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ILDCATS IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
(USPS 088-820) Vol. XLI New Series, No. 12 Canton, Mo. 63435 • 12 Pages • 2 Sections • 55 cents
THE PRESS-NEWS JOURNAL’S WEBSITE
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Culver Men’s basketball finishes their great historic season See Page
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Serving the communities of Lewis County, Mo. since 1862 Thursday, March 21, 2013
MINOR FLOODING
PRESS-NEWS JOURNAL NEW LOCATION The Press-News Journal will soon move to their new location at 109 North Fourth in LaGrange in the former Presbyterian Church building. The building has been completely restored. The newspaper office will be located in the lower level of the building. The first date of operation in LaGrange will be April 1. Restoration highlights of the historic church building is featured on page A5. Email addresses for the newspaper will remain the same. The post office box will continue to be, P.O. Box 227, Canton, Mo. 63435
REPORTED SCAM It was reported to the PressNews Journal that someone is asking local businesses to buy advertising space on refrigerator magnets and the Press-News Journal gave them a list of people to contact and that the Press-News Journal is distributing the magnets. The person is also asking for credit card payment and offering a discount if paid immediately. DO NOT GIVE OUT CREDIT INFORMATIONThe Press-News Journal is not affiliated in any way with this promotion.
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION The Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation Annual report special insert is included in this edition of the PressNews Journal. Lewis County
Soil & Water Conservation March 21, 2013
Annual Report Supplement to the Press-News Journal
Lewis County’s Silent Partners Lewis County has 112 Watershed flood control structures as well as hundreds of land treatment structures and farm ponds which all curb water runoff speeds and soil erosion, silently performing their intended purpose on the landscape. These structures get a lot of attention during their construction and until the “newness” wears off. These works of improvement to the county’s infra-structure will remain on the landscape serving their designed purpose, but we as stewards, have to remember to provide the needed care and maintenance to keep them functioning . In Lewis County we have
Watershed Map
four locally elected watershed boards, made up of five Trustees which serve without monetary compensation. Along with their managers, they monitor and care for these 112 Flood control structures. These boards represent the land acreage in each of their respective watersheds and supervise the tax monies collected from property owners in these areas. These tax monies are what the Watershed Boards use to perform maintenance activities to keep the dams in operating condition. The Managers inspect these structures twice per year and after significant storm events to monitor proper functioning and complete an inspection checklist each time. The inspection checklists are compiled and the Board uses this information to plan out the necessary repairs and develop the budget for the next year. The boards have a constant need to cut sprouts off the dams, monitor the condition of grass cover and dam components as well as animal and people concerns. In years, with the generous allotment of rainfall in our area, the boards are challenged more than usual to keep the dams operating. Much debris washes into the pools and can end up plugging the overflow pipes causing water to be backed up and in some cases flowing out the auxiliary spillway before the pipe could be cleared. The frequent water fluctuation in our rivers and streams has encouraged wildlife such as Beavers and Muskrats to relocate to these structures to set up new homes due to the more stable environment. These animals not only
dig new burrows in the dams but plug overflow pipes as well. Thirty two of these structures were built at least 30 years ago, with some of these approaching 45 years of age. One of the major expenses the Boards have been preparing for since the watershed Districts were formed in the 1960’s, is replacing pipes and inlets as they deteriorate. This is an expensive undertaking and the Boards have already started replacing some of these as the needs have arisen in the last five years. In 2011, the Watershed boards from around Missouri have pooled their resources to purchase a robotic camera to inspect the insides of the Principal spillway pipes. This will allow Watershed boards to look for deteriorating pipe concerns and schedule replacements in a timely manner that will be easier to budget for repairs. Maintenance on these dams is easy to over look as many are located in out of the way locations or are taken for granted as long as they are working. Your Watershed Districts in Lewis County are very diligent in monitoring the maintenance on these silent partners. The Boards would appreciate a “heads up” anytime someone notices a concern with any of these lakes as problems can develop quickly even if a normal inspection was recently completed. To alert the Boards of a concern or if you have a question, please contact the Soil and Water Office, 504 S. Washington in Monticello or call 573-767-5276 ext. 3. Even if you do not have a Watershed size structure on your land, a farm pond needs the same type of care to remain functional. With some annual maintenance, expenses can be spread out and the pond can continue to provide years of future benefits and enjoyment.
Photo by Rita Cox Minor flooding has occurred due to the recent precipitation. This photo taken on the shoreline south of Bunge Grain Elevator in LaGrange shows the Mississippi river creeping slightly out of its banks.
Highland Softball Field improvement plans Highland High School is planning to complete the softball field located next to the current facility. Vice Principal and Athletic Director Ben Buening said plans are underway to compete the complex to provide an enhanced athletic facility for the Highland campus. Softball is a strong tradition in Lewis County and the surrounding area. Highland Girls Softball won the state championship in 2005. The Lady Cougars have faced many state champion teams including Palmyra. Summer softball in area towns continues to have many players and spectators. Currently both softball and baseball teams use the same field. The secondary field was began several years ago from funds received when the old Ewing school was sold. The secondary field has been used for practices and junior high games. The completion of the field would allow for MSHAA ( Missouri State High School Activities Association ) sanctioned playoff games to be played at the Highland campus. Locations for playoff games are voted on by members of MSHAA and field are judged by playing surface, lighting, fencing, etc., and overall facility. The field will also be used for some community events, tournaments, physical education classes and Art Trek education classes. Plans include installing lights, fencing, a new infield playing surface which will be safer and easier to play on and other improvements. Improvements to the infield will also take less pre-game preparations and drainage problems will decrease.The Lewis County C-1 Board of Education, Highland Booster Club and Friends of Highland Softball will provide funds to complete the project. The field should be completed by August 1. Softball coach Paul Scrifres said the Friends of Highland
Softball are raising funds through donations and events. The group will have a dinner and a show event at Highland on March 30. A spaghetti dinner will be served beginning at 6 p.m., followed by a Lip Sync show. Acts include the Blues Brothers, Soggy Bottom Boys, Elton John, Ike and Tina Turner, Aerosmith and many more. The public is invited for an evening of good food and fun entertainment. Tickets are available at Highland High School, from Highland Softball Players or contact Paul Scifres at (217) 449-7306. Anyone wishing to donate to complete the field can contact Paul Scifres or Highland High School.
Highland High School plans to complete improvements to the softball field by August.
The Wildcats Perform Well In The NAIA Tournament The Culver-Stockton Wildcats have a lot to be proud about this week. The team’s tough work this season paid off in the first two games of the NAIA DI Men’s Championship tournament which began March 13. C-SC (25-8) began their tournament play against Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (26-6) on Thursday, March 14 and won 91-72 to advance in the tournament. The next game pitted the Wildcats against Concordia (Calif.) (23-11) which brought the Wildcats yet another victory 97-85. Making it all the way to the
quarterfinals, C-SC faced off against Georgetown (Ky.) (26-8) on Saturday, March 16. After a close game, Georgetown advanced, defeating the Wildcats 86-82. Despite their loss in the quarterfinals, C-SC’s Men’s basketball team has made great strides. The Wildcat’s haven’t earned a victory during the NAIA DI Men’s Championship since 1946, making two wins during the tournament all the more incredible. Photos courtesy of C-SC See more action shots on page 6A
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The Culver-Stockton Men’s Basketball Team returned Sunday to a welcoming crowed at Culver-Stockton Campus.
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