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TRENTON
THURS., MAY 23, 2024
REPUBLICAN-TIMES “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
Old Glory flying at Five Points
republican-times.com
Trenton Police Department Seeking Officers Facing the loss of three police officers over the last two weeks, Trenton Police Chief Rex Ross is doubling down on finding new candidates to protect and serve the community. Officers Keith Edmonston and Faith Houghton left the Department on May 11, and Officer Chance Houghton has submitted his resignation effective May 24. Edmonston and his wife Nicki will be relocating to Schuyler County, where both have taken teaching positions in the Schuyler County R-1 High School. Faith and Chance Houghton will be relocating to southern Missouri soon. The resignations leave the Trenton Police Department with nine full-time officers, including Chief Rex Ross, and five part-time officers. Ross says that the Department has been able to absorb those changes for the near term, but says that efforts will be addressed towards the 12 police academy sites in the state, mo.gov websites, and Missouri Peace Officers Association website to attract new officers to Trenton. “The key is to find someone who understands and supports our programs, and who really wants to live and work here,” Ross said. “It is important to find a person who will be the right fit.” The Department focuses their officers on working hard and doing good work, but also in reaching out in community building, work[See TPD, Page 2]
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 160th Year - No. 38
A Conversation with City Clerk Cindy Simpson
TMS Top Dawgs
Photo Courtesy of Trenton Middle School
Trenton Middle School held their end-of-year awards on Friday, May 17, during which time the Top Dawg awards were given. The Top Dawg award is given to one male and one female in each grade, 5-8, for demonstrating the best overall qualities of academic success, citizenship and character education. The Top Dawgs for the 2023-24 school year were, from left, front row, fifth graders Wesley Stiles and Avery Gamet and sixth graders Cason Trump and Layla Woodard; back row, seventh graders Ross Maloney and Amaya White and eighth graders Connor Thompson and Bailey Williams.
By Mark McLaughlin R-T Staff Writer Over 75 percent of all people who have served in the American workforce change jobs on the average of seven times in their working life. In many cases, what starts out as a first career morphs into a second, third or fourth. For Trenton City Clerk Cindy Simpson, she has had one employer in her entire 45-year working life, and that’s been the City of Trenton, serving for eight years as Deputy City Clerk before receiving the appointment as City Clerk in 1988. Simpson came into the Deputy Clerk role at age 19
Cindy Simpson Trenton City Clerk
under then City Clerk Jolene Walker and City Administrator David Blackburn. She has served under mayors Bob Holcomb, Nick McHargue, Cathie Smith, Gary Hall, Linda Crooks and now Mayor Soptic. [See Simpson Page 2
R-IX Board Moves Forward with Bonds, Recognizes Retirees The Trenton R-IX Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. with a loaded agenda, some fond farewells and the exciting announcement that bonds will be issued for sale publicly on Monday, May 20. With all board members in attendance, the Board quickly approved minutes of the last meeting and bills, then moved to the recognition of school employees leaving the district by retirement. Retirees include Tonya Patridge, 10 Years; Tyann Cox, 10 Years; Bart Boyd, 13 Years; Muriel Moyers, 17 Years; Tammy Ockenfels, 19 Years; Dana Creason, 26 Years; Sonci Jones, 26 Years; and Tamara Leafgreen, 33 Years. Superintendent Daniel Gott stated, “On behalf of the entire Trenton R-IX community, I want to express our sincere gratitude for your dedicated service to our students and staff over the years. Your commitment has had a lasting im-
Submitted Photo
The Trenton R-9 School District recently honored their 2024 retirees, including, from left, Dana Creason, 26 years; Tonya Patridge, 10 years; Tamara Leafgreen, 32 years; Tammy Ockenfels, 19 years; Tyann Cox, 10 years; Sonci Jones, 26 years; and Bart Boyd, 13 years. Not pictured is Murial Moyers, 17 years.
pact on countless individuals. We wish you all the best in your retirement! May it be filled with joy, re-
laxation, and the fulfillment of your post working life dreams. Please know that you are always welcome
to visit and that you are forever a part of the Trenton R-IX family.” [See R-IX, Page 2]
Trenton Coca-Cola Bottling Company Sold
R-T Photo/Mark McLaughlin
A Trenton legacy business changed hands this past week as Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southwest Iowa purchased Trenton Coca-Cola Bottling Company from local owner Peter Trombley. The bottler was the first Coke bottler west of the Mississippi, dating back to 1893.
The oldest Coca-Cola bottling company west of the Mississippi River, in local hands since 1893, has been sold to southwest Iowa bottling giant Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The Trenton Coca-Cola Bottling Company, in its
fourth generation of Trombley family ownership, began doing business as Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling [See Coke, Page 3]