March 7, 1996

State Rep. Dave Oetting published a 10-question survey to gather feedback and help better represent the district.

Work began on a new cable system which was intended to connect 11 towns with fiber optic cable: Alma, Blackburn, Concordia, Corder, Emma, Higginsville, Houstonia, Malta Bend, Mayview, Sweet Springs and Waverly. Galaxy Cablevision planned to install approximately 70 miles of cable, both aerial and underground. The project was slated to begin the end of March and be completed by the end of June.

Melissa Ott was crowned Courtwarming Queen.

March 14, 1996

Angela Hicks competed in a contest to represent New York in the Miss America Scholarship Program as Miss Greater New York 1996. Her talent for the pageant was dramatic dialogue from the movie “Steel Magnolia.”

The Chiefs basketball team defeated St. Paul to claim the District 16 title. The team then defeated LaMonte in Regionals and Montrose in Sectionals before falling to Lockwood in the Quarterfinals.

Death Notices: Pauline Terrell Arth of Waverly.

March 21, 1996

The Lafayette County Board of Sheltered Services (LCBSS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a partnership to build two new apartment complexes for people with developmental disabilities. Funds to build the complexes were provided by a HUD grant, and HUD also offered tenants rent assistance. LCBSS provided support services to tenants such as budgeting, meal prep and home maintenance. The complexes were planned for Lexington (six apartments) and Higginsville (10 apartments) and were expected to open in April.

Death Notices: Anna Lee Lemke of Sweet Springs.

March 28, 1996

Trinity Lutheran students were among those who placed in the 14th annual Lafayette County Soil & Water Conservation District poster contest. In the 5th grade division Jonathan Kempfe placed 3rd; in the 7th grade division Kelly Brunkhorst placed 1st, Erin Tieman placed 2nd and Stephanie Gregory placed 3rd; and in the 8th grade division Lorie Bredehoeft placed 3rd and Erin Loges placed 4th. Several local youth also placed the 1st annual LCSWD photography contest as follows: 1st Justin Boehmer of Alma, 2nd Anne Larkin of Corder, 3rd Tamie Larkin of Corder, Honorable Mentions Laura Beth Manning of Blackburn and Johanna Nolta of Blackburn.

The Santa Fe Chiefs basketball team was named the Missouri All-State Basketball Team by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscaster Association. The team finished the season 25-5 overall and finished as the 7th ranked team in the state. Additionally, Donald Edwards was named as a First Team All-State selection and Coach Gary Littrell was named the KMZU boy’s Coach of the Year.

Area teams participated in the XI A Team and B Team Special Olympic Basketball Tournaments. The A Team “Master Spoilers” travelled to Rolla to place in District S.O. Basketball. They placed second and advanced to state. Team members were Jim Dysart of Waverly; Terry Ray of Dover; Ray Kidwell of Wellington; Scott Frisbee, Jimmy Jones and Bobby Stark of of Covenant House Higginsville; and Daniel Sabin and Tim Cox of Higginsville. Coaches were David Hayes and Norma Lawson. The B Team “Exterminators” travelled to Sedalia for their tournament. They placed fourth in their division. Team members were Craig Closterman and Chad Sanders of Waverly; Reid Little, Robert Taylor, Leroy McMullin, Kenny Nolte, Dennis Shocky and Steve Lock of Covenant House Higginsville; and Doug Brockert and Lisa Eisnoggle of Higginsville. Coaches were Brena Wassum and Norma Lawson. Suzanne Smith of Malta bend was the Area XI Special Olympics Director.

Death Notices: Raymond Leslie Coslet of Oklahoma.

March issues of The Waverly Times were filled with advertising and letters to the editor in support of an $800,000 school bond issue. This bond issue was intended for the establishment of computer labs and compliance with federal mandates for handicap accessibility in both schools, a major remodel of the elementary school including the construction of four classrooms and rest rooms, and the construction of a Vo-Ag shop at the high school. Letters in favor of the bond were written by Angela Steffens, Doug & Linda Richie, and freshman student Graf Croka, as well as multiple letters written by Superintendent Greg Prather. Advertising in support of the bond was paid for by the Santa Fe Pride Committee and the Waverly Bank, including a full-page ad which listed businesses and patrons in support of the measure. Additionally, the school organized a Special Election Committee which consisted of Chairperson Angela Steffens, Secretary-treasurer Carolyn Campbell, Larry Hiltabidle, Becky Plattner, Barb Plattner, Benny Kirchhoff and David Lueck. The committee held informational meetings across the school district and also organized informational booths. Ultimately, all this effort paid off and the bond passed during the April 2 election with a vote of 464 to 146.