Now that the calendar is shifting to 2026, it’s a good time to look back at some of what appeared on the pages of the Houston Herald during 2025.
JANUARY
•An ice storm hits in the first week of the month, and a big snowstorm takes place the following week.
•The warden and a top supervisor at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking are replaced amid allegations contraband was entering the prison through a poorly screened gate.
•A story details the outcome of the 2024 “Shop With a Hero” program in Texas County. More than 270 children from needy families are helped during the Christmas season.
•A feature story highlights the city of Houston Fire Department earning a lofty ISO 3 rating.
•The Houston Board of Education extends the contract of Superintendent D. Justin Copley through the 2026-2027 school year and votes down a four-day school week.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM 2025 IN THE HERALD
•The Houston High School boys basketball team places third at the annual Houston Education Foundation Varsity Boys Tournament.
FEBRUARY
•The Houston Fire Department makes the 2024 “Fill the Boot” Honor Roll. During outings on the Fridays prior to Memorial Day and Labor Day, HFD personnel collected $12,693 from motorists on U.S. 63 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association – the sixth highest total among the 65 participating departments and agencies in Missouri.
•Texas County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jeremy Wink becomes an officer with the Houston Police Department.
•A story describes Steve’s Tire (one of Houston’s oldest businesses) changing hands.
•A mid-month snowstorm drops close to a foot of white stuff on Houston and the surrounding area.
MARCH
•A throng of anglers arrive at Montauk State Park east of Licking on the first day of catch-and- keep trout fishing season. The opener came after months of work to repair the park after historic flooding caused significant damage in early November of 2024.
•A story highlights the Houston Police Department’s efforts in 2024, when a department record was set for dispatched calls (9,485).
•The National Wild Turkey Federation names Houston resident Cash Koch, 16, as the winner of the 2025 Grand National Youth Decorative Turkey Call Maker of the Year Award.
•A couple of special sporting events take place in the Houston School District’s Tiger Fieldhouse, including a volleyball game between teams made up of Houston High School boys and the fourth annual HHS Seniors vs. Staff basketball game. Proceeds benefit the H-Club.
•The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce sells the “ball field property,” a 28.82-acre tract within the city limits on North U.S. 63.
•The Houston Police Department obtains a new Ford F-150 pickup outfitted for use by the department’s K9 officer and dog.
•Owners of the Phoenix Theater in Houston announce that the indoor portion will close, while the drive-in (one of only a handful remaining in the state) will continue to operate.
•A photo depicts a ground hog up in a tree after being chased by a dog.
•Piney River Brewing in Bucyrus hosts its “14th Aleiversary” celebration.
APRIL
•Candidates for several local elected positions share information about themselves and answer questions.
•Houston’s Pizza Hut is entirely renovated, resulting in a new, updated look and feel both inside and out.
•The Houston High School softball team beats Salem, 26-21, banging out 5 home runs and 20 hits. Senior Makinley Aaron and junior Katy Evans each belt 2 homers.
•The City of Houston holds a ceremony to rename the Houston Municipal Swimming Pool the “Toni M. McKinney City of Houston Municipal Pool.” McKinney (who died in September) served as the swim team coach for many seasons and also managed the pool, provided lessons and instructed lifeguards.
•A feature story highlights a pastoral change at Faith Fellowship, as Bill Villapiano steps aside after 41 years and Jeff McNiell takes his place.
•The annual “Emmett Kelly Clown Festival” takes place in downtown Houston.
•A new police station opens in Licking.
•An April 29 storm featuring strong winds, rain and small hail causes damage in parts of Houston, including a large oak tree taking out a private fence and part of a covered porch.
MAY
•Texas County is listed as one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri in a report by the University of Missouri Extension.
•The Houston High School softball team beats Willow Springs in a district playoff game.
•Houston High School senior Kristen Ely wins the 800-meter run at the sectionals track and field meet.
•Texas County Memorial Hospital celebrated its staff during National Hospital Week.
•The Houston Herald publishes the second annual Houston City Guide.
JUNE
•Missouri lawmakers ban the sale or transport of six invasive plant species.
•A new study indicates that one-in-four Texas County children face hunger.
•A story highlights a Netflix documentary called “The Quilters,” a 33-minute film about a group of inmates at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.
•Houston High School boys basketball head coach Dan Narancich hosts a fundamentals camp for players in kindergarten through 6th grade.
•Two Texas County school districts receive perfect scores in the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s annual bus inspection process: Plato and Summersville.
•A TCMH EMS crew delivers a baby in an ambulance on the way to Springfield.
JULY
•A story introduces the City of Houston’s new economic development director, Travis Witzemann.
•A feature story highlights 93-year-old Houston resident Buck Wade, who has played golf regularly for 75 years.
•The annual Texas County Livestock Fair takes place in Houston.
•Temperatures reach triple-digits toward the end of the month.
•A feature story describes the Dodo Shack, a new restaurant in downtown Houston. In early November, the business relocates to a building on Holder Drive.
•A feature story highlights Houston High School softball player Katy Evans, who hit a school record 9 home runs in the 2025 season (her junior year).
AUGUST
•The Missouri Department of Conservation warns property owners it is illegal to feed deer in Chronic Wasting Disease zones. Twelve new counties — including Texas — were added to the list during the year.
•Houston’s assessed valuation jumped more than $600,000 in 2025 as a result of new construction and improvements, according to a tax hearing notice from the City of Houston. The total assessed valuation stood at about $33.2 million.
•The Houston R-1 School District board of education approved purchasing 7.31 acres of land for $108,000 at Nichols and Oak Hill drives for its Building Trades property.
•A story highlights how Texas County Memorial Hospital staff provided lifesaving care to one of its own – chief executive officer Bill Bridges – after he suffered a sudden heart attack in July.
•Temperatures reach triple-digits late in the month.
•New Houston High School softball head coach Conley Aaron conducts a camp for young players.
•A feature story details Houston’s Silly Daycare celebrating its 30th anniversary. It’s owned and operated by Cindy and Brian Sillyman.
•The Houston High School football team is featured in a season preview article.
SEPTEMBER
•An article highlights Houston’s Evans Funeral Home celebrating its 100th anniversary.
•The Houston High School volleyball team is featured in a season preview article.
•HHS Homecoming takes place. Lizzy Ross is crowned Homecoming Queen.
•Houston’s American Legon Post 41 assumes the duty of overseeing of the Texas County Historical and Military Museum on Grand Avenue in downtown Houston.
•The Houston R-1 School District board of education unanimously approves implementing an automotive technology program for the 2026-’27 school year.
•The HHS football team dominates Salem and beats the Dent County Tigers for the fifth straight season.
•Houston High School and Middle School cross country runners have a big day hosting the Tiger Trail Invitational at Houston Municipal Golf Course.
•During the annual “Good Neighbor Day” event sponsored by D&L Florist, 3,000 roses are distributed to people across Texas County.
OCTOBER
•Houston Elementary Schools hosts the fourth annual Careers On Wheels event that gives kids a look at jobs involving machines on wheels.
•A story describes Emmett Kelly Park in Houston, which opened to the public 50 years ago in October of 1975.
•The City of Houston announces the purchase of a 60-acre tract on Spruce Street for the development of baseball and softball fields and the creation of a recreation facility.
•In partnership with the Texas County Health Department, the Texas County Emergency Response Team announces the launch of the Texas County Medical Reserve Corps.
•HHS freshman Lyla Huffman becomes the first girl in school history to post a time under 20 minutes at the annual Licking Wildcat Invitational cross country meet. Huffman went on to win the South Central Association individual championship and won six races during the 2025 season.
•A hostage situation inside the South Central Correctional Center at Licking ends safely following a five-hour standoff.
•A Basic Peace Officer Law Enforcement Academy is launched in Houston, led by three of Texas County’s leading officers: Texas County Sheriff Scott Lindsey and Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas, and Houston Police Chief Brad Evans.
•The Houston Police Department adds the second female officer to its roster: Alexis Johnson, 24.
•A grand opening event is held at the Texas County Library’s new location in Houston.
•Houston Middle School eighth-graders Oliver Choate and Myles Copley each win cross country racing state championships for the second consecutive year.
NOVEMBER
•A feature story introduces Lyla Huffman to Herald readers.
•The HHS boys and girls basketball teams are highlighted in season preview articles.
•The Houston City Council votes to part ways with its attorney, Sean Smith, who was hired in May 2023. Mayor Sam Kelley breaks a 3-3 tie after months of conflict.
•The annual “Taste of Christmas” contest takes place in Houston.
•The annual firearms deer hunting season takes place in Missouri. Texas County finishes second in the state in deer kill numbers.
DECEMBER
•The Houston City Council unanimously approves drafting an ordinance for a five-year utility rate increase plan.
•The first snow of the season falls in the area.
•An article describes the City of Houston’s new Elmer & Estella Bridges Memorial Park, which is ready for public use.
•The annual Christmas Parade takes place in downtown Houston.
•Hardee’s in Houston closes. The restaurant opened in 1992.
•A story details the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) naming veteran ag communicator and Houston native Janet Adkison to the NAFB Hall of Fame.
•A feature story highlights The Feed Lot restaurant in Cabool.
• Houston optometrist Dr. Anne Ream is inducted as an inaugural member of the Missouri Optometry Hall of Fame.