Area News
A Year of Service for Milan High School FFA Members
Submitted by Jarred Sayre, Milan C-2 FFA Advisor 2025 was a very successful year for the Milan FFA Chapter. Students competed in multiple different contest events and proficiency awards, attended many different events and trips, and served in many different capacities over the course of the year. In January chapter members began to diligently study to compete in career development events (CDE) and leadership development events (LDE). Students participated in multiple practice events throughout March. The students’ hard work paid off entering into the area III and Northeast District competitions. In mid-March, Milan LDE teams competed at the Area III…
Read MoreNew Tax Break On Overtime Pay Comes With Limits
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new federal tax provision allows some workers to deduct part of their overtime pay from their taxable income, but the change is narrower and more complicated than it may sound. The provision, in effect for tax years 2025 through 2028, does not eliminate taxes on all overtime pay, according to Andrew Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Instead, it allows a deduction for the overtime “premium” — the extra pay workers receive beyond their regular hourly wage — subject to income limits and documentation requirements. Under the law, eligible workers may…
Read MoreBrummitt Felony Charges Bound Over to Circuit Court, New Circuit Judge Assigned from Outside 9th District
By Echo Menges MILAN, Mo. — The case against Joan Brummitt, a former estate administrator facing multiple felony charges tied to alleged financial misconduct, is moving forward in Sullivan County Circuit Court following a preliminary hearing held Jan. 14, in case No. 25SU-CR00227. Associate Circuit Judge Terry Alan Tschannen found probable cause to support all eight felony counts filed by the state and ordered the case bound over to the circuit division for further proceedings. Brummitt, who appeared in court with her attorney Mark L. Williams, is charged with four counts of financial exploitation of an elder or disabled person…
Read MoreMilan FFA Leaders Share Classroom Success With Gov. Kehoe
Submitted by Jared Sayre Missouri FFA is the state chapter of the national youth organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Ag Education on the Move Agriculture Education on the Move is a 10-week hands-on education program delivered by educators, such as FFA members, to elementary school children about where their food comes from, how farmers support their communities and more. The program identifies key classroom objectives and meets standards primarily in the areas of science, math, reading and…
Read MoreNominations Open for Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence at Hospice of Northeast Missouri
Nominations are now open for the Gaber Founder’s Award for Excellence. The award was established in 2023 thanks to the generous donation by Drs. Ron and Elsie Gaber of Kirksville to the Hannibal Regional Foundation to support hospice services in northeast Missouri. The endowment created assists in recognizing hospice care workers and volunteers who go above and beyond in their service to hospice care and the patients of Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted for both hospice team members as well as volunteers. Nominations are open until March 9, 2026 and the nomination form can…
Read MoreMyFreeTaxes.com Available for Free Tax Filing through United Way
Hannibal, Mo. – In partnership with United Way Worldwide, United Way of the Mark Twain Area is promoting My Free Taxes®, a free and secure online tax filing service for individuals and families who earned less than $89,000 in 2025. With no local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites available in the five counties of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area (Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, and Shelby Counties), this is the only option to file federal and state taxes for free locally. MyFreeTaxes.com allows residents to file from their phone, tablet, or computer, often in under an hour.…
Read MoreOutdoors With Kevin Fox: Making Plans for 2026
I wrote last week about thinking of planning a fishing trip for 2026. I hope it at least got you thinking about getting out and enjoying the many opportunities God has provided us on this planet. Many, many years ago — perhaps 30 if not a little more — a friend, my dad and I traveled to Upton, Wyoming, to go on a pronghorn antelope hunt. I’ll be honest: I was nervous about the trip. I planned for it all summer and did a lot of shooting with my Remington Model 788, chambered in .243. I did this because I…
Read MoreMilan Elks Serve Over 200 Christmas Meals
THE MILAN ELKS served approximately 209 carry out dinners on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 in celebration of Christmas. Shown above are volunteer workers filling plates to be delivered. The proceeds are donated to the Sullivan County Nutrition Site. Photo submitted
Read MoreMilan C-2 Basketball Tournament to Begin Jan. 12
The Milan C-2 66th Annual Invitational Basketball Tournament will begin on Monday, January 12 and run thru Saturday, January 17, 2026. There are 8 teams competing for the championship, Milan Wildcats, Green City Gophers, North Missouri Knights, Marceline Tigers, Putnam County Midgets, Trenton Bulldogs, Novinger Wildcats and the Brookfield Bulldogs in the girls and boys teams. GIRLS BRACKET In the girls bracket Green City, seeded 2nd, will play Novinger, seeded 7th, on Monday, January 12 at 7:30 in the high school gym. Winner goes to Wednesday, January 14 in the high school gym at 7:30 p.m. Loser will play Wednesday,…
Read MoreYear in Review: Looking Back on the News of 2025
JANUARY Sheriff Roger Smiley retired after 16 years of service, and Scott Frazier was sworn in as Sullivan County Sheriff. The 65th Annual Milan Invitational Basketball Tournament began, featuring teams from across the region. Verimore Bank donated $12,500 to support the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Two Milan FFA members received $1,000 NEMO Cattlemen’s scholarships toward their education. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and North Missouri Drug Task Force arrested Curtis Harrel on narcotics and firearms allegations. The Milan Board of Aldermen accepted a real estate donation from Verimore Bank and carried out routine city business. Green City and Marceline…
Read More