Opinion

Community Voices — Merlyn Johnson: Amendment 5 presents important questions about Missouri’s future
On Aug. 4, Missouri voters will decide the fate of Amendment 5, one of the most significant tax proposals to appear on a statewide ballot in many years.

Reflections on a great day as a pastor
In Ephesians 3:7, Paul wrote, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.”

Publisher View — Kyle Troutman: Give it a rest, chaos
It’s inevitable. Every time I try to leave town, the world goes a little bonkers. Floods and murders have both occurred while I have been “on vacation,” and hopefully we’ll…

Staff View — Sheila Harris: Who cut the cheese?
If Amendment 5 passes on Aug. 4, the state income tax will be phased out. If Amendment 4 passes, the ability of individual citizens, like you and me, to initiate…

Community Voices — Melissa Hamilton: July brings harvest, helpful insects and opportunities for fall planting
July is one of the busiest and most rewarding months at the Barry County Community Garden. With summer in full swing, gardeners are enjoying an abundance of fresh vegetables, colorful…

Publisher View — Kyle Troutman: Reflecting and preparing
May and December are typically our busiest months of the year at the newspaper, but July is giving the other two a run for their money this year.

Staff View — Sheila Harris: Death threats are not OK
I learned last week that Mike Henbest, owner of the property where HydroAg Environmental proposes to construct a sludge-storage tank, has been receiving death threats.

American Insights — Dakoda Pettigrew: Alice Paul’s dream
Women voting: It was her dream. It was also the unfulfilled promise of America’s founding principles.

Publisher’s View — Kyle Troutman: An experience and a pride
Thursday through Saturday, I left our little corner of Missouri to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, sharing in the love of the world’s game as we approach our 250th birthday as a nation.

Community Voices — Lynn Hilburn: First one out of the boat
George, sitting in his rocking chair on his front porch at his heavenly home looks over to his wife, and says, “Well Martha, who would have ever believed that this little experiment in liberty we help set up in 1776 would have lasted two hundred and fifty years?”




