Article Archives

Extension Board President Bob Mitchell, right, attended the annual Council To Campus at the University of Missouri - Columbia campus. While on campus Mitchell visited with Northeast Region Director Soneeta Grogan.

On Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, Monroe County Extension Council President Bob Mitchell and Board Member David Eales attended the 2010 Extension Council to Campus, an annual Extension activity held to help council members interact with their campus counterparts including school and extension staff members, state council members and regional council representatives.
   The two day event featured several interactive sessions including: a new preconference; Missouri 4-H Youth Entrepreneurship: Cultivating Cloverpreneurs in the Show-Me State; Exploring the Future of Media; Continuing Education in your Backyard; Closing the Food Gap: Extension Strategies to Address Urban Food Deserts; and MU Power Plant an Energy Laboratory for the Future among other topics.
   Saturday was filled with a plethora of Extension topics including a comprehensive Q&A with Vice Provost and Director of Cooperative Extension Dr. Michael Ouart and Director of Off Campus Operations Beverly Coberly.
   “We have to make a difference that local people in each community can understand,” said Dr. Ouart.
   While discussing possible budget cuts for next year Dr.. Ouart noted that, “we have to focus on what we can do with what we have.”
   The Council to Campus attendees were housed in school dorms, ate breakfast in the school student cafeteria and took walking tours of the campus, the school’s reactor and Life Science building.
      2779 1025 6/24/2010 hdl

Chamber hosts Primary candidates

The Paris Area Chamber of Commerce held a “Meet The Candidates” as their 2nd Quarter meeting. Candidates in attendance included, left to right, Donald Simpson (for Presiding Commissioner), Anita Dunkle (Collector), Lenice Dunlap (Treasurer), Paula Delaney (Circuit Clerk), Mary Lynn Powell, (Treasurer), Judge Michael P. Wilson (Associate Judge), Brandie Baker Kinnaman (Treasurer), Heather D. Wheeler (Circuit Clerk), Talley Kendrick (Prosecutor) and Mike Minor ( Presiding Commissioner). Not pictured: Sandra Francis (County Clerk), Merry Sue Meals (Recorder).   2778 1025 6/24/2010 hdl

The heat has definitely set in here in northeast Missouri and throughout the state. The heat index has hit the 100-degree mark in the past week and the National Weather Service in St. Louis sees the trend continuing in July.
   Where can you go if you are without air conditioning or if you have an air malfunction? Local residents, who are without air conditioning or just need to cool down may visit local cooling centers to help keep cool during this oppressive heat.
   In Paris, residents can go to the Senior Citizen’s Center for relief or they may use the library facilities during their operating hours.
   “Anyone can come in and get relief from the heat,” said Senior Citizen’s Center Director Roseann Sims. “We try to accommodate the people and the community.”
   The Senior Center is open for heat relief from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
   “The Community Bulilding is air conditioned and people can use that if necessary,” said City Superintendent Phillip Shatzer.” All they have to do is check in with the city office personnel.”
   For more information about the city community building call 660-327-4334.
   People in Madison can use the Madison Community Center, on Main Street, for heat relief beginning at 1:30 p.m. until whenever needed. If a resident needs a ride to the center they can call the Community Center 660-291-5478.
   In Monroe City, the Senior Center has been designated a “cooling center.” The center is open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday. Call 573-735-2131 for additional information.
   The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) monitors high temperatures and humidity across the state to prevent heat-related illness and death. The elderly and the chronically ill are more vulnerable to the effects of high temperatures. They perspire less and are more likely to have health problems requiring medications that can impair the body’s response to heat. Many prescription medications make individuals more sensitive to the heat. Some of these medications include anti-psychotics, major tranquilizers, antihistamines, over-the-counter sleeping pills, antidepressants, heart drugs and some anti-Parkinsonian agents. Each year many Missourians suffer from heat-related illnesses, with some cases resulting in death. During prolonged periods of high temperatures, air conditioning is the best preventive measure.
   If you have any questions or concerns about a heat related issue, immediately see a medical professional.   2780 1025 6/24/2010 hdl

Voter Registration
   According to Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis, voter registration deadline for the Aug. 3 primary election, will be Wednesday, July 7.
   Clerk Francis encourages everyone who moves within the county or changes their name to notify the county clerk’s office, so that the voter rolls will be correct for the August election.
   Seventeen-year-olds who will be 18 years old by election day, Aug. 3, are eligible to register now.
   Absentee Voting
   According to Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis absentee ballots for the Aug. 3 primary election are now ready for voting.
   Anyone wishing to vote an absentee ballot may do so in the county clerk’s office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. or mail in a request for an absentee ballot to be mailed to their place of residence. When mailing in a request, individuals must list the address where the ballot is to be mailed, sign their name and state which party ballot that they wish to vote. The party ballot choice’s are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian and Constitution.
   The last day for mailing out absentee ballots will be Wednesday, July 28. The last day for voting absentee in the County Clerk’s Office is Monday, August 2, until 5 p.m.
      2781 1025 6/24/2010 hdl

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department wants to warn all county residents about a new scam that is currently prevalent in the county.
   According to Sheriff David Hoffman, individuals are being contacted by telephone and informed that they have a delinquent account that must be satisfied immediately or they will be arrested.
   “No sheriff department deputy or employee will ever contact a county resident to collect any type of debt,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “There are so many scams going around right now. As far as scams go – if it seems to good to be true – it is.”
   If you think that you have been scammed or contacted by someone trying to make you do something that seems wrong to you – contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Department (660-327-5175) as soon as possible.   2782 1025 6/24/2010 hdl