Hunting Seasons and Safety

Brandon Lyddon, Conservation Agent

September is the month in Missouri when several hunting seasons open. The dove hunting season opens Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 29. The teal duck season opens Sept. 7 and closes Sept. 22. The deer and turkey archery season opens Sept. 15 and closes Nov. 15 for the Nov. firearms portion of the deer season. Hunting regulation booklets can be found online at www.mdc.mo.gov, at permit vendors, and at MDC offices. 

To continue to keep hunting one of the safest outdoor activities, remember the top four safety rules. 1. Always point the firearm muzzle in a safe direction. 2. 100% identify your target and what is beyond it. 3. Keep your safety on until you are ready for a safe shot. 4. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. 

According to the International Hunter Education Association, out of the 11.5 million hunters in the U.S., in an average year fewer than 1,000 hunting related shooting incidents occur. Due to the mandatory hunter education programs and safety regulations like blaze orange, hunting incidents have declined significantly over the last 50 years. 

To report conservation violations, you can contact Conservation Law Enforcement Agents directly (numbers on MDC website and in the fall/spring deer/turkey regulation booklets) or by calling the county or state dispatch center. You can also call the OGT (Operation Game Thief) 24-hour hotline at 1-800-392-1111, you can remain anonymous, and rewards are possible.

State Sales Tax Holiday August 2nd to 4th

Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 4. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing, and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from all state and local sales tax.

During the sales tax holiday, state and local sales tax will not be charged on the following items:

Clothing that does not have a taxable value of more than $100. Eligible clothing items include any article of apparel intended to be worn on or about the body, including footwear and disposable diapers for infants or adults. Cloth and other material used to make school uniforms or other school clothing are also included. Not included are watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, or belt buckles;

School supplies, not exceeding $50 per purchase, that are used in a standard classroom for educational purposes. School supplies include, but are not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, chalk, maps, globes, handheld calculators, graphing calculators that do not have a taxable value of more than $150, and computer software that does not have a taxable value of more than $350. Not included are watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers or other office equipment, furniture, or fixtures; and

Personal computers that do not cost more than $1,500 and computer peripheral devices that do not cost more than $1,500. A personal computer can be a laptop, desktop, or tower computer system which consists of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, a display monitor, and a keyboard. Peripheral devices include items such as a disk drive, memory module, compact disk drive, daughterboard, digitizer, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, multimedia speaker, printer, scanner, single-user hardware, single-user operating system, soundcard, or video card.

Anyone who makes a qualified purchase may participate in the holiday. You do not have to be a Missouri resident or student to participate and save.

 

Grant City Council Appoints Building Inspectors, Commissioner for Abandoned Homes

The City of Grant City is moving forward with plans to get rid of abandoned homes and clean up the town. The city learned that in order to move forward on condemning unlivable properties, the city needs to have building inspectors and a building commissioner. Mayor Debbie Roach appointed Carl Staton, Tyson Troutwine, Ryan Fletchall, and Riley Jones as building inspectors, with the understanding that if a property is questionable, an engineer will be hired to do an inspection. Roach appointed Lizzie Jeanes as Building Commissioner.

The Grant City Council held their regular council meeting on July 23rd. City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes reported that there were changes to laws that could possibly affect vacant properties and the cleanup process. She found out about two different funding programs. The EPA could possibly complete phase two on the Masonic Lodge on the east side of the Square, since the DNR has run out of funding to complete that. There is also FEMA grant money available for a community storm shelter.

Worth County Collector Jessica Davidson sent the city a proposed contract to collect city taxes through the county. The County commission would be 2% and the Collector’s commission would be 3%. The city will review the contract with the attorney before approval.

Rachel Brown of the Worth County Prevention Coalition spoke about an upcoming event at the City Park on August 13th. The city waived the $25 permit fee, since they are just getting started. She informed the council that the Prevention Coalition would put the community garden at the Doc Swift Park next year; for this year, they are keeping up the garden at Head Start. They will apply for an Extension Grant next year.

The council approved a request from Gwanda Harker to hold a second anniversary celebration for the Dusty Cowgirl for September 21st. 

The city found more information about the sewer lines on Lover’s Lane. None of the houses whose service lines run through Gary Owens’ property have easements; they cover the mains only, not the service lines. The city is looking into using remaining ARPA funds for a sewer main to eliminate the service lines crossing Gary Owens’ property.

The city found out that the cost of a digital welcome sign to replace the one on the east end of Grant City would cost between $26,000 and $54,000. The city got estimates for a metal sign similar to the one on the west side of town. Nathan Creveling bid $3,700 and M&M Design bid $4,479. The city council voted 3-1 to approve Creveling’s bid.

Ryan Fletchall reported that the city had done a sewer tap for Dave and Kathy Cavanaugh and worked on a water line. He reported that the duck weed at the lagoon was dead.

Carl Staton reported that the city took out two gas lines for houses that are going to be coming down soon and they have two more to take out soon.

Tyson Troutwine requested a load of cold mix for chip and seal; the council approved. He reported that city brush cleanup went well, and that they fixed a spot in front of the title company building, and replaced a tube at the school.

The council voted to donate $100 to the Tri-County Health Department for educational materials. 

DOT to Conduct Public Hearing Concerning Future of I-229 Bridge

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing will be held at the Remington Nature Center – 1502 MacArthur Drive St. Joseph, MO 64505, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Daylight Savings Time. All interested persons will be allowed to be heard concerning their views on the design and construction of the Interstate 229 Double-Decker Bridge, St. Joseph, concerning the economic and social effects of such design, its impact on the environment, and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. An open-house format will be used, and people may discuss the project.

The presently contemplated improvement is as follows:

With the preferred alternative, the double-decker bridge is removed and replaced with a new four-lane arterial road constructed at-grade (elevated as necessary for compliance with floodplain and stormwater requirements) in generally the same location as the existing double-decker bridge between the railroad tracks and the Missouri River. Access to downtown would only be provided at 4th Street and a new interchange at US Route 59 (St. Joseph Avenue). This alternative would require the de-designation of I-229 as an interstate.

Copies of the Environmental Assessment document, can be found on the project website at: https://www.modot.org/stjoe229 or by visiting MoDOT’s Northwest District Office at 3602 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO, 64506. Written comments will be accepted until ten days after the hearing (Attn: I-229 Environmental Assessment, 3602 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO, 64506).

We are committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. Access for people with disabilities is available. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Northwest District Communications Manager Jenna Keyes at Jenna.Keyes@modot.mo.gov by Aug. 8, 2024.

Donald Parker 1937-2024

Donald Lee Parker, 86, of Conception Junction, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Worth County Convalescent Center, Grant City, Missouri.

Donald was born on November 20, 1937, in Emporia, Kansas, to Roy and Margaret (Heaney) Parker.  They preceded him in death.  He was also preceded by his sister, Helen Dickey.

He graduated from the Wentworth Military Academy, in Lexington, Missouri.  He then attended college in Ft. Collins, Colorado, before joining the United States Marine Corps.  

He retired as a Major from the Marines after 14 years of service.  Later he earned his BS degree in Geology from the University of Missouri/Kansas City.    

He lived several years in California before moving to Kansas City, and later settled in Conception Junction, Missouri.

On September 20, 1997, Donald was united in marriage to Geraldine (Gerry) Hilsenbeck, and she survives of the home.

Other survivors include his children, Adam Lee (Jennifer) Parker, Overland Park, Kansas, Laura (Doug) Floersch, Olathe, Kansas, Melissa Parker, Hilo, Hawaii, and his stepchildren, Terri (Tom) McBrien, Conception, Missouri, JR (Paula) Bradshaw, Maryville, Missouri, Lisa Nielson, Maryville, Missouri, Christi Bradshaw, Maryville, Missouri, and Melissa (Mike) Wilmes, Conception Junction, Missouri, 18 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

Mr. Parker has been cremated under the care of the Bram Funeral Home, Maryville, Missouri.  Services will be at a later date.  

Memorials are suggested to the American Legion Post 464, Conception Junction, Missouri, or a charity of the donors choice.  

Obituary -- Frederick Holtman

Frederick Gene Holtman, Stanberry, MO, passed away on July 22, 2024, at Mosaic Hospital in Saint Joseph, MO. 

He was the son of Colton and Jenice (Bartlett) Holtman.       

Frederick was preceded in death by his grandfather Frederick Holtman, great grandparents Bill and Marie Schwebach, great grandparents Lawrence and Pauline Holtman, great grandfather Ray Bartlett, and great grandfather Carl Ellis.   

Frederick will be mourned by his parents and two brothers Grayson and Barrett Holtman of the home. Grandmother Nancy Holtman, Conception Jct., grandparents Mike and Tonya Bartlett, Bethany, MO, great grandmother Sharon Bartlett, Bethany MO, and great grandmother Emily Ellis, Stanberry MO.

Frederick will also be mourned by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.   

There will be a private family service for Frederick at a later date.     

Arrangements are under the direction of Bram Funeral Home.

North Nodaway Approves Lori Baldwin as Substitute Teacher

The North Nodaway School Board, at their regular meeting Wednesday, voted to name Lori Baldwin as a substitute teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.

The board voted to declare the old elementary playground equipment as surplus property.

The board set the out of district tuition rate for the upcoming school year at $13,478.30.

The board set the tax rate hearing for August 21st, 2024 at 5:45 pm.

The board voted to sign an agreement with Courtney Koch to provide mental health services to the district at least one day per week during the upcoming school year, including participating in IEP and Section 504 meetings as appropriate. The funding will be paid for by a grant. 

Principal Heather Townsend reported on the progress in the projects for summer. Painting is completed, gym floors have been refinished, cafeteria floors and the wood floors to the old main entrance have been refinished, and landscaping changes on the exterior have started.

Teachers have been enrolled in the LETRS program and will be starting either Volume I or II. Teacher schedules have been finalized. New teachers will attend Character Strong training at the Mozingo Conference Center.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that there was a busy summer of students attending summer athletic programs. Preparations have been made for registration, Back to School night, and 6th grade orientation. 

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the annual audit for the school is scheduled for July 31st. 

Projects that need to be completed before the school starts:

–Lockers will arrive the beginning of August.

–Fencing at the elementary will start the week of July 22nd.

–Carpeting at the high school is in progress.

–Dirt work will start on the new playground equipment in the next few weeks.

–Installation of the high school bathroom partitions is in progress.

Bo Hansen, Troy Nally, Teresa Thompson, Corey Everhart, and summer student helpers Blaine Clements, Ridge Clements, and Ty Moyer have been doing a lot of work on the summer projects.

Buses are being taken to be inspected.

Platte Valley football camp will be taking place the end of this month, and it will be at the Hopkins field due to renovations at the South Nodaway field. They will attend team camps at Tarkio and Albany. The North Nodaway school is still looking for a coach to help with the program.

Bus training is scheduled for August 12th. All bus drivers must have eight hours of training annually.

The school is seeking a staff development grant that would help any non-certified staff or project coordinators with tuition to become a teacher.

Registration will be August 8th at the school. New staff orientation will be August 9th.

The school got a letter from the Missouri Department of Education stating that the school meets the requirements and purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The US Department of Education had previously notified the state that it met the requirements and purposes of the IDEA. The state scored the district a 4, which is the highest score the school can receive.