Time Flies…
January
The City of Kahoka got a little bigger with the annexation of the CountryEdge subdivision, located at the corner of North Cleveland and Medill Road.
Minimum wage workers across the state as Missouri’s minimum wage, which was raised to $6.50 per hour by the voters, went into effect.
Longtime Alexandria businessman Robert (Bob) Land died on January 2.
Greg and Sherri Brunk purchase the Kahoka Cheese Shop from Stanley and Virginia Webster.
Clark County R-1 Schools took a step towards providing healthier snack alternatives by eliminating soda pop and high-sugar drinks from its vending machines.
Clark County’s budget woes continued as the county passed a budget with a projected deficit of $19,180.40.
February
A local group of concerned citizens is seeking a moratorium on the construction for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. The group was collecting signatures on a petition to present to the Clark County Commissioners.
Trudy Darrah of Burlington, formerly of Kahoka, won a car on “The Price is Right.”
126 donors gave blood at the blood drive, sponsored by the National Junior Honor Society at the CCR-1 Middle School.
Abby Scott of Kahoka was crowned the 2007 Miss Northeast Missouri. Mandy McDaniel was first runner-up.
Clark County school’s new food service program, managed by OPAA, is getting mostly good reviews from both students and administration.
March
March roared in with an early morning thunderstorm, which cause lowland flooding and damage at the Henry Plenge farm, before turning to now squalls throughout the afternoon.
The tiny village of St. Patrick got national attention when it was featured in American Profile magazine, distributed in over 1200 newspapers nationwide.
Charles Krueger testified before the Missouri Senate in support of the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act. This legislation serves to defend basic far-related practices without fear of litigation.
The Clark County R-1 board of education approved a Wellness Policy, eliminating such items as Snickers and Pap Tarts from the school’s vending machines. The board also added blood pressure and body mass index screening to the list of regular screenings performed by the district.
The 50th Anniversary celebration of the Shrine of St. Patrick attracted two very special visitors-cousins Gerry and Marcus Duignan, both nephews of founder Father Francis O’Duignan.
Janet Ramsey announced her upcoming retirement after 40 years service to the Clark County Health Department. Evelena Sutterfield was named her replacement.
A benefit was held at the Clark County High School for Avery Uhlmeyer, son of teachers Jesse and Lindsay Uhlmeyer. Avery was born with congenital heart defects.
April
After weeks of preparation, the City of Kahoka has a new budget for the fiscal 2008 year. The council approved a budget which will see the city spend over 2.7 million dollars.
Clark County senior Courtney Shuman capped of here extraordinary high school basketball career by being named to the Class 3 All State team. It is Shuman’s third time on the list, and she has also receive all-state honors in track and softball.
More power.
Clark County’s Black Hawk and Running Fox Elementary Schools should see more power in the classrooms next fall after the board approved project specifications to dramatically upgrade the electrical systems at both schools.
Cody Little and Cody St. Clair were named CCR-1’s 2007 Prom King and Queen.
Kahoka Mayor Herb Butler exercised his veto power for the first time, overturning the city’s wage ordinance.
“…in my opinion, the entire evaluation was was unfair, was not accurate, and was not appropriately conducted…” Butler said.
Clark County emergency responders took part in a mock disaster training at the Clark County Fairgrounds. The disaster simulated a tornado touchdown which damaged homes and vehicles, downed powerlines, and other hazards.
Three Clark County 4-H leaders were honored at the state level. Jim and Kay Campbell received the naomi Crouch leadership award, while Kathy Williams received the Frank Graham leadership award.
The Kahoka Board of Aldermen considered a delinquent utility proposal which would require payment in full of all past due city water, sewer, electric or cable bills before service would be reconnected.
May
Workers demolishing the building on the north side of the square uncovered painted advertisements from Kahoka’s past. A “Selz Royal Blue Shoe” and “Crear and Puder Meat Market” advertisements were uncovered.
CCR-1 students got to start their summer vacation one day earlier than scheduled, thanks to a decision by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Schools that missed days between January 11 and January 22 due to ice were not required to make up those days.
The Kahoka Board of Aldermen faced a packed council chamber at their May 14 meeting. The hot item on the agenda was Mayor Herb Butler’s veto of the city’s wage ordinance. In the end, the council voted 3-0 to override Butler’s veto.
Clark County’s Marching Indians are preparing to hit the road again. As its final number during the spring concert, the band performed the haunting and emotional work “December 7, 1941.
“It’s a special piece, because a little more than a year from now, we’ll perform it in the place where it happened,” CCR-1 Band Director Bob Dooley announced.
Seventy five Clark County R-1 seniors received their diploma on Sunday afternoon. Jennifer Plenge was named Valedictorian and Outstanding Senior Girl.
Clark County’s Courtney Shuman and Calem Lipper were selected as the outstanding senior athletes.
June
July 1. That’s the deadline the Kahoka Board of Aldermen gave four Kahoka property owners to clean up their properties before the city steps in.
It just gets better each year. Kahoka hosted its 10th Annual Flag day celebration on June 14. Special guests Governor Matt Blunt, his wife melanie and son Branch joined over 350 local youth in a flag-filled red, white and blue parade around Kahoka’s City Park.
Months after the boilers in the two CCR-1 Elementary Schools were shut down by the district, a routine state inspection cited four problems on the Middle School boiler that failed inspections.
The combination of perfect weather, a large crowd, sellout food stands, great entertainment and enthusiastic teams made Saturday night’s 2007 Relay For Life a special night for all concerned. With funds still be being turned in, the teams and supporters thus far raised over $28,000 for the American Cancer Society. Kent and Marilyn Martin served as event co-chairs.
July
A former Clark County deputy, Sarah Huston has filed a complaint with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights against both Clark County and Sheriff Roy Gilbert, alleging discrimination because she was female.
Chuck Jenkins was honored for 20 years of service to the Clark County Ambulance District.
Six months into the 2007 year, the county’s financial picture is a little brighter, largely due to an increase in sales tax revenue. Through June 30, the county received $348,449.21 in sales tax revenue, compared with $318632.18 for the same period last year.
David Woods of Memphis was a lucky pilot, walking away from a crash of his Cessna crop dusting plane in a wooded area near the western edge of Clark County.
Kelsey Arnold and Ashley Kleine were selected to represent Clark County in the state 4-H Fashion Review.
The Kevin and Tina Nixon family was selected as the Clark County’s 2007 State Fair Farm Family.
August
Kahoka Communications cable subscribers may soon have a new feature available-cable internet, which will provide a faster alternative to DSL or dial-up service.
Nearly 1000 attended the 70th annual Lewis County REC meeting in Edina.
Kahoka Police Chief Bill Conger announced, “There is an ordinance in the City of Kahoka against riding skateboards on the city streets of Kahoka. We have received a great number of complaints. The ordinance against this action will be enforced.”
Ashton Krueger of Medill competed in the National High School Rodeo Finals in Springfield, Illinois, competing in the cutting competition.
Ninety six golfers braved Saturday’s heat and humidity for a good cause, as the seventh annual Mark Trump Memorial Golf Tournament was played at Kahoka’s Twin Lakes Golf Course.
The City of Kahoka will receive $127,269 in federal enhancement funds for the Downtown Enhancement and Beautification project.
Alexandria officials were excited to make the final payment on the Alexandria Community Center.
Six more miles of the four-lane Avenue of the Saints opened in Lewis County.
September
Clark County R-1 School launched a website to better serve its patron. Information on the site includes class and activity schedules, as well as special announcements.
A well-known landmark on Hwy. 81 north of Kahoka went up in smoke Sunday morning, the victim of an apparent arson. The fire at the old house of Vernon and Carolyn Edlen was reported shortly before 7:00AM Sunday.
The St. Francisville Lodge #588 of the A.F.&A.M. celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Could anyone have asked for a bigger or better celebration? Kahoka celebrated her sesquicentennial. The day capped over a year of preparation and the committee planned monthly events, including historic home and courthouse tours, as well as other events, capped off by “A Taste Of Kahoka” production.
October
Emily Stewart and Scott McAfee were crowned 2007 Homecoming Queen and King.
With more than 14 months remaining in its current contract with Ameren UE, the CIty of Kahoka is looking for ways to reduce the impact of higher energy costs for its customers.
Garet March and family of Luray travelled to Orlando, visiting Sea World, Disney World and other attractions as part of a “Make-A-Wish” trip.
Several members of the Clark County R-1 High School attended Thursday’s school board meeting to express their concerns about the recent health screening, which included a measurement of each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) which helps identify students who may be overweight.
U.S. Senator Kit Bond visited the area last week, cutting the ribbon at the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission building in Memphis..
November
The Clark County Indian football team wrapped up a perfect regular season before falling to Trenton 28-20 in sectional play.
Clark County’s historic 136-year-old courthouse is not falling down.
Yet.
A tour of the Clark County Courthouse, built in 1871, shows the venerable old building is in desperate need of repair or replacement.
As expected, Kahoka residents will see an increase in the electric rates next month. The Kahoka Board of Aldermen gave unanimous approval to the increase.
Kahoka police officers investigated 10 burglaries that occurred in the early morning hours of November 8.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri Fire Marshall’s office reported the arrest of Nathaniel Gates, in connection with several arson fires in Clark County.
December
The City of Kahoka will be getting an unexpected windfall from U.S. Cellular. Kahoka will receive $81,243.02 for two years past business license and fees.
Plans are being made to shore up the Clark County Courthouse, including putting timbers in place in the basement to stabilize the building.
Clark County R-1 students will not undergo random drug testing, after the issue failed on a 3-4 vote at CCR-1 Board of Education meeting.
The future of the Wyaconda C-1 school district is in doubt, but the administration and school board won’t be going down without a fight. The school, which was placed on the “unaccreditted” list in 2006, may face closure as testing scores did not meet state requirements.
