Sam O’Riley’s last day as Atchison County Community Services Director was Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Kodi Irizarry, right, is the new director.

Samantha O’Riley has hung up her hat as Atchison County Community Services Director in Tarkio. Sam started working for Atchison County Community Services in December of 2019. While working as the County Outreach Director, Sam has given assistance to residents in paying energy, water, gas, rent, and even pharmacy bills. Teaching life skills such as budgeting, cooking, job readiness, and kids cooking classes were at the top of the list. “I always joked that I should have kept a book of all of the stories that I had heard come through my door because some no one would believe. I have seen so many people be on their last leg and not know what to do. I was the person who had the joy of being there for them through the tears and the laughter.” Sam will be moving on to teaching after getting her Associate’s degree in Arts and Early Childhood Development at Iowa Western Community College and is now finishing up a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and SPED Inclusion from Peru State. She will complete this program by student teaching at the Rock Port Elementary School. “I will miss my families and partners at Community Services, but I am looking forward to this next step in my future.”

Kodi Irizarry of Craig, Missouri, is taking over the position. Kodi is married to Chase Irizarry. She has two daughters, Kam, who just graduated, and Isabella, who is entering the seventh grade. Kodi says she “is an animal lover, would die without her kindle, and is a thrift shop junkie. I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life with this position.”