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SULLIVAN COUNTY, MO — The Sullivan County Education Association is proud to recognize three outstanding individuals as the 2026 Support Staff Members of the Year. One honoree was selected from each local school district— Green City R-1, Milan C-2, and Newtown-Harris— for their exceptional dedication and service. Support staff members play an important role in the daily success of schools, helping create positive, safe, and welcoming environments for students, staff, and families. These individuals were selected for their hard work, commitment, and the meaningful impact they make within their school communities each day. The Sullivan County Education Association is made…
SULLIVAN COUNTY, MO — The Sullivan County Education Association is proud to recognize two outstanding educators as the 2026 New Teachers of the Year. One honoree was selected from each participating school district—Green City R-1 and Milan C-2—for their exceptional early-career impact in the classroom. These educators have demonstrated strong dedication early in their careers, building meaningful relationships with students, collaborating with colleagues, and bringing enthusiasm and commitment to their school communities. Their efforts are already making a positive difference in the lives of students they serve. The Sullivan County Education Association is made up of local superintendents and community…
University of Missouri Extension NOVELTY, Mo. – Waterlogging and flooding are among the most damaging weather-related stresses in crop production worldwide, and their impacts are increasing as extreme rainfall becomes more frequent. Flooding ranks second only to drought among abiotic stresses. Research by Gurbir Singh, a soil scientist with University of Missouri Extension at MU’s Lee Greenley Jr. Memorial Research Farm, along with Gurpreet Kaur, assistant research professor in the MU School of Natural Resources, and others, shows how excess water affects crops, soils and nutrient management, and outlines strategies farmers can use to reduce losses. Flooding submerges plants, while…
By Echo Menges EDINA, Mo. — Hundreds gathered Saturday evening on the Knox County Courthouse lawn in Edina for a community prayer vigil for missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts as the search for the 35-year-old entered its fifth day. Residents from across Knox County and surrounding communities joined local pastors, law enforcement supporters, family members and friends during the hour-long vigil organized by the Knox County Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Brian Burton of Edina Assembly of God Church opened the vigil by encouraging the community to remain hopeful while continuing to support both the family and investigators. “We come together as…
The Sullivan County Health Department has appointed Kelli Hillerman as interim administrator of the agency. Hillerman began serving in the role May 1 and will officially assume the administrator position Aug. 1. The transition follows the planned retirement of longtime administrator Deborah Taylor, who served the agency and Sullivan County community for 19 years. Hillerman, a Sullivan County resident, brings more than 26 years of public health experience, including work in communicable disease management, epidemiology, emergency preparedness, WIC, public health education and regional public health leadership. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from A.T. Still University and a…
Submitted by Stephen Oertwig Two tornadoes spared Shafter’s school house May 16, but created havoc in northwest Linn County. National Weather Service survey crews confirmed two tornadoes tore across Linn County near Shafter leaving behind damaged barns, scattered debris, downed electric lines and snapped trees. NWS survey crews also confirmed a tornado near Chula in Livingston County. The strongest tornado May 16 near Shafter was an EF-1 with peak winds of 110 mph. A supercell formed north of Shafter near the intersection of Daisy Road and Clark Drive and lasted from 6:28 p.m. to 6:32 p.m. It traveled about 2.6…
By Echo Menges MEDIA: Video Interview YouTube Link Below EDINA, Mo. — 1 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026 — Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche said Friday that “hundreds” of man-hours have already been invested in the investigation into the disappearance of missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts as multiple agencies continue working the case around the clock. Watts, 35, of Edina was reported missing Wednesday after family members discovered she was no longer at her residence on North Fifth Street. Authorities have described the disappearance as “very concerning.” Speaking Friday afternoon outside the Knox County Courthouse, Knoche said investigators are…
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