Looking Back At 2004, Part One

Dec 29, 2004 | Headline News

New babies, finances and legal issues were among activities in which Grundy County residents were involved during 2004. Today’s story features events occurring during the first six months of the year (January through June) and reported in the Republican-Times. Thursday’s story will feature events from July through December.

January

Britney Shay Cranmer was the first baby born at Wright Memorial Hospital. She was born on Saturday, Jan. 3 to Cassandra Templeton and Josh Cranmer of Trenton.

It was publicly announced that LifeFlight was looking at Trenton as a possible location for a helicopter station. The city-owned hangar at the Trenton Municipal Airport was discussed as a possible structure in which to house the unit. No decision has yet to be made and talks continue to be held between local officials and LifeFlight personnel.

The state audit of Grundy County listed concerns with deficit budget operations, a concern that Grundy County commissioners said they had as well. The commissioners noted that there had been an increase in the property tax levy in 2003 to help address those concerns. Other concerns were also outlined in the audit, which covered the two fiscal years ending Dec. 31, 2002, and those responses were listed as well.

The Trenton Park Board discussed construction of a skateboard park, a discussion that continued throughout the year. Local businessman Robert Williams and several area youth have been raising money that is being donated to the park system for the skateboard park and the park board has indicated support for such a structure.

The Rural Community Foundation announced plans to disband by Sept. 30 and would be disbursing all funds to qualifying groups in Grundy, Daviess, Mercer, Harrison, Putnam, Sullivan and Gentry counties in Missouri and Wayne County in Iowa. The decision was made to disband the foundation as donations had not kept up with operating expenses.

Trenton R-9 Superintendent Craig Noah listed a number of possible cost-cutting measures the district may have to take in the wake of weakening finances. Among the cuts listed were the elimination of personnel, changes in the transportation structure, going to a seven-period class day, discontinue sending students to the vo-tech school and elimination of some extracurricular activities. Moving the central office, charging fees for activity participation and consolidation of duties were also discussed.

Hazel Frey celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary on Jan. 17 and was the subject of a Republican-Times feature story.

The Grundy County Commission met with county employees to get their input before the 2004 budget was officially adopted. The commissioners outlined how they arrived at some decisions, including the decision not to give pay raises. The commission approved a balanced budget, which also included raising the amount employees pay for their insurance premium at mid-year.

Efforts were under way to approve a contract between the city of Trenton and the R-9 School District to continue allowing the R-9 District to use a city-owned building at the airport as the district office. The final contract was for three years, with the city deferring rent for the first two years and setting rent for the third year at $750 per month. Should the district want to move before the two years are up, the district would pay the city $12,000. Board members have asked Superintendent Noah to begin developing a plan that would allow the district to be in its own building at the end of two years.

Long-time NCMC instructors Sarah Campbell and Lenell Dalrymple were to retire at the end of the current school year. Mrs. Campbell would be retiring after 19 years while Mrs. Dalrymple was leaving after 17 years.

February

Voters in the Trenton R-9 District approved a waiver of the Proposition C Tax Levy Rollback, giving the district additional funds to help improve its financial situation. There were 54 percent in favor of the measure, which needed a simple majority.

A state audit of the city of Trenton showed no serious findings and that while there were recommendations as to how the city could improve some of its practices, auditor Mark Ruether noted the city does a good job of keeping its books and financial records in order. Documentation was of a primary concern of the audit, which looked at nine areas. It was noted that the recommendations were not binding, however, the responses from the city indicated agreement with several of them. The audit was the result of a petition filed by local citizens, requesting the state conduct the check of the city.

Patrons of the Laredo R-7 School District held a public meeting to discuss information concerning a proposal to approve the increasing the levy by $1.40. The issue was approved by voters in April.

The Tri-County R-7 Board of Education approved budget cuts of $136,603 in an effort to balance its budget for th 2004-2005 school year.

Randy Kitchen of Spickard pleaded guilty to a second degree murder charge in connection with the shooting death of Matt Crump in 2002. He was sentenced to five years in prison, which was to run consecutively with a three-year sentence he received in Daviess County.

Taylor Bennett, a seventh grader at Trenton Middle School, won the Grundy County Spelling Bee. Leah Vandever of Spickard was the runner-up.

The Grundy R-5 Board of Education met with representatives from the Missouri State Teachers Association concerning the district’s financial situation. A public meeting was set for March, during which time information was to be presented concerning a 45-cent tax levy increase that went before voters in April. That proposal was approved.

The Board of Public Works approved an increase in the city’s sewer rate, money which will be used to fund improvements to the city’s sewer system. The rate went into effect with the April billing.

March

Rob Deaver was hired as superintendent of the Pleasant View R-6 School, effective July 1. In December, he accepted the superintendent’s position in the Grundy R-5 School District, effective July 21, 2005.

The Trenton R-9 Board of Education received good news concerning future funding, which was expected to increase with the approval of the Prop C Rollback waiver. The additional local revenues were anticipated to increase state funds the district would receive, with the district expected to be removed in the fall from the state’s distressed schools list.

Betty Frances Hall was named a recipient of the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award, presented in late March.

The R-9 Board of Education agreed to refinance its bonds on the middle school, allowing the district to decrease the debt service levy while still generating enough money to pay off the bonds.

The NCMC Board of Trustees approved an increase in the tuition rate for the 2004-2005 school year as well as selecting a firm to conduct a feasibility study for the new capital campaign. Clements Group conducted the study, which indicated support for a capital campaign. Five initiatives have been targeted and specific plans are expected to be announced shortly after the first of the year.

Randy Railsback was permanently hired as executive director of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. He had been serving in that capacity on an interim basis following the resignation of Michael Johns.

April

Bids were approved to renovate the THS tennis courts, with Trans Texas Tennis of Olathe, KS as the low bidder. Work on the courts was completed in time for a public ceremony during alumni activities in September. A grant, donations from the public and some district money were used to help fund the work.

An increase in electric rates was approved, effective with the May billing. The average increase was 9 percent and was approved by the Board of Public Works following a study of rates by an outside firm.

Steve Holt and Cass Fuller were elected to the Trenton R-9 Board of Education while Diane Raynes and Chris Hoffman won re-election to the NCMC Board of Trustees. Re-elected to the city council were Dr. Nick McHargue first ward; Kenneth Ewing, second ward; Gary Hurst, third ward; and Troy Smith, fourth ward. Larry Griffin and Melvin Tuttle were re-elected to the Grundy County Nursing Home District Board of Directors. The Grundy R-5 and Laredo R-7 school districts also approved levy increases.

Trenton was host to a Civil War Re-Enactment, which saw between 2,500 and 3,000 persons gather in ideal weather conditions to view an actual battle as well as encampments that were located at the city’s new industrial park site.

Over 100 bicyclists were at Crowder Park for the annual “Crank-N-Cruse” activities. A second race was held in the fall.

The Trenton FFA Dairy Judging Team finished first in judging competition at the State FFA Convention. The team represented Missouri at the national convention in the fall, where members placed fifth. Team members included Sadie Jones, Kari Epperson, Stephanie Gutshall and Megan Schmidt.

Colin Withers was recognized by the Trenton Ambassadors as the “Volunteer of the Year.”

Courtney Cox, a member of the THS Future Business Leaders of America chapter, qualified for national competition, finishing first in public speaking at the state level. She took part in activities later in the year in Denver, CO.

Flentje Farms, located east of Trenton, was named the 2003 Cooperator of the Year by the Grundy County Soil and Water Conservation District.

NCMC President Dr. Walter Nolte officially tendered his resignation, effective June 30, to accept a position at Casper, WY, Community College. He had been president of NCMC for seven years. Dr. Neil Nuttall of Clovis, NM was hired in October to replace Dr. Nolte and will begin his duties on Jan. 1.

MAY

City officials met with an attorney from the Kansas City area, who serves as a municipal judge at Smithville, to obtain information about the possibility of the city operating its own municipal court system. Municipal court is currently conducted as part of the Grundy County Circuit Court. The city council postponed making any decisions concerning a change, instead deciding to gather more information and to review operations of the current court procedures.

The city of Trenton, and later the Grundy County Commission, decided to opt out of participation in the August statewide sales tax holiday. Both entities cited the small amount of sales tax on the limited number of items exempted under the state statute allowing the holiday as the reason.

Installed as officers of the Trenton High School FFA chapter for the 2004-2005 school year during the annual chapter banquet were Megan Wyant, president; Stephanie Gutshall, first vice president; Sadie Jones, second vice president; Megan Schmidt, secretary; Derek Lowrey, treasurer; Tosha Altes, reporter; Trent Steinhoff, sentinel; Bethany Hull, parliamentarian; and Sabrina Barron, chaplain. Special awards were also presented.

There were 290 students receiving degrees at North Central Missouri College during graduation exercises. U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Missouri, was the commencement speaker. Twenty nurses were honored during pinning ceremonies.

Whitney Allen was named valedictorian and April Compton was named salutatorian during commencement exercises at Grundy R-5 High School. Diplomas were awarded to 19 students.

Chad Abernathy was named valedictorian at Newtown-Harris High School. The salutatorian was Bill Schultz. Ten students received diplomas.

Abby Lovell and Andy Gannon were named queen and king of the Trenton High School junior-senior prom.

Trenton businesswoman Carolyn Garcia filed two lawsuits in Grundy County Circuit Court, contesting April election results involving the Trenton City Council and Grundy County Nursing Home Board of Directors. Mrs. Garcia had been a candidate for the fourth ward position as well as for the nursing home board. She later dismissed the suit against the city and councilman Troy Smith, while a judge found in favor of the nursing home district and board members Larry Griffin and Melvin Tuttle. Mrs. Garcia was ordered to pay court costs in both cases as well as attorney’s fees in the nursing home district case.

Nick Bonnett was named the Trenton High School Cadet Teacher of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year. Bonnett was a cadet teacher for kindergarten teacher Bev Speck.

Tri-County R-7 Superintendent Ron Garber announced plans to leave that position at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. A contact has been offered to an individual to assume the position, however, the name of that individual has not been made public.

Abby Lovell and Christina Woodard were named co-valedictorians of the Trenton High School senior class. There were 70 students receiving diplomas during ceremonies.

Long-time North Central Missouri College board member Betty Frances Hall died. She was a member of the original NCMC Board of Trustees and served as the first female president of the group. She was also involved in many other activities throughout the community.

Megan Stout was named valedictorian at Tri-County R-7 High School. The salutatorian was Chanel Lovell. Fifteen students received diplomas during ceremonies at the school.

Grundy R-5 Superintendent Paul Huey submitted his resignation and was replaced by interim superintendent Harry Wheeler for the 2004-2005 school year. Rob Deaver will assume the superintendent’s duties on July 1, 2005.

Modine Manufacturing Com-pany celebrated its 35th anniversary with an open house. Over 400 persons toured the facilities.

Trenton Middle School eighth graders recognized as top academic students were Kristen Geib, Molly Holeman, Elizabeth Hoffman, Mitchell Bailey, Kimby Brown, Bobbie Lovell, Taylor Cox, Aimee Gutshall, Camie Steinhoff and Ethan Tabbert.

Concealed carry permits became available in Grundy County, which delayed their issuance until legal concerns were addressed. Sheriff Greg Coon outlined the requirements to obtain a permit in a story appearing in the Republican-Times.

Hail storms hit many parts of north Missouri, including Trenton, during the latter part of the month. Extensive damage to homes, buildings and vehicles was reported, with clean-up and repair efforts continuing.

JUNE

Ten teams tested their culinary skills in the first-ever barbecue competition sponsored by the Spickard Fair Board.

Over $41,000 was raised during the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life activities held at C.F. Russell Stadium. A total of 22 teams and 270 walkers came together to raise the funds. Wright Memorial Hospital was the top fund-raising team with $3,994.63.

Nearly two years after efforts began to secure public support, the Trenton Family Aquatic Center officially opened its doors. A one-half cent sales tax, approved by voters in April 2003, provided funding for the facility.

Rural Grundy County became the focus of a search for two missing children, Lindsay Porter, then 8, and her brother, Sam, then seven. The two had been missing for several days after leaving for the weekend with their non-custodial father, Daniel Porter of Independence. Porter, who is a former Trenton resident, was arrested east of Trenton by the Grundy County Sheriff?s Department. The children were not with him. Several searches were made, including using dogs to search near Honey Creek, but the children have not been found. Porter has been charged with kidnapping and is being held in the Jackson County Jail, but refuses to answer questions about the children?s whereabouts.

The first-ever Gooseberry Festival was held in Trenton. Kaden Tongate and Jennifer Teel were named the baby prince and princess, while Austin Martin and Stormy Thomas were named the junior prince and princess. Brooke Wilson was chosen as Gooseberry Queen and Sarah Maxwell was the Gooseberry princess. Other events included a 5K and 10K run/walk, gooseberry pie and jelly cooking contest, children?s games, ATV and motorcycle races a golf driving and chipping contest, a horseshoe pitching contest and youth softball and baseball tournaments.

Local residents turned out to see the Challenger steam locomotive at the Trenton depot. The Union Pacific locomotive stayed in Trenton overnight.