Winning Week 1
Both Lathrop and East Buchanan football start the year with victories || PAGE A7
LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
Thursday, September 5, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron |
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PLATTSBURG SCHOOLS
Fifth graders move from cramped Ellis to CCMS
by brett adkison leader editor
The school year is well underway in Plattsburg, and for the Clinton County R-III School District, that includes a major shift for some of its students.
The fifth grade at Plattsburg has moved from Ellis Elementary to Clinton County Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year in an effort to alleviate cramped space at the elementary.
The issue was evident last school year, as officials had to use whatever space was available for certain activities. “We had staff members in the hallways to work and also meet with students,”
said Clinton County R-III Superintendent Dr. Sandy Steggall. “We also had to double up teachers in classrooms and some had to leave their office during the day so a parent meeting could be facilitated.”
School officials were proactive in addressing the issue, meeting last winter to go over their options. Immediate consideration was given to moving the fifth grade to Clinton County Middle School, which, along with
Plattsburg High School, was projected to have three or four open classrooms for this school year. Enrollment projections at that time put the initial enrollment at Ellis for the new ||Continued on A2
SAVING THE DEPOT Budget clears CAMERON
first hurdle despite initial tough talk
by jamey honeycutt leader publisher
A community effort is underway to buy and restore the Santa Fe Depot in Plattsburg. brett adkison | the clinton county leader
CCHS aims to purchase, preserve brick building by brett adkison leader editor
A brick relic of a bygone era could soon see new life in Plattsburg. Community leaders are starting to rally around an effort to purchase and restore the Santa Fe Depot, which sits on Seventh Street near Perry Park and was once a hub of commerce and travel in the community. The Clinton County Historical Society is hoping
to raise $210,000 to fund the effort, along with in-kind donations and possible grant funding that could follow the purchase. The campaign could ultimately be bolstered in part by the city’s recent move to establish a community committee to consider historic landmarks and districts, opening additional avenues for funding. According to the historical society, citing information from The Plattsburg
Leader, the last freight train out of Plattsburg departed on June 21, 1979. The Santa Fe Line had previously been slated for abandonment but was saved in 1974 by a community effort, extending its use for several years. The Santa Fe Depot is the last of three that once stood in Plattsburg. The historical society has preserved a painting, The Grand Canyon of Arizona from Hermit Rim Road
by Thomas Moran, that once hung in the depot. The society hopes to restore the painting to its former home one day. The society has already started formulating fundraising opportunities. For those who would like more information or to donate, you can contact Lesli Shaver at (816) 682-9250.
The Cameron City Council met Tuesday night, September 3, in an attempt to ratify a budget on the first reading, but it was obvious that was going to be a tall task from the get-go. Before the anticipated public hearing to discuss hot-button issues, including staffing, pay increases and city hall repairs, a routine annual amendment was made to the Alliance wastewater management contract with a vote of 5-0. In the public hearing to discuss the budget, the public was invited to comment. Park Board President Matt Arndt spoke first, questioning budget items concerning projects the board might undertake. The amount had been reduced and Arndt was informed that there were no real identified plans for projects, so the amount was reduced to a minimum amount with some regular expenditures included. Next, local business woman Sue Manion took the mic and encouraged the council to keep the cost of living adjustments (COLA) and merit increases that were on the chopping block. Despite the price tag to taxpayers of over $300,000, Manion insisted that they were necessary to hire and retain good employees. “As a citizen, it is one place I don’t care, you spend as much as you want to, but you make sure these folks (city employees) are taken care of,” said Manion. The comments must have hit home, because when the vote came later, the merit increase was left unchanged and COLA was funded, but at only one ||Continued on A2
CLINTON COUNTY
Carrel looks forward to serving the community This January when A.J. Carrel and other newlyelected county officials take the oath of office, it will mark a homecoming of sorts for Clinton County’s new sheriff. Carrel hasn’t left the area. He’s been firmly en-
trenched in the Lathrop community for some years, including volunteer work with the schools, Friendship Festival and more. But his career in law enforcement has stretched far beyond the county line, building an impressive and broad resume. He hopes to put those experiences to work for
THE LEADER
INSIDE
by brett adkison leader editor
Est. 1895
Winner of 100+ awards from the Missouri press assoc.
Clinton County. “I’ve been blessed in my career to be able to be a part of a lot of different aspects of law enforcement, whether that be as a training officer for a brand new deputy, all of the way up to working major case squads for homicides,” Carrel said. “That large scope—being
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Community.........A5 Community.........A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A11
able to know what’s needed for each position and finding the right people for each of those positions—is probably the best thing I’ll bring to the table.” He felt a pull toward law enforcement early in his life. Carrel grew up in St. Joseph, where his uncle, the late Mickey Gill, served as
the Buchanan County sheriff. A.J. recalls wandering the halls of the courthouse with his uncle, whom he counts as one of many great mentors in law enforcement career. Carrel graduated from Central High School in 2002 and went on to get a degree in criminal justice.
Ticketing app for P’Burg sports
What’s the word this week?
Fans heading out to watch the Tigers are asked to buy tickets digitally ahead of game-time.
Catch opinion pieces from former publisher Steve Tinnen and publisher Jamey Honeycutt.
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He then graduated from the Missouri Sheriff’s Academy in 2009. His very first job in law enforcement was with Clinton County as a road deputy. He worked the road and conducted narcotics investigations for two-and-ahalf years. He said he fell in love ||Continued on A2
Honeycutt Media 102 e. Maple St. Plattsburg, Mo., 64477 (UPS 435580000) 816.539.2111 email: leader@clintoncountyleader.com
VOL. 129, NO. 45