2024 Year in Review – January through June

January:

Texas County Law Enforcement and First Responders reported 260 children participated in the Shop with a Hero program.

New to You, featuring clean, quality used clothing, was highlighted as a new business in Licking.

Iona Wampner celebrated her 100th Birthday.

A public meeting was held in Roby to discuss a proposal to close the South Gate of Fort Leonard Wood during overnight hours, packing the Citizens’ Center of Northwest Texas County.

Piney River Covey of Quail Forever received the state “Brood Builder” award for their membership growth throughout the year.

A community gathered to mourn the loss of a beloved educator, Dan “Doc” Hatch.

February:

The South Gate of Fort Leonard Wood began closing from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on February 1.

Town & Country Bank was named one of America’s Best Regional Banks for 2024 by “Newsweek.”

TCMH announced they received a $750,000 Delta Regional Authority Grant for consulting services to improve their operations. TCMH CEO Stace Holland was removed from his position at the hospital, and Bill Bridges was named interim CEO by the hospital board.

The Licking JV Wildcats won first place in the Mountain Grove JV Tournament and first in the Licking JV Tournament. Eight LHS athletes were named to the Missouri Volleyball Academic All State Team (Aubrey Gorman, Finley Sullins, Linzie Wallace, Allie Decker, Riley Moloney, Ralee Clayton, Josie Wells and Hannah Medlock). The Licking Lady Wildcats basketball team finished undefeated at home. Austin Stephens and Riley Moloney were chosen as the 2024 LHS Homecoming King and Queen.

Twelve LHS FBLA members advanced to the state level of competition: Trevor Richards, Ethan Domenech, Timothy Norris, Kamila Yetkin, Alex Sprouse, Ryleigh Barton, Dawson Havens, Emilie Williams, Josh Rotherham, John Gyory, Raleigh Fox and Noah Umfleet.

Licking VFW Post #6337 held their Voice of Democracy (VOD) and Patriot’s Pen awards banquet. Patriot’s Pen winners included, from Raymondville: Makenzie Ferguson (first), Arianna Shuman (second), Savana Evetts (third); and from Summersville: Cameron Jones (first), Kit Benne (second), Aspen Wade (third). VOD winners were, from Licking: Lillian Godi; from Plato: Nolan Fitzsimmons (first), Jazzy Beard (second), Kinsley Jeffery (third).

MSU-WP Grizzly Baseball announced they would hold a prospect camp at Triumph Sports in Licking.

Licking Downtown held their annual fish fry and auction, featuring music by Herman Hall.

March:

Opening Day of Trout Season at Montauk State Park honored the late Jim Oligschlaeger, of Licking. Montauk Baptist Church served 410 people breakfast that morning, and Montauk Rural Fire Department raised around $4,500.00 that evening with their chili and hot dogs dinner and raffle.

Piney River Covey of Quail Forever held their “No Child Left Indoors” Banquet with around 175 people attending.

New Life Free Will Baptist Church recognized Donnetta James and Cindy Wampner for their community leadership.

Texas County Republicans chose Donald Trump in their presidential caucus. Trump was also named as the winner statewide and became Missouri’s Republican nominee for president. Texas County Republicans held their Lincoln Day event at the Licking High School gymnasium. Bob and Leann Green, of Licking, were recognized for their valued work to the party.

The Democratic Presidential Primary was held in Texas County and across the state.

Wildflower Meadow held an open house and invited people to tour their new event center.

State Representative Bennie Cook celebrated the first Texas County Day at the Capitol.

Post-season basketball awards were announced. Keyton Cook, Austin James, Hannah Medlock and Allie Hock were all named All-Conference, KJEL All-Stars, and All-District. Roston Stockard was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Zoey Dawson was named All-District. Medlock was also District Player of the Year and Conference MVP. Lady Wildcat Coach Steve Rissler earned honors as District and Conference Coach of the Year. Ryleigh Barton was named to the MBCA Academic All-State Basketball team.

A meeting was held at Intercounty Auditorium to discuss the fate of Shafer Road.

A new perimeter fence was installed along the south edge of the track between Licking Elementary School and the secondary campus, improving safety of children on the Elementary playground. The school district was awarded a $400K Stronger Connections Grant to be used to continue to secure the campus and to provide alternative educational programs.

Luetta Swaringim celebrated her 100th birthday.

A truck fire at Progressive Ozark Bank in Licking charred the drive-through overhang, and an employee rental cabin at Montauk State Park was destroyed by fire.

TCMH Surgical Center held their Grand Opening on March 29.

Hannah Barker was inducted into the Zeta Kappa Chapter of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for international business.

April:

In the April election, Phelps County R-III School District voters passed Proposition C.A.R.E. Houston R-1 School District voters did not pass Proposition Track & Field. Jennifer Hugenot won the race for TCMH Board Trustee. Jeremy Rinne and Tammy Sullins were elected to the Licking School Board. Joe Dillard and Linda Breedlove were re-elected to the City of Licking Board of Aldermen.

Nicole Paolella earned first place and a trip to Washington, D.C., and Ethan Domenech and Timothy Norris both earned trips to Jefferson City in the Intercounty Electric Youth Tour. Ethan Domenech also advanced to the national FBLA competition in business law.

George O. White State Forest Nursery celebrated their 90th year on April 6, and offered tours of their operation to the public. Some Shafer Road residents placed signs to warn motorists of the hazardous road conditions en route to the nursery.

FFA students traveled to the Capitol to lobby for Shafer Road repairs. Another community meeting on Shafer Road was held, and MoDOT Deputy Director Ed Hassinger shared MoDOT’s unbending position on the status of the road.

Eclipse fever came to southern Missouri, and Moonshine XPress held a free concert at the mill to celebrate.

Licking gained a taste of the Dominican Republic when Hopyskitchen opened, offering Caribbean fine dining. Nana’s Discount Grocery opened inside TJ’s Flea Market, and a new greenhouse opened on Shafer Road.

Grant Heithold, of Licking, announced his candidacy to represent Missouri’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

After a 60-day assessment, Fort Leonard Wood officials decided to resume the 24-hour per day open status of the South Gate.

Cole Wallace, of Licking, was chosen as Student Government Association Vice-President at MSU-WP’s Mountain Grove campus.

TCMH was awarded a grant for $177,292.50 which was earmarked for the purchase of a new ambulance.

May:

In the business spotlight, Joe Drotos was introduced as a new massage therapist at TLC Alternative Health. A new restaurant, The Merry Table, opened.

Licking Wildcats Baseball won the District Championship, then advanced to the final four in the state, finishing in fourth place. Licking Junior High Track and Field finished second in the State Meet. Licking Lady Wildcats Track won the District Track & Field meet. Finley Sullins, Keely Gorman, Kylee Rinne, Hannah Medlock, Jadyn Barnes and Sadie Hutsell advanced to the State High School Track meet. Kellar Davis, Rusty Buckner, Silas Antle and Keyton Cook all announced their intentions to play collegiate baseball. Mr. Cole Roark was named Head Baseball Coach for the 2024-25 season at LHS, after the retirement of Coach Harv Antle.

Fifty-three seniors were presented their diplomas at the LHS Commencement Ceremony. Licking students Scott Warwick and Sadie Hutsell won first and third place respectively at the local level of the Fleet Reserve Association Americanism/Patriotism Essay Contest, and Warwick won third at the regional level.

Business sponsors made it possible for LHS to acquire a new video board and scoreboard for the high school gymnasium. The Licking R-8 Board of Education approved ballot language asking for an increase in the operating tax levy for the district. An LHS All-Classes Reunion was held at Intercounty Electric Auditorium.

The City of Licking was awarded a grant for $62,500.00 to evaluate their public wastewater system. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was held, with members of the community and local clergy joining in prayer for the leadership of the community.

An Armed Forces Appreciation Day event was held at Intercounty Auditorium to benefit area veterans.

June:

The annual Licking Chamber of Commerce Rodeo saw rain on Friday, but Saturday was sunny and muddy. It was a successful Rodeo Saturday, both downtown and that evening with a packed house at the rodeo arena.

Another new business opened on Main Street – Anna Mae’s on Main, with everything antique and vintage. The shop doubles as the office for USA Mortgage Lending. DJ & DJ Auction also opened on Main Street, offering a weekly auction in Licking. Gidcumb Farms was featured as a new business, as was the Loaded Smoke Wagon, bringing their unique flavor of BBQ to Licking.

TCMH received a $50,000.00 MoDOT grant, used to bolster the TCMH Medivan program. TCMH Healthcare Foundation broke a record at their annual golf tournament, raising over $24,000.00.

All District Softball honors went to Makenna Skidmore, Aubrey Gorman and Mya Rinne, with second team honors going to Halee Clayton, Zoey Dawson, Allie Medlock and Janelle Bates. Skidmore, Gorman and Rinne also earned second team All Region honors. All State Baseball honors went to Silas Antle, Rusty Buckner and Keyton Cook. These three athletes also were named All District, along with Kellar Davis and Kale Cook. All Conference honors went to Antle, Buckner, Keyton Cook and Davis, and Kale Cook received Honorable Mention. The LHS Baseball team earned Academic All State honors and was ranked eighth in Class 3 in the state. Individuals earning Academic All State honors were: Cole McCloy, Karson Walker, Isaac Rinne, Kellar Davis, Keyton Cook, Kannon Buckner, Austin Stephens and Silas Antle.

Junior High track had two top-10 finishes at Nationals. Evan Crow finished 8th in Pole Vault and the 4×100 meter relay of Jason Ingram, Michael Cunefare, Keirum O’Daniel and Crow finished 10th. Club Phoenix Volleyball participated in the AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Fla.

The LHS Super Reunion was held at Boiling Springs Resort, and it drew a crowd. Licking R-8 School District announces a strict no-phone policy for next school year.

The first Licking Truck & Tractor Pull of the summer was stopped by rain.

Jake Carver, of Church Underground, shared a message of fellowship, praise, worship and God’s word at a “Purpose in the Park” gathering.

The City of Licking announced an uncertain opening date for the Aquatic Center, as they awaited the detection and repair of leaks.

State Treasurer Vivek Malek stopped in Licking to visit with Bob and Leann Green

Gerald and June Marion, of Licking, celebrated their 90th birthdays and 71st anniversary with family and friends. Robert Malikowski celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends. A Bates Reunion was held at the Fox Fire Station.

A truck struck an Amish buggy on Deason Drive, west of Licking. The buggy driver sustained minor injuries.

The annual IECA meeting was held at Licking’s Old City Park.

The weekend before the Fourth of July saw the fireworks show being held at Deerlick Park, despite a little rain and lightning during the show.

Edgar Springs held an MMRA Rodeo.