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TRENTON
THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 2022
REPUBLICAN-TIMES “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 159th Year - No. 8
NCMC Recognizes Scholarship Recipients The 2022-2023 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, October 12, in the Jeanette Hoffman Robison Auditorium at the Ketcham Community Center. Over 300 students were recognized for receiving an NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS, or other institutional scholarships. This annual event is hosted by the North Central Missouri College Foundation. Alicia Endicott, Executive Director of the NCMC Foundation, welcomed over 300 guests and thanked the Foundation Board for their stewardship of scholarship investments and the NCMC Board of Trustees for their leadership and faculty and staff for their efforts on behalf of students. NCMC English Instructor Amy Guthrie sang the National Anthem and Tammie Wiebers, NCMC Speech Instructor, was the emcee. Three NCMC Foundation scholarship recipients’ shared their stories about being able to spread their wings, thank their hero, and keep trying to reach your goals no matter the circumstances or your age. Ashely Sterkis, from Albany, MO, graduated high school in December 2021 and started at NCMC in January 2022. “Throughout high school, I always felt like a buzzard among the eagles. I never felt that my voice was being heard or
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Student Speakers pictured (L-R): Ashley Sterkis, Hannah Gryder, Abner Neill
that I was able to authentically be myself in fear of judgment. I was surrounded by staff that didn’t always see me. So, when the opportunity to graduate early was presented to me, I grabbed it with no hesitation,” shared Ashley. “Going to college has allowed me to become an eagle and soar. I have found my voice and reason. I want to thank all the staff members that have taken the time to go above and beyond to make us students feel welcome. I also want to thank the donors who have invested in our future.” Ashley has been accepted into the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and, after completion, plans to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (AAS). She is a recipient of the Cross Allied Health Science Scholarship and a Lloyd & Margaret Ketcham Scholarship. Abner Neill lives in Princeton, MO, and is working on an Associate in
BRIEFS Mascot’s Pancake Breakfast
The Trenton R-9 School Mascot’s will be holding their annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 29, at the C.F. Russell Stadium concession stand. They will be serving pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, milk and water, from 7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. This will be an eat-what-you-want pay-what-you-want meal that benefits the mascot program.
GCEM Receives Grant
Grundy County Emergency Management was awarded a Department of Homeland Security Grant for slightly over $620 to purchase additional CERT packs and supplies. Grundy county's community emergency response team is a group of volunteer citizens who are trained in supporting the local community and first responders during times of need, such as community events or following a serious disaster. We encourage anyone to reach out to us and learn more about the team. If anyone is interested in joining our community emergency response team please call 660-359-4040 extension 2251.
Rissler PTO Chili Supper
The annual Rissler PTO Chili Supper will be held on Friday, November 11, at the Rissler Cafeteria. Serving will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with an auction set to begin at 6:00 p.m. We are seeking volunteers to help and donations of basket items or baked goods from local businesses and the general public for the auction. Please contact either Chris Shuler at 970-302-9974 or Lora Harp at 816344-8315 if you would like to help. All donations and money raised will benefit children’s classrooms and enhance their educational experience.
Arts (AA) degree. Abner is a recipient of the Betty Frances & Nadine Hall Scholarship. “One of the most unique things about my experience here, as opposed to the other institutions I have attended, is the profound sense of community that I enjoy at NCMC. Here you find that administration, faculty, and staff all contribute to maximize the student experience. This community supports us as students and helps us to ‘Pirate On’ and push through to achieve our goals. When you pair that with the tremendous support of the Foundation, it positions NCMC for growth and continued success as the small school that empowers students’ big dreams.” Abner and his wife, Jennifer, have five children, four of whom are NCMC alumni or current students. Hannah Gryder from Bethany, MO, was the last student speaker and a re[See NCMC, Page 2]
Trenton City Council Approves Ordinances and Policies The Trenton City Council met at City Hall on Monday, October 24. Those in attendance were Mayor Linda Crooks, Police Chief Rex Ross, City Clerk Cindy Simpson, City Administrator Ron Urton, City Attorney Tara Walker and councilmen David Mlika, Duane Urich, Robert Romesburg, Glenn Briggs, Danny Brewer and Marvin Humphreys. Joining the meeting via Zoom were councilmen Lance Otto and John Dolan. The meeting was called to order, minutes and bills were approved. In reports, Glen Briggs wanted to say “Thank You” to all those who helped with Missouri Days this year. Mayor Crooks attended via Zoom the Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting. They have a new website visittrentonmo.com and a new fb page Visit Trenton Mo that she encouraged everyone to look at. Mayor Crooks also attended a meeting on last Thursday. Missouri Extension is wanting to help rural communities in the areas of Economics, Education and Health and would like for Trenton to be a part of this program. Mayor Crooks also wanted to inform the public that the Fire Department has car safety seats, provided by MoDot for free to those who need them. She encourages those who need
BNB Declares New Nuisances The Building and Nuisance Board met at City Hall on Monday, October 24. Those in attendance were Code Enforcement Officer Wes Barone, Mayor Linda Crooks, Police Chief Rex Ross, City Clerk Cindy Simpson, Chairman of the Board David Mlika and board members Mary Axtell, Gaylon McCorkle, Lindsay Stevens and Vickie Meservey. The meeting was called to order and minutes were approved. In Declaration of a Nuisance, property at 506 Jackson Street owned by Barbara Morgans was moved to public hearing as no contact had been made and no repairs done. A house at 1422 Tindall Avenue owned by Steve and Rebecca Oakleaf was moved to public hearing. A letter had been sent, a little cleaning had been done but no contact had been received from the owners regarding their plans for the s t r u c t u r e . A house at 1703 E Second Street owned by Janice Garrison has been moved to public hearing to continue the process for demo tear down. Mr. Barone had spoken to Janice and she signed a letter of intent to tear down the home with
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the city demolition process next year. She is keeping the property mowed. In Public Hearing, property at 1701 Tindall Avenue, owned by Denise A. Wilson was taken off the list as repairs requested have been made. There were four properties that Mr. Barone had been asked to check on, with three of those properties having a declaration of a nuisance issued. Those properties are 403 E 9th Street and 1432 Main Street, both owned by Barbara Morgans and 405 E 22nd Street owned by Chris Stanturf. A structure at 413 E 9th Street, owned by Barbara Morgans was also looked at and determined that it does need to have the grass mowed and weeds removed but the house is okay at this time. During the past month there have been 37 inspections, 180 business licenses and nine permits issued. Police Chief Rex Ross gave his nuisance report. There have been 191 nuisances for the year, 43 of those are still active with 98 having been cleared. Fifty cases have been sent to prosecution and there are currently 15 cases on the court docket.
one to contact the fire department. An ordinance approving an agreement with MoDot to continue to provide financial assistance under the state block grant program. This program is used to perform a drainage study for runway rehabilitation work at the airport. The grant is a 90/10 grant meaning that the city only pays 10 percent and this grant funds the other 90 percent. The ordinance was approved on a 7-1 vote with Humphreys voting No. An ordinance was approved on a 8-0 vote, for a master services agreement with MPUA Resource Services Corporation for utility services for the city. This agreement is in place in case there would be a major disaster or issue where the city would need help and instead of having to contract out the services, an agreement could be sent to the council and MPUA would send in a team to help. They have a line crew available at cost to help out in these situations. They also help with mutual aide if needed. In unfinished business, Brewer said he had received three calls regarding the pooling of water on Oklahoma Avenue between Casey’s and the Auto Shawp. Urton said he knew that the street department had that area on a list they were working on but he would touch base with
them and see what can be done. A discussion was held on the policy on lead service lines with some changes to be made. The council has asked for the people to have a 90 day, 3 monthly payment plan for customers to pay for the materials from TMU to fix the lead and galvanized lines before water was to be shut off. Originally the policy was allowing for only 30 days to pay for the materials, which concerned the council as to prices of pipe and if people could afford to pay in those 30 days. Urton said there are currently 35-80 homes with old water meters in the basements. These homes have been contacted by a door hanger being placed on their doors to contact the city, so that the meters can be changed out. There has been no contact from these owners and so there will be one more door hanger placed and then a letter will be sent with a timeframe to contact the city. The changes will be made to the policy and then it will be brought to the next council meeting for approval. The water district has asked for the city to provide them water at cost when they are flushing their lines twice a year. The council agreed to try this for one year, which would [See City, Page 2]
Area School Boards Approve Bids and Hire Personnel Spickard R-2 The Spickard R-2 School Board met on Monday, October 17. The board approved paying bills totaling $20,568.41. The resignation of board member Charles Holtzclaw was accepted. The superintendent report included that teachers are working on data collection of assessment information as well as development of ELA curriculum. There are two teachers attending the MoreNet conference and two teachers enrolled in DESE sponsored LETRS training with a plan to enroll two more next year. Forest Sharp was named the Top Pirate for the month of September. The board has approved a bid from Kramer Contracting to tuckpoint the north wing of the school. An agreement was made to remodel the stage area of the gym, with the PTO agreeing to help fund this project. It was decided no to purchase new stage curtains at this time. The board agreed to relocate the playground to the west side of the school, Mrs. Eakes will start the planning process on this project.
Discussion was held on the MSIP 6 and the preplanning stage of the Continuous School Improvement Plan. The school is currently in cycle two of the process and will begin development in January. Mrs. Eakes will form a committee to include board members, teachers, support staff, parents, local business owners and other community members. Grow Your Own Scholarships were approved for Jasmine Allen, Japheth Busick and Tiffany Crawford totaling $4,300 for this semester. The adult breakfast price of $2.70 and the adult lunch price of $4.86 were approved. All staff will continue to receive free meals, however a price must be set for reporting purposes. The board announced upcoming dates of importance. On October 27, school will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. for parent/teacher conferences and no school on October 28. The PTO sponsored Halloween [See Boards, Page 2]