Thursday, January 4, 2024
Volume 152, No. 1 - Princeton, MO 64673
FIND THIS INFORMATION AND MORE IN THIS WEEK’S PRINCETON POST-TELEGRAPH
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Classified Ads -- 2 News ---------- 5-8 Sports --------- 4 IN SPORTS - COUNTY TEAMS SWEEP CONFERENCE OPENERS
HCCH Welcomes Rheumatologists to Outpatient Specialty Clinic
Harrison County Community Hospital (HCCH) has announced the addition of rheumatology to its outpatient specialty clinic. Dr. David John will see patients at HCCH in Bethany starting in January. Dr. John is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 40 years of experience. His extensive experience encompasses autoimmune conditions like
chronic low back and joint pain, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis and disease, Lupus, Tendinitis, and more. Brittney Siddens, Director of Nursing and Outpatient Specialty Clinics, expressed enthusiasm about this addition, stating, “The reintroduction of rheumatology into our specialty clinic marks an exciting development for HCCH. We’re dedicated to continuously enhancing patient care within our communities.” Appointments with Dr. John will be available twice a month in the Outpatient Specialty Clinic at HCCH. To learn more about our rheumatology services, please contact us at (660) 425-0253 or visit www.hcchospital.org.
December Character Kids Recognized
Princeton Elementary School recently held their December Awards Assembly and recognized their Character Kids for the month of December. December’s character trait was Compassion: showing kindness to others. This award was sponsored by Goodin Farms. Students receiving the Character Award for Compassion are pictured left to right: Kindergarten- Marlo Holt, 1st- Ruby Owen, 2nd- Rylan Rhea, 3rd- Owen Tatum, 4th- Stella Easter, 5thBrayden Ormsby, 6th- Reed Mitchell
patronage and equity reLearn More About Social MFA Oil to Distribute $19.9 Million in demptions so that our Security Disablity and member-owners can share Cash and Equity to Co-op Members co-op’s successes.” Supplemental Security Income COLUMBIA, Mo., itself, with companywide those figures equal $15.9 in the MFA Oil members are The public is cordially invited to attend a FREE webinar on Wednesday, January 10 from 9:00am11:00am (CST) about the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and Social Security disability benefits. Please go to the Social Security website, ssa.gov/kc/webinars to register and secure your spot today! The 2-hour training will cover eligibility details for the SSI program and Social Security benefits, the application process, how a disability determination is made, and other helpful resources. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children who have a disability or blindness or are age 65 and older and have
income and resources below specific financial limits. A person who is approved for SSI may also be eligible for other benefits such as medical, food, or housing assistance. If you know someone who may be able to get SSI, please encourage them to use our online SSI Protective Filing Tool to tell us they want to apply. Parents, family members, representatives, staff, and others may also use the tool which will establish a protective filing date. The protective filing date determines when benefits can begin if we approve the application. To learn more about other upcoming webinars, please visit ssa.gov/kc/ webinars and please share this information within your networks.
Dec. 22, 2023 - -MFA Oil Company, a farmer-owned energy supply cooperative, has good tidings to share with its members this holiday season. The company’s members are set to receive a combined $19.9 million in cash and equity in exchange for doing business with the co-op. The company announced the planned distribution at its 94th Annual Delegate Meeting on December 11, 2023. The cooperative reported a net income of $42.1 million for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2023, compared to $14.3 million for fiscal year 2022. Approximately $22.9 million of 2023 net income came from regional patronage that MFA Oil received from other cooperatives. MFA Oil had a strong year
earnings of $19.9 million from its own operations. “It was another great year for MFA Oil across all of our business units,” said Jon Ihler, MFA Oil president and CEO. “We credit the support, commitment, work ethic and passion of our employees with our success.” Based on 2023 earnings, the company’s board of directors approved the retirement of 100% of 2009 member equities ($4 million), retirement of 2010 member equities ($2.2 million) and retirement of 50% of 2011 member equities ($1.7 million. The board also approved $8 million of qualified cash patronage, which represents twothirds of allocated qualified patronage for the 2023 fiscal year to be paid to members. Together,
million in cash distributions. Additionally, MFA Oil will issue $4 million of member equities for 2023 – bringing the total cash and equity distribution to $19.9 million. Over the past five years, MFA Oil has returned $49.2 million in cash to members of the cooperative. Glen Cope, chairman of the MFA Oil Board of Directors, said the company’s fantastic results were attributable to employees at every level of the cooperative and to its member-owners who see the value of doing business with MFA Oil year after year. “We take great pride in meeting the needs of our farmer-members who own the cooperative,” Cope said. “We reward their business with cash
THE ONLY COMPLETE SOURCE FOR MERCER COUNTY NEWS & SPORTS
eligible to receive patronage based on a percentage of the total money they spend on gasoline, diesel, propane and lubricants purchased through the company’s refined fuel and propane plants, as well as at Petro-Card 24 stations. Customers who
MFA Oil… cont. to pg. 5
Five File For North Mercer School Board
There will be having an election on April 2 for North Mercer R-III School Board. Those filing are: Makella Hagan (Incumbent) Montana Holt Phillip Huffman Amanda Martin Ervin Taff (Incumbent)
2 • Princeton Post-Telegraph • CLASSIFIED/LEGAL ADS
INFORMATION
GUNS & AMMO
HOW TO CONTACT US Princeton Post-Telegraph PO Box 286/704 West Main Princeton, MO 64673 Phone: 660-748-3266 Fax: 660-748-3267 Email: posttele@grm.net DEADLINES Al Display Ads (Ads with borders) All Classified Ads News & Photos: 10 a.m. Friday * - includes photos sent via email NOTE: Deadlines change for holiday printing schedules. Advance notice will be provided. PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD! If an error is made in your ad, we will be happy to correct it. However, we are not responsible for errors that appear for more than one week.
WOOD’S GUN SHOP
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ALL garage sales (and similar sales) MUST be paid for in advance, unless you have an account that is in good standing.
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EDITOR’S NOTICES All real estate and/or houses, and all rental housing and/or property, advertised in the Princeton Post-Telegraph newspaper and the Courier shopper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. We will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. ––––––––––––––––––––––––
The receipt of news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases by the Princeton Post-Telegraph DOES NOT constitute an agreement to publish such news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. All news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases will be published at the discretion of the editor. At all times, the editor reserves the right to edit, amend, and/ or delete any and all information at will, with or without explanation. The limit of liability of the Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for advertising, legal and/or non-legal, not published. The Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for the non-publishing of news, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. This notice also applies for advertisements for the Courier (shopper).
SERVICES I CAN HELP YOU STOP SMOKING!
Russell Jennings 706 Prichard Princeton, MO 660-748-4860 9-21-2023/9-12-20-24bPC
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Boyer Land Company LLC
Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673 660-748-6314 YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-5-2023ufnP+C
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5 Miles South of Ravanna 660-748-5795 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-5-2023-ufnP+C ______________________ WANTED TO BUY Any kind of .22 any condition. 660-748-4860 Russell Jennings. 706 Prichard, Princeton, MO___ 12-21-2tp ______________________
NO HUNTING NOTICE - Hunting and trespassing with dog and/or gun, trapping or fishing on land owned or leased by the undersigned is strictly forbidden. You are hereby warned to keep off these properties. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
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No tresspassing for any reason on land that we own or lease. John & Linda Baughman. 9-28-23-52tpP+C
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No hunting or trespassing on any land owned by Bill and Peggy Heck. 9-15-22-52tbP+C ––––––––––––––––––––––––
No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan. 4-27-23-52tpP+C ––––––––––––––––––––––––
Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Highland Farms land owned and operated by Dixie Berger, Joe Berger & Steve Berger. 5-19-22-52tpP+C
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Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC and Roberta Zimmer. 3-23-23-52tpP+C
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Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider. 10-10-24-52tpP+C
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NO HUNTING OR TRESPASSING on any land owned by LAKE MARIE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION. 7-28-23-52tpP+C
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No hunting or trespassing of any kind on land owned by Diane Houk and Jenny Bomgardner. 9-28-23-52tpP+C
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Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom and drones on land owned and/or rented by KRW5 Trust (Keith or RaeLynn Weaver). 10-5-23-52tbP+C
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No hunting, trespassing or fishing on property owned, leased or rented by Howard or Joe Don Pollard. 4-21-22-52tpP
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Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Choate property at any time. 3-30-23-52tpP
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Absolutely no hunting with guns or dogs, fishing, or trespassing on land owned by Berndt Farm and Berndt Twin Lake Inc. 11-10-23-52tpP ––––––––––––––––––––––––
No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-22-104tpP
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January 4, 2024
Social Security Matters
by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens
Ask Rusty – If My Wife Claims Now, Will It Hurt My Social Security Amount? Dear Rusty: I am 69 years old, and my wife turned 70 early this year. I am still working full time. My wife is not working, but she got a letter from Social Security saying she should take her Social Security as soon as possible. My question is: since my wife has reached her full retirement age, can she take her SS without it affecting mine when I claim? I plan to work at least another year, depending on how the economy goes (I may have to work longer if it doesn’t get better). I have IRAs and a 401k to pull from when I retire. Signed: Anxious Husband Dear Anxious: The reason your wife received a letter from Social Security (SS) suggesting she claims now is because her benefit reached maximum some time ago at age 70. Thus, there is no reason for her to wait beyond age 70 to claim. By delaying past age 70 your wife is losing money so she should appl;y as soon as possible. I suggest your wife call Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (or your local office) right away to request an appointment to apply for her benefits and she should be sure to request six months of retroactive payments (SS will pay up to 6 months retroactively). If your wife has a “my Social Security” online account, she can also apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply, but she should be sure to request six months of retroactive benefits in the “Remarks” section of the online application. Because your wife is more than six months past age 70, getting 6 months retroactive benefits will not reduce her age 70 benefit amount. Nor will your wife claiming her benefits now negatively affect your Social Security when you later claim. Even though you plan to continue working, likely beyond 70 years of age yourself, you should not wait beyond age 70 to claim for the same reason – your benefit will reach maximum when you are 70. You can apply
for your benefits up to 4 months in advance, and specify you want benefits to start in the month you turn 70. If you haven’t already done so, you may wish to create your own “my Social Security” online account now at www.ssa.gov/myaccount, which will make it easier for you to apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply when the time comes next year. Applying online is, by far, the most efficient way, but you need to have your online account set up first to do so. Just so you know, there is no need to worry that you won’t get credit for work income earned after you have applied for your benefits. Even after you are collecting benefits, Social Security will automatically review your earnings each year when that info is received from the IRS (after you file your income tax return). If your most recent earnings are higher than those in any of the 35 years of lifetime earnings used to calculate your benefit when you claim, Social Security will automatically increase your monthly payment amount. In other words, you shouldn’t delay past age 70 to claim Social Security because you’re working – you’ll still get credit for those earnings, automatically. So, I suggest that your wife take fast action to apply for her Social Security benefits to avoid losing any more money, and that you plan to apply for your benefits to start when you turn 70. There is no financial advantage to waiting beyond age 70 to claim, even if you continue working. This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@ amacfoundation.org.
Commissioners Discuss Bridge Projects With Engineeer.
Mercer County Commissioners met Monday, December 18, 2023 with the following in attendance: Jerry Allen, Cheston Easter, Zachary Martin and Judy Hamilton. Zachary Martin made a motion to approve the Agenda. Cheston Easter, seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes, and Zachary Martin, yes. Motion carried and Agenda was approved. Cheston Easter made a motion to approve the minutes from meeting held on December 11, 2023. Zachary Martin, seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes, and Zachary Martin, yes. Motion carried and minutes were approved. Zachary Martin made a motion to approve bills. Cheston Easter seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes, and Zachary Martin, yes. Motion carried and bills were paid. Cheston Easter made a motion to approve timesheets and payroll for 12/15/23. Zachary Martin seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes, and Zachary Martin, yes. Motion carried and bills were paid Commissioners received 2024 Budget from Mercer County Library, to be submitted with County Budget forms. Commissioners and County Clerk signed Certified Copy of Order authorizing Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore to pay the following: • $42.00 to Grundy Electric Cooperative, Inc for Utilities in Lindley Twp; monies to be taken from Lindley Township Fund (43); • $12,687.17 to Mercer County Road & Bridge for Balance of 2023 allotted expense for Maintenance of Lindley Township; monies to be taken from Lindley Township Fund (43); • $48.75 to Galls for uniform expense; monies to be taken from Sheriff’s Special Fund (32); • $2,500.00 to Dominion Voting for License Fee for Voting Equipment; monies to be taken from LEA Fund (41); • $93.00 to Green Hills Womens Shelter; monies to be taken from the Recorder’s Trust Fund (08); • $10,043.84 to Princ-
eton R-V; $4,689.14 to North Mercer R-III; $126.77 to Newtown-Harris R-III $63.40 to Cainsville R-I for annual school interest and surplus interest distribution; monies to be taken from School Interest Fund (21) and Surplus Fund (22); Received Balance of Protested Taxes from County Clerk Judy Hamilton for November 30, 2023. Commissioners received Financial Statement from County Clerk Judy Hamilton for Lindley Township for Year Ending 12/31/2023. Presented Short form to be published in the paper and long form that was sent to the Missouri State Auditor’s Office. Bid opening at 10:00 a.m. for Road & Bridge and Sheriff’s Department Received Bids from the following: FUEL: bids received Hometown Fuel and MFA Inc. Exact same per gallon bid; approved bid from both. CONCRETE: No bids received CULVERTS: plastic culverts from Owens Trenching & Tile LLC, Metal Culverts, Inc. & Viebrock Metal Culverts, Inc. The bid from Owens Trenching & Tile LLC for plastic culvert was approved. Bids for steel culverts from Metal Culverts, Inc were agpproved. The bid was approved from Metal Culverts, Inc. for steel culverts STEEL: Viebrock Sales LLC bid Approved Viebrock Sales GRAVEL: bid received from Norris Quarries, L.L.C; $15.15 for ¼” approved; LUMBER: No Bids Received COUNTY FARM – 3 year lease: Received bids from Meinke Farms $192.67 per acre, $28,400.00; Steve Berger $197.00 per acre total $29,037.80; approved Steve Berger Cheston Easter made a motion to approve bids as stated above; Zachary
Commissioners… cont. to pg. 3
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NEWS • Princeton Post-Telegraph • 3
January 4, 2024
Missouri State Highway Patrol Reports Two Traffic Fatalities Over Christmas Holiday Weekend
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Christmas holiday weekend: Two people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023. 2023 Christmas Holiday Traffic Statistics Troopers investigated the following: Traffic Crashes — 124 Traffic Crash Injuries — 71 Traffic Crash Fatalities —2 DWI — 81 [Note: Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 1,017 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, four people were killed and another 318 were injured. During the 2022 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 306 traffic crashes which included three fatalities and 84 injuries. Troopers arrested 52 people for driving while impaired in 2022.] There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2023 Christmas holiday counting period. Of the two fatality traffic crashes investigated by troopers, one occurred in the Troop D, Springfield, MO, area, and one occurred in the Troop G, Willow Springs, MO, area. There were no traffic fatalities on Friday, December 22, 2023, during the holiday counting period.
There was one traffic fatality on Saturday, December 23, 2023. Brian E. Powell, 28, of West Plains, MO, died when the vehicle he was an occupant of traveled off the road in a curve, struck three fences, and overturned. Powell was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries. Two additional occupants in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries. One was wearing a seat belt, and one was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred on Route ZZ, eight miles east of West Plains. Powell was pronounced dead at the scene by Howell County Deputy Coroner Michael Pauly. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Howell County Rural Fire Department and South Howell Ambulance. One fatality occurred on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Mary L. Smith, 70, of Dupo, IL, died when the vehicle she was traveling in failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the roadway, and struck an abandoned house. Smith was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt and sustained moderate injuries in the crash. The crash occurred on Route H in Freistatt, at the south city limits. Smith was pronounced at the scene by Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin. There were no traffic fatalities on Monday, December 25, 2023. NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if
Thank You We extend our heartfelt thanks for all the acts of kindness, expressions of love, sympathy and concern from the community in our time of sorrow. Thank you for all the cards, food, phone calls, flowers, messages, visits, online condolences and donations made in memory of Andy. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Tammy Hart and her staff, the Mercer County Ambulance crew and to Wright Memorial Hospital ER staff for their attentive and compassionate care of Andy over the years and during his last illness. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Father Bill Fox for visiting Dad/Andy in the hospital, and to Father Kevin Drew for the wonderful services performed.
The Family of Andy Krohn
late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident. Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back.” Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Twitter @MSHPTrooperGHQ
Dear Friend, We’re coming to the close of another year and hopefully you are ending it on a high note. Each year brings its share of ups and downs, and this one was no different. This one has brought some positive notes, especially in just the last week. I had the opportunity present the folks at KFEQ Radio in St. Joseph with a Congressional Record commemorating their 100 years on the air. We’ve got some great radio stations across North Missouri and, even when some folks are suggesting that AM radio has gone the way of the dinosaur, we’ve got plenty of them still faithfully bringing us the local news, weather, sports, and farm information we’ve come to depend on, from our friends and neighbors that we trust, even if we only know their voice. You just can’t replace that. I was also able to kick off a project in Camden Point that will change
Scammers Targeting Seniors Is On The Rise
“Vulnerable adults, most often seniors” are targets for scammers, says guardian Rick Black by John Grimaldi WASHINGTON DC, Dec 22 -- The National Council on Aging warns seniors that scams targeting older adults are on the rise. Rick Black founded CEAR, the Center for Estate Administration Reform, in 2018 “to bring attention to the issue of predatory attorneys targeting vulnerable adults, most often seniors.” In a recent interview with Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens, on her Better For America podcast, he warned that elder fraud is on the rise.
the future of the town. Currently, there are only individual septic systems in use for their wastewater treatment. With some funding I was able to secure, they will be putting the whole town on a sewer system. It’s a big step forward and a project that is a long time in the making. It took a lot of folks coming together to get it done and I was happy to play a small part. It might not be an exciting topic, but for this small town, it’s a big deal and a blessing. So, as we wrap up 2023 and prepare to hold on tight for 2024, we reflect on our blessings, both large and small. And we celebrate the biggest blessing of all: the birth of Christ our Savior. Whether this was the best year of your life, one of the toughest, or somewhere in between, I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Sincerely, Sam Graves
Commissioners… continued from page 2 Martin, seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes and Zachary Martin, yes. Motion carries. Received Budgets from Sheriff Jose Lopez, 911 Administrator Travis Marts and Prosecuting Attorney Pam Blevins 11:00 a.m. Commission met with Shannon Howe, Howe and Associates to discuss upcoming bridge project. He pre-
sented Utility Easement Agreements with Grundy Electric for Commissioners to sign. Cheston Easter made a motion to adjourn. Zachary Martin, seconded. Jerry Allen, yes, Cheston Easter, yes and Zachary Martin yes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Judy Hamilton, Clerk of Commission
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As Black put it, “the lack of oversight in our equity court system and the ability for attorneys to work together can create a narrative that completely dupes a judge and allows them to inappropriately get control of you and your estate. We coined a phrase years ago, isolate the victim, defame legitimate protectors, and loot the estate. Control of the body in these affairs is rather critical. And so older folks, after their spouse has passed, are often alone, maybe thousands of miles from their children. And so they become even more vulnerable than they had been, because the isolation, the distance, is the friend of an exploiter. And an attorney who has all the insights on the dynamics of your family are given the keys to your kingdom. And that could be done through durable power of attorney frauds, trust frauds, generic probate frauds and, of course, adult guardianship conservatorship frauds.” Elder wealth is a con man’s dream, according to CEAR. “$1.5 trillion dollars per year passes generationally in the U.S. today. That number is projected to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2035. Today’s seniors control the greatest wealth in American history. Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, trust assets and federal entitlements represent significant wealth as well.” During his BFA interview, Black revealed that his family had experienced senior fraud first hand. He said that his wife was an only child and as her father grew older he was stricken with dementia. She was the executor of his will. He was living with a family friend in Las Vegas who, it turned out, was “exploiting him. We never believed that a family friend would choose to take advantage of a vulnerable senior and completely deceive the entire family. When we
made the discovery, we went to his aid, and found that the roommate, who at that point was about 75, had taken him hostage and had forged three checks totaling $220,000 and was exploiting him financially due to his growing dementia. We never believed that a family acquaintance would choose to take advantage of a vulnerable senior and completely deceive the entire family. We went to the police and asked them to intervene and they refused to do it, which is typical nationwide, even with the compelling material evidence of three forged checks, and the fact that he was being held captive. Most of your listeners will say that just can’t happen in the U.S. The exploiter had a raft of attorneys defending her and making sure that my wife’s dad stayed isolated from the family. In summary, we did not get guardianship.” Black’s story raises the question, what can one do in such a situation? “Our strongest recommendation, and you can do this for free by pulling forms off the internet, is to execute a durable power of attorney and a healthcare surrogate or healthcare advanced directive, naming an agent and a successor agent on those documents. And most important, after you have them notarized, you sit down with those agents and give them a copy of that document and make sure that they understand that you are contracting with them that if you become vulnerable or cannot speak for yourself, that they’re to come to your aid and support you in that regard. It’s a temporary contract. It’s one that you can at any time dismiss, notify those parties and create new parties that can protect you. But our strongest recommendation is to execute those documents and give them to your trusted and legitimate protector.”
The Mercer County Senior Center is seeking a Food Service Manager. The position is 40 hours per week. Duties include supervising kitchen and employees, making menus, ordering groceries and serving meals, etc. Must be able to cook homemade food. Must work as a part of our team and computer skills are necessary. Call (660)748-3636 for more information or come to the Center at 110 N. Broadway, Princeton to pick up an application and ask for Tracy. Must pass background check and drug test. EOE
4 • Princeton Post-Telegraph • SPORTS
January 4, 2024
Cardinals Tame The Mustangs With Win
Traveling to Linn County the Mercer Cardinals came home with a win 60-47. First quarter action was a duel with Mercer taking a small lead 1310 with Tyler Meinecke scoring ten for the Cardinals. In the second quarter the Cardinals opened
the game with 18 points scored. Meinecke scored another ten and Brenden Wolfe scored eight. Leading with an eight point lead, 31-23 at the half Mercer came back in the third quarter to score 17 points and hold the Mustangs to 10. Meinecke had nine points
Hosting the Green City Gophers on the 18th, the Tigers faced a buzzsaw, losing the match 61-38. In the first quarter the Tigers scored seven points from Clay evans with four and Talon Holt with three. Xander Salas came to the Princeton
gym ready to score making four three-point shots in the first quarter alone. Things didn’t improve in the second quarter with Princeton scoring 12 while Green City netted 15. Kelby Thomas scored four in the second frame for Princeton. Kash Holt
and Wolfe added six to lead the Cardinals. In the fourth quarter, Coach Martin played his bench and scored another 12 points. The Cardinals were 56% at the freethrow line making 15 of 27. Meinecke scored 32 points and Wolfe had 22.
Tigers No Match For Gophers In Loss
Clay Evans from a recent game with a shot at the top of the key.
and Evans each had a three-pointer. Down 17 points at half-time the Tigers continued to be shutdown, scoring a mere five points in the third quarter while the Gophers scored 13. In the final quarter, Princeton had their biggest quarter scoring 14. Tyler Coffman scored eight, Kash Holt four and Talon Holt two. Collectively, the Tigers were 50% at the line making three of six freetrhows. Kash Holt led all scorers with nine including two freethrows and Coffman added eight. Thomas, Evans and Talon Holt each had seven. Green City was led by Asher Buggs Tipton with 17 points and Salas had 16 points.
Lady Cardinals Gets Win Over Linn Co.
The Lady Cardinals got the first of two wins for North Mercer as they defeated the Linn County Lady Mustangs 50-17. Mercer scored 19 points in the first quarter while holding Linn County to a single freethrow. Maddi Fisher had nine points for the Lady Cardinals and Emma Shipley had five. In the second quarter the Lady Cardinals had ten points from Fisher with seven and s three pointer from Bailey Houk. Linn County scored seven.
Mercer went into the third quarter with a 21 point lead. The Lady Cardinals added 18 more points. Fisher added eight points and Gracie Rogers four. Linn County had their biggest quarter scoring eight points. Fourth quarter saw Mercer score three with Coach Owns playing his bench. Linn County was still outscored in the quarter being held to a free throw. Fisher ended the night with 24 points, Bailey Houk with seven, Shipley with six and Rogers and Ashlynn Brown each had
Maddi Fisher going for the layup.
five. Shipley was the bandit getting five steals for the Lady Cardinals. Breanna houk and Riley Stark each had two. The Cardinals had 14 steals in the game. Linn County had 25 turnovers. Fisher had seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Rogers had three rebounds and one blocked shot. Fisher had four assists and Shipley dished three. Breanna Houk and Riley Stark each had two assists.
Brandon Wolfe battles his way to the basket for the bucket.
NEWS • Princeton Post-Telegraph • 5
January 4, 2024
MFA Oil…
continued from page 1
are agricultural producers or owners of land used for farm production and purchase at least $1,000 of product from MFA Oil during its fiscal year (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31) are eligible for membership in the cooperative. In addition to receiving reports on the company’s financial standing an operational performance, the more than 370 delegates who attended the
meeting at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Mo., also heard from guest speakers Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and farm broadcaster Max Armstrong. About MFA Oil Company MFA Oil Company, formed in 1929, is a farmer-owned cooperative and the ninth-largest propane retailer in the Unit-
ed States. The company supplies fuels, lubricants, and propane to customers in Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Through a subsidiary, MFA Oil operates Break Time convenience stores in Missouri; a Big O Tires franchise in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas; a solar panel installation company, BluSphere Energy; and APM, a wholesale fuel distributor.
Notice of Officers for Which Candidates are to be Nominated at the August 6, 2024 Primary Election
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to persons wishing to file a declaration of candidacy to appear as a candidate for nomination at the primary election that filing will open on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 8:00 am. and will continue until Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Filing for the following offices will take place in the office of the Honorable John R. Ashcroft, Missouri Secretary of State in the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City, Missouri: U.S. Senator Governor Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State State Treasurer Attorney General Representative in Congress for Congressional District #6 Member of the House of Representatives in District #3 Circuit Judge No. 3 FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that filing for the following offices will take place in the office of Judy Hamilton, County Clerk, Mercer County, 802 East Main, Princeton, Missouri: Associate Commissioner 1st District Associate Commissioner 2nd District Sheriff Assessor County Collector/Treasurer Public Administrator Coroner Declarations of candidacy may be filed for the following political officers who are to be elected at the Primary Election: Township Committeeman Township Committeewoman In addition, such offices as become vacant by expiration of term, by death or resignation of incumbent or vacant for any cause, and which under the law, should be filled at the general election to be held November 5, 2024. NOTICE OF VOTER REGISTRATION ACCESSIBILITY FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that at least one-half of the sites provided for voter registration shall be accessible to handicapped persons (RSMO 115.140). In addition, a disabled or elderly citizen may register to vote by alternative means including registration by mail, and curbside registration. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION AND VOTING: Persons may contact their local election authority by telephone at 660-748-3425
or by mail at 802 East Main, Princeton, MO 64673. The Missouri Secretary of State’s office provides a toll free number for persons with hearing impairments who have access to a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). TDD users may call 800-669-8683 to obtain information on voter registration, polling place location and accessibility, absentee balloting, and other election-related services available in their local jurisdiction and from the State of Missouri. CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION OFFICIALS Given under my hand and official seal at the Capital in the ity of Jefferson, State of Missouri, this 18th day of December, A.D., 2023. (seal)
/s/Jay Ashcroft John R. Ashcroft Secretary of State
I, Judy Hamilton, Mercer County Clerk, within and for the County of Mercer, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct list as certified to me by JOHN R. ASHCROFT, Secretary of State, State of Missouri, of the offices for which candidates are to be nominated or elected at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held August 6, 2024. (seal)
/s/ Judy Hamilton County Clerk
NOTICE Candidate Tax Affidavit Forms are now available online at http://dor.mo.gov/ tax/candidates. Those wishing to file as a candidate for election to a public office in Missouri, except those offices exempt pursuant to Section 115.305 RSMo, must file a Candidate’s Afficavit of Tax Payments (Form 5120) with the Missouri Department of Revenue. This Affidavit states that the candidate is not delinquent in payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes or real property taxes ont heir place of residence as stated on their declaration of candidacy This Afficavit must be completed by the candidate, signed before a notary, and the Affidavit notarized. The original Affidavit must be filed with the Missouuri Department of Re=vgenue. A copy of the Affidavit must be attached to the declaration of candidacy files with the Secretary of State or local election authority, if applicable. This requriement to file the Affdavit is mandated by Section 115.342 RSMo, which took effect on January 1, 2007.
Department of Public Safety highlights 2023 accomplishments that advanced public safety in Missouri JEFFERSON CITY – In 2023, the Missouri Department of Public Safety team continued strengthening existing programs and innovating in a changing public safety landscape. As always, our diverse DPS team members worked closely with our public safety partners to understand and meet their evolving needs, always driven by our commitment to serving Missourians with integrity. Here is a look at some of the accomplishments achieved in 2023. Expanding Financial Aid to Attract Missourians to Law Enforcement Careers In Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), the second year of the program, funding for DPS’ Missouri Blue Scholarship fund doubled to $2 million. In the first six months of FY 2024, 137 scholarships were approved for a total of over $585,000. More than 195 additional scholarship applications will be eligible for consideration once the recruits’ academy training begins in 2024. In Fiscal Year 2023, Blue Scholarships were awarded to 217 law enforcement training academy recruits, which utilized the entire $1 million appropriation. The Blue Scholarship pays up to $5,000 for a Missouri law enforcement recruit to attend a licensed Missouri basic training academy. Missouri Veterans Homes’ Support Care Training Program Bolsters Staffing In 2023, the Missouri Veterans Commission’s Certified Nursing Assistants training program graduated 260 CNAs to work in Missouri Veterans Homes. The sixweek training program was created to grow the available CNA workforce for MVC’s seven homes across the state. The certification course is free, offered at all homes, includes both classroom and on-thejob training, and pays enrollees a Direct Care Aide wage during training. DPS Grants Section Funds More Than 1,950 Public Safety Agencies Across Missouri In 2023, the DPS Director’s Office Grants Section took on even greater responsibilities as it administers grants that are sending over $216 million to enhance public safety in Missouri. There are over 1,950 grant recipients receiving funding for everything from boosting rural deputy sheriffs’ pay and supporting regional drug
interdictions task forces to terrorism prevention and building resilience against critical incidents among first responders. In 2023, a new grant program awarded a total of $10 million to 45 Missouri county jails across the state to fund urgent maintenance and improvement projects to ensure the facilities are safe and secure for staff, visitors and their communities. The County Jail Maintenance and Improvements Grant utilizes American Rescue Plan Act funds and required a 50% local match. Completed projects include a body scanning security system for the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office, prisoner transport vehicles for the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, a closed circuit video and intercom system for the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and jail door lock upgrades for the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office. In 2023, the DPS Director’s Office also awarded almost $8.7 million to over 500 law enforcement, fire service and EMS agencies across the state for up to $20,000 each toward expenditures including equipment, supplies, training/travel and personnel and benefits. The Peace Officer Grant, Fire Protection Grant, and Emergency Medical Service Providers Grant utilize American Rescue Plan Act funds and require a 50% local match. Funded projects included patrol vehicles for law enforcement, fire turnout gear for the fire service and cardiac monitors for EMS agencies. Because Missouri voters approved Amendment 3 in November 2022, legalizing cannabis for recreational use, dozens of drug-detecting K-9s imprinted for marijuana detection were retired in 2023. The DPS Grants Section developed the Missouri Canine Replacement Grant, utilizing State Drug Task Force Grant funding to allow local law enforcement agencies and the Highway Patrol to acquire and train a total of 43 illicit-drug detecting K-9s. A total of over $600,000 was awarded to 36 agencies for a total of 43 new K-9s. In 2023, the DPS Grants Section also utilized U.S. Department of Justice Byrne JAG funding to strengthen the capabilities of Missouri Capitol Police and JAG and State Cyber Crime Grant funding to advance the operational strength of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Digital Forensic Investigative
Unit. MCP acquired a second explosive-detecting K-9 and trained the K-9 and a second K-9 Officer with a total of $12,126 in JAG funding. A previous K-9 retired in 2021. As part of JAG grant requirements, MCP makes the K-9 team available to assist area law enforcement agencies. The Digital Forensic Investigative Team, which primarily investigates and prosecutes internet sex crimes against children, replaced a 26-year-old van that was configured to operate as a mobile forensic unit. It has been used on scene over 200 times. A van was purchased with $40,000 in JAG funds and was outfitted as a mobile forensic unit using $31,285 in State Cyber Crime Grant funds. SEMA Supports Missourians Following Severe Storms and Flooding Following multiple severe weather events in the spring and summer of 2023, SEMA coordinated with volunteer and community organizations active in disasters to quickly organize four Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) in Missouri communities. Analyses have shown that even in cases where a federal disaster will eventually be declared, many people impacted by storms or flooding have tremendous immediate needs for housing, food stamp replacements, cleanup supplies, hygiene items, diapers and other assistance to tide them over until additional recovery resources become available. This is the reason SEMA helps organize MARCs. Strengthening Data/ Information Sharing Among Public Safety Partners In 2023, DPS made major strides in the areas of information sharing and strengthening investigative capabilities among law enforcement partners at all levels. Technical upgrades by the Missouri 911 Service Board mean that now when 911 calls are transferred to the Missouri State Highway Patrol – for the first time – all 911 data flows to the Patrol as well. This has eliminated the need for the caller to repeat for a second time the information already shared with 911. This expedites call processing and Patrol response times. Highway Patrol Combats Human Trafficking; Single Investigation Frees 22 in Missouri and Texas
DPS… cont. to pg. 7
6 • Princeton Post-Telegraph • CLASSIFIED/LEGAL ADS
2024 Recreational Trails Program Grant Round is now open
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 27, 2023 – The Missouri Department
of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is pleased to announce that
the 2024 grant rounds for the Recreational Trails Program is now open.
January 4, 2024 RTP grants are available to cities, counties and nonprofit organizations to be used to create motorized and non-motorized trails for recreational use. Fed-
eral agencies can apply for funding for motorized trails. For more information about this program, to download the grant application and to register for a grant application workshop, visit mostateparks.com/page/61220/ recreational-trails-program-rtp-grants. For questions, con-
tact grants management staff at mspgrants@dnr. mo.gov. The deadline to apply is Feb. 21, 2024. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks. com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Bailey Davis of Columbus, OH was on her way to work. She made a rest stop and, perhaps because she was in a hurry, she left her engagement ring on the bathroom sink. She returned to her car, drove off and en route saw that her ring was missing. Back she went and, sure enough, the ring was gone. Lucki-
ly it was an honest young man by the name of Coty Warren who found it and went online in hopes of finding the ring’s owner. He found Davis’ post on Facebook and called her. So relieved was she that she offered him a $1,000 reward, which her hero, Warren, declined. A Christmas story if there ever was one!
Tis the season
ADVERTISE in and SUBSCRIBE to the Post-Telegraph! We appreciate your support! Mercer County Emergency Services is hiring a Full-Time Emergency Communications Officer dispatching for law enforcement, ambulance, and multiple fire agencies in Mercer County. Experience is preferred but not necessary. We will train you. Several of our staff came to us with no public safety experience. Wages during training is $16.00 per hour, and $16.74 per hour after successful certification. We are looking for people who can work any shift and who enjoy a busy work environment. The ability to multi-task is a must. We also need strong communicators and people who are comfortable working on computers. Most of what we do involves computers. We have a great team and look for people who have positive attitudes, a sense of humor, and a strong work ethic. Applicants must pass a fingerprint based criminal background check. Benefits: • Vision Insurance • Health insurance • Life insurance • Paid time off • Retirement plan Applications can be picked up at the Mercer County Sheriff ’s Office Mercer County Emergency Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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NEWS • Princeton Post-Telegraph • 7
January 4, 2024
DPS…
as where 19 people – infants to adults – were being held against their will. Further investigation revealed a human trafficking and drug smuggling cartel was moving 60-80 victims through the stash house per month. They were held for ransoms or forced into sex or labor trafficking. DPS Supports School Safety with Emergency Alert App and Safety Planning Program In 2023, DPS launched two programs to boost school safety in Missouri – funding for an emergency alert app and an all-hazards emergency operations planning tool for individual schools. Through November 2023, 210 school districts and charter schools with a total of 859 school buildings (38% in the state) had established alerting capability or were in the process of implementing the free alerting app. The app, for which DPS pays Raptor Technologies $1 million annually, can rapidly warn students, teachers, staff and first responders about school threats. Schools can begin enrolling in the program here. DPS also awarded a $1.9 million school safety grant to the Missouri School Boards’ Association to fund two-year subscriptions for each school district to the Missouri Emergency Operations Plan (MOEOP) tool. This tool assists district and school staff in developing and maintaining comprehensive all-hazards emergency operations plans. The tool also assists in collaboration with public
safety officials and stakeholders. Over 240 school districts have utilized the MOEOP tool. DPS Boosts Law Enforcement Active Shooter Response Training In January 2023, DPS partnered with Missouri State University to provide free active shooter response training to Missouri law enforcement agencies. The training curriculum is from the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center, which developed the only FBI-approved active shooter response training in the nation. In 2023, 12 training sessions were held, attended by 191 Missouri officers. DPS has purchased additional equipment and supplies to expand training capabilities in 2024. Registration for Missouri ALERRT is available here. In 2021, the Missouri State Highway Patrol began providing free training in active threat response training to law enforcement officers from other agencies. To date, 257 law enforcement officers from 58 different non-Patrol agencies across Missouri have received the training. Since 2022, the Patrol has required that all commissioned troopers and commercial vehicle officers participate annually in an active threat response course of at least four hours. Veterans Commission Wins 60% More in Benefits Cases for Missouri Veterans In Fiscal Year 2023, MVC’s Veterans Service Program established representation for over 6,900 additional veterans or their spouses in cases that resulted in claims filed with
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cont. from pg. 5
Since 2018, the Highway Patrol has trained a total of 1,104 officers (troopers and officers from other agencies) in the Interdiction for the Protection of Children Program. IPC is a victim-centered approach to traffic stops and criminal investigations that trains officers to detect potential trafficking indicators along with effective communication techniques to use with trafficking victims, who may be in fear of their traffickers. Over the last two years, the Patrol has recovered nine children and filed over 100 charges, including for child abduction, parental kidnapping and failure to register as a sex offender. In one case that led to guilty pleas in federal court in August 2023, troopers tracked down two co-conspirators who were part of a human trafficking and drug cartel based in Texas. The Patrol received word that FBI agents in Texas needed assistance locating a suspect in a human trafficking case. The suspect’s vehicle was believed to be in the Kansas City area en route to Minnesota. Patrol investigators located the vehicle and during questioning the driver admitted to being part of a human trafficking conspiracy. He had three victims he was holding against their will. He made statements that led to the discovery of a “stash house” in Fort Worth, Tex-
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the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In all, over 12,250 new claims and appeals were filed with the VA in FY23. Over 1,800 new compensation and pension claims resulted in $13.6 million in new cash awards to veterans because of MVC’s 50 Veterans Service Officers’ work. This was a 60% increase in new awards and a 23% increase in new beneficiaries compared to 2022. MVC is authorized to distribute up to $1.6 million in matching fund grants to federally chartered Veterans Service Organizations or local government agencies certified by the VA to process veterans’ claims within the VA system. MVC made the following distributions: Disabled American Veterans, $572,618; Veterans of Foreign Wars, $537,871; American Legion, $184,681; Vietnam Veterans of America, $111,575; American Veterans, $48,488; St. Louis County $39,372; and Missouri Veterans Commission $90,534. Highway Patrol’s Expanded Use of Drones Opens Highways Faster and Protects Officers In 2023, the Highway Patrol utilized drones about 350 times after dramatically expanding its Small Unmanned Aircraft System Program to include use in crime scene photography, SWAT team operations and in the Public Information and Education Division. Drones are still chiefly used at major traffic crash scenes, allowing roads to be opened much faster and increasing the safety of officers by keeping them out of harm’s way. Without a drone, a road must be kept closed so a trooper can traverse the roadway to precisely document the full crash scene. Using drones, once troopers make road-
way markings, roads can be re-opened with a drone capturing all necessary photographs from overhead, as troopers stand safely away from traffic. This can sometimes result in roads being reopened hours faster than in the past. The introduction of indoor drones means SWAT officers can observe many rooms in buildings before the team ever enters the structure. A total of four troopers became FAA-certified as new pilots in Troops A, C, D, and F. Two pilots were certified in both the Bomb Squad and the Public Information and Education Division. One pilot is assigned to the Training Division. Building First Responder Resilience to Combat Critical Incident-Related Stress DPS’s Critical Incident Stress Management Training program, launched in 2022, continues to expand, providing impactful training to Missouri first responders throughout the state at no cost to the responders or their agencies. In 2023, a total of 677 people were trained in one-, two- or three-day course offerings in peer support. The training is designed to help those who serve heal from frontline traumas and empower them to live healthy, productive lives – personally and professionally. This peer-support training program is available to any first responder – law enforcement, fire service, EMS, dispatch personnel and agency chaplains. Also, the Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to expand its DEFENSE (Defending Employees From the Effects of Negative Stressful Experiences) program, which was created in 2015. In 2023, the Patrol began offering the
Cordico wellness app to all employees, retirees and family members. The app provides online support for mental health and wellness concerns, online evaluation tools and listings of a network of approved mental health providers. The Patrol also offers peer support training for all MSHP employees and provides peer support training to Missouri law enforcement agencies following critical incidents when requested. SEMA Conducts Major Earthquake Response Exercise On Oct. 17 and 18, 2023, the State Emergency Management Agency led a New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) earthquake response functional exercise that included the largest exercise activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Every hazard-identification plan maintained by the state of Missouri identifies an NMSZ earthquake as a significant threat hazard. The risk a catastrophic NMSZ earthquake would pose to the region and the nation is so significant that the federal government conducted a National Level Exercise in Missouri and other central states based on a NMSZ catastrophic earthquake scenario in 2011. MSHP’s Division of Drug and Crime Control Investigates Criminal Cases in 112 of Missouri’s 114 Counties in 2023 In 2023, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control’s 40th anniversary, DDCC investigated over 2,500 criminal cases in 112 Missouri counties and the independent City of St. Louis. DDCC was established with the signing of Senate Bill 294 in September 1983 by Governor Kit Bond.
8 • Princeton Post-Telegraph • CLASSIFIED/LEGAL ADS
Applications Open for 2024 Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is in search of the next great leaders of the beef industry who are interested in increasing their knowledge and involvement with MCA. It is MCA’s goal that by investing time and money in these young leaders, they will develop the skills needed to take the beef industry and MCA to the next level. Courtney Collins, MCA Member of Management, said this is a “can’t miss” opportunity for young leadership of the Missouri cattle industry. “This program provides learning opportunities to see how producers in different regions of the state reach profitability
and success for their operation,” Collins said.” The program also offers networking opportunities to travel with likeminded future leaders of Missouri agriculture as well as connect with current industry professionals.” The Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College class of 2024 will consist of ten Missouri Cattlemen’s Association members. There will be one member for each of the seven MCA regions as well as three members selected “at large” from across the state.The MCLC Class of 2024 is fully funded thanks to Merck Animal Health and multiple student tuition sponsors. The program targets
Thank You
Thank you for acts of kindness shown to the family of Deleta Johnson Helen ~ Mike ~ Deanna Bonnie ~ Danny
Missouri producers aged from 25 to 40 years old; however, age is not a determining factor. The purpose of this program is to engage young leaders to equip them with skills needed to be advocates and leaders of MCA. Interested applications must submit an application through our website. Click below to apply. For any questions about the MCLC program, please contact Courtney Collins at courtney@mocattle. com or at (573) 999-2499.
Fear not
It got pretty scary in Nashville and Indianapolis last week when pranksters posted photos on Facebook of lions on the loose in those two cities. The photos were shared “thousands of times.” The posts were scary but “incredibly false,” according to the authorities in each city. They noted that the pictures were eight years old and were taken in South Africa way back when.
January 4, 2024
Joe’s Bits n Pieces
Joe Koenen, Univ. Extension, retired NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS I try to make New Year’s resolutions although I admit I do not always keep them. I do think it is important to make business resolutions for the new year and since we are past that, I will address that today. New Year’s resolutions I recommend for producers are: first, keep up-to-date with your farm records, especially now when you are less hectic. Your county extension office can still provide you with the blue record book for a small fee or you can download the computer version of the blue book at Farm accounting | MU Extension (missouri.edu). It will make tax management and other decisions easier later on. Other computerized records are available. If you completed a 2024 cash flow plan (which you need to), then you can compare actual to what you projected. Do not panic if they are not the same! Second, re-
member there are budgets you can download to get income and expenses outlook for 2024 at Agricultural Business and Policy Extension | MU Extension (missouri.edu) and click on budgets. Third, if you have not done this already, determine how many acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and pasture you will have in 2024. Livestock numbers and sales are important to figure also. Fourth, include in the cash flow any capital purchases and sales you may have in 2024. That may include bulls, tractor overhaul, new(er) baler and any other items. Remember needs and wants are not the same. Fifth, continue to stay current with IRS rules as they continue to go to more online forms (like the 10 and over information returns new online system requirement I discussed some weeks ago) and changes as they can and will affect you. Sixth, the old adage “what goes up must come
down” applies to farm prices too so keep current on price outlook and trends so you can take advantage if prices fall later on. We are in an era where things can change overnight so keep that in mind. I will plan on keeping you updated as much as possible in 2024. REMINDERS Do not forget Farmer’s Tax Guides are available at no charge at your county extension office or online at 2023 Publication 225 (irs.gov). They are a useful resource. Information forms (1099 NEC, 1099MISC, etc.) are due the end of January to the IRS. Your county extension office can assist you with many things including soil, manure, and feed tests. They have copies of guide sheets for a small fee, 9-1-1 driveway markers, and other publications too. You can also go online at www. extension.missouri.edu/ putnam. THOUGHT: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. Don’t quit”!