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According to Monroe County Sheriff David Hoffman, on March 21, at approximately 07:17 (7:17 a.m.) hours, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department was called to 17118 Monroe County Road 875 to investigate a possible deceased individual. Upon arrival, officers found Jerome D. Herrin, a 23 year old white male deceased.
   The cause of death is unknown at this time. The body was transported to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office and an autopsy was performed on Monday, March 23. Currently autopsy results are unavailable.
   The following persons were arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for assaulting Herrin and a 19 year old white male at the same location: Lucas R. Summer, age 26, of Macon, Charles E. Webb, age 20, of Shelbyville, Michael Flowers, age 22, of Macon, and Donald Fuller, age 18, of Clarence. They are currently charged with Assault in the First Degree, a class A felony.
   In a probable cause statement, Sheriff Hoffman said Herrin “had cuts, severe bruising and swelling to his face.”
   Witnesses identified Summer “as the suspect who struck Herrin,” Hoffman said in the statement.
   The other man who was attacked, Drew Bartels, survived. Accused of assaulting Bartels are 22-year-old Michael Flowers of Macon, 20-year-old Charles Webb of Shelbyville and 18-year-old Donald Fuller III of Clarence. In the probable cause statement, Sheriff Hoffman noted Bartels had “numerous facial lacerations and severe swelling in his mouth and jaw area” and that he was “bleeding from his nose and his speech was impaired due to his injuries.”
   Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Volkert said she is awaiting completion of the investigation before examining whether to file other charges.
   “There’s always a possibility charges would be changed, added or modified,” Volkert said.
   These individuals were arraigned in Monroe County Associate Court on Monday, March 23, with bond set. Summer is being held on a $200,000 cash-only bond and the others on $100,000 cash-only bonds in the Monroe County Jail, Paris.
   The prosecutor explained the bond request for Summer was double that of the others because he faced a parole violation and he failed to appear for a previous hearing.
   A search of Casenet revealed that both Summer and Flowers had previous assault charges and both were on probation at the time of their arrests Saturday.
   On Tuesday, March 24, all four defendants were in court and applied for public defenders. Their next court day will be Tuesday, April 7.
   The charges for which these individuals were arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
      1383 0913 3/26/2009 hdl

School of Distinction celebration ~ Cutline at the end of article

Board of Education members, school administrators and staff from Paris R-II and Holliday C-2 School were on hand to accept their School of Distinction awards at the annual banquet, on Friday, March 20. The University of Missouri’s College of Education and Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center recognized 53 Missouri school districts at mid-Missouri’s annual DESE Awards Banquet in Columbia. Earning “Distinction in Performance” requires a school district to perform at a high level or make steady progress in all areas of academic achievement. Madison C-3 and Monroe City were also named Schools of Distinction and will receive their awards at a banquet to be held in Kirksville, on Monday, March 30.
   “Tonight we are here to honor you and your accomplishments,” said Dr. Rose Porter, Interim Dean, University of Missouri College of Education. “The quality of education makes our country strong.”
    “Of the 90,000 plus students served in this district, 60,000 are represented by the 53 schools recognized in this area as Schools of Distinction,” said Missouri State Board of Education President Dr. Russell Thompson. “We have many challenges facing us but tonight is a night for celebration.”
   “We have to find ways to meet the higher expectations for our children,” added Dr. Thompson. “And right now we (Missouri) have some of the highest academic standards in the country.”
   Dr. Thompson discussed the difference between the being a School of Distinction and being recognized as progressing or not progressing in No Child Left Behind.
   “This is confusing to parents and district residents and we must try to better educate our patrons about these issues,” said Dr. Thompson.
   “Your quality of life in your community is dependent on the quality of education your children receive,” explained Dr. Thompson.
   During the 2007-2008 academic year, 330 of 540 total Missouri school districts qualified for this prestigious recognition, which is sponsored by DESE. The “Distinction in Performance” award criterion is based on the 14 academic performance standards used in the accreditation of K-12 school districts. K-8 districts use a portion of these standards. These standards are measured by the Missouri Assessment Plan tests, graduation rate, attendance and ACT scores.
   To qualify for the award, K-8 districts must meet 6 of 7 performance standards, including all of those based on the results of MAP tests. K-12 districts must meet 13 out of 14 standards, including all of the MAP-based measures.
   “I am so proud of the students, teachers and staff members who made this award possible for the district,” said Paris R-II Superintendent Nancy Henke.
   “The Distinction in Performance Award for the Holliday C-2 School is a confirmation that the teachers and staff are working together to provide a good experience for the students so they are learning what they need to succeed,” said Holliday Superintendent Carol Hall. “The award is a reflection of the extra effort that is poured out for every kid we have. The Distinction in Performance Award for the students is a way of knowing that the effort of each child is important to the overall product. At Holliday, every child has to perform.” The following Missouri school districts were recognized for their “Distinction in Performance” at the University of Missouri: Blackwater, Blair Oaks R-II, Boncl R-X, Boonville, Bowling Green R-I, Camdenton R-III, Centralia R-VI, ClarksburgC-2, Cole Co. R-I, Columbia 93, Cooper Co. R-IV, Fulton 58, Gasconade Co. R-I, Hallsville, Harrisburg, High Point R-III, Holliday C-2, Keytesville, Moberly, Moniteau Co. R-V, Moniteau Co. R-I, Morgan County R-II, New Franklin R-I, North Callaway Co. R-I, Northwestern R-I, Osage Co. R-I, Otterville R-VI, Paris R-II, Pike Co. R-III, Pilot Grove C-4, Prairie Home, Renick R-V, Salisbury R-IV, School of the Osage R-II, Silex R-I, South Callaway Co. R-II, Southern Boone Co. R-I, St. Elizabeth R-IV, Stoutland, Tipton R-VI, Wellsville Middletown R-I and Westran R-I.
   The “Distinction in Performance” award winners were officially announced by DESE in December 2008.
   Paris R-II and Holliday C-2 were recognized a Schools of Distinction, at a banquet on Friday, March 20. Left to right, Margaret Wilkerson, Sara McNew, Pam Reinhard, Holliday Superintendent Carol Hall, Mary Jane Havens, Paris Superintendent Nancy Henke, Junior High Principal Sally Eales, Board President Laura Long, Board Members Tony Francis and Vickie Ross.   1384 0913 3/26/2009 hdl

(Top) Director Matt Szewczyk barks out commands prior to filming at Hickman’s IGA. (Bottom) Matt (M.J.) Richmond monitors the camera action on his screen.

Matt Szewczyk, a senior at Truman State University in a collaborative effort with students from Truman State University, University of Missouri – Columbia and Stephens College are shooting a movie about the Midwest at Hickman’s IGA, in Paris.
   “We are shooting about a 45 minute – 60 minute film,” said Szewczyk. “Our story entails a couple who work and frequent a small town grocery store.
   “The idea came from a script I wrote, over the last couple of months and decided to shoot it,” added Szewczyk. “It came from my experiences growing up in Missouri and the different struggles of being a youth in the Midwest and wanting to do something larger than that.”
   The group already filmed two nights, Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, and will return to shoot another couple of nights.
   “We are here for two nights this week and two nights next week,” said Szewczyk. “It is the story of a butcher’s assistant that keeps a secret of himself from both his co-workers and a love interest of his. We are hoping to submit this to film festivals including the Midwest Film Festival in Chicago that is dedicated to films made by Midwesterners about the Midwest.”
   The film crew numbers about five or six and there is a main cast of four individuals.
   Szewczyk noted that after post production the movie would come out next fall.
   “Originally I looked at another store in Kirksville but when we were working with the corporate side of the store we did not have nearly the freedom that we have had here (at Hickman’s) to see our artistic vision come out,” said Szewczyk. “Thanks to the Hickman people for being so generous as we were given a lot of liberty to shoot our project as we want to shoot it."
   How did they discover Hickman’s in Paris to film a movie?
   “After I knew we were not going to use the other store, I started looking online so I could find more of a locally owned store that might give us more freedom and I found Hickman’s,” said Szewczyk. “In a couple of minutes after finding them I was on the phone with Jim Hickman and then talked to Hickman’s Manager Roger (Herron) and they graciously allowed us to shoot here.
   “I have two children in college and wanted to help them out,” said Hickman’s Manager Roger Herron. “It sounded like a really good project and we (Hickman’s) wanted to help the kid’s out.”
   “They looked at our store and they thought it was perfect,” added Herron.
   Shooting will consist of approximately 21 days and will be filmed in two locations. There will also be three months of post-production depending on the time needed for the soundtrack.
   “I am at the point where I am trying to make a decision of what I am going to do (with my future) and this project is helping me with that decision,” said Szewczyk.   1385 0913 3/26/2009 hdl

TPNB Customer Appreciation Dinner

On Thursday, March 19, 2009, The Paris National Bank held their 14th annual Customer Appreciation Dinner. The event was held at the Paris High School Gym with 374 people served. Directors, advisory directors, employees and spouses all worked together to greet and serve Paris National Bank customers as their way of saying “we appreciate your business.”
   The meal included roast beef and pork, broccoli and cauliflower salad, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, dinner roll, and blackberry or peach cobbler for dessert. Attendees were given several Paris National Bank novelty items including a bicycle water bottle, thermometer and clip. The Paris National Bank is a locally owned and operated independent community bank since 1865.
   Bank Directors include: Chairman Robert L. Riley, Vice Chairman Charles R. Brazeale, Kevin L. Dye, Ronald L. Greeson, Floyd E. Lawson, Marilyn O’Bannon, James K. Reinhard, David K. Thomas, Vincil (Mac) Wilt and Advisory Directors Dane L. Kendrick and Harold K. (Kent) Thomas.
   The Paris National Bank (TPNB) held their annual Customer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, March 19, at the Paris R-II High School gymnasium. (Top) Seating was SRO (standing room only) in the high school gymnasium as people streamed through the doors early and often to take part in the annual appreciation night dinner. Directors, advisory directors, employees and spouses all worked together to serve the popular meal to the large group of attendees. CEO/President Chuck Brazeale and Board Member Bob Riley met everyone at the door and welcomed them to the annual event.
      1387 0913 3/26/2009 hdl

Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis has scheduled a School of Instructions for Election Judges who will be working at the April General Municipal Election.
   The session will be held on Friday, April 3, at 2 p.m., in the Circuit Courtroom, on the third floor of the Monroe County Courthouse. Someone from each precinct must be present, as supplies will need to be picked up. A public demonstration of the ballot counting machine will be conducted at this time.
   Clerk Francis urges all election judges that are going to be working at the polls on April 7 to attend this meeting.
   According to Clerk Sandra Francis, the clerk’s office will be open Saturday morning, April 4, for absentee voting for the General Municipal Election.
   The office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon for the convenience of those people who will be unable to go to the polls for the April 7 election.   1386 0913 3/26/2009 hdl