2025 Year in Review: July through December

July – Licking celebrated Independence Day on Saturday, July 5, at Deer Lick Park.

Route 63 Car Club held their 41st Annual Car & Bike Show earlier that day at Old City Park.

The Texas County Junior Livestock Fair was held the second week of July, and Wesley and Patsy Kissiar were recognized as the Texas County Farm Family.

New speed limits were set on some streets in Licking to improve consistency and safety

Vacation Bible Schools began, and trivia teams had an evening of fun at Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) of South Central Missouri’s Trivia Night fundraiser.

The 7th Annual Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church (LPHC) Bike Show was held with a good turnout.

County Road Coffee was in our business spotlight as it moved into a new building on North Main Street.

Shafer Road issues were brought up again, as the edge of the road over a culvert becomes more unstable near R&S Track.

Licking students Timothy Norris and Sadie Hutsell traveled with FBLA advisor Stacie Hutsell to FBLA’s National Leadership Conference.

An All-Class Alumni Reunion was held at Intercounty Electric Auditorium. At least 67 alumni and guests attended the reunion.

The City of Licking reported progress on the potable water project with well drilling advancing.

The flood recovery team that worked to repair Montauk State Park after the November 2024 flood was named Team Members of the Month by Missouri DNR.

Five members of the LHS Softball Team earned Softball Academic All-State honors: Janelle Bates, Halee Clayton, Allie Medlock, Lily Godi and Taylor Hicks.

August – A back-to-school bash school supply giveaway was held at Licking’s Old City Park, with area churches, the Parents as Teachers program, the Offenders Offering Alternatives and the Gavel Club at South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) and others donating supplies or funds to make it possible.

A Kids’ Trout Derby was held at Montauk State Park.

The new teachers at Licking schools were introduced, and school open houses were held.

Ozarks Retirement Solutions opened an office in Licking, answering questions and providing assistance with Medicare.

Concrete work was progressing on the headworks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of the City of Licking’s Wastewater Project.

One hundred butterflies were released at the Old City Park by Three Rivers Hospice and family members in memory of those cared for by the hospice who were lost over the previous year.

Four drug trafficking arrests were made near Licking: Michael Skouby, Skye Marler-Giller, Taylor Owens and John Paulson.

Licking R-8 School District resumed classes on Wednesday, August 20.

Licking youth shared their experiences on the 13U Baseball National Championship Team.

Edgar Prairie Days marked 40 years of celebrations on the prairie with a performance of Hee Haw, featuring local talent.

The Missouri Sheriff’s Association presented a Leadership Award to State Representative Bennie Cook.

Licking Church of Christ hosted a shoe drive to ensure children had shoes for the new school year.

MC Cruise-In began their annual toy drive at the August Sonic Cruise-In.

September – Barrel Racing fun came to the Licking Rodeo Arena.

Over forty Model T’s stopped at the historic Licking Mill on the Heart of the Ozarks Chapter of the Model T Ford Club’s four-day Hillbilly Tour, centered around Rolla.

The Roby Fair drew a large crowd for their parade, softball tournament, food, games and vendors.

Sonshine & Rainbow Dayschool started their school year.

A First Friday Opening was held for Licking and Salem artists at the Arts Rolla! exhibit at The Centre, in Rolla.

An Open House at Fox Fire Station highlighted firefighter equipment and skills.

Licking Ministerial Alliance held their annual Service in the Park.

LHS Baseball repeated as Frisco League Tournament champs.

Licking Bridge Builders held a breakfast fundraiser at the Licking Senior Center.

Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH) CEO Bill Bridges completed a Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program.

The Fall Festival at the historic Licking Mill added a tractor show to their activities this year.

R&S Track held their SMTTPA/MMTTPA FFA Truck & Tractor Pull.

Licking VFW Post #6337 respectfully retired flags while educating students.

MC Cruise-In wrapped up their season and their toy drive.

See You at the Pole was held at Licking’s elementary and secondary schools, with student speakers leading the event.

Jasmine Smith and Josh Wade, LHS seniors, shared their stories of their week at Boys and Girls State over the summer.

Progressive Ozark Bank hosted a customer appreciation fish fry.

LHS junior Lillian Godi received first place in the 2024-2025 National Americanism Essay Contest for the North Central Region.

Nursing communication at TCMH was recognized as top in State.

An MMRA Rodeo was held in Edgar Springs.

Former LHS Baseball Coach Byron Hagler was honored with the retirement of his jersey in a ceremony at Wulff Field in Deer Lick Park.

October – The Rose Holland Trout Derby raised a total of $16,300 for the American Heart Association, exceeding their $15,000 goal.

Wildcat Volleyball finished the Frisco League Quad undefeated.

Phelps Health announced the start of construction on the expansion of the Emergency Department.

A Family Rodeo was held at Licking Rodeo Arena.

Intercounty Electric celebrated National Co-op Month with Member Appreciation Days.

Nana’s Country Kitchen opened for business in downtown Licking.

LHS Baseball finished their fall season with a record of 21-3.

A hostage situation at South Central Correctional Center was resolved without injury.

Licking Bridge Builders announced that Texas County Transportation would end services at the end of the year.

A dedication ceremony was held for the new Texas County Library building in Houston.

Sheriff Scott Lindsey announced that the Missouri Sheriff’s Association would hold a 700-hour Basic Peace Officer Law Enforcement Academy in Houston beginning in January of 2026.

Montauk Baptist Church celebrated their 60-year anniversary.

Licking Head Start celebrated Head Start Awareness Month with State Representative Bennie Cook and Licking Mayor Scott Ogden.

A Meet and Greet Breakfast was held at Licking’s Fox Fire Station.

Firefighters remind drivers to move over after a firefighter’s toes are run over by a passing motorist at an accident scene.

Texas County Medical Reserve Corps launched with an open house at the Texas County Health Department in Houston.

The Shroud of Turin display returned to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Licking.

Licking High School held their fall concert.

KY3 brought the Weather School to the Sherman Hill Field House.

Around 75 adults and youth showed up to support Gma Pam’s Rack Pack at a Glow Walk/Run.

The Sherrill Community Neighborhood Watch was established and had their first meeting.

Phelps County R-3 educator Udena Davis was awarded the Outstanding Rural Support Staff award.

Several residents at Licking Residential Care attended the Golden Age Games in Springfield.

The Light the Night Festival and Haunting of the Mill saw hundreds of costumed trick-or-treaters come to downtown Licking. The Kimble Parker Band provided live music for the event and a costume contest was hosted by the City.

November – LHS senior Tyrone Merdian advanced to State in Cross Country.

LHS vocalist Gwen Campbell auditioned for the State Honor Choir.

The completion of the concrete base for the new water tower and the completion of the well drilling were among Potable Water Project updates for the City of Licking.

Texas County voters passed the Homestead Tax Relief and failed a Road and Bridge question at the polls.

United Methodist Church held their Fall Festival, which included a quilt show this year.

Abounding Hope Church hosted a women’s dinner, and volunteers at Licking Christian Church packed food for the International Disaster Emergency Service.

The Missouri Rodeo Cowboy’s Association awarded the Licking Rodeo Gold Co-Approved Rodeo of the Year.

Shoebox packing parties were held at churches throughout the area as part of Operation Christmas Child.

Veterans were honored at several locations on Veterans Day in Licking, including at an all-school assembly and at the Memorial for the Fallen.

LPHC held their annual Chili and Cobbler Cookoff.

Route 63 Car Club donated to several community organizations.

The First Annual Fall Sport Banquet celebrated fall LHS sports, including volleyball and cross country athletes.

The Licking Ministerial Alliance held a Community Thanksgiving service at Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Mayor Scott Ogden and fiancee Morgan Tedder helped kick off the Salvation Army Kettle Drive in Licking.

LHS alumnus Gideon Antle earned a position on the Loco Beach Coconuts, a Banana Ball team.

Operation Christmas Child received over 1,100 shoeboxes packed by Licking area churches this year.

Licking Assembly of God was the location for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, which served 230 meals this year.

Licking Chamber of Commerce gives back to the community by donating to several area organizations.

Boone Creek Baptist Church welcomed Pastor Brian Collison as their senior pastor.

St. John’s Catholic Church in Licking donated to the LIcking United Community Help Center the proceeds from their fall Food for Families drive.

The LHS GIrls Basketball Team won the Big Cat Classic.

December – The Lighting of the Mill was delayed by weather, but was able to be held on a frosty Thursday evening.

The annual Christmas Parade, Craft Show and toy giveaways brought Christmas cheer to downtown Licking. Licking Pentecostal Holiness Church won first place in the parade’s religious category and Hickory Manor was first in the non-religious category.

The tank was placed atop the new Licking water tower, another step forward in the Potable Water project.

LHS presented their Christmas Concert, followed by the Elementary School Christmas Concert the following week.

Breakfast with Santa followed a parade and pillow fights on Broadway in Edgar Springs.

The TCMH Hospice of Care Auction set a new record, bringing in $38,454.64.

The Annual Texas County Shop with a Hero program anticipated 240 to 250 children would be served at this year’s event.

SCCC residents and staff created a Winter Wonderland for families of offenders to enjoy during visits.

Licking Christian Church celebrated Christmas with their annual Community Christmas Dinner, with many attending the traditional dinner.

A Houston man was charged with making a terrorist threat after an incident in November in which threatening calls were made to a nursing facility in Licking, resulting in the facility being locked down for everyone’s safety.

On the national level, 2025 was a year of turmoil in the political realm, AI technology assumed a greater role of importance in the everyday lives of Americans, and people had to tighten their belts to make it through high food prices and a government shutdown. In rural America, life continued much as it has in previous years. Achievements were recognized, losses were mourned, hard times were faced head on, neighbors helped neighbors, and new lives began as Ozarkians found their faith restored and strengthened, or struggled to find their way in a world of increasing complexity. May 2026 be a good year for all of our readers; may your struggles be few and may your blessings be many!