By Whitney Barnes
Staff Writer
As the calendar flips and we turn the page toward a new year, it’s that moment for both resolutions and reflections. While we sketch our aspirations for the future, let’s not forget to pause and think on the moments that defined us over the past year.
Marshall was a whirlwind of change in 2024, with some stories that are sure to linger. Dive into the highlights below to catch up on the pivotal events that shaped our year.
January
At around 10:45 on Tuesday, Jan. 2, a fire broke out in a housing unit of the Saline County Jail. Inmates were evacuated, and the Marshall Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire. One corrections officer was evaluated, but no injuries were reported.
The city of Marshall took back control of the Marshall Animal Shelter after terminating its relationship with the Saline Animal League on Jan. 5. The decision followed the discovery that the shelter was operating without a valid license from Missouri’s Department of Agriculture, which was reportedly terminated due to communications from the Animal League in October 2023. In response, the Saline Animal League stated they were never informed about non-compliance or the lack of a license. The Saline Animal League has since opened a new shelter called Red House Rescue, located at 665 W. Clay St.
February
The Marshall School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 7 for a new intermediate elementary school, following the successful passage of a tax levy increase by a margin of 45.82% in April 2023. This school will be located on the former Marshall Habilitation Center property and will serve students in grades three through five. It is expected to open in the Fall of 2025.
March
Twenty-seven-year-old Andrew Dodd, of Marshall, pleaded guilty March 25 to involuntary manslaughter in the first degree after the death of Dorian Lara, who was shot in the head and died at the hospital last June. He was sentenced to 10 years in the DOC and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,299.
April
In April, it was decided by the Marshall City Council that plans for the reconstruction of the parallel taxiway at Marshall Municipal Airport would be moving forward. The project, prioritized for funding from MoDOT and the FAA due to the deteriorating asphalt surface, included a full-depth reclamation process that will be less expensive and quicker than a complete reconstruction. The estimated cost is $2.6 million, with the FAA covering 90% of the expenses. The reconstruction was to be executed in two phases, allowing the runway to remain open. During the latest Marshall City Council meeting, Councilman Dan Brandt reported that the project is making good progress.
The Plaza Wash on College Street was demolished in April after 35 years of business. According to owners Susan and Doug Carney, the lease expired on the property on April 30, and it will be up to the Marshall Plaza owners to decide what will come next.
On April 8, Saline County residents were able to view a partial solar eclipse, as the total solar eclipse was viewable in the southeast portion of the state. People stepped outside during their workday, donning eclipse glasses and enjoying the phenomenon, watched from their yards and porches, and the schools even took students outside to view the event.
On April 16, Wood & Huston Bank marked its 150th anniversary with a gathering in its Marshall North Street lobby. The event included the Huston family, bank directors, employees, and community members celebrating the bank’s success and contributions. A ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by the Chamber of Commerce highlighted the milestone.
While experiencing drought conditions the first half of the year, Saline County experienced significant flooding, starting April 27 with a severe thunderstorm that submerged Walk Road. A rain gauge in Marshall recorded 4.5 inches of rain from Saturday night to Sunday morning, while a rural resident reported a total of 11 inches over two nights. On July 3, a flash flood warning was issued after more than 3 inches of rain fell, and on Aug. 14, the area received more than an inch of rain, leading to a flood watch.
May
On May 6, Marshall police taped off the southeast corner of the Marshall square after bricks fell from the historic Mid-Missouri Family Health building and Huff and Huff law offices, established in 1868. On Tuesday, June 18, City Administrator JD Kehrman announced that the three-story building was deemed unsafe and would need to be demolished. As a result, he recommended that the building be condemned and that its occupants be relocated.
On the evening of Friday, May 10, Saline County was treated to a breathtaking display of natural beauty as the Northern Lights — also known as the Aurora Borealis — made a rare appearance in the night sky. The view was not readily visible to the naked eye, but locals could appreciate it by peering through a camera lens. Those who had their eyes on the skies were treated to an incredible display of green, purple, and pink lights.
June
On June 1, the Marshall Animal Shelter celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Marshall Animal Shelter is located at 325 N. Grant Ave.
On June 19, Lieutenant Mark Pitts and Officer Britlin Patschke received the Life Saving Award for their actions on June 10 during a vehicle accident at U.S. Highway 65 and Vest Street. When responding, they found a burning truck partially on railroad tracks. Unable to open the driver’s side door, they accessed the passenger side, rescued the driver from the smoke, and stayed with him until help arrived, with one officer needing hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.
On June 26, the Saline County Commission announced that the roof of the Saline County Courthouse would be replaced due to hail damage sustained in recent years. Scaffolding for the project was erected in early July. The project, completed by Renaissance Historic Exteriors, involved replacing missing slate shingles. Also, during the $263,000 project, the electric flag was refurbished and later reinstalled on Oct. 18.
July
On July 2, the Marshall City Council approved the sale of a portion of the old Fitzgibbon Hospital property to Steinmetz Inc. for $25,000. Councilman Steve Cook cast the only dissenting vote, expressing his preference for the entire block to become a park. A portion of the land is scheduled to be dedicated Dec. 27 as a park.
On July 9, alumni and supporters attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Julie Ann Deems Julien School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Missouri Valley College. The building includes traditional classrooms and advanced features like virtual reality learning. The project was initiated by a donation from Don and the late Julie Julien, followed by a fundraising campaign and federal funding. Previously, nursing classes were held at Fitzgibbon Hospital.
On July 26, the city of Marshall officially transferred an additional 123 acres of land on the former Marshall Habilitation Property to the Marshall School District during a signing ceremony. The city retained some portions of the land, including a lake, and plans to work with the Missouri Department of Conservation for future public use.
On July 30, Officer Caleb Dunlap of the Marshall Police Department was awarded the Lifesaving Award for his actions during a structure fire on June 16. At 1:50 a.m., a concerned citizen reported a fully engulfed house, prompting a response from the police, ambulance, and fire departments. Upon arrival, Officer Dunlap entered the burning home to alert and rescue the occupants, successfully escorting them to safety and ultimately saving lives.
August
On Aug. 16, the first-ever Cops and Bobbers event, hosted by the Marshall Police Department, introduced ten local kids to fishing while fostering positive relationships with law enforcement and Missouri Conservation agents. The event was held at Indian Foothills Park, and aimed to engage youths in fishing as a healthy alternative to drugs and crime. Selected participants received fishing poles, tackle boxes filled with gear, and enjoyed a lunch with prize drawings, including a lifetime fishing permit.
On Aug. 28, the Saline County Commission awarded a construction contract for the Marshall Junction Welcome Center to Westport Construction Company for a base bid of $1,438,500, which included a $19,800 performance bond. Alternate additions were also listed at various amounts. The contract was signed on October 16.
September
In early September, the Marshall Community Chorus, which celebrated its 36th season, introduced a new Composer Residency Project, funded by the Charles M. Buckner Foundation and the Missouri Choral Director’s Association. Directed by Ron Sayer, the project brought noted American choral composers to collaborate with the choir and engage with local high school and middle school music students.
On Sept. 3, the Marshall City Council approved a contract to sell the Marshall Municipal Court building to the Overland Group, which planned to partner with Dollar General for a new location. However, on Dec. 17, City Administrator JD Kehrman announced that Dollar General had lost interest in the property.
On Sept. 6, the Marshall Walmart celebrated its grand re-opening after a significant four-month remodel, which included updates to the vision center, pharmacy, apparel section, and grocery aisles, making them wider and more accommodating for shoppers. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, alongside community grants of $1,500 each to the Saline County Historical Society and the Marshall Homeless Shelter. The celebration continued with vendors, food trucks, and a car show throughout the day.
On Sept. 7, Missouri Rainbow Rights and Quill Endeavors hosted the first Pride event in Marshall. Around 25 vendors were set up around the square, selling merchandise and providing informational booths. The day’s entertainment featured performances by various musicians and drag performers. The event sparked discussions at multiple Marshall City Council meetings, where community members expressed their opinions on the approved street closure for the occasion.
On Sept.13, concerns about school violence prompted many parents in Marshall’s School District to keep their children home. The district addressed these worries through social media, explaining that they were responding to threats received by schools in Kansas City and a similar threat that emerged in their district. They assured the community that precautions were being taken and that law enforcement was investigating. By 9:45 a.m., the district announced that they had identified the perpetrator of the threat.
On the night of Sept. 14, a teenage driver lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a Marshall resident’s garage while trying to evade law enforcement. The crash caused significant damage to the home.
October
On Oct. 12, Saline County Northern District Commissioner Stephanie Gooden shared a letter from Road Ranger LLC, confirming that the construction of a new travel center in Sweet Springs.
On Oct. 16, the Saline County Commission announced that a Love’s Travel Stop will be built at Marshall Junction, alongside a new welcome center. The commission signed a contract with Westport Construction Company for the welcome center’s construction during a special session the same day.
On Oct. 30, Marshall Municipal Utilities Board President Chuck Hines and Mayor Vince Lutterbie signed a site control agreement to advance the Marshall Generation Project, involving the repurposing of the site at 308 N. Grant Ave. for a new natural gas power plant owned by the Missouri Electric Commission (MEC).
November
In November, Karen Mullins, the former owner of Marshall Monuments LLC, along with employee Christy Soltes and the business itself, were issued a criminal summons for stealing and receiving stolen property valued at $750 or more. Unofficial court documents revealed that multiple victims paid deposits for headstones throughout 2021, but their payments were not forwarded to the granite company, leading to delays and unfulfilled orders. Victims reported significant amounts lost, and investigations revealed that funds from Marshall Monuments were used for various unrelated expenditures, leaving the business out of operation by July 2022. The case has been continued to Jan. 15, 2025.
In November, Marshall secured a $30,800 Community Empowerment Service Grant (CEG) from Missouri Main Street Connection to establish a nonprofit Main Street organization aimed at revitalizing downtown Marshall’s historic commercial areas. The initiative, announced by Tourism Coordinator Rebecca Adams, began with the formation of the Marshall Main Street organization and will include community engagement through on-site visits, training, and a Town Hall meeting planned for 2025. This effort aims to attract new investments and enhance the downtown experience while celebrating Marshall’s rich history.
On Nov. 5, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously decided to retransfer a lawsuit involving Saline County Assessor Jessica Goodman back to the Western District Court of Appeals, stating that there were no formally raised claims of statutory invalidity in the case. Goodman had challenged the county’s interpretation of section 48.020.1 concerning her authority over the assessor’s fund and the classification of Saline County, arguing it should be considered a third-class county instead of a fourth-class one. The dispute arose after the Saline County Commission refused to compensate her employees for a day off she granted, leading to the lawsuit, which was initially dismissed by a lower court.
On Nov. 5, voters passed Prop L, a one-quarter cent sales tax on retail sales within the city of Marshall, in support of the Marshall Public Library. There were 2,898 votes in favor of the proposition and 1,270 against it. The library, in a press release issued that night, stated it is on track for relocating to its new location on East Morgan Street.
On Nov. 5, Saline County voters approved the Senior Tax Credit, which exempts senior citizens aged 65 and older from increases in property tax liability on their primary residence. The measure passed with a significant majority: 7,594 votes in favor and 1,377 against.
On Nov. 12, the Marshall School Board officially approved the acquisition of the property at 1304 E. Highway WW, located directly east of the Tom Butterfield Early Childhood Center to potentially expand the district’s Building Trades program and consider future selling options. The board voted 5-0 in favor of purchasing the property for $185,000 plus closing costs. The district had a first-right-of-refusal on the residential property.
On Nov. 12, Slater Dental owner Brian J. Fischer was arrested and charged with second-degree stalking. The case has been continued to Jan. 8, 2025.
On Nov. 30, Marshall experienced its first snowfall of the season, covering roadways and prompting drivers to exercise caution.
December
On Dec. 16, demolition began on the old smokestack building located on the former Marshall Habilitation Center property.
On Dec. 18, the Saline County Commission officially vacated a portion of Norway Avenue, a 40-foot-wide public road in Salt Fork and Arrow Rock townships. The vacated section spans across Salt Fork Creek and Union Pacific Railroad tracks, located about 1.5 miles east of County Road E near 170th Road. The process took approximately 20 days, with the commissioners approving the measure unanimously.
