The Maryville City Council voted during its July 25 meeting to continue the project with Keller Construction, St. Joseph, without the approval of or funding from Missouri Department of Transportation, even though MoDOT rejected the bids from both contractors for the overlay project due to the contractors adding extra language and numbers to the contract

Marsha Martin, Hopkins, was awarded Missouri’s Civilian of the Year June 27 for her charity Ben’s Stockings of Hope community involvement. Each year, the Missouri Peace Officers Association selects one citizen in the state for their dedication to helping countless residents. Rhonda Wiederholt met Martin at speaking engagements and nominated her and her charity, Ben’s

By Kathryn Rice Leslie Birkenholz, daughter of Louis and Cheryl Birkenholz, Hopkins, was crowned the 2016 Missouri Guernsey Queen in May and competed at the National Guernsey Convention, Bloomington, MN, where she received the 2016 National Guernsey Miss Congeniality. Birkenholz is attending Graceland University, Lamoni, IA, to become a physical therapist. She plays on the

There were several events throughout the Skidmore Community Day on July 23 including a bike and car show, flea market and mud bog. The event promoted community fellowship during a day filled with family events. Skidmore has a history of hosting community events, dating back to the Punkin’ Show and Freedom Festival.

Nathan Yocom, son of Erika and Scott Yocom, Maryville, took part in the fourth annual Walk4Water 6k at the Mark Youngdahl Urban Conservation Area, St. Joseph, July 9. The Horace Mann sixth grader was inspired by the book, “I Walk for Water,” by Lindsey Andrews and by his cousin, Sam Willoughby, and Sam’s friend Mattie

Maddie Propst and Damen White of the NW Alzheimer’s Association accepted $585 from the Maryville Hy-Vee on July 5. Present were Propst, Travis Buysse, Hy-Vee store director, Deanna Bowers, Hy-Vee registered dietitian, and White. The funds were part of the proceeds from gas pumped at the Hy-Vee Fuel Station from June 20-27. Proceeds benefit the

Director Bishop Wilson Kigen, of Bishop Kigen Children’s Home, Eldama Ravine, Kenya, shakes hands with Pastor Paul McKim, Maryville’s Laura Street Baptist Church. He visited local pastors and spoke at local churches to raise awareness and support for the children’s home. The orphanage provides a home for 40 children. Most of the children have lost

Maryville fourth grade teacher Joe Suchan attended a STEMcon space camp at the United States Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL, July 8 through 11. STEMcon stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The camp is specifically designed for educators and costs more than $900. NASA awards grants to teachers, allowing them to attend the