28, 2024
MERCER COUNTY 4-DAY WEATHER
National Weather Service - Pleasant Hill/Kansas City, Mo.
Time of forecast: 6 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25
Thursday, Nov. 28: Mostly sunny, cool; 34/18
Friday, Nov. 29: Sunny, still cool; 34/19
Saturday, Nov. 30: Partly sunny, colder; 30/12
Sunday, Dec. 1: Mostly sunny, cold; 25 (average: 44) Forecasts reflect
McGinnis, partner pocketed over $5.1 million from members’ contributions in faith-based insurance scam
DON LEDFORD
Special to the Post-Telegraph
KANSAS CITY, Mo. A cofounder of a so-called Christian health care sharing ministry in St. Joseph, Mo., has been sentenced in federal court for his role in an $8 million wire fraud conspiracy that cheated hundreds of members, and for making false statements on a personal tax return.
James L. McGinnis, 78, of St. Joseph, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Thursday, Nov. 21, to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered McGinnis to pay restitution of $7,758,908 to the victims, $143,141 to the Internal Revenue Service, and $10,787 to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The court also ordered McGinnis to forfeit to the government a 2021 Ford F-250 truck.
On April 2, 2024, McGinnis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making false statements on a tax return.
McGinnis co-founded Medical Cost Sharing, a tax-exempt organization, and served as its chief operating officer from 2014 through December 2022. Another co-founder, Craig Anthony Reynolds, 62, of St. Joseph, has pleaded guilty and been sentenced on the same charges. Reynolds incorporated and ran Medical Cost Sharing as its president and chief executive officer from 2014 through December 2022.
McGinnis and Reynolds each admitted that he and his co-conspirators used false and fraudulent promises to market Medical Cost Sharing as a “Health Care Sharing Ministry” to defraud hundreds of “ministry members.” They collected more than $8 million in member “contributions,” yet paid only 3.1% in health care claims so that they could personally profit and take most of the members’ contributions for themselves.
McGinnis and Reynolds pocketed at least $5,168,268 from the member contributions from December 2015 through December 2022. Thus, McGinSee Insurance, Page 6
The Post-Telegraph office will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 (regular time). We will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving, and will be open regular hours (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) on Friday, Nov. 29.
to the
PRINCETON, Mo. Princeton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7159 has announced local winners of two VFW-sponsored essay contests.
and the schools
PAUL HAMBY
Special to the Post-Telegraph MAYSVILLE, Mo. Today is a good day to be thankful.
In the world of politics, there is much to be thankful for. Many Americans have come to realize that we were being lied to by government officials on so many fronts.
more liberty, more food choices, more housing, and a higher quality of life than 90% of the world's population.
TERRI KELLY/Princeton Post-Telegraph Winter sports - basketball season in Mercer County - got underway over the weekend with jamborees at Gilman City on Friday night (Princeton) and at Mercer on Saturday morning. ABOVE - Princeton’s Audrey Kelly (left, blue uniform) recoils from contact as Tiger teammate Addilyn Henke (#3) fights two Maysville players for a loose ball.
The season officially got underway this week. Mercer’s boys hosted the Princeton JV on Monday night, Princeton’s teams hosted Gilman City on Tuesday night, and Mercer’s girls played Worth County in Bethany, also on Tuesday night in what was a late schedule change due to Worth County’s run in the state 8-man football playoffs. Let the games begin!
Thomas Jefferson said we must be eternally vigilant. Today, millions of Americans are questioning the official newspeak that has been coming out of Washington from the D.C. swamp.
The November elections sent a clear message that business as usual will not stand.
I am thankful Elon Musk bought Twitter and demonstrated what can be done. I am hopeful that Elon will have the same success cutting the bureaucracy, reducing regulations and downsizing D.C. If the federal government shrinks, then tax cuts should be in our future.
Beyond politics there is much to be thankful for. We live in the beautiful great state of Missouri. We are more free, have
In 2022, Warren Buffet put today’s standard of living in perspective: “When I was six years old, John D Rockefeller was the richest man in the world. Today, the bottom 2% in terms of income in the United States, live better than John D. Rockefeller was living.” Buffet referenced the improvements in medicine, education, entertainment and transportation. (Charlie Rose interview)
America is a land where you can be born poor and become a millionaire simply by working hard, living frugally, saving and investing. Dave Ramsey reminds us that four out of every five of America’s millionaires are self made. Only 21% inherited their wealth.
When you hear someone complain about today's children, ask them to come to rural Missouri. We have some of
the best of the best in the age 30 and under category. Hard working, frugal young men and women with great values. The November elections proved that the 30 and under category is the most conservative in several generations.
“The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of are people to appreciate and enjoy it.” - Michael Josephson
The most important thing I am thankful for is in this Bible verse:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Paul Hamby is a free-thinking, conservative farmer and small business owner in northwest Missouri’s DeKalb County.
Copyright 2024 Liberty Thought of the Week
Special to the Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo. The latest recipients of scholarships from the Gene Kauffman Scholarship Foundation Inc. have been approved by the Board of Directors of the foundation. A total of 23 female graduates of Mercer High School and Princeton High School in Mercer County, Mo., have been awarded a combined total of $89,200 in scholarships for the 2024 fall semester. Each recipient provided signed statements that they meet all criteria established for the program, the most unique of which is being a non-smoker.
The recipients are attending a variety of institutions in Missouri as required by the program. The institutions and the names of the recipients attending each are:
• Central Methodist University: Jasmine Allen, Brea Shipley.
• Moberly Area Community College: Carsey Brown.
• North Central Missouri College: Madisyn Clapham, Makenzie Dunkin, Lauren Girdner, Emily Hanson, Esabel Holt, Tori Meinecke, Kennedy Norton, Trinity Shively.
• Northwest Missouri State University: Jillian Finney, Jaden Purdun.
• Park University: Kelsey Moore, Maya Walker.
• Truman State University: Lauren Krohn.
• University of Central Missouri: Maggie Hickman, Gracie Thogmartin, Emma Walkup.
• University of Missouri-Columbia: Alison Allen, Lindsey Batson, Kaydee Cunningham, Savannah Martin, Megan Spencer.
• William Jewell College: Cheyenne Dinsmore
The Gene Kauffman Scholarship Foundation Inc. is funded by a trust established by the late Edward E. “Gene” Kauffman of Princeton. He specified guidelines which include that scholarships are to be awarded to female, unmarried, non-smoking graduates of Mercer County high schools who have evidence of need. Additionally, the recipients must be enrolled for and pass at least 12 hours of credit in an accredited Missouri college or university and maintain a certain grade point average. Each of the recipients has certified that they meet the criteria as established by Kauffman and the Board of Directors. Each applicant must have successfully filed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
See Kauffman scholarships, Page 2
Special to the Post-Telegraph
TRENTON, Mo. North Central Missouri College (NCMC) has announced the addition of NJCAA-sanctioned (National Junior College Athletics Association) women’s flag football, with the inaugural season slated to begin in fall 2025. This development for the college and the region is made possible through a $10,000 grant awarded by the NJCAA Foundation, NFL (National Football League) Flag, and Reigning Champs Experiences. The funding will support the establishment of NCMC’s women’s flag football program, helping to bring a rapidly grow-
ing sport to junior college athletics in northern Missouri.
“I am very excited to be a part of the women’s flag football movement,” said NCMC Athletics Director Nathan Gamet. “Being the first junior college in Missouri to offer this sport is a huge success for NCMC, and I look forward to my role in expanding the sport across Region 16. Flag football has exploded in the Kansas City and surrounding metro areas, and now we can offer an opportunity for these young ladies to further their educational and athletic careers.”
As the first junior college in Missouri to launch
a women’s flag football team, NCMC aims to serve as a trailblazer for the sport in the region, providing aspiring female athletes with new opportunities to compete at the college level while pursuing their academic goals. With the financial support it has received, NCMC is positioned to make a significant impact in the community and beyond.
“We are honored to be part of this exciting era for women’s athletics and hope to establish a lasting foundation for women’s flag football in northern Missouri,” said NCMC President Dr. Lenny Klaver. “This will add to our array of current sports
and be another opportunity for our athletic department to bring in athletes that further enhance our campus community. Our vision is to create a pillar of support for this sport and inspire future athletes across the region to pursue their passion for flag football in an environment that promotes both athletic and academic success.”
With the anticipated launch of the team in fall 2025, NCMC looks forward to providing more information on staffing, recruitment, program development, and upcoming events in the near future.
University of MO Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. Moisture and fall forage growth have been disappointing in 2024. The bumper crop of corn this year has prompted many cattle farmers to consider feeding their cows corn silage.
“We had an outstanding growing season, and hay supplies are plentiful,” said University of Missouri Extension state beef nutritionist Eric Bailey. “But I have received numerous inquiries from cattlemen interested in using corn silage as a winter feed option for beef cows.”
There are special considerations for those who do not grow corn and have not previously fed corn silage but want to evaluate it as a winter
Kauffman scholarships From Page 1 Mercer
feeding option, said Bailey.
What should the price of corn silage feed be?
Historically, corn silage is priced at 10 to 12 times the price of a bushel of corn delivered and packed in a bag, bunker or pit. With corn currently hovering around $4 per bushel, it is reasonable to expect corn silage to be priced in the range of $45 to $50 per ton, Bailey said. Corn silage is a wet feed; when stored correctly, it typically consists of two parts moisture to one part dry feed. Therefore, on a per ton of dry feed basis, a reasonable price is between $136 and $151 per ton. This may seem expensive compared to grass hay, which is currently selling for $40 to $60 per round
Aid) by June 30, 2024 to be eligible for the 2024 fall and 2025 spring semesters. Applications for the 2025 spring semester became available Nov. 1. Students can pick up the application at the Princeton High School principal’s office or the Mercer principal’s office. The scholarship application will also be available on each school’s website.
bale. However, there is a significant difference in the pounds of total digestible nutrients obtained in corn silage compared to grass hay.
“Let’s assume that fescue hay tests at 55% total digestible nutrients (TDN), which is optimistic if you harvested round bales in July and are just now picking them up from the field,” Bailey said. Every ton of hay testing at 55% TDN will contain 968 pounds of TDN (assuming 12% moisture, which explains why the total is not 1,100 pounds of TDN). If a bale is assumed to weigh 1,000 pounds and is priced at $50 per bale, then the cost of each pound of TDN
from the hay is $0.1033. Corn silage contains 70% TDN. If a ton of dry corn silage provides 1,400 pounds of TDN and the purchase price is $143.50 per ton, then the cost of TDN from corn silage is $0.1025 per pound. Small fluctuations in price on an as-fed or wet basis can significantly affect the cost per pound of TDN for corn silage. For instance, corn silage priced at $60 per ton equates to $181.82 per ton of dry matter, or $0.1299 per pound of TDN. A lactating beef cow needs about 18 pounds of TDN per day during peak lactation, resulting in an increased cost of $0.4788 per cow per day with a price in-
crease of roughly $12.50 per ton (as fed).
Consider the shelf life of corn silage
The purpose of packing corn silage is to remove oxygen from the feed, facilitating anaerobic fermentation. When proper fermentation occurs, organic acids are produced that inhibit mold and microbial growth, thereby preventing spoilage. However, when the feed is exposed to oxygen again, mold and microbial growth resume.
“If I were purchasing corn silage from a neighbor, I would prefer to take delivery at least once a week,” said Bailey. It is unwise to create a secondary pile on your farm
that is replenished monthly or less frequently. The feed will degrade, resulting in a loss of nutritional value. In the worst-case scenario, cows may refuse to eat it. Corn silage contains both forage and grain. It does not need to be fed in conjunction with dry hay due to the presence of leaves, husks, stalks and cobs in the silage. However, some farmers mix hay with corn silage to extend their feed supplies or to reduce the energy density of the ration, allowing for a less precise feeding approach (free choice).
“In my opinion, this See Corn silage, Page 3
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION
Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission.
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted. Monday, Nov. 18
• Minutes of the Nov. 12 meeting were approved.
• Sheriff Jeff Spencer spoke to commissioners.
• Bills were approved and paid.
• Time sheets and the Nov. 15 payroll were approved.
• Commissioners authorized Collecter/Treasurer Susan Moore to pay the following:
* $900 to Mapping Solutions for 2024 911 road books (money taken from LEPC Fund #44); and
* $16 to Cardmember Services for supplies (money taken from Sheriff’s Special Fund #32).
• Presiding Commissioners Jerry Allen signed Progress Invoice #17 for BRO-B065 (42) Bridge #01300281 (Badger Street) in the amount of $17,332.59 for engineering, and Progress Invoice #18 in the amount of $6,986.50 for construction purposes.
• Commissioners signed a letter requesting a permanent easement and temporary construction easement for Project No. 25300042 BRO-R065 (41) for a bridge on Jewell Street.
heALth DePt.
305 West Main, Princeton 660-748-3630 DECEMBER
Blood pressure clinics Friday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m., Mercer County Senior
Center, Princeton. WIC services Thursday, Dec. 5, 12 and 26, at office, by appointment. Open lab Friday, Dec. 20, 8-10 a.m., by appointment. Other items
• Princeton after school games: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m.
• Office will close at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve, and will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas.
• Board meeting: Monday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.
• The department is still offering COVID-19 and flu shots for all 6 months and older regardless of insurance status; state vaccine provied by VFC and 317 programs. Regular and high-dose flu shots are available. RSV shots may be available for those 60 years of age 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 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
From Page 2
practice is wasteful, and I generally do not recommend it,” Bailey said. If anything, corn silage is slightly deficient in crude protein. A well-balanced ration that can be fed to cows, calves, backgrounders or other livestock consists of nine parts corn silage and one part dried distillers grains on an as-fed basis. “I have observed operations with limited equip-
ment where corn silage is offered free choice to beef cows in old tractor tires. I do not recommend this practice due to the potential for waste and the lack of control over the amount of feed provided,” he said.
It is important to remember that this feed is not significantly cheaper than dry hay and has a shorter shelf life. Additionally, because corn silage is a wet feed, it is necessary to offer much more than 30 pounds per day.
“In fact, it would not surprise me to see a largeframed, fall-calving cow consume upwards of 80 pounds of corn silage per day on an as-fed basis,” Bailey said. “This feed is most effectively utilized in operations where the quantity provided can be measured and administered daily.”
Transportation considerations
“Due to the amount of moisture per ton, I would not want to haul it more than 20 miles. Freight will get pricey otherwise,” Bailey said. “If you operate with minimal equipment, buying dry hay at current prices might be the least un-
favorable option if you need to purchase feed on the market this fall and winter.”
CWF of the Christian Church met Thursday, Nov. 21 with Diannie Constable as hostess and worship leader. The club’s project is to gather non perishable food and other items for the Christmas boxes here in Cainsville.
Cainsville Christian Church the Community Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 22, with all churches being represented. Food and fellowship followed.
A 80th birthday party was held at the American Legion in Cainsville for Gary McLain on Nov. 23. Several family and friends attended for great food, visiting and some cards.
Melanie Chaney and Brenda Vaughn went Saturday, Nov. 23 to Trenton to an auction and for shopping.
Dianna Morehouse and Bob Washburn got married Sunday, Nov. 24 at Zion Church.
There is no school November 27th through December 1st. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Donuts with Dads will be in the cafeteria at Cainsville school at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 2. Grandpas are welcome too!
The Cainsville merchants and the city of
TRENTON, Mo. Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group, Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic, and the North Central Missouri College (NCMC) Athletics Department are again partnering to host a toy drive to benefit children in Grundy and Mercer counties. The third annual toy drive is underway and ends on Friday, Dec. 13.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate again with the NCMC Athletic Department this year,” said Shane Lynch, practice manager at Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group and Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic. “The community’s remarkable support over the last few years has truly inspired
us, and we wanted to build on that momentum. With over 300 items collected last time, we're excited to see if we can surpass that this year.”
The event will benefit children ages 1-17. Toys will be donated to the Department of Social Services Children’s Division and Trenton Kiwanis Club for distribution. For health and safety concerns, only new toys will be accepted. Specific wish list items include learning books and toys for ages 1-3 years old, makeup, baby dolls, remote control monster trucks, playdough, nerf gun and nerf ammo, coloring books, Dr. Seuss books, comic books, and
art supplies, among other items.
Toys will be collected at three locations: NCMC’s Ketcham Community Center in Trenton, Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group in Trenton, and Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic in Princeton.
Additionally, attendees to the NCMC Pirates and Lady Pirates basketball games on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Ketcham Community Center will receive one free admission for every toy (minimum $5 in value) donated at the entry to the game. The Pirate women’s game begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Pirate men’s game at 7:30.
“I’m thrilled to launch the third year of this wonderful initiative,” said Nathan Gamet, NCMC athletics director. “Collaborating with other community organizations is something we truly value, and there’s no greater joy than spreading Christmas cheer to local children. We’re looking forward to an exciting evening at the Ketcham Center on Dec. 10, and I’m hopeful we can gather plenty of toys and rally a big crowd to support the Pirates and Lady Pirates. It’s a privilege to be involved in such a meaningful event.” For questions about the toy drive, contact Lynch at 660-358-5750.
JULIE HARKER
University of MO Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. University of Missouri Extension has released its latest crop and livestock enterprise budgets tailored to help Missouri farmers and ranchers plan for a productive 2025.
MU Extension specialists have updated 38 budgets for farmers working with row crops, beef, swine, dairy, sheep, goats, forages and more. Region-specific budgets have also been developed for southeastern Missouri crops like cotton, peanuts and rice.
“As the 2024 production season wraps up, it is important for farmers to think ahead,” said Ryan Milhollin, MU Extension agricultural business specialist. “What does my
It’s about the flittermouse
farm plan to do in 2025? How do the financial projections look for my crop or livestock enterprises, and how will it affect my farm’s profitability overall?”
Milhollin says enterprise budgets are an important annual practice for farmers to frame out their estimated revenues and costs for each agriculture enterprise to ultimately understand the key drivers for their farms’ profitability.
“Some enterprise costs, like depreciation and opportunity costs, are noncash costs and easy to forget about,” said MU Extension agricultural economist Ben Brown.
“In the short term, producers can delay these noncash costs in low-return environments but
It’s Bat Week and the Bureau of Land Management is posting photos of the critters and asking the public to vote for the cutest one. Among the contestants is a big-eared bat by the name of Sir Flaps-ALot and a grayish white bat known as Hoary Potter. Bureau wildlife technician Emma Busk notes that “There’s a lot of fear and misconceptions around bats.” She says people have a tendency of associating them with rabies. But, in fact, she says less than 1% of all bat populations actually carry rabies, and the bat-to-human disease transmission is actually really low.” By the way, in the old world a bat was known as a “flittermouse.”
will have to address them eventually.”
Brown said the MU Extension enterprise budgets are designed to reflect Missouri’s growing conditions while still being fully customizable, letting farmers adapt the numbers to fit their unique operations and understand the potential returns.
“While the outlook for crops next year is bleak, small increases in crop prices or above-average yields create opportunities to be profitable,” said MU Extension ag business specialist Andrew Kientzy. “This year’s budget spreadsheet includes sensitivity tables that show the return to land and management at various yields and prices.”
Kientzy notes that for crop producers specifical-
ly, one of the largest input cost increases is for crop protection chemicals. This is due to both price increases and the quantity needed to combat resistance. Kientzy said farmers also should be aware of the depreciation costs incurred on their equipment.
On the livestock side, with expected reductions in feed and hay costs, producers could see some relief on operating expenses, said Adauto Rocha, MU Extension assistant professor in agricultural economics. “We’re also anticipating higher prices for replacement and feeder animals, consistent with USDA projections, which could impact costs for producers focused on herd expansion.”
Overall, Rocha said, the outlook is especially favorable for fall calving,
pasture backgrounding and beef heifer planning enterprises, although results will vary based on individual production strategies.
MU Extension agricultural business specialists recommend that producers customize their enterprise budgets to ensure they reflect the most accurate cost of production in the end user’s specific
circumstances.
“High input costs and narrow margins make it especially critical in 2025 to have the most accurate cost of production estimate possible,” Kientzy said.
The 2025 enterprise budgets are available in PDF and Excel formats at http://muextus/MissouriAgBudgets. ADVERTISE in and SUBSCRIBE to the Post-Telegraph!
Cainsville
From Page 3
ter the lighting, everyone can proceed to Cainsville City Hall to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy refreshments.
There is a non-perishable food drive that includes hygiene items going on in Cainsville. Please drop items off at City Hall by Dec. 20.
Please send me news about your holiday gatherings, travels and anything else you can think of for next week.
sChooL FooD
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, Dec. 2: donut holes, yogurt.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: pancakes, sausage patty.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: french toast sticks.
Thursday, Dec. 5: EggStravagamza. toast.
Friday, Dec. 6: 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, Dec. 2: chicken dippers and waffles or fish nuggets, potatoes au gratin, baby carrots.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: mandarin orange chicken or chicken tiki marsala, broccoli with cheese, brown rice.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: tater tot casserole or
hamburger patty, green beans, hot roll, fruit salad.
Thursday, Dec. 5: chicken taco or burrito, black beans, Spanish rice.
Friday, Dec. 6: breaded ravioli or cheesy mac bites, onion rings, buttered peas, cowboy 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, Dec. 2: a) hot dog, chips; b) chili, peanut butter sandwich; mozzarella sticks.
Tuesday, Dec. 3: a) chicken fried steak; b) chicken nuggets; mashed potatoes, white gravy, green beans, roll.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: a) hot ham and cheese; b) chicken quesadilla; corn.
Thursday, Dec. 5: a) tenderloin; b) meatball sub; fries.
Friday, Dec. 6: a) chicken strips; b) BBQ beef sandwich; fries.
Located in the basement of Princeton Methodist Church. Second and fourth Tuesday: 9-10:30 a.m.
Other Tuesdays: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Note: Persons can pick up their food in the church basement. At present, social distancing will be observed, and masks are recommended but not mandatory.
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there will be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with Wednesday and Sunday afternoon/evenings being the most heavily traveled times. Drivers should expect more traffic and the possibility of delays throughout the weekend. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority.
The counting period for the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.
27 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. Troopers will be participating in Operation CARE, enforcing all traffic laws, and available to assist the public. Over the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, nine people were killed and 483 injured in 1,342 traffic crashes.
If you plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, be sure your vehicle is in good condition, obey all traffic laws, and be sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is now a handsfree state and there is nev-
er a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.
The MoDOT Traveler Information Map can be helpful while you are traveling. It provides upto-date information such as road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternative routes. You can download the app for free to your smart device or access it by using this link: https://traveler.modot.org/map/index.html.
If being on or near the water is part of your Thanksgiving holiday weekend plans, remember that the water is becoming colder, and hypothermia is a concern. The body loses heat 25 times
faster in water than in the air of the same temperature. The proper use of life jackets is imperative. The public is encouraged to call the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Report Line, 800-525-5555, or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity, observe driving behavior that could cause a crash, or experience an emergency. These phone numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies.
If your celebration includes intoxicants, designate someone else to drive whether you are in a boat or vehicle. Please don’t become a statistic.
COLE DUENCKEL
Special to the Post-Telegraph
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
As Missourians plan to hit the road to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be cautious, patient and use good judgment behind the wheel. Impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeds, and increased traffic are just a few of the concerns that can accompany holiday travel.
Motorists should expect heavy traffic volumes on interstates and major roads for the holiday especially on the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. All work zones with extra lane closures will stop at noon on the day before Thanksgiving through 6 a.m. the day after. Typically, construction contracts don’t work through the entire holiday weekend. All motorists should buckle up themselves and all passengers
and the driver should put their phone down to avoid distractions.
The night before Thanksgiving, sometimes referred to as Blackout Wednesday, has become a popular night for outings at bars, which can result in a potential increase of impaired driving. Additionally, speed and distraction present significant concerns, especially with increased traffic volumes over the holiday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, from 2019 to 2023, 53 people died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
This year, MoDOT is hoping a combination of public awareness, en-
forcement, and promotion of sober rides will be successful in eliminating traffic fatalities during the holiday. With the number of statewide traffic fatalities being more than 800 for the year, MoDOT is urging motorists to be vigilant, buckle up, obey posted speed limits and never drive impaired or distracted.
“Tragedies like these are almost always preventable, and there are simple actions everyone can take to prevent them,” said Jon Nelson, state highway safety and traffic engineer. “Buckle up, put down your phone, slow down, and never drive impaired. If we all commit to these four ac-
tions every day, we can all enjoy a Thanksgiving holiday with zero traffic fatalities.”
Drivers can avoid putting themselves and other road users at risk by planning ahead. Schedule a rideshare in advance or call a taxi, have a designated driver, or use public transportation. If you see a friend who is about to drink and drive, take their keys and find a sober driver that can get them home safely.
Drivers can stay informed of road conditions and delays on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot. org, also available as a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
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Medical Cost Sharing continued to try to collect membership dues after the search and seizure warrants. On Dec. 27, 2022, the court entered a temporary restraining order that prohibited Medical Cost Sharing, McGinnis, and Reynolds, from continuing to perpetrate a fraudulent scheme and from processing Medical Cost Sharing member payments, among other actions.
absence of Judge Krohn. Tuesday, Nov. 19
For Sale - Big round hay bales. Raymond Donelson, 660-748-3176. 11-14/11-21p
For Sale - 95 large hay bales, plastic twine. $60/bale. 201 bales, net wrapped. $69/ bale. Call 660-292-0139. 11-14/11-21b FARM ITEMS
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 tresspassing for any reason on land that we own or lease. John & Linda Baughman. 9-28-23-52tp
No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan. 4-27-23-52tp
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 TRESPASS-
ING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC. 3-23-23-52tp
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider 10-10-23-52tp
NO HUNTING OR TRESPASSING on any land owned by LAKE MARIE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION. 7-28-23-52tp
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. 9-28-23-52tp
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). 10-5-23-52tb
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
Absolutely no hunting with guns or dogs, fishing, or trespassing on land owned by Berndt Farm and Berndt Twin Lake Inc. 11-10-23-52tpP
No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-22-104tpP
No trespassing on property owned by Shandra Morin 4-11-24-52tp
nis and Reynolds took at least 64% of total member contributions for their personal profit. McGinnis and Reynolds marketed Medical Cost Sharing as a “Christian Health Care Sharing Ministry” through insurance brokers, radio stations, social media, and its website. Medical Cost Sharing sales materials promoted its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation, advertising that it was different from for profit health insurance. The Medical Cost Sharing website claimed, “while we are not an insurance company, many think of us as a Christian Health Insurance, or Christian Medical Insurance because, like conventional insurance plans, we help you pay your healthcare costs. We help you protect your family. But unlike these corporate, profit based plans, we are a healthcare sharing ministry … your healthcare costs are shared with other Christians enrolled in our medical sharing plans.”
Medical Cost Sharing promised its member that if they paid monthly “contributions,” Medical Cost Sharing would pay claims after the members’ “personal responsibility” (deductible) was met. In reality, McGinnis and Reynolds admitted, Medical Cost Sharing rarely paid members’ health care claims. Sometimes Medical Cost Sharing would pay a part of a claim if the member filed a complaint with their state attorney general and/or hired an attorney to represent them against Medical Cost Sharing.
Medical Cost Sharing paid no claims at all for nearly two years from Feb. 22, 2021, through December 2022, although it collected a total of nearly $1.2 million in dues in 2021 and 2022.
On Dec. 13, 2022, federal agents served search warrants on the Medical Cost Sharing business location and the residences of McGinnis and Reynolds and seized property generated from Medical Cost Sharing proceeds.
In addition to the wire fraud conspiracy, McGinnis also admitted that he filed a federal income tax return that claimed he had no taxable income in 2019. McGinnis actually received at least $140,881 in taxable income in 2019.
Reynolds was sentenced, in a separate but related case, on June 26, 2024, to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Reynolds to pay $7,758,908 in restitution to the victims, $253,474 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, and $46,550 in restitution to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The
court also ordered Reynolds to forfeit to the government $462,771, which includes proceeds from the sale of a St. Joseph residence, cash representing his interest in another St. Joseph residence, the values of a Lincoln Navigator, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle which will all be sold, and the contents of several bank accounts.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen D. Mahoney, Patrick Daly, and John Constance. It was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Judge Matt Krohn
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. Putnam County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Horvath heard the docket in the
• State vs. Kirby Wayne Eastin, Mercer: Eastin did not appear for a probation condition review to check his community service hours involving his conviction on two Class C misdemeanor charges of negligent burning or exploding. At the state’s request, cause continued to Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. for a probation condition review.
• State vs. Ryan M. Harris, Newtown: Harris did not appear for arraignment on a Class C felony charge of first degree harassment, due to issues with the Webex system in the courtroom. At the state’s request, cause continued to Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.
• State vs. Wayne Scott Larue, Cantril, Iowa: Larue did not appear for arraignment on Class D misdemeanor charges of owner operated motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility (motor vehicle required to be registered), and driving while revoked or suspended (first offense). At the state’s request,
cause continued to Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. for arraignment.
• State vs. Paige Alice-Moschetti Sumner, Harris: Sumner appeared on a Class D misdemeanor charge of owner operated motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility (motor vehicle required to be registered). At the state’s request, cause continued to Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. for a plea or trial setting.
Friday, Nov. 15
• George Nicholas Morris, trustee, to Design Place Farms LLC. Tuesday, Nov. 19
• Shay Esbeck et al to Big D Investments LLC.
• Lake Marie Property Owners Association to Neil Wilkinson.
• Lake Marie Property Owners Association to Jess Gomez et al.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
• Mark A. Judd et al to Kelli D. Judd. Thursday, Nov. 21
• Danny K. Hanson to Irvin Stier.
Princeton JH girls win their own tournament
PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL
The Princeton junior high girls basketball team won its own tournament last week, beating the South Harrison “B” team (a late substitute for the South Harrison “A” team) and Gallatin for the title. From left: FRONT - Brooklyn Ormsby, Aniston Power, Ainsley Gowan, Jozie Estes, Shayden Berndt and Mary Jane Renfro; BACK - Presley stockman, Dreamy Staten, Aubrey Meek, Brynlea Power, Emma Henke, Harper Power and coach Payton Goodin.
Ellsworth 11
Princeton finished second
MERCER GIRLS
Princeton 17, Mercer 12 - Lanie Rogers 8
GIRLS Princeton 17, Mercer 12 - Ainsley Cowan
49, South Harrison “B” 1 Mary Jane Renfro 18
(South Harrison sent its “B” team after sending its “A” team elsewhere) Princeton 32, Gallatin 13 - Renfro 21 Princeton won the tournament
BOYS
48, Mercer 23 - Brodie
31
Tournament
42, South Harrison “B” 10 Travyn Shields 14, Ellsworth 13 (South Harrison sent its “B” team after sending its “A” team elsewhere Trenton 40, Princeton 29 - Shields 14,
Mercer 1, Tri-County 0 (forfeit; T-C had just 4 players and played 2 boys so there could be a game)
Mercer 30, Gilman City 16 - Rogers 10, Zoe Fisher 10 Final record: 12-2
MERCER BOYS
48,
25,
23 - Chance Davis 11
18 - Davis 7, Trip Wilson 7
18 - Davis 13
36,
record: 4-10 DistriCt AssigNMeNts
PRINCETON BOYS Class 2, District 16
Cainsville students receive postseason softball honors
Four Cainsville High School students, members of the East Harrison sports cooperative, received honors from softball coaches at the end of the season. From left: Karlee Crouse (unanimous All-HDC Conference, first-team Class 1 All-District 8, and second-team All-Region 4); Avarie Thompson (second-team All-District 8), Lainey Thompson (unanimous All-HDC, first-team All-District 8, and second-team All-Region 4); and Jayleigh Arndt (honorable mention All-HDC).
Other teams: Albany, East Atchison (Tarkio + Fairfax), Gallatin, Maysville, Nodaway Valley (West Nodaway + Nodaway Holt), St. Joseph Christian.
PRINCETON GIRLS, MERCER GIRLS
Class 1, District 11
Other teams: Green City, Grundy County, Linn County, Novinger.
MERCER BOYS
Class 1, District 14
Other teams: Gilman City, Grundy County, East Harrison (Cainsville + Ridgeway), Linn County, North Harrison, Tri-County.
Sites to be determined. District tournaments to be held Feb. 24-March 1, 2025.
other sPorts NeWs FINAL CLASS 1 SOFTBALL POLL
The Princeton softball team received a spot in the final Missouri High School Fast-
pitch Coaches Association poll of the season last week, as the Tigers tied for the No. 10 spot in Class 1. Princeton (21-12) tied for 10th in the poll with La Plata (22-7). Stanberry (1315, third in state) was ranked #3, and Albany (27-6) was ranked #7, giving the GRC West three ranked teams.
ALBANY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Both Princeton teams are the #2 seeds for the 84th boys and 46th girls Albany Invitational Tournament, which starts next Monday (Dec. 2).
The Tiger teams will open tournament play on Tuesday, Dec. 3, with the girls playing Stanberry at 7:45 p.m., followed by the boys playing Albany at 9:15.
Semifinals are either Wednesday, Dec. 4 (consolation; girls at 4:45 p.m., boys at 9:15) or Thursday, Dec. 5 (championship; boys at 6:15, girls at 7:45).
