Clinton wrestling's Golden Era enters Hall of Fame

In the early ’90s, Clinton High School wrestling dominated the mats across Missouri. Under Coach Ray Niles’ leadership, the Cardinals built a legacy, and today, the CHS wrestling teams of 1990–1994 were officially inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in honor of that unforgettable era.

Their accomplishments during those years were nothing short of extraordinary. Between 1990 and 1994, the Cardinals finished in the top four of Class 1–2 in four out of five seasons. The 1991 team captured a state championship, while the 1990 and 1992 squads earned third-place finishes, and the 1994 team secured fourth.

That dominant stretch also produced an impressive group of individual state champions:

Kendal Koch – 130 lbs (1990) **Kendal Koch also claimed a title in 1989, helping set the stage for the remarkable run that followed.

Shane Green – 125 lbs (1991)

Brandon Peck – 171 lbs (1991)

Jon Koch – 112 lbs (1992)

Doug Walrath – 189 lbs (1992)

Matt Morrison – 112 lbs (1994)

John Pickens - 160 (1994)

Numerous other wrestlers were state qualifiers and state medalists.

Present for today's induction ceremony were members and coaches of the 1990-1994 wrestling teams, Clinton School District administration, Board of Education member (and former bus driver for the wrestling teams) Marilyn Parratt, as well as friends and family members of the inductees.

Today, we are proud to honor these teams, athletes, and coaches as they take their place in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition for a legendary era of CHS wrestling.

Courtesy Clinton schools

Meet Bates County Sheriff's Posse Member, Pablo Ortiz

In the coming year, The Bates County Sheriff’s Posse wants to introduce each Posse member to our community. So every month we will highlight Posse members on our page and website. It will help our communities to know who we are and why we volunteer to serve! We can't wait for you to meet each of these great people!

Pablo Ortiz has been with the Bates County Sheriff's Posse since its founding in 2009. His prior experience with the Henry County Posse gave him the interest, experience and skills to help start the Bates County Sheriff’s Posse, alongside Sheriff Anderson, Roger Deardorff, Allen Deardorff, Josh Rushing, Jami and Brad Page, and a few others. Pablo is the only founding member still with the Sheriff’s Posse today, and his expertise and experience is invaluable.

We sat down with Pablo recently to talk about his role with the Posse, where he sees it going and what his personal thoughts are on serving for over 15 years. His first thought expressed was, “If you do not have the interest of the Sheriff himself, it can’t work. The Posse is dependent upon the leadership and direction of the Sheriff.” He attributes Sheriff Anderson's involvement with our Posse's longevity.

Pablo shared memories of those first days which were profound in many ways. The Posse was a very young organization when the Joplin tornado disaster occurred. While the Posse itself was not deployed, many of its members did go alongside the Sheriff’s Office and local Fire Departments. Pablo himself was assigned to a school neighborhood area. He was astounded by the devastation. The roof had been completely pulled off, making the hallways of the school literal tunnels, ripping doors off hinges and whooshing everything from desks and furniture to one end of a very long hallway. He was also heartbroken at the sight of an elderly couple holding hands and looking through the rubble where their home of decades last stood. He said the “silence” of the area was deafening. No sounds of traffic, electrical humming, machinery, voices, dogs barking… just silence.

Pablo found Joplin to be a hard lesson. He saw chaos in the first few days. So many departments were there to help; so many people with multitudes of skills, but no one was fully prepared for the emotional impact of such a disaster.

We asked Pablo, what skills or training should volunteers have to serve on the Posse and support such crisis events? He said training such as CPR, First Aid, Advance Stop the Bleed, Triage of the area, Search and Rescue are all important and necessary training that the Posse provides, but in the moment of such devastation it is overwhelming even for the most experienced. But you just have to put your head down and get to work.

Pablo talked about the early days of the Bates County Sheriff’s Posse. Most of the members were horsemen, like himself, and brought horses to search and rescue events in Bates County. They raised funds in the first two or three years by putting on an Ultimate Horse Challenge. He said these were fun events and helped the Posse raise money to support their mission for training, first aid supplies and equipment.

Pablo sees that the Posse has grown in so many ways over the years, going from 9-10 volunteers to nearly 40 today. He believes the training is greatly improved, the participation is increased to more people with and without horses, and the Posse is involved more in our communities and youth, but most of all there is more volunteer member pride than ever before.

Pablo himself has volunteered in multiple ways in our communities for over 35 years. He has not only served on the Sheriff’s Posse, but has served on the Adrian Volunteer Fire Department and at his church for decades. When asked what motivates him to serve he gave a multi-faceted reply: “What is most satisfying to me is to give back to and serve my community, but also I want to show my grandkids and future generations how to help one another. That's important. It gives me purpose above myself and more self-confidence and self-worth. And I’m always learning - you never get to where you know everything.”

A big family man, Pablo has been married for 43 years, and has 5 children and 22 grandchildren! He says the entire family loves to ride and since he retired this year they all get to do a lot more riding.

Pablo said to be sure to let the entire community know, “There’s an opportunity here for everybody! Even if you don’t have a horse or maybe can’t walk, there are many ways to volunteer with the Bates County Sheriff's Posse. No special skills are needed to start; you just have to want to give back to your community and serve others."

Large cistern discovered during sidewalk renovation

 

As crews prepared to replace the sidewalk on the south side of the Bates County Courthouse, a cistern measuring about 15 feet wide and some 20 feet deep was discovered which will now add work to the project.

According to records, the courtyard has several similar cisterns which have also been capped with rebar and concrete over the years.

At this time officials are in the process of deciding if the void should be filled or capped with rebar and concrete as before.

Staff photo

Popular local restaurant destroyed by fire

 An overnight fire virtually destroyed the Wagon Wheel restaurant in LaCygne, KS much to the dismay of many local patrons. No injuries were reported and the exact cause remains under investigation. 

Courtesy photo

Why There Are More Home Fires Now and How to Prevent Them

When the air turns chilly and the holidays roll around, our homes become cozy gathering spots filled with brightly lit decorations, roaring fires and the smell of delicious food. But this festive season also brings a hidden danger — a sharp increase in home fires. Between heating equipment, candles, cooking and overloaded electrical outlets, winter is the most dangerous time of year for fires in the home.

Thankfully, most of these fires are preventable. By understanding why they happen and taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy a warm, safe and worry-free holiday season.

Here are the most common reasons for the uptick in home fires at this time of year:

• Cooking. Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires year-round, and they spike during the holidays. With family visiting, multiple dishes cooking at once and plenty of distractions, it’s easy to step away from the stove or forget something in the oven. A small lapse in attention can quickly turn into an unexpected fire.
• Holiday lights and decorations. Twinkling lights and festive décor bring joy to the season, but they also bring risks. Frayed wires, overloaded outlets and dry Christmas trees can all turn dangerous if not handled carefully. Candles are another major culprit. A single unattended candle left near wrapping paper, drapes or greenery can start a fire in seconds.
• Heating. Space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves work overtime during the winter months, and if they’re not used properly, they can quickly ignite nearby furniture, curtains or decorations. Heating equipment fires peak between December and February, often because something flammable is left too close to a heat source.

Although every fire can’t be prevented, many of them can be by following these simple safety tips:

• Cook with care. Stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially when frying. Keep towels, utensils and paper products away from the stove. Turn pot handles inward so they aren’t accidentally knocked over. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires — never use water if oil is involved.
• Decorate smartly. Inspect all light strands for frayed wires or broken bulbs before plugging them in. Don’t overload outlets or connect too many strings of lights together. Keep live trees well-watered and away from heat sources. Choose flameless candles whenever possible, and if you use real candles, never leave a room while one is burning.
• Heat safely. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from space heaters or fireplaces. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to bed. Have your heating system, chimney and vents inspected every year.

Home fires increase during the winter and holiday months, but there are steps you can take so they’re less likely to ruin your enjoyment of the season. Take time to protect your home and follow these smart tips so fires don’t damage your property and put your loved ones at risk.

Copyright 2025 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc.  Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital 

Little Apple news

 

December 17, 2025

A reminder to Appleton City residents that taxes are due December 31.  A penalty will be assessed for any late payments. Taxes are now payable to the County Collector at the courthouse in Osceola.  

Growing In Grace is having kids fun day 3:00-6:00 p.m. December 20. They will have Christmas cookie decorating, hot chocolate, toy walk, Christmas scavenger hunt, Santa and food. Come be blessed!

The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation is hosting a fundraiser with three chance drawings on Saturday evening, December 20, 2025.  The baskets include: an 8 qt. chili pot with lid, ladle, wooden spoon, seasonings, crackers and a kitchen towel donated by Chris Green, GWS, a BBQ Smoker Set complete with utensils, cutting board, apple chips, veggie holder, BBQ sauce and a smoking box donated by Denice Nitchals and last, but not least, a RevIVe Hydration Spa crate with a snowman, a gnome, a candle, MD Ultra Radiant C-cream, MD Ultra Intensive Care Lotion, MD Ultra Cleanser, LUVO chap stick, an outdoor blanket and  a $50 discount on any session donated by April Loney. Tickets are $5.00 each. You can still get your chance to win one of these great gifts or keepers before Christmas.  Contact Julee Snyder at Ellett at 660-476-5216 or come by and purchase in person.  Everyone is welcome to get their chance. All proceeds will go towards the Foundation to help continue good patient care.  

The Golden Apples will have their Christmas Party at The Farmhouse Kitchen banquet room at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025. Meal is provided. Come and fellowship with them and enjoy the fun after the meal.

Christmas and New Year’s Masses at Immaculate Conception Church in Montrose and St. Patrick’s Church in Butler  are as follows: Christmas Eve - Immaculate Conception 4:00 p.m., St. Patrick 6:30 p.m. Christmas Day - Immaculate Conception 8:00 a.m. St. Patrick 10:00 a.m.  New Year’s Eve – St. Patrick’s 5:00 p.m. and New Year’s Day – Immaculate Conception 8:00 a.m.

The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation was established in 2000 by a local couple to benefit and carry out the purposes of Ellett Memorial Hospital.  The Foundation has played a major role in the Hospital’s recent renovation/expansion project.  The Foundation is a 501c3 organization and plays an important role in ensuring the future of the Hospital by providing an avenue for individuals, groups and corporations to lend their financial support through tax-deductible contributions. The Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation would like to extend an invitation to the community to assist with this project.  They would like to welcome all current and past members of the community and service area to make a donation to the Ellett Memorial Hospital Foundation. Donations can be restricted or non-restricted for use as the donor identifies.  Recognition will be given for all contributions.  For further information, contact Julee Snyder, Ellett Memorial Hospital, 660-476-211.

Funds are needed for the backpack program. Holy Trinity Church in AC houses this project, which is funded by you, the community.  They now are sending 35 packs of food home with school kids weekly. The cost is $950 per month and they are reaching out for help. Donations are accepted at the church and may be made to: TUMC, with memo: Backpack. Thank You.

The Appleton City Ministerial Alliance meets throughout the year providing community services and opportunities for the area churches to gather together for worship.  Additionally, the ACMA helps people through the region in a variety of ways.  In 2023 the ACMA founded the Tony Reynolds Memorial Scholarship, which is a $1000 scholarship awarded locally to an area student pursuing continuing education post-high school.  Some in the community have asked about the ability to make donations directly towards the scholarship fund that are not used in other ACMA endeavors.  At any time, you may make donations towards the ACMA and they encourage you to do so.  You may make donations at any of their community meetings, or feel free to contact one of the ministers serving in the ACMA for more information. 

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for December 2025.  Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Wednesday  Dec 17- Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin,  Thursday Dec 18 - Podiatry- Dr. Pace,   Friday Dec 19 - Ortho-Noble, FNP,   Friday  Dec 19 - Dermatology-Timmerman, PA, Tuesday Dec 30 - Rheumatology-Dr. John.

“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations.  Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.com If you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dec 18      AC Schools music program beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Dec 20      Growing In Grace is having kids fun day 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Dec 22      Winter break begins at AC Schools

Cold blast won't last long

 

THURSDAY NIGHT brings the next significant cold blast, but it doesn't last long.

Still, wind chill values Friday morning are in the upper teens and 20's.

-Greg@660weather

Lady Bears Take on Raytown in Butler Tournament

By Cody Morris, Tailgate TV

With one tournament championship already on their season resume, the Lady Bears set out to conquer the Butler Tournament. Butler drew Raytown in round 1 of the tournament.

The Lady Blue Jays won the opening tip, however the Bears defensive intensity was set to maximum to start the contest, and the Bears held Raytown scoreless their first few possessions. The Butler intensity forced the Raytown coaching staff to burn an early timeout just 2 minutes into the ball-game. Out of the time out, the Bears continued to pressure the ball and turned the Lady Blue Jays over. After the Raytown turnover, Carmichael buried a triple to put the Bears up 7-0. To close out the quarter, Butler continued to smother the Blue Jays and lead the competition 15-5.

The second period began with some sloppy play from both schools, with a handful of turnovers and empty trips to the basket, however Hudson opened up the basket for Butler pushing their lead to 17-5. The Blue Jays went on a 5-0 run of their on, but then Carmichael hushed the Blue Jays bench with another shot from range (her second of the night) that sparked a Butler 7-0 run. The Lady Bears took a 13 point lead into the locker room with a halftime score of 28-15.

Raytown opened the second half with yet another turnover into the hands of the Lady Bears. Gabbie went to the stripe to launch the Butler scoring effort in the half. After yet another Raytown turnover, Kylee drove hard to rim and earned herself a trip to the free throw line as well, leading to a 30-16 Butler advantage with 6 and a half to play in the 3rd. Carmichael continued to be locked in from distance as she drained her 3rd triple of the contest and extended the Bears lead. For the remainder of the quarter the Lady Bears contented to play physical basketball, driving the lane, earning trips to the charity stripe and forcing a multitude of Raytown turnovers. It was all Bears after 3 with a 50-20 score.

There was not much to report during the 4th, as the Bears just continued to dominate with a running clock due to the extensive Bears lead. The Bears went on to claim a 56-35 win.

Kylee Dubray lead all scores with 17 points, Carmichael added 12, and McCoun also ended in double figures with 10 points.

The Lady Bears outplayed Raytown from start to finish and showed that came into the tournament with gold on their mind. Butler earned themselves a rematch against Appleton City in round two.

Photos by Erin Dubray