2024 Year in Review – July through December

July:

July 1 marked the official retirement date for successful Licking Wildcat Baseball Head Coach Harv Antle.

News of Governor Parson’s veto of Shafer Road funding dampened spirits, but landowners along the road continued to work for a resolution to the problem of maintaining the road.

The Route 63 Car Club held their annual Car & Bike Show at Licking’s Old City Park.

A ribbon cutting at the new TCMH Licking Clinic ushered in a new era for healthcare in the community.

Proposition Wildcat Pride, a question on the August ballot, was announced by Licking R-VIII School District. An increase in the operating tax levy was requested of voters to improve hiring and retention of quality teachers.

Three Licking students attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Ethan Domenech, Trevor Richards and Sadie Hutsell attended.

The annual LPHC Bike Show was held, with a good turnout.

A Shroud of Turin Display was open to the public at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Licking.

The City of Licking announced that the Aquatic Center would be closed for the remainder of the season.

A new body scanner was added to security at the entrance of South Central Correctional Center.

August:

Licking Mo Honey was featured as Todd and Kristy Fudge shared their “sweet” business.

TCMH announced that interim CEO Bill Bridges had been named the permanent CEO by the hospital board.

Election day saw 29 percent of registered Texas County voters make their way to the polls. Brad Hudson eked out Travis Smith in the State Senator District 33 primary despite a vigorous media campaign by Smith. Licking R-VIII School’s Proposition Wildcat Pride did not pass.

An Ozark Family Rodeo was held in Licking with good attendance.

A Trail of Tears tribute on Boiling Springs Road was featured.

Licking Schools held their Open Houses and registration days, as students and families prepared for the start of a new school year.

Kissiar Sunflower Patch held a Butterfly Release event.

A unique local business, Pride Barco Lock Company, was featured, telling of the lock-manufacturer, Ian Renga, who moved his enterprise to Licking.

A veteran’s memorial along the river at Boiling Springs was shared, including landowner Gary Brandon’s inspiration for the memorial.

The Licking Aquatic Center was able to open on Sunday, August 25. The City of Licking celebrated by offering free admission and free hot dogs and chips to those who attended that day.

The 39th Annual Edgar Prairie Days were held, with Linda Carlton as the parade Grand Marshal, and including a two-night MMRA Rodeo.

An aggressive interior attack by the Licking Fire Department was able to contain a fire to a bedroom in a mobile home located in the city.

September:

Local artists were featured in an art show hosted by Arts Rolla at The Centre, in Rolla.

The new owners of The Store on College Avenue were featured as a business.

Licking Development Company announced new board members and asked for information on shareholders.

A successful truck pull was held at R&S Track, with no thunderstorms this time.

A featured business was Appliance Heroes, appliance repairmen who service the Licking area.

The 2024 Siren Bowl saw the Texas County Firefighters defeating Texas County Law Enforcement.

Licking Baseball won the Frisco League Tournament under new head coach Cole Roark.

Barrel Racing came to the Licking Rodeo Grounds.

Corner Express celebrated 25 years of business in Licking with customer appreciation days.

Licking Ministerial Alliance held a community Service in the Park.

First Baptist Church of Licking was given an award for being a drop-off point for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for 15 years.

Flash flooding swamped parts of Licking as around 4.5 inches fell in less than 24 hours.

Licking VFW Post #6337 held their annual Dignified Flag Disposal ceremony.

The MC Cruise-In Toy Drive was a great success, providing toys and funds for more toys for the annual toy giveaway in December.

The community suffered another loss with the death of long-time community activist Bob Green.

October:

Brendon Fox, of Rolla, was appointed by Governor Mike Parson as Circuit Judge for the 25th Judicial Circuit, which includes Texas County.

Lindsey Wallace was named to the Mount Vernon All-Tournament volleyball team.

The second annual G’ma Pam’s Rack Pack Ride for a Reason saw 47 rigs join in a side-by-side ride, followed by a free concert by Moonshine Xpress, to raise funds for the non-profit which helps cancer patients with expenses.

Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry joined Fly Creek to share office space and to utilize more of the old Rawlings factory for their cabinet-building business.

The Rose Holland Trout Derby set a new fundraising record for the American Heart Association, bringing in $16,829.00.

Phelps Health and Salem Memorial Hospital took steps toward a possible affiliation.

The Licking Rural Fire and City of Licking Fire departments welcomed the community to an open house, where they demonstrated the use of vehicle extraction tools.

An Open House at the new TCMH Licking Family Clinic welcomed new physician Dr. Amanda Lemp to the community.

Notice of Awards for the City of Licking’s Water Project were signed by Mayor Keith Cantrell, marking a milestone in the years-long project.

Phelps County R-III School was named an Outstanding Rural School District by the Missouri Association of Rural Education.

Another meeting was held in reference to Shafer Road, with 38 concerned citizens and elected officials in attendance.

An article featured one couple’s mission to help survivors of Hurricane Helene, which cut a path of destruction across the southeastern United States on September 27, 2024. Especially devastated were parts of North Carolina, which experienced deadly flooding.

November:

Missouri lineworkers returned after assisting with hurricane recovery efforts.

Licking Lady Wildcats Volleyball won their district and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, where they were defeated by Hermann.

Over a foot of rain fell in the area, leading to historic flooding at Montauk State Park. River crossings at Mason Bridge and other locations were damaged, I-44 in Pulaski County was closed, and traffic routed down Highway 63 added to the travel difficulties.

Texas County election results showed 11,640 voters going to the polls (67.38%). Republicans won most seats at the national, state and county level.

The Sassy Hide and Freedom Financial found a new home on Maple Street in Licking.

Farmgirl Floral had a Grand Opening at their new location on South Highway 63, Licking.

Volunteers at Licking Christian Church packed 25,000 meals for those in need.

A Veterans Day Assembly was held at Licking High School, with local veterans invited to attend. Licking VFW Post #6337 held a ceremony at Memorial for the Fallen in Licking.

Miss Aubrey Gorman, of Licking, was named Miss Texas County Teen 2025.

Penny Wars at Licking Elementary saw $7,167.82 raised for Convoy of Hope to go to hurricane relief efforts, and resulted in a day of challenges for Principal Brian Barry.

An outpouring of generosity at New Life Free Will Baptist Church raised $2,191.84 for Ongole orphans.

Route 63 Car Club generously donated to several community organizations.

Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church held their annual Chili and Dessert cookoffs.

Five LHS Volleyball players earned All-District honors – Linzie Wallace, Allie Hock, Zoey Dawson, Aubrey Gorman and Jadyn Barnes.

Dolly “Mae” Elledge celebrated her 100th birthday.

Sonshine & Rainbow Dayschool entertained the public with a Thanksgiving program.

TCMH was awarded a $100,000 Emergency Medical Services grant.

Licking Assembly of God served a community dinner on Thanksgiving day.

Licking Chamber of Commerce generously donated to several community organizations.

Licking High School girls and boys basketball teams captured both trophies in the Licking vs. Salem Big Cat Classic.

December:

Christmas cheer filled downtown Licking with the annual Christmas craft bazaar, toy giveaway and parade.

Rain did not stop the Edgar Springs Christmas parade and Breakfast with Santa.

Scott Ogden, a financial professional with Thrivent, announced the opening of a new office in Licking,

Members of the LHS Choir performed at the Fourth Annual Capitol Choir Performance.

LHS Drama presented the play “And Then There was One.”

Christmas cheer continued to spread around the community thanks to the Wildcat Early Learning Center, Phelps Co. R-III students, the Bradford’s (bellringers), Santa Claus (seen at several locations) and the Grinch. Christmas Concerts were held by the Licking High School/Junior High Band & Choir, and by Licking Elementary pre-K through fourth grade students.

Lewis & Son Service held their Christmas Eve customer appreciation fish fry.

Licking Christian Church served a traditional Christmas dinner to around 100 people on Christmas day.