Memphis Democrat
Parties Report Settlement in Lawsuit Against Scotland County Hospital
By Echo Menges MEMPHIS, Mo. — The parties involved in a lawsuit filed by former Scotland County Hospital employee Terri Schmitt have reported that the case has been settled. According to a recent entry in the Scotland County Circuit Court record, the court received a joint notice of settlement from the parties on Feb. 26.…
Read MoreScotland County Annex Building Renovations Nearing Completion
By Echo Menges MEMPHIS, Mo. — Renovations inside the former U.S. Bank building in downtown Memphis are expected to be completed by April 1, possibly sooner, and Scotland County commissioners say county offices could begin relocating to the building later this summer. The Scotland County Commission purchased the 8,600 square foot building at 231 S.…
Read MoreRegional Emergency Planning Meeting for Knox and Scotland Counties Set for March 24 in Rutledge
By Echo Menges RUTLEDGE, Mo. — Representatives from a wide range of public safety agencies and community organizations are expected to attend the Knox and Scotland County Local Emergency Planning District (LEPD) meeting on Tuesday, March 24. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Rutledge Community Center, 23615 Main St., in Rutledge. Food…
Read MoreOutdoors With Kevin Fox: Early Spring Bank Fishing
I’ve been getting ready for spring for the past couple of weeks, and about the time I think it’s here, that stupid groundhog has to flex his forecast muscle and prove he was correct about six more weeks of winter. I was talking with family in South Carolina recently and told them I like the…
Read MoreSchools Could Soon Be The Ones Being Graded
By Brandon Lorenz and Emerson Smith, Missouri News Network JEFFERSON CITY — A bill passed by the state House on Thursday would create a standardized grading system that would be used to grade the schools themselves. House Bill 2710, sponsored by Rep. Dane Diehl, R-Butler, would grade all public and charter schools and their districts…
Read MoreTax Changes To Senior Income, Car Loan Interest For 2025–28
COLUMBIA, Mo. — New federal tax changes will affect some seniors and car buyers beginning in the 2025 tax year, providing potential deductions on income for seniors and certain vehicle purchases, according to Andrew Zumwalt, director of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Deduction for filers 65 and older For taxpayers age 65…
Read MoreJury Finds Scotland County Sheriff Not Guilty in DWI Trial
Deliberations Last 12 Minutes After One-Day Trial By Echo Menges SCOTLAND COUNTY, Mo. — March 1, 2026 — A Scotland County jury found Sheriff Bryan Whitney not guilty of driving while intoxicated Friday afternoon after deliberating for just 12 minutes. The one-day jury trial was held Feb. 27 in Scotland County Circuit Court before Shelby…
Read MoreMissouri Department of Conservation to Host Hunter Education Skills Class in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a Hunter Education Skills Class from 8 a.m. to noon March 21 at the Scotland County Firehouse, located at the corner of South Washington and West Madison streets in Memphis. Class size is limited to 20 students, and no walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must…
Read MoreOutdoors With Kevin Fox: Ice Out Fishing for Bass and Panfish
The weatherman had said that last Wednesday, February 25, temperatures should reach sixty degrees. Either he was wrong or the forecast had changed since I last looked at it. But in order to get to sixty degrees, it had to reach fifty first. I was busy most of the day, but I had made a…
Read MoreAuditor Fitzpatrick Releases Compilation Of Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (Cafa) Seizure Reports For 2025
State Auditor’s report shows $13,730 in total forfeiture activity across two Northeast Missouri counties; others report none JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (February 27, 2026) — Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick today released a compilation of property seizures made under Missouri’s Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA) during calendar year 2025. The report shows law enforcement officials seized…
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