Letters to Santa Claus
See what local kindergarten students are asking for this Christmas. || PAGE A6
LEADER CLINTON COUNT Y
“The People Have The Right To Know”
Thursday, December 26, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron | FREE |
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CITY OF LATHROP
Council approves bid for major sidewalk project by brett adkison leader editor
The City of Lathrop has made major strides in refurbishing its sidewalks over the last decade, thanks in large part to state transportation grants. The largest of those projects could
be underway in the coming months. The Lathrop City Council approved a bid Tuesday, December 17, for construction on two stretches of sidewalk that will ultimately reach all of the way from Oak Street to the parking
lot of Lathrop High School on the north side of town. Construction is expected to begin in the spring. The winning bid came from Sands Construction out of Kansas, which bid the first section (along Center Street from Oak Street
to Walnut) at $239,471 and the second section (along Center Street from Walnut to Lathrop High School) at $379,869. It was the lowest of four bids that were submitted for the work. The project total is $619,340, which Lathrop
City Administrator Bob Burns said is approximately $190,000 more than the city had hoped it would cost. The brunt of the bill is being footed by a MoDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant, which will pay for 75 percent of
HOLIDAY CLASH
the total while the city pays for 25 percent of the total. Perhaps the biggest feature in the project will be how it handles the intersection of 116 Highway and 33 Highway on the north side of town, which is always ||Continued on A2
YEAR IN REVIEW
How 2024 helped shape Clinton County by brett adkison leader editor
Christmas has come and gone, and now, 2025 can be seen just on the horizon. Before we plunge into the new year, let’s take a look back at the stories that made headlines each week in Clinton County. Below, you’ll find the biggest headlines from each edition of The Clinton County Leader, beginning with the first half of 2024. Next week, we’ll jump into the second half of the year.
Before heading home for the Christmas break, the KCI Conference season got underway with a series of match-ups, including a clash between East Buchanan and Plattsburg at PHS on Friday, December 20. The Plattsburg girls came out on top in their game, 45-20, while the East Buchanan boys kept their state-ranked momentum going with a win over the Tigers. (Above) East Buchanan freshman Ainsley Stallard and Plattsburg senior Loralie Matsukevich battle for position on a free throw Friday at PHS. See inside for more photos. brett adkison | the clinton county leader
tion races for city, school district leadership are set, including a threeman race for Plattsburg mayor between incumbent James Kennedy and challengers David Jett and Ricky Volkman; Plattsburg’s Helton twins help coach Liberty North to state football championship; Plattsburg mourns the loss of Keith Clements at 80.
January 4: Clinton County Commissioners report the county will finish 2023 in the black with healthy reserves; the City of Plattsburg will end curbside pick up for glass recycling.
January 18: East Buchanan Elementary Principal Josh Barker named next superintendent at North Andrew School District; East Buchanan seniors Gage Busby and Zora Whitt are crowned Courtwarming Royalty; Gower City Council begins process to annex land where new EBMS will be built; City of
January 11: April elec-
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EAST BUCHANAN SCHOOLS
Board reviews audit, signs off on next year’s calendar The East Buchanan Board of Education voted to accept the district’s audit and approved a new district calendar for the 2025-2026 year during their monthly board meeting held on Monday, December 16. According to Superintendent Dr. John Newell, this year’s audit was similar to previous years’ audits,
with no issues. The auditors again added a note regarding the separation of duties, but as Dr. Newell explained, this is a concern that all small districts have due to the number of staff available to share all of the district’s responsibilities. The board also approved the district calendar for the upcoming school year, adopting the option that 58 percent of the staff
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favored, which has school starting on August 18. The entire calendar can be found online at the district website. During the celebration portion of the meeting, Mrs. Jodie Parkhurst told the board about their activities during the recent Grandparents Day and also about a visit from Alastair Heim, the author of “How the Grench
One Section | 12 pages
Community.........A3 Community.........A5 Opinion..............A4 Sports..............A12 Legals................A8
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Students at East Buchanan Middle School in Easton left their mark on history recently, signing a steal beam that will be used in the construction of the new middle school building in Gower. photo courtesy of east buchanan schools
End of an era for Judge Elliott
Howard fits in with the DI game
Judge Elliott’s tenure with the 43rd Judicial Circuit is set to end on December 31.
Plattsburg alum Isaia Howard is seeing some time already with the breakout Drake team.
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Honeycutt Media 102 e. Maple St. Plattsburg, Mo., 64477 (UPS 435580000) 816.539.2111 email: leader@clintoncountyleader.com
VOL. 130, NO. 8