Board Meeting Spotlights: Harrisonville Middle School

At the December Board of Education meeting, HMS principal Chad Culpepper highlighted the ways staff & students recognize local veterans, including the annual HMS Veterans Day Assembly, Coin Drive to benefit VFW, and the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest. 6th grader Kayden Bowers and 8th grader Cooper Schlechter presented information and read their Patriot's Pen essays to the board, along with videos of other top placing essays

Hit the New Year Running with This Healthy Meal Prep Plan

Take some time now to prepare for healthier eating when January rolls around.

As the holidays wind down and a new year approaches, many people start thinking about ways to get healthier, eat better and feel more energized. But instead of waiting until January to make a change, the smartest thing you can do is to start preparing now. Taking time to set up a simple meal prep system and plan a few meals means you’ll head into the new year already organized and ready to succeed.

Meal prepping is one of the most effective ways to build healthy habits that stick. When your meals are ready ahead of time, it’s easier to make nutritious choices, save money and avoid the stress of last-minute decisions. You don’t have to be a chef or spend hours in the kitchen to do it either. A little planning, a few simple ingredients and some reusable containers can go a long way in helping you eat better all week long.

How to Start a Healthy Meal Prep Routine

Here are some easy tips to get started with meal prepping.

• Make it a routine. Plan to set aside one or two days each week for prepping so it becomes part of your schedule. Many people find Sunday is the ideal day to get ready for the week.
• Start small. If you’re new to meal prepping, focus on just one meal, like lunches for the week, until you find a routine that works for you. Once that feels easy, expand to other meals.
• Do some research. Find healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner recipes that meet your dietary goals, suit your tastes and use similar ingredients. When you can prep ingredients once to be used in multiple recipes, it makes things easier.
• Plan before you shop. Once you decide on your menu for the week, make a grocery list to make sure you have everything you need before you start prepping. This saves time and also cuts down on impulse buys.
• Get creative. Even if you don’t follow specific recipes, get in the habit of mixing and matching ingredients to create different meals so you don’t get bored. For example, grilled or roasted chicken can be added to a grain bowl one day, a salad the next and a wrap or taco later in the week. A pot of brown rice or quinoa can serve as the base for a stir-fry, a burrito bowl or a veggie-packed lunch. Roasted vegetables can be added to eggs for breakfast, tossed into salads or served alongside fish or tofu for dinner.
• Make easy-to-freeze foods. Soups, stews, chilis and casseroles can easily be stored in individual containers in the freezer to be eaten at a later time, so you have ready-to-go meals even when you don’t have time to meal prep. Breakfast burritos and muffins also freeze well.
• Add variety with seasonings and sauces. A change in flavor can make the same ingredients feel completely new. Use herbs, spices and healthy sauces to keep things interesting.
• Portion and store smartly. Use airtight, microwave-safe containers to keep food fresh. Store dressings, sauces and toppings separately so meals stay crisp and flavorful. If you plan to freeze meals for later enjoyment, label with the date.

When it comes to healthy eating, preparation goes a long way. By thinking about your meal prep plan now, you’ll head into January with the confidence and momentum to reach your goals in the new year.

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.

Learn more about protecting yourself with farm lease agreements

As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect time for Missouri landowners and tenants to take a close look at their farm leases.

Anyone using a verbal farm lease should review the newly updated guide “Verbal Farm Rental Agreements Under Missouri Law,” now available as a free download. Verbal leases are legal in Missouri and offer flexibility, but they can also cause confusion, especially when it’s time to renew or terminate an agreement.

Because misunderstandings can arise when terms are only discussed verbally, MU Extension recommends having all farm leases in writing. A written agreement protects both parties, reduces disputes and clearly documents expectations, responsibilities and timelines.

Start 2026 on solid ground and review your lease, understand your rights and set the stage for a successful year.

https://brnw.ch/21wYJfK

Stolen truck recovered in Vernon county

The Vernon county sheriff's office recovered a stolen F-350 this morning 12/29/2025 after receiving an anonymous tip out by the Walker area. The stolen vehicle recovered was reported stolen from liberal Police department out of Barton county. This is an ongoing investigation and we are looking at all leads as far as possible suspects. Courtesy Vernon County Sheriff's Office

Appleton City Senior Spotlight- Katie Gilkey

 

Notice regarding temporary changes at Adrian schools

 Dear Parents and Guardians,

Due to the construction of the new gym, we are implementing temporary changes to student drop-off procedures on the north side of the Adrian R-III School District.

Please note: There will be NO parent drop-off allowed in the north parking lot or the north gravel parking lot.

The north parking lot and north gravel parking lot will be used for student parking only and will not be accessible for parent vehicles during arrival and dismissal times.

As shown on the attached map, all parent drop-off and parent pick-ups must take place on Hazel Street. Parents should remain in their vehicles, pull along the designated curb area, and allow students to exit safely. Please follow all posted signage and directions from school staff to help keep traffic moving efficiently.

These changes are necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff, and construction crews while work on the new gym is underway. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we adjust to these temporary procedures.

Additional updates will be shared as construction progresses. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Don Lile

Superintendent

Adrian R-III School District

Relocation of Metz depot still under consideration

Co- Chairman Ronnie Fritts and President Kelly Seilman has announced there will be another trip to the Metz, Mo. depot on January 10th. The group will meet at 9 am at the showgrounds. This will be a " fact finding" trip to get a better assessment of the buildings foundation. Everyone who would like to attend is welcome to do so. Once we have this information we will be able to host a board meeting and decide what actions need to be taken for its possible relocation to Frontier Village in Adrian, Mo.

Rich Hill Senior Spotlight- Madelyn Byrd