Volume 144 Issue 25
December 11, 2013
www.mycaldwellcounty.com
75¢ Including Tax
Aldermen put the brakes on parking
Senior Citizens dinner to be held Dec. 13 Braymer C-4 will host their annual Senior Citizens Dinner on Friday, Dec. 13 at noon. For more information call 660-645-2284.
Breakfast with Santa to be held Dec. 14 The Polo Trailblazers 4-H club will be holding their Annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14th, 2013 from 8am-11am at the First Christian Church of Polo. Our club members will be providing items for raffle such as a homemade quilt, baked goods and crafts. They will also be serving a pancake breakfast. So bring your wish list and camera to take your pictures with Santa.
Believe in the magic of Christmas Dec. 14 The Hamilton Community Theatre is proud to present this year’s holiday program, “I Believe” on Dec. 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Arts Theatre on East Penney Drive. For more information call 816-583-2635.
Christmas Concerts Monday, Dec. 16: Braymer Junior High/ High School Christmas Concert – 7:00 p.m. Penney High School/ Middle School Christmas Concert- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17: Polo Winter Concert- 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19: Hamilton Elementary Christmas Concert- 7:00 p.m.
Santa Claus is coming to Braymer Braymer’s Annual Christmas on Main Street will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Jolly Old Elf will be at the Golden Age Nursing Home at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Drawings fo rboys and girls bikes will be held that night- you do not need to be present to win. Resigter while visiting Santa. The new Christmas tornaments on main street were purchased by the Wallace Foundation Grant and put up by Gary Tuck, Roger Murray, Garland Huffman. These new lights are LED. Stores that will be open include H&R Block (For winter scene photos), Bobcat Den, Mary Lue’s Flower Shoppe, Something Special, Jerry’s Automotive, and Braymer Market.
Early Deadline
In order for our staff to enjoy the Christmas Holiday, The Caldwell County News and the Pony Express will be observing the following early deadline for the Wednesday, Dec. 25all articles and advertising will be due by noon, Friday, Dec. 20. The Holiday issue will be available for distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Our office will be open until 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve day and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27.
What’s Inside
Classifieds.......... 8 Weather.............. 4 Sports................. 5 Weekly Record....3
PHS Marching Hornets in Honor Band
Four members of Penney High’s marching band participated in the North Central Missouri Bandmaster’s Association Honor Band on Nov. 25 in Chillicothe. Participating were, from left to right, Meghan McIntosh, Kenna Schmidt, Maddie Cavender, Makayla McGrew.
Leadership Northwest Missouri 2013 Planned Organizers of Leadership Northwest Missouri recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the Class of 2014. This unique program is designed for business leaders and community-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact on their region as well as improve their skills in the areas of leadership and interpersonal communication. Alumni of this program number in the hundreds and remain active in their communities across Northwest Missouri. The program will begin in January with an overnight retreat and continue to meet one day a month through June, meeting in a different Northwest Missouri town each month. Sessions will cover a variety of topics that pertain to our region including health care, recreation, tourism, legislation, education and economic development. These sessions will be conducted by area experts in their field. Part of each day will also include personal growth opportunities and lead-
Amber Adams wins Polo America’s Got Talent contest
The Polo High School Student Council hosted the Polo America’s Got Talent contest on Wednesday, Nov. 27 There were six very talented contestants: Jorgia Cory who sang Rolling in the Deep, Matt Vaughn with Ashley Adams – using multiple instruments to play Carry on My Wayward Son, Loren Wagner who sang Titanium and Leave the Pieces while playing her guitar, Dem White Girls – a dance group made up of Adriana Staus, Brittany Sheppard & Emily Fickess danced to Slow Down, Dylan Sales who did a bike stunt, and Amber Adams who sang Only Hope by Mandy Moore in the preliminaries. The judges- “Amy Farrah Fowler” (Kim Snodgrass), Bruce Dickinson (Josh Lefeber), Kayla Eisman and Dylan Deornellis- selected three participants to go through to the finals: Matt Vaughn, Loren Wagner and Amber Adams. Amber Adams sang I Wouldn’t Mind by Sound Garden to win it all. Amber received a medal (Polo America’s Got Talent - 2013) for her talents.
ership training. These are conducted by noted author, trainer and counselor Dr. Tim Crowley who holds a doctoral degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Stress Management and Peak Performance. Dr. Crowley has worked with Fortune 500 companies, has trained extensively at the world famous Menninger Clinic and has taught at the university level. Leadership Northwest Missouri is a not-for-profit regional initiative developed and run by an alumni board of directors. Now in its 13th year, this group brings together emerging community leaders from seventeen counties in Northwest Missouri for training on a variety of issues regarding leadership, economic impact, legislative processes and infrastructure. The deadline for registration for the Class of 2014 is December 20. For more information on Leadership Northwest Missouri or for an application, please contact Daniel Savage at 660-247-1703 or daniel.nmcyf@gmail.com.
Truckers and owners of big vehicles, such as large ‘Class A’ RVs, step vans, box vans, and buses or vans designed to seat 16 people or more, will have to find somewhere to park besides Hamilton’s residential streets. In an effort to improve visibility on city streets and reduce the level of noise and pollution in the neighborhood, the City Council passed an ordinance last Monday that prohibits the parking of vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds from parking on municipal streets with the exception of those who are in the process of loading or unloading a local delivery. The ordinance encompasses any federal or state highway located within the city limits and the access ramps to U.S. Highway 36. According to City Administrator Dale Wallace the ordinance is aimed primarily at those who park their large tractor-trailers on or near Hwy. 13 and leave their rigs over the weekend. Residents who live nearby have been complaining to the council, saying the vehicles obstruct their view, creating a safety issue as they cannot see around them. In addition, many drivers fire up their engines and let them run for 30 minutes or more creating unnecessary noise and a cloud of exhaust fumes. Wallace went on to say that many truck cabs would still be acceptable, since the ordinance is by weight, allowing those who make their living driving to park near their homes without fear of facing an ordinance violation. As an alternative, those who wish to park their vehicles inside the Hamilton city limits may do so on the east side of the Quick Run/ Quick Stop convenience store on 1003 S. Hughes. The council also discussed the hiring of James Schreier, a new public works employee, and assessed the progress of the water line project. A connection has been made with Gallatin and the work is progressing well. The city expressed thanks to those who have signed their easement agreements for their prompt response, while encouraging those who’ve been contacted in conjunction with the project to return their paperwork so the project can continue to move forward as quickly as possible.
Christmas Bird Count takes wing Dec. 14 The 114th Annual Christmas Bird Count will be conducted nationwide from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Audubon Society bird clubs throughout the country conduct these bird counts each year, relying on information gathered by volunteers in the field and at home to help identify and understand birds that frequent various parts of the country during the winter. To participate in this year’s bird count, go to netapp.audubon. org/CBC/public and enter your e-mail address to sign up, or call Terry McNeely of the Grand River Audubon Society at 660-828-4215 for more information. Those who would like to participate in the program from the comfort of home may benefit from the following bird feeding basics: Bird Feed Some birds, such as tufted titmice and chickadees, are finicky eaters, whereas birds such as mourning doves and white-throated sparrows will eat about any type of seed. The common cereal grains such as milo (or grain sorghum), wheat and oats all rate significantly below black, oil-type sunflower seed and white millet in attracting birds. Generally, packages of mix wrapped in clear plastic are put together to attract people more than birds. Rather than buying mixes, you may want to spend your money more effectively by buying only black, oil-type sunflower seed—not a mixture of sunflower seed–and white millet separately in bulk. Feeding Stations Bird-feeding stations may be as simple as seed placed on the ground or as complicated as a feeder accessible only to birds of certain weights. A plain wooden platform can be erected as a simple feeding station. Some edging around the outside will help keep the seed from falling on the ground. You may like to add a roof and tree walls to keep the rain off, or you may prefer the open platform for easy bird access and for Please turn to page 10
News and Advertising deadline for The Caldwell County News is Monday at noon
December 25, 2013 Volume 144 Issue 27
75¢ Including Tax
www.mycaldwellcounty.com
EARLY DEADLINE In order for our staff to enjoy the New Year’s Holiday, The Caldwell County News and the Pony Express will be observing the following early deadlines for the Wednesday, Jan. 1 issue, which will be available for distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Deadline for Advertising in the Pony Express, noon Thursday, Dec. 26. Deadline for the Caldwell County news, noon Friday, Dec. 27. Our office will be open until 2:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve day and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan 3.
Christmas Carols and Shadows begins Dec. 27 Christmas Carols and Shadows, a gentle hour of Christmas music and shadow puppetry, will be presented at St Philip’s Episcopal Church in Trenton, Missouri. Performances are on Friday, December 27, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 28 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, December 29 at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to these free performances featuring Christmas music played on the Mountain Dulcimer, Hammered Dulcimer and Penny Whistle. Candlelight and shadow puppetry will add to the peaceful mood of these special performances. The music will be performed by Carol Ellis, Debbie Lutzky Allen and Peter Allen. Shadow puppetry created and performed by Peter Allen. This Post-Christmas Rush event will, we hope, be a tranquil time and give us all a moment’s pause to quietly focus on Christmas and our many blessings. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Peter, Debbie and Carol look forward to seeing you at St. Philip’s in December for this very special event.
The 53rd Annual Western Farm Show will take place February 21st through the 23rd. The annual event will take place at the American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will feature hundreds of exhibitors with the latest farm and ranch equipment and technologies, as well as a Family Living Center and Health and Safety Roundup area, all under the same roof. More than 500 exhibitors are expected to participate in the Western Farm Show from many different parts of the country. These exhibitors will be showing farm equipment, fertilizers, feeds, and any new technologies that have come about in the agriculture industry. These exhibitors will also be providing an overview of their new products, services or trends. Thousand’s of visitors from different parts of the world will attend the Western Farm Show with the intent to study new products and new technologies. Farmers, buyers and even importers are known to attend this event annually. A main reason some key professionals attend is to get out and see what kind of competition is out there and what kind of challenge it will create. Different FFA chapters from all over Missouri will also be in attendance for the same purpose. FFA members will attend meetings throughout the show and will observe the isles and isles of farm equipment. For more information about the farm show, call Ken Dean at 800-762-5616.
Gallatin company prepares to process horse meat Rains Natural Meats of Gallatin has seven horses on site for slaughter, but owner David Rains is still waiting for an inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety team before officially undertaking the work. This is the third time in recent history the company has prepared to begin processing of horse meat. Congress lifted its ban on the practice two years ago. But in August the
Humane Society of the United States and other animal protection groups sued to contest the USDA’s permitting process. Then, last week, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the decision to lift the emergency stay on U.S. horse slaughter operations. Upon receiving this news, Rains requested his final inspection by the USDA, but he has yet to receive a response.
The Missouri Office of Administration is now accepting management contract bids for the Kingston License Office. Interested individuals and groups must submit their bids to operate the Kingston License Office by Jan. 10, 2014. A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) bidders are required to use to develop their bids can be viewed online at https://www.moolb.mo.gov/BidList/ biddetail.asp?rtype=commo&which=B 3Z14175+++&bidExpired=0. Prospective bidders may also tour the Kingston office from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., Dec. 23 to gain perspective on how a license office is operated. In fiscal year 2013, more than 10,000 transactions were conducted at the Kingston office, generating $35,596 in agent processing fees. The Missouri Department of Revenue oversees 182 license offices which are each operated by independent agents. All of the license offices were put out for bid under the competitive procurement process in 2009. Contracts were awarded for one year with three one-year renewal options. The move toward a competitive procurement process of the license offices overhauled the way local motor vehicle and driver license offices are awarded. Bids will be evaluated on areas such as expertise of the personnel proposed, methods proposed for performing the services and whether the individual or entity is a not-for-profit, political subdivision, a Missouri Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) or a Missouri Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprise.
Do you hear what I hear? Holiday songs ring out as Christmas concerts usher in the Yule
Strains of “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night” echoed through the halls of schools throughout Caldwell County last week as vocal and instrumental music groups began their busy schedule of holiday programs. In addition to the annual school holiday concerts, Hamilton musicians presented several special performances for local groups and organizations. The choir performed at the United Methodist church and the band took part in the annual Community Arts program, I Believe. The school holiday concerts included individual performances as well as group songs offering local students the chance to showcase their talents.
Auditions for the Wizard of Oz on Jan. 6 Auditions will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6 at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center in Chillicothe, for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) performance of “The Wizard of Oz”, a program sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Arts Council. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade may audition. Students auditioning must be present at 4 p.m. It is a group audition, and no special preparation is needed by the students. The Missoula directors will select 50-60 local and area students to present two performances on Saturday, Jan. 11. There is no cost to the students. MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week from 4:00 – 8:30 each day with a 30 minute break for a snack or “sack lunch.” For more information, contact the Chillicothe Area Arts Council at arts@chillicothemo.com or phone 660646-1173.
Kingston license office contract up for bid
53rd Annual Western Farm show set for Feb. 21
Penney High instrumental music instructor Tyler Willis (above) and vocal music instructor Twyla Finch led the high school choir (right), the middle school choir, the orchestra (bottom left) and the Hamilton Elementary School classes (bottom right) in a musical celebration of the Christmas holiday. For more photos, please turn to page 8, or find us on Facebook to see video clips of the PHS choir. (Photos by Teresa Kinzler and Lisa Parris.)
Benefit auction planned for Jan. 4 A benefit auction is being held to raise money for Hamilton resident Chris Anderson to help cover the medical costs and travel expenses incurred by his current treatment. The auction will be held on Jan. 4 at the Hamilton United Methodist Church Life Center from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A spaghetti dinner will also be served for donations. Auction items include an MU quilt, a 39” TV and many items from sources throughout the community. Alternatively, cash donations can also be made to Chris’s Cancer Fund at The Hamilton Bank. For more information, or to make a donation, contact Laurie Anderson Belshe at 816- 244-1747.
INDEX
Classifieds.....................5 Weather........................ 8 Sports...........................7 Weekly Record..............3 News and Advertising deadline for The Caldwell County News is Monday at noon
Varsity sports photos
Page 7
Volume 144 Issue 22
November 20, 2013
75¢ Including Tax
www.mycaldwellcounty.com
On Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1:30 p.m. the Penney Hornets will travel to Chester Ray stadium to face the Marceline Tigers in the Class 1 state semifinals.
Area Events
Clean bill of health for Clean Line?
Early deadline for Thanksgiving Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, The Caldwell County News will be printed on Monday, Nov. 25 and distributed on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The deadline for the Nov. 26 Pony Express will be Thursday, Nov. 21 at noon, while the deadline for the Nov. 27 issue of The Caldwell County News will be Friday, Nov. 22 at noon, for classified and display advertising, all news contributions, columns, photos, etc. The office will be closed both Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29.
Not exactly.
The Caldwell County Food Pantry volunteers take a well earned break after unloading more than 1,000 pounds of food.
Baptist Church gives pastor a pounding
Holiday lighting ceremony Nov. 22
Hamilton’s Baptist Church gave Pastor Doug Crabb and wife Sheila a pounding last month. Pounding is a long-standing tradition within the church whereby a pastor is welcomed into the community, or thanked for years of service, with a one-pound package of food- such as flour, sugar, coffee or butter. This year, the local church added a twist to the traditional pounding by donating all of the food items collected to the Caldwell County Food Pantry. The food drive ran from Oct. 21- Nov. 10 and when the cans had all been counted, the Baptist Church had collected more than 1,100 pounds of food to help fight hunger in Caldwell County.
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them this Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. for their annual Holiday Lights ceremony. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos, mugs of cocoa, wagon rides and Christmas carols, then donate a non-perishable food item for your chance to flip the switch and turn on the holiday lights.
The Toys for Tots registration for Caldwell County residents is being held at Hamilton United Methodist Church through Thursday, December 5. Custodial parents may register children aged 1-10 in the church office at 104 W Samuel, or they may call (816) 583-2325. Registrations are being taken Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Elks Hoop Shoot set for Dec. 4 The Cameron Elk’s Lodge will be holding a their annual Hoop Shoot competition for area youth ages 813 at the Hamilton Middle School on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but all contestants must submit a signed entry form prior to participating. Winners in each age division will advance to the area competition in Cameron on Dec. 14.
Cookie workshop at Cake Junkie The Cake Junkie in Hamilton is ushering in the holiday season by hosting cookie decorating workshops on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. For details and registration information call Jackie at (816) 617-2173.
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FSA Advises Producers to Anticipate Payment Reductions Due to Mandated Sequester WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2013 --USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding farmers and ranchers who participate in FSA programs to plan accordingly in FY2014 for automatic spending reductions known as sequestration. The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) mandates that federal agencies implement automatic, annual reductions to discretionary and mandatory spending limits. For mandatory programs, the sequestration rate for FY2014 is 7.2%. Accordingly, FSA is implementing sequestration for the following programs: Dairy Indemnity Payment Program; Marketing Assistance Loans; Loan Deficiency Payments; Sugar Loans; Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program; Tobacco Transition Payment Program; 2013 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payments; 2013 Average Crop Revenue Election Program; 2011 and 2012 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program; Storage, handling; and Economic Adjustment Assistance for Upland Cotton. Conservation Reserve Program payments are specifically exempt by statute from sequestration, thus these payments will not be reduced. For information about FSA programs, visit your county USDA Service Center or go to www.fsa.usda.gov/ .
The high cost of affordable housing
Those who attempt to regulate local housing generally do so with the goal of preserving and/or creating affordable homes for low- and middle-income families. However, all too often, their actions do not advance this important goal. Instead, the rules and regulations they enact harm not only the housing providers, but, also, in the long-run, the very people they claim to serve. For example, Americans have been converting attics, basements and garages into habitable dwellings for years, but according to Kidder Code Enforcement Officer, Kristy EdenBrowder, these types of conversions are not acceptable as these structures were not designed to be lived in. Please turn to page 2
INDEX Wax Museum
One of the main concerns voiced by those who oppose the Grain Belt Express, a high-voltage DC electric transmission line that will pass through Caldwell County, are the potentially harmful health hazards that may affect those living or working near the transmission lines. Like all electrical operating systems, direct current (or DC) lines produce static electromagnetic fields, or EMFs as the electrical currents flow through the power cables, and the higher the voltage of a given line, the stronger the magnetic field it creates. The proposed Grain Belt Express will transport 3,500 megawatts of electricity along a 750 mile route, however, according to Mark Lawlor, Director of Development for Clean Line Energy, this poses no threat whatsoever to those who will live or work near the line. This is not because the electromagnetic field created by the electric towers does not exist, but because, as Lawlor pointed out, the field generated by them is weaker than those known to cause health problems. His view point is backed up by a number of studies stating there is no plausible mechanism linking power lines to an increase in health risks. In short, according to certain scientific experts and Clean Line energy officials, there is nothing to worry about. Others are not as confident. Information published by the World
Adding electricity and indoor plumbing has turned these two sheds into tiny living spaces-an affordable, but controversial, move on the part of budget minded home owners.
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Classifieds ..................................4 Local News .................................5 Sports . .......................................6 Weekly Record...........................3 News and Advertising deadline for The Caldwell County News is Monday at noon
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