By: Brandon Young

Downtown New Haven is one of the main attractions of New Haven for many reasons. One of the reasons is the town Christmas tree that is decorated every year. You can find it by the caboose downtown. 

On December 6th, there was a little festival downtown. First, they showed off the Christmas tree and turned the lights on. Then they did Christmas caroling which was hosted by our school district’s band and choir. 

Senior Sam Penning, who participated in the caroling for band, said, "The tree was decorated really [well] this year. The tree had gold ribbon around it, and various ornaments, with rainbow lights on it.  We played many songs like ‘Jingle Bells,’ ‘Silver Bells,’ ‘Have A Holly Jolly Christmas,’ and ‘Up on the Housetop.’”  

Junior Ian Nieto went to the tree lighting as well, and said, "It was really cold, but it was worth it anyways."

People didn't only go to the tree lighting to see the tree, but also to listen to our school’s very talented musicians.

Freshman Kate Dittberner said, "The band and choir were really, really good. They played some of my favorite Christmas songs."

Overall, I think the community event was an overall success, and we should keep doing it every year. Besides, there's nothing a little Christmas spirit can't help.​

On December 10, 2019, deputies responded to the 1500 block of Hwy K, St. Clair in reference to a 911 hang up.  As deputies arrived, a male subject was observed pulling a female from a vehicle by her hair.  The male subject started to walk away when he observed the deputies pull in but stopped and spoke with the deputy.  As the deputies went to place the suspect in custody, he took off running.  Chase was given and the suspect was apprehended.  Contact was made with the victim and she had injuries consistent with being assaulted.  Charges were applied for with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued.  The warrant charged Zachary R. Strube, a 24 year old male from St. Clair with Felony Domestic Assault 3rd Degree and Felony Resisting Arrest.  His bond was set at $15,000 cash or surety.  All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

By: Caroline Otten

On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, the New Haven girls varsity basketball team traveled to Montgomery High School for the Montgomery Girls Basketball tournament. This was their second game after winning their first one against Bowling Green on December 2. After a hard-fought game, the score in the end was 38-52.

After the game the athletes were asked a few questions.

The first question asked was how they felt their team played. Junior Madison Langenberg said, “I think we played really well, even though we lost.”

Senior McKenzie Overschmidt replied, “I think we played hard and smart. I think we kept up with Hermann until we all got too tired. I think we played very [well]!”

Junior Ellie Westermeyer answered, “I thought that we played very well and kept up our intensity with them.”

The next question was if they had any thoughts on the game. Junior Caroline Otten said, “I felt we played really hard and did well.”

Ellie Westermeyer simply said, “I thought we played well.”

Madison Langenberg replied, “We could have done some things better and should have made more easy shots.”

They were then asked if there is anything their team needs to work on. McKenzie Overschmidt simply answered, “Passing and shooting.”

Ellie Westermeyer said, “Yes, passing the ball.”

Caroline Otten replied, “We need to work on passing the ball around the court and staying in control with it.”

Lastly, the girls were asked if there are any goals they want to accomplish this season. And if so, what.

Madison Langenberg simply said, “Beat Hermann.”

McKenzie Overschmidt explained, “I want to beat Hermann and I also want to get past districts. Also I want to improve as a team throughout the season.”

Ellie Westermeyer replied, “Keep our turnovers under 10 for each game.”

Good luck, Shamrocks, on the rest of your season!

​

On Friday, December 13, 2019, NHHS teacher and coach John Tucker is being inducted into the MTCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame in Columbia, Missouri.   Huge congratulations are in order, as New Haven is extremely proud of Mr. Tucker’s outstanding accomplishments as well as his dedication to his athletes over the years.
 
Mr. Tucker has been the New Haven boys and girls cross country and track and field head coach since the 1997-1998 school year.  His girls track and field teams have earned 13 district plaques and 8 state trophies, including 2 state team championships.  His girls have earned 198 state medals, and his boys have brought home 78 more.  In both individual events and relays, he has 33 state champions.  In cross country, his teams have brought home 19 district plaques and 7 state trophies, including a boys state championship.  He has had 32 all-state cross country runners.  He was several times a member of the MSHSAA track and field and cross country advisory committees.  He was the MTCCCA class 1 girls Coach of the Year for track and field in 2002 and 2017, and the boys class 1 cross country Coach of the Year in 2017.  He was named the MOCA state girls track Coach of the Year in 2016-2017 and was twice a regional NFHS Coach of the Year for girls track and field.
 
As far as New Haven is concerned, this is a well-deserved induction into the Coaches Hall of Fame, and we are all over the moon with pride.  Congratulations to Mr. Tucker, and may there be many more successful years to come!

By: Ellie Westermeyer

On Monday, December 2, the New Haven varsity girls basketball team won against Bowling Green in the first round of the Montgomery Tournament, 48-36. 

The starters were McKenzie Overschmidt, Lexi Sidwell, Ellie Westermeyer, Hannah Rethemeyer, and Mackenzie Wilson. The alternates were Meagan Holtmeyer, Kayla Brumels, Madison Langenberg, Grace Faris, and Caroline Otten.

After the game the Shamrocks were asked how they felt the team played in the first game of the tournament.

Junior Ellie Westermeyer replied with, “I think we played pretty well for our first game in the tournament and we knew we had to come out strong and we did.”

Senior McKenzie Overschmidt said, “I think we came out strong and ready to go. I also think we were pumped because it was our first away game and we were just excited to have a game!”

Junior Madison Langenberg added, “I think we played really well because we were working together and playing hard.”

Junior Caroline Otten responded with, “I feel we played very well out on the court and did a good job with passing the ball around the court and getting open.”

Next, they were asked what they could work on for the upcoming games.

Madison Langenberg added, “I need to work on making better passes and slowing down when pressured.”

Caroline Otten said, “I would like to improve on getting stronger in the post and when I get the ball. I also want to improve on my ball handling skills so I can have more control of the ball when I get it.”

McKenzie Overschmidt replied with, “I think we can work on making better passes and not getting so many turnovers.”

Good luck, Shamrocks, on the rest of your season!

​

Lois Jane Mueller, 86, of New Haven, MO, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Hermann Area District Hospital, Hermann, Missouri. 
Lois was born in Zanesville, Ohio on August 10, 1933, a daughter of the late Julius Karl & Florence Mary (Weiland) Braun.
She was united in marriage with Robert “Bob” Mueller in 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri. Lois and Robert raised their four children in Glendale, Missouri, attending Glendale Presbyterian Church. The couple fell in love with the romantic rolling hills of the Missouri River Valley and moved to New Haven, founding Robller Vineyard in 1990. Bob and Lois traveled the world and loved to watch the sunset, toasting with a glass of wine. The lovebirds held hands until the end. 
Lois is survived by Robert, their four children, Sue (Dan) McCarthy of O'Fallon, Illinois; Jerry Mueller of New Haven, Missouri; Mary (Wayne) Mueller of St. Louis, Missouri; and Beth (Rob) Hyser of St. Louis, Missouri; by six grandchildren, six great grandchildren. Lois has had many beloved dogs over the decades, most recently Daisy, adopted from the Franklin County Humane Society. 
Lois was a gracious and generous spirit, endlessly sharing her faith and creativity. Lois was the first National Quilting Association (NQA) accredited teacher in Missouri. She demonstrated quilting at the New Orleans World's Fair, and the Frontier Folklife Festival under the Arch. 
Lois was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, New Haven and the church's quilters group, the National Quilting Association, German Heritage organizations, and Missouri Cultural Heritage Master.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 13th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, New Haven, with Rev. David Poe officiating. 
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Heifer Project International, Franklin County Humane Society or St. Peter's U.C.C. Quilters. C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
To send flowers to Lois' family, please visit our floral section.

On Friday 12-6-2019 at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team along with members of the Multi County Narcotics and Violent Crimes Enforcement Unit conducted the service of a search warrant in the 7600 block of Hwy 47 Union, Mo. Information was obtained through an extensive investigations related to the sales, manufacturing and distribution of narcotics. While conducting the search warrant several items to include approximately 50 beans of fentanyl and approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine were located throughout the residence. While on scene a male subject age 39 of Union and a female age 43 of Union was taken into custody. All subjects names are being withheld at this time pending formal charges. 
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

Middle school student of the Month is Jose Romo-Vazquez. Jose is the son of Ruben and Alma Romo. Jose is in the middle school band and choir, a member of National Junior Honor Society, and is a track and field athlete. While not at school, Jose, helps his mother with baking and his dad with other jobs. He is also a member of the St. Joseph Manchester Youth Group.  He enjoys reading, watching cooking shows and documentaries, listening to music, and playing with his dog, Maui. ​

Picture above:  Queen, Natalie Pecaut and King, Dominic Lewis.  Photographer:  Katelyn Byers.

​On 12/2/2019 an individual made contact with a deputy at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office lobby.  He advised he got a call from a subject today who identified himself as Mark Richardson.  Mr. Richardson claimed to work at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and informed the reporting party he had a warrant for not showing up to Jury Duty.  He gave instructions to go to Dollar General and put $250.00 on a Money Pack card for the warrant.  When he was done at the store Mr. Richardson told him to give him the number off the card while he drove to the Sheriff's Office to fill out paperwork.  The victim did get the card putting money on it but refused to give him the number until he spoke with him at our office.  Mr. Richardson told him if he didn't give it to him over the phone he would be placed under arrest when he got to the office, the victim still refused.  At this point he is not out any money. The Sheriff’s Office attempted to call the number back but it appeared to be disconnected.  It is possible that the number was created with a “spoof” app where you can actually type in the Sheriff’s Office or for that matter any number to show on your caller id.
 
We would like to remind our citizens that law enforcement does not conduct business this way and to never give anyone your financial information over the phone. The Sheriff’s Office is asking you to share this information as it is getting close to tax time and this along with the IRS phone scam is common this time of year.
 
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

​ On 11-29-2019, Franklin County Deputies responded to the 4200 block of Hwy N in Robertsville for a report of a suspicious person. It was reported a male subject was trying to get into a residence stating he needed to use the phone to contact his girlfriend because he had just wrecked his motorcycle. The resident at this location turned the male away and upon the arrival of deputies, the male subject was gone. The area was checked with the male not being located. On 11-30-2019, deputies responded back to the 4200 block of Hwy N, this time to a neighboring residence, for a report of suspicious activity regarding a possible stolen motorcycle. Upon the arrival of a deputy, he observed a black Honda sport bike and a white Ford Thunderbird in the driveway. The deputy made contact with three individuals from the Pacific area inside the Thunderbird. Information from these individuals gained information a fourth subject, a male from the New Haven area, had fled into the woods when he observed the deputy in the area. The deputy ran a records check on the motorcycle and found it had been reported stolen from the Wentzville area. While conducting his investigation, the deputy observed the fourth subject attempting to sneak back toward the deputy's location and then hide behind a pile of wood. The deputy gave chase in a foot pursuit. At this time, Franklin County asked for the assistance of any MSHP Troopers in the area, several responded. The deputy was able to apprehend the male subject while Troopers assisted with maintaining scene control as well as assisting the deputy. One female occupant of the Thunderbird was transported to the Franklin County Adult Detention Facility by a Trooper for outstanding warrants. The male subject, identified as 23 year old Lukas Creech, was also transported to this facility and charged with Tampering with a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree as well as Resisting Arrest. Warrants were issued on these charges and a bond was set for $10,000 cash. Information regarding this incident was shared with St. Charles County who will be handling the charges of Stealing a Motor Vehicle. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff