January
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Fransisco Portal, Jr., son of Yazmin Navarro and Fransisco Portal of Milan, was the first baby born in 2002 at Wright Memorial Hospital. The baby was born at 12:02 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3 and weighed 7 pounds, 6.7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
January
Fransisco Portal, Jr., son of Yazmin Navarro and Fransisco Portal of Milan, was the first baby born in 2002 at Wright Memorial Hospital. The baby was born at 12:02 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 3 and weighed 7 pounds, 6.7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Caitlin McIntosh, a 19-year-old sophomore at Lindenwood University, was named Miss Trenton 2002 in a pageant held at the Ketcham Community Center. The first runner-up was Amber Etheridge of St. Louis while Nikki Shelton of Columbia was second runner-up. Rounding out the top five were Julie Kendrick and Jessica McNabb.
New playground equipment at Rissler Elementary School became a reality as the new equipment, purchased with funds through the school?s PTO, was installed. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the school, with major donors to the project, including Hy-Vee Food Store, Global Instruments, Ltd. , Popcorn World, the Pamida Foundation, PSF Youth Development Fund and Piggly Wiggly.
Grundy County commissioners approved a budget that projected a $155,000 deficit, prompting the commission to dip in to an already-dwindling fund balance. While approving the budget, it was noted that if the trend of deficit budgets continues, more drastic measures will be taken in future years.
Preferred Family Health Care of Kirksville announced the postponement of the construction of a new treatment facility in Trenton because of shortfalls in the state?s mental health budget. The company continues to provide services to the community, but has not announced plans to proceed with the project.
February
Trenton Tessie predicted six more weeks of winter during her annual Groundhog Day prediction held at the Ketcham Community Center on the campus of North Central Missouri College.
Bill Siebenborn of Trenton was one of two individuals admitted to the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors. Siebenborn, who with his wife, Sarah, operates a 350-acre dairy farm, was honored during a ceremony held at the University of Missouri Animal Sciences Research Center at Columbia.
Trenton R-9 Superintendent Harry Wheeler announced plans to retire from his position, effective June 20, 2003. In November, the R-9 board hired Craig Noah, who had been serving as superintendent of schools in the Keytesville R-3 School District, as his replacement.
The Trenton R-9 School District opened an alternative education learning center, specially designed to help students who have difficulty performing in the regular classroom. The center was the subject of a feature story written by R-T Editor Diane Raynes.
Seniors Ryan Anderson and Bridgette Berry were named the 2002 Grundy R-5 Homecoming Royalty during ceremonies held at the school.
The renovation of the former Plaza Hotel into senior citizen housing was honored with the Missouri Preservation’s 2002 Preservation Honor Award during a program held in Jefferson City.
Colby Epperson of the Trenton FFA Chapter was selected as the Area 2 Star in Agribusiness Award winner.
The 2002 Trenton High School Winter Homecoming royalty included queen Katie Barnes and king Charlie Bacon. The crowning took place during the THS-South Harrison basketball games in which THS senior Casey Beavers scored her 1,0000th point as a Lady Bulldog.
The Trenton City Council voted to enter into an agreement with the Grundy County Friends of the Arts and North Central Missouri College in a venture that it is hoped would eventually lead to the construction of a new fine arts center.
March
Laredo R-7 sixth grader Chris Lightner became the Grundy County Spelling Bee champion, earning the title at the annual competition, held at the Grundy R-5 School. Taking second place was Sierra Frey, an eighth grader at Pleasant View R-6 School.
Three inmates being held in the Grundy County Jail escaped from the facility during the night of March 3 and were apprehended at a Trenton residence on the afternoon of March 4 after officers received an anonymous phone call. Charged with escaping from custody were Roy Rodney Robinson, Norman Henry Jones and Steven Ray Cassity.
Members of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated 90 years of history during the annual meeting and dinner held at the Ketcham Community Center. ?90 Years and Still Growing Strong? was the theme of the event with Steve Maxey serving as master of ceremonies.
Grundy R-5 Superintendent Dr. Gary Drummond resigned his position, effective June 30. Paul Huey, who had been superintendent of schools at Chula, was named as Dr. Drummond?s replacement.
The Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District presented awards at its annual banquet held at Trenton High School. Everett Cunningham were named winners of the Grassland Farmer of the Year Award, while Janice and Murlin Osborn were recognized as winners of the Cooperator of the Year Award.
Joyce Dixon, a 68-year-old resident of rural Jamesport, was killed when she was struck by a vehicle as she and her husband were walking on Route U, three miles southeast of Jamesport. A 17-year-old Birmingham youth, Blake Furne, was charged in connection with the death and was later sentenced to prison.
April
Incumbents fared well in the April 2 election with Cathy McKay and Don Sager being re-elected to the Trenton R-9 Board of Education, as well as newcomer Jim Cox. Tim Allnutt was defeated by incumbent Dr. Nick McHargue in the race for Trenton?s first ward city councilman. Re-elected to the council were Kenneth Ewing, second ward, and Gary Hurst, third ward, both of whom had no opposition, and incumbent Troy Smith, who defeated Dusty Stewart in the fourth ward.
Rick Childers, who had been in charge of the Department of Economic Development Office in Trenton, was hired by the Trenton City Council to serve as assistant city administrator for development.
Vickie Shoots, who had been serving as interim president of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce for six months, was named the permanent president. She had been serving as administrative assistant before stepping into the interim position with the resignation of Judy Grooms in late 2001.
Grundy R-5 High School senior Tim Marsh was named as a finalist in the Coca-Cola National Scholars program. Marsh was the subject of a feature story in the R-T.
The Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce honored four women during National Volunteer Week. Ruby Woodson, Arlene Garrison, Joy McKeehan and Linda Overton were honored for their volunteer activities at an open house.
Colby Epperson and Wendell Klein, members of the Trenton FFA Chapter, received the State FFA Degree at the State FFA Convention held in Columbia. Epperson and Zane Jones were honored as winners of the proficiency awards and Epperson was named the winner of the State Star in Agribusiness award.
Officials of the JC Penney company announced that the Trenton store would be closing its doors in July. The decision, according to store officials, was based on the store?s performance in relation to sales and profits.
Trenton High School junior Annie King earned a I rating at the State Music Festival for her french horn solo. Miss King also earned a rating of II on a vocal solo as did Casey Hahn, Cari Olmstead, Erin Peters, Kasey Bailey and Catie Powell.
May
Chad Davis of Trenton was hired by the Trenton City Council to serve as utility director for Trenton Municipal Utilities. Davis began his duties July 1.
Blake Stiles and Rachel Arnold were named king and queen of the 2002 Trenton High School Prom, held at the Grundy County Senior Center.
Four employees of the Trenton R-9 School District were honored during a reception hosted by the R-9 Board of Education. Those retiring were Sharon Whitt, Linda Dannull, Bob Rice and Mac Miller.
Blake Stiles and Angela Gott were honored by the Trenton High School Chapter of Future Teachers of America as the cadet teachers of the year during the organization?s annual picnic. Also honored during the event were Rachel Arnold, scholarship winner; Luke McClure, Above and Beyond Award winner; and Stacy King, best journal.
A total of 274 students received degree from North Central Missouri College during commencement ceremonies held at the Ketcham Community Center. 12th District State Rep. David Klindt gave the graduation address.
Area high school seniors participated in graduation ceremonies, including Trenton R-9 students. Stacy King was the THS valedictorian while Bryan Anders was the salutatorian in the class of 68 students. At Grundy R-5 High School at Galt, Tim Marsh was named valedictorian and Kaylynn May was the salutatorian. At Tri-County R-7 School at Jamesport, the valedictorian was Rachel Rhodes and Ayron Wells was named salutatorian.
The top 10 eighth grade students at Trenton Middle School were honored during a school assembly and included LaTosha Altes, Sena Arnold, Andy Hahn, Sabrina Bennett, Adriane Hoffman, Nicole Kolodziejski, Bethany Hull, Cady Taylor, Alana Tolle and Ashten Witten.
Lynne Moos began her duties as the new library administrator at the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library. She replaced Peggy Ausmus, who had come out of retirement to serve as the interim administrator for three years.
Reacting to state budget cuts, trustees at North Central Missouri College passed a resolution declaring a financial emergency. As part of the resolution, which passed 4-2, the board authorized the liquidation of approximately $100,000 of financial reserves, the borrowing of approximately $100,000 from the NCMC Foundation, the reduction of the rate of pay for full-time faculty teaching summer classes to the regular part-time pay, the furloughing, without pay, of all non-instructional college employees for two weeks in either June, July or August and the suspension through June 30 of board policies relating to vacation carry-over and leaving without pay. At its June meeting, the board voted to amend the resolution reducing the furlough to one week and restoring the full-time pay for the Summer II session. The action was possible after the college received a $78,000 payment from the state in June.
June
Riley, a German Shepherd, joined the Trenton Police Department, working with Officer Josh Eckerson. The dog, who went through extensive training alone and with Eckerson, was named by Trenton resident Sarah Schroeder, who won a contest to name the dog. Riley was the subject of a feature story in the R-T.
Grundy County officials were notified that the county had been awarded a Community Development Block Grant to install an elevator in the county courthouse and make other changes necessary to meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Work on the elevator began in the fall, with Westport Construction doing the work. Plans are for the elevator to be operational by early to mid summer.
A large number of area residents were disappointed when the Union Pacific Railroad?s ?Challenger? steam locomotive, which had been scheduled to be at the Trenton station at 2 p.m. on June 23, showed up early and had departed by 12:30 p.m. A Union Pacific spokesman said the smooth operation of rail traffic in the Union Pacific system allowed the steam engine to get ahead of schedule and, because of the mid-day heat, it wasn?t possible for the engine to pull over and wait.
The goal was exceeded by more than $4,000 during the annual Grundy County American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life, held at C.F. Russell Stadium. Over $29,000 was raised during the event, with more than 200 persons representing 14 teams participating in the fund-raiser.