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Lewis County Health Department is offering free Tdap clinics. See Story on Page 4A
Serving the communities of Lewis County, Mo. since 1862 (USPS 088-820) Vol. XLI New Series, No. 30 LaGrange, Mo. 63448 • 12 Pages •2 Sections • 55 cents
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Evening Beauty
THE PRESS-NEWS JOURNAL’S WEBSITE
COMMUNITY GUIDE COMING The Press-News Journal will publish a community guide in August that will be distributed to every household in Lewis County. A similar publication was published in 2011. Advertisers who would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity can contact the PressNews Journal at (573) 288-5668; rita1@lewispnj.com or ads@ lewispnj.com/
TRAILER STOLEN Ken Garkie of LaGrange reported to the Lewis County Sheriff ’s Department that a trailer had been stolen from his property. Garkie lives north of LaGrange on Route B. Garkie said the trailer is 8 feet by 14 feet of welded steel, and is very recognizable. It was painted gray, with steel fenders, the spare tire is hung at the front, strap steel surrounds the taillights and the tailgate is solid with hinges. There was no license plate on the trailer. The trailer went missing a few weeks ago and is also sentimental to him because he and his late brother, Marty, worked together on it. All of the area scrap dealers have been notified and law enforcement is investigating the incident. Anyone with any kind of information or has seen the trailer, are urged to contact the Lewis County Sheriff ’s Department or the LaGrange Police Department.
RALLS CO. HERALD ENTERPRISE OWNER Lewis County Press, LLC., has announced the purchase of the Ralls County Herald-Enterprise in New London, Mo. Lewis County Press, LLC., is headquartered in LaGrange, Mo. and is the parent of the Press-News Journal, Monroe County Appeal, Macon Home Press and the Lamar Democrat, all in Missouri, and Dewitt Era Enterprises in Arkansas.
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This beautiful rainbow with its reflection showing the the water, appeared over the Mississippi River in LaGrange on Sunday evening after a brief, but much needed rain shower. The rainbow arched over the island and at times a double rainbow was visible. (Photo by Rita Cox)
Vandals Destroy Several Plants on Properties Rita Cox Editor rita1@lewispnj.com Some people work very hard to maintain their gardens so that many people can enjoy the beauty of the plants and the great produce that comes from their efforts. A form of vandal-
ism happened recently in LaGrange near the LaGrange Senior Housing that has residents wondering who could perform such as act. The LaGrange Police Department is investigating reports of several plants and gardens being poisoned with spray of some type of substance that
killed the plants. A good patch of sweet corn was ruined, along with tomato plants and several other plants and flowers. The residents that own the gardens and plants are shocked and dismayed that their plants were ruined. Police Chief Dale McNelly said his office had added extra
patrol to the area and urges anyone who sees anything or knows anything about the incidents to please contact the LaGrange Police Department. Some of the people who have had their gardens ruined are also taking extra security precautions to prevent this kind of vandalism from occurring again.
◀ Left: Plants around
the LaGrange Senior Housing sign were destroyed recently during an act of vandalism. Right: These tomato vines were completely destroyed recently in LaGrange. ▶ (photos by Rita Cox)
Lewis County E911 Budget Trouble Rita Cox Editor rita1@lewispnj.com The Lewis County E-911 Center Board of Directors is currently accepting bids for Dispatch Services for the county. According to interim director Julie White the agency doesn’t have the income to meet expenses and the board is looking for a way to continue to provide the service to the county. Board member, Terry Faulconer said that Lewis County E-911 is funded solely by sales tax, and the sales tax figures are down. Also they are mandated by the state on how the agency is funded, which causes
problems. Faulconer said it is the board’s goal to figure out the best way to keep or find the best possible service for Lewis County. They are very concerned about the situation want to keep the jobs and the sales tax money in Lewis County, but when the agency is having trouble meeting the payroll, some other solution must be found. Faulconer also said that nothing has been decided and they were seeking the bids to see if that was an option that would be suitable and affordable for Lewis County. He also said that many communities in Missouri are facing the same situation. LaGrange Police Chief Dale McNelly says he is very concerned about the option of having another agency take the dis-
patch calls, for instance if Marion County 911 would take over, as they have recently done for Ralls County, that Lewis County might not be a priority. He said last year the Hannibal Police Department alone had over 30,000 calls, not to mention the other agencies they would be serving. McNelly would like to see Lewis County Sheriff ’s Office take over the duties and McNelly has talked with the City of LaGrange officials to see what type of support can be offered. A public meeting will be held at the 911 meeting room at 100 S. Washington Street in Monticello on Tuesday, August 13. Sealed bids will be opened at that time. The public is encouraged to attend.
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