Higginsville Advance

Kempfe family vacations to Branson to celebrate 54th anniversary

Douglas and Mary Kempfe of Alma, Julie Ravasini of Lee’s Summit and Jamie Kempfe of Gardner, Kan., traveled to Branson on Sunday afternoon, June 21. On Monday, they enjoyed visiting the Top of the Rock and enjoyed visiting the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, Chapel of the Ozarks and Jack’s Cabin at Top of the Rock. In the evening, they enjoyed visiting with Gary and Glenda Riekhof, who live close by in Blue Eye. Tuesday, the group enjoyed visiting Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and visiting with Doug and Lori Tuepker, who live in Branson. In the evening, they attended the Haygoods Musical Show. Wednesday, the group saw the live play, “David.” Doug and Mary enjoyed the trip very much. Two of their daughters planned the trip to help their parents celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary, which was on June 25, the day after they returned home.

Read MoreKempfe family vacations to Branson to celebrate 54th anniversary

Odessa man sentenced for possession of child sexual abuse material

William Mort, 32, of Odessa, appeared before Judge Josh Taylor, in the Lafayette County Circuit Court and entered pleas of guilty to six counts of the Class B Felony of Possession of Child Pornography. Lafayette County Prosecutor, Kristen Ellis Hilbrenner, represented the State at the plea and sentencing. By pleading guilty the defendant admitted to possessing moving images or videos of obscene materials involving children under the age of eighteen as participants in sexually explicit conduct.

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St. Luke UCC hosting picnic

St. Luke UCC in Grand Pass will hold its annual church picnic on Wednesday, July 15 from 6-9 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and share in the games, opportunity quilt drawing, the dunk tank, and lots of food, along with ice cream and homemade cakes and pies.

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Tennis Courts Receive Much Needed Resurfacing Project

For the first time in several years, the Fairground Park Tennis Courts have been refurbished with the help from a major grant from the United States Tennis Association, along with $3,000.00 from the Kansas City area USTA chapter these grants total around $35,000.00. Additional help with funding is available by splitting the cost with Lafayette County C-1, a memorial of $10,000.00 from the Frances Fitzgerel family, and donations from community partners such as the Higginsville Rotary Club ($5,000.00), Higginsville Lions Club ($2,000.00), and a couple more private donations as well.

Read MoreTennis Courts Receive Much Needed Resurfacing Project

Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in July 2026

Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in July 2026, and the word “semiquincentennial” may come up in conversation during those celebrations. Some people may not be familiar with the term and what it means. A semiquincentennial is the 250th anniversary of something. It breaks down to “half” of a “quincentennial,” which is 500 years. Synonyms may include sestercentennial, bisequicentennial or quartermillennial. Each term refers to a period of 250 years. It’s a rather large word for a simple meaning, but people are bound to hear more of it as 2026 goes on and Independence Day is celebrated on July 4. TF266946

Read MoreAmericans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in July 2026