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National 4-H Shooting Competition Lewis County was represented by three youth and two adults at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Competition. SEE PAGE 3A
Lewis County
Serving the communities of Lewis County, Mo. since 1862 (USPS 088-820) Vol. XL New Series, No. 27 Canton, Mo. 63435 • 20 Pages • 4 Sections • 55 cents
Thursday, July 5, 2012
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT
BREAKING NEWS UPDATES AT
CANTON TEEN INJURED IN WRECK A Canton teen was injured at 6 p.m. June 30, in a two-vehicle headon collision on Lewis County Road 344th Avenue. Brooke M. Wells, 17, was taken by Lewis County Ambulance to Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill., where she was treated and released. Asouthbound 1995 Jeep Cherokee driven by Braden D. Marten, 18, of Canton, and a northbound 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Collin B. Hogan, 16, of Canton, met on a bridge and collided, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Wells was a passenger in the Marten vehicle. Also assisting were the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and LaGrange First Responders.
SECOND MOTORCYCLEDEER ACCIDENT IN LEWIS COUNTY IN TWO MONTHS For the second time in Lewis County, a motorcycle has struck a deer, injuring the riders. Charles A. McFail, 41, of Sedalia, had moderate injuries in an accident in the southbound lanes on U.S. 61 10 miles north of Canton June 29 at 10:35 p.m. He was ejected, and later taken with apparently moderate injuries to Blessing Hospital by Lewis County Ambulance. McFail wore a helmet. There was moderate damage to his cycle. Two Quincy residents had moderate injuries when ejected from a motorcycle that struck a deer May 5 on U.S. 61 south of LaGrange.
NECAC BEGINS NEW PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS SIXTY AND UP NECAC is starting a new program called “Chillin’ at 60. It will cover Marion, Ralls, Lewis, Monroe and Shelby counties. Income-qualified people ages 60 and older can get fans or (with a signed and dated letter from a doctor on letterhead with phone number) air conditioners. However, this isn’t just a giveaway or a one-time event. NECAC is asking area residents, businesses, community groups, churches and other organizations to become partners in the project and help by contributing.
Photo by Rita Cox
The community showed county-wide patriotic spirit with the placement of many flags on streets and homes. Many communities celebrated the 4th of July with events and activities.
County involved with two bridge projects BY DAN STEINBECK Editor dan@lewispnj.com
A bridge repair and a bridge replacement project are underway in Lewis County. The larger of the projects is bridge replacement on 280th Street, (County Road 580). Much of the bridge was damaged in flooding and debris piled on the bridge pilings after June 27, 2011 storms that battered the whole County. The new bridge is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $400,000, but is eligible for an 80-percent federal match, with 20 percent of it in local match money and in-kind services. The old bridge was 70 feet, and the new one is expected to be over 100 feet and be wider than 24 feet. According to the Lewis County Road and Bridge secretary Regina Dredge, the bridge is now in the engineering phase, and bids could be let in October. It may take a year to complete the project.
PNJ file photo
The 280th Street bridge is one of two scheduled for repair.
A smaller County bridge project is a deck replacement that is under way on County Road 527 near Dover, commonly called Brown Bridge, named for a nearby family. The approach to this bridge will
also be widened. The County Road and Bridge department is also hauling rock on County roads and routine repair.
COUNTY SALES TAX REVENUES ARE ON THE INCREASE BY DAN STEINBECK Editor dan@lewispnj.com
For now, there is some good news for Lewis County on tax revenues. With half of 2012 past, Lewis County is approximately $65,954 ahead (in six funds in rounded numbers) over what was brought in during the first six months of 2011. The bulk of that is a $45,000 increase in the local use tax, on purchases made outside of Lewis County and brought in to the County. Lewis County Presiding Commissioner Wayne “Fid” Murphy Jr. said the County got a little scare
when May tax revenues were all down substantially, but rebounded in June. Murphy suspects a flurry of construction projects – including grain bin construction and several other projects primarily in Canton might have a role in this. “The local use tax has gone up and that would be for materials bought out of state and brought here,” Murphy said. He also noted construction workers stay and eat in the area, further contributing to the higher revenues. County Clerk Sharon Schlager said the local use tax is the highest it has been in more than a half dozen years. The fund was started
FARM BUREAU INSURANCE
much of that not to conin 1996. There have been no less struction, but the opening than a half dozen construc- last year of a grocery store. However, LaGrange tion projects so far this year City Administrator Mark in Canton. While it is certainly good Campbell and LaBelle City news on the County level, Clerk Debbie Hudnut said it’s not translating to the their respective city tax levcount: 372 els are holding steady. same benefit on allWord municipal levels. County sales tax Hudnut revenues said the ADM are on the increase grain storage expansion Canton City Clerk Cindy Kell said there hasDan been an project Steinbeck, Editor in LaBelle wouldn’t increase in Canton tax mon- be reflected in sales taxes, For now, therebut is some in property tax income ey, but it is just bringing the news for Lewis County next tax levels back to good comparaon tax revenues. year. Ewing officials couldn’t ble with 2008 levels, when With fl half of 2012 be reached by press deadCanton was hit with ood fighting costs, followed by line. Murphy said the extra a recession. Lewistown Treasurer money for the county will Lori Washburn said Lew- make it easier for a funding istown tax revenues are match for some major road up slightly, and attributed and bridge construction projects (see above story).
Kim Hugenberg Multi-Line Agent 203 E. Lafayette, Monticello, MO
573-767-5351
khugenberg@mofb.com
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