MEMPHIS, Mo.-  Scotland County appears to be well on the path to purchasing a new building.  As documented in the minutes of the April 3^rd meeting of the Scotland County Commission, Eastern District Commissioner Brent Rockhold moved and Western District Commissioner David Wiggins seconded a motion “to enter into a contract to purchase the building and property at 231 South Market Street in Memphis”.  This is the former US Bank branch location.  Commissioners Rockhold and Wiggins, along with Presiding Commissioner Duane Ebeling, all voted in favor of the motion.  KMEM News has reviewed the contract document which was signed by Presiding Commissioner Ebeling on behalf of Scotland County.

The contract is an option agreement that became effective on Tuesday, April 15^th.  The agreement requires the payment of $6360 in non-refundable earnest money which is considered as a down payment on the final purchase price of $250,000 if the option is legally executed.  That payment goes into an escrow account.  The earnest money was to be paid within 5 days of the April 15^th effective date, which would have been April 21^st (the 20^th is a Sunday, so the date pushes forward to the next regular business day).  County officials confirm that that payment was made on Friday, April 18^th.  The county has the option to close the purchase by a deadline of 5 pm on Tuesday, June 24^th.  If the option is not exercised by the county, the full amount of the earnest money would be paid from the escrow account to the seller, US Bank National Association.

The agreement further states that a preliminary notice of intent to exercise the option may be provided by May 15^th.  That notice would specify a closing date that can be no less than 10 days after the notice is given and no later than the option’s expiration date of June 24^th.  The agreement then further states that closing can not be “before May 23,2025”.  The closing process would include the wire transfer of “immediately available funds” to fulfill the final purchase price and closing costs.

The documents reviewed by KMEM News were requested at the end of the business day on Monday, April 21^st.  The county was not responsive to the request until Thursday afternoon, April 24^th.  Since the county commissioners meet on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, KMEM News did not have an opportunity to address questions regarding this action to the commission.  Due to the timing, we have submitted those questions electronically to the commission and when that response is received, we will share those on our media platforms.

Richard Wayne “Rick” Fischer, 66 of Memphis, passed away last Thursday night at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. 

Rick was raised in Luray, Missouri.  He was a proud graduate of both Wyaconda C-1 in 1976 and Iowa Weslyan University in 1981.  But of course, Rick is best known for being an original on-air talent when a new 3000-watt station, 96.7 KMEM-FM, first took to the airwaves on March 29^th, 1982.  Rick was a fixture at KMEM for over 35 years, retiring in December of 2017 as News and Programming Director.  He was well-known for hosting KMEM’s Coffee Break program as well as his many live broadcasts from all sorts of community events.  It was even rumored that he had a very close relationship with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Throughout the early days of KMEM, Rick was the faithful wingman to News Director Jim Sears.  The two had a very close bond.  In fact, Jim was best man at Rick’s wedding.  The two were the identity of the station during that period.  Around that same time, Rick was also well-known as a part of the popular DJ service the “KMEM Music Men”.  Maybe more well-known was the satin embroidered jacket that Rick loved to wear at those events.

Rick was always full of life advice, and one particular piece of advice that he loved to dispense was “Enjoy the little things in life… one day you’ll look back and realize that they were the big things!”  Rick was often asked to speak at graduations or community events.  Upon those occasions, he was fond of using his favorite quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:  “Do not go where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”  He always told people that his goal was to live his life as an example for others.  He believed in treating everyone equally without judgement.  His greatest ambition was to be remembered not as a celebrity, but as a loving family man who cared about people both young and old.  Rick lived his life by that philosophy, and in his truly humble manner, never realized just how well he had achieved that goal.  He had a tremendous impact upon all the lives he touched throughout his lifetime and will be sorely missed.

Rick was preceded in death by the love of his life, Teresa on June 18^th, 2019.  He is survived by his twin brother Ron and wife Debbie of Kirksville, and their daughters Nakeya Steele, Nolea Giering, and Norenda Butler-Langley; step-daughter Pam Jensen and husband Wes of Bloomfield; two grandsons- Marcus and wife Dakota Jenkins-Bissell of Moulton and Matt Jenkins and significant other Cassie Short of Bloomfield.  Eight great-grandchildren also survive. 

Per Rick’s wishes, his body has been donated to science and there will be no services.  Memorials in Rick’s honor may be made to the Memphis Community Players. 

KIRKSVILLE, Mo.- Kirksville Police arrested a 24-year-old Kirksville man following an assault on Tuesday.

On April 1, 2025, at approximately 12:55 pm, KPD responded to Kentucky Fried Chicken at 2401 N. Baltimore St. regarding an assault. Police arrived and were informed a male, later identified as Zyan E. Sumerix, assaulted a KFC employee by punching him in the face and head before leaving the area on a bicycle. 

A responding KPD officer observed Sumerix riding a bicycle near Baltimore and Overbrook streets. When the officer contacted Sumerix, Sumerix resisted and assaulted the officer, including biting the officer on the arm. The officer subdued Sumerix until additional officers arrived, at which time Sumerix was taken into custody. 

Sumerix was transported to the Adair County Detention Facility. While at the jail, Sumerix assaulted a corrections officer by punching and kicking him before being restrained again. 

Sumerix has been charged in Adair County with Third-Degree Assault-Special Victim, Attempted Third-Degree Assault-Special Victim, Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, and Fourth-Degree Assault. 

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Anyone with information about this incident, or any suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at 660.785.6945, Central Dispatch at 660.665.5621, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 660.665.4600, anonymously at 660.627.BUST (2878), or email police@kirksville.gov.