Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Two Fatalities in Accident Near Maryville

There were two fatalities in an accident two miles east of Maryville today (Wednesday, August 31st). The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 1994 Dodge Spirit driven by Kristy Lake (47) of Maryville was southbound on Route F at around 4:26 pm two miles east of Maryville. A 2002 Buick LeSabre driven by Thomas Strueby (83) of Conception Junction was northbound. The Spirit crossed the center line and struck the LeSabre head on in the northbound lane. Both vehicles came to rest in the northbound lane. Neither was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

County Raises $450 Towards Weather Text Alerts

August 22nd Minutes
Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley brought the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

Commissioner Regan Nonneman made a motion to approve minutes and agenda.   Commissioner Ted Findley seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer Linda Brown presented the weekly balance sheet.

Gene Auten, County EMD reported that he had raised $450 towards paying for the yearly Comcast service fee.  He will set up a point of contact, and then it will be ready for people to sign up.  Citizens will be able to receive weather notifications, emergency notifications, and other announcements through texts. This will work for cell or landline phones.

Gene will work on getting all radio’s licensed under the same license number.

Clerk Owens presented some reimbursement documents for FEMA DR-4238 funds for Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley to sign.

Commissioner Regan Nonneman made a motion for adjourn so that Clerk Owens could clerk the Collector Tax sale. Commissioner Ted Findley seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Visitor to Worth County to Teach Philosophy at Eastern Orthodox Seminary in New York

Dinner guests of Jerry Drake’s Thursday night were Ken Willmarth, a cousin of Mr. Drake’s of California, and Edward Novis, a professor who is headed to Jordanville (NY) where he will teach philosophy at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. The seminary was founded in 1948 by people fleeing from Stalin’s rule in Communist Russia. They are a seminary for the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which abides in canonical unity with the Russian Orthodox Church while remaining semi-autonomous.

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia was formed in response to the Russian Revolution of 1917, in which the Communists came to power. They separated from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1927 when their Metropolitan, Sergius, pledged qualified loyalty to the Bolshevik State. The two restored canonical links in 2007, after the fall of Communism. A third group split off, went underground, and called themselves the Russian True Orthodox Church.

Ken Willmarth’s son works at the seminary in Jordanville and he recommended Mr. Novis for the position. Mr. Novis will teach Introduction to Philosophy as well as Byzantine Philosophy.

Previously, Mr. Novis had helped process donations for a charity in Mexico that operates in Tijuana, located just south of the border near San Diego (CA). They maintain an orphanage for 22 children and build homes for people. Groups of high schoolers from all over the US come to build homes, which can be built in four days despite having to get their own material; the homes are made out of stucco. Tijuana used to be a hotbed of gang violence in the 1990’s; however, the gangs realized the constant shootings and turf wars were bad for business and they spread all over Mexico. Mr. Willmarth said that there were still some places where the violence is bad, such as Modesto (CA), which has one of the highest auto theft rates in the country.

Mr. Novis said that the value of philosophy in education was that most decisions were guided by an implicit underlying philosophy and that it helps people to keep and change world views. He said that his goal was to present all different views so that people could form their own principles. He said that it was not promoted enough, meaning that people do not always see the big picture when they make decisions. “Philosophy helps people see the whole picture.”

Jordanville used to be a major economic hub during the Industrial Revolution, but its economy suffered decline in recent decades along with many other former hubs. Holy Trinity Seminary is on 1,000 acres and was built by a cluster of priests and monks fleeing from Stalin’s Communism. The cathedral initially burned down, but it was rebuilt in better shape than the first time. Although he himself is not Orthodox, Mr. Willmarth said, “I can see the power and dedication in their beliefs when they can build buildings like that.” While Russia was still under Communist rule, the seminary would publish holy books underground and smuggle them back into Russia.

Missouri named a Top Ten state for advanced manufacturing growth, continues to lead Midwest, Gov. Nixon announces

Missouri has been named the 6th best state in the nation for its annual advanced manufacturing industry job growth in a new report from the Brookings Institution, Gov. Nixon announced today. The same report also found that Missouri is the 8th best state in the nation for output growth of its advanced manufacturing industry.
“When I first came into office, unemployment was at a record high, manufacturing plants were closing, and families were losing their homes,” said Gov. Nixon. “But we rolled up our sleeves, focused our resources and invested in our highly-skilled and talented workforce. These rankings are a testament to our efforts to move Missouri’s economy forward and to create more jobs for Missouri families.”
The Brookings analysis follows the state’s most recent jobs report which indicated that Missouri’s durable goods manufacturing sector led the state’s private-industry employment growth between May and July with more than 6,400 new jobs. Missouri has also led the Midwest for manufacturing growth for the past three consecutive months.
Missouri’s entrepreneurial community continues to attract new companies and attention for its supportive ecosystem, innovative firms, and talented workforce. The Kauffman Foundation recently ranked Missouri 9th best for Startup Activity, up one spot from the previous year, for its growing density, which came in at 88.3. The foundation also ranked Kansas City 18th, up 11 spots from 2015, as one of the top metros in the country for Startup Activity.
Business Facilities magazine, a national publication, recently released its 2016 annual state rankings report, which analyzes a variety of economic development benchmarks to determine the top states for a number of categories. This year, Missouri earned a top spot in two of these categories: 7th Best Infrastructure and 10th for Wind Power Expansion Leaders. In addition to these state rankings, the magazine also recognized several Missouri metros, including Joplin (7th for Logistics Leaders and 8th for Best Quality of Life), Kansas City (9th for Economic Growth Potential), and Springfield (10th for Entrepreneurial Leaders).

Obituary -- Marvin Dale Brown 1942-2016

Marvin Dale Brown, 73, Hopkins, Missouri, died Friday, August 26, at his home surrounded by his family.

Marvin was born  December 6, 1942, in Sheridan,MO to Ira N. and Edna V. Clark Brown. 

A graduate of Sheridan High School, he was a lifelong farmer.

He and  Frances Steinman were married October 11, 1963, in Maryville, MO.

Marvin had been a member of the Sheridan Saddle Club, former board member of MFA Livestock, MFA Oil Board,  MFA Exchange and former member of the Independence Township Board.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, David Brown, Sr.

Marvin is survived by his wife Frances Brown; children Douglas Dale Brown, Sheridan, MO, Steven Dale (Samantha) Brown, Hopkins, MO and Patricia A. (Charles) Johnson, Shambaugh, IA; 7 grandchildren Haldon (Jamie)  Fugate, Dale (Rachel Fultz) Brown, Megan Fugate and Andrew, Saylor, Saryn and Stetsyn Brown and great-grandchild Easton Fugate, sister-in-law Virginia Brown, Ravenwood, Mo. and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be  2-4 PM,  Sunday, August 28, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville.

Funeral Services are 2:00 PM, Monday, August 29, also at Price Funeral Home, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Maryville.

Memorials may be made to SSM Hospice, 2332 South Main Maryville, MO 64468.

www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

Worth County Sheriff's Report

8-22 -- Person in with papers to serve.
8-22 -- Person in to register as sex offender.
8-22 -- Person calls for well-being check on daughter.
8-23 -- Gentry County calls about threats made to a person in Worth County.
8-23 -- Highway Patrol in to interview person about making threats.
8-24 -- Cattle out west of Allendale; owner notified.
8-25 -- Person in needing ID/OD on car.
8-25 -- Person in to be fingerprinted.
8-25 -- Person calls about well-being of son.
8-26 -- Officer investigates car/deer accident at 169 & 220th Road.
8-26 -- Person calls about missing beagle dog.
8-27 -- Gentry County calls about needing assistance on accident at B & 240th.

Six New Cases Filed in Worth County Circuit Court

Six new cases were filed recently in Worth County Circuit Court by Prosecutor David Baird.

A ticket from the Worth County Sheriff's Department alleges that Kyle Cline drove while revoked and failed to register on July 27th at 10:44 on 169 and 190th. Charges were filed on August 22nd.

Alicia Kennedy of Parnell was charged with driving while revoked. On July 26th at 7:23, the Missouri Highway Patrol made contact with her following a wreck on H and 110th Street north of Sheridan and alleges that she admitted to not having a license. She was also charged with careless and imprudent driving for running off the right side of the road and striking four hay bales.

Dustin Rauch was charged with being a minor in possession on August 18th. An affidavit alleges that the Worth County Sheriff's Department responded to a disturbance on August 7th and noted an odor of intoxicants. He allegedly had a .170 blood alcohol content.

Steve Reeve (45) of Blockton was arrested for DWI and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway by the Missouri Highway Patrol on August 6th. He was arrested following field sobriety tests and his blood alcohol content was allegedly .249. He was charged on August 22nd.

Cody Sleep (17) of Bedford was stopped at 246 & Bluff Lane on August 7th at 12:45 am in Sheridan by the Worth County Sheriff's Department for driving 35 miles per hour in the city's 25 miles per hour zone. An affidavit from the department alleges that when he was stopped, he gave consent to search the vehicle and that an unopened can of beer was found and an odor of intoxicants was detected. He was charged on August 22nd.

Scott Thurman (39) of Lamoni was ticketed by the Missouri Highway Patrol for driving 70 miles per hour at around 2:45 pm on May 27th on 169 one mile south of Grant City. He was charged on August 24th.

All charges listed are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Tigers Get Back on Track with 88-6 Victory; Isaac Alarcon Nets 219 Yards

Worth County got back on the winning track with an 88-6 victory as they dismantled North Shelby, a team that had snapped a 63 game losing streak last week. In its last year of 11-man, the Raiders only had 12 players out; they had twice that number this year, but over half the team had not played last year. They took out Northwest (Hughesville) last week 52-18, but the rust and inexperience showed in Friday night's contest. Worth County was shorthanded, playing without quarterback Cade Allee (hamstring); Ryan McClellan stepped up and handled the position flawlessly.

Chris Healy's Tigers held the Raiders three and out and got one of many short fields to start off the game. On the fourth down punt situation, Isaac Alarcon flushed Lane Kemp out of the pocket and he was stopped short of the first down at the Raider 28.

From there, Isaac Alarcon followed the blocking of Colton Wilmes and Mason Hawk down to the 14. Three plays later, Alarcon got a block from Wade Rush to get into the end zone.

Seth Bass' Raiders got into trouble again. The same officiating crew which rung up Worth County the week before for a bunch of false starts did so to the Raiders on consecutive plays and they subsequently burned a timeout after getting down to two seconds on the play clock. They went three and out and got off a good punt that pinned Worth County on its own 25, but then Isaac Alarcon shot up the middle, bounced to the outside, and scored, breaking three tackles on the way. Jayden Mancuso ran in the extra points to make it 14-0 with 7:09 left.

Shaughn Malcarne gave the Raiders one of its few bright moments on the next play as he shot past the left end and down the sideline for 60 yards to make it 14-6 with 6:53 left. But then Alarcon got loose again, this time for 44 yards down to the Raiders 8. Three plays later, Ryan McClellan's keeper fooled everyone as he scampered into the end zone with 5 minutes left; the two point conversion made it 22-8.

Worth County reestablished control of the line of scrimmage, driving the Raiders from their own 28, back to the 15 and forcing three and out. Devin Jackson shot up the middle and partially blocked the punt, recovered by Worth County on the North Shelby 34. They only needed one play to take advantage of the short field as Ryan McClellan hooked up with Caleb Parman on a play action pass to make it 30-6.

Wade Rush was a force at linebacker all night and he was so on the ensuing series and North Shelby was forced to punt. Once again, it didn't work out as Drake Kinsella flushed Lane Kemp out of the pocket and Dalton Auffert and Kinsella ran him down at the Raider 22 to set up another short field at the end of the first quarter.

Isaac Alarcon followed the blocking of Harley Charles for a couple of good gains and the Raiders got an offsides penalty. That set up Wade Rush's quick hitter for a four yard score behind the blocking of Colton Wilmes and Drake Kinsella with 11:20 left. Wade Rush ran in the extra points behind blocks from Kinsella and Mason Hawk to make it 38-6.

Isaac Alarcon ran down Luke Reitz when they faked the option play as they drove the Raiders back before forcing another three and out. Isaac Alarcon got called for a holding penalty to force the Tigers back to their own 38 and wipe out a score, but he atoned for his miscue by shooting up the middle as everyone overran him and he was off to the races with 9:02 left. Jacob New came in at quarterback and threw to Mason Hawk for the two points to make it 46-6.

Once again, North Shelby went three and out and this time, a bad snap set up a safety as Drake Kinsella pinned Lane Kemp in the endzone to make it 48-6. Caleb Parman ran back the ensuing kick to the Raider 26. Worth County got nowhere on its first two plays, but then Jacob New threw a strike to Caleb Parman from 24 yards out with 5:43 left. A counter to Jayden Mancuso fooled everyone and he added the extra points to make it 56-6.

Faced with fourth and four on their own 25, the Raiders elected to go for it instead of risking another horrific snap in the rain, but it didn't matter as Isaac Alarcon stopped Matthew Perry one yard short of the first down at the Raider 28. Worth County backed themselves up with a fumble and were faced with fourth and 13 at the Raider 19, but then Jayden Mancuso got loose, aided by a block from Jacob Wimer, and got into the end zone with 1:22 left. Wayde Parman caught a guard eligible pass from Jacob New that fooled everyone to make it 64-6.

For some reason, North Shelby elected to play on, but it didn't make any difference in the second half, played under the running clock. Isaac Alarcon got loose again to start the second half and used some raw speed as he outran everyone around the right end and down the east sideline to score from 45 yards out on the first play of the second half. That run put him over the 200 yard mark and gave him a career high with 219 rushing yards. He ran in the extra points to make it 72-6.

Mason Hawk recovered a fumble and Jacob Wimer got loose for what should have been a 41 yard scamper for a score. But the referees claimed that Wayde Parman was holding even though he threw the block of the night, drive-blocking his man all 41 yards down the field into the end zone and holding his block until the play was over. It was called back to the 19, but it didn't matter as Jacob Wimer scampered into the end zone with 6:01 left in the third quarter to make it 78-6.

The JV didn't let up once the game was placed in their hands. Johnny Mancuso and a host of black shirts met Ethan Geisendorfer for a short gain and the Raiders marched backward with a delay of game penalty; Wayde Parman and Brayden Welch had tackles for losses on the series. Finally, a bad snap sailed into the end zone and North Shelby had to cover up for a safety to make it 80-6 with 2:26 left in the third quarter.

Jordan Huntsman was a force on both sides of the ball during the second half for the reserves, hitting hard as a blocking back and as a linebacker. Finally, he got rewarded with a carry for a score with 6:19 left in the fourth quarter and Jacob New ran in the extra points to make it 88-6.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Obituary -- Linda (Sweeten) Thomas 1968-2016

Linda (Sweeten) Thomas, 48, passed away Monday, July 18, 2016 at Northwest Medical Center. Recently, Linda moved from King City Manor to her new home, Concerned Services Group Home in Stanberry.

Linda was born May 28, 1968 to Paul and Joyce Sweeten. They preceded her in death.

She had previously worked at Worth County Convalescent Center and Orilla’s Way in Grant City. At the time of her death, she was an employee of the Opportunity Workshop in Stanberry.

Linda attended the Albany First Baptist Church. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, gardening and taking care of her flowers.


Survivors: adopted mother, Hazel Thomas, Albany; sister, Suzanne (Dale) Gillespie, Albany; brothers, Garland and Leroy Sweeten, Bethany; cousin, Bill Thomas, Belleview, NE.

Obituary -- Patricia Goodwin 1933-2016

Patricia Ann Goodwin, 83, Maryville, Missouri, died August 26, 2016, at her home.

Patricia was born May 5, 1933, in Oakland, California to George Cook and Florence Lillian Bridgeman Geary. 

A high school graduate, Patricia was a homemaker.

She married Donald Lewis Goodwin on February 4, 1963, in Sparks Nevada.

Patricia attended the Ravenwood Christian Church.

Preceding in death were her husband Donald Goodwin ( June 22, 1999)
a great grandson Tyler Robbins Morrison and sisters Margaret Hufft and Elizabeth Farrell.

Survivors include her children
Robert Ronald Peterson, Eugene, OR
Dorothy Jeanne Morrison, Steamboat Springs, CO
John Gilbert Goodwin and Deborah Ann Byron, Maryville, MO
Richard Paul Goodwin, Cape Coral, FL
19 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, August 29, 2016 at the Ravenwood Christian Church, Ravenwood, Mo with burial at the Terrebonne Pioneer Cemetery, Redmond, Oregon.

www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

Two Injured in Truck Wreck Near Wilcox

Two people were injured in a truck wreck near Wilcox on Wednesday, August 24th. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that a 2003 Freightliner driven by Clifford Hiles (51) of Skidmore was southbound on 71 at the Wilcox city limit at around 3:35 pm. He traveled off the west side of the road, returned to the road, overcorrected, and overturned. The vehicle came to rest facing south on the driver's side off the east side of the roadway. Hiles received minor injuries and was taken to St. Francis Hospital. A passenger, Jeremy Lamm (42) of Maryville, received moderate injuries and was taken to St. Francis. Both were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Blockton Man Lifeflighted After Wreck Near Elmo

A Blockton man was lifeflighted following a car/motorcycle wreck near Elmo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2003 Harley Davidson driven by Troy Farrens (49) of Blockton was westbound and a 2015 Chevy Malibu driven by Breann Hunt (21) of Burlington Junction was eastbound on Saturday, August 20th at around 8:40 pm on Route C three miles west of Elmo. The Harley Davidson crossed the center line and struck the Malibu. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway. Farrens was ejected from his motorcycle; both were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. Farrens received serious injuries and was lifeflighted to Creighton University.

Albany Man Killed in Wreck Near Clarksdale

An Albany man was killed in a wreck near Clarksdale Saturday afternoon at around 1 pm. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that a 2007 Dodge Caravan driven by Wesley Burton (68) of Albany was westbound on Route 6 four miles north of Clarksdale. He traveled off the north side of the roadway, down an embankment, and struck a tree, a ditch, and several more trees. It then spun around and struck a final tree. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway on its wheels facing south. Burton was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Minor Injury in Maryville Crash

One person received minor injuries in a crash near Maryville Friday evening August 19th. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that a 2006 Chevy Colorado driven by Connor Durbin (16) of Maryville and a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Andrea Anderson (60) of Maryville were both southbound on North Country Club Drive. The Fusion drove into the rear of the Colorado. Both vehicles were driven to a controlled stop. Durbin received minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

Farm Bureau Endorses Graves for Reelection

Trustees of the Missouri Farm Bureau Northern Regional Endorsement Committee have endorsed Sam Graves (R), for re-election in the 6th Congressional District. The committee met with the congressman in Hannibal on August 23 before making the decision. During the meeting, his opponent, software developer and college instructor David Blackwell (D), talked to the trustees via Skype.
Now in his seventh term, Graves has served in Congress since 2001. He is a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and chairs the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Graves is a sixth-generation farmer from Tarkio.
Ralph Griesbaum, chairman of the Northern Regional Endorsement Committee, said Graves is a Farm Bureau member who understands the organization’s priorities. He has a 93 percent voting record with Farm Bureau.
“Since first being elected to Congress, Sam has been a staunch supporter for agriculture,” Griesbaum said. “In his position on the Highways and Transit Committee, he has worked tirelessly to obtain federal funding for our rural roads and bridges.”
PAC trustees on Regional Endorsement Committees are selected by their county Farm Bureau organizations. The trustees interview candidates running in the general election, review voting records and written questionnaires and seek their positions on issues.

Hopkins CBC Receives $12,000 in Grants for Walking Trail, Ballpark Projects

The Hopkins Community Betterment Club(HCB) of Hopkins, MO, recently received grants from the Dugdale Charitable Trust Fund in the amount of $1,500, the Gary G. Taylor Charitable Trust for $7,000, and from the Harry and Helena Messick Charitable Trust for $3,500.  The HCB will use the funds toward the building of a walking trail in the Hopkins City Park along with erecting a fence around the baseball/softball field and football field. 


Their purpose is to support and improve the quality of life throughout the community.  They feel there is a need for a safer place for young and old to walk as well as help the school aged students have a place to practice running track and the chain link fence will protect the improvements that have been made to the fields, guard against vandalism, and provide spectator protection.  The HCB Club is very grateful for help from these charitable trusts.

Gary Owens Retires After 43 Years of Service

Gary Owens, a 43-year employee of the Missouri Department of Transportation, will retire on September 1, 2016. Owens retires as a maintenance crew leader at the Grant City maintenance facility. Owens started at MoDOT in the summer of 1973 as a seasonal worker at the former Sheridan maintenance facility.

Owens and his wife Roberta have several children and grandchildren with whom they’ll be able to spend more time in retirement, but Owens also plans to run a motorgrader for Bogle Township in Gentry County.

Of his time at MoDOT, he said his favorite part of the job was level course treatments on roads throughout the area, so it makes sense that he would continue working for the township. However he, like many retirees, will not miss working nights during bad weather.

“We want to congratulate Gary on his retirement and thank him for 43 years of service to the citizens of Missouri,” said District Engineer Don Wichern.


Conservation Commission gives initial approval on MDC changes to smallmouth and rock bass regulations

At its Aug. 26 meeting in Columbia, the Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval of proposed regulation changes by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) related to smallmouth bass and rock bass, also called goggle-eye.

The proposed regulation changes create a standard 15-inch minimum length limit for smallmouth bass and a daily limit of one for all Smallmouth Bass Special Management areas. They also expand these areas on the Big Piney, Jacks Fork, Big, and Meramec rivers.

The existing minimum length limit for smallmouth bass of 12 inches and daily limit of six fish remain for Missouri streams other than those of Smallmouth Bass Special Management areas.
The proposed regulation changes also set a statewide length limit of seven inches for rock bass (also called goggle-eye, warmouth, Ozark bass, and shadow bass) and remove the Osage Fork of the Gasconade River from the Rock Bass Special Management areas.

The proposed regulation changes are based on extensive scientific research related to bass populations and harvest and consideration of public input received during nine public meetings held by the Department.

The next step in the process for these proposed regulation changes is a 30-day public comment period beginning in October after publication in the Missouri Register. Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to these proposed regulation changes during this time with the Regulations Committee Chairman, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or through the Department?s website at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49.

For more information on bass fishing, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species.

Buy fishing permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Missouri Teen Seatbelt Usage Rises

The 2016 Missouri Teen Safety Belt Survey is complete. The safety belt usage for all teenage drivers and teenage front seat passengers combined was 70.4 percent. This is a 1.4 percent increase when compared to 69 percent in 2015.
“We’re very excited to see these numbers go up,” said MoDOT Youth Program Coordinator Kacey Buschjost. “Teenagers are our most inexperienced and vulnerable drivers, so it’s vital that they, and all drivers, be buckled up every trip, every time.”
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety promotes several programs to educate young drivers on the importance of roadway safety. The following programs can attribute to the increase in safety belt usage in Missouri.
First Impact is a traffic safety program that educates parents about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law and provides the tools they need to monitor, coach and support their new teen driver. Missouri GDL law is a three-step licensing system. The purpose is to ease teens into licensure so that they can build skill in an environment that minimizes those things that are shown to cause the greatest risk for new drivers.Research confirms that GDL laws have been instrumental in reducing teen crashes by 20 to 40 percent.
The It Only Takes One campaign is a competition between Missouri high schools that gives student groups the opportunity to educate teens, parents and their community about the dangers teens face while driving. The competition includes educational campaigns, surprise safety belt surveys and the creation of a public service announcement. It’s important that teen drivers realize it only takes one text, one drink, one call, one reach, one distraction to cause one fatal moment. But, that one clicked seat belt could be the difference between life and death in a car crash.
Team Spirit is a statewide youth traffic safety leadership training program committed to empowering youth to promote safe driving habits. After an initial training session, Team Spirit youth create and implement action plans for their school and community in an effort to reduce death and serious injury resulting from traffic crashes. Team Spirit is available to all schools in Missouri.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for youth (15-20) in Missouri, accounting for nearly 11.8 percent of traffic fatalities during the last three years. Many factors including inexperience, alcohol, speeding, cell phones, and other countless distractions all contribute to these crashes, with many resulting in death. A safety belt is the best defense in a traffic crash. Buckle up and ARRIVE ALIVE.
For more information on highway safety or any of the programs offered, please visit savemolives.com.

Worth County 4-H Achievement Day Results

Achievement Day was held on Friday, July 22 at the Fairgrounds Building in Grant City.  It is an opportunity for 4-H members to showcase their work, discuss their year long projects, and receive feedback on their projects.  Projects receive a ribbons based on the Danish system, where blue exemplifies superior work.  Clover Kids receive participation ribbons for each project.

Foods
Cookies-Tate Welch-Blue
Cake Pops-Drew Welch-Blue
Blackberry Cobbler-Jacob Wimer-Blue
Peanut Butter Cookies-Jeremy Wimer-Blue
Blackberry Jelly-Justina Wimer-Blue
Banana Bread-Justina Wimer-Blue
Cherry Pie-Abbi Brown-Blue
No Bake Cookies-Misty Helt-Blue
Cookies-William Runde-Blue
Cookies-Carrissa Runde-Blue
Peanut Butter Cookies-Tate Welch-Blue

Horses
Grooming  My Horse display-Wyatt Craven-Blue

Entomology
Life Cycle of a Monarch display-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Cecropia Moth- Wyatt Craven-Blue
My Insects display-Wyatt Craven-Blue

Veterinary Science
Keeping Your Beef Healthy display-Molly Miller-Blue

Arts & Crafts
Picture Frame-Justina Wimer-Blue
T-shirt Bag-Justina Wimer-Blue
Horseshoe Craft-Molly Miller-Blue
Embroidery-Molly Miller-Blue
Table Decoration-Carrissa Runde-Red
Flower Arrangement-William Runde-Red
Owl Wreath-Ali Brown-Blue
Purple Bow Wreath-Abbi Brown-Blue
Fairy Garden-Hailey Adwell-Blue
Solar Lamp-Hailey Adwell-Blue
Bunny Pot-Hailey Adwell-Blue

Photography
Shasta-Wyatt Craven-Blue, eligible for State Fair
Country Barn-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Bluejays-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Black Swallowtail Butterfly-Wyatt Craven-Blue,
Swallowtail Butterfly-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Heron-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Frog-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Hale Arena, Kansas City-Tate Welch-Blue
Worth County Show Ring-Tate Welch-Blue
Back of the Trailer-Tate Welch-Blue
Back of the Trailer (black & white)-Tate Welch-Blue

Woodworking
Night Stand-Wyatt Craven-Blue
Battleship-Daniel Craven-Blue,
Woodburning Plaque-Hailey Adwell-Blue
Bird House-Ali Brown-Blue
Stepstool-Molly Miller-Blue
Clock-Justina Wimer-Blue

Welding
Horseshoe Cross-Daniel Craven-Blue

Gardening
Herbs-William Runde-Blue
Herbs-Carrissa  Runde-Blue

Crochet
Bag-Misty Helt-Blue

Sewing
Clothes Pin Bag-Justina Wimer-Blue

Clover Kids
Megan Tracy - Snowman, Butterfly Magnet, Snowflake, Bunny Pot, Jar
Kristen Tracy-Snowflake, Jar, Bunny Pot, Snowman, Butterfly Magnet
Trenton Adwell-Snowman, Bunny Pot, Picture Frame, Wooden Plaque (tractor), Wooden Plaque (name)

Missouri’s Food for America President Breaks With Koster Over Ag Policies

In response to recent statements made at the recent Missouri Farm Bureau endorsement meeting by Democrat gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster; Wes Shoemyer, President of Missouri’s Food for America and former Missouri Democratic state senator announced he will seek a meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate, Eric Greitens.
 
“I am extremely disappointed in Chris Koster. When he left the Republican Party and wanted to run as a Democrat for Missouri Attorney General, I was one of the first to endorse him, but his statements about being happy to support China’s Smithfield as it takes over the U.S. hog market tells me I made a big mistake,” explained Shoemyer
 
At the August Farm Bureau endorsement meeting, candidate Chris Koster reaffirmed his support for the advancement of industrial agriculture practices.  In outlining his reasons the Farm Bureau members should support him, Koster held up his support of Right to Farm claiming his endorsement had brought the thousand Democrat votes necessary to carry the narrow victory.  Shoemyer’s organization, Missouri’s Food for America was the lead organization fighting for the defeat of the August 2014 Amendment ballot measure.  Koster also reconfirmed his support of ending the ability of local citizens from insuring minimum health and welfare standards at the county level. Koster has had a long standing record in support of the advancement of industrial factory farming and its practices including fighting the tourist town of Arrow Rock and pushing legislation as a Republican state senator to take away local control from local counties in their ability to insure reasonable health and welfare safeguards for neighbors of industrial factory farms, CAFOs.
 
Missouri’s Food for America will also be reaching out to the candidates for Missouri Attorney General in an effort to understand their individual positions on Koster’s legal action against California’s Egg legislation. Which a judge has already indicated has been brought for a few special interests and has cost several $100,000 of taxpayers’ money.  Currently nearly 280,000,000 laying hens in the United States have less than a notebook size piece of paper space to exist.  The California statute requires all eggs sold into California markets meet the same animal welfare standards that California farmers are required to use.  The law requires laying hens to have enough room to lie down, stand up, turnaround and extend their wings. 
 
Shoemyer stated, “I don’t want another attorney general who plays checkers instead of chess.”  The issue isn’t just that God made animals to move and these hens should be able to move; in supporting the Farm Bureau’s policy against animal welfare issues, Koster misses the whole point.  The California law has brought economic opportunity to Missouri’s family farmers.  Because of California’s action, Missouri Family Farmers are being asked to raise the chickens to fill this large market.  It has meant millions of dollars in economic investment in our state.
 
Shoemyer concluded by stating, “If Koster and his Farm Bureau buddies think they will bring all the Democrats to the ballot box for a guaranteed victory, well they need to know I am one Democrat they don’t have. As Dad always said, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’”

After EpiPen Increases Prices by 480%, Senators Collins, McCaskill Request Information on Mylan’s Decision-Making Process

In response to the skyrocketing price of EpiPen® and news reports that this price increase is limiting patient access to this life saving anecdote for allergic reactions, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, sent a letter to Heather Bresch, the CEO of Mylan, to request answers and information about the company's drastic price increase of EpiPen® by 480% since 2008. The Senators also requested any analysis used by Mylan relating to the pricing or market share of EpiPen® since 2007, along with any information reviewed or generated by Mylan’s Board of Directors relating to the drug over the same period.

In their letter, Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill wrote that, “For much of its product life, EpiPen® was an affordable solution to a matter of life and death—it allowed countless Americans to save the lives of individuals suffering from allergic reactions that kill in a matter of minutes (a timeframe often too short to allow for trained medical intervention). But since Mylan acquired EpiPen® in 2007, it has implemented a cumulative 480-percent price increase.”

“We are concerned that these drastic price increases could have a serious effect on the health and well-being of every day Americans.  There have been numerous accounts of individuals who are simply unable to afford this lifesaving medication and as a consequence have gone without, risked using an expired product, or resorted to uncertain (but less expensive) treatments… As leaders of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, we are particularly concerned that seniors have access to EpiPen® because, according to Mylan’s website, older Americans ‘may be at an increased risk of having a more severe anaphylactic reaction if they are exposed to biting and stinging insects.’”

The Senators’ letter requested that the briefing occur “at a mutually convenient time no later than two weeks from today.”

Missouri House Committee Hearing to Focus on Farmers’ Losses Due to Illegal Use of Herbicide

A state House committee will hold a hearing about losses Missouri farmers are experiencing due to the use of the herbicide dicamba. 

Representative Don RoneR-Portageville, requested the hearing. He cited a recent report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that there have been more than 100 complaints filed with the Department of Agriculture of pesticide drift in the Bootheel region, many from four counties: New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, and Stoddard. Some farmers planted a soybean variety resistant to dicamba, and the new herbicide meant to be applied to that variety hasn’t been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Those farmers are turning to older dicamba products which are illegal to use, and the drift from those applications has been damaging neighboring fields. 

Rone is seeking a hearing of the House Select Committee on Agriculture on the matter. 

“We want to hear from all of the players in this. We want to hear from the growers, we want to hear from industry, we want to hear from state, and we want to hear from the University [of Missouri] firsthand how this is going to affect agriculture in this state of Missouri,” said Rone. “Our neighbors to the east, Tennessee has a problem with it and our neighbors in Arkansas have a problem with dicamba, so we’re going to invite some of their representatives to come up and tell us how they are handling this problem in their states.” 

The Chairman of the Select Committee on Agriculture, Representative Bill ReiboldtR-Neosho, said the EPA should also testify. 

“The situation is, the way I understand it, they released the seed but did not release the chemical, and so some of the farmers used the old chemical and that’s what created the problem,” said Reiboldt. 

Rone also plans to file legislation that would impose tougher penalties for applying older dicamba products and other illegal products. 

“I’m going to make the penalties harsher. I’m going to add some things into that bill that are not presently there to safeguard the gardener, the person in the town, the peach tree man, the non-typical row crop,” said Rone. “That will be my first order of business when we go back in January is to get that bill passed before the new season, so we’ll have to have it before April.” 

House Speaker Todd RichardsonR-Poplar Bluff, granted this morning authority for the hearing to take place during this legislative interim. 

“This has rapidly become a very serious issue,” said Richardson. “Representative Rone and other agriculture leaders in our caucus have been keeping me up to date on the situation and I appreciate their hard work on the issue. According to the EPA over 40-thousand acres of farmland has been affected. Today I have formally asked the Select Committee on Agriculture to hold a hearing on this difficult issue and give some direction to the rest of the House.” 

A date and location for the hearing has not been set.

MDC Telecheck has new questions on deer and turkey harvests

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants deer and turkey hunters to know that its Telecheck system for reporting harvests will ask some new questions this fall and winter when hunters check their game.
Telecheck will ask deer hunters who harvest does if the distance from the edge of the eyeball to the edge of the nostril is greater than 4.5 inches. For deer hunters who harvest antlered bucks, Telecheck will ask if the circumference of an antler one inch above the base is greater than 2.5 inches (the approximate circumference of a nickel). The measurement request will not apply to hunters who harvest button bucks.
MDC advises hunters to take a tape measure or other measuring device with them while deer hunting. For hunters using paper permits, MDC has included a handy ruler on all printed deer permits.
The measurements will help Department staff better determine age classes of harvested deer as part of MDC's deer management efforts.
To help assess the impacts from crossbows on the archery-methods deer harvest, Telecheck will ask archery hunters if they used a crossbow to harvest their deer. The upcoming deer-hunting season is the first to allow crossbows under archery methods.
Telecheck will also ask whether a deer or turkey was harvested on public or private land.
The Conservation Department thanks Missouri?s deer and turkey hunters for their help.
Get details on the new Telecheck requirements for deer and turkey harvests, along with other fall deer and turkey hunting information, from MDC's 2016 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.
Buy permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Worth County Care & Rehab Passes Budget with $57,000 Surplus

The Worth County Care & Rehab Center board passed a budget with a projected surplus of around $57,000 for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Last year's surplus was around $53,000. This includes the money from the voter-approved tax levy. The budget was based on a census of 18 residents for the coming fiscal year. The census as of Wednesday evening was 19 residents. It was at 21; however, there was one resident discharged and one in the hospital. There were no Medicare Part A patients as of Wednesday.

Administrator Bev Miller reported that the CD rate at Great Western Bank was .05; for instance, that would come out to an estimated $16.88 a quarter. They are currently earning $168 a quarter at the place where they are currently banking.

The annual Labor Day Picnic will be on September 1st at 5:30. Carolyn Hardy and the Family Circle Singers will perform.

Administrator Bev Miller reported that she had looked into offering home health services. She learned that the facility would have to obtain a second business license from the state, they would have to obtain separate staff, policies, procedures, training materials and get a new administrator and supervisor. Minimum staff would require two RN's and two CNA's, a billing manager, and separate training. For instance, Miller could work for the home health operation; however, it would have to be done separately. Estimated startup costs would be around $100,000. She said she had spoken to Aegis, who handles the facility's therapy. She said that they had expressed interest in doing it for the facility, but they would have to work out logistics.

The board interviewed potential candidates for secretary. Victoria Rush is leaving; she is helping out until the board hires a new secretary. The board set the tax levy at 35 cents per $100 assessed valuation. This is not a new tax, but a continuation of the current voter-approved levy.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Tiger Softball Downs Todd Simmons' Cardinals, Wins Fourth Straight

Worth County's softball team went down for the count against North Andrew, the second time in a row that happened. But once again, they crawled back off the floor, got the lead after a 30 minute rain delay, and then got some badly needed insurance runs in the sixth inning to pull away for a 9-5 win. North Andrew had been a powerhouse team the last few years, but Worth County finally tagged them last year with a 12-11 victory late in the season. The Cardinals had a whole new team this year, but Worth County fought back for the win. For Worth County, they have won 10 out of their last 11 games dating back to last year.

With one out in the first, Payton Adwell dug one out and lined it into left center field for a hit and came around to score when Anna Gladstone hit a line drive that sliced away, aided by an east wind that blew everything towards the line. But it dropped on the line fair and Gladstone was in standing up with a double while Adwell scored.

North Andrew went 1-2-3 in the first, but Aeriel Rutherford hit a drive that caromed off centerfielder Anna Gladstone's glove, and she reached second. Despite the fact that the bottom of the order was coming up, that opened up the floodgates. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and then Shaylynne Carter got down a bunt that a charging Rachael Gardner picked up and threw to Payton Adwell behind the plate. Adwell tried to nail Rutherford in a rundown, but the throw hit her and she came home as Carter took second. Kalee Black singled and stole second and Haley Hunt fought the strike zone and proceeded to walk in two batters. Gabby Chambers singled in another run to make it 4-1, but then Anna Gladstone snared Allei Grace's fly ball and doubled off Kaylee Officer from second for a double play to get out of the inning. That meant that instead of Worth County down several runs with little chance to catch up, they were still in the game if they could stop the bleeding.

They settled down and got the Cardinals 1-2-3 and then got right back into the game with a two out rally in the third. Sidney Troutwine and Payton Adwell grounded out, but then Anna Gladstone beat out a slow roller to second to keep the inning alive. Haley Hunt walked and then Rachael Gardner singled in Gladstone. Kennedy Galanakis hit a carbon copy past short to score Hunt and the cutoff throw rolled a few feet away from short, allowing Gardner to take third. That was a big item as she came home on a wild pitch to tie it at 4.

Kaylee Officer singled in Atheah Roberts in the fourth to put North Andrew back up 5-4 before a rain delay shut down the teams for half an hour after the Tigers went in order in their half of the fourth. North Andrew looked to add to their lead as Rutherford singled, but then Shaylynne Carter was called out as she contacted the ball in play following a bunt and Kalee Black was called out on strikes. North Andrew had been solid in the field through four innings, but then Payton Adwell's fly ball caromed off the left fielder's glove in fair territory for three bases; she came home on a wild pitch to tie it at 5. Haley Hunt singled and the center fielder let it get by her as she cruised into second; she stole third and came home on a wild pitch, as Worth County scored yet another run with two outs to take a 6-5 lead. Five out of their first six runs were scored with two outs.

After the rain delay, Cardinal pitcher Aeriel Rutheford was fighting the strike zone; the slick ball made it challenging for both pitchers. Kaylee McElvain walked to start the sixth inning. Kristin New flied out, but Sidney Troutwine hit a fly ball that sliced away from the left fielder and landed in fair territory for a double to put runners on second and third. Payton Adwell grounded out to score McElvain and then Anna Gladstone roped a hard grounder fair past first and into the corner. She stretched a single into a double as Troutwine scored. Haley Hunt was plunked and then Rachael Gardner beat out an infield hit to short and Anna Gladstone once again made her daredevil style of baserunning count as she scored all the way from second for a badly needed insurance run to make it 9-5. Seven of Worth County's nine runs were scored with two outs.

North Andrew made things interesting in the seventh after Kaylee Officer tried to bunt, but Haley Hunt threw her out at first. She plunked Gabby Chambers and then walked Allei Grace on four pitches. Anna Gladstone's dash from second was huge as that meant that the tying run was still in the on-deck circle. The next at bat was a long one as Haley Hunt battled Aeriel Rutherford, who had hit the ball well all day. But finally, Hunt froze Rutherford on a 3-2 pitch for a called third strike to get to Shaylynne Carter. Carter went down in the count 0-2 and hit what would have been a screamer for extra bases, but it went foul past first. She then fouled off one more and then hit a pop fly that was pushed by the east wind just out of second baseman Victoria Moore's reach. But finally, Carter hit a slow roller that Moore easily fielded for the final out.


Obituary -- Alelia Bernice Fletchall 1918-2016

Alelia Bernice Fletchall was born December 20, 1918 in Allendale, Missouri to George and Velma Adams. She departed this life peacefully among her family on June 15, 2016 at the age of 97.

Bernice married Lowell Gay in 1936 and they had two sons, Darwin and George. They later divorced in 1939. She married Nelson Fletchall in 1946. He passed away in 2002.

Bernice is survived by her son George, and daughters-in-law Willamean Gay of Harrisburg, Oregon, Julia Gay of Grant City, Missouri, two stepsons: Virgil Fletchall and spouse of St. Joseph, Missouri, Frank Fletchall and spouse of Savannah, Missouri, two step-daughters: Shirley Henry of St. Joseph, Missouri, Linda Tracy and spouse of Kansas City, Missouri, a sister Pearlie Younkin of Eugene, Oregon; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Nelson Fletchall of Grant City, a son Darwin of Grant City, two sisters, a brother, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Bernice was an accomplished cook. She was a waitress and a restaurant owner in Grant City, and loved cooking for everyone who came to visit. She had many friends everywhere she went in Missouri and Oregon. She will be greatly missed by everyone.

Graveside Memorial Services and Interment will be Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grant City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home of Grant City, Missouri.

Monday, August 22, 2016

R.I.P. Smiley

Nobody knew exactly where Smiley came from. One winter day around 2008 or 2009, he came to the Worth County Care & Rehab Center. Some said he was a stray who found his way there. Others said he followed his master to the facility when he moved in, and stayed there for the rest of his days even after he passed. Others said he belonged to George Young at one point. But he was fed and spoiled by the residents, staff, and even visitors to the facility. He had not been doing well for the last two years, but he somehow lingered on until finally, he was put down this month. He was given a funeral at the facility that he chose to call home.

The following speech was from George Graham Vest, an attorney who would become Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903. In his younger days, he gave this speech defending a plaintiff who was suing someone for the killing of his dog. The following is the speech:

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

He was not the only dog to adopt a home. Ellen Wickert recounted that her dad went to the Lone Star School near Sheridan before it consolidated with the main building. His family had a dog that would follow him to school every day and sit quietly in the corner until the lessons were over and school was out. When her dad left school, the dog would follow his brother to school, and then later all the other kids. He was just as much a part of Lone Star as the kids were.

Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Charge

An Albany man pleaded guilty to a marijuana charge Monday in Worth County Associate Circuit Court. Chance Park (25) of Albany pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana; another charge was dismissed by Prosecutor David Baird. He was fined $300, with court costs of $114.50 and a payment plan fee of $25. He must make payments of $50/month starting September 22nd. He was given a 60 day suspended sentence, placed on probation for two years, and must undergo substance abuse evaluation by November 22nd.

The court received four other guilty pleas Monday. Scott Henry pleaded guilty to driving without a valid license. He was fined $119 in fines and costs, payable by September 6th.

Tyler Lorentz pleaded guilty to operating without a valid license, no seat belt, and failure to register. He was fined $119 for operating without a valid license, $10 for the seat belt, and $84 for failure to register, including court costs. He must pay in full by September 19th.

Brendan Moutray pleaded guilty to careless and imprudent driving involving an accident and no plates. He was fined $234, payable by September 22nd.

Maggie Ueligger pleaded guilty to driving while revoked and no seat belt. She was fined $300, with court costs of $114.50 and payment plan fee of $25. She was also fined $10 for the seat belt. She must make payments of $25/month starting September 22nd.

Worth County Sheriff's Report

8-15 – Officers working bailiff duty.
8-15 – Resident calls about a dog problem.
8-16 – Resident calls about ongoing dog problem.
8-16 – Person in needing VIN check.
8-17 – DOT calls about 169 highway to be closed for two hours south of Grant City at bridge.
8-17 – Division of Family Services and sheriff out on an investigation.
8-17 – Person in with statement on dog and chicken case.
8-18 – No reports.
8-19 – Person calls about 49CC scooter regulations.
8-19 – Report of hog out west of Grant City on 46; owner notified.
8-19 – Taylor County sending papers to be served.
8-19 – Report of reckless driving in Grant City.

Opinion -- Yes on the Missouri Park, Soils, and Water Sales Tax Renewal

by the Conservation Federation of Missouri
             When Brandon Butler moved to the Show-Me State, it didn't take the avid outdoorsman long to discover new places for his family to hike, camp and fish, including Missouri's state parks. But the Indiana native was shocked by what he found when he first pulled up to a state park.
"There was no one waiting there to charge me an entrance fee," said Butler, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and member of the Citizens Committee for Soil, Water and State Parks. "Back home in Indiana, they charge $7 per carload. When we lived out in Colorado, they charged up to $9 per car just to get in. I couldn't believe that Missouri's parks were free."
Butler soon learned that for more than 30 years, the citizens of Missouri have overwhelmingly supported a tax that allows anyone to visit any state park or historic site absolutely free of charge. This one-tenth-cent sales tax creates an efficient and effective revenue stream for both soil and water conservation efforts and operation of the state park system. Today, it annually generates about $90 million, which is equally distributed to the Soil and Water Tax Fund and the State Park Sales Tax Fund.
The Show-Me State was the first in the nation to pass such a tax, and its need was clear. In the early 1980s, Missouri's state parks and historic sites were quickly losing ground, lacking funds for even basic maintenance. Improvements to facilities - much less expansions - were but a pipe dream. Some parks even had to be closed for a time.
The situation for soil and water conservation was just as dire. Missouri's soil-erosion rate was the second highest in the nation, clogging waterways with choking sediment that impacted water quality for everyone living downstream. The very resource on which agriculture, the state's largest industry, depended was literally washing away.
Voters chose to begin solving these problems in 1984 when they passed the one-tenth-cent sales tax for an initial five-year period. Since then, it has been renewed three times - in 1988, 1996 and most recently in 2006.
Today, the successes that can be attributed to the Parks, Soils and Water Tax are clearly evident statewide. State parks and historic sites are now an integral component of Missouri's tourism industry and a favorite destination for "staycations."
Surveys indicate that nearly three-quarters of Missourians visit a state park at least once a year. In 2015, more than 19.2 million people visited state parks and historic sites generating an economic impact of more than $1.02 billion and supporting more than 14,500 jobs. The parks consistently earn a 97 percent approval rating from visitors.
The system has grown to include 88 state parks and historic sites. Since the tax was renewed in 2006, additions have included the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site, Current River State Park, Don Robinson State Park, Rock Island Trail State Park and, mostly recently, Echo Bluff State Park, which opened to the public on July 30.
Not only does the park system offer more destinations, but the amenities and services that visitors find have vastly improved as well. Camping nights at state parks are on the increase, no doubt in part to a growing number of options - from primitive camping and sites with full hook-ups to camper-cabins and yurts. There are more miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and interpretive programs about Missouri's natural and cultural resources fill the calendars at these destinations.
Likewise, the gains made in soil and water conservation have made Missouri a national model. Since 1984, it's estimated that programs supported by sales tax dollars have helped Missouri landowners keep more than 177 million tons of soil out of the state's lakes, rivers and streams.
"The volume of soil that we have saved since 1984 is just phenomenal," said Gary Vandiver, a farmer from Richmond and chairman of the Missouri Soil & Water Districts Commission. "We're not only protecting the soil and the cropland, we're protecting the streams and the rivers from continued degradation that's seen in a lot of other states that don't have a tax like ours."
Erosion rates have been cut in half since the initial passage of the sales tax, and since it was renewed in 2006, more than 61,000 conservation practices have been implemented through $348 million in cost-share grant projects.
"The sales tax provides critical funding for core functions that the department has responsibility for," said Sara Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. "It says a lot about Missouri citizenry when they know how important our natural resources and our state park system is that they would vote numerous times to approve a parks, soils and water sales tax designed to improve our resources throughout the state."
While much progress has been made during the past 30 years, there is still much to be done and momentum to maintain. In November, Missouri voters will consider a 10-year renewal of the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax. Dozens of agricultural, conservation and environmental organizations support renewal of the tax, including Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri State Parks Foundation, the Nature Conservancy and the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
"I've lived other places, and what Missouri has is a good thing," Butler said. "I say, let's keep a good thing going."
To learn more about 2016 Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax renewal, visit https://soilwaterparks.com/.

State Rep. Don Rone Requests Special Hearing to Examine the Impact of Dicamba Herbicide on Missouri Crops

State Rep. Don Rone has asked House Speaker Todd Richardson to allow the House Agriculture Committee to hold a special hearing to investigate the impact of the dicamba herbicide on Missouri crops. Rone said the herbicide has already caused irreparable damage to thousands of acres of farmland and cost growers in the Bootheel millions of dollars in lost crops. He wants the legislature to act quickly to look for solutions that can prevent additional damage to even more farm land in the state.

As Rone wrote in a letter to House Speaker Richardson, “I am sure you have been informed of the problem the Bootheel region is seeing with Dicamba and its effect on Missouri crops. The total ramifications of this herbicide on Missouri crops are as yet unknown; therefore I am requesting a special hearing of the House Select Committee on Agriculture to assess the problem. By expanding our knowledge on the issue, we can determine exactly how this will affect the growers of the Missouri Bootheel.”

Rone added, “As you are aware, agriculture is the state of Missouri’s number one industry; therefore the welfare of agriculture is of the utmost importance to both our economy and our citizens’ livelihoods. As leaders in our state, we must do everything possible to become knowledgeable in any and all things that could affect the industry.”

The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a warning regarding the illegal use of dicamba, which has not been registered by the EPA. Any current application of dicamba during the growing season is against the law. Missouri has already seen more than 100 complaints of dicamba misuse and more than 42,000 acres of crops have been infected.

Rone said he hopes to work with Speaker Richardson and state Rep. Bill Reiboldt, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, to schedule a hearing as soon as possible.

Worth County to Get Weather Text Alerts

August 15th Minutes
Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley brought the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Commissioner Ted Findley appointed Linda Brown to take the minutes in Clerk Owens absence. 

            Commissioner Regan Nonneman made a motion to approve minutes and agenda.   Commissioner Ted Findley      
            seconded.    All in favor, motion carried. 

            Treasurer Linda Brown presented the weekly balance sheet, payroll and bills.

             Commissioner Regan Nonneman made a motion to approve the payroll and bills. Commissioner Ted Findley  
             seconded. All in favor, motion carried. 

Gene Auten, County EMD reported that he checked with Northwest Cell to set up a Text Caster Page through them to set up a mass communication outlet. The only way to get this service free was to go through Gentry County. Gene wasn’t satisfied with doing that so he contacted Rosemary Walsh with Texcaster, the company that provides the service to Northwest Cell and they will give us an account for $500 a year.  We will be able to set up as many message groups as we like. People will need to sign up for the service, once it is all in place the county will be able to notify everyone in the county about upcoming weather alerts, emergencies, or any other information available. The commissioners decided to go with their own page. Gene will try to find sponsors for the yearly fee.  

Gene has been in contact with several companies about installing the new MOSWIN radio for the county. Howe Communication has been here to offer an estimate, and Midwest Mobile will be coming soon. 

Gene has the LEPC meeting set up for September 1st, he is working on the application for the LEPC funding. 

Sheriff, Terry Sheddrick introduced the new deputy Jason Cain to the commissioners.

The commissioner opened bids for the tuck pointing of the west side of the courthouse

Andrew Tuck Pointing-$76135.
Masonry Maintenance- $44760.
Karr Tuck Pointing     - $71914  

The commissioners contacted Randy from Masonry Maintenance about his bid.  Chevy made a motion to accept Andrew Tuck Pointing bid. Commissioner Regan Nonneman seconded.  Davidson aye, Nonneman aye, Findley aye. 

The commissioners discussed Simple Solutions lighting proposal. Commissioner Nonneman is going to call and ask about the contractor that will install them.  They will look at the proposal again next Monday.

Commissioner Regan Nonneman made a motion to adjourn at 12:15. Commissioner Chevy Davidson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.