Cameron Freedom Festival
Parades, fireworks, contests, car shows and more draw Cameron residents out for its annual Freedom Festival || PAGE A12
LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
“The People Have The Right To Know”
Thursday, July 11, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron |
FREE | “Covers Clinton County Like Dew”
SAYING GOODBYE
Veteran Merle Green passes on Independence Day by brett adkison leader editor
It was a bittersweet Independence Day for the community of Lathrop, who learned of the passing of one of its great veterans, Merle Green, that day.
Green, who was 103 years old, was a celebrated three-war veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was born July 4, 1921— also Independence Day. His services were held Monday in Lathrop.
Merle enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1942 and flew more than 1,500 as an aircraft mechanic in WW2. He reenlisted with the US Air Force in 1948 and was an aircraft technician in occupied Japan during the
Korean War. He served as a flight chief and hangar chief. He went on to serve at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. He was medically retired in 1966, serving a total
of 21 years and retiring as a senior master sergeant. He went on to work for TWA until his retirement in 1984. Merle was born and raised in Winston, Mo., before making his home with his family in Lathrop. He
spent his later years at the Cameron Veterans Home. For more on Merle’s story, turn to page A6 to read The Leader’s 2021 story about Merle as he turned 100 years old. His obituary can be found on page A5.
LET FREEDOM RING
CLINTON COUNTY
Eight Rural Storm Sirens Being Added This Week
by brett adkison leader editor
Clinton County has seen its share of strong storms in 2024, but in the near future, rural residents will have an added layer of storm warnings. Clinton County is installing eight storm sirens in the county’s most populated rural areas thanks to nearly $200,000 in grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Clinton County Emergency Management Director Blair Shock said the sirens are scheduled to be installed this week and should be operational by the end of the month. The total cost of the project is $260,033. The FEMA program accounts for $194,400 of the costs, with the county contributing $65,633. Shock said two of the sirens will be located south of Cameron to cover subdivisions on 69 Highway. Three will be in rural Holt—one at Lake Arrowhead, one east of I-35 on Haynesville Road and one northwest of Holt on 209th Street (near Old Barn Lane). One siren will be placed in Turney at the Lathrop Fire Protection District’s outpost, one will be placed west of Trimble near a large subdivision and one will go on 169 Highway north of Grayson. The new sirens will be mounted on 50-foot poles and will produce 130 decibels at 100 feet, giving them an effective radius of more than a mile. They will also have battery backup and solar chargers, which Shock said will help ensure their reliability even when the electrical system is experienc||Continued on A2
Clinton Countians celebrate with fun on the Fourth of July From fireworks to parades, celebrations to gatherings, towns in Clinton County went all out for the Fourth of July celebration last week, as the festivities ran from Thursday, July 4, and into the weekend. (Above) The skies over Plattsburg light up with the aerial bombardments of the Hartzell gang on Friday night in Perkins Park. (Right) Kids in Lathrop take part in the annual bike parade. For more, see page A12.
GOWER DAYS
Gower Fire Department named 2024 Grand Marshal Gower Days will be taking over downtown this weekend, and the annual festival will be honoring one of the community’s most important cornerstones. The Gower Fire Protection District has been named the Grand Marshal of Saturday’s Gower Days parade; an honor reserved for those community members that
have helped bolster the community. “We truly are honored to be recognized,” said Gower Fire Chief Jon Roe. “We believe that this honor means our time and efforts to serve the citizens of our community have not been unnoticed. We have a great group of men and women who serve the community (not just the city limits), on a voluntary basis and choose to be there
THE LEADER
INSIDE
by brett adkison leader editor
Est. 1895
Winner of 100+ awards from the Missouri press assoc.
to help their neighbors in a time of need. It is truly an honor to have the support of our entire community shown in this capacity.” Countless times a year, the men and the women of the department are quick to serve residents in their scariest moments. To help in that endeavor, the department and its board of directors have taken major strides to supplement and enhance
One Section | 12 pages
Community.........A5 Sheriff................A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A10
their services. A new brush truck for grass and wildland fires was purchased in 2018 and the department bought a new pumper in 2020, replacing a piece of equipment that was more than 50 years old. They’ve utilized grant funding to upgrade and replace radio equipment, gear, tools and more. Gower is also one of the few rural departments that has added a dive team,
which helps not only Gower but also the surrounding communities. “In the last 20 years, five vehicles have been swept away by flood water inside our district,” said Chief Roe. “The last resulted in loss of life. We began a water rescue program and have utilized our training and equipment several times, including call outs for mutual aid from neighboring
Gower Sewer Rates Going Up
This Week’s Sheriff ’s Report
Gower City Council increases sewer rates, sidewalk downtown is all but complete.
See which calls for service came through the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Dispatch for the previous week.
|| PAGE A12
|| PAGE A3
departments and agencies needing assistance.” All of these efforts have been beneficial to the pocketbooks of district residents, too. The district’s insurance rating has fallen from a seven all of the way down to a four, lowering home insurance costs. The department is also a constant presence and supporter of the community ||Continued on A2
Honeycutt Media 102 e. Maple St. Plattsburg, Mo., 64477 (UPS 435580000) 816.539.2111 email: leader@clintoncountyleader.com
VOL. 129, NO. 38