05-29-2024 Unionville Republican

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Local Letter Carriers Collect Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Food for Local Food Pantry

Local letter carriers pose with the nearly 1,000 pounds of food collected during the National Association of Letter Carriers annual food drive on Saturday, May 11. The collected food was donated to the local food pantry for distribution in this community. Photo credit: Marty Tade

Submitted by Marty Tade Saturday, May 11, 2024, marked the NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers) Annual Food Drive. Our community donated nearly 1,000 pounds of food, which was then donated to our local food pantry to be used in their distributions, which stay local.

The annual food drive is always the second Saturday in May. Letter car-

Powell Sworn in as Third Circuit CASA Volunteer

riers leave the donation bags earlier that same week.

Local union members Brad Smith and D. C. Mikels, along with rural carriers Jerod Smith, Roger Crawford, Shelly Hill and Eddie Brundage collected the food this year. The Unionville Post Office is grateful for all who participated in and blessed our local drive this year.

JEFFERSON CITY –

As Missourians hit the road to start their summer travels, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be cautious, patient and use good judgment when traveling, especially through work zones. On an average day, there are nearly 800 work zones on Missouri’s 34,000 miles of state roadways, ranging from construction on bridges, interchanges, and roads to daily maintenance work. In 2023, there were

Judge Steve

of aCourt Appointed

Samantha Powell appeared in Putnam County Courthouse on Wednesday, May 22, where Circuit Judge Steve Hudson administered the oath for the appointment of a Court Appointed Special Advocate ( CASA) Volunteer for the Third Circuit of Missouri.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA is a national non-profit organization and there are now

4,563 crashes including 36 people killed in work zone crashes.

Impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeds, and not wearing seat belts are just a few of the concerns that can accompany the increased Memorial Day weekend traffic. In Missouri, 14 people were killed and 60 were seriously injured in crashes over Memorial Day weekend last year. So far in 2024, 70% of the people killed in crashes on Missouri roads were not wearing a

programs in 49 states across the country. Missouri has 24 programs with over 4600 children served in 2023. The Third Circuit Program which includes, Grundy, Harrison, Mercer and Putnam Counties was established in 1997 and is one of 24 programs in the state of Missouri.

CASAs are volunteer advocates who speak up for abused and or neglected children, most

of whom are in the foster care system. A CASA typically works with one child or sibling group to ensure their needs are being met while under the Court’s jurisdiction. A CASA volunteer is an independent advocate who is trained on how to research and observe a child’s situation by speaking with the child, Children’s Division, law enforcement, parents, etc. and by reviewing

MoDOT Urges Extra Caution in Increased Traffic and Work Zones this Summer

seat belt.

“Staying alert and focused when behind the wheel is what keeps your family and other families safe. With Memorial Day being the start of the summer travel season, it’s important to remember the responsibility you carry every time you get behind the wheel,” said State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. “Buckle up, put your phone down, slow down and drive sober so everyone can reach their desti-

nation safely this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long.”

Drivers can stay informed of road conditions, delays and work zone locations on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler. modot.org, also available as a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

For this summer, these are some of the major projects with traffic impacts around the state for which drivers should be on the lookout:

Northwest area: U.S.

Route 36: Livingston County – concrete replacement under the U.S. Route 65 and the Kansas City Sub railroad line bridges in Chillicothe. Both east and westbound U.S. Route 36 traffic will be narrowed to one lane.

Northeast area: MO

Route 79 Bridge Replacement: Bridge replacement and improvement project in Hannibal with traffic impacts: moMoDOT ...

Cont. to pg. 7

medical records, school, court and other relevant reports.

A CASA volunteer is trained to be the voice of the child or children in frightening or traumatic life situations when there has been abuse, or neglect in the home or being removed from that home.

CASA does not provide legal representation but provides objective observations and recommendations to the Court as they speak for what is in the child’s best interest after carefully researching background details of the child and their circumstances.

Samantha Powell completed 30 hours of training through the Missouri State CASA Association and will now be an advocate for children in the court system in the Third Circuit of Missouri.

Notes

Blood Drive

Thursday, May 30th, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm Unionville Community American Legion Hall 110 S. 18th St. Unionville, MO

*sponsored by the American Legion Unit #34, Unionville, MO Journal

PC E911 Weather Warning Testing for June 2024 ~ June 5th and June 21st (on the first and third Friday of each month). •Test will be for 2 minutes between 9:00 A.M. and 9:15 A.M.

Circuit

Hudson administered the oath for the appointment

Special Advocate ( CASA) Volunteer for the Third Circuit of Missouri to Samantha Powell on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

Our Way of Live

by Caleb Jones, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Association of Rural Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Every parent has experienced this situation. A few weekends ago, my daughter, Charlie, had a dance recital out of town. While I normally try to make these events, we ran into a scheduling conflict as my son, Max, had a soccer game at the same time. Lindsey and I had no choice but to divide and conquer. Not one to waste a great opportunity, Max and I spent the weekend playing soccer, shooting guns and getting out in our hunting blind to see if we could call in a spring turkey.

I’m not sure if Max invited his buddies to enjoy time in the woods or if he needed witnesses to our shenanigans. Either way, by the second day of hunting, I had three boys in our blind along with six flashlights, three pocketknives, every kind of turkey call known to man and enough candy to feed an army. While they didn’t take down the record gobbler, they had a great time. It was one of those weekends on the farm to remember.

It really made me appreciate life in rural Missouri. Nothing makes me angrier than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but I’ll follow a tractor and planter for 7 miles and my blood pressure actually goes down. Maybe it’s the lack of parking meters or the fact every truck driver you meet on the road waves; whatever it is, rural Missouri is more than just living in a house without close neighbors - it’s a way of life. The hard work, sweat and sheer grit of those

before us helped make this way of life possible. Roads were dug by draft horses, neighbors shared grain bins and electric cooperatives were formed to ensure children and grandchildren in rural Missouri would have the same opportunities as those in the cities.

Right now, our way of life is being threatened. Not by our brethren in urban areas or enemies from afar, but by a government agency. In May, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized new rules on how electricity can be produced. These rules will force us to prematurely shut down our gas and coal plants and prevent us from building more in the future. These new standards are not only impossible to meet, but all but guarantee blackouts across our great country. As you can guess, the people who are going to be hit the hardest are in “flyover country,” a place where I am proud to live.

One of the best things about growing up in rural Missouri was knowing you could always count on your neighbor when trouble was near. Now is one of those times. We are going to need your help if there is any chance of stopping EPA from shutting down our generation plants without reliable alternatives.

Please take a few minutes to go to www.4EnergyReliability. com, read the proposals and send a letter to your legislators in Washington, D.C., asking them to keep EPA from closing our power plants and turning out your lights. As your neighbor, I would appreciate it, but more importantly, my kids would too.

Sunday Morning Bible Study for ALL Ages at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m.

Please come to hear Pastor Kevin Collins bring you a reassuring word from God.

An Open Letter on Scouting America from Chief Scout Executive Roger Krone

Friends –

Growing up in Cincinnati, faith was an integral part of my life. My family, church, school, and troop all provided a community that helped shape who I was and who I would become in life. Even today, the simple, quiet reverence of Scout Vespers moves me. I know many of you who have grown up in Scouting feel the same way.

As a parent, I believe that faith should be an integral part of childhood. In an increasingly complicated world, faith helps young people develop a broader perspective on life. Faith gives them a sense of hope and teaches them acceptance and selflessness in a society that sometimes tells them they aren’t enough. Ultimately, faith is an individual journey which can help define who we are and who we’ll become. The Scouting tradition says that youth are better served when they live lives of reverence and faith. And I believe that is true.

Recently, some have wondered if Scouting’s commitment to faith was still strong. They supposed that by changing our name we might somehow be moving away from our core ide-

als. I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth. The Scout Oath and Law begin with Duty to God and conclude with Reverent. This is not an accident. Scouting’s founders knew that faith acts as a type of compass that guides and ultimately makes our families, communities, and our nation stronger. We are committed to the unchanging ideals of the Scout Oath, Law and our duty to country and our faith. Like the points of a compass, they are constant. They unite us as a movement as we prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.

I hope you’ll join me as we continue to live these ideals and invite more youth and families to join Scouting. An invitation to a classmate to visit a pack meeting or to come along on a campout could be the first step for someone who needs the fun, faith and adventure that awaits. Along the way, they may just find a new path through Scouting America.

Yours in Scouting, Roger Krone Chief Scout Executive, President & CEO

“When life’s problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate.”

~ Ann Landers

Kevin Collins

Earlier this month, it was reported by KOMU in Columbia that KWIK/ KRES/KIRK/KTCM radio stations would no longer carry local news, sports and weather and that all of their newsroom/broadcasting staff had been let go. The stations were purchased by Alpha Media Group and while the stations will still occupy the same airwaves, they will be broadcasting syndicated news and national sports instead of providing local coverage.

Before reading the article [https://www.komu. com/news/video-randolph-county-loses-local-radio-news-coverage-after-broadcasters-lose-jobs/ video_c33ae94459e7-55db-a0369ff167847f88.html], I had seen some posts from my home county expressing unhappiness

Memorial day is over, school is out, and it is warming up. Summertime must be here (even though the “official” date is not until

June 20). For us, summer meant lots of baseball at the field and in the backyard; trips to the library for books; occasional trips to the pool; a little bit of fishing; time at the grandparents; and the Fourth of July. Hope you have a fun summertime.

& Collins Family Funeral Home

“Local People Serving Local Families” 709 S. 27th St., Unionville 660-947-2200

with the stations and the article cleared that up for me.

As well as covering sports, livestock markets and local news, the stations provided up-tothe-minute information when dangerous weather was approaching the area. Besides the inconvenience of having no local coverage, it could present a danger to those living in the path of a tornado or other significant weather event. It is hard to predict what the total effect of this situation will be, but losing access to local news cannot be a good thing. After all, Facebook can only provide so much local “information” and some of that has to be “taken with a grain of salt.”

With spring storm/ tornado season upon us, stay weather aware. Have a great week!

Thursday, May 30

Roasted Pork Loin, Creamed Peas & Potatoes, Hully Beans, Ambrosia Salad Friday, May 31

BUFFET, Baked Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Yankee Green Beans, Assorted Fruit & Desserts Monday, June 3

Pork Cutlet, Parsley Potatoes, Corn Casserole, Applesauce Tuesday, June 4 Fish on a Bun, Oriental Slaw, Macaroni/Tomatoes, Fruit Wednesday, June 5 SALAD BAR, Spaghetti/Meat Sauce, Carrots, 1C. Spinach Salad, Chocolate Pudding

Birthdays on pg. 3

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Commentary: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

By Garrett Hawkins, President Missouri Farm Bureau

In many ways, the 2024 state legislative session was a self-fulfilling prophecy. As Capitol watchers predicted, it was a disappointing result with little being accomplished. Nonetheless, Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) optimistically went to work to deliver meaningful results for our members. Unfortunately, much of the state legislative session was ruled by lengthy filibusters, dysfunction, and animosity among legislators.

Infighting among Senate factions squandered weeks away, and many bills, including MOFB’s top policy priorities, did not cross the finish line. There are real-world issues facing our members, and we have solutions teed up, if given the opportunity. Everyday hard-working Missourians are tired of political rhetoric and expect our elected leaders to deliver results.

We know one of the biggest challenges fac-

ing farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs is access to affordable and effective health coverage. Many people are uninsured or underinsured due to limited individual marketplace options and skyrocketing health insurance costs. Throughout this legislative session, MOFB members from across the state visited with legislators each week. They shared personal stories about how a Farm Bureau Health Plan would help their families, farms and businesses. Now, this important option is sidelined until the 2025 legislative session.

MOFB continued our focus on property rights and asked for legislation to prohibit eminent domain for the construction of industrial solar and wind developments. We worked to protect our vital water resources from being exported to other states. For years, we have advocated that the Missouri Constitution is a foundational document that should not be frivolously modified via initiative petition. These

and numerous other solutions were left undone. To say that Missouri Farm Bureau, and many others, are frustrated by the results of this session is an understatement.

While we are disappointed, we appreciate that multiple MOFB priorities were included in the budget. For the third year in a row, the legislature dedicated an additional $100 million for maintenance of farmto-market roads. Funds were also set aside for the ongoing Missouri River Flood Risk Resiliency study, to bolster veterinarian technician programs and to improve the Interstate 44 corridor.

We thank our legislative champions who worked tirelessly throughout the tumultuous process, despite dis-

heartening circumstances. We also thank our members who spent their valuable time at the state capitol advocating for policies that will bring the kids back home to the farm and rural Missouri. MOFB remains steadfast and will continue to focus on advancing our member-adopted policies.

I, for one, am going into the 2025 legislative session with high expectations. I am going to remain hopeful that our elected leaders will work together to foster solutions that serve citizens. Perhaps our continued optimism will be a self-fulfilling prophecy resulting in better outcomes for Missourians next year.

Birthdays

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 8 and 9. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag.

Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.

and more, get a copy of MDC’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov/ about-us/about-regulations/summary-missouri-fishing-regulations.

Want to learn to fish?

MDC’s Discover Nature – Fishing Program provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/discover-nature-fishing. Need fishing gear?

Thursday, May 30

Asa Foster, Jim Dover, Lafayette Coop, Jacob Hamilton, Nyle Knight, Mason Lee Pearson, Linda Tucker, Kristine Robinson

Friday, May 31

David Mitchell, Bud Stottlemyre, Lindsey Kimmel, Rhonda Ryals, Eve Stokes, James Pribyl Saturday, June 1

Kyle Hodges, Nikki Hill, Jessica Steele, Chris Henderson, Gus Crellin Sunday, June 2

Ruth Altiser, Heather Newman, Emily A. Smith, Tyson Rhoades Monday, June 3

Clinton Neighbors, Rachel Hurley, Peggy Wood, Marcia Lynn Loney, Hope Terry, Owen Pearson

Tuesday, June 4

Rhonda Webber, Sheila Christian, Brad Hinkle, Regina Lassabe, Kevin Harlan, Quentin Boatman, Gretchen Dickerson

Wednesday, June 5

Sandra Gilworth, Jennifer Stout, Donna Jean Downey, Donna Roof, Jacob Brown, Mary Frank, Katelynn Choate, Alxis Talbot, Cadyn Owings

Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers.

For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification,

MDC works with numerous libraries and other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Find MDC Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at mdc. mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/rod-reel-loaner-locations.

MDC’s free MO Fishing app can help anglers find the best places to fish in Missouri, access regulation information, identify fish by species, and more. Anglers can also buy, store, and show fishing permits right on their mobile devices. MO Fishing is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/ contact-engage/mobile-apps/mo-fishing.

Center for Rural Affairs Report: Solar Development has Minimal Impact on Ag Land Use

LYONS, NEBRASKA – As renewable energy development grows in rural areas, so do concerns about protecting agricultural land, especially from utility-scale solar projects.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that by 2050 solar will occupy 10.3 million acres of land nationally, 90% of which will be in rural areas. To address concerns about utility-scale solar systems occupying a large amount of prime farmland, some local and state officials have proposed and even placed restrictions prohibiting it.

Alex Delworth, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs, said the restrictions are concerning.

“They can be debilitating for solar development, not to mention raise questions about

private property rights,” he said. “In one instance, we found a county-level restriction related to prime farmland that eliminated 75% of potentially developable land in the area.”

While utility-scale solar projects can look intimidating amid concerns about taking land out of production, a new report from the Center for Rural Affairs found their overall impact on agricultural land use is minimal.

“Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland,” written by Delworth, discusses how restrictions are designed and forecasts solar development’s impact on prime farmland in the Midwest region.

The DOE predicts that between 210 and 420 GWs of solar projects are needed in the Midwest

TORREY CEMETERY

Torrey Cemetery will hold their Annual Meeting on Tuesday June 4, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the Putnam County Library Meeting Room. All interested parties please attend.

All donations may be mailed to:

Machelle Rinehart, Treasurer 25284 Hawthorn Trl Unionville, MO 63565

We can help you design the perfect memorial stone for your loved ones. From simple to extraordinary we will walk you through the process. We also carry a full line of cremation options; from benches to bird feeders Call Howard at 660-947-4010

“Proud to be locally owned and operated”

by 2050 to meet federal decarbonization standards. According to the report, if all of the forecasted solar was built on the region’s prime farmland, it would occupy between 1.45% and 2.9%.

The report also addresses potential shortterm impacts in Iowa and Minnesota.

Delworth said if every acre currently proposed for solar development in Iowa was built on the state’s top 14% rated farmland (90 Corn Suitability Rating, or CSR, and above), it would occupy 0.54% of the total acres. Furthermore, the proposed solar would occupy only 0.14% of the top 62% rated farmland (65 CSR and above).

The projected impact in Minnesota is also minimal. According to the report, if the number of acres currently proposed

were located on prime farmland, it would cover less than 0.3% of the land.

Delworth hopes local, county, and state officials will consider the report’s findings as they decide the future of solar development in their area.

“Implementing rules that work with solar development rather than limiting it will open up economic opportunities for rural residents who want to voluntarily lease their land,” Delworth said. Renewable energy projects also generate tax revenue for counties, schools, and emergency services as well as create rural employment opportunities.

To read and download a copy of “Sifting through Solar: LandUse Concerns on Prime Farmland,” visit cfra. org/sifting-through-solar.

“Thankfully, dreams can change. If we’d all stuck with our first dream, the world would be overrun with cowboys and princesses.”

~ Stephen Colbert

Back in the Day

By Ross Malone

May 29, 1974 – Five people were killed by lightning in one day in St. Louis County. Four were Freshman girls at JFK High School in Manchester.

May 30, 1868 – Decoration Day (Memorial Day) was observed in Springfield and several other Missouri communities for the first time on this day.

May 31, 1934 – Hoboes were everywhere.

The Monett Times concluded, “The bum is one of America’s most forward problems. Told to get out of town, unable to get a ride, the bum walks into the next town even more hungry and at the point of exhaustion. ...”

June 1, 1905 – A judge ruled that auto license plates in Missouri were valid only for the jurisdiction where they were purchased. Therefore, motorists must pur-

chase a new license for each and every county they passed through.

June 2, 1913 – William Simpson of Lebanon celebrated his 102nd birthday at the Soldier’s Home in St. James. His mother died giving birth and his father, two years later. Thus he had outlived both of his parents by more than a century. Has anyone else ever done that?

June 3, 1875 – A day of prayer and fasting was proclaimed by Governor Hardin as Missourians looked for relief from the Grasshopper Plague of 1875.

June 4, 1905 – On this day W. B. West drove his automobile (Oldsmobile) from St. Louis to Columbia – the first person to do so. It took 14 ½ hours.

For information about Ross Malone’s Missouri Books, visit www.RossMalone.com .

June 2024 Clinic Schedule

Dr. Williams Nathan Baughman Dr. Casady Dr. Casady Dr. Williams Dr. Valencia

Nathan Baughman Debbie Wardlow Debbie Wardlow Nathan Baughman Debbie Wardlow

Debbie Wardlow Dr. Jarbou Dr. McIntire Dr. Nerini

Nathan Baughman Dr. Nerini Debbie Wardlow Dr. McIntire

Dr. Williams Debbie Wardlow

Dr. Khan Debbie Wardlow

Debbie Wardlow Nathan Baughman

Debbie Wardlow

Debbie Wardlow Nathan Baughman Nathan Baughman Dr. Kenyon

Williams Dr. Williams

Williams

Baughman Debbie Wardlow

Dr. Williams School /Sports Dr. McIntire Dr. Kenyon

Dr. See Physicals, Dr. Nerini Grades 8-12 24 25 26 27 29

Dr. Holte Debbie Wardlow Debbie Wardlow Dr. Williams Dr. Williams

Nathan Baughman Nathan Baughman

Debbie Wardlow

Rural Health Clinic - 660-947-7373

1926 Oak St., Mon. - Fri. 8 am - Noon & 1 pm - 5 pm

- PCMH PharmacyOpen Monday - Friday 9:00 AM -5:30 PM Like us on Facebook @”Putnam County Memorial Hospital” Philip McIntire, DO - General Surgery

Stephen Casady, DO Family Practice

Thomas Williams, DO Family Practice

Nathan Baughman, MSN, FNP-BC Family Practice

Debbie Wardlow, FNP-BC Family Practice

Nathan Baughman Debbie Wardlow

Ciesemier

McIntire

Tonia Nerini, NP-C - Rheumatology

Dana Valencia, MDCardiology

Lary Ciesmier, DO - Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Deborah Holte, D.P.M - Foot Specialist & Podiatrist

Nathan Kenyon, MDPain Management

Mohammad Jarbou, MD - Pulmonologist

Iqbal A. Khan, MD - Neurologist

Squirrel and Black Bass Seasons Kicked Off May 25

is ten and the possession limit is 20. Hunters must have a permit valid for hunting small game or be exempt.

Catch-and-keep season on black bass, such as this spotted/Kentucky bass, runs May 25 through Feb. 28, 2025. Photo source: MDC

JEFFERSON CITY,

Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters and anglers that squirrel and black bass seasons opened Saturday, May 25.

The hunting season on eastern gray and fox squirrels runs May 25 through Feb. 15, 2025. Allowed methods include shotguns, rifles, and other legal firearm methods, as well as archery equipment, sling-

shots, or atlatls. Squirrels may also be harvested with cage-style traps during the hunting season as long as hunters have a valid Small Game Hunting permit. Traps must be labeled with the hunter’s full name and address, or Conservation Number, be attended daily, and have an opening of 144 square-inches or smaller.

The daily limit for hunting, including the use of cage-style traps,

Get more information on squirrel hunting and trapping from MDC’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations online at http://short.mdc. mo.gov/4ud.

Need recipe suggestions? Browse squirrel recipes at https://short. mdc.mo.gov/ZcQ.

Anglers may catchand-keep black bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, spotted/ Kentucky bass, May 25 through Feb. 28, 2025. Black bass can be found statewide but have a closed season part of the year in most streams south of the Missouri River. Black bass can be caught and released legally throughout the year anywhere in Missouri, and legal-sized bass may be kept all year long from impoundments and streams with no closed season. In most state waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Fish taken from most

rivers and streams must be 12-inches long. Additional regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.

Find more information on bass fishing in MDC’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at http://short.mdc. mo.gov/4uW.

Find tips from MDC on cooking fish at https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Zrk.

KEEP PERMITS

HANDY WITH MDC MOBILE APPS

Take your permits with you wherever you are in nature using MDC’s Mo Hunting or Mo Fishing mobile apps. Users can keep their hunting and fishing permits on the apps, find nearby places to hunt or fish, check area regulations, and more. Both Mo Hunting and Mo Fishing apps are available for download for Apple and Android users. Find more information at https://mdc. mo.gov/contact-engage/ mobile-apps.

a community outreach specialist with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment and a cancer survivor. “While we are glad to see Senator Lee finally supports expanding the RECA program — especially to include areas in Missouri — his version is still too limited. We believe Senator Hawley’s already-passed Senate bill better reflects the scope of the problem and is the best path forward. That’s why we hope Speaker Johnson will put S.3853 on the House floor for a vote without further delay. We’ve all been waiting long enough.”

“I’m glad we’re willing to acknowledge, finally, that indeed, there are those that have suffered, Americans who have been poisoned by their government, who have never been compensated, and it’s basic justice to compensate them,” said Hawley on the Senate floor today. “The Senator talks about getting this done today - it’s been done! The Senate has done it. We passed this bill with nearly 70 votes months ago. I urge the Senator to use his good offices in the House to speak to Speaker Johnson. I urge the Senator to use his good offices - now that we all agree - to get this

done in the U.S. House of Representatives. That’s where the obstacle is. But I reiterate, I will not be party to any attempt at some halfway measure, some short stop-gap bill, or some effort to sweep this under the rug, not anymore. The victims have waited too long.”

“Uranium miners were the core of nuclear weapons production and are now the core of radiation victims. They must be included in RECA for any sort of justice to be served,” said Phil Harrison, a former uranium worker and member of the Navajo Nation. “These are the people who labored in unsafe conditions to make nuclear weapons possible. To this day many of them are still being diagnosed with lung disease. RECA already has stringent requirements – people must be dying to receive compensation. We cannot wait any longer for our government to do the right thing. While Congress delays, we are still dying.”

Lee previously introduced S.4175 in April to only extend the existing insufficient RECA program by two years. The bill was met with widespread condemnation from impacted communities.

Missouri Rural Health Association Announces Successful Rural Health Clinic Billing and Coding Training

Branson, MO - May 23rd, 2024 - The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) recently concluded its highly anticipated Rural Health Clinic Billing and Coding Training in Branson, MO, on May 22nd and 23rd. The event boasted a record-breaking attendance of 120 participants, drew healthcare professionals from across the state, representing 46 rural health clinics and hospitals from across 31 different counties.

One of the key highlights of this industry-leading training was its accessibility to participants, made possible through generous grant funding from Healthy Blue and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Immunizations. This support allowed MRHA to offer the training free of charge, providing invaluable knowledge and resources to Missouri’s rural health providers.

The two-day training, presented by ARCH Pro Coding and hosted by MRHA in collaboration with the Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics, covered essential topics in coding and billing certification. Attendees, including clinical personnel, coders, billers, EHR professionals, facility and financial managers benefited from hands-on practice and indepth sessions designed to enhance their understanding and application

of coding guidelines.

“We are thrilled with the attendance and engagement we witnessed during this training,” said MRHA Executive Director, Heidi Lucas.

“The success of this event reinforces our commitment to supporting rural health clinics and their staff. We look forward to building on this momentum and are excited about the prospect of making this training an annual event.”

Key takeaways from the training included:

• Documentation and coding based on CPT, HCPCS-II, and ICD-10CM guidelines

• Billing strategies for various services to Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers

• Record-keeping for annual cost reports and revenue optimization

The Rural Health Clinic Billing and Coding Training proved to be a vital resource for enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.

MRHA extends its gratitude to Healthy Blue, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Immunizations and all participants for their contributions to the success of this event.

MRHA’s mission is to provide leadership on rural priorities through advocacy, partnerships, and education. For more information about MRHA and upcoming events, visit mrhassociation.org

Chamber Celebrates New Retreat Facility for Area Veterans

The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Greencastle, MO for the Guardian Hills Veteran Healing Center. Photo credit: Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce

[GREENCASTLE, MO, May 20,2024] The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Guardian Hills Veteran Healing Center, Friday, May 17 at their campus in Greencastle, MO. The event included tours of the campus along with refreshments.

In response to the growing incidence of Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) in veterans, Guardian Hills Veteran Healing Center offers free of charge one-week residential retreat programs for veterans in a 28-acre rural campus setting. The facility, located near Kirksville, Missouri, in-

cludes three residential cabins, a 12,000 square foot multipurpose arena, an art/yoga building and a renovated historic barn which serves as the dining and social center. Multiple natural features are integrated into the curriculum. “This is a beautiful setting for a retreat”, says Marie Murphree, Executive Director of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce. Retreat programs utilize immersive educational and therapeutic experiences which include the use of horses, archery, art, yoga, kayaking, a labyrinth and other-directed activities.

The overall goal is to

provide the greatest benefit in the shortest period by aiding in the formation of coping skills and recovery activities that are then utilized by the veterans themselves, as well as by their local support and treatment resources to help veterans thrive. Follow-up support and assistance is provided by regularly scheduled contacts and identifying the appropriate level of ongoing intervention as determined at the retreat’s conclusion.

Retreat based programs have been proven to be an effective modality for veteran PTS in numerous studies, however

few are in the Midwest. Numerous national and regional experts in the field of veteran PTS have contributed to our curriculum planning, development and implementation. Murphree said, “The services offered by Guardian Hills are so important in helping our veterans through the process of dealing with PTS. Northeast Missouri is fortunate to have such a well-researched and staffed facility. “ Expansion of programs to include couples, families, military sexual trauma and first responders is planned. Administrative headquarters are in Columbia, Missouri.

Hawley, Gillibrand Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Postal Workers from Rising Crime

WASHINGTON --

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act to protect postal workers from an alarming uptick in violent assaults committed against them and modernize postal collection boxes to crack down on mail theft.

“Postal carriers work day in and day out to fulfill critical needs, like package deliveries, that Americans often take for granted. The recent uptick in violent assaults against these men and women is unacceptable and inexcusable. Congress should protect our postal workers on the job, and that starts by increasing enforcement of the law for crimes committed against them,” said Senator Hawley.

“Amid a concerning uptick in postal crime, I’m proud to be introducing this critical bipartisan legislation to protect

our mail and those who deliver it,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill will make long-overdue upgrades to mailboxes around the country to safeguard against the theft of Americans’ sensitive information. It will also strengthen penalties for assaulting a postal worker, helping ensure that the hard-working men and women who deliver our mail are not put in harm’s way because of their jobs. I look forward to getting this bill passed.”

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act would:

Empower the Attorney General to vigorously prosecute any case of assault against a postal worker.

Direct the Attorney General to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judiciary district to oversee the investigation and prosecution of alleged postal crimes.

Require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend its guidelines,

ensuring that the assault or robbery of a postal worker is prosecuted in the same manner as the assault or robbery of a law enforcement officer.

Authorize $7 billion over five years to install high security collection boxes and to replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with an electronic version.

Senator Hawley re-

cently pressed the Postmaster General and United States Postal Service CEO for answers on a string of Missouri postal issues, including the delayed rebuilding of the Baring, Mo. Post Office and ongoing mail and delivery delays in the greater St. Louis, Mo. and Kansas City, Mo. regions.

Utah, New Mexico and Missouri Downwinders Reject

Senator Lee’s “Half-Baked” Effort to Limit RECA

WASHINGTON

(May 23, 2024)— Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) today introduced what the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) called “a half-baked effort” to enhance and extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), without the support of frontline communities. S.4403 recognizes the need to expand RECA and increase compensation but continues the historical wrong of excluding people in severely exposed communities impacted by radiation exposure, including post-1971 uranium workers, and downwinders in places like southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico. The measure failed following objections from Sen. Hawley (R-Mo) and Sen. Lujan (D-NM).

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Senator Lee’s time and energy would be better spent pressuring House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring the previously passed bipartisan RECA Senate bill to the House floor for a vote, according to UCS and downwinders.

“We are baffled by Lee’s bill,” said Mary Dickson, a journalist and cancer survivor from

Salt Lake City, Utah. “In 2022, he passed a bill extending the flawed RECA program for two more years. In that time, even though I have met with his staff several times to discuss these issues, he has done nothing to improve the program for Utah. He’s obviously feeling pressure from constituents, but the more inclusive bill we support has already been passed with a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate. Instead of supporting that bill and encouraging Utah representatives in the House to do the same, Senator Lee is wasting time we don’t have. The best thing he could do for Utah and our country is support S.3853.”

“Senator Lee has put forward bills that are not a solution for the problem at hand, and as far as I’m concerned this is nothing more than a ploy,” said Tina Cordova, executive director of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium in New Mexico and a cancer survivor.

“An extension of a program that never went far enough is not a solution, it is an easy way out. The Downwinders of Utah

Putnam County R-I School District is accepting applications for the following:

Maintenance Director

Salary based on experience Full-Time with benefits Personal/Vacation Days

Resumes should be submitted to lshipley@putnamcountyr1.net or the Superintendent’s Office at 803 S 20th Street Unionville, MO 63565 660-947-3361 Ext: 301

Applications are also available at www.putnamcountyr1.net

and the uranium workers in Utah see through this and so do all the other people that are left out of Senator Lee’s bill. We don’t need more studies, we have plenty. The time for that has long since passed. What we need is help now. I’ve been doing this work as an advocate for 19 years, and I don’t know anyone who would support this bill.”

“The Senator from Utah and I agree that the people of Utah deserve justice,” said Luján. “And I and others agree that those impacted in other states deserve justice as well, but today’s

MoDOT ...

exercise is not the answer. It’s time for the House to act. I urge my colleagues to stand by the piece of legislation we passed this year in the Senate with a broad bipartisan coalition of 69 yes votes and do right by the victims of radiation and uranium exposure.”

“We do not support any attempt to exclude other impacted communities harmed by our government’s early nuclear weapons program,” said Christen Commuso,

... Cont. to pg. 5

Continued from pg. 1

dot.org/missouri-route79-bridge-replacementover-bear-creek-marion

Kansas City area: I-435 Bridge Rehabilitation: Lane closures on NB/SB I-435 for bridge rehabilitation over Raytown Road. Watch for lane closures and the shifting of traffic lanes. Access to the Royals and Chiefs stadiums from I-435 north may be impacted: modot.org/ interstate-435-bridge-replacement-jackson-0

Central area: U.S. 54

Improvement Projects: Adding lanes, bridge rehabilitation, and shoulder work. Motorists may expect delays as the roadway could be narrowed in either direction by the Missouri River bridge in Jefferson City.: Guide to U.S. Route 54

Improvement Projects in Jefferson City | Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org)

St. Louis area: I-55 between Lindbergh and Arsenal: Work continues to rehabilitate or replace the driving surface on more than a dozen Interstate 55 bridges between Lindbergh and Arsenal

in St. Louis City and County. I-55 is reduced to two lanes in each direction. modot.org/I55bridge2023_bridge_ rehab

Southwest area: Route 65, Route 125/U.S. Route 60 Interchange: Route 65 Widening in Christian County, some narrowed lanes may be present. The Missouri Route 125 and US 60 Interchange Project in Greene County and Webster County, Route 125 will be closed. Southeast area: U.S. Route 63, Howell and Oregon Counties: Route 63 will be reduced to one lane with utilization of a pilot car as contractor crews perform asphalt resurfacing from Business 63 in West Plains to Koshkonong in Howell and Oregon counties. Additionally, contractor crews are replacing a bridge over Burlington Norther Santa Fe railroad north of Brandsville. The new bridge construction is on a new alignment, slightly south of the existing bridge: modot. org/63howellbridge

A Look Back:

Putnam County in the News

The following items were excerpted from The Unionville Republican, May 28, 1924. Emphasis on beautification not only of structures but individuals. It is interesting that 100 years ago the same concern was voiced regarding how visitors would view the buildings around the square. Prohibition and temperance were hot topics with at least four articles on the subject. Not only was Unionville becoming more “citified” with the installation of a sewer system, but it was finally going to have its first beauty shop.

NEED PAINTING UP

There is generally a necessity during the springtime to clean up and paint up and to make a better appearance in our surroundings as well as in ourselves. Last week emphasis was placed upon this, so far as the square is concerned, when the trees in the courthouse park were cut.

The absence of the trees enables one to look across on the other side and see all the defects in loveliness which may have been hidden before. It is very noticeable now, for not enough time has elapsed for us to become used to it, but this fact enables us to know how the square will look to any stranger coming into our midst. We may become used to it within a few months, but the stranger will see it as we may partly see it now. Since the new courthouse is looming up as a thing of beauty as well as of usefulness wouldn’t it be a fine thing if all the

buildings on the square were to be brightened and freshened to give a better setting for the gem in the middle? Too many of the buildings are drab and weather beaten, and little pride may be had in them so far as appearance is concerned. Why couldn’t arrangements be made to at least start the new courthouse off in a setting more in keeping with its own beauty. Let us take some pride in our appearance, now that so much of the lack of it is apparent without the shield of the green foliage which once was. ***

STRONG DISAPPROVAL

From all over the country comes a loud cry of disapproval from the members of the Methodist church as a result of the action of one of the committees in the general Conference offering a resolution which seeks to place that church on record as opposed to war either in the interest of humanity or in self-defense. That this is only the attempt of a small minority of misguided pacifists to place the church in the wrong light seems to be the general opinion, but it serves to show how the pacifists are boring from within, and should serve as a warning to all Americans.

NEW STORE TO BE OPENED ABOUT JUNE 1

The new jewelry store to be opened and conducted by Richard Dickerson in the Holman Building on the north side of the square is expected to be ready for

business about the first of the month.

Workmen have overhauled the interior of the room, and have given it a delightful appearance. Meanwhile, Mr. Dickerson has been buying his fixtures and the stock, and is now engaged in arranging these. He has bought a nice lot of fixtures, and when the store is ready to be opened it should present a very pleasing appearance.

***

W. C. T. U. ORGANIZED IN PUTNAM COUNTY

Putnam County S. C. T. U. Directory

Pres., Mrs. Melvin Fish, Lemons

V.-Pres. Mrs. Maud Whitmore, Unionville

Cor. Sec., Mrs. Will Freed, Unionville

Rec. Sec., Mrs. Rolla Robinson, Unionville

Treas., Mrs. Allen Lemen, Lemons Lemons Officers

Pres., Mrs. Geo. Vermillion

V.-Pres., Mrs. Press

Sparks

Cor. Sec., Mrs. Rena Quintin

Rec. Sec., Mrs. Edna Quintin

Treas., Mrs. Eva Matthews

Unionville Officers

Pres., Mrs. Geo. D. Guffey

V.-Pres., Mrs. Julia Brasfield

Cor. Sec., Mrs. A. B. Pratt

Rec. Sec., Mrs. Rolla Robinson

Treas., Mrs. Will Freed

Livonia Officers

Pres., Mrs. Lizzie Dickerson

V.-Pres., Dr. Ida Nulton

Sec.-Treas., Mrs. Glynne McClellan

Most sincerely, Mrs. M. E. Fish ***

CONTRACT LET

FOR MORE ROADS

The Missouri State Highway Commission opened 97 bids last week for 21 road construction projects in 17 counties. One was a contract for the construction of 2.998 miles of 30-foot graded earth road in Putnam County. This is the project from Lemons south to the Sullivan County line, and it was awarded to J. L. Simmons company of LaPlata at $8,218.39. The project from Milan north for a little more than two miles was also let, and this will complete the line from the Iowa line south.

***

TAX FIELD MAN HERE

D. D. McDonald, field agent of the State Tax Commission, was here on Tuesday conferring with the assessors of the townships and looking over the land of county in an effort to secure a uniformity of taxation all over the state. About sixty percent of the assessors of the county were present, and these compared notes and secured a definite idea of the basis used in all other sections of the state. Mr. McDonald and County Clerk Patterson made a trip and inspected some parts of the county.

The Commission is using this effective method to secure uniformity of taxation all over the state, and to wipe out the many inequalities which have always existed. It will place all on the same basis, which is the desirable and fair way.

***

TO OPEN BEAUTY SHOP

Mrs. Ellison Martin left Sunday for Kansas City where she is now taking a course in beauty work. This course will occupy several weeks

after which she expects to open a beauty parlor here. Such parlors are common enough in most cities and towns, but one has never been had here, and this will be somewhat of an innovation, bringing better opportunities to those who take pride in their appearance.

***

BASKET DINNER

There will be a basket meeting at Christian Home church, nine miles southeast of Unionville, the first Sunday in June. Everybody come. – W. B. Stevens

***

WATER WAGON AGAIN

After a year’s absence from our streets the water wagon again made its appearance this week. The wagon is being driven by Guy Medlin.

Last year the main streets were oiled, and this made the water wagon an useless luxury. So much criticism was made of the oiled streets that the city administration has had little interest in making any attempt along this line this season, though an excellent oil base was made last year and not so much oil would be required this year, except where the street has been dug

up for the sewer system. Sprinkling the streets will eventually make them full of chuck holes, but between them and the dust the holes apparently are preferable.

***

SEVENTEEN INDICTED

A federal grand jury in St. Louis last week returned indictments against seventeen persons in connection with the theft of 893 barrels of whisky from the Jack Daniels distillery last summer. A deputy revenue collector of St. Louis, and a millionaire bootlegger and his wife of Cincinnati, Ohio, were among those indicted. The big bootlegger is now serving a two-year term in federal prison in Atlanta on bootlegging charges.

***

BROADWAY FEELS THE PINCH

The heavy hand of the United States government does not always move swiftly, but it generally moves some time. For years Broadway in New York City has defied the government to stop its practice of selling liquor, especially in the high priced cabarets. Last week, however, the hand fell, and nine of the

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most prominent and expensive cafes along the Great White Way were padlocked under government orders to remain closed for one year. No business may be transacted in them during that time, and Broadway is stunned. ***

SEARCHING AUTOMOBILES ON ROADS FOR BOOZE

The past few days officers over the county have been giving some attention to the automobile as a bootlegging medium. Cars coming and going over the state line south of here have been being searched. The traf-

fic in this section in any kind of booze is getting more and more hazardous and indications point that it will continue to be so. A source of supply is now beyond the Missouri line, beyond reach of the Iowa officers. If Missouri doesn’t clean p her damp spots Federal permits will be secured by the officers of this county which will enable them to go across the line and see that it is done.

The above is taken from the Cincinnati, Ia., Review, and the statement so far as it applies to stopping automobiles from this side of the line is borne out by several

citizens of Unionville and vicinity who say they were stopped and compelled to undergo a search by five or six men who showed no discrimination and offered no authority for the search. The men were not masked though some say they saw crosses on the men. The people from this vicinity who reported the occurrences were on their way to Centerville to attend the carnival, or were up that way on lawful and peaceful business.

If there is illicit booze making and selling on this side of the line notice of it should be properly given to the proper officers here, who we believe will make every legal effort to stamp it out. We are inclined to the belief that the officers on this side can cope with any lawlessness here, and that they need no assistance in the form of promiscuous stopping of peaceful and law abiding citizens on peaceful errands on what is, to say the least, very doubtful authority. Such action tends to breed troubles of a more grave nature.

On the Road to the Podium

State Track Action -- Allise Perkins clears the bar in the high jump and medals with a fifth place finish and a jump of 5’ 1”. Jude Watt finishes the final lap of the 800m with a time of 2:00.78 to finish seventh and medal.

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USDA Launching New Suite of Summer Nutrition Programs to Help Tackle Hunger and

Improve Healthy Eating for Millions of Children

WASHINGTON, –

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today the launch of “SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids,” to help improve nutrition security during the summer months. Through the suite of SUN Programs, families now have more choices and convenient ways to get summer nutrition support for their children and teens with new SUN Bucks, SUN Meals, and previously launched SUN Meals ToGo. Collectively, these programs continue the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in promoting food and nutrition security.

“Nearly 30 million children participate in USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs on an average school day, but when school is out, kids lose access to those vital meals,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA’s SUN Programs offer more options for families to conveniently access the essential nutrition children need to thrive, learn and grow during summer and beyond.”

SUN Bucks, the new evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT)

program, provides a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school-aged child this summer; the benefit value will be adjusted annually for inflation and is higher outside of the contiguous 48 states. SUN Bucks helps families and caregivers expand their summer grocery budget to buy foods that best fit their family’s needs, cultural traditions and preferences. Research shows that this type of summer grocery benefit can reduce child hunger in the summer by 33%, and also improve eating patterns with increased whole grain, dairy, and fruit and vegetable consumption by children in participating households.

This inaugural summer, many states, the District of Columbia, all U.S. territories, and some tribal nations are partnering with USDA to make SUN Bucks available in their communities. About 21 million children are expected to benefit from SUN Bucks this summer.

In participating areas, SUN Bucks can be used at a variety of grocery stores and other food retailers and are in addition to other food benefits families may already receive, like the Supple-

mental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Families with eligible children currently receiving SNAP and other benefits will automatically be enrolled in SUN Bucks; others will need to apply each year.

In addition to the new grocery benefit, SUN Programs also provide nutritious meal and snack services during the summer months to kids 18 and under in communities and among populations with high rates of poverty throughout the U.S.:

SUN Meals are served at schools, parks, community centers, and other neighborhood locations. This long-standing in-person summer meals program has been available in communities since 1968. Meals are often provided along with enrichment activities to support children’s healthy growth and development.

SUN Meals To-Go, launched in 2023, offers pick-up and delivery options in some rural areas when and where SUN Meals are not available.

“It’s heartening to see Congress’s bipartisan action to help make sure no child goes hungry during the summer months,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “President Biden’s investment in high-quality, nutritious school meals creates healthier brighter futures for kids across America and USDA’s SUN Programs give families more ways than ever to support their kids’ nutritional needs.”

These nutrition programs advance the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030 set forth at the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.

To help families connect to services in their community, USDA’s SUN Programs website, www.fns.usda.gov/summer, directs visitors to local resources, including how to find a nearby SUN Meals site and see if SUN Meals To-Go are available in their area. Information will be updated throughout the summer. USDA’s SUN Programs website also provides information on SUN Bucks and links visitors to the states and jurisdictions offering the new grocery benefit. The site is also available in Spanish at www.fns. usda.gov/verano.

McCune Cemetery

McCune Cemetery will meet Monday, June 1st at 1:00 p.m. at the Cemetery

Joe Koenen, AgriBusiness Specialist (Mo Extension Ret.)

GARDEN WEBINAR

I know many of you enjoy gardening and that insects and diseases can cause problems. I want to make you aware of a webinar that several of you might find useful.

There is a webinar {online} series coming up that will discuss common garden woes on Mondays, June 3th, June 10th and June 17. It costs $30 for all 3 sessions that run from 6:30 to 8 pm each night. Topics will include common vegetable garden diseases, insect identification and control and how to control weeds in the garden. The program will be taught by 3 very knowledgeable horticulturalists here in Missouri. Go to https://www.cvent. com/d/y1q813/4W to register for this program.

Do not forget that you can also go to the MU extension website for gardening information at www.extension.missouri.edu.

JOB OPENINGS

In case you have not heard or seen on Face Book, Putnam County is looking for a qualified candidate to work in the extension office as an administrative assistant. We are sad to see McLena leave but wish her well and are hoping to find a good candidate for the office. You can go to the Putnam County Extension Face Book page or online at the ex-

tension site listed above and click on careers to get more information or an application. There are additional positions open in the counties close to us you can check out online too. Please tell your friends and others about this opportunity also.

REMINDERS

Do not forget the Market on the Square continues every Saturday morning from 7 to 11 am. Locally grown fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, Swiss chard, rhubarb, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach in addition to baked goods, eggs, crafts and other products are available.

The Sheep, Goat and Swine Weigh-In for 4-H and FFA will occur on Sunday, June 9th from 2 to 4 pm at the city park. Nose prints for state fair will be done at that time. Contact Toni Hamilton for more information. It is getting closer to the summer each week and that means county fairs time is not far away. Many of our local fairs have an online presence, including the NEMO fair in Kirksville and the Putnam County Fair in Unionville. Check in online or in the extension office for any printed information or assistance.

THOUGHT: “Motivation is what gets you started; habit is what keeps you going”!

Katy Trail State Park Receives

Donation of New Welcome Center on June 1

Serve Summer Safe with Food Safety Tips from USDA

The former Treloar Mercantile was donated by Dan and Connie Burkhardt to serve as a welcome center on the Katy Trail. Photo source: Missouri State Parks

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 22, 2024 –Thanks to a generous donation from Dan and Connie Burkhardt, Katy Trail State Park will receive a new “welcome center.” The new center will be housed in the Treloar Mercantile, which is located near the Treloar trailhead (mile marker 84.7) and across from the Treloar elevator, which is also owned by Missouri State Parks. Join Missouri State Parks on National Trails Day Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open house event at the new center.

The historic Treloar Mercantile was built in 1896 for the arrival of the KATY Railroad and retains many of its original fixtures. The Burkhardts purchased the Treloar Mercantile in 2018 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. They purchased the building to preserve it and for community events on the trail. The Burkhardts spent their careers at

Edward Jones and later created Magnificent Missouri, a not-for-profit that works with Missouri State Parks to advocate for and improve Katy Trail State Park. Magnificent Missouri has hosted many special events on the trail, bringing visitors to Treloar to learn more about the history and natural scenic beauty of the area.

In 1985, Ted Jones, then managing partner of Edward Jones, and his wife Pat donated $2.2 million to purchase the trail corridor and develop the trail’s pilot sections. Their generosity laid the foundation for completion of the 240mile Katy Trail, the longest developed rail trail in the nation. To cement the ongoing legacy of the Joneses’ contributions, the Burkhardts have requested the new welcome center be named the “Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center at the Treloar Mercantile.”

“We’re excited to have a presence on the Katy Trail with the new

welcome center,” said David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. “This year, we will have limited hours while we figure out staffing, displays and office space within the building. Signs outside the building will announce if the center is open. Visitors can watch us grow as we expand exhibits, add retail merchandise and increase additional hours of operation in 2025 and beyond.”

The public is invited to join the Missouri State Park team Thursday, June 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. to participate in a community meeting that will help guide the welcome center’s development.

For more information concerning Katy Trail State Park, please call 573-449-7402. For more information on the Missouri State Park system, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

WASHINGTON, MAY 21, 2024 – Memorial Day weekend was the official kickoff for summer, and as the weather heats up, so do the number of meals that will be served outside. Whether you’re eating with friends at the pool or family in a backyard cookout, food should be served safe to avoid foodborne illness. As you start to plan your outdoor activities and meals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service is offering food safety tips to keep you safe from foodborne illness.

“The bacteria that cause foodborne illness love the summertime as much as we do because they thrive and multiply quickly in warmer temperatures. This causes illnesses to spike during the summer,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. “As we all spend more time outside, it is important to remember these food safety steps to keep your friends and family safe.”

Wash Hands

The first step to serving summer foods safely is to start with clean hands. If running water is available, wet hands, lather with soap, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry. If no running water is available, use hand sanitizer or moist towelettes that contain at least 60 percent alcohol.

Pack Perishables Safely

When traveling with perishable food to places like the pool, beach, summer camp, hiking, or a cookout, always use cold sources in coolers or insulated containers to

keep food at a safe cold temperature below 40 F. Cold source options include ice, frozen gel packs, and frozen beverages (that do not require refrigeration for safety) such as water bottles, iced tea, and juices like apple and grape.

Additional cooler tips:

Pack beverages in one cooler and perishable food in another cooler.

The beverage cooler may be opened frequently, causing the temperature inside the cooler to fluctuate and become unsafe for perishable foods.

Keep coolers and insulated bags out of the sun. Once outside, place them in the shade.

Full coolers or insulated bags will keep your perishable foods cold and safe for much longer than half-full ones.

Place an appliance thermometer (one traditionally used for the refrigerator or freezer) in the cooler so you can check to be sure the food stays at 40 F or below.

Keep Out of the Danger Zone

The Danger Zone is the temperature range where bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 and 140 F. Perishable foods, including meat and poultry, sliced fruits and vegetables, and cooked side dishes, should avoid the Danger Zone or be kept hot or cold to maintain food safety.

Cold foods must be kept at 40 F or below by placing them in the refrigerator, coolers, insulated containers, or nestled over ice.

Hot foods must be kept over 140 F by placing them on the grill, in heated chafing dishes, slow cooker, or warming

trays. Check the temperatures of cold and hot items frequently. Follow the Two-Hour Rule Foods that are kept hot or cold out of the Danger Zone or do not sit out for more than two hours (one hour if over 90 F) are safe to keep. Any other items would be considered unsafe and need to be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out!

If You Have Food Safety Questions

Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at www.ask. usda.gov 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Access news releases and other information at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) website at www.fsis.usda.gov/ newsroom. Follow FSIS on X at @usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at X @ usdafoodsafety_es, and USDA on Instagram at @usdagov and Facebook.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in many positive ways. USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices.To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Over

free in this earthly life

victory over

Remember our fallen