The Holden United Methodist Church will dedicate their new building, located on the east edge of Holden on Highway 58, this Sunday, September 21. 
As the congregation dedicates the building to the glory of God, they will also be dedicating themselves to sharing God’s love by providing new ministries that reach out to people in the community.  The congregation will have activities for children, youth, parents, singles, and senior adults.  The church is also planning to expand their ministries to those who are facing major difficulties in their lives, such as illness, the loss of a loved one, depression, financial crisis or family problems. The Holden UMC wants everyone in the community to know that God cares about them and so does the congregation. The church seeks to be a “Light of Hope” to those in need in the community and wants everyone who is searching for the hope, friendship and love that comes from being part of a caring church to know they are welcome at UMC.
The dedication service on Sunday, September 21 will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a time of fellowship with coffee, juice and donuts.  The worship and dedication service will begin at 9 a.m.  After the service there will be time to tour the building and join church members for a brunch provided by the church.  For those unable to join them in the morning, there will be a punch and cookie reception at 1 p.m.  They hope all will join them on this special day.  They also want everyone to know they are welcome every Sunday morning for their regular services starting at 8:30 a.m. - time of fellowship; 9 a.m. - worship service; and 10:15 - Sunday School.  For more information, contact the church at 732-4718 or call Pastor Pat Kelley at 816-898-3449.




April Tarrant of Johnson County Central Dispatch explained to the Holden City Council at their regular meeting last week that the city would save approximately $35,000 in usage fees if the 9-1-1 sales tax proposal were passed in the November election.
Tarrant said that presently, the dispatch services are being paid by the citys’  and agencys’ usage fees and an eight percent tax on landline telephone users.  But because of increased use of wireless telephones, the revenue from the landline tax has been decreasing.  That causes the usage fees to increase.
If passed, the sales tax would do away with both the usage fees and telephone tax and allow the services to be funded by anyone buying in Johnson County, not just county residents.
In addition, she told the council that by state law, when passed, the measure will also establish an independent governing emergency services board that will be elected by the people to serve with a 9-1-1 specific purpose and would have administrative control and management of all moneys collected by the tax and the central dispatching services.
She added that the governing board would consist of three members from the eastern district of the country and three from the western, with one member being chosen at-large to serve as chairman.
In other city council business, the body approved the hiring of Gillum & Gillum to accomplish the city’s financial audit.  They had been the only firmed who answered a request for bids and said that they would do the work for a fee not to exceed $7,150.
The council also tabled a decision on selection of a group term life insurance carrier until the next monthly meeting.  They had received three quotes but decided until mayor Mike Wakeman returned for the October meeting.
In ordinances, the council passed a cable TV franchise giving the rights to Rapid Communications and also passed a bill to contract with MCHCP for the city’s healthcare plan.  First readings were passed on hiring local Karl Timmerman as the city prosecuting attorney and an agreement with the American Red Cross to provide disaster shelter space in the event of an emergency.
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Kingsville City Council voted to accept a bid from Burt Kane to patch and paint the walls at the new city hall building at their regular meeting held last Tuesday night.  Kane’s bid was for $389, according to city clerk Sherry Johnson.
In other city hall business, the council agreed to move forward with their plan to have a flag placed on the outside of city hall.  This business was approved at last month’s meeting.  According to councilman Pastor John McRoy, the cost will be $450 installed.  The council also discussed putting a flag on the inside of the building and beginning each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.  All were in agreement on this issue and McRoy will check into the proper flag etiquette with the local VFW.
The council also discussed the newly constructed concrete pad outside of city hall which has a handicap accessible pad on it.  They were pleased with the new pad.
In public relations business, Mayor Lloyd Stever told council members they received an invitation to the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation’s reception on September 25.  “We must RSVP by September 18 if anyone wants to attend,” said Mayor Stever.  “It would be good if someone could go since we are a member of the corporation.”
In reports, there were no building permits, fees or outstanding permits to report, according to councilman Ed Thomas.  In sewer operations, it was reported there is one residence that will be hooked up to city sewer which has never been on it before.
Water superintendent Tony Lerda reported there have been two new fire plugs installed and they are waiting on things to dry to continue with valve replacements.
Mayor Stever shared a letter with the council from the engineer for the new water tower outlining seven comments the council needs to respond to before they can move forward on the tower construction.  They were given 30 days to respond.  Lerda told the council if they can’t provide the information requested within 30 days, they can request an extension.  The information requested was the entire plan complete with specifications on the new tower, according to Mayor Stever.  Lerda asked when the bids were due on the tower and Mayor Stever told him they hadn’t asked for bids yet at the request of their engineer.
In new business, Mayor Stever reported to the council that they must submit a form before hooking anyone up to the public water supply from a water well.  Lerda explained that the person then would have to close out their well or have a permit from the courts for it to remain open.
In street reports, Herb Brockhaus told the council he has continued dragging and rolling the streets but they were at a standstill waiting on the county to come and do their part.  Mayor Stever replied they needed some rain to settle the rock.
In police reports, city marshal Brian Hobbs told council members the Emergency Management team needed an updated record of everyone’s phone numbers, etc. so they would know how to contact someone in case of emergency.  He also reported he had several incidents involving four-wheelers in the past month and a few minor traffic incidents, but  nothing major.  There were no dogs running at large in the city, according to Hobbs.
Johnson informed the board that she had been contacted by a representative of the Johnson County 911 office who asked to come to the council’s next meeting to give them information on the 911 sales tax and answer any questions they might have.
There was some discussion on landscaping of the city hall/sheriff’s office building and Mayor Stever said now would be the time to do the work.  Nothing was decided at this meeting.
In United Way business, Mayor Stever reported he attended the Celebrity Waiter dinner recently and it was a big success.  “We had a good turn-out for the affair and we need to keep participating in these kinds of events,” said Mayor Stever.
In the treasurer’s report, Johnson said, “We had a $50,000 cd which matured recently at the Bank of Holden.  I renewed it for one year at a rate of 3.21 percent.”  She went on to tell council members another cd at F&C Bank will mature on September 11 and asked what their recommendation was for that cd.  It was decided to renew it for seven months.
She also reported she paid Vanlanker and Sons more than $5,000 for the concrete work in front of the building.
Mayor Stever reported he had several keys made to the city hall and offered them to council members.  The council also discussed buying curtains or blinds for the windows at city hall and bringing their file cabinets over to the new building.
The regular session of the Kingsville City Council closed to reopen October 14 at 7 p.m. at city hall.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff



In his report to the Holden R-III School Board at their regular meeting Monday night, district superintendent Mike Ringen updated the assemblage on the progress of the Holden High School construction and renovation project.
He told the board that work has been continuing on the north parking lot and that concrete curbing had been planned to be installed at the end of last week.  Because of the rain, the work had to be suspended, but should be forthcoming with weather permitting. 
He also stated that he presented 12 to 15 items to the architects that needed to be addressed or finished.  “They are mostly on the inside of the building and are relatively small,” he said.  “They are not affecting the day to day activities of school.”
In another matter, he explained to the board that the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 yearbooks were available and could be purchased and the 2007-2008 annuals should be here within the next two to three weeks.  He added that the school still needed to settle some payment issues with Josten’s and that he plans to meet with company representatives late this week to “get closure on the issue.”
It’s his plan, he added, to have the 2008-2009 yearbooks available at the school the first of May with graduation and end-of-school supplements to arrive later.
Also in his report, he explained to the board that a group had contacted him about the possibility of erecting a fieldhouse behind the school.  He said he was just informing them that they were presently “looking at the feasibility of the plan which includes studying the need, size, location and funding.”  He said he would keep them informed as more information became available.
In a final item, Ringen told the board that he is having Friday morning meetings for administrators and during that time they were discussing areas of needs.  He also said that he would be starting a Wednesday morning breakfast meeting with members of the district’s staff.
During her Summer School report, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction Donna Fizer informed the school board that 388 children attended last summer’s session.
The cost of the school which was down slightly from last year offered the normal curriculum as well as several enrichment and remedial programs for grades PreK through 12.  High school students participated in online credit recovery classes and classes in the areas of math and communication arts.  Drivers’ education, general psychology and public speaking were enrichment classes offered. 
Also during the summer session, the 3-5 graders presented a rock musical to students and parents at the end of the term.  She added that suggestions received from teachers and staff included:  “This year was very nice because the halls were not crowded.”  “Placement in booster classes should be by teacher recommendation and enrichment classes broken down by grade level.” And “Have a ‘floating teacher’ so teachers can have a break.”
In other areas, the board passed a teacher professional development plan which was introduced by Fizer and given by staff members Morgan Parrish, Sarah West, Tonni Scmidt and Karen Talley.  This year’s emphasis will be on a “professional learning community,” which focuses on student learning instead of teaching.  The briefing stated that “PLCs operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous, job-embedded learning for educators.”
In his report, auxiliary services director Larry Arnone told the board that due to higher bus occupancy on a north route, buses and route times had to be switched at the beginning of school.  More than 100 students and nine buses were involved in the shuffle and according to Arnone, the revision went very well.  Superintendent Ringen concurred and said that he had to give a lot of credit to Arnone and drivers for affecting the change at the beginning of school.
During the executive session after the regular meeting, middle school custodian Bill Perkins’ retirement for September 30 was approved and Amy Morrison was hired as the assistant cross country coach.
By Steve Sullins
Editor



Superintendent of Kingsville Schools Kevin Coleman gave the school board a revised copy of the budget at their regular meeting held last Wednesday night.
“We added two classroom aides for our classes with more than 25 students in them,” said Coleman.  “The revised budget reflects this addition to payroll.”
In election of officers, the board voted on the secretary and treasurer’s position for the next term.  Kristel Spies was re-elected as secretary and Kathy Mallinson was re-elected as treasurer.
In old business, senior trips were discussed again by board members.  Coleman informed the board that he had checked with their insurance carrier and teachers were covered on the senior trips.  Coleman then recommended they discontinue the lengthy trips after the class of 2010.  Board member Ed Barnett made a motion to reconsider the trips after the class of 2010.  “Maybe we can revisit the issue and make a decision then, with some scaling back of the trips,” said Barnett.  The board approved the motion.  Future years’ class trips will be decided upon by the board.
In a career ladder update, instructor Charlene Atkins gave an updated version of the program to board members highlighting the changes and additions.  She went on to say approximately 10 teachers are participating in career ladder, on different levels.  The board voted to approve the adjustments to the program.
In new business, Coleman informed the board there would be a meeting held September 24 for the purpose of facilities planning.  “We need to make recommendations for the future needs of the district,” Coleman said.
In high school reports, principal Lorna Warren sent in a report stating attendance was at 98.32 percent through August 29.  Total enrollment for the high school was at 134 with one foreign exchange student from Japan.
In the athletic director’s report, the board learned Kingsville has 13 students running in  high school for cross country and six running in junior high.  In softball, they have 20 girls out for the team and they have played three games, winning one and losing two close games.  There are 12 girls out for volleyball and their conference tournament is the first week of the season.  Junior high basketball begins this week, according to athletic director Mike Bodenhamer, with only a girls’ team playing. There were not enough boys to make a team in junior high.  He added Dan Rather’s special report did a segment on Justin Howerton which aired September 9 on CBS.
In elementary reports, principal Angela Helms told board members attendance for the elementary was at 96 percent and enrollment was at 147.  “MAP results will be discussed in October,” said Helms.  “Everything else is going well.”
The board then voted to go into executive session and the regular session of the Kingsville School Board was closed to reopen October 9.
By Dana Neubert
News Staff



The Holden Eagles varsity football team continued to roll over their Missouri River Valley Conference East opponents as they smashed the Lexington Minutemen Friday night at Eagle Stadium to take a full two-game lead in the conference.
Holden stands 2-0 in conference play while both Lexington and Richmond are 0-1.  Over the next four weeks, the Eagles will finish up play with contests against Knob Noster, Higginsville and Carrollton. 
Friday’s win over the Minutemen was a totally dominating performance by the Eagles.  In little more than three quarters of football, Holden put 40 points on the scoreboard and held their opponents to 0 points and only 25 yards of total offense.
Lexington didn’t make their initial first down until midway through the second quarter and that would be their last in the first half.  They finished the game with only three.  Their two touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter long after all the varsity had left the field to the JV and reserves.
In the game, Holden’s bruising senior running back Dennis Hutchings rambled for 181 yards and three touchdowns to push his career rushing total over the 3,000-yard mark.  He started the year with 2,474 and has averaged 200 yards per game this season to reach the milestone.  He was joined in the 100-plus rushing category by fellow senior David Lerda who racked up 144 yards on just 11 carries.  His totals were aided by a 91-yard gallop for a touchdown late in the second quarter where he broke through the line and outran everybody in the secondary. 
Also having a good night offensively for the Eagles were quarterback Aaron Ferguson and wide receiver Crosby Coleman.  Ferguson hooked up with Coleman for two touchdown passes of 49 and five-yards.
Holden got the scoring going early as Hutchings broke through on their second play from scrimmage for a 58-yard touchdown run.  He followed it up five minutes later with another drive to paydirt capping it off with a two-yard plunge.  At the end of the first quarter Holden was on top 13-0
In the second quarter, the Eagles put the game out of reach with the two TD strikes to Coleman and the long run by Lerda giving Holden a 33-0 advantage.  In the third period prior to turning the game over to the reserves, Hutchings scored his and Holden’s last points of the night on a 46-yard run.
After the game, Lexington head coach Tom Beck praised the Holden team, “They just physically whipped us on both sides of the ball.  Their line blew us off the ball and they have a couple of great back who can hit the holes quickly.  Holden is a fine football team, their coach has prepared them well.”
Although head Eagles’ coach Rich Johnson was happy with the victory and praised several aspects of the offense, he wasn’t quite as sold on the performance as Coach Beck was.  “I don’t feel we played as well as I wanted to,” Coach Johnson explained.  “Our offensive line didn’t pick up their blitzes and we made too many mental mistakes.
“We prepare for each game as it comes and I expect us to get better each week, because there are going to be some tougher games on our schedule as the season moves along.  We need to continue perfecting our technique and adding to our effort each game so we can build on that.”
On the plus side, the coach said that a lot of good things happened offensively as well.  “Aaron (Ferguson) completed four of eight passes and a couple were just dropped.  He completed two touchdown passes as well.  Hutchings and Lerda had great games as we continue to be successful running the ball.”
The reserves played more than a quarter in the contest and the coach was happy with some of their play as well.  Offensively he singled out sophomores Dalton Smith and Billy McBride.  Smith directed the team to a long drive in the fourth quarter and broke a long kickoff return and McBride rushed for 33 yards.  Holden’s reserves have seen considerable playing time in all three of their games this season which should be valuable in the future.
On the defensive side of the ball, the coach praised Hutchings, who led the way with 12 tackles, Lerda, and sophomores David Carter and Jacob Reiman.  He also gave note to defensive back Andrew Wakeman who had two pass breakups, one on a resounding hit that popped the ball loose.
“Overall we shut them down, but there is still improvement to be made,” Coach Johnson related.  “Our defense didn’t fly to the ball like they should.  There were too many people just watching.  We’re going to have to get better if we want to continue to have a successful season.”
In tackle statistics, after Hutchings’ 12, Reiman and Carter finished with eight apiece while Lerda managed seven.  Sophomore Jared Anstine got some playing time and made the most of it with fie tackles, while Clayton Hill, Crosby Coleman, Deron Binkley and Dalton Smith ended the game with three apiece.  Kevin Kephart, James Gray and freshman Eric Stout each tallied two and finishing with one apiece were Jacob Bryant, Wakeman and Zak Anstine.
In the area of special teams, Binkley was successful on three of four point-after tries and averaged 43 yards per kickoff.  Smith had two kickoff returns for 24 and 43 yards.
Friday night, the Eagles will continue their first sweep through the MRVC East with a road game on the newly refurbished field at Knob Noster. It will be the battle of the unbeatens as both Knob and Holden come into the game with 3-0 records.  This season, the Panthers have prevailed over Santa Fe, 19-16; Versailles, 12-8; and Concordia, 24-8.
“We’re not looking past Knob Noster,” Coach Johnson cautioned.  “They have an all-state receiver in Cullen Rosine at 6’4” and 195 and a team with a lot of juniors and seniors.  In order to beat them, we’re going to have to hold down Rosine and continue to improve on the defense.”
The coach said he wasn’t going to change his game plan, and felt the game would be another good test for his team.
The action will get underway at 7 p.m. Friday at Knob Noster High School.
By Steve Sullins
Editor