Memphis Democrat

06/04/2026

05/31/2026

Scotland County brought home state medals! 🐅🏅

The Lady Tigers earned two all-state medals at the MSHSAA Class 1 state track and field meet May 22-23 in Jefferson City.

Charlee Holland led Scotland County with a fourth-place finish in the girls long jump, recording a leap of 5.09 meters. She also placed ninth in the triple jump.

Matyson Buford added another medal for the Lady Tigers, placing sixth in the discus with a throw of 32.23 meters. She also competed in the shot put.

Scotland County was also represented by Kierstyn Moore in the 3,200-meter run, Deana McKinney in the high jump and the girls 4×800-meter relay team.

Help us congratulate Scotland County’s state qualifiers and medalists on a strong showing at state! 👇

Read the full story here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/29/holland-buford-medal-at-state-for-scotland-county/

05/30/2026

Hundreds gathered on the Knox County Courthouse lawn in Edina Saturday evening for a community prayer vigil for missing Edina woman Lindsey Watts.

Family, friends, pastors, first responders and community members came together in prayer, hope and support as the search for Lindsey continued.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Lindsey’s sister, Lacey Watts, thanked the community for its prayers and pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

“We just want our sister home,” she said.

Lindsey was last seen Tuesday night, May 19, at approximately 11 p.m. after returning home from work at The Blessing Center in Edina. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at 660-397-2186, extension 1.

Read the full story here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/29/we-just-want-our-sister-home-community-rallies-around-watts-family-during-prayer-vigil/

05/29/2026

Sheriff: ‘Hundreds’ of Hours Invested in Search for Missing Edina Woman By Editor | May 22, 2026 By Echo Menges   MEDIA: Video Interview YouTube Link Below EDINA, Mo. — 1 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026 — Knox County Sheriff Carl Knoche said Friday that “hundreds” of man-hours have already be...

05/28/2026

A sweet new adventure is underway for 10-year-old Peightyn Johnson of Revere! 🐝🍯

Peightyn has been named the 2026 Northeast Missouri Beekeepers Association Youth Beekeeping Scholarship recipient.

The scholarship provides a one-year NEMOBA membership, hive materials, a package of bees, safety and hive equipment, and one year of mentoring from local beekeepers — including help with extracting her first honey crop.

Peightyn has already learned how to clean up an old hive, install bees, introduce the queen, identify parts of the hive and care for her bees each day. Her bees were installed April 17 and are already doing great!

Help us congratulate Peightyn on this exciting opportunity and wish her well as she begins her beekeeping journey! 👇

Read the full story here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/23/2026-northeast-missouri-beekeepers-association-youth-beekeeping-scholarship-recipient/

05/27/2026

Congratulations to the Scotland County R-1 Class of 2026! 🎓👏

Scotland County R-1 High School celebrated commencement Sunday, May 17, in Memphis, as family, friends, faculty and community members gathered to honor this year’s graduates.

The ceremony included music from the Scotland County R-1 Concert Band, remarks from Class President Zada Ketchum, a senior address from Charlee Holland, and a closing message from Class Vice President Lillian Frederick.

Commencement speaker Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, challenged graduates to lead, lift others up and think about how they will give back to their communities.

As the Class of 2026 heads into its next chapter, help us congratulate these graduates and wish them well! 👇

Read the full story here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/23/scotland-county-graduates-class-of-2026/

05/26/2026

Scotland County road and bridge work is included in MoDOT’s draft 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. 🚧

The draft plan lists just over $3 million in construction work for the county, led by a $2.207 million U.S. 136 bridge improvement over Gunns Branch east of Route MM near Memphis.

Other scheduled projects include pavement resurfacing on Business 136 in Memphis and Route MM from U.S. 136 to Route M.

The draft STIP is open for public review and comment through June 5. Comments may be submitted to MoDOT by calling 1-888-ASK-MODOT or emailing [email protected].

Which Scotland County road or bridge project do you think should be a priority?
What improvements would you like to see around Memphis or across the county? 👇

Read the full story here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/23/draft-stip-lists-3-1-million-in-scotland-county-road-bridge-work/

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

🎭 Ella Kate’s story is coming home to Memphis!

Scotland County’s most famous daughter — Ella Kate Ewing, known around the world as the “Missouri Giant” — will be celebrated in a new folk musical, “Dream Big: The True Tall Tale.”

Ozarks Lyric Opera will bring the family-friendly production to the Memphis Theatre for a special hometown performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4.

The musical shares a powerful story of perseverance, courage and self-acceptance — right here in the community where Ella Kate’s story began.

Tickets are $5 general admission, with no charge for school-age children attending with a paid adult. Tickets may be reserved by calling 660-465-2277.

Help spread the word and celebrate this remarkable Scotland County story! 👏

Read more here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/16/missouri-giantess-comes-home-ella-kate-returns-to-memphis-in-new-musical-dream-big/

05/20/2026

🚁 Dreams, dedication and a Black Hawk milestone! 🇺🇸

Congratulations to Samara Brush, who has completed Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training as she continues her journey toward becoming a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

That kind of accomplishment takes discipline, courage and a whole lot of determination — and it’s something worth celebrating.

Help us congratulate Samara on this impressive achievement and wish her continued success as she keeps climbing higher! 👏

Read more here:
https://www.nemonews.net/2026/05/16/dreams-and-accomplishments-samara-brush-completes-initial-entry-rotary-wing-training-for-us-army-uh-60-black-hawk-helicopter-pilot/