MDC Warns Not to Burn Outdoor Debris

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people that strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions this time of year means extra caution is needed to avoid unexpected wildfires. According to MDC, a main cause of wildfires is improper burning of debris such as leaves or brush piles.

“It’s been drier and warmer than usual, which means fires could get out of control very quickly,” said MDC Fire Program Supervisor Ben Webster. “We want everyone to check weather conditions and be extremely careful when burning leaves or debris. Check with your local fire department regarding burn bans or Red Flag Warnings that may be in place because critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will shortly.”

Areas of Missouri have already seen an increase in wildfire activity over the last week, mainly in the southern half of the state. MDC staff have been working with other agencies and area fire departments to contain numerous wildfires.

Help Prevent Wildfires

A person who starts a fire for any reason is responsible for any damage it may cause. MDC urges landowners, hunters, campers, and others in the outdoors to help prevent wildfires and offers the following tips.

OUTDOOR BURNING: Don’t burn during wrong conditions. Dry grass, high temperatures, low humidity, and wind make fire nearly impossible to control. Check with local fire departments regarding burn bans or Red Flag Warnings that may be in place because critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will shortly.

DRIVING OFF ROAD: Wildfires can start when dry fuel, such as grass, comes in contact with catalytic converters. Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field. Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle. When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact, and no oil leaks are apparent. Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road. Check for the presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts.

MAKING A CAMPFIRE: Clear a generous zone around fire rings. Store unused firewood a good distance from a campfire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Keep campfires small and controllable. Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments.

CALL FOR HELP: Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.

REPORT FOREST ARSON: Wildfires are sometimes set by vandals. Help stop arson by calling 800-392-1111 and reporting any potential arson activities. Callers will remain anonymous, and rewards are possible.

For more information on preventing wildfires, go online to mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/wildfire-prevention.

Prescribed Fire Can Help

Wildfire can destroy property and threaten life, especially if it strikes in an overgrown or unmanaged area. However, careful use of prescribed fire can actually improve land health, help create habitat for wildlife, and protect life and property.

MDC and the Missouri Prescribed Fire Council promote the responsible use of prescribed fire as a natural resource management tool. Prescribed burning mimics the historical occurrence of fire that shaped our plant communities but is conducted under a prescription of specified environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction.

Landowners, land managers, and contractors can become certified prescribed burn managers through a self-paced three-hour online prescribed burn course followed by an all-day field exercise to demonstrate skills learned.

For more information on using prescribed fire as a land-management tool and becoming certified in prescribed burns, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/prescribed-fire.

Helping Rural Fire Departments

MDC supports about 700 rural fire departments around the state through tens-of-thousands of dollars in annual grant monies that help these small-town, mostly volunteer fire departments buy personal protective gear and firefighting equipment. Grant funds are used on everything from radios and other communication equipment to chainsaws, hoses, and hand tools. Funding for the program is provided by MDC and the U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.

Worth County April No Tax Increase Bond Issue

By Superintendent Chris Healy

Worth County R-III school board voted unanimously to place a no tax increase bond issue on the April 2, 2024 ballot. This ballot measure will ask voters permission to borrow $1,300,000 and the debt service levy of the district will remain unchanged. This money will be used to fund building improvements and maintenance. 

The projects will include constructing a secure hallway between the Agriculture building and the HS hallway, install LED lighting at the softball field and throughout the school, improve HVAC systems, improve visitor seating options at the football field, repair/replace roofs and gutters as needed, renovate and secure building entrances, acquire buses, and other repairs or improvements the district needs to the extent funds are available.

Missouri public school districts are limited on how much of their general revenue and savings that they can use on facility needs and projects. Usually, schools need to look for other sources of funding to be able to maintain and improve school building and grounds.

Borrowing money via a bond issue is a way to acquire funds that can be used for capital project needs. Currently, the district has just over $500,000 in the capital project fund that can be used for facility needs. The remaining portion of the district’s reserve must be spent on operating expenses of the district. 

This bond issue will put the district in a place

to be able to make needed repairs and improvements to the district facilities. The district’s facilities committee has identified these needs of the district and the school board has determined that an April ballot measure is the best way for the school district and community to feasibly maintain the facilities that are used by 280 students, their families, and the community. 

If this bond issue passes, Worth County R-III will remain the lowest levy out of the 14 area school districts and put the school in a position

to be able to make repairs and improvements, while using current revenues and savings to operate the school district’s day-to-day expenses.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the school by stopping by, calling 660-564-3389, or email Superintendent Chris Healy at chealy@wc.k12.mo.us. Go Tigers!

House Passes Bill to Address Rising Motor Vehicle Assessments

By Rep. Mike McGirl’s Office

The Missouri House has approved HB 2430, a bill sponsored by Representative Mike McGirl, which addresses concerns over the rising assessed values of motor vehicles. The legislation proposes adjustments to personal property assessment procedures, aligning them more closely with real estate practices, with the ultimate goal of potentially lowering personal property taxes for Missouri residents.

Under the current assessment procedures, determining the value of new construction or improvements to real property includes adding the assessed value of all improvements or additions initiated after the prior year's assessment. The bill specifically tackles the recent anomaly in vehicle value assessments by stipulating that any increase in value from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Official Used Car Guide from the previous year shall not be counted as new construction for personal property.

"This bill is a critical step towards addressing the challenges posed by the substantial increases in assessed values of motor vehicles in recent years,” Rep. McGirl, R-Potosi, said. “By aligning personal property assessment procedures with real estate practices, we aim to create a fairer and more accurate representation of property values, providing potential relief for our residents."

The proposed changes in HB 2430 would have a direct impact on Missouri’s property taxes. By incorporating personal property tax calculations into the rate levy certification process, the bill seeks to mitigate the effects of increased property values. When property evaluations rise, the levy is expected to decrease, thereby offsetting some of the property tax burdens on residents.

"Since January 2021, consumer prices, including vehicles, have increased 18% because of President Biden’s handling of the economy. Representative McGirl's  legislation seeks to address the dynamics of this inflationary cycle by adjusting the assessment procedures to adapt to changing property values. Property tax relief is a priority of the Majority Republican Caucus and we remain committed to delivering tax relief to Missourians,” House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said.

As HB 2430 progresses through the legislative process, further examination and consideration of its potential impact on taxpayers will be crucial. The bill now moves to the Missouri Senate for further deliberation and review.

Representative Mike McGirl, a Republican, represents Franklin and Washington counties (District 118) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. 

Quaker Oats Orders Massive Recall

On Wednesday, the FDA announced that Quaker Oats had recalled over 22 million cases of Quaker Oats granola bars and cereals due to the potential of Salmonella contamination. The company issued three news releases in December and January about the recall. 

Consumers can scan the SmartLabel QR code on the product package to determine if it has been recalled.

You can also visit www.quakerrecallusa.com to see if your product has been recalled.

This recall includes Quaker Chewy Granola Bars and Cereals, Cap’n Crunch Bars and select Cereals, Gamesa Marias Cereal, Gatorade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars, Munchies Munch Mix and Snack Boxes that include these products.

This recall does not include Quaker Oats, Quaker Instant Oats, Quaker Grits, Quaker Oat Bran, Quaker Oat Flour, or Quaker Rice Snacks.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Consumers should check their pantries for any of the recalled products and dispose of them. Additionally, consumers with any questions can contact Quaker Consumer Relations (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-800-492-9322.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection March 9th

The Nodaway County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Site will be open Saturday, March 9th, 2024, from 8:00 A.M. to Noon. The HHW Collection Site is located at the Nodaway County Maintenance Barn, 1516 East Halsey Street, Maryville, Missouri. 

Brochures are available online at www.nwmorcog.org. Residents of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth Counties are welcome to participate (ID required). There is no fee to drop-off. It is FREE for residents only. No commercial or business waste can be accepted. 

Examples of HHW include: household chemicals (bleach, ammonia, and cleaners) fertilizers, pesticides, brake fluid, transmission fluid, household waxes, Ni-cad, lithium, and lead acid batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, florescent tubes, antifreeze, oil base paint, and varnish. No latex paint accepted. Latex paint can be dried and put into the trash. Directions provided upon request.

Keep materials in the original container. Do not mix household hazardous wastes together.

For further information, contact Kirk Kopper at (660) 582-5121 ext 4 or email: solid@nwmorcog.org

Resurfacing on 169 to Start This Week

A project to resurface a portion of Worth County U.S. Route 169 is scheduled to begin this week. Herzog Contracting Corp., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will resurface and make side repairs from Missouri Route 146 to the Iowa state line starting Tuesday, March 5.

Resurfacing is anticipated to take place through the end of March. During this time, the roadway will be reduced to one lane with a pilot car guiding motorists through the work zone.  Once completed, crews will begin roadway side repairs and guardrail replacement. Traffic will be directed through these one-lane work zones by flaggers or temporary traffic signals.

All work is expected take place Sunday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. An 18-foot width restriction will be in place daily. This project is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.

All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change. Know before you go by visiting the MoDOT Traveler Information Map for work zone information and road conditions at http://traveler.modot.org/map/, or downloading from your smart phone’s app store.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

When visiting modot.org, sign up online for work zone updates. Information is also available 24/7 at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or by connecting with us on social media. 

Hawley Demands Answers on Mail Delays at Kansas City Facility

On Tuesday, February 27th, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, raising concerns over the United States Postal Service's (USPS) inconsistent mail service to Missourians in Kansas City and across the state. 

"Recent reports show Missourians are continuing to experience delayed mail delivery. Some have even allegedly stopped receiving mail altogether. This is unacceptable," wrote Senator Hawley.

He continued, "I encourage you to work with local post offices to ensure all necessary steps are taken to resolve this issue once and for all. Regular access to federal mail services through the USPS is a lifeline that keeps businesses open and families connected. It is crucial that Missourians can rely on USPS to carry out its essential services and provide the nation with reliable and affordable mail service."

In September 2022, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the USPS Inspector General, pushing for answers on reports of consistent mail service delays in the Kansas City Northland area.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee oversees the USPS.

Read the full letter below.

February 27, 2024

Mr. Louis DeJoy

Postmaster General

United States Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington, DC 20260

Dear Postmaster General DeJoy,

I write with concern over recent reports that the United States Postal Service (USPS) continues to provide inconsistent service to citizens of Kansas City and across the state of Missouri. I urge you to promptly address this issue in cooperation with local Missouri post offices.

Recent reports show Missourians are continuing to experience delayed mail delivery. Some have even allegedly stopped receiving mail altogether. This is unacceptable. On September 28, 2022, I sent a letter to USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Tammy Hull requesting an investigation and audit into a series of service complaints surrounding these inconsistent deliveries. But it seems that you have not fixed the problem.

On August 31, 2023, Inspector General Hull completed and published the report providing six recommendations to address inconsistent mail delivery. These include implementing plans to hire and retain employees, developing and implementing a plan to verify delayed mail, and requiring management to review package scanning performance at all postal facilities. These recommendations should be implemented so that Missouri residents can enjoy reliable delivery services.

I encourage you to work with local post offices to ensure all necessary steps are taken to resolve this issue once and for all. Regular access to federal mail services through the USPS is a lifeline that keeps businesses open and families connected. It is crucial that Missourians can rely on USPS to carry out its essential services and provide the nation with reliable and affordable mail service.

So that Congress can consider remedial legislation, please provide the following information by March 15, 2024:

1.) Do you agree with the recommendations from the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General?

2.) How is your office assisting the USPS Kansas-Missouri District and the USPS Midwest Division in implementing the recommendations made by the USPS Inspector General regarding improving mail delivery in the Kansas City area?

3.) What issues has the United States Postal Service experienced in implementing steps to correct inconsistent mail delivery?

Sincerely, 

Josh Hawley 

U.S. Senator