Ava Victory Academy would like to announce a change in hours of operation for students enrolled in Nursery (6-weeks old) through Kindergarten. The new hours will be from 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., rather than the previous 3:30 p.m. The Academy does have open enrollment for the Early Childhood Department.…
Campers and landowners should prepare for black-bear encounters By Rebecca Maples, MDC JEFFERSON CITY –– He’s a heavyweight from northern Arkansas. He’s dark and mysterious. He’ll eat just about anything, and he’s being seen more and more around the Show-Me State. His name is Ursus americanus, but you probably know…
JEFFERSON CITY – Kids of all ages are invited to the Children’s Festival Saturday, June 18 at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove. The event will feature a number of activities and games for kids, including live music and a 19th century pickup baseball game. The event,…
Over $500 of fresh vegetables harvested, donated from Growing Together Garden JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Agriculture recently harvested its first donation of fresh produce through the “Grow & Give” initiative. The Department’s Growing Together Garden yielded over $500 of lettuce, radishes and Napa cabbage this week, all…
HOUSTON – Some people may be reconsidering plans to grill hot dogs and steak based on a new report supporting the link between red and processed meats, and increased colorectal cancer risk. But, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center say that small changes to what —…
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has honored Lila Pennington, DNP, APRN, FNP/GNP-BC, with the 2011 State Award for Excellence for Missouri. An assistant teaching professor with the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing, Pennington will be recognized June 22, during the AANP’s 26th national…
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Agriculture launched the 2nd annual Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest, asking Missourians to help capture the unique stories and images of agriculture through photographs. The contest, which will run through July 25, asks amateur photographers from all over the state to submit…
JEFFERSON CITY –– You can help plant a tree in a Missouri state park and in the city of Joplin without lifting a shovel. Missouri State Parks is participating again this year in the Odwalla Plant a Tree Program that allows people across the nation to vote where they want…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Springfield Regional Arts Council honored U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) with their Ozzie Leadership Award “for his extraordinary leadership in helping invest in the Springfield arts community.” The Arts Council cited Blunt’s work securing federal support for arts education opportunities in the entire Southwest Missouri region.…
ST. LOUIS – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) today announced he is running for re-election to a second term in 2012. Zweifel will kick off his campaign on Wednesday, June 22 in Forest Park in St. Louis.…
Two students from Ava High School attended the two-day conference at Westminster College in Fulton to learn about the many facets of tobacco-free advocacy, including writing letters to newspaper editors and making public service announcements for local radio stations. The students, Jasmine Phillips and Bri Tiff, also had time to…
The University of Missouri has announced the Spring Semester 2011 dean’s list. The following students from Ava and surrounding areas, were honored. Ava: Chelsea Dooms, junior, Agr-Food & Nat Resources; Daniel Wayne Posey, senior, Journalism; Colten Ross, sophomore, Arts & Science; Kristy Ann Sigafoos, freshman, Arts & Science; From Norwood: Naif Laurence Richard Bartlett, freshman, Arts & Science From Squires: Chad A Tucker, Senior, Arts & Science. …
ROLLA – Mark Twain National Forest will offer two days of free day use and two free nights of camping at eight campgrounds. Free camping is being offered in unreserved campsites both Friday and Saturday nights, and free day use is being offered at unreserved sites Saturday and Sunday, June…
“Kids today are glued to the tube,” said Lynda Johnson, a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. “Within the last 10 years or so, they’ve seen an increase in rickets among children.” Rickets, a crippling disease that softens bones, occurs when the body has insufficient vitamin D. It was huge…
COLUMBIA – Amid the destruction left behind in Joplin by a devastating tornado on May 22, thousands of volunteers from across the country have arrived on the city’s doorstep donating their time and expertise to help the city get back on its feet. Nearly 1,000 new volunteers register daily with…
On Saturday June 4, the Wright County Children’s Home hosted a free concert at the Oasis Worship Center in Lebanon. This concert was meant not only to raise funds for the important work at WCCH, but also to raise awareness of the tragic need for this type of facility. The…
By the time you read this, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission will have made a decision on the redistricting plan and the ultimate closing of district offices. That decision may be to follow the plan that has been talked about across the state in a series of public meetings,…
COLUMBIA – Local officials, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel remain active in all the federally declared counties of the state. FEMA community relations representative Don Devoe reports that in Mississippi County he is finding areas with homes still flooded, with minimal or no access. He works to…
STOCKTON – With storm debris in pastures, now is a good time to make sure your horse has had a recent tetanus shot, according the Dona Goede, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension. “The debris in pastures, blown in or washed in from the flooding, increases the chance of horses…
WEST PLAINS – Area residents interested in starting a small business will want to make plans to attend one of three classes being offered in June by the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at Missouri State University-West Plains. Classes will be held in West Plains, Mountain Grove and…
Sixty-five people, ranging in age from 2 months to 84 years participated in the Seymour MS Walk on Saturday, April 30. A total of $8,895.51 was raised for the cause, according to Pearl Raymond, event chairman who has headed up the walk for the past 18 years. The Seymour Walk…
CAPE GIRARDEAU–Southeast Missouri State University has named 2,417 students to its Dean’s List for academic achievement during the spring 2011 semester. Students named to the list earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least 12 degree credit hours during the spring session.…
JOPLIN–In response to reports of medical records and other patient information that have been found following the tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, Mercy/St. John’s Regional Medical Center has established a process for retrieval of these documents. If you have medical records in your possession that were lost in…
Project Graduation 2012 has had two organizational meetings so far to get fundraising started. The City of Ava has allowed the committee to run the concession stand at the little league baseball/softball fields this summer. Game nights and the class list have been divided up among parents who are in…
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding the public to use safe grilling practices as the peak months for grilling fires approach – June and July. Gas grills constitute a higher risk, having been involved in an annual average of 6,200 home fires in 2004-2008, while charcoal or other…
By Keith Kepler, AlliedBarton A lost child is a parent’s worst nightmare. And, as families plan to spend more time outdoors, on vacation and in busy public places this summer, it is important to be prepared. A survey of parents by the Center to Prevent Lost Children showed that 90…
Dear loved ones in and from Douglas County: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your thoughts, calls and prayers all over the country during my “out-of-pocket” experience on Sunday, May 22, 2011 about 5:40 p.m. here in Joplin. I was/am a most fortunate human being. I…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, announced the creation of the House Interim Committee on Disaster Recovery in response to several recent natural disasters. “With the flooding in southeast Missouri and the massive tornado that hit Joplin, the tornado in St. Louis and flooding in Southeast…
SPRINGFIELD – As an adult, the Green June Beetle can cause losses by feeding on ripe apples, peaches, grapes, blackberries and other fruits and vegetables according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Although the adult Green June Beetles can become airborne, they are not known for their…
Get Serious About Debt For months, both sides in Congress have been pushing and pulling about spending and debt. The debate is intense because the stakes are so high. Our national debt measures in the neighborhood of $14.3 trillion, and another $2 trillion is needed to satisfy American debt obligations…
Twins have been born at the Clyde Connelly farm just north of Ava. Mother and offspring are doing well. The twins were born to a 7-year-old Missouri Fox Trotting mare and although very small, both are doing well this week. The birth of equine twins is rare in itself –…
The next CBCO/FFA Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, June 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Ava High School gymnasium. The June theme is “Salute a Veteran.” Donors will receive a free patriotic t-shirt and a coupon for free ice cone from Ava Drug. In addition, the…
Board Votes To Go Ahead with Spring Show and Youth Seminar After EHV-1 Outbreak; Strict Precautions Will Be Taken, Cooperation Is Encouraged The 3-Year-Old Futurity Spring Show and Youth Seminar of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association will be held here next week, June 7-11. The 32nd annual show…
Ava Elementary School Summer School Breakfast Menu Monday, June 13: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, June 14: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, June 15: Super Bun, Banana, Cheese, Choice of Juice and ½…
The class of 1981 will hold their 30 year reunion next weekend, Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18. Friday night, a mixer is being held at the Springfield Brewing Company. The address is 305 S. Market. Tables have been reserved upstairs for 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be on your…
This is a correction to the column of last week. I had a nice phone visit with Troy Herd who informed me that the American flags placed on the graves of our military, as well as the American flags put up on the main streets of Ava are done so…
It has been a busy time here on the mountain. We started out Saturday with a canoe trip for the youth of our church and we always have to have adults go for chaperones, or maybe just to provide some refreshments. Whatever the case may be, they had a great…
Edward J. Hamill, state executive director, Farm Service Agency, announced effective June 1, 37 counties in Missouri including Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas, will have FSA disaster loans available due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding which occurred April 19, and continuing. Applications for…
By Sue Curry Jones Like any great baseball player, Jonathan Batcheller knows that winning a game isn’t just about hitting a home run. Sometimes, it’s about endurance, strength and tenacity. It’s also about facing disappointments, taking near misses and strikeouts –– but most of the time –– it’s about getting…
BRANSON – Students seeking an education in the area of healthcare have a little longer to apply for the TECPCOR scholarship. The deadline has been extended to July 1. The scholarship is designed to provide funding for individuals who are interested in pursuing a clinical healthcare degree or certification and…
St. John’s and the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association are collaborating to host the Seniors Caregiver Conference. The conference will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 18 at St. John’s Hospital Patient Tower, 1235 E. Cherokee in Springfield. Focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss issues,…
Dear EarthTalk: What has the nature of the agreement just forged between green groups and the U.S. government for wolf protection in the Northern Rockies? — Peggy Marshall, Boise, ID This past March, a coalition of 10 conservation groups finally reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Interior regarding…
JEFFERSON CITY – A magnitude 4.2 earthquake that struck near Sullivan early Tuesday morning served as a reminder of the powerful seismic zones in and around southeast Missouri and the need for citizens to be prepared for a major seismic event. Just over a month ago, Missouri participated in the…
JEFFERSON CITY –Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a construction contract at their monthly meeting today that would provide for guardrail repairs along highways in central Missouri. Mar-Jim Contracting, LLC of Grandview, Mo. was awarded the contract after submitting the low bid of $200,000. The contract begins this summer and…
Reduction in Staff, Facilities and Equipment Will Save $512 Million JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today adopted a plan that will make the Missouri Department of Transportation a smaller agency so more funding can be directed to needed road and bridge projects. In a resolution, the…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Missouri Labor Department announces that the state prevailing wage rates have been established and are now in effect for use on all Missouri public works constructions projects. The Annual Wage Order contains prevailing wage rates for each occupational title in each county and the city of St.…
Randy Spurlock, a member of the Ava R-I Board of Education, has been elected to the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Board of Directors. Spurlock will serve as the Region 15 Governmental Relations Chair on the MSBA Board of Directors. The Missouri School Boards’ Association is a private, not-for-profit organization based…
By Sue Curry Jones Ava R-1 School Board met for a special meeting Monday, June 6, and voted to hire OPAA Food Management to provide food service for the 2011-12 school year. The other company in the running, Fresh Ideas Food Management, who had also submitted a bid proposal for…
JEFFERSON CITY – The swimming beaches at three Missouri state parks have been temporarily closed due to bacteria levels. Grand Glaize Beach, also known as Public Beach #2, at Lake of the Ozarks State Park and the public beaches at Mark Twain and Harry S Truman state parks have been…
JEFFERSON CITY – A new hiking and mountain biking trail in southwest Missouri is receiving national attention with an award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails. The White River Valley Trail in Table Rock State Park near Branson has been recognized with the 2011 Coalition for Recreational Trails award in…
Missourians who live or work in the 15 counties under the state’s May 9, 2011 Presidential Disaster Declaration may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program. Applications must be filed by the deadlines to be considered for benefits. Income compensation under DUA is extended…
Turkey Creek Cemetery held its annual meeting on May 26, at 7 p.m., at the cemetery. The officers elected for the next year are board members: Tom Vinson, John Paul Pitts and Sharon Sanders. Barbara Breshears was elected secretary-treasurer. The DeVore family will mow the cemetery for the next year…
The cover letter that came with my copy of “In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace” says it is the first of “new tween fiction series” for middle grade girls. So, why did this nearly-60 grandfather even dare to read the book? I’ll give you two reasons.…
Marcella Swatosh, principal at Norwood High School since 2004, was recently recognized during the annual Spring Conference of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. Swatosh was named Principal of the Year at the Lodge of Four Seasons as part of the MASSP / Virco Inc. / NASSP (National Association…
Is he a scientist or a magician? Is he a magician or a comedian” Whatever he is, David Tower is one of the Midwest’s hottest talents and one of the country’s most creative minds. David Tower works for Castlewood Shows and Entertainment in Lebanon. He not only develops magic routines…
The fourth Saturday in May marks the opening of squirrel season in Missouri. Hunters may pursue gray and fox squirrels from May 28 through Feb. 15, 2012, with rifles, shotguns or archery equipment. The aggregate bag limit is 10 squirrels and the possession limit is 20. The fourth Saturday in…
By Sgt. Jon E. Dougherty 70th Mobile Public Affairs Det. ngmo.pao@us.army.mil JOPLIN – A year ago the 203rd Engineer Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, woke up every day in a war zone. But on Sunday, one of the season’s deadliest tornados blew through this southwest Missouri community of 46,000, leaving…
The wood-burning stove, recess games like stink base, red rover and dare base, and of course, the outhouse. Those are some of the most vivid memories of the one-room country school. Nearly 60 people, including around 30 former students, attended a reunion of Mountain Side School on Friday, May 6.…
Greetings from your state capitol. This will be my last report on this session of the 96th General Assembly. It has been a year of learning; learning how the process works, learning who people are at the capitol and what job they perform, learning where to go and when to…
The Ava Art Guild annual Spring Art Show opened on May 31 and will continue through Saturday, June 4, at 4 p.m. The art show has entries in many different categories including oil, watercolor, acrylic painting, photography, 3-D art, drawing and many more. There are categories for junior artists under…
Summer School at the Ava R-1 School District will be held daily from June 6 – July 1, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch meals are free to students. Limited bus routing will be offered to families. Buses will run routes on main highways. Parents will need…
We have some exciting things going on at the Douglas County Public Library. First we are happy to announce we now offer free wi fi to anyone interested in bringing their laptops to the library to access the internet. Also, last month we kicked off our special programs with herb…
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a Cease and Desist Order against David Grammer of Macon and Jana Baxter of Columbia for allegedly misusing more than $2 million they raised from investors for Boydoplex, their supposed “molecular exchange” energy technology. According to the order…
After a busy five months the first regular session of the 96th General Assembly has come to a close. Several vital pieces of legislation were passed this year and I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the most important bills for the 144th district that the legislature…
Four people died in traffic crashes over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, six people were killed during the three-day weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 281 traffic crashes resulting in 127 injuries and three of the fatalities during the counting period of 6 p.m. Friday, May 27,…
“Elderflowers in the Fencerows” The elderflowers are blossoming in Missouri. Destined to ripen into elderberries used in dyes, pies, wines and jams, elderflowers are useful as well for teas, cordials and wines. A common native plant, John Avery and Dr. Martin Kaps of the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station are…
“It’s Strawberry Time!” MOUNTAIN GROVE – It’s strawberry time in Missouri. Locally grown strawberries are now available at pick-your-own farms and farmers’ markets. Delicious strawberries are a healthy treat very high in Vitamin C and dietary fiber. If picking your own fresh strawberries at the farm, select ripe berries colored…
Less than a week after an EF5 tornado blew through St. John’s Regional Medical Center on May 22, St. John’s Mercy Hospital is open for business. “The building is not St. John’s. St. John’s is the people who worked in that building. And they’re going to be the people in…
Saturday May 21 marked another successful fundraiser at the 4th annual Jake Yeates Memorial Race. Racers and fans alike proved just how generous the people of the Ozarks are by helping the organization to raise $7,300 that will be used in 13 different school districts to help children with their…
At their weekly meeting on June 9, Kiwanis Club of Ava will be pleased to host a program focused on Early Childhood Literacy. On that day, Tim Scrivener will be meeting with the group to discuss the “Dolly Parton Imagination Library.” This program focuses on helping children from birth to…
Ava High School students Seth Evans and Hannah Johnson, and Bakersfield High School students Chelsea Johnston and Chase Sigler, have been selected to participate in the first class of the South-Central Student Leadership Initiative, designed to develop skills to create future community leaders for the Ozarks region. The students from…
The summer reading program is about to hit high gear at the Douglas County Public Library. The program is open to ages 3 to 11 with story hours, crafts, games and prize drawings. Teens ages 12-18 can participate in “You Are Here” by picking up a gameboard at the library,…
SPRINGFIELD - Better Business Bureau of Southwest Missouri (BBB) has received an influx of reports from consumers who say they received a call from someone offering to lower their credit card interest rates. In each of the cases, the caller claimed to represent multiple credit card companies, and could significantly…
BRANSON, Mo. – The Army Corps of Engineers caution boaters that high lake levels and large amounts of floating debris have made boating more hazardous on Table Rock Lake. Officials advise boaters and anglers to prepare for these conditions. Most boat launch ramps and parking facilities are inaccessible because of…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Learn about the women of the Boone family during a special guided tour at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove on Saturday, June 4. The tour will begin at 2 p.m. and last approximately one hour. The guide will be Greta Russell, editor of…
JEFFERSON CITY – Fourteen new bridges opened to traffic last week, pushing the number of completed Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program projects past the halfway point. There are now 410 new or rehabilitated bridges that have been constructed. When completed, the Safe & Sound program will have repaired or…
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – As part of Gov. Jay Nixon’s MoBroadbandNow initiative, which seeks to expand high-speed Internet access throughout Missouri, input is being sought from local businesses through a Broadband Business Survey. The survey will assist Regional Technology Planning Teams (RTPTs) by assessing businesses’ current broadband status, needs, and…
JEFFERSON CITY – Begin your summer of fun with a Summer Fun Expo June 11 at Crowder State Park near Trenton. The free expo will be held at the beach parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the public is invited to attend. The expo will feature nature…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Agriculture recently launched a new component of the 10,000 Garden Challenge – the “Grow & Give” initiative. The program represents a joint effort with Missouri’s food banks and pantries to provide more fresh produce to Missourians in need. “One of our goals with the…
JEFFERSON CITY –– The major insurance companies serving consumers in the Joplin area have received nearly 17,000 claims so far from residents and business owners with damage from the EF-5 tornado that struck the area on May 22. The insurance companies have reported their preliminary claims numbers to the Missouri…
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Anglers may reel in tagged fish from Missouri’s rivers and those tags are eligible for cash rewards. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is conducting a smallmouth bass research project on five rivers and hopes the rewards will encourage angler participation. These types of studies have…
Leave Bambi in the movies and wildlife in the wild. Trying to rescue orphaned or injured wildlife can actually hurt them. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – How would Bambi’s life have turned out if, after his mother’s death, a sympathetic human had taken him in? The ending probably wouldn’t be as…
MANHATTAN, Kans. –– More than 2,800 students graduated from Kansas State University in ceremonies this spring. Ceremonies on K-State’s Manhattan campus were Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14. Candidates for graduation included: Eve Coberly, of Ava, Master of Science in Gerontology. K-State awarded more than 2,100 bachelor’s degrees, more…
JaMarie McElvain of Ava, graduated from College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo., during 2011 Commencement exercises May 8. McElvain received a BA in Graphic Arts. McElvain is a 2007 home school graduate. This year, 321 students graduated from College of the Ozarks. At C of O, dubbed “Hard Work…
JEFFERSON CITY – Every year, millions of visitors enjoy Missouri state park and historic sites without being aware of the planning involved in bringing them the opportunity. The National Association of Recreation Resource Planners has recognized The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks for its planning efforts,…
Discover nature by exploring some of the 700-plus miles of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails on conservation areas. JEFFERSON CITY – National Trails Day is Saturday, June 4, and Missouri conservation areas (CAs) have more than 700 miles of foot, bicycle and equestrian trails to celebrate and explore. This is…
NEW YORK – As Skin Cancer Awareness Month wraps up and summer unofficially begins, The Skin Cancer Foundation is reminding consumers to stay sun-safe through the summer. The Foundation recommends the following skin cancer prevention strategies, particularly relevant during the summer season: Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and…
Ava Elementary School Summer School Breakfast Menu Monday, June 6: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, June 7: Breakfast Pizza, Orange, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, June 8: Super Bun, Banana, Cheese, Choice of Juice and ½…
Once again the Jenkins-Applegate pavilion at Goodhope was full of moms, dads, uncles and aunts and cousins gathered together in memory of the late Lee and Mavie (Applegate) Jenkins. Reatha (Jenkins) Hass was not able to come, but the other five remaining kids were there. Those in attendance were Dick…
Battlefield, MO– Russell Cellular, a Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer, has donated $14,070 to the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Joplin, MO. A four-day Joplin Relief Promotion was held May 26-May 31, where $5 from every phone sold was donated to the relief…
The Farm Service Agency announced this week that farmers in Christian, Taney, Stone, Douglas and Ozark counties may apply for cost share assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program for flood damage that began April 20. Timothy K. Kennemer, FSA County Executive Director, stated that although no funds are currently available,…
Harold Camping, the California preacher who predicted the world would end on Saturday now says he was off by five months. The end will actually come on Oct. 21. Unfortunately for many folks in Joplin, he was only off by one day. Sunday’s devastating tornado that ripped through the city…
Crystal Sabas, daughter of Claud and Connie English, Norwood, was recognized as a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, nursing program during the Nursing Graduate Recognition Ceremony May 7 in Hendricks Hall. Sabas was among the nursing graduates honored during the recognition ceremony, where graduates received their nursing…
The prestigious P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for the 2010-2011 academic year was presented to Richelle Pettit, a senior at Ava High School. The scholarship was presented at the Senior Awards Ceremony by Chapter IH President Barbara Coday and STAR Scholarship Chapter Representative Angela Ewing. Richelle is the daughter of Bruce and…
Captain Dwayne F. Isringhausen, commanding officer of Troop G, Willow Springs, announces that on Friday, May 27, and on Monday, May 30, Troop G officers will participate in the 20-Mile Trooper project. Troopers will patrol U.S. Highway 60 at 20-mile intervals, with an emphasis on speeding violations, careless and imprudent…
JUNE 01 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-5 p.m. 02 Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screening: Redbud 8-9 a.m.; Community Center, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Office Closed: 12:30-1:15 p.m.-Staff Development. 03 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:45 p.m. 06 11 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:45 p.m. 07 Office…
FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) on Saturday, May 19, in Taney County. The center, located at the Community Center in Hollister, will provide access and information for those affected by recent severe storms, floods and tornadoes. On May 9, the President issued a major disaster declaration for the…
The Pill That Works Is the One You Can Afford Calls to improve the efficiency and accountability of our country’s health care system aren’t new, but they shouldn’t always cause political division. The political treatment yields few outcomes and precludes many – including, too often, compromise. Yet good public policy…
The Carl Neiman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on May 12, at 7 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall/Student Ministries Building of the Ava General Baptist Church. The meeting was called to order by Regent Sandra Walker at 7:10 p.m. Members then recited the Pledge of Allegiance…
Danny Letsinger, commander of American Legion Post 112, announced this week that Branson Crewse, a home school student, has been selected to attend the 72nd session of The American Legion Missouri Boys State The program will be held June 11-18 on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in…
The Ava Lions just completed a walk/run event that raised several thousand dollars to purchase glasses and support the underprivileged youth of our community. Continuing the tradition of serving the community the Lions are now in the final stages of completing the preparation to man the concession stand at the…
What started out as a routine traffic stop has resulted in two arrests on drug charges, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. On May 15, Deputy Brad Loveless and Sheriff Chris Degase arrested Joseph Merriett, 35, and Jeffery Schmidt, 48, both of Ava. Deputy Loveless initiated a traffic stop…
Ava Victory Academy bid farewell to the eighth-grade and senior classes of 2011 on Friday, May 13. Kaylor Walker, daughter of John and Gwen Walker, and Anna Hailey, daughter of Cindy and the late David Hailey left junior high behind and became high schoolers, while five seniors left high school to become…
Site features easier access to audit reports, social media platforms JEFFERSON CITY – State Auditor Tom Schweich announced last week the launch of the new state auditor’s office website. “Our new website will make audit information more accessible to Missourians, presenting information on government spending in a straightforward and convenient…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations; and the U.S. Senate National Security Working Group, issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s Middle East speech: “It is in…
HOUSTON –– A subset of breast cancer patients who have tumors overexpressing a protein called the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2 positive) may benefit from a combination of targeted treatments and may not need chemotherapy, said researchers from the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College…
By Shelby Gray College of the Ozarks student Arayna McElvain of Ava, along with 17 other C of O students, will accompany six WWII Veterans to France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The trip, which will last from June 2-16, will provide students with the experience of a lifetime, as the…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Saving energy means saving money, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources wants to help Missouri school districts, local governments, public colleges and universities do both. The department is providing up to $10 million in low-interest loans for energy efficiency projects though its Energize Missouri Schools and Local…
Dear EarthTalk: What is “tar sands oil” and what is the controversy over possibly building a pipeline for it from Canada into the United States? — Bill Berkley, Omaha, NE Tar sands oil (or “tar sands”) is slang for bituminous sand, a mixture of sand, clay, water and an extremely…
Don’t miss this chance to rediscover a favorite pastime or share it with a friend. JEFFERSON CITY – “Gone fishing” signs will be posted on doors across the state June 11-12 as Missourians enjoy a favorite outdoor pastime at no cost. Each year, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) designates the…
Dear Editor, Over the past several months I have been concerned with the Ava R-1 School District’s welfare. Many believe that when you look inside a school one should see a great educational process at work and teachers filling the minds of students with knowledge and the ability to work…
Online Conservation Atlas can help plan Missouri outdoor adventures. JEFFERSON CITY –– Hunting, angling, birdwatching, camping, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, nature photography – what more could an outdoor enthusiast want in a summer vacation? If you live in Missouri, these and other outdoor adventures are never far. Missouri Department of…
The Missouri Conservative Coalition will sponsor the first annual Tea Party Town Hall meeting on Saturday, June 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The get-together will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1201 Fairground Rd. Jefferson City, Mo. The Missouri Conservative Coalition has planned an afternoon of legislative…
June 16 seminar seeks to improve quail and small-game populations by educating landowners JEFFERSON CITY – Quail are making a comeback, and conservationists will be flocking to the Missouri Bobwhite Quail Summit to help bring back these native birds. The summit will be held at the Bradford Research and Extension…
MARSHALL — Dr. Sharon Weiser, chief academic officer for Missouri Valley College (MVC), has announced the spring 2011 Dean’s List. The requirements for the Dean’s List are a 3.3 or higher grade point average; at least 12 graded hours for the semester; and no “D,” “F,” or “Incomplete” grades for…
JEFFERSON CITY – Kids and adults alike will be inspired and entertained by the music and message of Wildheart, an environmental musical group that will perform in seven Missouri state parks in May and June. Wildheart is composed of Jan and George Syrigos, both Emmy award- winning educators and entertainers…
Law enforcement to participate in seat belt checks May 23-June 5 JEFFERSON CITY – More than 200 Missouri law enforcement agencies are expected to participate in this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign from May 23-June 5. During last year’s campaign, law enforcement officers wrote more than 5,500 seat belt…
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Army Corps of Engineers is advising people in flood plains downstream of Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork dams in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri to maintain awareness and monitor lake levels and weather. These lakes are filling and have very little storage capacity…
Present for the May 19th regular meeting were Katie Hoverson, Edith McKinnon, Alice Hurley, Karen N. Davis, Lily Branco and Linnie Ingram. The meeting was at the Ozark County Health Dept. at 10:00 a.m. Following the Pledge of Allegience to the flag a devotion was read by Edith McKinnon, hostess.…
May 17th we had fifteen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of twenty-one and 3/4 lbs. One person stayed the same weight. Delores was high-loser. Linda received a charm for walking 100 miles, and Vince received two charms for walking 200 miles. Congratulations to these folks! Sharon presented the…
Hello from our home to your home. We have been singing, “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.” It doesn’t seem like it will ever stop. It has been an emotional time for everyone. We all seem to be drawn to the television for updates from Joplin. If you didn’t know…
Tuesday, May 10th we had sixteen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of eleven and 3/4 lbs. One person stayed the same weight. Kathleen was high-loser. Plans were discussed for our semi-annual garage sale to be held May 18th and 19th. Kathleen presented the program, with an article from DoctorOz.com…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, May 23: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, May 24: Breakfast Pizza, Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, May 25: Super Bun, String Cheese, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of…
Hello from our home to your home. Last week was National Nursing Home Week. It was filled full of activities for residents and staff members. Mother’s Day began with flowers arriving for the many mothers and residents here. They were in evidence in each hall and nursing station. Beautiful bouquets…
There was a story I heard several years ago about a young couple who had been married for a brief time, and one day the young wife decided that she would fix her mother’s special pot roast for dinner as a treat for the both of them. She was not…
Tuesday, April 12th we had sixteen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of twelve and 1/4 lbs. Three people stayed the same weight. Billy was high-loser. Sharon gave a report on State Recognition Days, which were held in Springfield on April 8th and 9th. She gave us a hand-out with…
Douglas/Ozark Counties RTA Meeting May 10 The Douglas and Ozark Counties Retired Teachers and Other School Personnel met Tuesday, May 10 at the Highway House Café in Ava, Missouri. Marie Bristol welcomed the members and one guest. Norma Stillings gave the invocation. The group had a short business session before…
The Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on May 16, 2011. President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurers report and the minutes of the April meeting and they were approved. There was a discussion of our open house and the dedication of the Gene Bench display…
The Skyline R-2 School Board met in regular session on Thursday, May 19, with six members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. Under the topic of old business, the board was presented with a preliminary budget for 2011-12. Revenues and expenditures were discussed. The board will vote…
By Mindy Crandall Over the years many speeches have been given where the phrase, cut from the same cloth, have been used. Several people have used this analogy to describe that all humans are created equal. In fact, the Bible also contains similar word phrases to describe equality. I, myself,…
Work Continues in Final Hours At this writing, we are close to the end of the 2011 legislative session. However, until the final gavel falls at 6 p.m. on May 13, nothing is certain. Legislation can move quickly in the final days of session, with some bills passing literally within…
I’m so glad I work for a newspaper and not a TV station. When we have a storm, I can go out and shoot pictures of the high water, showing the destruction that has been done by the flood waters or the wind. If I worked for a TV station,…
The Norwood R-1 School Board met May 11. The agenda was adopted and the consent agenda items were approved. Superintendent Don Forrest reported on budget and insurance changes for 2011-12. Dana Webb, elementary principal, reported on testing, staff training and kindergarten screening. Marcella Swatosh, high school principal, reported on professional…
Though sightings are extremely rare, Missourians who travel to states with thriving cougar populations can benefit from these hints. JEFFERSON CITY– According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the chances of encountering a mountain lion in Missouri is very, very small—almost nonexistent. People, pets and livestock are at much greater…
Photos of tracks convince the Mountain Lion Response Team. ATLANTA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed the presence of a mountain lion in northern Macon County, based on photos of tracks taken by a landowner. Rex Martensen, a member of the Conservation Department’s Mountain Lion Response Team…
Ozark Action, Inc. (OAI) is accepting applications for enrollment in the Ava Head Start Center. Children must be 3 or 4 years old on or before July 31, 2011. Other eligibility criteria include family income, location, and special needs. Interested parents and guardians should contact the Head Start Center, 683-5217…
The Floodwaters Recede “The Mississippi River crest has passed, our rivers are slowly moving back within their banks, and the enormous task ahead of us is being revealed as the floodwaters recede. Across Missouri, federal and state officials are assessing the damage from these storms and floods. A major federal…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said last week that a Major Disaster Declaration was issued for the state of Missouri. A higher designation was issued for four counties in the Eighth Congressional District which experienced more severe damage from storms and flooding which commenced on April 19.…
Edward J. Hammill, state executive director, Farm Service Agency, announced effective May 9, 19 counties in Missouri (including Douglas and Oregon counties) and the independent City of St. Louis, in Missouri, will have FSA disaster loans available due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding which occurred April 19, and continuing.…
Budget issues continued to be the underlying theme of the Ava R-1 School Board on Monday, May 16, when the group met for the regular business session in May. During the evening, decisions were finalized for the ensuing school year; however, one key item, the selection of a food service…
AVA, Mo. – Reggie Platts, of Ava, recently enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard. Platts will serve with Company D of the Recruit Sustainment Program in Springfield. Through the program he will learn basic Army skills and values and become more familiar with his role as a Soldier in…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Observe U.S. Armed Forces Day with a historic twist Saturday, May 21 at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove. The “Nathan Boone in Uniform” event, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public. The event will…
On May 12, 2011 the Missouri House passed SB 65 and the Missouri Senate passed HB 213. The Ban on Late-term Abortion, HB 213 and SB 65, was sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones in the House and President Pro-Tem Sen. Robert Mayer in the Senate. These bills would prohibit abortion…
JaMarie McElvain, daughter of Ross and Beth McElvain of Ava, received the Art Faculty Award, Pat Watson Memorial Scholarship, High Scholastic Honors Award and the Student Manager Leadership Award at the 2010-11 Annual Student Awards Ceremony held Thursday, April 28, at College of the Ozarks. McElvain is a 2007 home…
Ozark Independent Living (OIL) will offer free-of-charge sign language classes from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning Wednesday, June 8. Classes, which will continue each Wednesday for six weeks, will be held at the West Plains Senior Center, 416 E. Main St. Sue Cawthron is the instructor. The recommended book, “A…
Earlier this month, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) made public a plan to make dramatic reductions in staff, facilities and equipment that includes closing three rural district offices and over 100 maintenance sheds. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) could vote on approval of the plan as early…
Descendants of Elizabeth Johnston Barker Estes will meet for a family reunion on Sunday, May 29 at the Vanzant Community Building in Douglas County. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The reunion will commemorate the family journey from Tennessee to Indiana and finally to Missouri in 1878. Elizabeth, her husband Andrew…
Carissa Armour, daughter of Dwight and Connie Armour of Oldfield, received the John Phillip Sousa Band Award and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award at the 2010-11 Annual Student Awards Ceremony held Thursday, April 28, at College of the Ozarks. Armour is a 2007 Ava R-I High School graduate. Awards are…
By Mindy Crandall Viewing a cave is not everyone’s idea of fun, but usually only due to three things: the fear of the unknown, fear of bats or because one is claustrophobic. I on the other hand, jumped at the chance to go inside Onondaga Cave. I must say, when…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, May 16: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, May 17: Breakfast Pizza, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, May 18: Super Bun, Cheese, Banana, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
NEWS FROM 1ST GRADE No article was submitted this week, however, we do look forward to future articles. NEWS FROM THE 8th GRADE No article was submitted this week, however, we do look forward to future articles. NEWS FROM 12TH GRADE Senior year is the best year ever! It’s bitter…
Members of NARFE – the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association – have donated more than $9 million to Alzheimer’s research. Chapter 2283 in Ava, MO. has played a key role in the fundraising effort. In 1985, NARFE joined with the Alzheimer’s Association to help fund research and find…
If you have missed this amazing experience, you have missed a tremendous blessing. The first Saturday evening of each month, pastors of different denominations come together in one place and by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, bring God’s Word to all who come out to receive it. This last…
Legislation Sent to the Governor’s Desk With the final week of session approaching, more legislation is moving forward and being approved by the House and Senate. The deadline to finalize legislation is 6 p.m. on May 13. Several pieces of legislation that I am handling in the Senate were recently…
COLUMBIA – A $60,000 endowment from Missouri 4-H supporters Nellie Mabel Jones Turner and her children, Ed Turner and Joan Hickman, will provide perpetual support for a Missouri 4-H delegation to the National 4-H Conference. When 4-H history was being made, Nellie and her family were there. In 1927 Nellie…
JEFFERSON CITY–A 9.3-percent dip in the 2011 spring turkey harvest confirms what Missourians already knew – it has been a stormy three weeks in the Show-Me State. Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle, the Conservation Department’s turkey specialist, announced Tuesday afternoon that hunters checked 38,328 turkeys during the regular spring turkey season…
Commencement exercises for the Ava High School class of 2011 will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ava High School football field. A roster of 100 seniors will march across the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of an era for both the students and their…
Big River, Little City “The floods which have ravaged the Eighth Congressional District in Missouri and the midsection of the entire country are serious business. These storms and floods have killed hundreds of people, injured hundreds more, destroyed homes and businesses, and forever changed the topography of our part of…
Redistricting – Veto Override A long process came to an end this week when the Missouri House and Senate joined together to override Governor Nixon’s veto of our legislative redistricting map. It was the first successful veto override in Missouri since 2003. Despite the fact that our map was supported…
On April 21, Judge Craig Carter sentenced several people to the Department of Corrections. Corrina Bingham, 40, Ava, was sentenced to five years after violating her probation on the original charge of possession of a controlled substance. She was also sentenced to 10 days in the county jail to run…
The May luncheon meeting of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce was held at the gazebo in the center of the square Tuesday. Chamber board members cooked and served hamburgers and hotdogs in appreciation to the local business community. The meal also included cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans.…
The Ava High School class of 1981 is planning a 30-year reunion on June 17 and 18. The reunion will be preceded, however, with a float trip by class members on May 21 at Dawt Mill. The official reunion will start with a mixer at Springfield Brewing Co., on June…
Grants from the Center for Disease Control and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are funding free classes for those with health conditions. The classes are designed to help people manage the challenges of arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic pain, osteoporosis, diabetes, asthma, heart and other conditions. Having a…
Five officers killed in the line of duty during 2010 are remembered JEFFERSON CITY– Five Missouri law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during 2010 were memorialized today at a ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial, on the north grounds of the State Capitol, overlooking the Missouri…
Dear Editor, I’m writing this because I’m distressed with recent events in the Ava School system, specifically with the Ava School Board, the Superintendent, and the high school Principal. I, too, attended the recent board meeting and stated my request to the board on behalf of Jeff Tabor. Obviously, that…
SPRINGFIELD –– A plan to downsize and reorganize the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be discussed in community briefings across the state, including numerous locations in MoDOT’s Springfield Region. The changes within MoDOT are necessary because of a severe decline in funding and an inability to match federal funds…
For the past five years, Missouri’s state highway construction program has averaged $1.2 billion a year. The Missouri Department of Transportation has presented a new five-year construction program to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission that’s only half that amount – about $600 million a year. What does such a…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Midwest Region applauds the release of the 2011 State of the Birds Report, the nation’s first assessment of birds on lands and waters owned by the American people. The report concludes that public lands including the more than 50 national wildlife refuges (NWR)…
By Randy Dudley The History At the age of 25, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft set off on an expedition to explore the sparsely populated areas of the Midwest including southwest Missouri. Schoolcraft was a self-described neophyte at this sort of adventure and often depended on the hospitality of the local settlers…
It makes no difference who’s in power. It matters not if you are Republican or Democrat. We must be extremely proud of our American military for pulling off the operation that was witnessed Sunday night in Pakistan. On Sept. 11, 2001, Americans came together as President George W. Bush addressed…
Economic Development Measure Moves Forward Other than the budget, one of the most important pieces of legislation that we have been working on this year is a combination of economic development measures and tax credit reform. This week, the Senate gave initial approval to House Bill 116, which works to…
Lincoln Connell, son of Brian and Stephanie Connell, a student at Norwood High School, has been selected as one of 330 students to attend the 2011 Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week residential program to be held June 12 – July 2 on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Founded…
Mark Twain National Forest visitors need to be extra careful driving forest roads. Due to spring 2011 rains, some roads within Mark Twain National Forest have been washed out, damaged, or left covered with debris from area flooding. Low-water crossings may still be carrying higher than normal water levels, making…
Study will provide further information, such as movement patterns, population densities, habitat preferences, male-to-female ratios and overall numbers of Missouri bears. By Candice Davis, MDC CAPE GIRARDEAU – Bear sighting reports are more important than ever to Missouri Conservation Department (MDC) biologists and agents in southeast Missouri. MDC embarked on…
The Missouri Department of Revenue reminds citizens that none of its employees will ever contact Missouri taxpayers to ask for credit card or debit card numbers. The Department recently received a report that a citizen received a call from someone who represented himself as “representing the state of Missouri.” The…
Robert (Bob) Liebert will present a program on the uses and folklore of Ozark herbs at the Douglas County Public Library on Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The library is located at 301 SW 3rd Ave. For more information call 683-5633.…
Wendy Thompson, Lynda Clouse and Julie Taylor attended the Missouri Association of School Librarians Annual Spring Conference held April 17-19 at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach. The theme for this year’s conference was “Focus on the Future.” Marilyn Johnson author of This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save…
Joshua Freemen of Ava R-1 Schools has been accepted to the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing for the fall school term. Josh is the son of Sherry Motes and James Freeman of Ava. The Missouri Academy is an early-entrance-to-college, two-year residential program, located on the campus of Northwest…
By Jennifer Schutter Horticulture Specialist University of Missouri Extension In the past three years I have incorporated three gardening practices into my yard and garden-raised beds, compost bins, and a rain barrel. I absolutely love all three and encourage you to do the same. People are now encouraged more than…
COLUMBIA – There’s probably no more common cultural practice than mowing the lawn. University of Missouri Extension specialists warn against overdoing it. “Folks think that if they mow short they can mow less often, but that’s not the case,” said Brad Fresenburg, an MU Extension state turfgrass specialist. “By mowing…
Proposition B, the so-called “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” – was not about preventing people from operating puppy mills. Proposition B was the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of them raise…
The Skyline R-2 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, April 21, with all seven members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. A report was given on the reorganizational meeting which was held on April 7. Officers elected at that meeting included Tim Scrivner, president;…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, May 9: Choice of Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, May 10: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, May 11: Super Bun, Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of…
Hello from our home to your home. We are getting very tired of the rain, but in a few months we will be begging for the rain. I have a lot of news to catch everyone up on so, here goes. The church schedule for May is: Ava General Baptist…
Baccalaureate services for the 2011 Ava High School graduating class will be held this Sunday evening. Baccalaureate sets in motion the graduation process which will conclude on Saturday, May 14, when diplomas are presented to the 100 members of the senior class. The baccalaureate service, sponsored by the Ava Area…
By Ashton Davis, Chapter Historian On Friday, April 29, approximately 175 FFA members, parents, and guests gathered to celebrate the successes from 2010-2011. President Courtney Levan welcomed all those in attendance and Brittany Maggard provided invocation. Following the meal of steak or chicken, au gratin potatoes, green beans, corn, hot…
The 107th Alumni Banquet of Ava High School will be held this Saturday, May 7, in the high school cafeteria. The program and meal will begin at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are still available and can be purchased today at Ava Drug, Town and Country Bank and the Douglas County…
COLE CAMP—It’s time to get moving. That’s the message of the “Move Across Missouri” program to 4-H youth and their families. Since 2008, more than 1,200 people have signed up for the program, which encourages participants to keep active by having them track how much time they spend in physical…
Each week the Douglas County Herald will feature a grade from each building to highlight as a feature in this School Section. All articles are written by students in the grade level highlighted. We thank them in advance for their participation NEWS FROM KINDERGARTEN Children in kindergarten were asked this…
Kindergarten screening will be held Tuesday, May 10, at Plainview R-8 School. If you live in the Plainview School District and have a child who will be 5 years old before Aug. 1, 2011, please call the school at 683-2046 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to set up a…
The Tenth Annual Salem Community-Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday, May 7. The yard sales are sponsored by the City of Salem and The Salem News. The city has sponsored these yard sales in the past in conjunction with spring and fall cleanup weeks. A listing of yard sales…
COLUMBIA, MO – Missourians who produce and sell organic products with annual sales of less than $5,000 may be eligible for federal financial and technical assistance even if their operations are not certified organic. But they must apply for assistance by May 20. J.R. Flores, state conservationist with the USDA…
JEFFERSON CITY –Motorcyclists and motorists are encouraged to safely “share the road” this May in observation of the national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. All motorists are reminded to watch for motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe, while motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to…
JEFFERSON CITY – More and more people are discovering the joys of visiting Missouri state parks and historic sites and it shows in the attendance numbers. In 2010, more than 16.3 million people visited Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites, and this reflects an almost 10 percent increase in…
With gasoline prices already high and predicted to continue to climb, bicycling in Missouri is on the increase and that inspires an excellent reason to celebrate May as National Bike Month, Missouri Bike & Pedestrian Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh announced Tuesday. The Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation is a…
Congressional redistricting map was passed by both branches of Missouri’s legislature Wednesday, April 27, ending a week-long stalemate between House and Senate. Like the earlier versions passed by the House and Senate, the map heading to the governor’s desk eliminates the St. Louis city district of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan,…
Working as a blacksmith at the construction site of a stone castle is a task most of us have experienced by watching scenes from a medieval movie such as Camelot, A Man For All Seasons, or perhaps, Knights of the Round Table. But, that is not the case for one…
Dear Editor: When I read the paper last week about the school board meeting that was addressing the issue of Mr. Tabor getting rehired next year, I was shocked to say the least. I must admit that I don’t keep up on many happenings in the Ava School since my…
Police have arrested one of the men responsible for the theft of the lieutenant governor’s car Monday, April 25. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was speaking at a naturalization ceremony in his hometown of Cape Girardeau when he left the keys in his car. Cape Girardeau police said two men drove…
JEFFERSON CITY – When it comes to deciding Missouri’s favorite trail, there is no question with readers of the Rural Missouri magazine. During the 10th annual Best of Rural Missouri contest, Katy Trail State Park was voted the favorite trail in four of the state’s five regions, including a region…
JEFFERSON CITY – As part of Gov. Jay Nixon’s efforts to expand high-speed Internet access throughout the state, the Governor’s MoBroadbandNow initiative is seeking input from 44,000 Missourians to determine their high-speed Internet accessibility. Yesterday, 4,000 surveys each were mailed to randomly selected Missourians residing in various counties within the…
JEFFERSON CITY – Some Missouri communities are battling rising floodwaters and preparing for imminent flooding while others are beginning their recovery. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has a natural disaster resource webpage that provides residents of flood-stricken community’s important information on preparing for and recovering from flooding. The department…
When exploring how diversity positively impacts our economic development we also need to include the disability community. Approximately one in five Americans have a disability; one in ten have a severe disability. We are the largest historically excluded group that anyone can become a member of at any time. As…
BRANSON, Mo., – Highway 165/265 across Table Rock Dam closed at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, for 14 days while repairs are made on the downstream embankment of the dam. The weather has cleared, and crews are ready to begin work. Repairs are necessary because recent heavy rains have caused…
Millions more in child support to be collected under new system The Missouri Department of Social Services is using a new website to make it easier to collect child support payments from non-custodial parents. The website can be found at www.missouriemployer.dss.mo.gov “Every Missouri child deserves to be cared and provided…
A statement from Senator Roy Blunt on the killing this week of Osama bin Laden: “Osama bin Laden’s death is a major victory for America. This development is the culmination of the sacrifices and dedication from our brave troops and intelligence professionals. After nearly a decade, it also brings a…
All requirements of a stringent veterinary-health protocol have been met. JEFFERSON CITY—All 34 animals intended as the nucleus of an elk herd in Missouri have passed the final round of health testing and are ready to board a trailer for the trip to Peck Ranch Conservation Area. Missouri’s elk originally…
By Mindy Crandall Every week a new article is written for the Reflections column. In doing so, appointments have to be scheduled and research has to be done in order for the article to have an impact. Not always and this was the case, does an interview become possible. In…
Each week the Douglas County Herald will feature a grade from each building to highlight as a feature in this School Section. All articles are written by students in the grade level highlighted. We thank them in advance for their participation NEWS FROM 4th Grade I’m Haley. I’m in 4th…
The weather has been interesting, one day really warm and the next day cold enough for a light jacket. Everyone has been walking and sitting outside on the warm days. We definitely want warm weather. The rain could let up a little. Rivers are running high and some roads are…
Britni Tyra, 22, is being held on child abuse charges, it was announced Wednesday by Sheriff Chris Degase. On Monday, April 25, Tyra was arrested by Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and placed on a 24 hours hold for an incident of suspected child abuse that…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was busy this past week as Sheriff Degase placed a primary focus on the growing methamphetamine problem. All deputies were working methamphetamine-related information in between taking the usual calls, Degase said. K-9 Officer Brad Loveless and Deputy Nathan Long arrested Timothy Rehard, age 27, and…
Supplemental Budget Bills Sent to Governor This week, the Senate approved House Bills 14 and 15. Both are supplemental budget bills, which address budget issues that were not passed or were not funded to the level of being sufficient for the whole year. With the governor’s signature, these bills will…
Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announces effective May 1, 2011, Sergeant Jason M. Pace will assume duties as a public information and education officer for Troop D. He will be one of two public information officers assigned to the 18-county Troop D region. Pace was born…
Greetings from your state capitol. We dealt with a little bit of severe weather that produced some rather large hail here in Jefferson City. Had a visit from the College of the Ozarks Young Republican Club on Wednesday and the fourth grade class of Hollister elementary on Thursday. (My granddaughter…
Missouri State Highway Patrol Asks The Public To Restrict Boating Due To High Water Levels Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, cautions recreational boaters to avoid boating on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo because of the current flood conditions. Large amounts of floating debris due…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, May 2: Choice of Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, May 3: Breakfast Pizza, Oranges, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, May 4: Biscuits and Gravy, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of…
Severe Weather and Widespread Rain Held Down Numbers JEFFERSON CITY–Rain and severe weather complicated hunting during the first week of Missouri’s 21-day spring turkey season, leading to a 10-percent drop in the first-week harvest. Missouri hunters checked 18,788 turkeys April 18 through 24, a decrease of 2,233 compared to last…
Maxine U. House, 83, of Chadwick, died in a one-car crash north of Oldfield in Christian County last Thursday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that House was traveling south on Highway 125 when her 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a…
Our American Identity No one likes hearing that they must make tough choices. Whether it’s on the dinner menu at a favorite restaurant or picking one person to hire from two well-qualified candidates, tough choices are, well, tough. Our great country is founded on a history of tough choices: the…
PROPOSITION B We are still awaiting the Governor’s signature on SB 113 & 95. In addition SB 161 will be the bill that the compromise language will be carried on. Redistricting The new Congressional Districts are still being debated in the House, but we have reached no agreement at this…
It was standing room only last week when concerned citizens and students filled every available space in the administration building during the monthly meeting of the Ava R-1 School Board. The meeting was held on Wednesday, April 20, instead of the usual third Thursday of the month, and for the…
The Greater Ozarks Chapter and Southeast Missouri Chapters of the American Red Cross have responded to the recent storms and flooding throughout the state with the following shelters open and operated by trained volunteers. The numbers indicate the population at each shelter April 25, 2011. Shelter Locations: McDonald County: Noel…
Dear Editor: I am writing this letter as a concerned Douglas County taxpayer and Ava graduate who has a child and four grandchildren in the Ava R-1 school system. I would like to thank those responsible for the Open Forum which was held so that I could get to know…
Dear Editor: Because we live in a representative democracy, in our government at all levels, we elect people to speak for us in making decisions to ensure that our constitutional rights are secure and preserved. With that in mind, I offer my views on the issues that have recently taken…
José and Yelena Montalvo, Dora, are the parents of a baby boy, Elijah Emmanuel, born at 1:11 a.m. April 8 at Ozarks Medical Center (OMC). He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20 inches long. His siblings are Tatiana, 9, and Reana, 6. Grandparents are Olga Slavik, Dora; Darcis…
BRANSON – Temperatures are warming up steadily, which means two-wheeled drivers will be taking to the roads. “Riding a bike is great cardiovascular exercise and easy on the joints,” says Dr. Peter Marcellus, Skaggs HealthcareFamily Medicine. “The key is not to overdo it, start with short distances as you build…
By Mindy Crandall When my children were little, there was nothing more gratifying than sitting down with them each evening to read a book. Each night we would snuggle up together on the couch or someone’s bed and almost in rhythm they would all four softly yell out at their…
COLUMBIA, MO – Missouri’s organic farmers and those transitioning to organic production have until May 20 to apply for the next round of financial assistance available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservationist J.R. Flores said. Flores said about $1.3 million is available through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program…
JEFFERSON CITY – With gas prices predicted to climb to $4 a gallon, the Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding motorists of a few ways they can help ease the pain they’re feeling at the pump. One way to save gas money is to carpool. MoDOT offers more than 6,700…
By Sue Curry Jones Outstanding feats of heroism and lifesaving actions, were the focus of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Annual Awards Ceremony and The MASTERS Banquet held in Jefferson City Saturday, April 16, at Capitol Plaza Hotel. The keynote speaker was Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon. Thirty-one troopers and…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Division of Finance says scam artists may be targeting consumers who hold mortgages, apply for loans or do other types of financial business in the state. The division says homeowners in Missouri have received bogus mailings inviting them to join a nonexistent class-action lawsuit. Other homeowners…
JEFFERSON CITY – That rumble you’re hearing while driving down Missouri highways isn’t your stomach – it’s a rumble stripe and it’s keeping more Missourians alive. Up to 100 lives a year are saved on major roads by rumble stripes and bigger, brighter signs; wider stripes; and other visibility improvements…
ST. LOUIS – Three nonprofits in south central Missouri received grants totaling $179,151 from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). Funding supports nonprofit organizations that work to improve health of thousands of Missourians. The local grants are part of a $7 million round of funding approved by MFH’s board. Two…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced a proposal to remove gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes area – which includes Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin – from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife because wolves have recovered in this area and no longer require the…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Agriculture recently recognized National Enzyme Company of Forsyth, Mo. as the Agricultural Exporter of the Year. National Enzyme Company specializes in developing enzyme blends for human and animal consumption. “National Enzyme Company is an outstanding example of the spirit of innovation and commitment that…
The DCAR club monthly meeting was held at the St. Francis Anglican Church on West 76. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month. All ham radio operators and those interested in learning about ham radio, please come out to our meetings. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, April 25: Choice of Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, April 26: Breakfast Pizza, Oranges, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, April 27: Super Bun, Banana, String Cheese, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of…
NEWS FROM 3rd Grade I am having a good year in third grade. We are preparing for the map test, we have been doing lots of math this year. The best thing that I like about third grade is that I have friends. Did anyone know that we had a…
Twenty-two members and guests attended the Douglas and Ozark Counties Retired Teachers and Other School Personnel meeting that was held April 12 at the Highway House Café in Ava, Missouri. Marie Bristol, president, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Betty Moore gave the invocation. The minutes and treasurer’s…
The Wright County Children’s Home, located in Norwood, is pleased to announce that they have officially scheduled the first two events in their upcoming “Summer Concert Series.” These concerts will be held in local communities and feature bluegrass and southern gospel music in some areas and will be free of…
Legislation to Outlaw Synthetic Cocaine Marketed as “Bath Salts” One piece of legislation making its way through the legislative process has caused some confusion. House Bill 641 recently received House approval and has moved to the Senate. The legislation would outlaw a substance being marketed as “bath salts.” However, these…
The U.S. Forest Service will host a “Walk When the Moon is Full” program titled “Hiker’s Moon” on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Springs Trailhead parking area of the North Fork Recreation Area of the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District. Don Smith, current trails volunteer for the U.S.…
COLUMBIA – On May 21, named National Walk in the Woods Day by the American Forest Foundation, people will be walking in the woods of Dave and Gunilla Murphy, hosts of the 2011 Missouri Tree Farm Day. “The Murphys’ farm is a great example of the value of actively managing…
On Sunday we will celebrate Easter, one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar, surpassed in importance, in the world’s view, only by Christmas. To argue that one holiday – Christmas or Easter – is more significant than the other is a little like the question of the…
Rebecca Smotherman was the speaker in Sharon Marler’s EDU 360 (Classroom Management) Drury class on April 14. She wanted the Drury students to be aware of situations that might be happening in a child’s life that might lead them to try to commit suicide. Many of Mrs. Marler’s Drury students…
By Abby Dean, Chapter Reporter Ava FFA attended State FFA Convention April 13, 14, and 15, 2011 in Columbia. Receiving Proficiencies awards were James Elijah in Diversified Livestock Placement, Jordan Evans in Small Animal Production, Shady Flippo in Equine Science Entrepreneurship, and Courtney Levan in Specialty Animal Production. Shady Flippo…
An Ava man’s request for a new trial was denied on April 19 and he was sentenced to serve 90 days in the county jail for driving while intoxicated. Wright County Associate Circuit Judge Lynette Veenstra, on special assignment, heard the case here on Tuesday. On April 1, a local…
Greetings from you State Capitol. I believe this is the nicest weather week we have had since starting January 5. I probably have jinxed the weekend weather by bragging on it. We are continuing to discuss and pass out legislation to the Senate. We have not received many bills back…
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. Lyle Rowland, R-Cedarcreek, filed HCR 53 Wednesday urging the federal government to seek long-term and short-term solutions to the rising fuel costs. Rowland said that while states have no authority over the average cost of gasoline, the federal government has many different opportunities to alleviate the…
Ladies of the Nubbin Ridge Homemakers Club met in the home of Terri Hall on April 14 for an afternoon meeting. President Norma Stillings led the reading of the Club Collect. Two readings were given by Pat Banks, “A Baby’s Hug” followed by the “Senior Version of Jesus Loves Me.”…
Norwood School Board Meets in Regular Session The Norwood R-1 Board of Education met on April 13. The agenda was adopted and the consent agenda items were approved. Don Forrest, superintendent, reported on the budget, scoreboard advertising and funding projections for 2011-12. Elementary Principal Dana Webb reported on Education Week…
The Ava Middle School boys’ track teams participated in a nine-team meet at Mountain Grove on Thursday, April 7. Results for Ava athletes were as follow: 7th Grade Boys: Shot Put: Cody Johnson 2nd; Zach Hunsaker 4th. Triple Jump: Hunsaker 4th, Nate Bray 5th. 1600 Meter Run: Hayden Schuster 5th.…
To the Good People of Ava, I was born and raised in a small village in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York. Cold Spring is a beautifully scenic town nestled at the foot of a mountain on the banks of the Hudson River. I wasn’t the type who wanted…
SPRINGFIELD – The federal package of laws known as the ‘Farm Bill’ touches everything about the food we eat, what we pay for it and how it’s grown. Southwest Missouri residents are invited to a panel discussion about our nation’s food system as Congress prepares to re-authorize the nation’s farm…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said today that the Clean Water Act should not be redefined to give the federal government jurisdiction over more “navigable waters” of the United States. “A change in this rule would significantly expand the reach of the federal government onto private property.…
What “Essential” Means to Obama Last week, Americans watched a negotiation over $38.5 billion in spending cuts play out under the looming shadow of a federal government shutdown. This week, the House of Representatives has moved the discussion from billions to trillions with consideration of the federal budget for Fiscal…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today joined legislation that would save $13 million by barring taxpayer funds for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “At a time when we ought to be thinking about every way possible to save money for the American taxpayer, I can…
PROPOSITION B Proposition B, the so-called “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” – is not about preventing people from operating puppy mills. Proposition B is the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of…
Ava Advances To DI Global Finals The Ava R-1 Schools Destination Imagination teams competed Saturday, April 9, in the Missouri Destination Imagination 2011 Affiliate Finals Tournament presented by Missouri Creative Adventures, Inc. The competition was held on the campus of Missouri Southern State University, Joplin. Team ‘TARDIS” members are: Johnnie…
The Carl Neiman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on April 14, at 7 p.m., in the Student Ministries Building of the Ava General Baptist Church. The meeting was called to order by Regent Sandra Walker. Members then recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States…
COLUMBIA – Brett Craigmyle snipped off shoots of brown and wilted waterhemp one at a time, weighing the plants to determine how dead they really are. For the University of Missouri weed science graduate student, this is just one step in a research project looking at how best to control…
Missouri’s sales tax holiday that provides an opportunity to save on energy-efficient appliances will soon begin. The third annual Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday will take place Tuesday, April 19 through Monday, April 25. People who purchase new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances in Missouri during the holiday will save at least…
Skyline R-2 School will be conducting preschool screenings for 3 and 4 year olds. Please call the school office and make an appointment for incoming preschoolers or new kindergarten students. Reserve your time slot during the week of May 2 through May 6 by calling the office at 683-4874. You…
BLUE SPRINGS–With the large snowfalls of the past winter, flooding is a potential threat in many parts of Missouri. And even if your house is not in a flood plain, you may drive through one on your way home, warns a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist. “Most flood-related…
Captain Dwayne F. Isringhausen, commanding officer of Troop G, releases the following information: A total of 18 arrests and 24 warnings were issued in conjunction with a hazardous moving violations/S.T.E.P. operation conducted in Wright County on April 9. The operation was conducted on U.S. Highway 60 and Missouri Route 95.…
Honoring Our World War II Veterans On April 12, Ozarks Honor Flight will be sending WWII veterans from our area on a trip to Washington D.C. Since November 2009, the group has organized and managed the transport of veterans to see their World War II Memorial and other commemorative sites,…
Our nation’s economy is in an upheaval, and I would be lying if I said I have the answers to fix it. But one thing I know is that we cannot spend ourselves out of it, and there needs to be some common sense applied. I thought it was interesting…
Amanda Morrison and Quinlan Pulleyking competed in National History Day – state competition on April 9, at University of Missouri in Columbia. After qualifying at the regional competition, they qualified to compete at state level where they won first place and have now qualified and been invited to compete on…
JEFFERSON CITY–Fortune smiled on young hunters during Missouri’s spring youth firearms turkey season April 9 and 10, enabling them to shoot an impressive 3,898 turkeys. This was the second year in a row of warm, sunny weather for the youth season, encouraging hunters age 6 through 15 to spend plenty…
Max E. Norman, 86, of Overland Park, Kan., died March 9 of natural causes. In his 28 years with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Norman left an indelible impression on the area’s transportation infrastructure. He was a nationally recognized expert in the field, particularly commercial aviation, and helped…
Students at Ava Middle School, grades 5-8, will be doing MAP testing during the last two weeks of April, and parents can help their student children perform their best. The Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) grade level assessments testing helps the local school, as well as the state, determine how well…
We must stop arguing about who pays the costs of medical care. We must begin to examine why the costs of medical care are so high! A friend of mine had some chest pains after overdoing yard work. “Ray” sat down and waited but they didn’t go away. Ray’s wife…
SPRINGFIELD–Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Joplin, Mo., husband and wife who operated five long-term residential care facilities in southwest Missouri were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for health care fraud. Robert J. Dupont, Jr., 66, and his wife, Laverne D. Dupont,…
Workshops Will Highlight USDA Programs That Help Promote Greater Use of Biofuels JEFFERSON CITY – Americans will soon have more choices at the gasoline pump, and rural ranchers and businesses will have more assistance to make energy efficiency improvements, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Judith Canales said today. “Grants are…
Operation Shakeup Several years ago, there was little awareness at the federal level about the possible devastation that could be caused by a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Making that point required law enforcement and elected officials from our congressional district and others to turn back the…
SPRINGFIELD — Registration is under way for the four-session “Eat Well, Be Well with Diabetes” program beginning April 26 in Springfield. Classes will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., April 26, April 28, May 3 and May 5 at the Greene County Extension Center inside the Springfield-Greene County…
“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth!” Ronald Reagan. Redistricting Every ten years, when the Census data comes in, the Missouri Legislature is tasked with redrawing…
Students of the Month from Ava High School and Ava Victory Academy were recognized at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting Tuesday. Ava’s recognized students are Dustin Davis and Kristen Hastings. Recognized from Ava Victory Academy was Lee Schmidt. Each student was presented a savings bond by Great Southern Bank.…
Caressa Willhite, daughter of Scott and Carolyn Willhite of Norwood, was named first alternate to the grand champion of the Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair in Springfield with her project, The Effects of Protein on the Fertilization of Quail Eggs. Caressa will travel to Los Angeles, Calif. for the Intel…
The Bradleyville Elementary School will be hosting a kindergarten screening for all incoming 2011-2012 kindergarten students. This screening will be on Tuesday, April 19, from 8:20 to 2:40 p.m. at Bradleyville School. Parents and children will be able to: • Meet the kindergarten teacher, school nurse and elementary principal; • View…
Ava High School FFA and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will host a blood drive in Ava on Wednesday, April 20. Donors will be received at the Ava Performing Arts Center from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CBCO has issued a Code Yellow Alert for Type O Negative blood,…
By Randy Dudley On top of a hill a few miles south of Strafford, Missouri, lies something unexpected. There is a clearing at the end of a winding gravel drive. It was never really intended to be shared with or seen by anyone other than it’s original designer, builder and…
By Randy Dudley Since we moved to Ava five years ago, our family has always talked about putting out a garden. It seemed like every year something would come up and it just never seemed to get done. Then a couple of years ago we met up with Len Pense…
By Mindy Crandall The expedition was long, right at an hour, to be exact. I was headed to Fair Grove, a small town just outside Springfield to learn more about gardening. To be honest, my first thought was, why do I need to travel so far to learn about such…
Past news– March 22nd we had fifteen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of eighteen lbs. Two people stayed the same weight. Sharon was high-loser. Vince received two charms for walking 200 miles. Congratulations! Sharon presented the program with an article from “Men’s Health” magazine entitled, “Seven Habits That…
Hello from our home to your home. I have a couple of weeks of news to catch everyone up on. I would like to say thank you to everyone who filled in for me while I was on vacation. The people I work with are great team players. Residents went…
Sunday morning service opened with prayer requests, prayer, welcoming ,and congregational hymns. Sister Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful song for the special. Brother Cody Prock brought the message from Genesis 5:15-23 and Revelation 3:15-22. He brought the evening message from Joshua 1:9, “Faith.” Happy Anniversary to Kirby and Mary Mackey.…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, April 18: Choice of Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, April 19: Breakfast Pizza, Mixed Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, April 20: Biscuits and Gravy, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
The Ava Community Playground Project hosted a Community Meeting and Dessert Dinner last Thursday, April 7th at the Middle School Cafeteria. Project general coordinator, Jessica Jenkins, gave a brief but thorough update on the current progress of the playground project. Dessert dinner was served to over 130 residents in attendance. …
Meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. Marie, Doris, Billy, Charlie, Stanley, Sharon, Carol, Elnora, Macie and Kitty were in attendance. We read the club collect and the national anthem. Macie read devotion called Humbly Receive. We played a game that Charlie brought. Doris read The Loving Hand of…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, April 11: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, April 12: Breakfast Pizza, Orange, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, April 13: Super Bun, Banana, String Cheese, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
The Ava Community Playground will be hosting a community meeting and free dessert dinner at 6:30 p.m. TONIGHT, April 7th at Ava MS/HS Cafeteria to inform residents of playground progress, answer community questions, and provide information tables on all the different committees being established to complete the project in October.…
NEWS FROM 1st Grade In first grade we have been learning a lot. This week we have been learning about clouds. There is a cloud called Cumulo-nimbus it represents rain. We learned that there are eight planets. Saturn is the most colorful Planet and Pluto is a dwarf planet. First…
Starworkers Council meeting was held March 15, 2011 at Bethany Baptist Church. Seed and bulbs were exchanged. We had eleven present. Nubbin Ridge Club and Starworkers discussed getting rid of bed bugs. The minutes were read and then approved. Eight were present to discuss Spring Fling 2012 – Put Things…
NEWS FROM 2nd Grade I like spring because flowers come out and you get to pick them for your mother. Spring is my favorite because leaves start to grow. I like Spring because you get to spend time with your friends. I love spring it is so cool. – Alyssa…
BRANSON – Hard work and creativity has paid off for three area high school juniors. June 10-16, Megan Reed, Forsyth High School; Klaire Bruce, homeschooler; and McKensie Hodges, Hollister High School will head for Washington, D.C., to represent White River Valley Electric Cooperative (WRVEC) on the Rural Electric Cooperative Youth…
This week, we took up an issue that has been stewing in the Legislature for years. Tax credits are an economic development tool that offers incentives to businesses for a variety of projects — from job training to housing rehabilitation. In recent years, these credits have grown significantly, and while…
Administration’s Efforts Will Bring Finality to Longstanding Claims of Discrimination in USDA Program Delivery WASHINGTON – As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West today announced the establishment of…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missourians will have three more days to file their state tax returns this year, and the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue has advice for people who have not yet filed their returns. The state’s traditional filing deadline of April 15 is extended for three days…
I had a great week during our spring break, visited nine schools and presented them with House Resolutions for their distinction in performance awards, visited with people in the district and enjoyed the weather. I returned to the capitol Monday and started debating budget bills. We finished this week by…
Max E. Norman, 86, of Overland Park, Kan., passed away on March 9, 2011. He was born in Ava on Nov. 21, 1924 and graduated from Ava High School. He immediately joined the US Marine Corps and served during World War II. He was recalled to active duty for the…
Boys & Girls Club of Sedalia Middle School wins grand prize. JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Almost 690 students from 33 Missouri elementary and middle schools helped fight litter by participating in the 2011 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter Free” trashcan-decorating contest. The annual contest is sponsored by the Missouri…
Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to inform the public that National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 10- 16, 2011. The Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) International, sponsors of this event annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond…
A grand jury indictment against Anna May Moreland, 34, of Ava, was unsealed Tuesday, and an active warrant has been issued for her arrest. So far, authorities have been unable to find Moreland and her whereabouts are unknown. In a document dated March 4 by the Douglas County Circuit Court,…
This year’s spring turkey hunting forecast includes a couple of bright spots. JEFFERSON CITY–Hunters in northern Missouri can expect to see a few more jakes during the spring turkey season, and hunters statewide will have more mature gobblers to hunt this year. Otherwise, the 2011 spring turkey hunting forecast from…
Our Missouri retirement system is in jeopardy. Public School Retirement System (PSRS) and Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) is among the best in the nation and has more money in its system than all other Missouri state employee systems combined! Now it is under attack by a few state…
Dear Editor: I would like to present a large bouquet of roses to the cast and crew of Ava High School’s play, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” They did a great job of giving the audience a glance into the lives of the Jewish people who were hiding from the…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas man and woman were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for stealing 36 handguns from a Springfield, Mo., business. Scott R. Fonseca, 31, of Olathe, Kan., and Amanda White, 19, of Gardner,…
The Right Medicine A new report has the medical community wondering why Americans and people in other developed nations around the world aren’t taking their medicine. Missed doses, incomplete regimens and unfilled prescriptions cost the American health care system billions of dollars each year and, what’s worse, allow serious diseases…
Missouri House Offers Solutions To Healthcare Mandate The Missouri House this week took action on two initiatives aimed at protecting individual’s healthcare. HB 423 which creates a “Health Care Compact” addresses the implementation of the federal mandate, by creating a multistate compact. Compacts are legal devices that states can create…
According to Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Children’s Division Management Report, from May 2009 through April 2010 there were 18 confirmed or substantiated cases of child abuse in Douglas County. That averages more than one case per month. Many more cases were reported but could not, for whatever reason,…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Natural Resources has identified 23 public drinking water systems in Missouri that have chronically failed to complete drinking water testing required by state drinking water law. The department classifies a drinking water system as a chronic violator when a system has three major monitoring…
On Saturday, April 2, at approximately 11 a.m., Carter County Sheriff Tommy L. Adams, 31, Ellsinore, was arrested on drug charges. The arrest was made by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. Adams was arrested on a class B felony…
On Monday, State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced that 2011 fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections increased 6.5 percent compared to 2010, from $4.68 billion last year to $4.98 billion this year. Net general revenue collections for March 2011 increased by 9.2 percent compared to those for March 2010, from…
Six hundred students will participate in the National History Day in Missouri state contest on Saturday, April 9, on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. National History Day in Missouri is an educational outreach program of The State Historical Society of Missouri. This high number of participants is the…
The State Historical Society of Missouri is proud to support observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Missouri through the resources of the Richard S. Brownlee Fund. The Society invites local historical societies and museums, both public and private, to develop projects and activities that commemorate the 150th…
The 110th Seymour Annual Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday evening, May 28, in the high school/middle school cafeteria. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and food service will begin at 6 p.m. The cost is $20 at the door, no advance tickets will be sold this year. However, reservations…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement April 5 after voting to pass H.R. 4, the 1099 repeal bill, which would repeal the onerous mandate in President Barack Obama’s onerous health spending bill: “By passing this amendment, we have taken the first major step toward…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Agriculture is currently investigating a case of low pathogenic Avian Influenza at a poultry facility in Polk County. As a precaution, the poultry facility has been quarantined following preliminary results obtained during routine testing. Avian Influenza is a viral disease affecting birds. It is…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Young Missourians have an opportunity for a summer job while learning new skills and discovering Missouri state parks and historic sites. Information about this year’s State Parks Youth Corps will be provided at a job fair April 16 at Montauk State Park near Salem. The job fair…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Natural Resources has selected a trail project at Knob Noster State Park near Knob Noster to receive an $86,985 grant from the federal Recreational Trails Program. The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program for trail-related land acquisition, development or restoration. In…
The future of Ava children depends on more than just what they learn in the classroom. Just as important is what they eat in the lunchroom. Designed to raise awareness around the issue of school nutrition, the Missouri Farm to School project helps to connect schools and students to locally…
Thousands of Missourians will wear blue on Friday, April 15, to show support for children. Blue is the official color of prevention. Many community events and activities are scheduled throughout the month of April to emphasize the importance of prevention. Reducing child abuse and neglect, keeping children safe and making…
This years Bicycle Ride with Legislators will take state lawmakers from the south Capitol steps in Jefferson City and cross the Missouri River to the Katy Trail. “This is a ride that has been decades in the making,” said Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.…
Jim Weible has seen the extreme consequences of texting while driving. Earlier this year, a friend of the St. Louis County resident was driving and texting without wearing a seat belt. Weible’s friend, 21-year-old Bond Rho, was driving alone through north St. Louis County when he veered off the road,…
Missouri’s lawmakers introduced a bill that would eliminate teacher tenure and change the way teachers are evaluated and paid. Currently, it takes a Missouri teacher five years to gain tenure, which is longer than any other state. Once a teacher is given tenure, he or she cannot be removed from…
JEFFERSON CITY – Ozone monitoring season begins April 1 and runs through Oct. 31 according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Ground-level ozone – commonly known as smog – is a gas that is created when pollution from vehicles, businesses and power plants combine in the presence of sunlight.…
What could you accomplish in 15,700 hours? The 968 Missourians who donated those hours last year while working alongside employees of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helped the agency protect and improve the quality of the state’s soil, water, air, plants and animals. Those people, referred to as…
JEFFERSON CITY – Many Missourians are breathing a sigh of relief that the winter season is drawing to an end, but as the snow melts away a real eyesore is appearing – the litter that was hiding under all the picturesque snow. That’s why it’s a good thing April is…
JEFFERSON CITY – The new Missouri State Parks website has reached 1 million page views in less than a month, a new milestone. The site, mostateparks.com, was launched with a new design and new content on Feb. 28. It broke the one million-page-view mark around 3:30 p.m. on Thurs., March…
JEFFERSON CITY – Learn about the Civil War in Missouri at a living history event Saturday, April 16 at Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob. The event, featuring the Turner Brigade, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public…
SPRINGFIELD –– The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross received over 150 nominations for individuals who have shown courage, kindness and unselfish character. Nine of those individuals, and one surprise community hero, were honored on Wednesday at the Eleventh Annual Everyday Heroes Recognition and awards ceremony. A graduate…
The Missouri Department of Transportation has used up all its federal funds for roads, bridges and highways and is searching for money to make up for a budget that has been halved. The Transportation Department’s previous highway budget was $1.2 billion, but it has been cut to an estimated $662…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than one million families have been able to positively change their financial situation through Financial Peace University (FPU), the 13-week course taught by Dave Ramsey. FPU teaches families and individuals common-sense principles like how to make a plan with their money so they are able to…
In light of President Obama’s address to the nation Monday evening, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has made the following statement: “Whenever the President of the United States authorizes a military intervention, he must clearly define the goal and mission of our involvement to Congress, our men and women in uniform,…
JEFFERSON CITY – A new face and voice for work zone safety will be taking the messages statewide this year – even though this individual has been a part of Kansas City work zones for a couple of years now. Standing at an impressive 11 feet tall and made from…
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –– Missouri Arbor Day is just around the corner (April 1). Everyone grab a shovel and get ready to plant a tree. But wait… Before planting a tree make sure you know how to do it correctly, advises the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). How a tree is…
The American Heart Association joins the world in mourning the loss of film legend Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away March 23, at age 79, due to congestive heart failure. In conjunction with her death, the American Heart Assn. offers the following information about congestive heart failure. Heart Failure Heart failure…
Ava Elementary kindergarten and pre-school enrollment and screening will be held Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11 at the Performing Arts Center located on North Jefferson Street beside the Ava High School. Screening times on each day will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If your child will…
This week was the Legislature’s Spring Recess, meaning we have reached the mid-way point of the 2011 legislative session. I thought this would be a good time to review some of the legislation moving through the process, as well as some of the tasks we will be taking on in…
A survey by Pulse Research has shown for the third time that Missourians who voted in elections perceive political ads in newspapers to be more helpful and more believable than ads in any other medium. This information was released recently by the Missouri Press Association, for whom the survey was…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) announced today that the mean center of the U.S. population remains in the Eighth Congressional District of Missouri. Following the 2000 Census, the population center was declared by the Census to be at a location 2.8 miles east of Edgar Springs, Missouri,…
COLUMBIA – This year’s University of Missouri bobwhite quail and native plant field day expands to include a Missouri Bobwhite Quail Summit, June 16 at MU’s Bradford Research and Extension Center near Columbia. Both events will be free. The northern bobwhite quail, a once-abundant upland game bird, has suffered a…
Earlier this week cowpea aphids (Aphis craccivora) were reported in a Douglas County alfalfa field. Cowpea aphids were first reported in Missouri in the mid 1990′s and are usually observed in low number; however, occasionally the insect is found in large enough number to cause concern. Cowpea aphids are very…
Interstate 44 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction in two locations between Lebanon and St. Robert for road resurfacing and bridge reconstruction beginning Monday, April 4, and lasting into late May, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. In addition, several ramps onto and off of I-44…
DNA testing of hair left on a fence positively identifies a cougar. WEST PLAINS – A tuft of hair left on a fence in Oregon County March 9 definitely belongs to a mountain lion, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). MDC Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer today released results…
Join in on this annual statewide litter-cleanup event JEFFERSON CITY – Many Missourians are breathing a sigh of relief that the winter season is drawing to an end, but as the snow melts away a real eyesore is appearing – litter. That’s why it’s a good thing April is the…
A total of 28 math and science students recently traveled to Salem high school to compete in the annual SCA Math and Science Relays. Ava students competed in contests ranging from physical science to calculus. Each category had 32 students competing and any student scoring in the top 10 in…
ATLANTA, Ga. – Ava High School teacher Michell King was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). A role model to pupils, Mrs. King was nominated by student Richelle Lynae Pettit for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in…
The Festival of Sharing has sent Heart of the Hills Food Pantry a contribution of $100. The checks were sent to 70 agencies across Missouri to alleviate hunger in the state. Donations sometimes lag at this time of year when we are between the winter holidays and before produce becomes…
Interested in growing a garden? Foods preservation? Farm/Family finances? These and many other topics will be addressed at the upcoming Farming from the Roots Up program being offered by University of Missouri Douglas County Extension along with sponsorship from the Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and the…
School board members and Ava city aldermen will be elected at next Tuesday’s annual municipal and school elections, but the big question this year is, who will be Ava’s next mayor? Ava Mayor Leon Harris, seeking a fifth term, is opposed by four challengers: Larry Morrison, Richard “Moose” Allen, Bobby…
Prop B The senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 113&95. This bill passed the senate by a vote of 20 yes and 14 no. This Senate bill will now move to the house for approval. We will take it up in the Agriculture Policy Committee this week. I appreciate…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that the County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse will be open this Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, for voters who need to cast an absentee ballot. The annual municipal and school elections will be held next Tuesday, April 5.…
Ava FFA has been competing in several career development events and technical skills assessment recently and has placed at several events. Members have traveled to Pleasant Hope, Willard for Area XII Contest, McDonald County, Crowder Aggie Days, Comstock in Nevada, MSU Horse Clinic, College of the Ozarks, Sparta, and Rogersville.…
By Mindy Crandall For any legendary and famous painter such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh, a masterpiece was not created in one day and for that matter, sometimes even years. The same has held true for Ava Victory Academy. Since its beginning in 1995, Ava Victory Academy,…
This column is provided to our readers free of charge to announce upcoming events that are free to the public. Publication of the same announcement will be limited to two insertions. * * * Douglas County Regular Fourth Sunday Singing, March 27, 2 p.m. at Faith Rock Church. All singers…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, March 28: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, March 29: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, March 30: Super Bun, Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
NEWS FROM 4th GRADE In the forth grade hallway we are learning about geometry. In geometry we are learning about rays, lines and line segments. We are also learning about semetry. Semetry is when something can fold-up and be excaly the same on both side and it has to be…
The Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on March 21, 2011 President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurers report and the minutes of the February meeting and they were approved. A discussion was then held about the repairs on the porch and guttering and…
This week we had seventeen people weigh in with a total weight-loss of nineteen and 3/4 lbs. Two people stayed the same weight. Billy was high-loser. Linda received a charm for walking 100 miles. Congratulations! Sharon presented the program with an article from “Woman’s Day” entitled, “Are You Sabotaging Your Diet?”.…
Last week was a busy one to say the least. Much work to be done, many phone calls to make and to receive. I’ve been playing phone tag with my sister in California. Wednesday I chopped celery, carrots and onions for large vats of potato soup, and that evening a…
Hello from our home to your home. We were glad to see the sun shining this week. Monday, Bro. Tom Hawkins taught Bible study for the residents. Games were played in the afternoon followed by a movie. Tuesday morning Cooking Club got together and made a corn salad and mushroom…
During Wednesday night Bible study we had another good lesson about Peter. He was a man of doubt, but also a man of faith. God took an ordinary man and made him one of the greatest, most effective leaders in the New Testament Church. We had 27 young people in…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, April 4: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, April 5: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, April 6: Super Bun, Cheese, Fresh Orange, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
The Ava Community Playground will be hosting a community meeting and free dessert dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7th at Ava MS/HS Cafeteria to inform residents of playground progress, answer community questions, and provide information tables on all the different committees being established to complete the project in…
The 4th Sunday Singing was held at Faith Rock Church, March 27 from 2-4:30 p.m. The welcome was given by Emcee, Sybil Gheer; Bro. Ben DeWitt opened with prayer; song books were distributed by Freeman Porter. There were 83 present and 36 songs were shared. The next 4th Sunday Singing…
JEFFERSON CITY Mo -– Many Missourians are breathing a sigh of relief that the winter season is drawing to an end, but as the snow melts away a real eyesore is appearing – litter. That’s why it’s a good thing April is the annual No MOre Trash! Bash so we…
We thought Spring had arrived but then it snowed again. It is sunny this afternoon but still chilly. It is said that if you don’t like the weather in Missouri just wait a day and it will change to something you might like. That is certainly true about this Spring.…
By Randy Dudley Congratulations Plato, Missouri! According to the U. S. Census Bureau, Plato is now the population center for the entire United States. Village Clerk Barbara Pinkston is excited about the attention this announcement has brought to her community. “We have had many phone calls from all over and…
By Sharon Marler Secretary/Reporter On March 15, 18 members met at the Mtn. Grove Senior Center. After prayer and the pledge, Sharon Marler read the minutes from the November 2010 meeting. A motion was made by Wilma Hutsell to accept the minutes and seconded by Ruby Ely. Sue Durden gave…
Elementary Best of Show – Carson Lowe; Middle School Best of Show – Sarah Violett; High School Best of Show – Whitney Watkins. Kindergarten – 1st: Reana Montalvo; 2nd: Kenley Howard; 3rd: Molly Spencer; Honorable Mention: Kendall Lovan. First Grade – 1st: Kaitlyn Thompson; 2nd: Maddie Riley; 3rd: Ryan Causey;…
Legislature Adjourns for Spring Recess With the General Assembly adjourning for spring recess, we are now officially at the half-way point of the legislative session. Big issues like the budget and congressional redistricting are sure to come up in the weeks ahead, and many more issues will be discussed and…
JEFFERSON CITY – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) today opened the Unclaimed Property vaults sharing some of the most interesting pieces found in the safe deposit boxes he has received since November. Treasurer Zweifel showcased 19th-century Bank of St. Louis currency, a tortoise shell baby rattle, gold coins and military…
By Sarah Kenyon University of Mo. Extension Agronomy Specialist Water supplies were limited last fall, which restricted forage production and resulted in higher winter feed costs. However, in a spring following a drought, grass plants are still suffering from last growing season’s water shortage. Even though it is tempting to…
Until I read an article about her last week, I had not seen, heard about or thought of Emily Gressman for the past umpteen years when she was a student at Ava High School. But when I saw the article, my response was, “I’m not surprised.” Emily, Ava High School…
The Norwood School Board met in regular session on March 16. The agenda was adopted and the consent agenda items were approved. Superintendent Don Forrest reported on budget and funding projections for 2011-12. Dana Webb, elementary principal, reported on professional development and attendance. Marcella Swatosh, high school principal, reported on…
The Skyline R-2 School Board met in regular session on Thursday, March 17, with six members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. Under old business, board member Tim Scrivner presented the Imagination Library Program. The program is sponsored by Dolly Parton and the Dollywood Foundation and provides…
Ava R-I School district will be hosting a banquet in honor of this year’s retirees on Friday, April 8, at 6:30 in the MS/HS Cafeteria. Honorees include Mary Kay Davidson, David Davidson, Darlene Davis, Lennie Johnson, Robert Rogers, Mark Wendler, Gina Clinkingbeard, and Suzette Litwiller. Tickets for this dinner will…
A pesticide private applicator training session has been scheduled according to Tim Schnakenberg, Extension Agronomy Specialist in Galena. It is scheduled for Monday, March 28, at the Municipal Building in Taneyville, beginning at 1 p.m. The session will last about three hours. Missouri law requires all purchasers and users of…
This year is shaping up to be a busy year for road work on state highways in the Ozarks and that makes driving safely in work zones extremely important for drivers as well as for highway workers, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. While Work Zone Awareness Week is set…
Greetings from your Capitol city. I mentioned last week that winter couldn’t let go and that we had snow showers. I traveled thru a snow storm Monday morning getting to the Capitol. It snowed all day Monday with about six inches of accumulation. Today, Thursday (3.17.11), temperatures are supposed to…
On Sunday, March 20, Gentryville Church of God hosted Biker Sunday. Members from Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) the Sho-me Disciples branch out of Houston, came and did the Bible study and morning service. The church had a wonderful service and the youth saw that you can be a Christian and…
Find Some Ideas Compelling, Others Stupid Community journalists need to do a better job separating themselves from the national news media, need to do a better job of explaining the code of ethics for journalists to the reading public, and need to regularly ask residents, “how are we doing?” At…
By Keith Moore Herald Editor The Ava R-1 School Board adopted the 2011-12 calendar at last Thursday’s regular monthly meeting and changed the dates for two April meetings to accommodate a board member’s schedule. During the closed session following the regular meeting, the board employed Monty Valentine as maintenance supervisor…
Ava 4-H Club has been very active this winter: regardless of blizzards, closed schools and snow storms. Since January the club has conducted a winter sports trip, dog obedience classes, Valentines for Veterans community service project, conditioning for the Walk for Sight later this spring, and learning to bake bread,…
The fifth annual Ava High School Alumni Basketball Games will be held this Saturday night, March 26. The women’s game will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7:30. Games will be played in the Ava High School gymnasium. Last year more than 40 former AHS players…
The Youth Philanthropy Committee of the Ava High School Anchor Club is accepting requests for funding for projects or activities that contribute to the betterment of youth in our area. Special attention will be given to projects that address the issues of substance abuse, drinking and driving, teen pregnancy, lack…
QUINCY, Mass. – This week, kids everywhere have a very special birthday party to attend – and they don’t have to leave their home. In celebration of Sparky the Fire Dog®’s 60th birthday, which officially was March 18, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is launching a colorful and interactive…
WASHINGTON, DC – Cutting the high school dropout rate in half for just one class would likely lead to billions of dollars in increased earnings, provide a boost to home and automobile sales, and create more than 50,000 new jobs nationwide, according to a ground-breaking new study released today by…
CARTER COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has closed the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area to turkey hunting for this year to permit a species restoration project. Hunters who normally hunt on the area’s wildlife refuge portion will need to make alternate plans for the…
JEFFERSON CITY – A year ago this month, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced it would save $203 million over the next five years by cutting costs and eliminating 400 salaried positions by June 30, 2013. Now a year into that plan, the department is on pace to meet those…
Missouri Public Works Projects JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Labor Department’s Division of Labor Standards released the prevailing wage rates to be used on public works construction projects in Missouri for 2011. Annual Wage Order No. 18 contains prevailing wage rates for the 26 different occupational titles in each county and…
Jessica Jenkins, of Ava, is still in the running to become an inductee into the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame for 2011. Jenkins was nominated by Ava Community Playground committee member and friend, Jackie Brooks. The Hall of Fame program recognizes everyday people who try to make a difference.…
Think Twice Before Tanning for Prom Season NEW YORK – Despite a link between indoor tanning bed use and an increased risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, 2.3 million teenagers visit tanning salons every year. In the spring, many tanning salon patrons are college students getting ready…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Agriculture has announced funding is now available through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid Missourians in establishing new specialty crop production ventures and obtaining organic certification for their businesses. “Specialty crop and organic certification grants provides assistance to Missouri producers in reaching their…
It’s March, and when it comes to weather in the Ozarks, that means anything goes. Last weekend it was warm and sunny, and 24 hours later it was snowing. With spring comes days of warm afternoon sunshine, lower humidity, strong, gusty winds…and wildfire. Last Saturday and Sunday fire departments were…
Legislation Protects Dogs and Breeding Businesses This week, the Senate worked on Senate Bill 113, legislation that would make changes to Proposition B. In November, voters were presented with this legislation, which was added to the ballot by initiative petition. Ultimately, the issue passed, but by a narrow margin of…
Individuals charged and convicted in Douglas County were given prison sentences at March Law Day on Tuesday, March 8, according to Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall. Sentenced to the Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge John Moody were: Bradley Cooley, 45, Norwood, sentenced to two years for possession of a controlled…
Greetings from your capitol. Winter just can’t let go! Freezing temperatures, snow showers and cold drizzling rain has been the weather this week in Jefferson City. The good news is we are one week closer to spring. Another week of passing bills. The following is a summary of what the…
From Ozarks Preservation, Inc., and The West Plains Council On The Arts Dear friends and neighbors, As many of you know, our two local organizations, Ozarks Preservation, Inc., and the West Plains Council on the Arts, have been interested for some years now in seeking practical and affordable ways to document…
A Douglas County grand jury has issued indictments against two former employees of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, it was revealed this week. James A. Verow, 34, Ava, a former deputy sheriff, is being held on a five-count indictment dating back to June 2010. His bond has been set at…
Amy Lynn Jakusz, daughter of Mitch and Nancy Jakusz of Theodosia, has been named to the Fall 2010 Dean’s List at Evangel University, Springfield. During the fall semester, Jakusz was a senior with a major in special education and elementary education. Amy has a 3.94 GPA. Full-time students who have…
Caitlin Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Brenda Johnson, of Ava, and Roldan Turner, of Ozark, has been named to the Fall 2010 Dean’s List at Evangel University, Springfield. During the fall semester, Turner was a senior with a major in nursing. Full-time students who have earned a grade point average of…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that absentee ballots are now available for the April 5 municipal and school elections. Anyone who will be unable to go to their regular polling place on Tuesday, April 5, to vote may cast an absentee ballot at the County Clerk’s Office…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., man pleaded guilty Wednesday to transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sex on what would have been the second day of his jury trial in federal court. Shane Jay Fleetwood,…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, a premiere law enforcement agency, is testing for new troopers. The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 95th Recruit Class, scheduled to begin training on…
Area legislators and representatives of the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners and the Missouri Pet Breeders Association outlined some of the proposed legislation in Missouri which would affect several areas of agriculture production at a meeting Saturday night, March 5, at Wright County Livestock, Mtn. Grove. The major portion of…
Administration Piles Up Waivers to Health Care Law WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today expressed concern that the Obama Administration has now issued more than 1,000 waivers for groups seeking exemption from the $750,000 coverage minimums established in the Affordable Care Act. “The Department of Health and…
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded $5,000 to the Dora R-3 School Foundation for successfully completing the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks to build long-term education funding through philanthropy. The Dora R-3 School Foundation and the school district raised $10,123 to receive the matching funds through…
Ava High School’s first annual FCCLA Culinary Contest was thoroughly enjoyed by the contestants and the judges. Students met after school on Friday, March 11, to compete. The rules stated teams must make two appetizers. One must be meatball(s) and sauce and the other was the team’s choice. Team 1…
By Mindy Crandall It has been noted that Ava Bear basketball existed in the Ava schools in the 1920’s and was played prior to that, outside the school with organized teams from the town, military and churches. Women were not allowed to play at this time. Thinking back, women were…
Bible study got off the subject of Peter for awhile. People had questions on other matters. It was a very good discussion. In the youth study class with Chad and Shantelle, they had seventeen youth, Praise the Lord. March 13 – Morning Service Sunday after daylight savings starts makes a…
By Mindy Crandall A timeline is a project artifact and a way to highlight certain dates in history over a long period of time. Ava Bear basketball has been making history since the 1920’s when the first organized basketball team for Ava High came into existence and is still making…
NEWS FROM 3rd GRADE This week in third grade we have been working hard to get ready for the MAP test. We are practicing lots of math and our teachers are working very hard to make us ready for the MAP test. The MAP test is a little scarey but…
A number of local artist donated examples of their work to be sold in the silent auction at the annual Skyline chili supper back on March 5th. This oil painting of the old store building in Downtown Champion was created by Pat Michaud of Marshfield and was sold to Dwayne Murphy…
Douglas and Ozark Counties Retired Teachers and Other School Personnel met Tuesday, March 08, 2011 for lunch at the Highway House Café in Ava. Those present were Betty Moore, Norma Stillings, Terri Hall, Geraldine Gray, Roberta Long, Marie Bristol, Barbara Roberts, Ida Mae Huse, Lena Pierce, and guest Richard Lorenz.…
This week we had seventeen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of thirteen and 1/4 lbs. Two people stayed the same weight. Ulla was high-loser. Sharon presented the program with an article from “Woman’s Day” magazine entitled, “Weight-loss Transformations: Best Friends Edition”. T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is an…
Sorry folks about the mix-up in last week’s column. It was innocently and accidentally overlooked the week before so the Herald printed the previous week’s column and we didn’t have much to add so let the late column take its place. Besides, Jamey Herd was a bit under the weather…
Meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. Charlie, Billy, Kitty, Macie, Marie and Sharon were all in attendance. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and read the club collect. Kitty was the hostess. Kitty read “Very Early Spring” by Katherine Mansfield. We played a game called Holidays and Commemorative…
A number of local artist donated examples of their work to be sold in the silent auction at the annual Skyline chili supper last Saturday night. This oil painting of the old store building in Downtown Champion was created by Pat Michaud of Marshfield and was sold to Dwayne Murphy of…
Hello from our home to your home. This weather is just plain ole’ Ozark Mountain weather. You never know from one minute to the next, what the weather will be. Our Fifth Annual Bass Fishing Tournament will be held this Saturday. Resident Council met and elected new officers for the…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, March 14: Choice of Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, March 15: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, March 16: Egg Pattie, Sausage Link, Tri Tater, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
NEWS FROM 2nd GRADE We learn this in second grade. We learn about money. We try to count it very good. We learn about shapes. We practice our spelling words. We have a good teacher. We learn about being a good person. We read a book about soccer. We read…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, March 21: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, March 22: Breakfast Pizza, Fresh Fruit, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, March 23: Super Bun, Cheese, Banana, Choice of Juice and ½ pt.…
Half-Day of Classes Scheduled for Thursday, March 17th for Parent/Teacher Conferences No School on Friday, March 18 – Spring Break Snow Make-Up Day Monday, March 21st – Classes will be in session on this day! Seniors 2011 – Newsletter Available Online! http://www.avaschools.k12.mo.us/District/News/130931-Seniors-2011-Newsletter.html For More Information check out our website at…
Someone told me that time is changing again and we are getting ready to spring forward. Larry Hutchinson always remembers when time fell back an hour and Roger and I arrived at church an hour before church was suppose to start. Better late then never right? Make sure to set…
Our church family has been enjoying our prayer meetings and fellowship each week. Each day brings us closer to completion on the new church building. As the excitement of heading into our new church grows, I remember going to Dogwood Nazarene as a little girl with my Grandma Sinclair, and…
Tuesday evening Bunco met in the home of Sharon Jenkins. Sybil Heckendorn won first and door prize, Sharon won second and Dixie won low. After an hour of games, refreshments were served to the above members as well as other regulars, Joretta Sawyer, Allie Gentry, Delcia Heriford, Lucille Jenkins and…
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The weather is getting warmer, and the fish are biting. Many boaters are heading out to enjoy a warm, sunny day. However, the Army Corps of Engineers cautions boaters that although the weather is getting warmer, lakes and rivers are still cold. Immersion in cold water…
SPRINGFIELD – You can save lives and fulfill your own by becoming a volunteer for your American Cancer Society. With more than 3 million volunteers nationwide and a presence in more than 3,400 communities across the United States, the American Cancer Society is one of the nation’s oldest and largest…
JEFFERSON CITY – Today, Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler, along with Missouri Highway Patrol Colonel Ron Replogle and Polk County Sheriff Steve Bruce, announced the latest successes of the Livestock & Farm Protection Task Force. The Task Force, reactivated in August 2009 by Gov. Jay Nixon, addresses the growing…
Statewide Impaired Driving Crackdown Planned March 16-20 JEFFERSON CITY – The luck of the Irish runs out this St. Patrick’s Day weekend when motorists drive drunk. More than 200 Missouri law enforcement agencies will be taking part in a special drunk driving crackdown that will put additional officers on the…
HOUSTON – Parents and their teenagers often have differing opinions when it comes to spring break, especially regarding travel plans and safety. A pediatrician at Baylor College of Medicine offered tips on how parents can decide which situations are best for their teens. “I think a lot of parents and…
JEFFERSON CITY, – Learn about the “Scottish Culture in the Ozarks” at a special presentation Saturday, April 2 at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove. The event will explore Scottish influences on Ozark culture, and feature interpretive talks, Celtic music, and an information and genealogy booth. The…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Transportation is keeping its fingers crossed that significant accumulations of snow and ice are behind us for the winter. But that doesn’t mean the work lets up. MoDOT crews are now turning their attention to patching potholes and repairing roadway stripes damaged by snow…
As turkey season approaches, so does the 4th Annual Heritage Day Celebration at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center. On April 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a host of volunteers will be onsite to demonstrate traditional Ozarks skills, music, and of course, the fish fry. Demonstrations this year include: tie…
By Jordan Shapiro State Capitol Bureau JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Nixon would no longer be able to charge his travel expenses to other state agencies under new bill language presented to the House Budget Committee Monday. Since elected, the governor has billed about $400,000 in air transportation to other departments. The presented language would prohibit this…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Natural Resources today announced that it is offering low-interest loans to Missouri drinking water and wastewater facilities for energy efficiency projects under the Energize Missouri Water– Water and Wastewater Energy Loan Program. The department anticipates awarding up to $10 million in financing with a…
Legislation Would Lower Gas Prices, Streamline Boutique Fuels WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced the “Gas Accessibility and Stabilization” (GAS) Act, which will help lower gas prices for Americans by improving the reliability, flexibility, and affordability of so-called “boutique fuels.” Current mandates require that special blends of…
Program is focused on connecting producers to consumers and consumers to agriculture. JEFFERSON CITY – Today, as part of National Agriculture Week, the Missouri Department of Agriculture launched a new website for the AgriMissouri program. Through the new site, consumers can easily find fresh and wholesome Missouri-grown food and farm…
Last weeks news – Another week went by in what seems now like a whirlwind, another crowded week (probably mostly in my mind!) A doctor’s appointment informed me that a couple of bones are thinning, not osteoporosis yet. Oh well, my skin has been thinning, it is more and more…
Wednesday night Bible study is always a enjoyable mid-week break. Steve is the adult teacher and Chad and Chantelle are the teenage teachers. The teenagers have been out numbering the adults. Adults, we are going to have to go on a recruiting mission to bring our numbers up. God bless…
Census Data Shows Growth in Southwest Missouri Late last week, detailed population data for Missouri was released. The numbers show that Christian County is the fastest growing county in Missouri. Over the past 10 years, Christian County’s population has increased by 43 percent, nearing 78,000 people. The 7th Congressional District,…
A Check on the Debt With so much emphasis on reducing the size, scope and cost of federal government, it is helpful from time to time to check in on our federal debt. That figure, nearly $14 trillion today, represents the total outstanding notes on which our country has borrowed.…
The Missouri Bar Business Law Committee wants to know what Missourians think about state laws affecting businesses. The Committee also wants to hear about the public’s experiences with lawyers and the courts on business-related matters. “We are trudging through the most difficult economic environment of the past 50 years,” said…
Greetings from your State Capitol. With the warmer weather the pace is beginning to get heated with hearing bills. It is an exciting process that will hopefully result in bettering the way of life for Missourians. This week the House discussed and passed: HCR 3 passed with overwhelming support, 127…
If you don’t know how to catch “spoonbill cats,” you can attend a paddlefish snagging clinic April 16. JEFFERSON CITY–If heaving big treble hooks and doing battle with man-sized fish is your idea of fun, you will love this year’s paddlefish season forecast. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is…
On Wednesday, March 2, after a period of just 25 minutes of deliberation, a Douglas County jury returned a verdict of guilty against defendant Marcus Sharp, of Conway. The jury found the defendant guilty of operating a semi while intoxicated, first offense, and speeding at 75 miles per hour in…
Missouri State University and the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society are looking for high school sophomores and juniors who enjoy nature to spend a week this summer learning and having fun in the great outdoors. They are being invited to apply for GLADE, the Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems, to…
By Bill Phelan Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL Most St. Louis Cardinals fans know Al Hrabosky as a former relief pitcher and broadcaster, but “The Mad Hungarian” is also a military veteran. So it was with a feeling of camaraderie that Hrabosky spent Feb. 25 visiting Missouri National Guard Troops at Jefferson Barracks in…
James Burton Wade, son of Eric and DeRecia (Wetherton) Wade, has been selected by Ottawa University coaching staff as a male student athlete co-recipient of the Dudley Geise NAIA Champions of Character Award. Dudley was a strong Christian with great character who was a tremendous supporter of Ottawa University. Jimmie…
Ava High School held the winter Renaissance awards program Monday morning in the Performing Arts Center. This program recognized achievements of students for the first semester of the 2010-11 school year. The Renaissance program recognizes not only academic success, but also rewards students for attendance and for improvement in various…
The South Central Ozarks Manufacturer’s Association (SCOMA) will have a special meeting in the community room at Howell-Oregon Electric at West Plains on March 22, at 1 p.m. A panel of local manufacturers will speak at this meeting about concerns, interests, and topics of interest for those in the manufacturing…
March 13-19 is Sunshine Week. While it’s true, this Sunday, March 13, is when we turn our clocks forward to make the switch to daylight saving time, Sunshine Week has nothing to do with DST. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote the importance of open government and freedom…
More than 70 percent of U.S. fire-related deaths occur in homes without a working smoke alarm JEFFERSON CITY – As Missourians “spring ahead” this weekend by advancing their clocks one hour early Sunday morning, State Fire Marshal Randy Cole reminds them to also change the batteries in their smoke alarms…
Youth Campaign Encourages Teens to Make It Click JEFFERSON CITY – In addition to potentially saving your life, getting caught wearing your seat belt on Friday, March 11 could have a second payoff. Two hundred winners at high schools around the state will receive a $25 gift card when they…
If you don’t know how to catch “spoonbill cats,”you can attend a paddlefish snagging clinic April 16. JEFFERSON CITY –– If heaving big treble hooks and doing battle with man-sized fish is your idea of fun, you will love this year’s paddlefish season forecast. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Young Missourians have an opportunity for a summer job while learning new skills and discovering Missouri state parks and historic sites. Information about this year’s State Parks Youth Corps will be provided at a job fair March 12 at Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton. The…
In conjunction with the Willow Springs Arts Council’s movie festival, the Star Theater, located in Willow Springs, will feature several movies free of charge on the dates as listed below: Saturday, March 26 –– Friday Night Lights, starting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 2 –– Apollo 13, 7 p.m. Saturday,…
For more than 20 years, the State Historical Society of Missouri has coordinated the National History Day (NHD) educational program for Missouri students. New research shows this experience offers significant advantages for participants: NHD students perform better on high-stakes tests, are better writers, more confident and capable researchers, and have…
JEFFERSON CITY—Due to the weather forecast calling for precipitation on Tuesday, March 8, the National Weather Service postponed the scheduled annual statewide tornado drill. The new date for the drill will be Thursday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. The weather forecast calls for sunshine on Thursday. The change to Thursday…
By River Stillwood Spring is gradually making its way into the Ozarks. Tendrils of warmth are weaving their way through the late-winter cold. The sound of joyful honking filters down as geese fly to their northern homes. Bald eagles are leaving. Turkey buzzards are returning. Young grasses stretching toward the…
JEFFERSON CITY – Much like retail stores that have spring sales to move inventory, the Missouri Department of Transportation is holding a sale of its own. In MoDOT’s case, the items for sale are parcels of land the department no longer needs to build, improve or maintain the state highway…
The Douglas County Herald received the following press release from Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall on Wednesday of this week stating the following: “Recently, the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been asked by news media about indictments returned by a Douglas County Grand Jury against present and/or former…
Jeremy Eden, executive director of Wright County Children’s Home, is scheduled to receive the training necessary to become an instructor in the C.A.L.M. crisis intervention method. The certification is good for two years and will enable Jeremy to train and certify the entire WCCH staff in the C.A.L.M. method at…
Keeping Critical Drug Trials in the State This week, I presented Senate Bill 284 in the Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. The bill would exempt all drug products used in drug trials from certain state regulations. Since these pharmaceuticals are not distributed by retailers, they do…
The National Heritage Area program is causing quite a stir in the area, so much in fact that Douglas County has said it wants nothing to do with it. And Douglas County is not alone. Apparently several other neighboring counties have “opted out” of the program. Is that a good…
By Mindy Crandall Reminiscing is the act of enjoying fond memories whether it be among friends over a cup of coffee or in the silence of one’s own home. It is a look back in time, the mere existence of what was once today or the near future, now only…
Hello, hello, we’ve had another great week around here. You just never know when God is going to bless us here on our mountain. Donald preached Sunday about when you are not feeling as close to God as you once did, God never moves. He is always near. We are…
This week we had seventeen people weigh in, with a total weight-loss of seven pounds. Boni was high-loser. Lou’s name was drawn to receive free dues for the month of March. Delores received ten dollars for being high-loser for the month of ebruary. Congratulations to these ladies! In the “Road to Success” year-long…
Another week went by in what seems now like a whirlwind, another crowded week (probably mostly in my mind!) A doctor’s appointment informed me that a couple of bones are thinning, not osteoporosis yet. Oh well, my skin has been thinning, it is more and more difficult when I go…
Bible study on Wednesday night was very interesting, we are studying Peter. He played an important role in the early church and the spread of the gospel to the Samaritans and the Gentile. I think we will be with Peter for several weeks. Prayer request were for Tabitha – Wayne…
The 4th Sunday Singing was held at Gentry Church February 27, 2011 from 2-4: pm. The welcome was given by Emcee, Sybil Gheer; Bro. Robert Grisham opened with prayer; song books were distributed by Freeman Porter. There were 65 present and 37 songs were shared. The next 4th Sunday Singing…
There is a hint of spring in the air, and someone mentioned the turkey buzzards are moving back. March came in like a lamb and I’m going to hope it goes out like a lamb. The church members of Dogwood Nazarene will continue the discussion of a name change this…
Febraury 21, 2011 – Hello from our home to your home. The residents have enjoyed the sunshine this week. A lot of our residents were out taking strolls around the parking lot. Thanks to all the staff members who took residents out in the sunshine. Everyone always feels better when…
Ava Elementary School Breakfast Menu Monday, March 7: Choice of Dry Cereal, Nutrigrain Bar, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Tuesday, March 8: Breakfast Pizza, Apple, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of Milk Wednesday, March 9: Super Bun, Cheese, Banana, Choice of Juice and ½ pt. of…
The Ava Area Animal Welfare League Junior met Tuesday February 22nd in Mrs. Karen Davis’ classroom on the Ava R-1 school campus. Members in attendance were: Mary Chipps, Judy Ross, Marilyn Alms, Albany Wallace, Sherry Wallace, Karen Davis, Alexis Beverlin, Ali Hall, Barbara Andrus, Paul McKee, Lynda Clouse, Erin Clouse,…
Fundraising efforts are well underway for the Ava Community Playground Project. Donations are starting to pour in and several components to the playground have already been sponsored. Before we know it, we will have reached our projected budget goal. We appreciate all the individuals and businesses that have already made…
NEWS FROM FIRST GRADE We are doing fantastic in first grade. We have been reeding a lot and been pasing quezes. Our spellings words have long in in them. In math we have doubles plus one and shoping at our store. We lernd that if March came in like a…
The Tri-County Master Gardeners together with Missouri State University will be having a free Spring Seminar “Growing Vegetables” on March 12. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program to begin at 9 o’clock. It will be held at the State Fruit Experiment Station in Mtn. Grove. This workshop will…
The Norwood R-1 School Board met Wednesday, Feb. 16, in regular session. The agenda was approved and the consent agenda items were approved. Superintendent Don Forrest reported on the budget, daycare and transportation funding. Elementary Principal Dana Webb reported on professional development and attendance. Marcella Swatosh, high school principal, reported…
The Skyline R-2 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, Feb. 17 with five members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. Under old business the board continued discussions on next year’s budget and also discussed how this year’s budget is progressing. They talked about whether…
Greetings from your State Capitol! This has been another busy week. Bills are being filed at a more rapid rate. Committees are conducting hearings on selected bills everyday. Legislation is moving some of those bills out of committee and closer to debate on the floor. This week’s results of floor…
Three More Arrested in Case at Brushy Knob Officers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department were busy last week, arresting a total of six people in two separate drug cases. Last Thursday morning, officers from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the 300 block of NE 13th Street in Ava for…
JEFFERSON CITY Mo – The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation recently approved a grant request from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for $35,000 towards the Department’s elk restoration plan. The grant was approved at the Foundation’s Feb. 25 board meeting and will help fund costs related to elk trapping, holding,…
Willoughby Hot Rods, of Ava, was pleased to showcase Devin Houston’s 1970 GTO SC/Tiger for the viewing pleasure of auto enthusiasts in Las Vegas recently. Gear Heads and Pontiac fans alike took in this Orbit Orange, Pro Charged SC/Tiger at the Legendary Auto Interiors booth during the 2010 SEMA (Specialty…
Dear Editor: I went to the library and read the “Feasibility Study” for the Ozark Highlands Heritage Area. It really didn’t say much about what they actually intend to do, but there were some hints. There was a map from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s document, Missouri Forest Resource Assessment…
Keiko A. Phouangsyvanith, 21, of California, Mo., was arrested last week by Douglas County deputies following a domestic disturbance. The Sheriff’s Office said Phouangsyvanith was charged with 2nd degree domestic assault, endangering the welfare of a child in the 1st degree, and armed criminal action. The first two charges are…
Leaders in Community Service Class presented their Friday Feast PowerPoint presentation at St. Leo’s Catholic Church parish during Sunday services on Feb. 20. A generous donation of $820 was collected and donated to the Friday Feast Fund. Friday Feast is Ava Schools’ program that supplies nutritious foods on Fridays to…
Members of the Ava High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter attended the 2011 Missouri District 14 Leadership Conference held on Feb. 18 at Missouri State University – West Plains. FBLA is a career and technical student organization for all high school students participating in business programs. More…
The Ava R-1 Schools will host the March luncheon meeting of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, March 8, in the Decker Library on the high school campus. Parking is available on the south side of the high school or…
