Atchison County students took part in the 71st annual County Government Day at the courthouse in Rock Port, Missouri, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The students toured the courthouse offices, including the Commissioners’ room (above) and Treasurer Tasha Zach’s office (below).
Legion members performed a flag folding ceremony at County Government Day March 25 at the Atchison County Courthouse. Steve Duren, left, and Kenneth Greenley, right, folded the flag while Mary Kahn explained what each fold represented.
The students were given a tour of the Atchison County Sheriff’s office and Atchison County Jail (above) and watched a K9 drug sniffing demonstration by Tarkio Police Officer Tyler Dorrel and K9 Hemi (below).
Some of the elected and appointed officials who do not have offices at the courthouse spoke to the students about their official duties. Emergency Management/911 Director Rhonda Wiley talked about how county dispatchers are the first responders to a crisis and work hard to send out immediate assistance in whatever capacity is needed in the emergency.
Legion members performed a flag folding ceremony at County Government Day March 25 at the Atchison County Courthouse. Steve Duren, left, and Kenneth Greenley, right, folded the flag while Mary Kahn explained what each fold represented.
Atchison County students took part in the 71st annual County Government Day at the Atchison County Courthouse in Rock Port, Missouri, Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Presiding Commissioner Curt Livengood welcomed all in attendance and introduced the elected officials.
Coroner Shawn Minter gave the invocation and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem.
Sheridan Mires with the Allen-Schiffern American Legion Auxiliary shared the purpose of County Government Day. Auxiliary member Linda Kay Payton led everyone in the Freedom Pledge.
Mary Kahn, Steve Duren, and Kenneth Greeney with the American Legion conducted a flag folding ceremony, with Mary explaining the significance of each fold.
Atchison County Development Corporation Director Monica Bailey spoke to the students about ACDC.
Coroner Shawn Minter, Public Administrator Brenda Hughes, and 911/Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley gave descriptions of their duties.
Students were divided into smaller groups and toured the different offices in the courthouse, toured the jail, and saw a demonstration by the Tarkio Police Department’s drug-sniffing K9.
Following the office tours, the students were provided lunch before sitting in on a mock trial and participating in a question and answer session with Circuit Judge Corey Herron, Associate Circuit Judge Brett Hurst, Circuit Clerk Thyra (Davis) Beckman, Prosecuting Attorney Dan Smith, and Sheriff Andy Riley.
The annual event is sponsored by: the Atchison County American Legions and American Legion Auxiliaries: John Richards #284, Fairfax; Ralph Greer #49, Rock Port; Allen-Schiffern #199, Tarkio; and Merrill Smith #32, Westboro.
