratchel.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
• Kelly D. Coin to Kaleb Linn et al.
• Amy R. Cool to John Knepper.
Thursday, Jan. 9
• G.D. & R.J. Inc. to F. Danny Derry.
• G.D. & R.J. Inc. to Jonas Swartzentruber.
The Princeton PostTelegraph strives for accuracy and fairness in all of its news stories and photo captions. If you feel we have made an error, please contact us at 660748-3266 or posttele@ grm.net (email) to request a correction. If it is found we are in error, we will be happy to publish a correction or clarification.
SUBSCRIBE to the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
Judge Matt Krohn
Persons listed in this report are Missouri residents unless otherwise noted. Addresses shown are those of the defendants on the day their cases were heard. Defendants in criminal cases were represented by counsel unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
• State vs. Michael Penrod, Ottumwa, Iowa: Penrod appeared in custody without counsel for a probation violation hearing involving his 2022 convictions for Class D felony first degree tampering with a motor vehicle, Class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, Class D misdemeanor operated vehicle on highway without a valid license (first offense), and Class A misdemeanor failure to drive on the right half of roadway when roadway was of sufficient width, resulting in an accident. The circuit clerk called Penrod’s attorney, who said he was headed to Sullivan County for a case and could not be in Mercer County. Penrod was given the opportunity to address the court regarding the conditions of release, but the court did not modify conditions of release. The matter was set for a confined docket hearng or initial appearance on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. The court is available sooner and counsel may schedule the hearing sooner on a mutually acceptable date and time.
Judge Alex Van Zandt
NOTES: Persons listed in this report are Missouri residents unless otherwise noted. Addresses shown are those of the defendants on the day their cases were heard. Defendants in criminal cases were represented by counsel unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
• State vs. Derek W. Allen, Pass Christian, Miss.: Allen did not appear on a Class A misdemeanor chargge of take, attempt to take, and/ or possess deer without deer permit (non-resident). A warrant for his arrest was issued, with bond set at $10,000 cash only.
• State vs. Christopher Gene Baker, Princeton:
Baker appeared on a Class C misdemeanor charge of failure to drive on the right half of roadway when roadway was of sufficient width. At his request, cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. for plea or trial setting. Baker also appeared on a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. At his request, cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. for plea or trial setting.
• State vs. Ian S. Campbell, Princeton: Campbell appeared without counsel on a Class A misdemeanor charge of take, attempt to take, or pursue wildlife with aid of artificial light. He entered a plea of guilty, and the court accepted a plea agreement submitted by him and the prosecuting attorney. Imposition of sentence was suspended, and Campbell was placed on probation for one year. He was ordered to pay $300 to the county law enforcement restitution fund and $92.50 in court costs within 30 days, and was ordered to perform 20 hours of community service within six months. Cause continued to July 11 at 9 a.m. for a docket call. Costs of the action were taken from the bond Campbell posted.
Campbell also appeared without counsel on a Class A misdemeanor charge of take, attempt to take, or possess furbearers in closed season by hunting methods. He entered a plea of guilty, and was ordered to pay a $249.50 fine, $92.50 in court costs, and $300 to the county law enforcement restitution fund within 30 days. Costs of the action were taken from the bond Campbell posted.
• State vs. Salima Kristina Matysyuk, Sedalia: Matysyuk was scheduled to appear on a Class B misdemeanor charge of exceeded posted speed limit by 20-25 mph.
Cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. for a docket call.
• State vs. Kelsey Jada Michael, Mercer: Michael appeared on a Class D felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, a Class D misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and Class A misdemeanor charges of fourth degree assault (special victims) and resistinng or interfering with arrest, detention or stop. The court denied her request to amend her bond. Cause was continued to Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. for a docket call and a waiver, plea or trial setting.
• State vs. Charles Hans Morasch 3, Lee’s Summit: Morasch was scheduled to appear on a Class C misdemeanor charge of exceeded posted speed limit by 6-10 mph. Cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. for a docket call.
• State vs. Marc A. Niolet, Pass Christian, Miss.: Niolet did not appear on a Class A misdemeanor charge of take, attempt to take, and/ or possess deer without deer permit (non-resident). A warrant for his arrest was ordered issued, with bond set at $10,000 cash only.
• State vs. Johnathan M. Rumsower, Mercer: Rumsower appeared on a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated, and Class A misdemeanor charges of operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, involving an accident, and resisting or interfering with arrest, detention or stop. The court denied his request to amend his bond. Cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. On Jan. 8, Lauren Horsman withdrew her services as Rumsower’s attorney.
• State vs. Dereck Lee Raines, Princeton: Raines appeared on a Class A misdemeanor charge of stealing. A jury trial was set for May
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
15 at 8:30 a.m., with a pre-trial conference set for April 15 at 9 a.m.
• State vs. Jason Wayne Perkins, Bethany: Judge Van Zandt moved to recuse himself from hearing the case because in his previous capacity as Harrison County prosecuting attorney, he argued for the continued confinement of Perkins and had intimate knowledge about the case. Cause continued to Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.
He was recused from the case on Jan. 8, and a request for a new judge was delivered to 3rd Circuit Presiding Judge Matt Krohn on Jan. 9.
All menus subject to change. PRINCETON Breakfast is available to all students. It is served with a choice of 1% white milk or skim chocolate milk. Cereal is available as an option every day except where noted. Fruit and juice are available every day. Nutri-grain bars are available on select days. Monday, Jan. 20: no school.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: pancakes, sausage patty.
Wednesday, Jan.
22: muffins, yogurt. Thursday, Jan. 23: scrambled eggs.
Friday, Jan. 24: biscuits, sausage gravy. Lunch is served with the choice of 1% fat-free white milk or fat-free chocolate milk. Students in grades K-5 have the choice of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or the menu entree. Students in grades 6-12 have the option of a chef salad or the entree every day unless noted. All bakery items are whole wheat or whole grain. Fruit is served with lunch.
Monday, Jan. 20: no school.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: chicken sandwich or hot dog, chips, broccoli with cheese.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: chicken fajita or burrito, Spanish rice, buttered carrots.
Thursday, Jan. 23: chili or Boston clam chowder soup, crackers, peanut butter sandwich, celery sticks, baby carrots.
Friday, Jan. 24: pepperoni pizza or mac and cheese bits, buttered corn, cottage cheese, no bake cookie.
MERCER
Breakfast is served with orange juice and white or chocolate milk. Cereal is an optional entree.
Mondays: egg entree. Tuesdays: cereal, toast. Wednesdays: breakfast roll. Thursdays: sausage, pancakes. Fridays: biscuits, gravy.
Lunch is served with milk. A salad bar and fruits and vegetables are available every day, except where noted. Students in grades PK-6 will have the choice of option A or a chef salad. Students in grades 7-12 will have the choice of either option or a chef salad.
Monday, Jan. 20: no school.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: a) beef and noodles; b) ham sandwich; mashed potatoes, green beans, roll.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: a) deli sandwich, chips; b) chili, peanut butter sandwich; mozzarella sticks.
Thursday, Jan. 23: a) hot ham and cheese; b) goulash, breadstick; carrots.
Friday, Jan. 24: a) burritos; b) baked potato; fried rice, chocolate chip cookie.
CAINSVILLE
Breakfast is served with fruit, juice, and milk.
See School food, Page 4
WOOD’S GUN SHOP
5 Miles South of Ravanna
660-748-5795
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-2-2025-ufn SERVICES
Boyer Land Company LLC
Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673
660-748-6314 YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-4-2024ufn
For Sale - Large round bales of hay. Never wet. 660953-0522.
1-16/1-23/1-30/2-6pd
For Sale - 95 large round grass hay bales. Plastic twine. $57 per bale. 201 bales net wrapped hay. $65 per bale. Call 660-292-0139. 1-16/1-23b
For Sale - Large round hay bales. Raymond Donelson, 660-748-3176.
12-26/1-2/1-9/1-16pd
For Sale - Big bales of hay. 2024 cutting. $50 each. More info call 660-373-1865 or 816-863-2918. 1-9/1-16pd NO HUNTING
NOTICE - Hunting and trespassing with dog and/or gun, trapping or fishing on land owned or leased by the undersigned is strictly forbidden. You are hereby warned to keep off these properties. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan. 4-25-24-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Highland Farms land owned and operated by Dixie Berger, Joe Berger & Steve Berger. 5-16-24-52tp
Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC. 3-21-24-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider 10-8-24-52tp
No hunting or trespassing of any kind, including but not limited to use of dogs or drones, on land owned by Diane Houk and Jenny Bomgardner. 9-26-24-52tp
Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom and drones on land owned and/or rented by KRW5 Trust (Keith or RaeLynn Weaver). 10-3-24-52tp
No hunting or trespassing on any land owned by Bill and Peggy Heck. 5-30-24-52tb
No hunting, trespassing or fishing on property owned, leased or rented by Shirley or Joe Don Pollard. 4-19-24-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Choate property at any time. 3-28-24-52tp No trespassing on property owned by Shandra Morin 4-11-24-52tp
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION
Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission.
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted. Monday, Jan. 6
• County Clerk Judy Hamilton gave the oath of office to 2nd District Commissioner Gary Porter.
• Minutes of the Dec. 30 meeting were approved.
• End-of-year bills dated Dec. 31, 2024 were approved and paid.
• Commissioners received the December motor equipment expense reports from Sheriff Jeff Spencer for vehicles assigned to himself and Deputies Jordan Boswell, Randy Francis and Trever Ratliff, and the transport vehicle.
• Commissioners received December fees collected from Hamilton and Assessor Dana Widner.
• Circuit Clerk and Recorder Tammy Crouse presented the December uniform disbursement record, receipt and disbursement report, and list of land transfers.
•Commissioners received the monthly balance sheet from Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore, as verified by Hamilton. Hamilton also presented the year-todate revenue and expenditure reports.
• Commissioners voted to remove the names of former Associate Commissioners Cheston Easter and Zachary Martin from the county’s bank accounts at First Interstate Bank, and to add new Associate Commissioners Denny Power and Porter, along with current signers, to two checking accounts, two savings accounts and two certificates of deposit.
Besides Power and Porter, signers are to be Moore, Presiding Commissioner Jerry Allen, and Hamilton, with all powers on accounts. First Interstate Bank
was to have paperwork created for signatures at the commissioners’ Jan. 13 meeting.
• Commissioners appointed Hamilton as official budget officer.
• Widner spoke to commissioners about settling for T-Mobile’s protested taxes. She has contacted her attorney about this.
• 3rd District House Rep. Danny Busick spoke to commissioners.
• Commissioners and Hamilton reviewed the 2025 Mercer County budget, which was made available to the public in her office on Jan. 10.
• Commissioners spoke with Road & Bridge Supervisor Shawn Powell about 2025 equipment needs. He said he would like to budget for a tractor, a brush cutter trade and a dump truck.
• Commissioners worked through the lunch hour to finish business. They adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
School food From Page 3
Mondays: breakfast burrito, cereal, toast. Tuesdays: french toast with syrup and peanut butter, turkey sausage. Wednesdays: cereal, toast, hash brown patty, scrambled eggs. Thursdays: pancake, turkey sausage. Fridays: biscuits, gravy.
Lunch is served with milk. Fruits and vegetables are available every day, and students are required to have at least one cup of either on their tray.
Monday, Jan. 20: no school.
Tuesday, Jan. 21: hamburgers, french fries.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.
Thursday, Jan. 23: burritos, Spanish rice. Friday, Jan. 24: ham and cheese wrap, chips.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment for religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
POST-TELEGRAPH MISSION STATEMENT
(What we try to do every week)
“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process WE WILL CATCH EXCELLENCE.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
MERCER BASKETBALL Cardinal teams sweep East Harrison in HDC openers
Girls hold on late for league win; boys steadily build double-digit cushion to capture triumph PRESTON COLE Princeton Post-Telegraph
RIDGEWAY, Mo. On a night where offense was hard to come by, Mercer’s girls found just enough of it to upset East Harrison 25-24 in the Cardinals’ HDC Conferencd opener.
Mercer (3-7, 1-0 HDC) took the lead in the first quarter, as led by Ashlynn Brown and Payton Houk getting 4 points each, the Cardinals outscored East Harrison’s Karlee Crouse 10-7 during the opening frame. Each team scored 5 points in the second quarter, with Houk and the Bobcats’ Jayleigh Arndt both sank 3-point shots, and the Cardinals led 15-12 at halftime.
The offensive pace slowed even further in the third, as both teams had two girls make 2-point goals. The 4-4 standoff sent the game to the fourth quarter with Mercer still up by 3, 19-16.
Mercer hit just one bucket in the final stanza, by Brown, but Houk (2-of-2) and Lily Stark (2-of-4) contributed important free throws. Crouse hit a 3 and a free throw, and Lainey Thompson and Bree Vaughn added buckets as East Harrison (5-3) outscored Mercer 8-6 down the stretch.
Payton Houk led Mercer with 11 points and Brown added 10 for Mercer. Other scoring: Stark 2, Bailey Houk 2.
Crouse led East Harrison with 11 points. Other scoring: Sloane McLain 4, Vaughn 4, Arndt 3, Thompson 2.
A crucial part of the Cardinals’ win was their foul shooting, especially in a game where not many free throws were shot - a combined 10, if you’re keeping track. Mercer made 6-of-8 at the stripe, while the Bobcats went 1-of-2, both by Crouse in the fourth period.
Mercer boys pull away over final three quarters to claim conference triumph
The Cardinal guys outscored East Harrison 37-25 over the final three periods, 22-10 during the middle two periods, to get their HDC league win.
Freshman Brett Hashman had the hot hand early on, scoring 9 of Mercer’s 10 first-quarter points to boost the Cardinals (4-6, 1-0 HDC) into the lead.
Mercer had much better balance in the second, getting contribution from five players as they outscored East Harrison 12-5 to lead 22-15 at halftime.
The Cardinals slowly increased their lead into double figures in the third frame, as five boys combined to outpoint the Bobcats 10-4 to make it 32-19 after 24 minutes. Kobe Hill hit two 3s and scored 8 points in
ABOVE LEFT - Mercer’s
RIGHT -
the fourth to pace Mercer to a 15-point finish, which East Harrison (4-5) matched in the night’s most entertaining stretch.
Hill scored 11 second-half points and led Mercer with 16, and Hashman added 11 after his hot start.
Other scoring: Isaiah Argo 6, Kaimon West 4, Grady Beavers 4, Mason Stark 2, Lawson Twedt 2, Mason Martin 2.
Hagen Booth scored in each quarter and led the Bobcats with 19. Other scoring: Austin Reno 6, Gavin Ormdorff 4, Trysen Ratliff 2, Jayden Wonsetler 2. Panthers get 20 points from Johnson in 4-point Pattonsburg non-league victory
PATTONSBURG, Mo. Pattonsburg’s girls have been without Katelyn Jones, the Grand River Conference West’s No. 2 scorer, for some time after she tore an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in a knee.
That allowed Kinsley Johnson to take a larger role
for the Panthers. And she did just that last Thursday night (Jan. 9), scoring 20 points in a 34-30 Pattonsburg win.
Pattonsburg (4-8, 1-3 GRC West), behind Johnson’s 6 points and two other girls’ scoring, took a measure of control with a 12-3 first-quarter lead. But the Panthers never could get its lead over its former HDC rival to a more comfortable level.
Mercer outscored Pattonsburg 10-5 in the second quarter as Bailey Houk hit for 7 points, and she and Kylie Holt each hit 3s. Brown drained two 3s in the third, but Johnson outscored the Cardinals 10-8 to add to its lead, which grew to 27-21 after 24 minutes. Mercer stuck around in the final stanza, outscoring Pattonsburg 9-7, but that wasn’t enough to get the Cardinals over the hump.
Brown led Mercer with 10 points, 8 in the second half. Other scoring: Holt 7, Houk 7, Stark 6.
MERCER COUNTY HOOPSAGEDDON Princeton, Mercer stage their annual intracounty games
Defense allows Princeton girls to dominate Cardinals in the first half
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo. Princeton’s girls used a strong defensive performance to build a 20-point halftime lead, as the Class 1 #7 Tigers controlled Mercer 60-31 last Monday night (Jan. 7) in the teams’ annual in-county contest.
Princeton’s offense was steady but not specuacular in the first half, but its defense shined in each of the first two periods as the Tigers held Mercer to just one field goal and 7 points.
Macey Lewis scored Princeton’s first five points on two hoops, one a 3-point shot and scored 6 points total. Addilyn Henke hit for 7 points while the Cardinals’ only goal came from Lily Stark. Princeton led 15-4 after the first 8 minutes. Princeton’s slowest offensive quarter was the second. Henke and Gracie Mitchell hit 3s, and Henke scored 7 points, to lead the Tigers on a 12-3 spurt
that gave them a 27-7 halftime lead.
Sari Rogers had Mercer’s only goal of the period.
Mercer finally got some offense going in the third period, getting 15 points from 5 girls led by 6 from Payton Houk. Problem was, the third was also Princeton’s best stretch, as Henke and Audrey hit 3s and four Tigers combined for 18 points - including Henke’s final 7 points plus 5 from Kelly and 4 from Lewis - to stretch the led to 45-22. Princeton led by as many as 30 points in the second half.
Addilyn Henke, the Grand River Conference West’s leading scorer, led the field with 21 points over the first three quarters, Kelly hit 9 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter and Lewis - the GRC West’s #3 scorer - finished with 14. Other scoring: Mitchell 5, Mikaylee Henke 2, Randa Shahan 2.
Payton Houk was Mercer’s leading scorer with 10 points. Other scoring: Stark 6, Ashlynn Brown 4, Bailey Houk 4, Kylie Holt 3, Rogers 2, Riley Stark 2.
Princeton boys hold Cardinals scoreless in the first quarter, give up just 10 first-half points in blowout PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo. The Class 2 #9 (at the time) Princeton boys simply had too much offense and two much defense for a rebuilding team to handle last Tuesday night (Jan. 7). The Tigers held Mercer to 10 first-half points - none in the first quarter - and posted a 63-27 turboclock victory in the teams’ annual intracounty game.
Princeton pretty much took the game out of reach in the first quarter, opening the game with a 19-0 lead. Kash Holt hit for 8 points, Clay Evans got 5 and Hunter Lowrey scored twice inside to get the Tigers off to their dominant start.
Kobe Hill hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter for Mercer’s first points. Princeton got two 3s from reserve John Schreffler and another 3 (and 9 points) from Evans to pace another big Tiger quarter, 21-10, to take the lead to 30
points at halftime, 40-10.
Ten Tigers played in the third. Holt hit three hoops, Chase Evans added two and Clay Evans made his final goal (a 3, naturally), while Hill and Isaiah Argo hit 3s for Mercer. Princeton took the quarter 15-7 to send the game to the third in turboclock mode on a 55-17 lead.
Backups scored all 8 of Princeton’s points in the third quarter. Hill hit two 3s and scored 8 of the Cardinals’ final 10 points as the Tigers finished with a 36-point victory.
Nine Tigers scored, all 13 played and their top 6 players sat during the third quarter. Clay Evans led the way with 17 points, Holt hit for 14 and Lowrey added 10. Other scoring: Chase Evans 6, Schreffler 6, Bowe Ussery 4, Chase Hale 2, Mitchell 2, Blake Bears 2. Reserves scored 22 of the Tigers’ 63 points. Hill was Mercer’s top scorer with 15 points, 12 in the second half. Other scoring: Argo 6, Brett Hashman 2, Kaimon West 2, Landon Twedt 2.
PRINCETON BOYS BASKETBALL 22-3 run eliminates 12-point deficit
Tigers climb out of 54-42 hole to stay undefeated overall and in GRC West
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo With just under 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter Friday night, the King City boys had a 54-42 lead and were poised to knock host Class 2 #8 Princeton out of solo possession of first place in the Grand River Conference West, as well as the undefeated ranks.
But on this night, to quote an old 1960s R&B classic, “Ain’t no mountain high enough.”
The Tigers climbed their way back into contention, then into the lead, as a 22-3 run put them up by 7 points in a Grand River Conference West game they won 66-60.
King City took a small measure of control in the first half, as the Wildkats got scoring from seven players. Clay Evans, the West’s leading scorer, scored 17 first-half points, 12 in the first quarter with two
3-point goals. The game was deadlocked 14-all after the first quarter, and a late 6-2 burst burst put King City (8-4, 3-2 GRC West into a 28-25 halftime lead.
The first 6 minutes-plus of the second half remained a back-and-forth affair, with KC leading 38-36 with 1 minute, 53 seconds left after a Cooper Boxley goal, and 40-38 at the 1:18 mark on an Evans hoop.
Then, things got really ugly for Princeton. King City ended the quarter with a quick 7-0 surge, including a buzzer-beating, 35-foot 3 by Coltin Potter that put his team up by 9, 4738.
The Wildkats led 54-42 with 6:14 left in the fourth quarter despite goals by Noel Schreffler and Kash Holt. Then, the Tigers (11-0, 4-0 GRC West) literally put the pedal to the medal.
They started their epic 22-3 rally with 15 consecutive points, and needed less than 3 minutes to get the game tied as the visitors became somewhat
MBCA POLLS Both Princeton Tiger teams ranked JAN. 6 CLASS 1 GIRLS POLL
1. Northeast (Cairo); 2. Walnut Grove; 3. Delta; 4. Green City; 5. Macks Creek; 6. Chadwick; 7. Princeton; 8. Higbee; 9. Rock Port; 10. Wheatland. JAN. 13 CLASS 2 BOYS POLL
1. Norwood; 2. Eugene; 3. Puxico; 4. Harrisburg; 5. South Iron; 6. Hartville; 7. Maysville; 8. Princeton; 9. South Pemiscot; 10. Van-Far.
Note: Polls alternate weekly.
shaken by a raucous, near-capacity Princeton Elementary Gym crowd. Mitchell Walker got the run going with a bucket, and Holt and Walker hit consecutive 3s. Then, Evans hit two free throws before Walker’s goal off a Holt steal made it 54-54 with 3:28 to go. Evans hit 1-of-2 free throws and added a bucket at the 2:34 juncture to end the 15-0 surge with the Tigers leading 57-54.
Holt hit Princeton’s final goal with 1:42 left before Evans, who hit 14 of 17 at the line, went 5-of-6 over the final 1:09, including the one that gave the Tigers their biggest lead at 6457. King City still had a puncher’s chance after a 3 with 17 seconds left made it 64-60, but Boxley hit two foul shots with 8.6 seconds left to seal the deal. Evans finished with a career-high 36 points, 19 in the second half. Holt finished with 11, 7 in the second half. Other scoring: Walker 9 (7 in the fourth quarter), Boxley 6, Schreffler 2, Hunter Lowrey 2.
PRINCETON GIRLS BASKETBALL Tigers beat King City by 11
Offense hard to come by, but third-quarter run makes the difference for Princeton PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo Especially in the first half, offense was a scarce commodity Friday night in the Princeton Elementary Gym, as Princeton’s Class 1 #7 girls and King City combined for a lowly 17 points. But things picked up considerably after the break, and after a hot Wildkat start, the Tigers displayed their mettle with a 14-2 blitz that gave them a 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter of a 34-23 victory.
One can’t be certain if the scoring rate in the first half was because of great defense or bad offense, but in any event the opening 16 minutes were hard on the eyes.
Addilyn Henke scored the game’s first points 23 seconds into the first quarter and things appeared normal, but the Tigers (10-1, 4-0 Grand River Conference West) didn’t score again for nearly 4 minutes.
Macey Lewis hit Princeton’s final three hoops of the period, the last with 3:15 left for an 8-5 Tiger lead.
King City (7-5, 3-2 GRC West) didn’t score - couldn’t score - in the second quarter, but Princeton was little better. The Tigers got a free throw by Hanna Allnutt just over a min-
ute in, but their only goal was a
3 by Henke with 2:51 left that gave the Tigers a 12-5 halftime lead. Suddenly, things loosened up in the third quarter, relatively speaking. King City opened the period with 9 straight points over a span of just over 6 minutes to take the lead for the first time, 14-12. Macey Lewis hit a free throw with 1:57 left, and Audrey Kelly got the Tigers’ first bucket of the second half at the 1:38 mark to give Princeton the lead back, 15-14. That started a 14-2 closing kick. Addilyn Henke converted a 3-point play and Mikaylee Henke got a hoop, and after a King City goal, Princeton got two free throws from Addilyn Henke, and buckets from Mikaylee Henke and Lewis, and
the Tigers were up 26-16 at period’s end.
Addilyn Henke took over in the fourth, scoring all 8 Princeton points as the Tigers led by as many as 12 points on three occasions.
Henke, the GRC West’s leading scorer, led all scorers with 18 points. Other scoring: Lewis 9, Mikaylee Henke 4, Kelly 2, Allnutt 1.
Addilyn Henke went into Monday night’s South Harrison Tournament against the South Harrison JV needing 18 points to reach 2,000 for her career. She will become the second Princeton girl to score 2,000m Princeton went into the game leading the GRC West in scoring offense and scoring margin, and was third in scoring defense.
POST-TELEGRAPH MISSION STATEMENT
(What we try to do every week)
“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process WE WILL CATCH EXCELLENCE.”
Coach Vince Lombardi
THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment for religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
