06-13-2024 Post Telegraph

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Paden (left) and Sam Evans, brothers from rural Modena, are Missouri High School Rodeo Association state champions. Paden is the state champion calf roper. Sam is the state champion saddle bronc rider. Paden is a 17-year-old junior, and Sam is a 16-year-old sophomore, both online through Alpha Omega/Ignitia. Rodeos were held all year, from August 2023 until the state finals at the end of May and the first of June. Paden also won state champion boys’ cutting, and reserve team roping header. The brothers will now get to compete during the National High School Finals Rodeo July 14-20 in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Farmers Market to begin Tuesday

PRESTON COLE

Princeton Post-Telegraph

PRINCETON, Mo The Princeton Chamber of Commerce will begin its annual summer Farmers Market next Tuesday, June 18.

The market will be held during the late afternoon/early evening hours of 4:30-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, on the parking lot of Crossroads Liquor & Sporting Goods. That’s located at the north intersection of U.S. Highways 65 and 136.

A group of local producers will be bringing fresh produce and other items for sale. The group will evaluate additional hours, based on how the Tuesday evening events go. Shannon Neil will serve as the market’s manager. People wanting more information should contact Neil or interim chamber president Amy Cool.

R-5, 17 other Missouri schools get EPA grants for electric buses

Princeton to get $1.725 million to buy five vehicles

Special to the Post-Telegraph

WASHINGTON, DC The latest recipients from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition have been announced. Three area school districts, including Princeton R-5, will be getting new electric school buses, what the EPA calls “clean school buses” under the program.

The rebates will help selectees purchase 56 clean school buses in 18 school districts across Missouri. The program will also help Missouri accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replace existing school buses, which have been linked to asthma and other conditions that harm the health of students and surrounding communities.

The 18 Missouri school dis-

tricts are:

• Princeton R-5: $1,725,000 for five buses

• Newtown-Harris R-3:

$345,000 for one bus

• Worth County: $1,725,000 for five buses

• Academie Lafayette: $1,380,000 for four buses

• Affton: $200,000 for one

bus

• Campbell R-2: $710,000 for two buses

• Crawford County R-1: $1,380,000 for four buses

• Kennett #39: $730,000 for two buses

• Knob Noster R-8 $1,200,000

See Electric buses, Page 2

The Princeton R-5 School District’s fleet of electric school buses currently numbers one, the Lion model shown above. That number is going to increase to six electric buses in the future, as the district is the recipient of $1.725 million in EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) grant fund to purchase five more buses. Eighteen Missouri school districts, including area districts Newtown-Harris (Newtown) and Worth County (Grant City) are receiving grants ranging from $200,000 to $3.45 million to buy anywhere from one bus to ten buses.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Princeton Post-Telegraph

PO Box 286/704 West Main

Princeton, MO 64673

Phone: 660-748-3266

Fax: 660-748-3267

Email: posttele@grm.net DEADLINES

Al Display Ads

(Ads with borders)

All Classified Ads

News & Photos:

10 a.m. Friday

* - includes photos sent via email

NOTE: Deadlines change for holiday printing schedules. Advance notice will be provided. PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD!

If an error is made in your ad, we will be happy to correct it. However, we are not responsible for errors that appear for more than one week.

The receipt of news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases by the Princeton Post-Telegraph DOES NOT constitute an agreement to publish such news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. All news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases will be published at the discretion of the editor. At all times, the editor reserves the right to edit, amend, and/ or delete any and all information at will, with or without explanation.

The limit of liability of the Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for advertising, legal and/or non-legal, not published.

The Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for the non-publishing of news, letters to the editor, and/or press releases.

EDITOR’S NOTICE

The receipt of news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases by the Princeton Post-Telegraph DOES NOT constitute an agreement to publish such news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases. All news, advertisements, letters to the editor, and/or press releases will be published at the discretion of the editor. At all times, the editor reserves the right to edit, amend, and/ or delete any and all information at will, with or without explanation.

The limit of liability of the Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for advertising, legal and/or non-legal, not published. The Princeton Post-Telegraph takes no responsibility for the non-publishing of news, letters to the editor, and/or press releases.

STORAGE UNITS

For Rent - Storage unit. Elm Street Storage, Princeton. 660-748-3619. 6-6-ufnb

FOR YOUR ASPHALT NEEDS

Griffin Asphalt of Trenton will be in Princeton all this summer. 660-359-1182 5-2/6-30b

Boyer Land Company LLC

Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673 660-748-6314

YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-5-2023ufn

Henke, Kelly named to GRC.com

Two-Family Garage Sale Friday, June 14, 4-8 and Saturday, June 15, 8-1. 4 miles west of Princeton on Hwy. 136 on Lake Paho entrance road (Fathom Street. Watch for signs. Kitchen and household itens and decor, Christmas items, shoes, purses, men’s camo clothing, lots of miscellaneous. Still gathering! 6-13p

GRC West All-Sports girls team

PRESTON COLE Princeton Post-Telegraph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. Two Princeton High School female student-athletes have been named to the grandriverconference.com GRC West All-Sports team to recognized their performances during the 2023-24 school year.

Both girls were three-sports standouts for the Tigers.

WOOD’S GUN SHOP

5 Miles South of Ravanna 660-748-5795

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-5-2023-ufn

NO HUNTING GUNS & AMMO

NOTICE - Hunting and trespassing with dog and/or gun, trapping or fishing on land owned or leased by the undersigned is strictly forbidden. You are hereby warned to keep off these properties. Trespassers will be prosecuted.

No tresspassing for any reason on land that we own or lease. John & Linda Baughman. 9-28-23-52tp

No hunting, fishing or trespassing on property owned, leased or rented by Joe and Victoria Ryan. 4-27-23-52tp

Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Highland Farms land owned and operated by Dixie Berger, Joe Berger & Steve Berger. 5-16-24-52tp

Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting and drones on land owned and/ or rented by FRJ Family Farms, LLC. 3-23-23-52tp

Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on land owned by Barbara & LeRoy Hider 10-10-23-52tp

NO HUNTING OR TRESPASSING on any land owned by LAKE MARIE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION. 7-28-23-52tp

No hunting or trespassing of any kind without permission on land owned by Diane Houk and Jenny Bomgardner. 9-28-23-52tp

Absolutely NO TRESPASSING, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, hiking, mushroom and drones on land owned and/or rented by KRW5 Trust (Keith or RaeLynn Weaver) 10-5-23-52tb

No hunting or trespassing on any land owned by Bill and Peggy Heck. 5-30-52tb

No hunting, trespassing or fishing on property owned, leased or rented by Shirley or Joe Don Pollard. 4-19-24-52tp

Absolutely no hunting or trespassing on Choate property at any time. 3-28-24-52tp

Absolutely no hunting with guns or dogs, fishing, or trespassing on land owned by Berndt Farm and Berndt Twin Lake Inc 11-10-23-52tp

No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-22-104tp

No trespassing on property owned by Shandra Morin 4-11-24-52tp

Junior Addilyn Henke was a unanimous selection for the All-GRC West softball and basketball teams, and was the league’s No. 2 scorer. She was also named to the Class 1, All-District 8 softball first team and the Class 1, All-District 14 basketball team. She was chosen as the District 14 Player of the year.

In track, Henke was a member of two top-6 relay teams and scored in two individual events in the GRC West meet. She won the District 4 title in the 100 meters and ran the anchor leg of the district champion 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams, and scored in another individual event. She picked up a state medal in anchoring the 4x100 team to top-8 finishes, giving her four state medals.

Kelly finished her four-year Tiger career with second-team All-GRC West honors in softball and basketball, and she was chosen to the Class 1 All-Region 4 softball team. She was also an Class 1, All-District 14 selection in basketball.

In track, Kelly medaled in the discus during the GRC West meet, and ran on the District 4 champion 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. The 4x100 team got a top-8 finish at state, giving her five all-state medals for her career - including all four years in the 4x100.

Pattonsburg’s Katelyn Jones was chosen as the GRC West Player of the Year. She won the Class 1 state title in the long jump with a meet-record leap of 18 feet, 41/2 inches and finished second in the triple jump. She was also an all-state selection in softball and basketball.

The GRC.com All-Sports teams:

FIRST TEAM - Katelyn Jones, Pattonsburg; Abigail Troncin, Albany; Clare Staley, King City; Kelsey Crabtree, Pattonsburg; Addilyn Henke, Princeton; Chloe Burnham, St. Joseph Christian; Marli Hilton, Stanberry; Katelyn James, Stanberry; Eva Engel, Worth County; Riley Ridge, Worth County.

Player of the Year - Katelyn Jones, Pattonsburg.

SECOND TEAM - Emma Mercer, Albany; Annabelle Gardner, Pattonsburg; Grace Kelly, Princeton; Maya Freudenthal, St. Joseph Christian; Jaci Jorgensen, St. Joseph Christian; Joy Wallick, St. Joseph Christian; Amelia Wallace, Stanberry; Bridgette Hightshoe, Worth County; Brooklyn Richardson, Worth County; Emma Spencer, Worth Couhty; Kynah Steele, Worth County.

THIRD TEAM - Addisyn Crawford, Albany; Makena Moffat, Albany; Hayleigh Wink, Albany; Kaylee Roberts, King City; Zoe Tunks, King City; Lani Briggs, North Harrison; Ella Dubois, St. Joseph Christian; Danika Wattenbarger, St. Joseph Christian; Autumn Cousatte, Worth County; Kristen Tracy, Worth County.

The boys’ teams are expected to be announced later this week, after the all-state baseball teams are announced.

GRC.com is not officially affiliated with either the Grand River Conference West or the Grand River Conference.

Electric buses From Page 1

for six buses

• Lamar R-1: $200,000 for one bus

• Lewis County C-1: $690,000 for two buses

• Madison C-3: $345,000 for one bus

• New Haven: $200,000 for one clean school bus

• Normandy Schools Collaborative: $1,725 million for five buses

• Portageville: $690,000 for two buses

• Potosi R-3: $3,450,000 for 10 buses

• Scotland County R-1: $730,000 for two buses

• Scott County Central: $690,000 for two buses

In September 2023,

AG, Belle settle dispute

the EPA announced the availability of at least $500 million for its 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) rebates. Given the overwhelming demand, including in low-income communities, tribal nations, and U.S. territories, EPA doubled the amount of available funding to nearly $1 billion. En pointe

From Page 7

The Attorney General’s Office reviews complaints for violations of the Sunshine Law committed by local public governmental bodies, regularly conducts public trainings across the state of Missouri, and publishes resources and sample forms on its website.

In 2023, Bailey set an office record for Sunshine Law trainings conducted in one year, as well as closed a record number of Sunshine Law complaints in one year.

How many tutu-clad ballerinas can fit in the ballroom of New York’s Plaza Hotel? Enough to win the attention of the judges at the Guinness World Records - 353 ballerinas, to be precise. The young dancers of the Youth America Grand Prix were “en pointe” – on their toes – and won the day and the Guinness prize. The organization’s Sergey Gordeev explained that "the big why of why we're doing it is to really let the world know that dance is a healing force. Dance is a power that brings us connection at a time when we're so disconnected."

TERRI KELLY/Princeton Post-Telegraph

Grace Kelly was named to GRC.com’s GRC West All-Sports girls’ second team.

PRESTON COLE/Princeton Post-Telegraph Addilyn Henke was named to GRC.com’s GRC West All-Sports girls’ first team.

“I’m

worried about the future of SS”

RUSSELL GLOOR

Special to the Post-Telegraph

WASHINGTON Dear Rusty: I keep reading that the SSA will only be able to pay out 75% of benefits come 2033. If congress were to do nothing and this reduction in benefits occurred, would seniors already collecting benefits in 2033 have their benefits reduced or would it only be those who have not begun to collect have their future benefits reduced? I will be collecting my benefits no later than 2027 but my wife will not reach full retirement age until 2033 and we are looking for information on whether we need to adjust savings now to account for mine or my wife’s possible reduction in benefits.

Signed: Worried Senior

Dear Worried Senior: If Congress does nothing to prevent Social Security’s reserves from depletion, Social Security - by law - will only be able to pay out benefits equal to income, which is estimated to be about 23% to 25% short of what will be needed to pay full benefits starting in 2033. That would mean everyone who is already receiving monthly Social Security benefits would get a payment 23% to 25% less than they were previously receiving. And without reform, new beneficiaries would get benefits similarly reduced.

The action needed to prevent those cuts from happening resides with Congress, and any program reform they enact would likely only affect those who are not yet collecting. Whether or how that would affect you and your wife as future SS beneficiaries depends on the scope of reform Congress will enact which, of course, is not yet known. That uncertainty, itself, is reason enough to bolster your savings for your future retirement.

The probability of Congress allowing the Trust Funds to be depleted, thus necessitating an

COMMENTARY

across the board cut in everyone’s benefit is, in my opinion, slim (it would be political suicide). Congress already knows how to fix Social Security’s financial woes - they just currently lack the bipartisanship and political fortitude to do so. And it’s doubtful any Social Security reform will happen this election year - rather, the opposing sides will likely just sling accusations at each other in 2024. But rest assured that both sides of Congress are acutely aware that reform of the Social Security program is needed soon, and we are already seeing signs that progress on reform may be forthcoming (but not until after the 2024 elections).

Congress is notorious for waiting until the last possible moment to act, and I don’t suggest you alter your Social Security claiming strategy based on the unknown. But building a bigger nest egg for retirement is always a prudent goal. Also, calling your congressional representative to endorse needed Social Security reform which ensures your future benefits will not be cut would be a good move.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit amacfoundation.org/programs/ social-security-advisory or send an email to ssadvisor@amacfoundation. org.

MERCER COUNTY 4-DAY WEATHER

National Weather Service - Pleasant Hill/Kansas City, Mo.

Time of forecast: 8 a.m. Monday, June 10

Thursday, June 13: Sunny, hot; 96/67

Friday, June 14: Sunny; 89/65

Saturday, June 15: Mostly sunny; 90/72

Sunday, June 16: Mostly sunny, hot; 94

Forecasts reflect daytime high and overnight low temperatures. Weather forecasts change often. Check local radio, weather radio, or the NWS website (www.weather.gov) for the most recent updates.

PRINCETON POST-TELEGRAPH MISSION

STATEMENT (What we try to do every week)

“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process WE WILL CATCH EXCELLENCE.”

Coach Vince Lombardi

THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment for religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Mandatory animal ID is back

PAUL HAMBY

Special to the Post-Telegraph

MAYSVILLE, Mo. First, the back story.

Twenty years ago the Bush administration signed on to agreements with the World Organisation for Animal Health, aka WOAH. Formerly known as OIC, WOAH is closely associated with the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.

The Bush era agreement said that the United States would implement a mandatory animal ID system with 24 hour traceability for all livestock movements in the USA. The program was called the National Animal ID System (NAIS).

In 2009, the USDA came to Jefferson City to roll out listening sessions to promote their new program and get feedback. The feedback was a loud “no” and sparked a nationwide rebellion from farmers. Missouri led the nation in pushback against NAIS.

“State Senator Chuck Purgason of Caulfield says Missouri law - Senate Bill 931 - keeps NAIS voluntary and cannot be mandatory without explicit authority from the state legislature. Purgason was one of several state lawmakers, who are also farmers, who testified against mandatory NAIS.”

(Brownfield Network)

Missouri native ag broadcaster and farmer Derry Brownfield was the keynote speaker at town hall meetings opposing NAIS here in the Midwest. Brownfield's message was that this was a bigger issue than animal traceability, as humans could easily be next and the sovereignty of our country is at stake when we allow international organizations to write

LIBERTY THOUGTS

laws for Americans.

Brownfield said on his radio show, “This is exactly what George Washington warned us against in 1796 when he gave his farewell address. Washington told us to “steer clear of parmanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

Missouri State Rep. Jim Guest of King City helped pass the bipartisan bill to ban a mandatory NAIS program. Other states followed Missouri’s lead, passing similar legislation because a mandatory system favors the big producers. Small farmers, Amish and Mennonite farmers would not or could not comply for financial, ethical or religious reasons.

In February 2010, the USDA backed off the Bush era mandatory NAIS program.

Mandatory RFID livestock testing is back again

Alexa Kulwiec of the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund explains: “In 2020, the USDA APHIS issued a mandate that cattle and bison be tagged with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Following litigation, in March 2021 this mandate was revoked. In January 2023, USDA-APHIS published a proposed rule to mandate electronic ID for cattle and bison, which is now pending before the United States Office of Budget and Management. Despite the fact that the vast majority of comments the agency received were opposed to the proposal, USDA appears to be planning to finalize it in 2024.”

So we have bureaucrats making law based on UN policy for a mandatory livestock electronic tracking system that is op-

posed by a majority of farmers. And, there is zero evidence the new program will make our food supply any safer than the current systems in place.

Mandatory EID hurts small farms and ranches and increases consolidation, based on the actual experience in our country. Michigan is the only state currently with mandatory EID, which they implemented in 2007 for cattle intrastate. Since then, Michigan has lost 32% of its small cattle farms. At the same time, the number of large cattle farms in Michigan increased by 37% - and even more dramatically, the number of cattle on those large farms increased by 64%, five times the national average! (Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance) Call to action

On May 8, 2024, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced Senate Bill S. 4282 to stop the USDA Rule:

The short bill reads, “The Secretary of Agriculture shall not implement any rule or regulation requiring the mandatory use of electronic identification ear tags on cattle or bison.” Sen. Rounds’ bill is endorsed by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association and R-CALF USA .

“It’s nonsensical for the Secretary of Agriculture to complain that America is losing too many farmers and ranchers while simultaneously forcing America’s farmers and ranchers to purchase and use the most expensive form of animal identification available today - electronic identification ear tags,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. “These ear

See Mandatory ID, Page 4

OBITUARIES

Gerald Beverage

Gerald Lee Beverage, 82, born May 2, 1942, in Princeton, Mo., passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024, surrounded by his loving family and special friends.

Gerald, who was also known as Dude to his family and Gerry to his friends, was the youngest of four boys. He joined the Marine Corps in 1961 and selflessly served his country for four years. Upon discharge from the military, he followed his brothers to Wichita and went to work for Sears, Roebuck & Company, where he worked for many years. After retiring from Sears, Dude worked at Donovan Auto of Wichita.

Dude married the love of his life on July 14, 1977, in Wichita, Kan. Together, he and Kay lived a full life for forty-seven years. Dude enjoyed traveling with Kay. Visiting the beach in South Carolina was one of their favorite destinations. There was never a moment when they were not laughing, or just enjoying each other’s company. They were truly each other’s best friend.

Dude was an avid golfer and he played at many golf courses in his heyday. Kay helped fulfill his passion for the sport and they moved to a golfing community where he

could play the game he loved every day. Dude was also a huge baseball fan and always had a game on the TV to watch and regularly told us who lost or who had won.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn and Cleveland Beverage, sister, Mary C. Beverage, brother, Bobby Dean Beverage, and his loving wife, Brenda Kay Beverage.

Gerald is survived by his brothers, Howard Wayne (Frankie) Beverage of Wichita and Harold Glenn (Rosie) Beverage of Princeton, as well as nieces and nephews.

Dude was a smart, kind and funny man, he was extremely sweet and the ultimate gentleman. He brought immeasurable joy and light into our lives with his kind heart, huge smile, and boundless curiosity. Dude will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but we are reassured that he is reunited in heaven with his loving wife, and they are once again laughing together.

His funeral service was held Thursday, June 6 at Resthaven Mortuary, north of Trenton, Mo.

Deborah Eastin

Princeton, Mo.

Deborah Lynne Eastin, 43, of Princeton, Mo., (formerly of Peoria, Illinois) passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024 at a Kansas City, Mo., hospital.

She was born April 10, 1951 in Yazoo, Miss., the daughter of Walter Thomas and Irene Elizabeth (Kitselman) Hawks. She was a 1969 graduate of Manual High School in Peoria.

She married Richard Lee Eastin in Independence, Mo., on Nov. 9, 1983. He survives of the home.

Deborah was a dietitian at Princeton R-5 School for 41 years. She was member of BY Chapter of PEO, Eastern Star and Bethel Methodist Church, all of Princeton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, David Hawks, on May 4, 2024 of Illinois.

Survivors in addition to her husband, Richard, are her daughter, Michelle Lynne Wood, Trenton, Mo.; her son, Chad (Alisa) Baughman, Killeen, Texas; grandson, Cole Phillip Collins, Bethany, Mo.; granddaughters, Abigal Wood of Illinois and Evelyn Dorothy Collins, Bethany; brother, William (Jane) Hawks of Arizona; sisters, Susan (James) Barlow and Angela Sullivan (Don) both of Illinois.

A visitation where the family received friends was hele Tuesday, June 11 at Roberson Funeral Home in Princeton. Inurnment will be at a later date in Freedom Cemetery, northwest of Princeton.

Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.

ADVERTISE in the Princeton Post-Telegraph today!

Mandatory ID

From Page 3

tags will cost the industry tens of millions of dollars without any means of recovery from the marketplace. This is government overreach at its worst and we’re thankful Senator Rounds is taking decisive action to protect the freedoms and liberties of America’s cattle producers by allowing them to continue choosing how to manage their cattle operations.”

Please write to your senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt. Ask them to cosponsor and support S 4282 to stop the mandatory RFID program. You can find their contact info here: senate. gov.

Paul Hamby is a conservative, free-thinking farmer and small business owner in northwest Missouri’s DeKalb County.

SUBSCRIBE to the Post-Telegraph today!

Local U.S. 136 project scheduled to start

Special to the Post-Telegraph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. A project to resurface U.S. Route 136 in Mercer County originally scheduled to begin June 3, has been postponed until Monday, June 17, due to weather. Norris Asphalt Paving Co., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will resurface Route 136 from the Harrison/Mercer county line to Route C near Princeton.

During this time, the speed limit through the work zone will be lowered to 55 miles per hour, and the roadway will be narrowed to one lane.

All work is expected to take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours. A 12-foot

ADVERTISE in the Post-Telegraph today!

width restriction will be in place daily. The project is scheduled to be complete by September. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change. Know before you go by visiting the MoDOT Traveler Information Map for work zone information and road conditions at http:// traveler.modot.org/map/, or downloading from your smart phone’s app store.

MoDOT asks drivers to work with it by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones.

GRM Networks to host Fiber Field Day June 27

Special to the Post-Telegraph

PRINCETON, Mo. Missouri Smart Rural Community (SRC) broadband providers are joining together to host Fiber Field Day, an exclusive opportunity for consumers, policymakers, industry partners and community stakeholders to see firsthand how SRC providers deploy fiber broadband throughout Missouri.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, June 27 at the headquarters of GRM Networks, 1001 Kentucky Street in Princeton, Mo. Participating providers include GRM Networks of Princeton; Chariton Valley Broad-

band, LLC of Macon; Green Hills Telephone Corporation of Breckenridge; Kingdom Telephone Company of Auxvasse; Northeast Missouri Rural Telephone Company of Green City; and Steelville Telephone Exchange Inc. of Steelville.

“Fiber Field Day is an opportunity for consumers, policy makers, industry partners and community stakeholders to learn about all things fiber broadband. Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand how broadband is deployed in rural America through working demonstrations,” said Mitchell Bailey, chief executive officer of GRM Networks

and founder of Fiber Field Day. “We will also have educational stations setup where consumers can learn more about various topics including cybersecurity.”

Invited guests include federal, state and local elected officials. Confirmed attendees include Missouri State Rep. Danny Busick, Taylor Blackwell from U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s office and Christian Halftery from U.S. Rep. Sam Graves’ office.

Smart Rural Community is an initiative of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA), a national trade association that represents approximately

850 locally operated, facilities-based rural broadband providers throughout the United States. Smart Rural Community promotes collaboration among rural broadband providers and other local leaders to identify and deploy innovative broadband-enabled solutions to support agriculture, economic development, education, health care, and other vital services in rural areas.

“On behalf of Missouri’s Smart Rural Community providers, I encourage interested parties to attend as this is a great learning opportunity to see and understand how broadband providers deploy fiber,” said Bailey.

PSC sets intervention date in Evergy request

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

Evergy Missouri West, Inc. d/b/a Evergy Missouri West has filed an application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to adjust the Demand-Side Programs Investment Mechanism (DSIM) charge on customer bills. The DSIM charge, which appears as a separate line-item on customer bills, allows Evergy Missouri West to recover demand-side management program costs and incentives under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA). According to the application, a residential customer using 1,000 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity a month will see the charge decrease by approximately $1.25 a month, effective Aug. 1, 2024.

Applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed no later than June 21, 2024, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service

Commission, PO Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by using the commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS) at www. psc.mo.gov. Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, PO Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 651022230, telephone (866)

922-2959, e-mail opcservice@opc.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission Staff (PO Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102, telephone 1-800392-4211, e-mail pscinfo@psc.mo.gov). The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency

that represents the general public in matters before the commission.

Evergy Missouri West provides electric service to approximately 340,300 customers in Mercer County and 30 other Missouri counties.

Filling summer forage gap can be challenging for livestock producers

University of MO Extension LINNEUS, Mo. Gaps in summer forages for livestock producers can be challenging. University of Missouri Extension agronomy field specialist Valerie Tate in Linn County shares management solutions, including planting warm-season annual forages such as pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass, to fill a void in summer forage production or when renovating forage stands.

“When moisture and soil nutrients are readily available, sorghum-su-

dangrass and pearl millet can produce up to 6 tons of forage per acre during the growing season,” Tate said.

Crops such as foxtail millet, Japanese millet or improved crabgrass can also be used but are not as productive, she said.

When to plant Plant sorghum-sudangrass in mid-May to late June when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees. Drill sorghum-sudangrass at a rate of 20-25 pounds per acre, or broadcast it at a rate of 30-35 pounds per acre. For successful estab-

lishment, plant at a depth of ½ to 1 inch into a firm tilled seedbed, or control weeds with a burndown herbicide when using notill. Drill pearl millet at a depth of ¾ to 1 inch deep at a rate of 15 pounds per acre or broadcast at a rate of 20-30 pounds per acre in mid-May through mid-June. Sorghum-sudangrass prefers a soil pH above 5.5. Pearl millet is more tolerant of acidic soils than sorghum-sudangrass.

How to maintain

The key to maintaining high-quality summer

Extension releases soybean tool

JULIE HARKER

University of MO Extension

COLUMBIA, Mo. A new tool developed by University of Missouri Extension’s state soybean specialist, Andre Froes de Borja Reis, can indicate soybean growth and anticipate yield deviations before the end of the season.

“This tool is designed to predict soybean development and yield based on crop growth models,” Reis said. “It simulates soybean growth in various regions of Missouri, using both historical and current weather data.”

Soybean Growth Monitoring reports will inform farmers about how the weather and growing conditions in 2024 are affecting soybean development and yield, he said. “For example, the reports will indicate whether the 2024 season is likely to result in a higher yield compared to previous years, or how adverse weather conditions during the 2024 season might impact the yield months before harvest.”

Reis explains how he developed the tool: “The crop performance param-

eters are reported on a relative scale rather than as absolute values. The baseline is considered the ‘normal’ yield or growth, which is the average predicted yield based on 40 years of weather simulations using current soybean cultivars.”

The predictions are based on the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model developed at the University of Florida and adapted to Missouri by Reis’ research group.

The reports will help growers make management decisions primarily during the current growing season, including

“deciding whether to invest in late-season crop management such as prophylactic fungicide application or the use of micronutrients during seed filling,” said Reis.

“The reports also predict harvest maturity, which can help farmers plan the harvest operation in advance.”

Reports are available for the five regions of the state - northeast, northwest, central, southwest and southeast - and are updated twice a month at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/soybean.

annual forage throughout the growing season is to keep the plants from becoming too mature. The first harvest can occur 45 to 60 days after planting. Harvest or graze sorghum-sudangrass and pearl millet when the plants reach 24 to 36 inches in height, leaving a 10-inch stubble to promote regrowth. If the plants are allowed to grow beyond 36 inches in height, forage quality drops dramatically. To maximize production, apply 60 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer at establishment and 40 to 60 pounds after each harvest.

Careful with grazing

Use caution when harvesting or grazing summer annual forages during periods of prolonged drought since nitrates can accumulate in the lower stems, resulting in nitrate poisoning. To minimize the risk of nitrate poisoning when conditions are dry and forage growth is slow, delay additional

applications of nitrogen fertilizer until adequate moisture is available for rapid plant growth.

Prussic acid poisoning is also a concern with sorghum-sudangrass following frost injury or drought stress. Do not graze sorghum species before they reach 24 inches in height, and do not graze plants for 14 days after they have been stressed or damaged by drought, frost or hail.

Making bales

It can be difficult to get the coarse stems of sorghums and millets to the 18% dry matter necessary to prevent spoilage of dry hay. Making baleage by wrapping bales with plastic at a high moisture content is an alternative. Forage is mowed and allowed to wilt to 45% to 60% moisture. This may take 6-24 hours, depending upon the crop, yield, swath density and weather. After it is baled, it should be wrapped in plastic within four hours,

if possible. The bales will undergo the ensiling process, which might take up to six weeks.

The keys to making high-quality baleage are:

• Make tight, dense bales to eliminate as much oxygen as possible.

• Make wet bales smaller than dry hay bales for ease of handling.

• Use plastic twine or net wrap rather than treated sisal twine, which can break down the plastic.

• Wrap with six layers of 1-mil white plastic.

• Store bales in a welldrained area near where they will be fed.

• Repair tears in the plastic with silage tape to avoid spoilage.

Related MU Extension guides

“Warm-Season Annual Forage Crops,” https// extension.missouri.edu/ publications/g4661.

“Growing Millets for Grain, Forage and Cover Crop Use,” https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g4164.

Fitzpatrick announces upcoming audit of Department of Conservation

Special to the Post-Telegraph

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

Missouri State Auditor

Scott Fitzpatrick wants to provide an additional layer of accountability for the Missouri Department of Conservation, which now has unprecedented autonomy over its approximately $215 million budget due to a 2023 Missouri Supreme Court decision that resulted in limiting the oversight authority of the General Assembly. Fitzpatrick announced June 3 that his office has begun an audit of the department that will review how effectively it is using taxpayer dollars to accomplish its mission.

“With every other state department, the General Assembly has a level of oversight provided through the ap-

propriations process that can ensure tax dollars are allocated and used appropriately,” Fitzpatrick said. “However, with that authority now limited due to the court decision, specifically in regard to the Department of Conservation, it makes it vitally important that we stand in the gap for taxpayers and provide what will be the only layer of accountability for the department and its spending decisions.”

The Missouri Department of Conservation is funded by a one-eighth of one percent sales tax, which generates approximately $160 million in funding each year that goes directly to the agency. The department also receives funding from permit sales, federal aid, and income from sales and rentals. While the de-

partment has a dedicated funding stream, the General Assembly appropriates the funds to the department each year.

A decision by the legislature in 2020 to not include appropriations for the Department of Conservation's plan to pay $1 million to acquire 510 acres of land and $900,000 for payments to replace lost property taxes from conservation lands prompted a lawsuit by the Missouri Conservation Commission.

In 2023, the Missouri Supreme Court handed down its decision, which said the legislature cannot restrict the Conservation Commission from using appropriated funds for any of the purposes listed in the Missouri Constitution.

The department was

AG settles Sunshine Law dispute

Special to the Post-Telegraph

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced on Saturday (June 8) that his office settled a case against the city of Belle for failure to abide by the Sunshine Law. The alleged violations pertained to public meetings, including failures to provide adequate notices and tentative agendas, discussing items of public business not on meeting agendas, inadequately keeping meeting minutes, and improperly discussing business in at least one closed session that should have been open to the public.

“As Attorney General, I take seriously my obligation to enforce the laws as written, including Mis-

souri’s public meetings laws,” said Bailey. “I am glad that the city agreed to the settlement terms and compliance plan, which will put the city back on the path towards Sunshine Law compliance, in a way that takes accountability for missteps while conserving taxpayer dollars.”

As part of the agreement, the city of Belle admits that the Sunshine Law was violated as to each of the five counts alleged in the case. The city agrees to pay a fee, which the state of Missouri will transmit to Maries County public schools, and also agrees to abide by a compliance plan.

Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri is the foundation of what

last audited in 2018 when it received a rating of “fair.” That report included details of a separation agreement that resulted in more than $120,000 in additional benefits to the former director after he resigned. The report also

recommended changes to the department's comp time policies, which had no limits on some comp time earned or accrued by employees.

Individuals may provide confidential information for consideration during the audit of the Missouri Department of Conservation to the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/ hotline.

“I’ll believe it when I see it, and I have not seen it yet…”

PRESTON COLE/Princeton Post-Telegraph

has become known as Missouri’s Sunshine Law.

See AG, Belle, Page 2

The long-anticipated (not to mention, needed) paving project on U.S. 136 from the Mercer/Harrison county line east of Mt. Moriah to the Route C intersection at Ravanna is scheduled to begin next Monday, June 17 (see story on Page 4). The small headline above the photos pretty much sums up Mercer County residents’ feelings; it’s a lyric from the country song Ain’t No God in Mexico, written by Billy Joe Shaver and sung by the late Waylon Jennings.

COMMISSION

MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION

Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission.

All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Monday, June 3

• Commissioner Cheston Easter was absent.

• Commissioner candidates Jerod Van Genderen and Gary Porter were in attendance.

• Minutes of the May 28 meeting were approved.

• The May 31 payroll was approved.

• Bills were approved for payment.

• Sheriff Jeffrey Spencer spoke to commissioners about removal of the jail and utilizing the space for offices and evidence storage.

Later, Spencer gave commissioners the May meal costs for inmates and the May motor equipment expense reports for himself and Deputy Francis.

• Commissioners received the financial statement for Harrison Township from Rod Fender, township trustee, for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023.

• Commissioners approved the following liquor licenses: Dollar General Store #8096 for original package liquor; Casey’s Marketing Company for original package liquor and Sunday original package liquor; and Chief’s Tavern for beer and wine by the drink.

• Commissioners received May public administrator fees from Kelli Judd, Mercer County public administrator.

• Commissioners and County Clerk Judy Hamilton signed a certified copy of order authorizing Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore to pay $40.56 for half of the Xerox lease. Money was taken from Recorder’s Special Fund #06.

• Shannon Howe with Howe Company LLC

held a pre-construction conference for Mercer County Bridge 01300282 Project BRO-R065 (42).

Cord Summers with MoDOT and Brad Parn with Brookfield Box and Bridge were in attendance. Commissioners voted to approve a notice to proceed, and the agreement was signed by commissioners and Brookfield Box and Bridge.

The bridge is a 75-foot, single-span W36X150 I-girder bridge. Parm said they would start the following week (week of June 10) if possible. It is to be finished by Nov. 29, or 120 days after the road is closed.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

All persons listed are Missouri residents unless otherwise listed.

Thursday, June 6

• Josiah J. Morris, Trenton, and Ellen M. Bowerman, Spickard.

LAND TRANSFERS

Friday, May 31

• Bradley M. Heath to Crystal Kelso.

• Debra S. Smith to Jacob D. Yoder.

• Jeff Lees to Kathy Shields.

• Jason Smith to Roxanne Gillum.

Monday, June 3

• Aaron Borntreger to Brian K. Crabtree.

• Michael T. Robinson, trustee, et al, to the James E. Johnston Revocable Trust.

Thursday, June 6

• Wade Hennings to the Wade and Daphne Hennings Revocable Trust.

SENIOR MENUS

All menus subject to change.

MERCER COUNTY

SENIOR CENTER

Serving from 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Meals can be picked up at the west door (facing Broadway Street) from 11:30-12:15. Meals served with 2% milk, coffee or tea. All bread, rolls, buns and crackers are whole grain; at least half grains are whole grains. For meal deliveries, call 660-748-3636 by 10 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to eat at the Senior Center. Meals for anyone age 60 and older are a suggested contribution of $5. Meals for anyone under age 60 cost $7.

Monday, June 17: taco burger/bun, antigua blend vegetables, peas, fruit cocktail.

Tuesday, June 18: beef and macaroni, squash, carrots, applesauce.

Wednesday, June 19: taco salad/beef, tortilla chips, bread, pineapple, ginger cookie. Thursday, June 20:

BLT wrap/tortilla, cottage cheese, cucumbers and onions, potato salad, peaches.

Friday, June 21: oven fried chicken, green beans, seasoned tri-colored potatoes, dinner roll, assorted fruit, honey bun cake.

CAINSVILLE

MELANIE CHANEY

Alan and Brenda Hamilton, Sandy Alexander, Rex Hagan, and Rich and Helen Frisbie attended the Hamilton reunion at Nine Eagles Park on Sunday. Casey, Lane, Colter and Hyde Hamilton also attended.

Lauryn Waddle and Blaine Millburn spent the week in Wisconsin fishing with his parents, Adam and Rene Millburn.

Marilyn Woods and Penny Cain went to Sedalia to visit Anna Miles and family for the weekend. While they where there they went to the hot air balloon festival. Rain made it unable for the balloons to rise, but it was still fun to see them inflated and lit up at night. Ryan Hamilton came up and replanted soybeans for his mom, Marcia on Sunday.

Wendell and Sandy Willis attended an 11th

birthday party for Alivia Parkhurst on Sunday. Ice cream cake was served.

Rocky and Jeannie Hart visited with Kenny and Barb McLain on Sunday.

Kenny and Barb McLain visited with Jim amd Charlene Collier on Saturday.

Herman Chaney is recuperating well from his second knee replacement surgery.

Tara Robbins attended the 130th state PEO Covention in Columbia, Mo. She was the delegate this year for Chapter BX of Cainsvile. Delegates come from all over the state of Missouri to represent each PEO chapter throughout Missouri.

Planning for the annual Cainsville 4th of July is in full swing! Remember it’s the first weekend after the 4th, so July 5 and 6! Anyone willing to help please get in touch with City Hall. Donations can be left there also. Raffle tickets (gun and knife), horse apple bingo numbers, sign up for kickball

and other games, and everything else can be gotten there also. Still accepting flea marketers and vendors for Saturday, July 6.

Thanks for the news everyone! Make sure to send me some for next week!

ORGANIZATIONS

Chapter BY PEO

Chapter BY of PEO met June 3 at the Princeton First Christian Church Annex with eight members in attendance.

President Glenda Homedale reviewed the amendments to be voted on at convention. The Children’s Theater Workshop will be held July 22-26. Each member was asked to contribute two dozen cookies.

Maureen Funk presented the program on her trip to Spain, and Patricia Stamper served a Spanish-inspired meal.

Kathy Schwenneker will be hostess and have the program on July 1.