Local News – Friday, August 4th, 2017
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) now offers an all-online hunter-education course for Missouri residents 16 years or older to provide a more flexible and convenient option to become hunter-education certified. The all-online course includes videos and animation to teach hunter safety, firearm safety, ethics, regulations, and wildlife management. Students will receive a temporary hunter-education certificate once they complete and pass the 60-question final exam with an 80% or higher. Individuals 15 years or younger are still required to complete the blended hunter education course requiring both a knowledge portion and in-person skills session to receive certification. Missouri’s hunter education course is required for any hunter born on or after January 1, 1967. Hunters who plan to hunt during a Missouri firearms season or are acting as an adult mentor must first complete an approved hunter-education certification program and provide proof of completion unless: 15 years of age or younger and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor 18 or older; born before January 1, 1967. Disability exemption from MDC’s Protection Division for 16 years of age or older and have purchased an apprentice hunter authorization and will be hunting with a property permitted adult mentor 18 or older. Landowner or lessee hunting on self-owned land or land of residence. Learn more about MDC’s hunter education program at mdc.mo.gov.
On Thursday, August 10th between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will host a job fair at the Missouri National Guard Armory, located at 1605 Cravens Road in Poplar Bluff. Applicants will be considered for the position of medical support assistant. Duties include scheduling appointments, answering phones, operating a computer, providing customer service, and receiving and indexing health and administrative information. Positions will be filled at the GS-05 and GS-06 levels. To qualify for a GS-05, the applicant must show at least one year of experience equal to the GS-04 level or possess a bachelor’s degree. For GS-06, applicants must show one year of specialized experience equal to the GS-05. Applicants are encouraged to bring two copies of their latest resume. Veteran applicants should bring two copies of their DD-214 as well.
As the new school year begins, open house will be conducted for William Lynch Elementary on Monday August 14th from 5:30-6:30, and that same evening at the Upper Elementary from 6:30-7:30. The open house at the High School will be on Tuesday, August 15th from 4:30-6:00 followed by the open house at the Middle School from 6:00-7:30.
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), in partnership with the City of St. James, is conducting a case study on tracking of vulnerable or at-risk populations – those folks who need special assistance during an emergency because of health related issues or special needs – within the city of St. James for the purpose of emergency planning and response. The study includes promotion of a voluntary registry with the Phelps County Emergency Alert System – Everbridge – for individuals with special needs. The information gathered is critical for local emergency responders to know exact locations of vulnerable and at-risk populations before and after a natural disaster occurs and to also know the limitations those individuals face, such as reliance on electricity, medical and health needs, lack of transportation, etc. Individuals interested in registering on Everbridge can register their information by going to www.stjamesmo.org and clicking on the link under “Emergency Alert System” or by calling Ryan Dunwoody with MRPC at 573-265-2993. Information is stored with Everbridge, an emergency communications provider and online database. Phelps County and St. James use Everbridge to issue emergency alerts to those who have registered via text, email or phone call. Information collected is available for viewing by emergency response personal, city and county officials and MRPC administration only. Registering does not guarantee immediate assistance during a natural disaster. Through this study, MRPC will develop a process for identifying vulnerable and at-risk populations so that other local governments and emergency response agencies can address the need in their cities and counties.
District Ranger Thomas Haines from the Salem Ranger District announced that effective immediately, the district will be selling the “America the Beautiful Senior Passes” as well as Military and Annual passes on Wednesdays from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. The senior passes are only ten dollars now, but they will go up to $80 starting August 28th. If you are going to be in town and would like to purchase a pass, please call 729-6656 to see if the appropriate person is there to handle the transaction on any other day of the week. The office is located at 1301 S. Main (Highway 19 south) in Salem.