Thank you for your overwhelming response to the Best of Benton County 2025! Results will be announced on our website and in our Special Magazine on February 20. Stay tuned!
This week in the Benton County Enterprise
Meet The People Of Benton County

Vanessa Shinn

Word On The Street

Bobby Gillespie

The Editorial & Opinion Page

Have I Got A Line For You!

Took Max (Schnauzer) for a drive around town on Sunday. We passed by the Lay House and it brought to mind a portrait of Robert E. Lee. Years ago my late Cousin Mahlon bid on a big print of General …

Financial Focus

Once you retire, you’ll likely need to draw on a variety of financial sources — and one of the most important ones may be your 401(k). And for 2025, you can put even more money into your …

Down On The Creek

Belonging To Yourself One day this week, on the way to the mailbox, I paused to hear the moaning wind in the cedars on the ridge above the house. I knew instinctively there was a cold penetrating …

A Nichols Worth Of Nature

On the recent few days that our temperatures have reached the mid-40s or higher, a few folks have told me they have been seeing armadillos. Armadillos exist only in the Americas with South …

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor, It's been a challenging two weeks since the inauguration with Executive Order's that will adversely affect us and our neighbors life. But the one thing that is extremely concerning …
The Sports Page
A SUCCESSFUL SATURDAY NIGHT, the Warsaw girls and boys both settled for second place finishes at the Osceola Tournament. The girls were defeated by Osceola while the boys fell to Wheatland.

Warsaw Girls, Boys Both Take Seconds At Osceola Tournament

The Wildcats brought home their second trophy of the season while the Ladycats claimed their third in as many events at the Osceola Tournament on Saturday night. The Warsaw boy's second place …

Warsaw's Todd Signs To Power Lift At Missouri Valley

SIGNED AND SEALED, Warsaw senior Dakota Todd recently accepted a scholarship and signed his letter of intent to join the power lifting team at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. Todd was joined …

Lincoln JH Still Undefeated After Win Over Smithton

THE CARDINALS' Sam Strozewski shoots over a Smithton defender on Friday night. Lincoln coach Will Lynde saw his team remain undefeated at 11-0 with a sound 52-27 thrashing of the taller Smithton …

Fourth Quarter Surge Allows Cards To Hold Off Green Ridge

The talented Lincoln basketball team escaped with a 41-35 victory over Green Ridge at home last Tuesday. They trailed 13-11 after one and 21-17 at the half. Lincoln edged to 30-28 after three to …

Warsaw Boys Wrestling Makes Dominant Run Through St. Louis

Traveling across the state for two wrestling events in one weekend was well worth it for the Wildcats. On Friday night, Warsaw met in Washington and took on some unfamiliar opponents in …
The School Page
Lindsey Tinney

Tinney Tabbed As Next Principal At Cole Camp HS

The Cole Camp R-1 School Board has named Mrs. Lindsey Tinney as the next high school principal, effective July 1, 2025. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Special Education …

Cole Camp Approves Snow Routes

All members of the Cole Camp Board of Education were present for the January 22 meeting in the school library. The posted agenda was revised to include discussion on bus snow routes which are …

Warsaw School Board Certifies Candidates For April Election

The Warsaw R-IX Board of Education met on January 22nd to discuss a range of important updates and decisions affecting the school district. Below are the key highlights from the meeting. The …

Leathernecks Replace Flags At Local Schools

What caught Drew Casey’s attention to the very worn and tattered United States flag at R-2 school, I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because he was once a Marine with the 9th Engineer …
The Society Page
Church News
From The Pastor's Desk Preach the Word -II Timothy 4:2 As I sit here to write this, I am reminded that what I am about to say doesn't really matter in regard to Christianity. I am also …
Benton County Extension Council Announces Election Results
During the month of January, the Benton County Extension Council held elections for 3 positions on the council. At the February 1, 2025 Extension Council meeting, election results were announced. New …
Fristoe News
Everyone is saying relief and believing winter may be coming to an end. I am not going to say as much yet, but I will say for the time being, I am going to enjoy this "spring" weather. Fristoe …
B.P.O.E. Lodge #2783
Our lodge is non-smoking. Stop by and enjoy our activities. Dining at The Lodge: February 6, Sloppy Joe's w/Chips or Tomato Soup w/Grilled Cheese, $7, Noon-2:30 PM February 7, Chicken Stir …
Eagle Days To Take Place At Truman Visitor Center
Catch a closer look at bald eagles on Saturday, February 15 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Truman Visitor Center. In addition to viewing the birds up close, there will be programs on edible insects, …
The Law Page

Benton County Sheriff's Report

Sheriff’s Report 1/24/25 to 1/30/25 Tammy LaJean Hoag of Warsaw, MO was arrested on 1-26-25 on a Benton County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug …

The Obituary Page
Florence Pauline Dieckmann
Florence Pauline Dieckmann
Florence Pauline Dieckmann, 82, of Cole Camp, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at her home. On January 5, 1943, in Cole Camp, Missouri, a beautiful little brown eyed girl was born to Tony and …
Penny Frakes
Penny Frakes was born to Donald E. Shaeffer and Levonia B. Dozier-Shaeffer on July 13, 1963. She passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025. She was married to Wayne E. Frakes Sr. on July 4, 2001. …
Frances Earlean Henderson
Frances Earlean Henderson
Frances Earlean Henderson, age 101, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the EW Thompson Health & Rehabilitation Center in Sedalia, …
Luverne J. "Mac" McNamara
Luverne J. "Mac" McNamara
Luverne James McNamara, lovingly known as "Mac," passed away on Wednesday, January 29 due to complications from COPD. Born on July 25, 1940, in LeRoy, North Dakota, he was the cherished son of …
Armolene G. Walker
Armolene G. Walker
Armolene G. Walker, age 81, of Willard, Missouri formerly of Warsaw passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 1, 2025 at her home with her family by her side. She was born on October 22, 1943 …
Special Sections
Web Extras
Lamar's Super Bowl appearance marks a political reckoning for the NFL.
Kendrick Lamar’s big Super Bowl moment
The rapper has mastered the delicate balance between commercial success and politically charged music. How far will he push the envelope on one of the world’s biggest stages?
4 Vet-Approved Tips to Show Your Pets Love this Valentine's Day
(Family Features) For pet parents in the U.S., Valentine's Day is another chance to shower their pets with love. This Valentine's Day, consider these vet-recommended ways to show your pets just how much you love them.
Average US salary by state
SoFi examines the average salary in the U.S. and how income varies from state to state
Celebrity engagement ring trends for 2025
VRAI examines celebrity engagement ring trends for 2025, including styles, shapes, and settings.
The beginning of the year is the most popular time to start a new business: What you need to know to get started now
(BPT) - If you're considering launching a new business, you're not alone. Small business growth has doubled from 2014 to 2024. The new year is the most popular time to start, with 30% of new …