2025 Year in Review – January through June

January – The new year had an icy start, with freezing rain and sleet beginning on January 4, followed by snow overnight into January 5. This resulted in school closings and some business closings.

January saw the loss of Mayor Keith Cantrell when he passed away unexpectedly on January 21. The City and Intercounty Electric honored Mayor Cantrell at his funeral.

TCMH announced that their Education Director and Stroke Coordinator Jason Mayberry was awarded the prestigious “Stroke Excellence Award” at the Cox Health Stroke Conference in December 2024.

Michael Shewmaker was named acting warden at South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

The Licking Fire Department and Licking Rural Fire Department announced their training room was complete and operational.

The Mo. Dept. of Conservation held a chronic wasting disease (CWD) meeting in Houston after one deer in Texas County tested positive for CWD in 2024; a post-season targeted removal from a core area within about two miles of the CWD detection was planned.

Tammy Gorman assumed interim duties as Athletic Director and Chris Harris became interim Boys Basketball Head Coach while a personnel issue was addressed at Licking R-8 Schools; they remained in those positions throughout the remainder of the school year.

Francesca Filippi and Roston Stockard were named LHS Homecoming Queen and King at the 2025 Homecoming Coronation.

State Representative Bennie Cook was appointed Vice Chair of the House Committee on Corrections.

Registration and check-ins for the annual Conner Clifton Memorial Coyote Hunt were held at Intercounty Electric in Licking.

State Senator Brad Hudson and State Representative Bennie Cook toured the new Licking Police Department facility, along with City Administrator Rhonda Kirkwood, VFW Commander Billie Krewson, Texas Co. Sheriff Scott Lindsey and Texas Co. Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas.

February – Volunteers gathered to help with the cleanup at Montauk State Park after flooding in early November 2024. The park announced it would reopen on February 24; it had been closed since the catastrophic flooding.

Licking United Methodist Church welcomed Pastor Mitch Henson, who began his leadership at the church on January 19.

Town & Country Bank was recognized as one of Newsweek’s Best Banks in the Nation, for the second consecutive year.

At least 10 students at Licking High School advanced to the State Competition based on their performances at the Future Business Leaders of America District 14 Conference; 19 medals were earned.

Sheena Postlewait was named the new Center Manager at Licking Head Start.

Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources officially announced the award of $2.5 million for water systems to the City of Licking for upgrades to the city’s water distribution system. Work on water distribution lines and the well also began in February, and the City of Licking accepted the donation of two lots located northeast of the junction of Deer Lick and Charles streets from the Phelps Health Foundation.

The Licking R-8 Board of Education officially accepted the resignation of Mr. Phillip Gambill as athletic director and varsity basketball coach.

Roston Stockard was awarded a 1,000 point ball, having achieved the milestone as a Varsity Wildcat player.

Licking VFW Post 6337 held the annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen banquet, giving awards to students from Raymondville, Success and Licking schools.

A snowfall of seven to eight inches was measured in the area, just days after frigid temperatures that resulted in damage to several water lines at businesses and homes in the area.

Williams Veterinary Service opened on the north side of Licking, at what was previously the location of Ed Green Realty.

March – Piney River Covey Chapter of Quail Forever hosted their 2025 “No Child Left Indoors – Path to the Uplands” annual banquet at Intercounty Electric Auditorium in Licking.

Lady ‘Cats Basketball finishes second in the District Tournament.

Montauk State Park holds their Opening Day ceremony for catch and keep trout season.

Dr. Edna Grover-Bisker was named Honorary Knight of St. Patrick at the 2025 St. Patrick celebration at Missouri S&T.

TCMH CEO Bill Bridges represented Texas County Memorial Hospital at the National Rural Health Association Policy Institute’s annual conference in Washington, D.C.

EZ Street’s Pothole Patrol adopted Shafer Road to kick off their marketing campaign, patching many potholes along the route.

A house on Maple Street was destroyed in a fire.

Licking High School was awarded the third place trophy at the Frisco League Art Contest; four students were awarded “Best of Division.”

Several members of the LHS Music Department brought home gold ratings at their District Competition, advancing to the state competition.

Another structure fire claimed a family’s residence on Reed Road, south of Licking; this was the fourth structure fire in the month of March.

April – Doug Ashby announced the return of the Ashby Turkey Call.

Moderate flooding was reported in the area after four days of rain, totaling just under six inches (forecasters had indicated the area might receive 10 inches).

At the TCMH Board meeting at the end of March, it was announced that the outpatient ambulatory surgery patient satisfaction scores had increased and TCMH was in the 87th percentile for patient satisfaction.

Children gathered over 4,000 eggs in the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Licking’s Old City Park.

Scott Ogden was elected mayor of the City of Licking; Jerri Sue Crump was voted into the position on the hospital Board of Trustees; Danny Wade and Fred Rinne retained their positions on the Board of Aldermen for the City of Licking; and Heidi Moloney and Jake Floyd were re-elected to their seats on the Licking R-8 Board of Education.

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley and Patsy Kissiar were named Texas County Farm Family by the MU Extension Council of Texas County.

Numerous church groups could be seen carrying the cross on Good Friday along Highway 63 with a few seen along Highway 32 this year.

Mrs. Anita Reed and Mrs. Faith Sullins were recognized as the Licking Elementary and Licking Secondary Teachers of the Year at the monthly meeting of the Board of Education. The Board of Education approved the purchase of land adjacent to Deer Lick Park, as part of a long-term plan to support future district needs.

The Licking Police Department hosted an Open House, inviting the community to tour their new police department at the corner of Myers Street and Highway 137.

Licking Superintendent of Utilities Rodney Sullins retired and was recognized by the City for his years of service.

May – The Licking Chapter of FFA honored the late Van Kirkwood, their previous advisor, at their annual FFA Banquet.

Licking High School held their 2025 Commencement Ceremony, with 80 students graduating.

Licking High School’s Advisory Program participated in community service projects in and around Licking.

LHS student-athletes Jadyn Barnes and Keely Gorman advanced to Sectionals in Track and Field. Barnes would later qualify for the State finals in Javelin. At the Class 3 State Finals, Barnes earned the title of Champion Javelin Thrower.

The City of Licking and Licking Rural Fire Department announced that Bobby Hearty was the new Fire Chief.

An Armed Forces Appreciation Day event was held at Intercounty Electric Auditorium, and 125 Veterans were served.

The Class of 2037 preschool graduation ceremony was held at the FEMA gymnasium at Licking Elementary School.

The Missouri legislature passed a $2,000,000 appropriation to repair Shafer Road, and the bill was sent to the Governor (where it later was cut from the budget with a line-item veto).

Jim Maddox, Anita Reed and Wesley Holmes were honored at a retirement ceremony for their years of service at Licking R-8 Schools.

Licking Mayor Scott Ogden and the City of Licking hosted the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Licking’s Old City Park.

The Licking Wildcat Baseball team won their third consecutive District Championship. They hosted Fair Grove in a Sectional matchup on May 27, but were unable to overcome their opponents.

The 40th Annual Licking Rodeo drew in around 3,000 people over the two-night event.

The Licking Aquatic Center opened on Tuesday, May 27, after a cool Memorial Day weekend delayed the onset of the season.

The 74th Annual Raymondville Picnic had a rainy Thursday, but crowds returned on Friday and Saturday to make the event a success.

Don Whitby celebrated his 90th birthday with his family.

The LHS Class of 1965 had their 60-year reunion at the Fox Community Room.

The Thrivent office was relocated from the former Ed Green Realty building to an office on Highway 32 at the four-way stop in Licking.

Art classes resumed at the Texas County Museum of Art and History.

June – K&C Mini & RV Storage was introduced to readers. The new storage units on Highway 63, about a quarter mile south of the Highway CC junction, became available in April.

Texas County Republicans held their annual Lincoln Day event at the Sherman Hill Field House on the Licking High School campus. Special guests included three individuals who had been present at the U.S. Capitol during the incident on January 6, 2021.

A No Kings Protest was held in Rolla, with over 500 people said to have attended the regional protest.

Grady Rae’s Coffee Co. opened a coffee shop in Licking.

A St. Louis man was charged with manslaughter after the box truck he was driving struck another vehicle in the rear on Highway 17, about five miles north of Houston, killing a Bucyrus man.

Pullers returned to Licking for the FFA Pull at R&S Track.

Aubrey Gorman, of Licking, earned the Songbird Award and Rookie Talent at Missouri Miss Teen.

The Licking Senior Center received a donation of $3,500.00 from Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association.

Eight members of Licking FBLA attended the Missouri FBLA State Leadership Conference. Ethan Domenech earned 10th place in Business Law and 10th place in Public Policy and Advocacy; Timothy Norris earned 6th place in Supply Chain Management.

LHS alumnus Cadrian Hutsell graduated magna cum laude from Southeast Missouri State.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association held their annual Meeting of the Membership at Licking’s Old City Park. Incumbent directors on the ballot were re-elected and both proposed by-laws were passed by members.

Sherry Phippen, M.D., a board-certified general surgeon, signed a three-year contract with Texas County Memorial Hospital.