Donald Heaton Named Music Teacher; Sean Thrum New Girls BB Coach; All Coaches Retained

Donald Heaton was named new Music Teacher for the Worth County School by the School Board following their regular Board of Education Meeting May 19th and a closed session. Sean Thrum was named to a Probationary Teaching contract and named head varsity girls basketball coach by the board. These hirings are contingent on approved background check and proper certification.

The board accepted resignations from Cassie Gilland as math teacher and Will Stewart as bus driver.

The board voted unanimously to retain all coaches who wished to return for the 2015-2016 school. Retained as head football coach was Chris Healy; he will be assisted by Jon Adwell. Retained as head boys basketball coach will by Bryce Schafer. Mr. Thrum will be assisted by Tiffany Bliley. Chris Healy will be head boys track coach while Janice Borey will continue to be head girls track coach; they will be assisted by Jon Adwell. Dave Gilland will continue to be head girls softball coach; the school is now looking for an assistant with the resignation of Cassie Gilland. Todd Simmons will continue to be head boys golf coach and Janice Borey will continue to be head girls golf coach. Abbey Hern will continue to be the cheerleading coach.

At the junior high level, Todd Simmons will continue to coach boys basketball, while Josh Smith (FFA) will continue to coach the junior high girls. Chris Healy will coach junior high boys track, while April Healy will continue to coach junior high girls track. Josh Smith (FFA) will continue to coach football; named as his new assistant was Cody Green. Bryce Schafer was named as junior high girls softball coach, while Tiffany Bliley will be his assistant.

For school clubs and organizations, Donald Heaton will be in charge of instrumental music and vocal music. Merry Spiers will be in charge of annual as well as both junior high and high school academic bowl. Nancy Drury will be in charge of musical, Dr. Matt Martz in charge of student council, Angela Weddle in charge of concession stands, April Healy will continue to be in charge of FBLA, Josh Smith will continue to be in charge of FFA, and Jonell Cook will continue to be in charge of FCCLA. Named to direct the Flag Corps will be Nanci Drury. Jeannie Fletcher will do football field prep.

The school hires 5-6 people every year to help with summer custodial support. Hired this year were Jina Jackson, Beth Martz, Abbey Porter, John Thurman, and Angela Weddle.

$30 Million Available for New Food Product Lines

(USDA) -- Rural Development State Director Janie Dunning announced that USDA is making $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.  

"Farmers and ranchers are creative people who, with a little help, can put that creativity to work and improve the bottom line for their operations," Vilsack said. "Value-Added Producer Grants enable them to develop new product lines to grow their businesses and expand their contributions to our nation's economy. This support is especially important for beginning farmers, military veterans engaging in farming and smaller farm operations participating in the local and regional food system."

VAPG grants can be used to develop new product lines from raw agricultural products or additional uses for already developed product lines. Military veterans, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants that propose mid-tier value chain projects are given special priority in applying for VAPGs. Additional priority is given to group applicants who seek funding for projects that "best contribute" to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for these type of operators.

“Pursuing new markets and expanding product offerings is important in any industry. Obviously, agriculture is no different,” said Missouri Rural Development State Director Janie Dunning. “The VAPG program offers the opportunity for our state’s agricultural producers to determine the feasibility of new product offerings. Increased economic activity, at any level, is essential for the vitality of our rural communities.”

Since 2009, USDA has awarded 853 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $104.5 million. Approximately 19 percent of the grants and 13 percent of total funding has been awarded to beginning farmers and ranchers. During the 2013-2014 funding cycle, nearly half of VAPG awards went to farmers and ranchers developing products for the local food sector. Value-Added Producer Grants are a key element of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's work on local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified local and regional food systems as one of the four pillars of rural economic development.

Congress increased funding for the VAPG program when it passed the 2014 Farm Bill. That law builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers.

For more information on Value-Added Producer Grants contact (573) 876-9321 or email nathan.tutt@mo.usda.gov. The deadline to submit paper applications is July 7. Electronic applications submitted through grants.gov are due July 2. 

Eleven Make Northwest Honor Rolls

Eleven area students made the Northwest Missouri State University Honor Rolls during the Spring Trimester. From Denver, Todd Harding made the President's Honor Roll. Grant City had six honorees -- Cassie Carter (Academic), Alaina Freeman (Academic), Brooke Gilland (President's), Cody Green (President's), Rebecca Moore (Academic), and Adam Summers (Academic). Parnell had one -- Stephanie Farmer (Academic). Ravenwood had three honorees -- Kerrigan Adwell (Academic), Steve Schulte (President's), and Jenny Seipel (Academic).

Worth County Extension Council Minutes

Members in attendance: David Hunt, Julie Tracy, Jessica Davidson, Chevy Davidson, Mary Kay Hunt, Sherri Runde, David Seat, and CPD Jerry Baker. The meeting was called to order by David Hunt. Jerry asked for an amendment to the agenda to include 4-H/FFA Livestock Show under New Business. Motion made by Chevy to approve the amended agenda. Seconded by Mary Kay. All yes. No visitors present at the meeting.

Motion made by Chevy to approve the previous meeting minutes as sent. Seconded by David. All yes. The budget sheet presented to the county commissioners was reviewed. Julie presented the financial report and current bills. Bills were the normal business ones. The current balance of the expendable gift account is $43,281.09. Motion by Chevy to receive and file the financial report for audit and to pay the current bills. Sherri seconded. All yes.

Jessica reported on a fundraising activity for BAM (Bicycle Across Missouri). As of 4-17-15 there were 915 preregistered. She will need volunteers to help. Sam’s Club has watermelon slicers on the shelf, Jessica will look into purchasing one for use.

Chevy contacted Chris and Ashley Cadle to be the Worth County State Fair Farm Family for 2015. It coincided with Iowa State Fair and they will not be able to attend. He is currently talking to Daniel Gladstone and Jason Rinehart on their interest in attending. Rod and Dawn Brown may also consider this opportunity.

The YPA position will be officially opened for application until May 5th. The deadline can be extended if no applications are received. Those wanting to apply must submit an online application through the University. The position opening will be placed in the local paper. Jerry was missing his papers for Council Trainings, which will be covered at the next meeting.

Miranda and Jerry have both completed their Affirmative Action Training. This mandatory training focus is on what you can/cannot say or do in a program/presentation/print. Jerry reported there are a lot of people retiring from the University. In his staff report, he highlighted that he participated in the Atchison Co. Government Day. At this time, Jerry also discussed an article in the April 27th St Joseph News Press entitled “Next Generation.”

Julie had brought to our attention that other counties were having a program for “Women in Ag.” She had had a few people asking about the program. Jerry will explore this programming opportunity.

Jerry brought to our attention that the Missouri Cattleman’s Association have an 18” x 30” liability sign that would be beneficial to the 4-H/FFA Livestock Show. This would be an additional advisory notice about personal responsibility/liability when around livestock. The signs are offered in two styles, aluminum and polyethylene. They were priced (with shipping) at $45 and $28, respectively. Motion by Chevy to purchase the aluminum sign for $45. Seconded by David Seat. All yes.

Motion by Julie to move the next scheduled meeting, which is Memorial Day, to June 1st at 7:00 pm. Seconded by Chevy. All in favor. Motion passed.

It's (Still) Cool to be a Royals Fan -- Team Makes the NY Times Again

The Royals, after two decades of futility, finally righted the ship over the last three years and stand at 28-18 at this writing despite their recent slump. At the end of last year's season, with the Yankees dropping out of the Wild Card race, the New York Times did several different articles on the Royals as they were closing in on their first post-season appearance since 1985.

This year, the Yankees and Mets both started off strong, sparking hopes of a subway series; however, they have recently faded back to .500 and back into the realm of the ordinary. So, the Times did yet another piece on the Royals, this time about their announcer, Ryan Lefebvre along with their sports marketing department. The Royals, with their recent run of success, have seen their nightly TV viewership rise from 28,000 to 113,000. The Yankees have gone in the opposite direction, with attendance slightly down at Yankee Stadium and viewership down to 198,000 on TV.

This is not the only time the Times Sports Department has gone off on a tangent in the face of futility from its teams. From January to March of this year, their Knicks beat writer, Scott Cacciola, was given a sabbatical by his bosses from covering the Knicks, which were one of the most underachieving teams in the NBA this year. They were so bad that their leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, shut it down due to injuries after the All Star Break. Mr. Cacciola's column, appropriately enough, was entitled "Not the Knicks." It is an outstanding compendium on how basketball ought to be played. It was telling that he found a Division II women's game between Emporia State and Missouri Western in St. Joseph more entertaining than what passed for basketball this year at Madison Square Garden.

Back in college, we sat in a Coaching Basketball class taught at Northwest by then-Mens coach Steve Tappmeyer, and we talked one day about the vaunted Sports Illustrated Jinx. Based on what we talked about in his classes, we think that there is a basis in The Jinx. In a nutshell, one of Tapp's main theories, which he always preached to his players in practice, teams do well and reach a state of mind where they think they have it made and relax. And getting on the cover of Sports Illustrated is one of the biggest symbols of having it made. The Royals have trended on Twitter before this year, particularly when other teams were plunking them at a record pace and the Royals thought they were doing it on purpose to get them out of their rhythm. The challenge for the Royals this year will be to maintain their high level of play without getting into a "comfort zone" that they have it made and can relax.

New Faces at City of Grant City: Chapman on Grant City Council; Caleb Moyer is Water Superintendent

Two new faces will be at Grant City Council meetings. Caleb Moyer is now the Water Superintendent, replacing Greg Miller, who voluntarily stepped aside and who still works on the city crews. Michael Chapman agreed to serve and was sworn into the Grant City Council in April following the municipal elections. He replaces Dennis Downing, who did not seek reelection this year. With nobody filing, Mr. Chapman received enough write-in votes to win the election.

The council voted to set its sewer rates at 65% of water, or a minimum of $14.20 per month. Mayor Debbie Roach said that the city did not anticipate any future rate increases at this time.

The DNR signed the new permit for the city. They will now require the city to test their system weekly instead of monthly.

Water Superintendent Caleb Moyer reported that he had brushed the lagoon, flushed water lines, got the pool ready, and put in a new lifeguard chair. A leak at the pumphouse was fixed. He reported that water levels at the lagoon were high due to recent rains.

There will be at least 1,000 bikers coming for the Big BAM event that will pass through Grant City, Sheridan, and Allendale on Tuesday, June 23rd. This will not include family members and support crew for the event. There will be a BAM meeting on Wednesday June 3rd at 5:00 at Grant City Hall, where a representative from Missouri Life, which organized the event, will be on hand to answer questions. BAM will furnish signage along the route in rural parts, while communities will furnish signage during towns. They will also provide a water station along with a first aid tent. The city of Grant City is still seeking food vendors for the event; there has already been interest expressed. Portable restrooms will be available. A band will perform in Grant City from 12 to 4.

The Grant City Pool will open as soon as the weather permits. This week has seen unseasonably cool weather, with temperatures only reaching 51 degrees on Wednesday. Councilwoman Cathy James said that the pool generally sells around 40 pool passes per year. Rates were set this year at $100 for a family pass, $50 for single season passes, and $4 for a day pass. Moyer said that the city plans to patch the baby pool.

Spring cleanup will be June 6th, while brush cleanup will be on June 4th all day and on June 5th until noon. Mayor Debbie Roach asked all people living along the BAM route to mow to make their properties more attractive.

There will be a special City Council meeting on June 4th at 7 pm at City Hall.

Lights have been put up on the welcome sign on the east side of town.

Reagan Drury and Dora Martz of the Worth County Student Council reported that student organizations were planning a teambuilding event sometime in August and honor 9/11.

Obituary -- Patricia Ann Mincy 1957-2015

Patricia Ann Mincy was born October 17, 1957 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to John Lee and Janice Yvonne (Lane) Fleming. She passed away May 20, 2015 at her home in Grant City, Missouri at the age of 57.

     

Patricia graduated from Commerce City, Colorado High School. She was united in marriage to Lee Roy Mincy on May 23, 1981 in Colorado.  To this union 4 children were born. She was a member of the Grant City Baptist Church and faithfully attended as long as her health permitted.

     

Surviving are husband Lee, son, Matthew and mother, Janice, all of the home in Grant City; also, daughter, Janell Mincy of Quitman, Missouri, son, Michael Mincy of Glenwood, Iowa; brother, Richard Fleming of Denver, Colorado; sister, Yvonne Maynard of Arvada, Colorado and 6 grandchildren.

     

She was preceded in death by daughter Tasha Nicole Mincy; father John Fleming; and brother Jimmy Flemming.

Memorial Services were 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 24, 2015 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. Pastor Darin Drury officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Fort Logan, Colorado Cemetery.