CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMU NIT Y
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025
MARYVILLE, MISSOURI
NWMISSOURINEWS.COM
VOL. 113, NO. 12
@THEMISSOURIAN
First-year Northwest student dies in car accident Sunday morning First-year Northwest agricultural business student Jase Michael Wilmes, 19, died Feb. 23 as a result of a crash near Clarinda, Iowa. University President Lance Tatum sent a mass email the same day notifying students, faculty and staff of Wilmes’ death. The accident occurred around 2:40 a.m. Feb. 23 between Clarinda, Iowa, and New Market, Iowa, where Wilmes resides, according to a crash report by KJAN. It said he was traveling east on 210th Street, near Willow Avenue. The article said Wilmes, who was wearing a seat belt, was driv-
ing a pickup truck over a hill when it went out of control and moved into the ditch, striking multiple trees and going airborne. After the vehicle landed upside down it became engulfed in flames. Wilmes died at the scene. Per the statement from the President’s Office, counseling services are available to anyone through Northwest. Students can call 660-5621348 to be connected with a counselor through Wellness Services, or 660-562-1254 for the University Police Department Faculty and staff can call Northwest’s employee assistance
program at 800-964-3577, or Dacey Hassey, a certified licensed professional counselor through the Family Guidance Center. Hassey can be reached at dhassey@ fgcnow.org or 816-261-3091. The email said additional crisis counseling support is available to all members of the Northwest community by calling 988. Funeral arrangements for Wilmes have been made, according to an email sent to students, faculty and staff Feb. 25. A visitation is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Clarinda High School gymnasium in Clarinda, Iowa. A memorial service is
scheduled for 11 a.m. March 1, also in the Carlinda High School gymnasium. Attendees are asked to enter through the activities entrance on the north side of the building. The Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda includes Wilmes’ full obituary. His family is requesting attendees wear Clarinda Cardinal or Northwest Bearcat attire. EDITORS NOTE This is an ongoing story that will be updated as more information is released.
JASE WILMES FRESHMAN COURTESY OF BEARCAT ATHLETICS
NATHAN NODA ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
Nodaway Veterinary Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Edward C. Powell and Catherine “CJ” Holthaus tranquilize a horse at an educational event Feb. 24. The University’s Risk Management team told the Northwest Horsemen’s Association Feb. 21 they are no longer allowed to use the Edward Phillips Memorial Rodeo Arena.
Club denied access to arena space DAKOTA OSWALT News Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN
T
he Northwest Horsemen Association was told by the University’s Risk Management team Feb. 21 it would no longer be allowed to use its space in the Edward Phillips Memorial Rodeo Arena. Catherine “CJ” Holthaus is an instructor in the Department of Language, Literature
and Writing. She is also the adviser and coach for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition team. Holthaus explained previous events regarding the University and the arena. Holthaus said when the Missourian reported on Facility Services’ consideration of selling the arena in the fall of 2022, it caused distress among students. This prompted students to create a petition, which garnered
over 1,000 signatures, and attend Board of Regents meetings, though Holthaus said they were unable to present their case. Holthaus said the University’s then-Interim President Clarence Green met with students. He suggested if those students could demonstrate the space’s value and its benefit to the community, he would encourage the incoming president to allow time for further consideration before proceeding with
the sale. Holthaus said students were under the impression actions would matter, so they got to work. “In response to Dr. Green’s directive, the club collaborated with the College of Education to provide horses and riders for the Ploghoft lecture, hosted multiple barrel races, and organized a bull riding event last fall,” Holthaus said in an email to the Missourian.
Maryville resident dies after house fire Monday, investigation ongoing A Maryville resident died after being trapped in his home during a fire at 3:51 a.m. Feb. 24. Inside, the home was filled with heavy smoke and flames, according to a Facebook post Feb. 24 from the Maryville Fire Department. This Facebook post has since disappeared from the MFD’s page. Maryville Fire Chief Jace Pine said the MFD received a call early morning notifying them of the fire. “It just so happened the pass-
erby was for some reason, out early in the morning, and then, thankfully, they made the decision to explore a little further into what they were seeing and smelling,” Pine said. He said the fire was likely able to spread because there was nobody around to see it start. If the fire had been at 2 p.m., Pine said, the result might have turned out differently.
SEE FIRE | A4 IN NEWS
Community religious leaders talk giving back to the community and serving others. Multiple denominations highlighted. A3 Community religion
AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1914.
SEE ARENA | A4
SEE JUMP | A4
AARON HARE PHOTO EDITOR
A Maryville man, Scott Ross, 76, died after an early morning house fire Feb. 24 at 1405 Chick Ave. Meredith Ross, Scott’s wife, was able to escape and the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
OUR VIEW A5
People should accept everyone no matter their choice in religious beliefs.
IN SPORTS
Athletes in various sports explain how their respective religions and values impact their team’s performance. A7 Religion in sports
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