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A photo of John L. Tieskotter in his younger days as he joined the Navy.


Contributed Photo by Connie Perryman
Tieskotter continues to serve
As we recognize Veterans this weekend, we want to honor those in Webster County who answered the call to serve.
Chief Dennis Shook
Chief Dennis Shook
Strafford alum’ and Chief of Police Dennis Shook has been in law enforcement for over 30 year, with 25 of them at the Springfield Police Department, and now almost a decade as the Chief in Strafford. 
Chief Paul Laughlin


Mail Photo by J.T. Jones
Rogersville Chief Paul Laughlin
Paul Laughlin was born and raised in Rogersville. He was raised around law enforcement and wanted to be a part of it.
Local News
Folk Lure Exchange, a new Ozarks Alive event series, to bring regional lore to life
Local history and culture will come to life in a new way in 2024 through Ozarks Alive’s Folk Lure Exchange, an event series that explores popular topics related to the region’s past – and how they integrate with the present.
Photo of Rumfelt in service by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings, Navy Office of Community Outreach.
Conway native serves with U.S. Navy
SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 1st Class Grant Rumfelt, a native of Conway, Missouri, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Surface Combat Systems Training Command San Diego.
The Southern Webster County Fire Protection District spent time and resources putting out several large fires in the last few weeks. The flames were fast moving and difficult to contain. According to authorities, it took a lot of dedicated Firefighters & Command Staff to take control of the situation. The department asks that the community DOES NOT burn in these conditions.


Contributed photos
MDC warns not to burn outdoor debris that could cause a wildfire
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people that strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions this time of year means extra caution is needed to avoid unexpected wildfires. According to MDC, a main cause of wildfires is improper burning of debris such as leaves or brush piles.
Local Sports
Marshfield Lady Jays celebrated senior night ahead of the Big 8 Championship game Monday night. Pictured left to right with their parents are: Halle Minzies, Abigail McBride, Lillie Findley, Lauren Luebbert. 


Contributed Photos
Back-to-Back Big 8 Champs
The Marshfield Lady Jays basketball program celebrated its four seniors and a Big 8 Conference Championship win Monday night following a win over McDonald County.
Pictured is the Marshfield girls wrestling team following their weekend win at Districts. 


Contributed Photos
Marshfield girls wrestling wins districts
The Marshfield Lady Jay wrestlers placed first out of 34 teams in the Class 1 District 3 Tournament held Friday and Saturday at Nevada High School. 
The Lady Jays swim team finished 3rd at the Big 8 conference swim tournament.


Contributed Photo
Swim takes 3rd in Big 8 at season finish
The Lady Jays swim team placed 3rd at the Big 8 Conference Championship. Results from the meet are as follows:
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Opinion
Last night around 11 p.m., we heard a familiar noise from the darkened hallway outside our bedroom door. It was part moan, part growl and part muffled meow. Tom and I glanced at each other because we knew what that sound meant. Percy had another mouse.
Continued from the Feb. 28 edition of the Marshfield Mail:
Hello to all my wonderful friends and rambling reader family. I will admit it has been a tough week for me because I have had a mental war going on between my ears. One part of me wanted to begin a long series about an 1840’s story that would last for weeks and the other part wanted to write a story of why no one really wants to hear the truth. Well the truth wins so here it goes. Several years ago I used to go to church under a very strong pastor that told it the way it was. He empowered everyone in his congregation to speak up and be as courageous as he was with what was going on in our government. One example of his courage was to tell his flock the truth when the president at the time invited leaders of Muslim countries to the White House to celebrate ramadan.( Followers of the muslim faith during the ninth month celebrate this time when they believe the Quran was sent to earth for men’s salvation.) He clearly pointed out to us that Jesus was the only way to heaven and that the introduction of other god’s brought in was wrong. Also: partial birth abortions, LGBT unions and the president at the time made a statement one day that the evangelical Christians were standing in the way of him transforming America. Not once did this pastor ever say to hate the president or other leaders that promoted activities denounced in the Bible but simply their sin. I attended his church for five years until he retired and loved and respected him greatly. He used to say you should never vote with your feelings but how the politicians vote on issues. His sermons compared the Bible to new laws and executive actions when direct violations occurred. I will never forget how he told the truth and wasn’t afraid to tell it. 95% of churches today say nothing about the wrongdoings of our government. I have said many times in this rambling article during Nazi Germany as the trains rambled down the tracks loaded with thousands of Jews headed for the gas chambers that church pastors would tell their congregations to sing a little louder as the crying children went by. Today folks we have similar issues. Our schools are indoctrinating our kids to believe global warming as a fact. LGBT as being normal. Eating fake meat as a means to save the planet. Critical race theory and inclusion and that successful businesses and capitalism are evil. More examples of progressive policies are defunding police, under $1000 shoplifting is O K. Big business is evil. In Chicago for example: I personally heard the new mayor brag how he was going to tax Wal-Mart more and more and support the criminals who shoplift. Soon afterward Wal-Mart closed four inner city stores and shortly afterward the mayor had a fit of why Wal-Mart would close. Folks, when businesses are being robbed blind by thieves and thugs, they can not stay in business. Did he ever mention the truth? Of course not! Here’s another personal example. Last year my blood pressure spiked up to 130. It has never been this high before. I started making some life changing choices. For one, I quit watching network news for many months and that and a few other choices and my blood pressure went back to 118. About three weeks ago I watched 30 minutes of 5:30 news and I wanted to know the propaganda they were spoon feeding everyone to believe. Three main topics: Trump's legal problems. Global warming and bullying against LGBT kids and their rights. What about the 10,000 people crossing the border illegally daily? What about rest homes, schools and parks being cleared of our own citizens to make room for illegals which are well funded. How about the money our current government gives to the U.N to provide pathways, phone apps, relief stations for illegals to enter America? What about Israel fighting for their lives after being attacked? We went to war against Japan and Germany in World War two. Do they not have the same right to defend themselves when attacked? How about sending billions of dollars to Iran from a current administration only to have them develop and manufacture weapons for Israel's enemies today. Rambling friends
One hundred and thirty years ago, John Bollinger, who owned and operated the water mill in the vicinity of Pitts and Burford, had a dog that went mad. According to the Chronicle, before it could be killed it bit several head of cattle, numerous hogs and a flock of ducks; -a great loss at the time for a man of property, utter destitution for those of more humble means. For many of us, the first exposure to rabies was at a safe distance, when Atticus Finch shot a mad birddog in Miss Maudie’s front yard, or when Old Yeller bid everyone a tearful farewell. These scenes from two memorable films conveyed the fear stoked in a community by a rabid animal, something we are thankfully removed from by three generations. Although one could lose property, as in Mr. Bollinger’s case, the great fear, that once bitten, a person would develop symptoms of the dreaded hydrophobia, and die violently insane, after a gruesome litany of afflictions. Grisly front-page newspaper articles relate of men being bitten and restraining themselves with chains, in the smokehouse or to a tree, awaiting the end while horrified family and friends waited from a safe distance for the victims' demise.
Schools
As the new year starts, so does the second half of the school year. It will be the final semester for high school seniors before they venture out into the real world; some will join the workforce, and others will go on to college.
It is a new year, and the Marshfield High School Speech and Debate Team members have been seeing success. Since starting competitions in October, the students have been bringing home trophies, some being 1st place.
The gears are turning for the Strafford Robotics team.
The Marshfield High School Choral program has been earning honors and breaking records for the past few months.
Students at Strafford Elementary sailed the seas and learned some important lessons as Author Isaiah "Izzy B" Basye visited the school on Nov. 8. He and illustrator Ben Askew were there talking about their latest book, "The Mighty McKraken." This fun story introduces kids to concepts such as please and thank you, sharing, and treating others with respect.
Business
The colder it gets outside this winter season, the more people will turn up the heater. We often forget that besides the refrigerator, our heater/AC, aka HVAC is one of the most crucial machines in our homes we need to keep our lives going comfortably. Until the heater stops working… heaven forbid that were to happen, but if so, who should you turn to?
A new weekly segment coming to the Marshfield Mail will feature and Athlete or Scholar of the week from around the County.
Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?
On December 16 the Webster County Sheriff’s Department notified the public of a missing woman, Prem Kuar Prasad, a 65 year old Indian woman.
If you have a senior family member or an adult family member with a disability, it will come as no surprise that there is a house shortage for that population. Wait lists can be up to two years long for some housing centers. For Marshfield, that crisis will soon be less extensive.
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