October 16, 2026
Higginsville Advance News
The Higginsville Board of Aldermen Notes:
Due to the Labor Day Holiday and City Hall being closed on Monday, the Board meeting was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.The following are board notes by City Administrator, Jeanette Dobson. Full copies of complete report are available at City Hall.
Lexington woman sentenced to life in prison after guilty verdict
Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Hillbrener has announced that Amber Smoot, 29, of Lexington, was found guilty by a Lafayette County jury of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree on July 8, 2026. On Sept. 8, 2026, the defendant was sentenced to life in the Department of Corrections.
KC Fox 4 Television Reporter Matt Stewart and his wife Crissy to headline Higginsville Country Fair Parade
Fox 4 TV Emmy award-winning television reporter, Matt Stewart, and his wife Crissy will be featured in the Higginsville Country Fair Parade set for Saturday, September 19 th . The parade begins at 3 PM and runs from Fairground Park through downtown. Prior to the parade, they will be displaying and selling their books at a booth in front of Cornerstone Cornucopia gift store, 1914 Main Street.
A Patriotic Opening for Higginsville’s First Home Football Game, September 11, 2026.
A Patriotic Opening for Higginsville’s First Home Football Game, September 11, 2026.
Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program
Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) have announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $24 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Seminfinalisits must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Seminfinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
Who Wore It Best? Scarecrow Showdown
The 2026 Country Fair Scarecrow Contest, sponsored by Starkebaum Farms, is bringing a little creativity, community spirit and plenty of Patriotic Pride to town.
Resource Fair! Connect. Discover. Empower!
Lafayette County Enterprises, Inc. (LCE) is the Sheltered Workshop that employs 45 adult individuals with disabilities living in Lafayette County. They perform piece work, kitting, have the only recycling center in Lafayette County, are the janitorial contractors for the Rest Area at Concordia and the truck parking lot at Odessa, and operate the thrift store located on-site called Undiscovered Treasures. LCE is partnering with Lafayette County Bridging Support Services and all of the Special Educators in our Lafayette County School to offer a Resource Night on Tuesday, September 15 from 5-7 pm. Anyone in Lafayette County is welcome to attend. Resource vendors will be available at LCE located at 109 W 19th St in Higginsville and at The Bridge located at 508 Fairground Avenue in Higginsville. Hot dogs, chips and water will be available at LCE. You can start at either location and encourage you to visit both locations!
Higginsville High School – ALL ALUMNI Gathering September 19, 2026 Higginsville Country Fair
The All Alumni Gathering Space will be at the Cornerstone Cornicopia Inc building at 1914 Main St.
Lafayette Co Soil & Water Conservation District Receives Award
The Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) has awarded the Missouri Conservation Partnership Area 4 Award to the Lafayette County Soil & Water Conservation District! MASWCD is partnering with the Department of Natural Resources Soil and Water Conservation Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation District Employees Association for this award. The area winners were chosen based on the following factors: federal dollars obligated, diversity of conservation practices, acres impacted by conservation practices, and administrative functions. The Lafayette County Soil & Water Conservation District is now eligible to compete against the other seven area winners in the state for the Missouri Conservation Partnership Award, which will be determined in September.
Higginsville FFA Chapter Helps Pack 252,564 Meals at State Fair
Members of the Higginsville FFA Chapter joined more than 782 FFA members from 95 Missouri FFA Chapters and agricultural leaders to pack meals, a capstone celebration through service of the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation’s (MFCF) 2026 Drive to Feed Kids (Drive). The Missouri FFA Day of Service spanned Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 at the Missouri State Fair. Members packed 252,564 meals to feed food insecure Missouri families.