Worth County Sheriff's Report for June 13th, 2012

6-4 – Sheridan resident reports a stolen camera.
6-4 – Ringgold County calls about a stolen car.
6-5 – Received report of vandalism at Grant City residence.
6-5 – Report of vandalism or breakin at Grant City business. Officer investigating both incidents.
6-6 – Officer gets call of flowerpots stolen from Worth County business; recovered from roof of Hy-Vee.
6-6 – Resident reports stolen Vermeer hay bailer.
6-7 – Resident reports suspicious car on Kenwood Trail.
6-8 – Officer investigates domestic disturbance in Grant City.
6-9 – Report of horse out in Grant City.
6-9 – Person reports threatening phone call.
6-9 – Officer investigates 911 hangup; all OK.
6-9 – Officer investigates report of domestic disturbance in Sheridan; Missouri State Highway Patrol and Nodaway County deputies assist.
6-9 – Officers transport female to Ringgold County Jail.

Checking for termites can prevent big issues in the future

The mouth of a termite might be small, but an infestation can take a big bite out of a home if left undetected.

 

“They feed one bite at a time, but because there can be hundreds of thousands or millions in a colony, that damage can build up over months or years,” said Richard Houseman, an urban entomologist with University of Missouri Extension. “Termites are social insects like bees or ants, and so the combined effort of hundreds of thousands or millions of termites in the same colony can result in damage that threatens a homeowner’s most important investment.”

 

Termites tend to rear their off-white, translucent heads in spring. Spurred by warm, wet weather and the natural tendency of the winged stage of termites to swarm as they are led by queens to establish new colonies, termites look for new homes. All this movement means they can mosey into new territory.

 

That movement also means the search for new sources of food is on.

 

Houseman said that meal might start on a log, mulch or lumber near the foundation of a house and operate like a neon sign announcing the nearest bar or watering hole.

 

“Any kind of wood that’s in contact with the soil and up against your foundation is going to be a problem that risks a future termite infestation,” he said. “It might be surprising to find out that termites can penetrate a slab or a foundation of a home through cracks or gaps that are as small as 1/64 of an inch, about the thickness of a piece of paper.”

 

Four closely related species of termites exist in Missouri, but they all look very similar. The insects are usually about the size of a grain of rice, cream colored, with a dark, tannish head. Houseman said that finding one usually means thousands exist, coming from a colony that can easily contain 100,000 or more termites. It takes a lot to feed that many termites, so colonies send out workers who blindly search for sources of food.

 

“Termites feed first by breaking off little pieces of wood or other cellulose that’s dead wood typically, but they’ll feed on things like paper, cardboard or other things that are made from cellulose.”

 

Houseman said that most homeowners will one day deal with eliminating termites in their home. He said new houses usually have a 10-year reprieve since local termite populations are wiped out during construction. But that all changes with time.

 

“Research here in our lab shows that about 20 percent of homes in central Missouri are infested by termites by the time they’re 20 years old, and that number climbs to about 45 percent by the time they’re 30 years old and about 75 percent by the time they’re 40-50 years old,” Houseman said. “It’s almost impossible for any home to avoid being damaged by termites at some point.”

 

Homeowners need not despair. By looking for telltale signs, they can head off an infestation before serious damage occurs.

 

“If you’ve got a lot of mulch or other ground cover close to the siding or brick, if you live in kind of a wooded area, if you’re in a mature neighborhood, if your house is 5 years old or older, you could have them,” said Steve Hotsenpiller, owner of Steve’s Pest Control in Columbia. “Any kind of mud tunnels on the outside of your foundation are a sign of a termite problem. These are hollow shelter tubes that bridge the gap between soil and a food source that termites build to maintain a high moisture level in their body.”

 

Professional pest control companies can eliminate termite problems that have gotten out of hand with one of two options. Some, like Hotsenpiller, recommend a baiting system, where termites eat a tainted food. When those termites return to the colony, they spread the chemicals in this food source, killing affected termites and altering hormones in others to keep them from reproducing. These baits require proper placement in the path of mud trails so the insects find and eat it. Bait stations require periodic checks to replenish bait and guarantee effectiveness.

 

Liquid chemical applications are also effective. Typically these treatments are applied by soaking the soil around the foundation with insecticide to create a barrier against termite invasion. The insecticide gets on the termites that come in contact with the treated soil, and they carry the residues back to the colony on their bodies. As they are groomed by other termites in the colony, the termites die.

 

“Both approaches are effective at taking care of termite colonies,” Houseman said. “A baiting approach transfers the toxin around through feeding, and the liquid drench approach transfers the toxin around within the colony through grooming and touching each other.”

 

Homeowners can limit their risk by reducing food sources near the foundation of their homes.

 

“Wood piles close to the house, scrap wood, deck posts going into the ground – you want to eliminate as much wood going into the soil as possible around your house,” Hotsenpiller said. “We live in a climate where there’s as many as 20 colonies under an acre of ground and they’re just very active here.”

 

Mulch is also an area of concern. Experts say to keep it away from a foundation and follow mulching recommendation to minimize collected moisture.

 

“Mulch creates good soil conditions for termites, just like it creates good soil conditions for plants,” Houseman said. “It keeps the soil cooler and moist during the hot times of the year and keeps it warmer during the cool times of the year, and so termites are going to be more active under mulch beds and will then also be in close association with the foundation of your home. Keep mulch at a thickness of only 2 to 3 inches and make sure that the mulch doesn’t cover the bottom of the siding of your home so that you can see mud tubes if termites begin to invade.”

 

For more information, see the MU Extension publication “Subterranean Termites” (G7420), available for free download at www.extension.missouri.edu/g7420.

Missouri Farm Bureau Opposes Soil Dumping into the Missouri River

At a joint public hearing on June 11, 2012, Missouri Farm Bureau (MFB) President Blake Hurst testified before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Missouri Clean Water Commission (MCWC) concerning the Corps’ request for a water quality permit from the MCWC for modifications to the Jameson Island Chute located within the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to rectify problems with the chute’s current alignment.

“You have a critical decision to make; your actions will not affect just Jameson Island but also the construction of future chutes in Missouri,” Hurst said. “You are setting a precedent that goes beyond the box you’ve been put in today.”

In 2007, the Corps halted shallow water habitat (SWH) construction to allow for an independent scientific review of sediment management in response to concerns expressed by the MCWC.  The Corps is now seeking to resume SWH restoration efforts in Missouri. 

To correct the current alignment of the Jameson Island Chute, the Corps’ preferred alternative would involve constructing a new 6000-foot chute, excavated to 100 feet wide.  When the project is complete, approximately one million cubic yards of soil will have been pumped, or “integrated through natural river processes,” into the Missouri River bedload.

MFB opposes the dumping, or designed erosion of soil, into the Missouri River by the Corps and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the construction of chutes along the river.  The chutes, or shallow water ditches, are designed to increase habitat for the endangered pallid sturgeon.

“Our organization has serious reservations about the effectiveness of the chutes. There is not a consensus within the scientific community that they enhance the pallid sturgeon population.  This is simply an expensive experiment that contradicts common sense,” Hurst said. “At what point do we ask ourselves if the $4 million cost of this project modification is justified?  Or is the $3 billion cost of the Missouri River Recovery Program so important that every American should contribute $9.50?  The chutes do not stimulate fish nor should we be shouldered with a fish stimulus package.”

In addition to construction costs, Hurst expressed concern with ongoing maintenance costs. “How can we support the construction of new chutes when the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Program is underfunded on an annual basis?  And, can maintenance funds be assured given the uncertainty of the annual federal appropriations process?”

MFB advocates closing the existing chute at the top end and eliminating any further work on the project; however, in the absence of this choice, Hurst urged the MCWC to approve Alternative 3, which ensures the soil is side cast and not pumped into the Missouri River.

MFB led efforts to gather enough signatures to place the Soil and Water tax on the statewide ballot in 1984.  The 1/10 cent sales tax was approved in 1988, 1996 and more than 70 percent of voters supported the measure in 2006. An estimated 148 million tons of soil have been saved since its inception.

On May 22, the Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a press release stating the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its partners plan to invest $32 million in Mississippi River Basin water quality and wetlands projects.   The money, to be spent this year in financial and technical assistance, “will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and fish habitat.”

“There is a pattern here,’ Hurst said. “Federal and state government, landowners and even taxpayers are taking steps to reduce sediment loadings, while this project will intentionally increase them.  It is impossible to justify adding, or integrating through natural river processes, approximately one million cubic yards of soil to the Missouri River from this project.”

The public comment period on this issue will close on June 30, 2012. Send written comments on the project to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Missouri  65102. 

Flash drought still an issue despite recent rain relief

It’s been a pretty typical July, weather-wise, in Missouri. The only problem is it’s barely June, and high temperatures and lack of rain threaten damage to crops, pastures and lawns.

 

A University of Missouri climatologist said May, and now June, continued a weather trend that set records and prefaced an emerging drought most of the state faces.

 

“Back to back we’ve seen top 10 records for temperature highs and precipitation lows for Missouri, and we’re breaking various temperature records left and right across the state with a string of some very mild months,” said Pat Guinan, MU Extension state climatologist for the Commercial Ag Program.

 

The lack of rain is reaching a dire point for drought-stricken areas. In May, preliminary data indicated Missouri only averaged 2.30 inches of rain, ranking it as the eighth driest on record since 1895 for what is typically the wettest month of the year.

 

Temperatures brought no relief either. Running about 5 degrees above normal, the 70-degree average will likely fall in the top five warmest May periods on record for the state.

 

When climatologists look at spring – from March to May – it’s just one record-breaking event after another.

 

“It was our warmest spring on record, which blew the previous record set in 1977 out of the water by 3 degrees,” Guinan said. “That’s significant because typically you break a monthly or seasonal record by a smaller margin.”

 

You can see this impact in the field.

 

MU Extension specialists across Missouri observed uneven soybean stands and corn fields where leaves roll from lack of moisture and heat, both signs of drought stress. Pastures and lawns also have that characteristic “crunch” when walked upon due to the browned, dead or dormant grass needing a drink.

 

Southeast Missouri began experiencing the dryness in April, but it has since spread across the rest of the state. especially after the first week of May.

 

“It’s called an Omega block, where the upper level pressure pattern takes the shape of the Greek Omega character,” Guinan said. “If you look at a synoptic map of the upper air patterns over the past few weeks, you see a high pressure ridge across the center of the U.S. and trough-like areas of low pressure in the east and west, literally looking like an Omega.

 

This typifies a blocking pattern, keeping clear skies and little precipitation in the middle part of the country.

 

Missouri is not alone, with neighboring states starting to feel the scourge of drought. Portions of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois also saw these dry conditions emerge, with a flash drought impacting much of the middle of the U.S.

 

Historically, a dry May in Missouri doesn’t promise for a good outlook for the rest of the growing season.

 

“If you have a very dry May, generally the following summers tend to be hotter and drier than normal,” Guinan said. “When you look at the top 15 driest May months on record, only two of the subsequent summers saw precipitation average more than 1 inch above normal.”

 

The accompanying heat with low humidity also means that evaporation from soils and transpiration from plants accelerates, making the drying out process speed up. This warm weather continues a trend that climatologists have documented for the past year.

 

“Over the past 12 months there’s only been one month with below normal temperatures, and that was September 2011,” Guinan said. “When you crunch the numbers it’s unprecedented; we haven’t seen a warmer 12-month period, starting last June, since 1895.”

 

While some rain came through parts of Missouri Monday, significant amounts are needed to replenish water resources above and below the ground. Guinan joins many in hoping more rain will come.

 

“Hopefully we will see a change and a wetter pattern that sets up soon, because things are going to go downhill very quickly if we don’t.”

Graves Primary Opponent says House Leadership Promoting “Fiscal Carnage”

Bob Gough, Republican Candidate for the Missouri Sixth Congressional District and primary opponent to Sam Graves, addressed the Kansas City Pachyderm Club last Tuesday describing his campaign and the increase of the federal debt by $2.1 trillion last summer.
Gough stated that "Obama used the politics of fear and division to create ruinous debt that must be repaid by our children and grand-children. A federal debt of 16 trillion dollars is unsustainable and we are now at the point of having to borrow money just to pay the interest on money already borrowed. But Obama and Congress doubled-down on our existing debt to increase our debt by 2.1 trillion dollars.
"Our Sixth Congressional Representative voted for this huge debt limit increase. Now, House Speaker John Boehner is conducting a new campaign to again increase our national debt limit in December or January of next year. The Sixth District needs an independent Representative that will say 'no' to more debt limit increases."
Gough said that our Representative is a team player with Speaker Boehner who supports President Obama on fiscal issues. He said that he would not be a team player when our leadership is promoting fiscal carnage caused by debt.
The newly redrawn Sixth Congressional District is the largest Congressional District in Missouri. It comprises the Northern one-third of the State of Missouri. The District includes the Kansas and Nebraska border on the West, North to the Iowa border, and East to the Illinois border.

Doing God's Work for June 13, 2012

Wednesday, Pastor Sue dropped by while making preparations to go to Springfield to the Annual Conference. They had a special ceremony for those retiring from the ministry. Pastor Sue and Wilbur came home Saturday. I pray that Travis can get excited about this upcoming year by being at the Conference.
A small surprise party was on tap after we same some favorite hymns for a birthday celebration for Evelyn Hansen. Special thanks to those who dropped by. Praises to God for allowing us to fellowship and lift others up in prayer.
All Worth County parishes will join in one service at Grant City United Methodist Church Sunday, June 17th at 10:30 a.m. Following services, there will be a Potluck Retirement Party for Pastor Sue. On the 24th, Ravenwood UMC will host a retirement party for Pastor Sue.
Prepare to go to the Mozingo Lake for a great worship and picnic with six churches July 1st. It will be the passing of the torch to the new minister, Janis Tobias. I am sure all of us have mixed feelings as we have grown close to Pastor Sue during her services to the area United Methodist Churches.
It will take place at the Host Lions Shelter at Lake Mozingo. Bathrooms and playground equipment are nearby. We are to bring to the worship service a covered dish or dessert, table service, and a lawn chair. Each church brings as follows: Denver, napkins, paper plates, paper towels. Grant City, condiments (mustard, catsup, relish), charcoal, and starter fluid. Hopkins, hot dogs and hot dog buns. Pickering, hamburger for 75-100. Ravenwood, drinks, ice, trash bags. Sheridan, Hamburger buns for 75-100, waterless soap and/or liquid soap.
It is a busy time of year and many opportunities to serve the Lord in and out of church. Sheridan UMC women are busy preparing for Old Defiance Bake Sale Saturday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. Make plans to visit us. God bless you this week. See you in church at Grant City Sunday!

County Commission Minutes -- County Makes Appointments to Local Emergency Planning Committee

Presiding Commissioner Findley called the meeting to order at 9:06 am.

1.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman reported the gas prices as $3.299 and diesel as $3.699   
2.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman made a motion to approve the minutes and agenda. Commissioner Dennis Gabbert seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
3.    Treasurer Linda Brown presented the weekly balance sheet.
4.    Richard Supinger dropped of a check for the county salvage.
5.    Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger report: Tammy reported on County Market Day. There is a chiropractor wanting to come to Grant City one day a week if he can find a building. She has three students working in her new work study program called Worth County Works.
6.    Jim Fletchall, Road and Bridge Foreman Report:
    CR 101/220th Rd on the South edge of Worth needs a tube. It is in the City Limits but the County maintains the roadway. Commission approved the tube and maintenance rock.
    CR 100/Juniper Ave need seeded and mulched right away. Commission agreed and Commissioner Ruckman will mulch the area as soon as he can.
    The good mix of rock has been used from Norris Aggregate. They will check with Schildberg Quarry.
    Fletchall requested the purchase of a pickup to haul gas to the graders with.
    Tires for the grader are bad. Requested and was granted approval to purchase 6 new tires.
7.    Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to adjourn to lunch and inspection of rock at 12:20.  Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

               Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley opened the afternoon session of the meeting at 4:35. Clerk Roberta Owens was attending a meeting with Governor Candidate Dave Spence. In her absence the Commission appointed Linda Brown to take minutes.

8.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman gave Clerk Owens a list of roads that were inspect. They inspected CR 249/150th Rd to look at the gravel from Schildberg Quarry. Other roads inspected include 111,119,123,124,126,135, and 281.
9.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman called Schildberg Quarry to check on gravel prices and hours of operation.
10.    Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to start hauling gravel from Watterson/Schildberg Quarry until the quality of the gravel improves at Norris Aggregate. Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
11.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman made a motion to appoint Melody Hawk fro Sure-Gro to the Fixed Facility position of the Local Emergency Planning Committee Board. Commissioner Dennis Gabbert seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
12.    Commissioner Rob Ruckman made a motion that if Mike Hall will accept he will be appointed to the Worth County Convalescent Center position of the Local Emergency Planning Committee Board. Commissioner Dennis Gabbert second. All in favor, motion carried.
13.    Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to appoint Commissioner Rob Ruckman as the Elected Official of the Local Emergency Planning Committee Board. Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
14.    Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to appoint Bridget Gibson to the New Media position of the Local Emergency Planning Committee Board. Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
15.    Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to adjourn at 5:20. Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.