January
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge getting new name
On Tuesday, December 6, 2016, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel M. Ashe of Washington, D.C., made the decision that Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will be renamed.
4-H and FFA youth get ready for Atchison County Fair
In preparation for the 2017 Atchison County Fair, 4-H and FFA youth weighed their market beef project animals on Saturday, January 7, at the Atchison County Veterinary Clinic in Tarkio. A total of 11 calves (eight steers and three heifers), averaging 748 pounds, were weighed for seven exhibitors.
John Gilbert talks about overcoming challenges to win a gold medal
It’s an awe-inspiring thing, to win a gold medal; something most athletes only dream of and only a few ever even come close to achieving. It’s breathtaking to have that much-coveted medal hung around your neck and to hear your country’s anthem play.
For small towns, it’s a very proud moment when one of “our own” becomes an Olympic champion. For Fairfax, that moment came this past year when a former resident, John Gilbert, won a gold medal in Rio’s Paralympic Games playing on the U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team.
DNR closes RP city burn pile
On January 18, 2017, the City of Rock Port received verbal notice that the City’s burn pile, located off of US Hwy. 136 behind the water tower, must be shut down effective immediately. The Department of Natural Resources met with City Superintendent Trevor Hale to discuss the current burn pile.
Following several complaints, the DNR has revoked the city’s permit for burning.
Meyer new director at Heartland Recreation Center
Heartland Recreation Center has a new director leading the programs and events at the Tarkio facility. Rachel Meyer of Tarkio will be taking over for Taurina Smith, who is moving to Kansas City with her family.
Rachel has been helping out at the gym since this past holiday season and is looking forward to stepping up to help.
February
Rock Creek Wind Project underway
Pictured are workers laying the foundation of one of the wind turbines at the Rock Creek Wind Farm east of Tarkio. Enel Green Power North America, Inc. began construction on the Rock Creek Wind Farm in Atchison County, Missouri, on October 17, 2016. Work on the roadways and foundations began and soon construction on the project substation and operations and maintenance building will begin. In the second quarter of 2017, delivery of the turbines and installation is expected to commence. The project is moving along in accordance with the company’s timeline and the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2017. (Enel Green Power North America, Inc. Photo)
Tarkio Jr. High to present “The Snow White Variety Show”
“The Snow White Variety Show” will be performed by Tarkio Jr. High students this Wednesday, February 15, 2017, in the Tarkio High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Come enjoy this comedy, which features, from left to right: front row – Sophia Martin, Alli Yates, and Ella Rolf; middle row – Autumn Murry, Audrey Weidenaar, Bryli Staten, Cheyenne Gray, Bo Graves, Braiden Wennihan, Kaylin Merriweather, and Dylan Campbell; and back row – Brianna Smith, Riley Lekey, Jaden Goodin, Morgan Shaw, Hunter Bennett, Katie Hall, Seth Morey, and Aaron Schlueter.
2017 Atchison County Spelling Bee
Twelve students from Fairfax, Rock Port and Tarkio took part in the Atchison County Spelling Bee on February 15, 2017, in the Rock Port R-II Gymnasium. Including four representatives from each school ranging from 5th to 8th grade. Aubrey Watkins – 1st place, Sophia Martin – runner up, Devin Guajardo – 1st alternate, and Riley Walker – 2nd alternate are pictured after the Atchison County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
March
Hospital receives blanket donations
New Horizons of Rock Port donated 35 tie blankets to Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri! Adult and kid sizes were donated. Pictured with the blankets is Tamara Stoner.
EnTire Recycling, LLC goes up in flames
The West Atchison Fire Department and several area fire departments were called to EnTire Recycling, LLC west of Rock Port on Sunday, March 5, 2017, around 11 p.m. A call reporting smoke came in at approximately 10:50 p.m. from a gentleman working across Highway 136 at Gavilon. Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke and flames located on the southeast corner of the building. Three separate crews entered the building trying to control the fire from the inside but were soon ordered to withdraw. At approximately 3 a.m. Monday morning the decision was made to pull back and just maintain.
New business on Main Street in Rock Port
Rock Creek Supply, an Encirca Certified Services Agent and an Ag Chemical Dealer, has opened its doors in Rock Port. On February 1, Jared Meyerkorth opened the two part business and is gearing up for the spring. Encirca is a Dupont Pioneer decision tool offered to all brands of corn and soybean growers that combines the latest technology for weather, soils, agronomy and analytics.
It’s a thing of beauty – Dennis Erickson makes his mark with fully restored tractor
It’s a beautiful thing, a time-consuming hobby, a grand obsession – fully restoring a tractor. One local farmer has done not just one, not just two, but eleven tractors, as well as nine pickup trucks. Walking into the garage where these masterpieces are stored takes your breath away and listening to even just one tractor run puts a big fat smile on your face. Dennis Erickson’s tractors and pickups are ones to behold, and his latest two completions are extra special.
Fairfax R-3 School District will have a new Superintendent beginning July 1, 2017
Dr. Jeremy Burright has 19 years of experience in public education. He began his career in Orrick, Missouri, after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education at Missouri Western State University and moved to the St. Joseph School District in 2002. While in the St. Joseph School District he served as both a teacher and administrator, completing his Masters in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Baker University.
April
Tarkio was named a Purple Heart City January 11, 2017, and signs were recently put up at the three entrances into town. Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199 Commander Tim Morehouse, left, worked hard to make Tarkio a Purple Heart City to recognize the many Tarkio servicemen who received the Purple Heart, including Charlie Jones, right. Charlie received two Purple Hearts while serving in the Vietnam War, as well as the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Bronze for heroic achievement. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.
With a large crowd of Rock Port Chamber and community members gathered in front of the newly remodeled Rock Port Cabins for a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 10. Everyone was given a tour of the rooms and treated to hot dogs, drinks and cake. Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation director Keli Morris was on hand to present Freija and Keith Gross, owners, with a certificate of congratulations and thanked them for their entrepreneurial spirit in buying the former White Rock Motel and bringing it back to life.
The Tarkio Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2017 Tarkio Community Awards Banquet Monday, April 10, 2017, at the Community Building. Larry McKinnon, left, was named the 2017 Tarkio Citizen of the Year. He was presented a plaque by last year’s award recipient, Tim Morehouse, right.
Pictured left to right are: Trevor Hale, Rock Port member; Curtis Hedrick, Tarkio member; Larry Stoner, Fairfax member; Krya Mills; Ed Proctor, board attorney; and Curt Livengood, Presiding Commissioner and member. On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 a crowd of 20 gathered outside the water production plant for a dedication ceremony. Board member and presiding commissioner Curt Livengood welcomed everyone to the newly named Kyra K. Mills Water Treatment Facility.
May
What started out as some local child’s fun has blown into a full fledged “rock”in’ good time for Atchison County residents. Rocks have been popping up around the county decorated with positive messages. The finders are encouraged to spread the happiness by hiding the rock in a new location or making more inspirational rocks to share. Those who find rocks are asked to take pictures of their finds and post them on the Atchison County “Rocks!” Facebook page. One of the rocks found is pictured, along with a few finders, Sherry Caufield, Rebekah Gebhards, and Melissa Olson. Happy hunting!
It was a sad day in Tarkio Monday, May 22, 2017, as a Red Rock demo crew began tearing down the Walnut Inn at 3rd and Main streets. The building had sat empty and in a terrible state of decay for many years. Fortunately, most of Edna O’Dell’s painted murals inside the building were able to be saved, though not all, as well as the wood work inside and the marble column in the front of the building. The Walnut Inn was built as a store around 1884 and converted to a hotel in 1911. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Walnut Inn had thousands pass through it, whether they were staying in the hotel, living in an apartment in the building, eating at the bars or restaurants held inside, attending a play in the building after the Mule Barn Theatre burned, or attending family reunions, graduation parties, and other functions. For over 100 years, the building was the heart and soul of the town. Even as residents had to watch its neglect and tried and failed to save it, it was still a part of us. Now, like many of Tarkio’s historic buildings, it is no more.
Shawn Minter releases his debut solo album “Life Again”
Tarkio High School Class of 2017 Valedictorian Bree Barnett, left and Salutatorian Shelby McCartney, right.
Rock Port High School Class of 2017 Valedictorian Montana Martin, left and Salutatorian Journi Burke, right.
Fairfax Class of 2017 Salutatorian Dakota Allen, left, and Valedictorian Brody Cooper, right.
Gage McAdams stood atop the award podium for the second year.
Dr. Aron and Joanna Burke join CH-F team. Roger Steinkruger, CH-F CEO, Bob Jackson, Board President, Joanna Burke and Dr. Aron Burke are pictured above (left to right) at the Rock Port Family Medical Center. The Rock Port Family Medical Center is now owned by CH-F.
Five Rock Port teenagers were injured Friday, May 26, 2017, in a one-vehicle accident near Rock Port, Missouri.
Abby D. Bradley, 15, and Brooklyn Jakub, 15, were pinned by the wreck. They were extricated by Rock Port Fire. Both girls suffered serious injuries and were taken by LifeFlight to University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Ashley Cue, 16, and Drue Kemerling, 15, suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Community Hospital-Fairfax by Atchison-Holt Ambulance. Vehicle driver Ashley M. Christian suffered minor injuries and was transported to Community Hospital-Fairfax by private vehicle. Miss Christian was the only person wearing a safety device.
June
Proclamation: WHEREAS, on behalf of the City of Rock Port, we wish to record our deep sorrow over the passing of Del A. Stoltenberg
23rd Annual Tarkio Rodeo, Rodeo Parade and more…Riding this bareback bucking bronc for 8 seconds looked easy for Matthew Marriott, Mineola, Iowa.
Rogers Pharmacy celebrates 50 years. Rogers Pharmacy owner Melvin Rogers opened the business in 1967. The pharmacy now has locations in Tarkio, Mound City, Maryville, and St. Joseph, Missouri.
“Shrek The Musical” at the Liberty Theatre
Gibbs Trust Scholarships were presented to 36 county students. Students receiving a Gibbs Trust Scholarship (pictured at left, left to right) were: front row – Boo Cooper, Garrett Ball, Emma Morris, Trevor Brown, CJ Schomburg, Tabitha Gibson, and Jade Lemmon; second row – Emily Graves, Hallee Sutter, Ryan Hopkins, Baylee Lewis, Kelsey Brake, Taylor Cofer, Emily Elam, Brooklynn Morris, Madison Taylor, Chloe Sierks, Taylor Paulo, and Gentri Staten; third row – Alissa Hurst, Kamden Poppa, Hadley Barnett, Keaton Shaw, Crystal Yocum, Jase Barnes, Tyler Makings, Colby Linthicum, Nick Herron, and Kaleigh Farmer; back row – Grant Hopkins, Ethan Riley, John Lang, Tyler Weber, Chandler Farmer, Chase Chamberlain, and Garrett Abbott.
