R-3 mulls handbook changes
Student policy changes include dress code, cell phone usage and sports/extracurriculars
PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph
MERCER, Mo Superintendent
Wade Hall presented four changes he wants to make in the student handbook for the 2024-25 academic year during the North Mercer County R-3 Board of Education’s July 8 meeting.
The board also made some appointments and employment decisions during the meeting.
Changes Hall wants made to the handbook include:
• Dress code - He wants to ban “costume attire” except on dressup days for special events, such as Homecoming.
• Athletics/activities - Hall proposes student attendance before an extracurricular activity.
He also wants expectations for parents and spectators at athletic events:
º a 24-hour waiting period before speaking to a coach after an activity
º the student-athlete must be present with a parent when speaking to a coach
º consequences for breaking the policy
º sets expectations that good sportsmanship will be expected by all spectators at events
• Cell phone - Students in grades 7-12 are to put their phone into a phone locker before their first class. Students will have their own key to their specific locker. The cell phone cabinet will be under video surveillance while in the office. And, parents will be encouraged to call the office if they need to get a message to their child.
Board members don’t want
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Longtime Northland resident Ethlyn O. McCleave celebrated her 104th birthday at her home in Carriage Hills with her children (San Diego), grandchildren (LA, NY) and great-grandchildren (LA, NY) on Sunday, July 21. Born on that day in 1920 in Princeton, Mo., she served as a "Rosie the Riveter" in World War II, and returned to the Kansas City area with her husband Earl McCleave (d. 2015). She was an employee of the federal government, founded the Clay County Clothes Closet and organized the first Head Start program for the Northland area. She is a founding member of Grace Baptist Church, which hosted an open house in Ethlyn's honor on Wednesday, July 24.
teachers to be on their phones while instruction or student supervision is going on. Phones are to be used only during prep periods or when a safety issue arises.
• OSS policy about grades - Students serving OSS will only be allowed to earn 70% of the maximum grade on assignments from those dates.
Hall will make changes in the handbooks so that they can be approved during the board’s August meeting.
Staff appointments
Three persons were approved for appointment to special positions. Terry Bomgardner was appointed as homeless liaison and migrant education director.
Melissa Hill was appointed as foster care point of contact.
PRESTON COLE/Princeton Post-Telegraph McKenna Sticken (left) and Remington Mathews received the Brownfield Ag Award Saturday afternoon (July 20) for being outstanding exhibitors during the Mercer County Fair. They received belt buckles sponsored by Alpha Media and KAAN radio of Bethany, and were chosen by the Mercer County Fair Board.
2024 Mercer County Fair royalty
PRESTON COLE/Princeton Post-Telegraph
Mercer County Fair Board recognized the city of Princeton as the 2024 “Friends of the Fair” for the assistance the city provides to the fair. City Superintendent Greg Goodknight (left) hold the plaque presented by Fair Board president Seth Davis.
Brownfield
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GUNS & AMMO
WOOD’S GUN SHOP
5 Miles South of Ravanna 660-748-5795
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday 1-5-2023-ufn
Boyer Land Company LLC
Aaron Franklin, Sales Agent Princeton, MO 64673 660-748-6314
YOUR REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST! 1-5-2023ufn
NO HUNTING
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, including but not limited to use of dogs or drones, 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 11-10-23-52tpP
No hunting or trespassing on Cox family property - Andy and Donna Cox, and Robert and Tina Cox. 12-3-22-104tpP
No trespassing on property owned by Shandra Morin 4-11-24-52tp
Princeton woman injured in Friday wreck
Car catches on fire after collision PRESTON COLE
Princeton Post-Telegraph PRINCETON, Mo. A Princeton woman received what were described as serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash south of Princeton last Friday afternoon (July 19).
According to an online report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Rachel Franklin. 43, of Princeton was driving a 2010 Chevrolet HHR
west on Mercer County Route E about six miles southeast of Princeton. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2023 GMC 3500 pickup being driven east by Eldo Eaglen, 27, of Milan. Eaglen swerved the truck to the left in an effort to avoid the HHR, but the passenger sides of both vehicles impacted. His truck went off the north side of Route E, coming to rest on its wheels facing north.
Franklin’s car rotated
as it went off the south side of the roadway, coming to rest facing east. Her car caught fire after it stopped. She received what the patrol report said were serious injuries, and once authorities established a landing zone and Mercer County EMS stablized here, she was taken to Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., by LifeFlight Eagle medical helicopter.
The patrol report indicated Franklin was not wearing a safety device
at the time of the wreck, but noted Eaglen was wearing a safety device. Franklin’s car received extensive damage, while Eaglen’s truck received moderate damage.
In addition to the Highway Patrol, officers from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from the Mercer County Fire Protection District and the Mercer County Ambulance District worked at the scene of the wreck.
COURTESY MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Hailee Hein of the Princeton FFA chapter (fifth from left, front) was one of 100 high school sophomores from across Missouri who completed the 11th annual Helping Youth Maximize their Agriculture eXperience (HYMAX) FFA Academy June 14-16 at Camp Rising Sun in Kaiser, Mo.
The three-day academy is designed to inform and empower agriculture students to strengthen their leadership skills, grow their agricultural project, and engage in the advocacy process examining current issues impacting Missouri agriculture.
FFA members learned how to effectively talk about their experiences in agriculture, overcome obstacles and develop their communication and personal skills. Learning sessions included advocacy training, communication basics, and social media outreach. FFA members heard from agriculture industry representatives and social media influencers on how to effectively advocate on issues. The group also toured Missouri agricultural industry locations to expose members on non-traditional agriculture opportunities.
Wrapping up the academy, participants put their skills into action through Small Group Agricultural Issue Presentations. Over the three-day period, FFA members were challenged to sharpen their critical thinking and look beyond how an issue impacts them directly to see the bigger picture. By the end, they've grown as individuals and as a member of a team.
Hein is co-reporter for the Princeton FFA chapter.
Eye-popping tricks
Here’s a question for you: what can you do with your eyes? As one dictionary puts it, they can “work with our brains to tell us the size, shape, color, and texture of an object.” But strongman Andrew Stanton uses his “headlights” for a couple of eye-popping tricks. He won two Guinness World Records recently: one for hooking large metal hooks to his eye sockets to pull a car weighing more than 5,000 pounds and another for using the same eye socket hooks to lift his 129.63-pound assistant while at the same time swallowing a sword.
The ‘sky high’ bike
Nicolas Barrioz and David Peyrou were having a drink in a pub in France when they got the idea of building the world’s tallest bicycle. And so, they got busy building the bike – a bike that measures 25 feet, 5 inches high, big enough to get the attention of the Guinness World Record judges who, indeed, declared it to be the world's tallest rideable bicycle. Barrioz was move. As he told the folks at Guinness, “this experience has completely transformed my worldview. Before this, I really needed self-confidence; I was shy and had a negative self-opinion. Now I feel unstoppable; I think I can repair, build or design anything.”
The Manhattanhenge Effect
Dutch settlers began populating the city of New Netherland in the first two decades of the 1600s creating what is known today as the island of Manhattan in the heart of the city of New York. The Big Apple planners who laid out the island, wittingly or not, plotted the streets to run east to west and the avenues to run north to south, creating what is known today as the Manhattanhenge Effect, when the sun sets and rises in alignment with the eastwest street grids of the island. The summer solstice effect is happening now.
A “glugly”
pooch
As retired Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports columnist Ron Cook put it, “There’s no such thing as an ugly dog. Ugly people, for sure. But no ugly dogs.” The proof is an eight-year-old Pekingese dog from North Bend, Ore., that goes by the name of Wild Thang. The pooch came in first in this year’s World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the 50-year-old Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Wild Thang is a three-time runner up at the contest. According to his biography, he suffered from distemper and “he survived, but not without permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7.” His illness got him the moniker “glugly,” a so-called glamorous/ugly pup.
Princeton FFA’s Hein attends HYMAX FFA Academy
R-3 school board mulls handbook From Page 1
And, Greg Frost was appointed as the ELL coordinator.
Later during the meeting, after a scheduled closed session, the board accepted two resignations.
Sherri Barker resigned as elementary basketball coach, and Jeff Wyatt resigned as a bus driver.
Barker was named as the assistant high school girls’ basketball coach. Wyatt was employed during an earlier meeting as head high school girls’ basketball coach.
Transportation director Kerri Jincks was hired to replace Wyatt as a bus driver.
Then, the board voted to transfer Kasen Purdun from grades 7-12 math to grades PK-12 art, and named her as the Art Club advisor.
Jaxson Waterbury was hired for the 7-12 math position, and was named assistant high school boys’ basketball coach.
Larissa Eivins was hired to teach second grade.
Other items
• The consent agenda was approved. During a discussion, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) fundraisers were brought up. Also, the board wants Hall to proceed with getting the Clover device from First Interstate Bank for debit or credit card purchases for lunches, concession stand items and fundraisers.
• Hall included a draft of board goals in members’ information packets, and they were approved. Additions: The district will promote the academic growth of all students. The district will look for opportunities to assist retaining and training highly qualified staff. And, the district will look to transition into more online availability of resources.
Google Classroom will be used more during the 2024-25 academic year.
• Board president Teri Noe said Emily Omohundro with EdCounsel will be at the August meeting for board training.
The board voted to set the tax rate hearing for 5:20 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12. Omohundro will present the training session at 5:30, and the regular August meeting is to start at
6:30.
• After Hall informed them of the need to increase lunch prices by 10 cents, board members set 2024-25 prices at $2.60 for PK-6 students and $2.85 for 7-12 students.
Adult prices will be discussed during the Aug. 12 meeting.
• Acting on Hall’s recommendations, the board voted to move a $750,000 CD (certificate of deposit) with interest into the district’s MOSIP (Missouri Securities Investment Program) account, effective July 29. The current MOSIP interest rate is 5.22%.
The board also voted to renew the Millemon Math Award at First Interstate Bank for nine months at 4.73% effective July 15.
• In her report, Principal Amy Huse said high school registration will be
held July 29-30. She also plans on bringing in new teachers before classes start for extra support.
• Hall reported custodians are letting the concrete on the new science room floor cure before epoxy is applied.
Infield grass work on the softball field won’t be finished before the season starts (practice, Aug. 12; first home game, Sept. 3). There are plans to do some dirt work to help with potential washing out.
Maven Mechanical was scheduled to install the new boiler during the week of July 22. Grundy Electric Cooperative is having its annual meeting at the school on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Editor’s Note: Information for this report was taken from unapproved meeting minutes provided by district bookkeeper Jennifer Lynn Wilson.
The 2024 Mercer Homecoming is taking place this week into the weekend. A complete schedule appears above.
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IMAGE COURTESY MERCER HOMECOMING COMMITTEE
DiVision ii
CirCUit CoUrt
Judge Matt Krohn
NOTES: Persons listed in this report are Missouri residents unless otherwise noted. Addresses shown are those of the defendants on the day their cases were heard. Defendants in criminal cases were represented by counsel unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, July 16
• State vs. Rita Marie Bryant, Princeton: Bryant appeared without counsel for a trial setting on an infraction charge of animal trespass. The case was set for a bench trial on Aug. 6 at 3:15 p.m.
• State vs. Deja Collins, Princeton: Collins appeared on charges of Class E felony third degree assault, and Class A misdemeanor resisting or interfering with an arrest, detention or stop. She waived arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty. The case was set for discovery and plea negotiations on Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. Collins was ordered to report to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office for fingerprinting before leaving the courthouse.
• State vs. John Christoper Collis, Orion, Ill.: Collis appeared in custody on charges of Class E felony unlawful use of a weapon (exhibiting), unclassified felony armed criminal action, and Class A misdemeanor fourth degree assault. Collis waived arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty. After hearing from him, the court decided he cound not meet the conditions of release. The case was set for a bond hearing
on July 23 at 2 p.m., and a preliminary was scheduled for Aug. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
• State vs. Griffin Pete Ellsworth, Princeton: Ellsworth appeared on a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. He waived arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty. The case was set for a plea or trial hearing on Aug. 6 at 1:30 p.m. Ellsworth was ordered to report to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office for fingerprinting before leaving the courthouse.
• State vs. Steve Hernandez, Schuyler, Neb.: Hernandez appeared without counsel on charges of Class D misdemeanor driving while revoked or suspended (first offense), and Class C misdemeanor exceeded posted speed limit by 11-15 mph. At his request, cause continued to Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. for him to have a translator present.
• State vs. Jennifer L. Hoover, Lineville, Iowa: Hoover appeared without counsel on a Class A misdemeanor charge of driving while revoked or suspended (second or third offense). She waived her right to counsel and entered a plea of guilty, and was sentenced to six months in jail. Execution of sentence was suspended, and she was placed on probation for one year. She was ordered to pay $94.50 in court costs within 30 days, and pay $300 to the county law enforcement restitution fund within 60 days. A file review was scheduled for Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. to check payment and the reinstatement of her driver’s license.
• State vs. Sheila Elaine Houk, Princeton: Houk appeared without counsel on a Class A misdemeanor charge of passing bad check. She was advised of her right to counsel and entered a plea of guilty. Imposition of sentence was suspended, and she was placed on probation for two years. She was ordered to pay $1,847.42 in restitution, $107.50 in court costs, a $10 crime victims compensation judgment, and $300 to the county law enforcement restitution fund. Houk had posted a bond of $2,300, and asked the court to pay the money she owes ($2,264.92) from the bond, with the rest to be refunded to her.
• State vs. Leslie Wayne Johnson, Edgar, Neb.: Johnson appeared for a trial setting on two Class B misdemeanor charges of second degree property damage, and a Class B misdemeanor charge of trespass on real property marked as required. A half-day bench trial was scheduled for Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
• State vs. Jerry Miles Mahoney, Mercer: Mahoney did not appear for a payment review hearing involving his conviction of a Class A misdemeanor charge of operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, resulting in an accident. At the state’s request, cause continued to Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. to check payment status. The circuit clerk send him a letter about his new court date.
• State vs. Tiffany Michelle Osburn, Princeton: Osburn appeared via Webex without coun-
sel on charges of Class D felony possession of a controlled substance, and Class D misdemeanor unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. At her request, cause continued to Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. She requested the court appoint her counsel, and the court was to enter a due process order appointing her legal counsel.
• State vs. Donald Ray Stopplemoor, Mercer: Stopplemoor appeared without counsel for a trial setting on a Class C misdemeanor charge of animal trespass (second or subsequent offense). A bench trial was scheduled for Aug. 6 at 3:15 p.m.
• State vs. Deven Kyle Price, Osceola, Iowa: Price appeared in custody on two Class D felony charges of forgery. He waived arraignment and entered a plea of guilty. After hearing from him, the court decided he could not meet the conditions of release. He was bound over to Division I Circuit Court for arraignment on Aug. 14 at 9 a.m.
• State vs. Dereck Lee Raines, Princeton: Raines appeared in custody (his attorney appeared via Webex) on three Class D felony charges of stealing $750 or more. The case was set for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 6 at 1:30 p.m. The state
objected to the bond assignment ($10,000 case), and after hearing arguments and statements from counsel, the matter was taken under advisement. Counsel was given until Aug. 6 to brief the issue.
Raines is also charged with Class A misdemeanor stealing. A docket call was scheduled for Aug. 6 at 9 a.m.
• State vs. Jeremy Allen Stamper, Princeton: Stamper appeared in custody without counsel on a Class A misdemeanor charge of stealing. He waived his rights to counsel and entered a plea of guilty, and was sentenced to one year in jail and was ordeered to pay costs. After hearing from him, the court determined he could not meet the conditions of release.
Stamper also appeared for a probation violation hearing involving his 2024 conviction for Class A misdemeanor peace disturbance (second or subsequent offense). He
admitted violating three conditions of his probation and was sentenced to one year in jail.
Stamper also appeared for a parole violation hearing involving his 2023 conviction for two Class A misdemeanor charges of peace disturbance (second or subsequent offense). He admitted violating three conditions of his parole. His parole was revoked and he was sentenced to one year in jail. The jail sentences are to be served concurrently.
CorreCtions & CLARIFICATIONS
The Princeton PostTelegraph strives for accuracy and fairness in all of its news stories and photo captions. If you feel we have made an error, please contact us at 660748-3266 or posttele@ grm.net (email) to request a correction. If it is found we are in error, we will be happy to publish a correction or clarification.
oBitUAries
Peggy Hoffman Princeton, Mo.
Peggy Joyce Hoffman, 83, of Princeton, Mo., passed away Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Pearl’s II Eden for Elders in Princeton.
She was born June 26, 1941 in Princeton, the daughter of Doyle Raymond and Fern Lily (McKern) Sparks.
Peggy graduated from Princeton High School in 1959. She worked as a licensed practical nurse for several years. Some of her favorite things were knitting, doing puzzles and birdwatching but a very favorite was her family.
Peggy was a member of Princeton First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father; brother, Raymond; and maternal grandparents Stella and Harley McKern.
Survivors include her daughters, Kristy Nigh, Ozark, Mo., Misty (Doyle) Stark and Penny Hoffman (Joe Lamp), both of Princeton; son, Jesse (Tina) Hoffman Sr., Springfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Jesse Jr., Crystal and Allie Hoffman, Karmen Nigh, Steven Stark, Kylei Stimpson and Kadin and Mat Lamp; six great-grandchildren; mother, Fern Sparks; brother, Dean (Betty) Sparks, Tarkio, Mo.; sisters, Lorraine (Tracy) Bryan, Sturgeon, Mo., and Mary (Ted) Fry, Tebbetts, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service was held Friday, July 19 at First Princeton Baptist Church under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Princeton. Burial followed in Pleasant
Ridge Cemetery, Princeton.
Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673.
Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
CoMMission
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION
Report taken from minutes of meetings of the Mercer County Commission. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted. Monday, July 15
• County Clerk Judy Hamilton appointed Cheston Easter to serve as acting presiding commissioner in the absence of Jerry Allen.
• Commissioner candidates Jerod VanGenderen, Denny Power and Gary Porter were in attendance.
• Minutes of the July 8 meeting were approved.
• Bills were approved and paid.
• Time sheets and the June 30 payroll were approved.
• The county received the May sales tax and use tax reports from the Missouri Department of Revenue for the county’s use on July 3.
• Easter signed Progress Invoice #13 for BRO-B065 (42) Bridge #01300281 (Badger Street) in the amount of $3,002.77; Progress Invoice #7 for Bridge #25300041 BRO-B065 (41) in the amount of $1,078.18; Progress Invoice #5 for Bridge #07900221 BRO-R065 (001) in the amount of $5,423.17; and Progress Invoice #5 for Bridge #18700021 BRO-R065 (002) in the amount of $2,900.25.
• Commissioners and Hamilton signed a certified copy of order authorizing Collector/Treasurer Susan Moore to pay the following:
A large crowd - most of which sat on the south side of the track, facing the right side of the tractors and trucks - attended the Mercer County Fair’s tractor/truck pull Thursday evening (July 18). The crowd was so big, and hungry, that the Fair Board’s concessions trailer ran out of food.
* $39.98 to Willis Girdner for ammunition for the sheriff, and $567.30 to Safe Line Defense for gear and uniforms for the Sheriff’s Office (money taken from Sheriff’s Special Fund #32);
• $47 to Grundy Electric Cooperative Inc. for utilities in Lindley Township, and $13,280.36 to Norris Quarries for gravel and $4,382.95 to the Mercer County Road & Bridge Department for gravel and hauling in Lindley Township (money taken from Lindley Township Fund #43);
* $65 to Missouri Sheriffs United for CCW permits issued (money taken from Sheriff’s Revolving Fund #35); and
* $69.43 to Coast to Coast for supplies (money taken fron Treasurer’s Maintenance Fund #34).
• Commissioners received the balance of delinquent taxes dated June 30 from Moore, verified by Hamilton. They also received the balance of protested taxes from Hamilton.
• The Board of Equalization meeting began at 9:15 a.m. and adjourned at 9:35.
• Sheriff Jeff Spencer met with commissioners.
• Gary Easton spoke to commissioners about a gate across an abandoned portion of Alpha Road.
• Gary McFee with Howe Company LLC presented clearance certifi-
cation for Mercer County Bridge No. 25200072 (Inkwell) BRO-R065 (40).
• MoDOT bridge inspector Nathan King spoke to commissioners about the 2023 Bridge Inspection Report.
• Rich Rhoades with Great River Engineering spoke to commissioners about engineering services.
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
Huge crowd, huge action at Mercer County Fair tractor pull
PRESTON COLE/Princeton Post-Telegraph
Scout crops early and often for best results
LINDA GEIST
University of MO Extension COLUMBIA, Mo. Though physically demanding and time-consuming, scouting fields for insect pests is essential to crop health, yields and profits, says University of Missouri Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.
Weekly scouting during the growing season helps producers identify and manage problems for early intervention, Valmorbida says. He advises more frequent monitoring when weather favors rapid development of specific insect pests.
Correctly identifying insect pests is crucial, Valmorbida says. Incorrect identifications may lead using the wrong pest management tools, resulting in control failures, destruction of beneficial insects and unnecessary costs.
MU Extension’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic welcomes submission of plant samples for diagnosis. For more information, go to http://muext. us/PlantClinic, call 573882-3019 or visit the clinic on the MU campus at 28 Mumford Hall, 1100 University Ave., Columbia. There is a 30-minute parking spot located behind Mumford Hall. The clinic is in the basement. You can also contact your local extension agronomist.
With timely scouting, growers can make sci-
ence-based decisions about thresholds for treatment, avoiding unnecessary use of insecticides, Valmorbida says. Regular scouting helps the producer evaluate insect populations and their injuries to crops over time. Therefore, keeping a record of scouting can provide a helpful historical look, he says. Valmorbida discourages “windshield” or edgeof-the-field scouting, which does not provide an accurate assessment of the crop because insect pests are not always visible from a distance. It is important to evaluate inner areas of the field and look throughout the plant canopy.
He offers the following guidelines:
• Break large fields into units of 40 to 50 acres, considering similar field characteristics (e.g., soil type, past pest incidence, previous crop).
• Walk in a pattern to assess the whole field broadly (e.g., U, X or W
pattern). Avoid choosing good or bad spots.
• Start sampling at a different location in the field every time you scout.
• Avoid sampling only at field edges, as many insects migrate from surrounding areas into the fields. If you find a problem, try to determine whether it is isolated or widespread.
• When estimating the
percentage of defoliation, consider the entire canopy.
More information
• “Introduction to Crop Scouting,” https://extension.missouri.edu/ ipm1006
• “Keys to Integrated Pest Management in Soybeans,” http:// ipm.Missouri.edu/croppest/2024/6/soybean.ipmiv
Now ‘hair’ this Helen Williams was, apparently, not content with her Guinness Record for making the world’s longest wig that measures 1,152 feet and 5 inches in length. She said, "as a professional wigmaker, I look forward to breaking many more records in the wig category." It took her a month, but she now has a new Guinness award for producing a wig measuring 11 feet, 11 inches wide.
Mercer County Health Department 5K winners
in some areas,” Isabelle said. “These and other challenges will be addressed in the updated management plan as we continue to be adaptive in our deer management approach.”
According to MDC, the new plan will provide longterm strategic goals and a framework that directs deer management for the next decade. Areas of focus within the new plan include maintaining deer numbers at biologically and socially acceptable levels, minimizing the effects of CWD on the deer herd, providing citizens with information about deer management and satisfactory opportunities to enjoy deer hunting and other deer-related recreational activities, and conducting research to help inform management of the deer herd.
MDC invites the public to learn more about deer management in Missouri and to read and comment on its draft Deer Management Plan goals and objectives through Aug. 4 at mdc.mo.gov/white-tailed-deer-management-plan-revision.
In addition to the public comment opportunity, MDC will be sending a survey to a random sample of Missouri deer hunters in July to learn more about hunter opinions of Missouri’s deer population, deer hunting season and regulations, and deer management.
from becoming tough and bitter. Mulch heavily. Turnips don’t like to share space, so keep the weeds away.
Both the root and the leaves care edible. “Just take some of the outer leaves off while it’s growing,” Trinklein said. “It might result in a root that’s a little smaller, but you’re still going to have a root at harvest.”
If you grow turnips just for their greens, you don’t need to thin out the seedlings. If you want the root, thin the seedlings 2 to 4 inches apart after they’ve grown 4 inches high, Trinklein said.
Harvesting and storage
This plant loves cool weather. In fact, turnips will taste sweeter if you harvest them after a light frost.
“You can harvest turnips until the ground freezes,” Trinklein said. “The later you wait, and the cooler the temperature surrounding them, the milder and more flavorful they’ll become.”
If you have enough room, turnips can be stored for three or four months in your refrigerator. Or, Trinklein says, you can build a simple and inexpensive root cellar to store all your root vegetables.
“Nearly bury a plastic trashcan at a 45-degree angle so it can shed water,” he says. “Place the produce into the can, put on the lid and then cover with a cushy layer of some mulching material such as straw. It’s a root cellar without the cellar.”
Health benefits
Both the root and the leaves are a nutritious addition to any diet.
Low in calories, turnips are nutrient powerhouses and a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber and glucosinolates, Trinklein says. The latter are sulfur-containing compounds that have been shown in animal studies to reduce DNA damage and fight cancer.
Today, turnips are more of a staple in the European diet. Why not find out what Americans have been missing by adding this nutritious and versatile vegetable to your home garden this season?
Turnip Day From Page 6
Deer plan From Page 6
COURTESY MERCER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Mercer County Health Department held its annual 5K during the Mercer County Fair last Wednesday (July 17). Women’s winners (left, above) were Rachael Sticken (from left), second; McKenna Sticken, third; and Kristi Weldon, first. Men’s winners (above right) were Ethan Sticken (from left), third; Robert Muselman, first; and Corbin Powell, second.
CAinsViLLe
MELANIE CHANEY
Isaac, Shyanne, Lakelynn and Lilah Chaney spent a long weekend with cousin Grady McLain, Breanna and Porter at their home in El Dorado Springs, Mo. They enjoyed the fair that was going on at the time.
Herman and Melanie Chaney, Sammy Vaughn and Austin Vaughn enjoyed the car cruise in Chillicothe, Mo. On Saturday, Herman and Melanie attended an auction in Trenton and visited with Austin and Brenda Vaughn that evening. On Sunday, they met with Bill and Trenda Robertson for lunch in Liberty to celebrate Bill's 60th birthday.
I don’t want to think about it yet but school starts in a month. Kids’ first day will be Wednesday, Aug. 21. Open house is Aug. 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. We have a new gym floor! I hope everyone gets out to some ballgames to support the kids and see the floor.
I guess that's all I got for news! Get in touch with me Cainsville people, I would hate to just start making stuff up! Have a great week!
LAnD trAnsFers
Friday, July 12
• Calvin Roy Blasingim to Karen Joyce Summers.
• Beverly Peace et al to Rebecca Ann Reno, trustee.
Monday, July 15
• Adam C. Millburn to Mercer County Commission.
• Carl David Akin, co-trustee, et al to Mercer County Commission.
Tuesday, July 16
• Jay Pfaltzgraff et al to Jay Pfaltzgraff.
Wednesday, July 17
• Russel James Jennings Jr. to Forrest Danny Derry.
• Keeling Land & Cattle-MO/IA to Jason Tronbak.
Thursday, July 18
• Douglas Weets to Shelly Green et al.
• Scott Phillips to Mark Hawks et al.
MArriAGe LiCenses
All persons listed are Missouri residents unless otherwise listed.
Friday, July 12
• Kelly D. Coin and Brandi L. Hullinger, both of Mercer.
