2020 Year In Review

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2020 has been a wild ride of a year.  While it will be remembered as the year the Coronavirus impacted everyone’s lives, a lot of other things happened in Kahoka and Clark County.   Heres’ a look back at the news from July through December.

July

The Clark County Fair moved forward with plans for the fair.  All of the animal events will be open to the public, although bleacher seating will be removed and those attending will need to bring their own chairs and social distance.  The animals being shown will not be kept on site, and will arrive before the judging and be taken home following the judging. 

Fire Chief Chris Blomgren offered safety tips for using and transporting fireworks.

COVID-19 is affecting the school budgeting process.  Teaches, staff and administration will have their pay frozen for the 2020-21 school year.

“We can hope for the best, but we have to prepare for things to get bad again,” said Superintendent Dr. Ritchie Kracht.

Stress and anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic can impact everyone’s mental health.  The Media interviewed Chaka Batley DNP, APRN-FPA, Nurse Practitioner (Psychiatric Mental Health-Lifespan; Primary Care-Pediatrics) with Preferred Family Health, who offered advice on taking care of yourself and others.

Scotland County Hospital celebrated 50 years of serving northeast Missouri.

Clark County Route AA was closed for repair following heavy rains.

Japanese Beetles were expected to return in high numbers this year.

CCR-1 is working on three plans for a return to classes in the fall.  The first is a normal schedule, the second would be split the student so they would attend every on the day, and the third plan is completely online.

Governor Mike Parson appointed Rick Roberts as the Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit.

Milton Krueger was presented a Quilt of Valor.

The Clark County Health Department’s plans for expansion to allow for COVID-19 testing have hit a snag, as CARES Act funding rules do not allow for capital improvement expenses.

Judith Griffit and Rodney and Phyllis Smith received 50-year pins from Kahoka Chapter #40, Order of the Eastern Star.

August

The 2020 Clark County Mule Festival has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 took a big jump from only two over the past several month to 17.

The Clark County Senior Center will be closed for dine in and rental until August 31.

Mildred Fogelsong retired from the kitchen of Steve’s Family Dining.

The Clark County R-1 School District announced its four-stage guidelines for returning to school in the fall,

John Campbell edged Tony Daniel in the Republican primary for Clark County Assessor 581-562.  Joe Humes won the Republican primary for Western District Commissioner.

Lewis County REC’s annual meeting was a drive-though event.

The Kahoka/Clark County Chamber of Commerce canceled the Old Settlers’ celebration.

Students returned to classes at Clark County on August 24.

Terry and Tom Burns celebrated their 65th Anniversary.

Son Valley Youth Ranch announced an expansion project to include two duplex cabins, a pavilion with restrooms and a laundry facility.

The Clark County Health Department will soon be able to provide COVID-19 testing, thanks to a generous donation by Neill McKee.  After McKee read the story in The Media that federal CARES money could not be spent to remodel the CCHD Offices, he donated a vacant building he owned.

September

The Parade of Champions Parade and Field Show competition is still planned for October 10.

St. Francisville Lodge #588, A.F. & A.M., hosted their first annual Earl E. Hunziker Memorial 3-D Bow Shoot at the Fox Valley range.

A Clark County R-1 High School student was injured in an accidental shooting at an FFA Trap Team practice.

DaKota Hopp announced a write in campaign for Clark County Assessor.

The start of the school year in CCR-1 District classrooms has gone very well.  For remotelearing students, the story is nearly the opposite.  

Technology problems have caused numerous headaches for parents and staff.  A bigger problem, however, is that a large percentage of online students are not doing any of their schoolwork.

Hugh Summers received his 50-year pin from St. Francisville Lodge #588.

Ed and Kathy Wilson, who have operated Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka for 47 years, have sold their business to Chris and Sandra Triplett.  The new name of the business will be Wilson and Triplett Funeral Home.

The City of Kahoka raised electric rates.

Governor Mike Parson appointed Holly Conger-Koenig as Associate Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit.

The Consolidated Public Water Supply District #1 of Clark County is receiving a $1,365,000 loan for improvements to the water system, which will benefit 8612 users.

October

The parade will go on-the Parade of Champions, that is.  The 29th Annual Parade of Champions marching band and field show competition will be held Saturday, October 10.

Bre Chamley and Hunter Yancy were named CCR-1 Homecoming Queen and King.

As the end of the first quarter of the school year nears, the CCR-1 school board discussed how to handle parent-teacher conferences while keeping staff and students safe from COVID-19

The Clark County Indian football team canceled their varsity games against Brookfield and Monroe City, due to the team being quarantined for contact tracing.

Grace Buschling placed third in the Clarence Cannon Conference Cross Country meet.  Cady St. Clair placed ninth.  In boys’s action, Ethan Nelson placed second.

The Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducted Becki Krueger of Clark County.

Nick’s Farm and Home recently added a fully stocked lumberyard and added building services.

Hundreds of costumed youth turned out for Kahoka’s “Trunk or Treat” activity on the square on Friday, October 30.

November

Arnold Brunk of Kahoka was featured for Veterans’ Day in The Media.  His family created a book telling the story of his service during the Korean War.

Bill Ragan received a Quilt of Valor.

Clark County R-1 High School now has an E-sports team.  The teams compete with other schools in online computer games.

Grace Buschling placed fourth at the State Cross Country meet, with a time of 20:18.40

Joe Humes defeated Paul Brotherton for the Western District Commissioner seat.  John Campbell topped write in candidate DaKota Hopp 1915-1155 for County Assessor.

CCR- 1 Middle School and High School moved to stage orange-every other day classes, as 170 students and 11 staff members were quarantined.

The Clark County Food Pantry is doing its part to make sure that every Clark County family can have a Thanksgiving meal this year.

The CCR-1 school board voted against a mask mandate for all students and staff.

December

Scotland County Hospital struggles with staffing and patient load as a surge in COVID-19 cases hit northeast Missouri.

Governor Mike Parson appointed April Wilson as Clark County’s Prosecuting Attorney.  She replaces Holly Conger-Koenig, who wa The Clark County Indians fell to a 4-7 record with a Saturday loss at Keokuk.  The Indians scored only two points in the opening quarter, while the Chiefs poured in 17.  Clark County rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Keokuk 14-11, but trailed 28-16 at the half.

Keokuk’s defense held Clark County to only five points in the third quarter, and increased their lead to 48-21.  Clark County scored 14 in the final quarter, but ended up losing 60-35.

Carter Briscoe led Clark County with 15 points.  Sam Wheeler had four points.  Layne Sommers and Gabe Hunziker finished with three points each, and Gage Winters, Eli Elam, Aaron Day ande Conner Pearl had two points each.

Lady Indians Lose OT Thriller To Canton

The Clark County Lady Indians hosted Canton in a rescheduled contest on Wednesday evening, December 30.  Clark County opened strong, putting 18 points on the board in the opening quarter.   Alexis Ellison scored eight in the quarter, while Kiara Brunk and Brooklyn Howe split the other ten points evenly.  After one quarter of play, Clark County led 18-14.

The Lady Indians had a strong second quarter, adding another 18 points to take a 36-25 halftime lead.

Things turned around in the second half, as Canton stepped up their scoring, taking the third quarter 16-13.  The Lady Tigers kept the pressure up, outscoring Clark County 15-7 in the fourth to force an overtime.  In OT, Canton topped Clark County 5-2 to take the 61-58 win.

Alexis Ellison had 18 points to lead Clark County.  Brooklyn Howe and Kiara Brunk added 13 each. Elly Hamner scored eight points, and Hope Ross added three points.  Bre Chamley added two points, and Sam Behnke scored one point.

s appointed Associate Circuit Judge.

Gregory Container in Kahoka is adding a 60,000 square foot addition, which will nearly double their production capacity.  

Christmas on the Square in Kahoka had attendees feeling like they were in a Hallmark move.

CCR-1 took steps to address failing grades.  Students in High School currently failing two or more classes will be required to attend every day until they are passing.  The Middle School will have similar changes.

Wreaths Across America placed wreaths on the graves of veterans at the St. Patrick cemetery on December 19.

Evelena Sutterfield and Ardith Harmon were honored by the Clark County Extension Council, receiving the Leader’s Honor Roll distinction.