National Weather Service - Pleasant Hill/Kansas City, Mo. Time of forecast: 8 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17
Thursday, Feb. 20: Sunny, very cold; 8/–8
Friday, Feb. 21: Partly cloudy, cold; 16/5
Saturday, Feb. 22: Sunny, not as cold; 29/18
Sunday, Feb. 23: Mostly sunny, warmer; 39 Forecasts reflect daytime high and overnight low temperatures. Weather forecasts change often. Check local radio, weather radio, or the NWS website (www.weather.gov) for the most recent updates.
Water rates lead council meeting
Rural residents’ complaints about rates Princeton charges their providers. Mayor, two city employees give explanation. Rates are expected to lower after new DNR rate survey
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo An overflow and curious, but polite crowd more than filled the Princeton City Council’s meeting room for last Monday night’s (Feb. 10) meeting in City Hall.
The unusually big crowd, which included Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Spencer and Deputy Trever Ratliff, wanted answers for their concerns over the large increase in water rates that the city charges to Public
Water Supply District #1 of Mercer County and the city of Mercer.
Before turning the meeting over to persons who signed up to speak, Mayor Doug Stark spoke to the audience at large.
Stark said the city’s water/ wastewater project, which includes upgrades to the water tower, water plant and distribution system, is a $3.8 million project. He said the city’s wholesale rate of $17.51 per 1,000 gallons was set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide money to repay a loan that’s paying for a chunk of the project over a 30-year period.
See Water rates, Page 5
Top two Spelling Bee finishers
The Mercer County Spelling Bee was held Monday, Feb 10 at Mercer School. The bee had 15 participants from the Mercer and Princeton schools. The spelling bee went 12 rounds with Kreedence Michaelis (left) of Mercer emerging as the overall champion. To win the Spelling Bee, Kreedence successfully spelled the word “restive,” and then correctly spelled the championship round word “ouster.” Dakota Howie of Princeton finished second. Kreedence and Dakota advance to take part in the Regional Spelling Bee in St. Joseph. Remington Mathews of Princeton and Emma Stark of Mercer placed as alternates. Their photo appears on Page 2.
Hein’s SAE project involves stand of 600 chestnut trees
MINDY WARD - Special to the Post-Telegraph
SPICKARD, Mo. A German shorthaired pointer gundog led Hailee Hein to her FFA supervised agricultural experience project, and it had nothing to do with hunting.
Like many young pups, her dog, Resi, required training before heading out into the field. However, the experience turned out to be more than just learning hunting techniques for the young canine.
Following a visit to the trainer, Hailee’s father, Aric, returned home with information and a curiosity about chestnuts. He told his young daughter, who was only 7 years old at the time, that it might make a good 4-H project.
Little did she realize that simple suggestion would mark the start of a journey - one that would eventually see her managing 600 trees in the family chestnut orchard as a 4-H project and FFA SAE.
“What I like most about these chestnut trees and walking through the orchard with my family and Resi,” the Princeton FFA member says, “is knowing how far we’ve come from these seedlings first being planted in the ground to now producing their own chestnuts.”
Trials and errors in production
To start raising chestnuts, Hein along with her dad and mom, Carol, learned the art and science behind cold stratification seeds. The result created her original orchard of 25 chestnut seedlings, planted in 2017 on their farm near Spickard, Mo.
One year later, by incorporating chestnut seedling trees, the orchard grew to more than 600 trees. But the rapid expansion came with a few
A milestone victory for Princeton boys
learning opportunities.
“It was hard work,” Hein recalls. “My dad would drive down the rows, and we would take the tree off the truck. Dad would help me dig the holes. Then we would set the trees in place.”
Once planted, the trees required frequent watering, but at the time, all she had was a watering truck and watering can. “We learned the hard way that we needed irrigation,” Hein says.
Together, they planned and installed an efficient irrigation system. It pulls water from a nearby pond and a well, with pipes delivering it where it’s needed. Divided into zones, Hein can water one section at a time.
“My mom, dad and I have put in a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and a few tears into this orchard,” Hein says. “I’m quite proud of where we have come to where we are now.” Market for chestnuts
Hein spends most of her days after school and weekends during late September to late October harvesting chestnuts, which can be a sticky job.
When ripe, spiked burs split open, and chestnuts fall from the branches to the ground. An average orchard produces three nuts per bur. They will either be small, medium or large (called jumbo by industry standards), depending on tree genetics.
Hein harvested nearly 300 pounds of chestnuts this year, up from 200 pounds last year.
“Our family uses chestnuts in Thanksgiving stuffing,” she says. “It’s a seasonal favorite at our house.”
See Hein’s FFA SAE project, Page 6
TERRI KELLY Special to the Post-Telegraph Princeton High School boys basketball coach Damon Collins (front, center) reached a milestone Friday night after his Tigers pounded Milan 61-24 at Milan. The victory was Collins’ 150th win as Princeton’s head coach; he’s in his ninth season as Tiger coach. After the game, he was presented a banner by his players that marked the achievement. Collins has a record of 150-81 at Princeton, and an overall mark of 231-173 during a 15-year career that includes three seasons at both Linn County and Macon. The Tigers went into the final week of the 2024-25 regular season with a 23-0 record and the #8 ranking in the Missouri Class 2 MBCA poll
COURTESY WES GUILKEY
MINDY WARD/Missouri Ruralist
Princeton FFA member and co-reporter Hailee Hein walks through her unique SAE (supervised agriculture experience) project - a stand of 600 chestnut trees on the family’s farm at rural Spickard.
Princeton Elementary School recently held its awards assembly for the months of December and January. During the assembly, the following students were recognized as Character Kids of the Month for December, from left: Mary Grace Davis, kindergarten; Faithlynn Roberts, first grade; Ruby Owen, second grade; Emerson Parsons, third grade; McKenna Sticken, fourth grade; Lucas Daily, fifth grade; and Harper Power, sixth grade.
December’s Character Trait was “Compassion,” and was sponsored by Bill and Bronna Goodin.
Princeton Elementary School recently held its awards assembly for the months of December and January. During the assembly, the following students were recognized as Students of the Month for December, from left: Mac Parsons, kindergarten; Miles Johnson, first grade; Ruger Pugh, second grade; Raelynn VanGenderen, third grade; McCrea Kelly, fourth grade; Bo O'Brien, fifth grade; and Ursula Morales, sixth grade. COURTESY PRINCETON R-5
LAND TRANSFERS
Friday, Feb. 7
• Nelda Sanford to Clay Nelson.
Monday, Feb. 10
• John Paul Woods to Melody L. Woods et al.
Thursday, Feb. 13
• Aaron Yoder to Lonnie Detweiler.
Princeton R-5 chapter celebrates FFA Week
HAILEE HEIN
Special to the Post-Telegraph
The Princeton FFA chapter, along with chapters across the United States, are celebrating FFA Week. The week is an opportunity for members to highlight the importance of agriculture and showcase the FFA organization.
In 1947, the FFA Board of Trustees created National FFA Week, with the first celebration happening the following year. National FFA Week includes George Washington’s birthday, as the National FFA Organization wanted to honor the nation’s first president for his impact and recogni-
tion of the importance of agriculture to our nation. This year, National FFA Week is being celebrated February 15-22. The Princeton FFA chapter has 70 members, which is only a small component of the National FFA Organization’s membership of more than one million members, making it the largest school-based leadership development organization of its kind.
The Princeton FFA chapter’s plans for the week included attending church at Princeton Methodist Church, where officers participated in the service. There was See FFA Week, Page 3
COURTESY PRINCETON R-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Emma Stark of Mercer (left) and Remington Mathews of Princeton were chosen as alternates during the annual Mercer County Spelling Bee, held Feb. 10 at Mercer.
OBITUARIES
Cody Johnson Ravanna, Mo.
Cody John Johnson, 89, of Ravanna, Mo., passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at his home.
He was born on Oct. 12, 1935, in Ravanna, the son of Arthur John and Edith (Miller) Johnson.
Cody worked as a cattle farmer and was a member of Ravanna United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by wife, Nancy Bardwell, and his parents.
Cody is survived by his wife, Karen Ann Gardner Van Hoose Johnson, of the home; children John David Johnson and Joyce Ann Johnson, and their mother, Darlene Broad; granddaughters Jennifer (Damien) Probfield and Alisha Ann Gehring; grandsons Christopher (Jennifer) Johnson and Olias (Kimberly) Gehring; stepdaughters Linda (Steve) Hammond, Dawn Thompson and Michelle McGee; stepsons Rick, Paul, and Ron Gardner, and Dakota Thompson; and many grandchildren; step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Cody’s funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 15 at Roberson Funeral Home in Princeton, Mo. Burial followed in Ravanna Cemetery east of Ravanna.
Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
Doyle Nigh Princeton, Mo.
Doyle E. Nigh, 94, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 at Princeton, Mo.
Mr. Nigh was born on March 1, 1930 in the Kirby house in Modena, Mo,, the son of Clell E. and Edith V. (McCloud) Nigh. He was a 1947 graduate of Princeton High School and was married to Helen Brassfield on Sept. 17, 1949. They had three sons.
He helped in the building of Lake Paho and worked for the Rock Island Railroad as a fireman from 1951 to 1954. He returned to Princeton to work for Carlisle Motor Company as the parts manager and remained when the dealership sold to Clingingsmith & Lowe. Later he managed J. Burdman Auto Parts from 1971 to 1981. He married Nadeen Parkhurst in 1977.
In 1981 he was elected Mercer County assessor and held the position until 1993, when he retired. During retirement he worked as the maintenance man for the Hal England Center and on his 100-acre farm.
He is survived by his wife, Nadeen of Princeton; three sons, Ed (Chris) Nigh of Bourbon, Mo., Steve (Zelda) Nigh of Rea, Mo., and Kent (Lisa) Nigh of Boonville, Mo.; and two stepsons, three stepdaughters, eight grandchildren and 13 great -grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Deloris, Doretha, Gwenda and Opal.
A memorial graveside service, conducted by the Rev. Sean Hammond, was held Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Hamilton Cemetery west of Modena, under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home of Princeton.
Memorials and contributions are suggested to Hamilton Cemetery. On-
Tim Hamilton Trenton, Mo.
Timothy Allan “Tim” Hamilton, 66, of Trenton, Mo., passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1958, in Trenton to Albert Cloyde “Barney” and Marilyn Ann (Brod) Hamilton.
Tim loved being outdoors, whether riding horses, fishing, hunting, or camping. At an early age he became obsessed with everything associated with cowboys, Indians, and western TV shows. If he was not watching old episodes of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Big Valley or The Rifleman, he was watching football, a sport he really enjoyed playing during his high school years. In later years he became interested in woodworking. He took considerable pride in the furniture and cabinets he built.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tim is survived by his wife, Sulynn Hamilton of the home; his son, Jacob Hamilton (and partner, Sarah Lancaster), his granddaughter, Madalynne Loudon; his sisters, Lora (John) Swan and Melissa (Ken) Wilson; and one nephew, two nieces, two great-nephews, and three great-nieces. Visitation and a memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 20 at Modena Baptist Church, 14658 State Highway D, south of Princeton, Mo. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m., and the memorial service will start at 1 p.m. Private immediate family Inurnment at Hamilton Cemetery west of Modena, Mo., following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to Hamilton Cemetery, in care of Pastor Ken Wilson, 19507 Diamond Ln., Smithville, MO. 64089.
DIVISION I CIRCUIT COURT
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.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
• Peter Hayse et al, Maryville, vs. Scott Hawk (doing business as Hawk Outfitters), Princeton: Neither party appeared, and counsel did not appear. Hayse’s motion to dismiss was taken up, and was granted without prejudice (plaintiff’s amended petition). Court continued the matter for trial setting and case management conference for March 12 at 9 a.m.
• State vs. Jacklyn S. Ormsby, Princeton: Ormsby appeared for a probation violation hearing involving her 2022 convictions on three Class D felony charges of possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabiniod, a Class A misdemeanor charge of second-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, and a Class D misdemeanor charge of unlawful possession
of drug paraphernalia. She admitted violating a condition of probation, and her probation was revoked. She was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections on each felony count, with the sentences to run concurrently. On the Class A misdemeanor charge, she was sentenced to one year in jail to run concurrently with the felony sentences.
• State vs. Michael Penrod, Ottumwa, Iowa: Penrod appeared for a probation violation hearing involving his 2021 convictions on a Class D felony charge of 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 right half of roadway when roadway was of sufficient width resulting in an accident. He admitted violating a condition of his probation, and his probation
was revoked. He was sentenced to three years in the Department of Corrections on the felony charge, six months in jail on the DWI charge, and one year in jail on the Class A misdemeanor charge, with the sentences to run concurrently with the felony prison sentence. He had previously been fined $400 on the Class D misdemeanor charge. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,149.16.
• State vs. Deven Kyle Price, Osceola, Iowa: Price appeared for a probation violation hearing involving his 2024 convictions on two Class D felony charges of forgery. At his request, cause
continued to March 12 at 9 a.m. The state’s motion to suspend probation was granted. Price was ordered to submit a VA for drug testing, and the test was negative.
SERVICES
Patty Calivere
Trenton, Mo.
A celebration of life will be held for the late Patty Calivere on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 2-4 p.m. in the basement of Trenton First Baptist Church.
Ms. Calivere passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
FFA Week
From Page 2
no school Monday as it was Presidents Day, but activities picked up on Tuesday with a schoolwide pajama day billed as “Farmers Need A Rest Day.” On Wednesday, members will wear official dress for a chapter photo, On Thursday, members will “Thank A Farmer” by dressing up as a farmer and on Friday, members are urged to showcase their pride for the organization and wear FFA T-shirts with the FFA seal and/or chapter name.
Hailee Hein is co-reporter of the Princeton FFA chapter.
Princeton school board keeps principals through 2026-27
Ussery, Guilkey remain on two-year contracts. 2025-26 calendar set.
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
PRINCETON, Mo The Princeton R-5 Board of Education handled a number of employment decisions, heard a review of an academic program and its extracurricular activity, and adopted the 2025-26 academic year calendar during its meeting last Monday night. Hirings, resignations
Following a 45-minute closed session, board members approved oneyear contract extensions for both building principals, Dr. Merideth Ussery (grades 7-12) and Wes Guilkey (grades PK-6).
The decisions, both made unanimously, keeps the principals under two-year contracts, now through the 2026-27 school year. Their salaries will be determined in June, when the board traditionally sets the budget for the upcoming school year.
• Two coaching assignments were approved. Dr. Tina Holt was given an extra-duty contract to coach the boys golf team this spring. Practice can begin Monday, March 3. Payton Goodin was named as the high school assistant softball coach for the 2025 season.
• Finally, the board approved the resignations of Dale and Katlyn Bagley as advisors for the high school’s National Honor Society. 2025-26 calendar
The board approved the proposed 2025-26 academic year calendar. In a break from tradition, classes will begin on a Monday next year - Aug. 18, to be exact. The final day of classes is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026.
Snow days are built into the calendar, and it calls for 1,105.4 instruction-
al hours - well above the state mandate of 1,044 hours.
FACS, FCCLA review Holt, the district’s family and consumer science instructor, and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) officer Ellie Guilkey presented reviews of the FACS classes and FCCLA program, respectively.
Legislative update Superintendent Jerry Girdner presented updates on education matters being discussed in Jefferson City by the General Assembly - open enrollment and school financing.
Girdner told the board about House Bill 711, known as the Public School Open Enrollment Act, would establish a process allowing students to transfer to nonresident school districts participating in the program. The bill outlines specific procedures for student applications, district capacity limits, and exemptions. Districts must declare participation by Dec. 1 each year, and students must apply by Feb. 1, with acceptance notifications determined through a lottery system by Feb. 15. Once enrolled, students can remain in their nonresident district through graduation, and siblings may also apply if space is available. Transportation responsibilities under the bill fall primarily on parents, who must either provide their own transportation or get their child to an existing bus stop within the nonresident district. However, students who qualify for free and reduced meals may receive transportation.
The board was also updated on a possible plan by the governor to rewrite the state’s foundation formula, with funding allocated in his proposed
budget for this effort.
Gov. Mike Kehoe has issued an executive order to establish a task force aimed at modernizing the formula to better serve students and families.
Currently, Princeton R-5 and many rural districts benefit from the “hold harmless” provision, which ensures they receive no less state funding than they did in the 2005- 06 school year, despite potential declines in enrollment. This provision has been crucial for districts with decreasing student numbers, as it maintains stable funding levels.
A revision of the foundation formula could significantly impact the Princeton R-5 budget, Girdner said. Changes may alter the distribution of state funds and potentially modify or eliminate the hold harmless provision, affecting the financial stability of districts currently relying on it.
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, Feb. 24: breakfast sandwich.
Tuesday, Feb. 25: pancakes, sausage patty.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: french toast sticks.
Thursday, Feb. 27: pancake on a stick.
Friday, Feb. 28: 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, Feb. 24: fish sticks or pork patty, macaroni and cheese, fresh broccoli and cauliflower.
Tuesday, Feb. 25: General Tso’s or grilled chicken patty, California blend, brown rice.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: mozzarella dippers or hot ham and cheese sandwich, romaine salad, peas.
Thursday, Feb. 27: walking taco or burrito, black beans, buttered carrots.
Friday, Feb. 28: grilled chicken sandwich or BBQ rib sandwich, tater tots, broccoli with cheese, surprise bars. MERCER Breakfast is served with orange juice and white or chocolate milk. Cereal is an optional entree.
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, Feb. 24: a) hamburger; b) burritos; tater tots.
Tuesday, Feb. 25: a) roast beef; b) ham; mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, roll.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: a) lasagna, garlic bread; b) meatball sub, fries.
Thursday, Feb. 27:
a) sloppy joe; b) deli sandwich; baked chips.
Friday, Feb. 28: a) walking taco; b) fish sandwich; refried beans, brownies.
CAINSVILLE Breakfast is served with fruit, juice, and milk.
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.
Thursday, Feb. 27: chicken stuffing casserole, green beans.
Friday, Feb. 28: Mexican casserole, Spanish rice.
CAINSVILLE
CHANEY
MELANIE
I guess the cold and snow has kept everybody in from doing anything, because I have absolutely no news from anyone. What I do have I am stealing from Facebook! I haven't done anything either. Was home three days and at school two days. I helped a friend do some things on Sunday,
and Lakelynn and Lilah Chaney spent the night Feb. 16. There is a junior high Scholar Bowl meet at Winston on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and a school board meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 19. Varsity basketball at Ridgeway versus North Harrison is Feb. 20. The FFA will go to the Western Farm Show in Kansas City on Feb. 21. There is an elementary basketball tournament at North Harrison on Saturday, Feb. 22. The week of Feb. 24 will be the Scholastic Book Fair at school.
Ten of the Doty family went to Honduras, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. They had a great time until they came back. All of them came down with Influenza A. They dressed every night for “Theme Night.” 70s night was fun, as were white night, formal night, tropical night and country night. The kids nicknamed Teresa “Bonnie.” However, David was called “Wheels” instead of Clyde. They were officially Bonnie and Wheels.
Justin and Becca Brown and others went to Hawaii last week. They whale watched in Waikiki and spent time in Oahu and Honolulu, and had a great experience.
Planning for the annual Cainsville PTO Carnival is underway. The carnival is planned for April 5. Contact the school with any questions.
See Cainsville, Page 5
Water rates focus of council meeting From Page 1
He added that the city makes no money from the sale of water. Then, it was time for persons to speak.
Lisa Enright was the first speaker to voice her concerns with the city’s rates, saying it could put small businesses out of business. She said she’d contacted Jeremy Rackers with the DNR about the rates, and said he agreed that her rates “did seem high” as a whole from the water district.
City Clerk Cory Willett read the crowd an email that Rackers sent that day, saying that the city’s rates were based on what had been a loan estimate of $2.3 million from a State Revolving Fund loan. The estimate was based on the engineering firm’s (McClure Engineering) project cost estimate and what the city originally applied for.
However, Willett said, a reduction in the project’s scope and bids coming in lower than anticipated brought the actual loan amount to $1.4 million. That means the DNR’s debt service coverage requirement went down, which will allow the city’s rate structure - based on a DNR rate study - could be reduced. In fact, Willett said, Rackers said he hoped to get new rates to the city later last week.
Richard Moore asked how much ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) money the city received during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it was spent on. City Superintendent Greg Goodknight said the city got about $200,000 in ARPA funds, which were used to buy new water meters.
Moore also claimed that had the city connected with Lake Rathbun (in southern Iowa, near Centerville), the city wouldn’t need a water tower and water plant any more. He was told the city would still need both if it connected with Rathbun.
Willett said a connection to Rathbun with a line to Mercer would cost just under $5.24 million, while “in-house” upgrades would cost $4.4 million. Also, the city would still have costs of just over $3.75 million to complete its distribution system and water tower, in addition to the connection fee.
Moore also asked Willett if McClure was on a monthly retainer with the city, and she replied the firm wasn’t on a retainer.
PWDS #1 board member Mike Covey asked if the city decided to increase rates because the district was going to connect to Rathbun. Willett said the current project began in 2015 when a
former district clerk said they needed more water for their customers than Princeton was providing.
Willett said after the city began to dig a test well, it was told (via McClure or Rathbun) that the district and Mercer planned to quit buying water from Princeton and start buying water from Rathbun. At that point, Princeton paused the project and joined the district and Mercer in meetings with Rathbun officials to determine if joining Rathbun would be beneficial financially to all Princeton customers.
Willett then repeated the breakdown of the costs associated with joining Rathbun.
By then, Willett said the city (and other entities) was in the midst of COVID-19, and that she applied for $4.5 million in ARPA funds to pay for the project. Princeton’s request was denied, and the city got “back on track” with the original project without a new well.
Covey said the district has a $9 million loan for its project.
Tiffany Siemer, the current PWSD #1 clerk, said she wanted to make sure she understood the rate increase provided by Deputy City Clerk Jami McLain that showed a 236% increase over the next two years. The city agreed that number was correct, but repeated that the DNR is reevaluating rates based on the actual loan amount, not the estimates.
When asked, Siemer said the district pays $17.51 for water from Princeton, $3.30 from Rathbun and $5.30 from the Putnam County Water District, all per 1,000 gallons. Goodknight asked
Siemer what percentage of markup the district has, but she didn’t have that information available. She did say that the district has to take all three costs and average them out to determine their customer rates, and that the rates have to be the same across the board.
Willett invited all interested parties to return for the council’s March 10 meeting to receive updates on the water rates.
Editor’s note: Some information for this report came from unapproved meeting minutes provided by City Clerk Cory Willett.
Cainsville
From Page 4
Sympathy to the family and friends of Leroy William “Bill” Osman who recently passed away.
Sympathy to the family and friends of Clarence Thomas who recently passed away.
Any news for next week would be greatly appreciated.
in, and SUBSCRIBE to the Princeton Post-Telegraph TODAY!
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
Downsizing Missouri government
PAUL HAMBY
Special to the Post-Telegraph
MAYSVILLE, Mo. DOGE has taken the country by storm with Elon Musk and Donald Trump on a mission to remove waste, fraud and excessive regulations from the federal government.
A similar movement is happening right here, in the Missouri legislature.
A “government efficiency” committee has been set up in the Missouri Senate. They are taking citizens’ suggestions on how to reduce fraud and waste in our state government. Chaired by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Vice Chair Brad Hudson. The Senate now has an online portal where you can send suggestions for programs to eliminate or report fraud. The easiest way to find it is to google “Missouri senate government efficiency portal.”
The Missouri House of Representatives’ Government Efficiency Committee is chaired by Rep. Ben Baker. The vice chair is Rep .Don Mayhew. Go to house.mo.gov Click on the committee at “Government Efficiency” and send them your suggestions for downsizing Missouri government.
Now, we have seen similar efforts back in 2010, where the suggestions went to an online portal, but they were never acted on. That was a PR stunt by the former head of the Missouri Senate. To make sure your voice is heard, also send your suggestions to your local newspaper as a letter to the editor and post them on social media. Send a copy directly to your state representative and state senator, too.
We did a recent informal survey asking for
LIBERTY THOUGTS
suggestions to downsize Missouri government. Here are a few responses:
• Eliminate all tax credit programs. Tax credits distort markets by having the Missouri state government pick winners that it will subsidize and making losers out of the rest. Tax credits are usually arbitrary, with amounts, percentages, and limits set by policymakers making guesstimates or worse by lobbyists for the state’s wealthiest seeking special favors.
• Eliminate programs where different state agencies duplicate services. An example is university campuses that duplicate study areas with low demand and very high costs. College funding continues to rise while college results have dropped dramatically in the past two decades.
• Eliminate personal vehicle inspections. Thirteen other states do
not currently require inspections on personal vehicles. Last week Missouri House Bill 799, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Farnan of Stanberry, passed out of committee. This bill would eliminate non-commercial vehicle inspections. Some proposals would still require dealers to complete an inspection to sell a used car as is current Missouri law.
• Add or enforce time limits on welfare/unemployment. How many times were unemployment benefits extended during the last recession? There is good evidence that government intervention during recessions has the unintended consequence of extending the length of the recession. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe proposed a budget of nearly $54 billion, a significant increase from last year's budget of $51.7 billion. We do not have the money for that
See Paul Hamby, Page 6
LEGAL NOTICE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MERCER COUNTY, MISSOURI
PROBATE DIVISION
In the Estate of KAREN A. TRAINER, Deceased. Estate No. 25AI-PR00001 NOTICE OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION GRANTED (Independent AdministrationNon-Resident Fiduciary) TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF KAREN A. TRAINER, Decedent:
On January 31, 2025, the following individual was appointed the personal representative of the estate of KAREN A. TRAINER, decedent, by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Mercer County, Missouri. The business address of the personal representative is: HEIDI KOONTZ, 3335 West 2700 South, Hurricane, UT 84737.
The personal representative may administer the estate independently without adjudication, order, or direction of the Probate Division of the Circuit Court, unless a petition for supervised administration is made to and granted by the court.
The personal representative’s name, business address and phone number is: ROBERT COWHERD, 903 JACKSON STREET, PO BOX 228, CHILLICOTHE, MO 64601, (660) 646-0627.
The non-resident personal representative’s designated agent’s name, address and phone number is: ROBERT COWHERD, 903 JACKSON ST., PO BOX 228, CHILLICOTHE, MO 64601, (660) 6460627.
All creditors of said decedent are notified to file claims in the Probate Division of this Court within six months from the date of the first publication of this Notice or if a copy of this Notice was mailed to, or served upon, such creditor by the personal representative, then within two months from the date it was mailed or served, whichever is later, or be forever barred to the fullest extend permissible by law. Such six-month period and such two-month period do not extend the limitation period that would bar claims one year after the decedent’s death, as provided in Section 473.444, RSMo, or any other applicable limitation periods. Nothing in Section 473.033, RSMo, shall be construed to bar any action against a decedent’s liability insurance carrier through a defendant ad litem pursuant to Section 537.021, RSMo.
Date of Decedent’s death: 11-08-2024, Date of first publication: 02-13-2025.
Julie Humphrey
Deputy Clerk, Mercer County Circuit Court
DATES OF PUBLICATION
February 13, 2025
February 20, 2025
February 27, 2025
March 6, 2025
Receipt of this Notice by mail should not be construed by the recipient to indicate that he necessarily has a beneficial interest in this Estate. The nature and extent of any person’s interest, if any, can be determined from the files and records of this Estate in Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Mercer County, Missouri.
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 or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy & Donna Cox and Robert & Tina Cox.
2-6-2025/3 years (106t)p
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
NO HUNTING
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
GUNS & AMMO
WOOD’S GUN SHOP
5 Miles South of Ravanna 660-748-5795 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-4-2024-ufn
LAND WANTED
Looking for land to lease for 2025 deer season. Will pay top dollar. References available. Not an outfitter. Fully insured. 715-495-3241. 1-30/4-15b
Boyer Land Company LLC Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673 660-748-6314 YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-4-2024ufn
STORAGE UNITS
For Rent - Storage unit. Elm Street Storage, Princeton. 660-748-3619. 2-6tfnb
FARM ITEMS
For Sale - Large round hay bales. Raymond Donelson, 660-748-3176. 2-13/2-20/2-27b
For Sale - 201 net wrapped grass hay. $50/bale. 95 plastic twine hay. $45/bale Call 660-292-0139. 2-13/2-20b
ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!
Hein’s
They cannot consume all of their bounty, so they sell chestnuts locally to individual consumers and another orchard.
“Currently, we sell a majority of the chestnuts in the wholesale market and a few locally,” Hein explains. “We have plans, that when the trees produce more, to market the nuts under our own brand and sell in the retail market.”
Unorthodox learning by doing
FFA SAEs help members develop skills beyond the classroom through real-world agricultural experiences.
“Supervised agricultural experiences allow students to gain knowledge about specific jobs, how to earn money, keep records and apply concepts that they are taught in the agriculture classroom to their hands-on experiences,” says Becca Bickel, Hein’s FFA advisor at Princeton High School.
While most FFA projects focus on livestock or crops, Hein chose chestnut trees, a unique and patient endeavor.
She waited several years before she was able to produce her own chestnuts from her own trees, Bickel notes. “Hailee works to harvest these chestnuts by hand, a true labor of love,” she says.
Orchard management demands science, business and persistence.
“I’ve grown with the trees,” Hein says. “Seeing how my orchard has progressed, it shows that I can do this, and I can market this. It gives me a feeling of confidence.”
Her advisor agrees: “The passion that ignites when you ask her about her SAE is magnificent,” Bickel says. “Hailee’s SAE will continue to grow as her passion for the industry grows.”
American chestnut history
In the early 1800s, American chestnut trees were a fundamental in the Appalachian economy, as many people built their houses and barns from one tree. They also relied on nuts as a food source.
These trees, some over 150 years old, originally spanned:
• the Appalachian Mountains
• Northeastern states such as Maine
• States as far south as Alabama and Mississippi
• Northern states such as Michigan
However, in 1904, blight was first noted at the New York Bronx Zoo. The fungus spread, and over the span of 40 years, the American chestnut population plummeted from 15 million trees to fewer than 150,000 in America.
European and Asian chestnuts showed significant resistance to the blight and were unaffected by it. In Missouri, Chinese chestnut are the trees of choice for nut producers across the state, including Hein’s orchard.
Mindy Ward is editor of Missouri Ruralist magazine. First appeared in Missouri Ruralist. Reprinted with permission.
Lineville council OKs water project plan
Mayor asks council to reconsider borrowing money for new main PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
LINEVILLE, Iowa The Lineville City Council briskly handled its work during the regular February meeting last Monday night (Feb. 10).
Mayor Jack Shields, in the absence of City Clerk Brandy Shriver (she came down with the flu), presented the council with the resolution that approves a construction contract and the bond for the West Elm Street water main replacement project, and the council approved the resolution.
Shields encouraged council members to reconsider their decision to borrow money to pay for the project.
Shrinkage in the Water Department was said to be 18.49%.
Recycling issues
Shields said the recycling driver had turned in his keys to Shriver, and said he was done hauling recycled materials unless the city would begin to do something about people who tie bags of trash to the recycling trailer, or who simply dump bags next to the trailer instead of using the trailer in a responsible manner.
Shields asked council members if they knew of anyone who was willing to haul recycling material. A discussion was held about possibly installing a wildlife camera to catch persons who don’t use the trailer properly, and giving them tickets for littering.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Polsdofer said
she wants Shriver to look into laws about recycling. Other items
• Shields asked the council if they wanted to put out bids for mowing, or keep the current mower. The group voted to keep that person if the price is the same as last year.
• Bills totaling $19,557.27 were approved for payment.
• Shriver’s monthly fund balance report said January income was $14,133.29 in governmental funds and $26,610.47 in utility funds. Expenses last month were $8,913.15 in governmental funds and $21,420.94 in utility funds. The monthly transfer of $1,425 in utility funds was made.
Editor’s note: Information for this report was taken from unapproved meeting minutes provided by City Clerk Brandy Shriver. All votes were unanimous, except where noted.
Paul
Hamby From Page 6
and if it stands, Missouri will have to dip into our reserves to balance the budget. There is a better way. Cut the fat, waste and fraud in Missouri. Next, we will cover more ideas for downsizing Missouri government. Share your ideas with your state representatives and senators as indicated above, then send me a copy of your ideas: paul. hamby@protonmail.com
Paul Hamby is a conservative, free-thinking farmer and small businessman in northwest Missouri’s DeKalb County. Copyright (C) 2025 Liberty Thought of the Week. All rights reserved.
MERCER BASKETBALL Weather wreaks havoc on HDC tourney, 5th-place games off
Boys, girls go 0-2 in HDC tourney
Winston, Gilman City girls win with big rallies
PRESTON COLE Princeton Post-Telegraph
MERCER, Mo. Mercer’s girls had the lead going into the fourth quarter of both of their HDC Conference Tournament games last week, only to see their opponents rally for victories.
And to pour salt into those wounds, the Cardinals’ scheduled 5th-place game against East Harrison for Friday night was canceled due to a forecast of bad weather Saturday. Said weather never appeared. Winston 30, Mercer 29
Winston outscored Mercer 14-5 in the fourth quarter of their pool game last Thursday (Feb. 13) to escape with a 1-point win.
Mercer, which pounded the Redbirds 50-25 on Feb. 4 in an HDC league romp, led 9-4 after the first quarter. Lily Stark scored 6 of the Cardinals’ 8 second-quarter points as they outscored Winston 9-8 for an 18-12 halftime lead. Then, on a night that saw both teams struggle to score, Stark hit two hoops in the third as Mercer (8-14) outgunned the Redbirds 6-4 for an 8-point lead with as many minutes left, 24-16.
Bailey Houk hit the Cardinals only hoop in the fourth, and Mercer could add just three free throws for a 5-point period. Winston (8-15) scored 14 points down the stretch, including pairs of 3-point goals from Kaitlyn Estes and Shealyn Pliley and the clinching bucket by Reiann Hampton.
Stark led Mercer with 10 points, a total matched by Winston’s Hampton. Other Mercer scoring: Kylie Holt 5, Ashlynn Brown 2, Payton Houk 7, Bailey Houk 4. Gilman City 46, Mercer 39
MERCER, Mo. Tri-County opened the season with 9 boys on its basketball roster. That’s a decent enough number for a small Class 1 program, but that roster was really thin last Thursday night (Feb. 13) when the Mustangs played Mercer in an HDC Conference Tournament pool game.
The Mustangs (9-13) had the minimum 5 players available for the game, but two of them were T-C’s big scorers in Gabe Manning and Carter Fewins. The juniors combined for eight 3-point goals and 49 points to lead T-C to a 64-52 victory.
They combined for 12 of their team’s 14 first-quarter points, including three triples from Fewins, and despite 7 points from Brett Hashman and 5 from Kobe Hill, T-C outscored the Cardinals 20-14 to open the game.
Mercer’s top duo combined for 14 points and 7 of the Cardinals’ 8 goals in the second, but Manning and Fewins each hit two 3s and Keaton Norman added a fifth deep bucket as the Mustangs outscored Mercer 23-18 to lead 43-32 at halftime.
The scoring slowed for both teams in the second half, as an 11-all deadlock in the third quarter was followed by a 10-9 closing kick for T-C.
Mercer, which fell to 4-16 with its 10th straight setback, got 20 points from Hashman, 15 in the first half, and 13 from Hill. Other scoring: Kaimon West 8, Tate Lewis 1, Isaiah Argo 1, Lawson Twedt 2, Mason Martin 7. All five Mustangs scored, paced by 25 points from Manning and 24 from Fewins. Winston 61, Mercer 27
MERCER, Mo. HDC regular-season champion Winston dominated from the start of last Monday’s (Feb. 10) tournament opener and coasted to a victory.
Brayden Watkins scored 12 points in the first quarter to lead the Redbirds (18-5 after losing to Gilman City on Friday night in the championship game) a quick 22-4 cushion. Winston outscored the Cardinals 13-7 in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 35-11 at the halfway mark. Hill hit 9 points for Mercer in the third quarter, but it wasn’t nearly enough as Winston took the period 22-11 to increase the spread to 57-22, and the final stanza was a turboclock affair.
Hill scored 21 of Mercer’s points as only three Cardinals scored. Other scoring: Hashman 4, West 2. Youtsey and Watkins each scored 17 points for
MERCER, Mo. As tough as the Winston was, Mercer’s loss to regular-season HDC champion (and eventual tournament champion) Gilman City might have been worse when the teams met last Tuesday night (Feb. 11).
That’s because the Hawks (19-4) hit 14-of-19 free throws in the fourth quarter and held Mercer to 3 field goals over the final 8 minutes, which greatly aided Gilman City to rally from a 28-21 deficit to get the win.
Mercer led 10-6 after the first quarter, but Gilman City rallied with a slow-paced 9-6 surge in the second - with all the scoring from their two high scorers, Kholey Sperry and Avery Gregg - to pull to within 1615 at intermission. The Cardinals regained a bit of an edge in the third quarter, holding Gilman City to just one hoop during a 12-6 stretch that built Mercer’s lead to 7 points, 28-21 entering the fourth. The lead could have been larger but Mercer hit just 1-of-4 foul shots (the Hawks made 4-of-6 in the third).
In the fourth, Mercer got hoops from Kylie Cowles (a 3) and Payton Houk, but could only add 6-of-10 free throws. Gilman City outscored Mercer 25-11 over the final 8 minutes, led by 11 points from Gregg (a 3 plus 8-of-10 free throws) and 9 from Sperry (two hoops and 5-of-7 foul shots.
Payton Houk led Mercer with 9 points. Other scoring: Cowles 8, Holt 2, Brown 7, Lily Stark 4, Riley Stark 5, Bailey Houk 4. Sperry led Gilman City with 22 points and Gregg hit for 17, 13 in the second half.
Mercer was scheduled to end the regular season this week with games at Gilman City on Tuesday night, and at Northwestern (Mendon) on Friday night.
a Tri-County
Winston as 8 Redbirds scored. Youtsey reached the 2,000-point career mark (to go with over 1,000 rebounds) during the championship game.
Mercer was to end the regular season this week with a trio of non-conference road games, starting with the late addition of Class 3 Trenton on Monday night. The Cardinals were to play at Gilman City on Tuesday night before ending the regular season at Mendon (Northwestern HS) on Friday night.
However, the Trenton game - along with a girls game against the North Missouri HSA Knights, also in Trenton - was canceled late Monday morning (Feb. 17).
The Cardinals’ 5th-place tournament game vs. East Harrison was canceled.
MISSOURI BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION POLLS
Both Princeton Tiger teams ranked FEB. 17 CLASS 1 GIRLS POLL
BETTY WILLIS/Special to the Post-Telegraph Mercer’s Sari Rogers defends a Winston during the Cardinals’ HDC Conference Tournament loss.
BETTY WILLIS/Special to the Post-Telegraph Cardinal Mason Martin (in white) guards the low post against
player.
PRINCETON BOYS BASKETBALL Putnam County, Milan take losses
Perfect season continues
Victory gives Tiger coach Collins his 150th Princeton win. Final week could be treacherous for Tigers PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
MILAN, Mo The most glorious regular season in Princeton boys basketball history continued with great ease Friday night, as the Tigers throttled longtime foe Milan 61-24 in a nonconference mismatch.
Princeton coach Damon Collins notched his 150th victory as the Tiger mentor, and his players presented him a commemorative banner after the game. A photo and more information appears on Page 1.
The Tigers (23-0) entered the final week of the regular season with games scheduled against three tough foes, all on the road - Gallatin (19-4) on Tuesday night in what could’ve been decisive in setting the #1 seed for next week’s Class 2, District 16 tournament, Schuyler County (18-5) on Thursday night, and Gilman City (15-8) on Friday night. Gilman City is 0-2 against the Tigers this season, but both games weren’t decided until deep into the fourth quarter.
Friday night’s game started as slowly, as Milan (5-17) seemed content to taking lots of time before taking a shot. Princeton opened a 6-0 lead on two buckets by Hunter Lowrey and one by Cooper Boxley, but Lowrey’s second goal didn’t come until the 5:05 mark of the first quarter. Milan’s first basket was a 3 by Keaton Weter with
4:43 left, but that was it for the pink-clad Wildcats for nearly 9 minutes.
During that stretch, Princeton ran off 26 unanswered points from 7 players to end what little suspense there was. The 26-0 run built the Tiger lead to 32-3 before Milan hit its second goal, another 3, with 3:35 left in the second. Princeton led 23-3 after the first quarter after ending the period with the first 17 points of its big rally.
Overall, the Tigers outscored Milan 15-8 in the second for a 38-11 halftime lead; Milan hit just three buckets during the first 16 minutes.
Princeton controlled the third stanza 14-8 and built its lead to 52-19 at period’s end. The fourth quarter was a turboclock affair, as Princeton’s bench outscorred Milan’s 9-5 to finish the 37-point victory.
Eleven of Princeton’s 13 players scored during the game, but only one reached double figures - Clay Evans hit for 11 points. Other scoring: Kash Holt 6, Chase Evans 7, John Schreffler 5, Chase Hale 3, Mitchell Walker 4, Kolton Schurke 2, Noel Schreffler 8, Boxley 2, Bowe Ussery 3, Loarey 9. Six Tigers combined to hit seven 3s on the night.
Princeton 73, Putnam County 57
PRINCETON, Mo. The host Tigers took the lead behind a dominant run during parts of the first three periods, but PC rallied to make things interesting before Princeton pulled away to secure the non-confer-
ence victory last Tuesday night (Feb. 11) in what turned out to be the Tigers’ final home game.
The teams traded scores in the early going, and the visiting Midgets (12-11) led 14-11 with 3:14 left in the first quarter. The game then turned over the next 14-plus minutes as the Tigers unleashed an epic 43-12 run that virtually put the game out of control.
The outburst began with the Tigers ending the first quarter with 14 consecutive points as they took the lead for good on a Walker 3, and led 25-14 after the first quarter. The big 4312 run continued as Princeton outscored the Midgets 18-12 during the second for a 43-25 margin at intermission. Princeton then started the third frame with an 11-1 spurt for its largest lead, 54-26 at the 5:05 juncture of the period.
Back came Putnam County. Over a span of less than 4 minutes, the Midgets ran off 16 straight points to cut what had been a 28-point Princeton lead to a more manageable 12-point spread, 54-42 with 1:16 left. Princeton was able to steady the ship, however, taking a 5644 lead going to the fourth and maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the game.
All 8 players in Princeton’s main rotation scored, three in double figures - Clay Evans scored 20 points, Lowrey hit for 15 and Walker added 10 coming off the bench. Other scoring: Holt 7, Chase Evans 9, John Schreffler 4, Noel Schreffler 6, Boxley 2.
PRINCETON GIRLS BASKETBALL Milan scores late for non-league victory
Under the weather defeat
Three starters fight through nasty colds, but Princeton led until until 1 minute left PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
MILAN, Mo Down 9 points going to the fourth quarter Friday night (Feb. 14), Milan rallied to get the lead with 1 minute left and hung on for a 47-45 non-conference victory over an illness-weakened bunch of Princeton Tigers.
Tiger stalwarts Addilyn Henke, Macey Lewis and Audrey Kelly - Princeton’s top three scorers averaging a combined 43 points per game - all battled various stages of head colds throughout the game, but still led a majority of the time before running out of gas.
Mya Pauley scored half of Milan’s first-quarter points, a figure matched by Henke, but Princeton got more help from other girls in taking a 15-14 lead.
Henke poured in 10 points,
including two 3-point buckets, in the second quarter while Marian Dabney was the only Wildcat to connect from the floor in the second. Princeton (18-4) was able to add a point to its lead during that stretch, as the Tigers outscored Milan 1312 for a 28-26 halftime lead.
The Tigers took a degree of control in the third quarter, as Henke and Kelly hit two hoops each, including a 3 apiece, and Randa Shahan hit a 3 as Princeton outscored the Wildcats 14-7 and took a 42-33 margin to the fourth.
From there, however, things went slowly downhill from there for Princeton in the final period. Milan (17-6) got contributions from four girls and crawled to an 11-0 run that gave the Wildcats a 44-42 lead. Lewis scored her only points of the night with an old-school 3-point play with 1:22 remaining, but Dabney hit 2-of-2 free throws with exactly 1 minute
remaining to put her team up 46-45. After a leg-weary Henke was short on a 3-point try, Emerson Pauley hit 1-of-2 free throws with 29.6 seconds left for the final margin.
Addilyn Henke led all scorers with 23 points, 17 in the first half, and hit four 3s. Other scoring: Kelly 3, Mikaylee Henke 7, Kelly 7, Shahan 5. Princeton, which fell to #9 in the latest Class 1 MBCA poll, was scheduled to play at Gallatin (10-13) on Tuesday night. The Tigers play Schuyler County (1-20) on Thursday night at Queen City, and will play Gilman City (19-4) on Friday night in the illness-delayed championship game of the Gilman City Tournament. Princeton 75, Putnam County 44 PRINCETON, Mo. With last Thursday’s game against Class 3 Trenton getting canceled, last Tuesday night’s (Feb. 11) game turned out to be the Tigers last
home game of the season. They used two big scoring periods to give the visiting Midgets a 31-point beatdown.
Five of the six Tigers who scored (out of 7 available players) scored in the first quarter as Princeton jumped out to a 21-9 lead despite Putnam County (815) hiting three 3s. Princeton hit 5 buckets in the second - as many as the Midgets had in the entire first half, including just two in this period - and used its 13-6 edge for a 34-15 halftime lead.
Addilyn Henke simply dominated the third quarter. She hit a pair of 3s and made 5 goals close to the basket to hit for 17 points, and four other Ti-
gers added scores, as Princeton outscored PC 25-15 for a 5930 lead after 24 minutes. Portions of the fourth quarter were played under the running clock rule.
Addilyn Henke, the Tigers’ career scoring leader, was the game’s leading scorer with 34 points, 30 over the first three quarters. But she wasn’t the Tigers’ only big scorer, as Mikaylee Henke (6.5 average) added 14 and Lewis scored 13. Other scoring: Kelly 7, Shahan 4, Gracie Mitchell 3.
Addilyn Henke entered the final regular-season week of her stellar Tiger career with 2,250 points.
TERRI KELLY/Special to the Princeton Post-Telegraph Princeton’s John Schreffler worked to get inside Putnam County’s Daxton Smith in case a free throw missed the mark.
TERRI KELLY/Special to the Princeton Post-Telegraph Tiger Mikaylee Henke (right) looked at one Milan player while blocking the foul lane against another Wildcats.
