Archive for 2020

With all the news centering around the COVID 19 outbreak, all citizens in the United States and their territories need to remember to submit their 2020 census information. About 64 million households across the nation will be receiving or already have received a paper questionnaire as the U.S. Census Bureau continues to ensure responding to the census is easier than ever. Of the nation’s households, 46.2% have already responded to the 2020 Census. The remaining households will receive a paper questionnaire starting April 8. While nearly half of all households have responded online to the 2020 Census, some may prefer to receive a paper questionnaire. About 22% of the country received a paper form at the beginning of the census. Households receiving the paper questionnaire can still respond online or by phone, or they can return it by mail in the enclosed envelope. They can choose to respond online at www.2020census.gov in English or 12 other languages, or receive assistance through language guides and videos available in 59 languages. When you respond online, use the Census ID from the letter or provide your address. The public should respond for the number of people living at that address as of April 1st. Some areas where census takers were originally going to hand-deliver forms in person will now receive a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau reminding them to participate, including many households in Puerto Rico. Social distancing currently is having a big influence on the old fashioned way a census taker would go door-to-door to get an accurate count of the people in a household. If households don’t receive a letter in the mail, those people can go online to submit their information or Census takers will follow up with all households that do not respond on their own. Responding now to the 2020 Census will minimize the need for a census taker to follow up and visit your home in person later this year. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and it’s key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency response, schools and bridges over the next 10 years. Why is it important to be counted in the 2020 Census? It is our chance to make sure the hard-earned tax dollars we send to Washington D.C. make their way back to the Meramec Region. For every adult and every child that is not counted in the Census, our counties could lose, on average, $1,300 in federal dollars per person every year. That adds up to $13,000 per person over the next 10 years. In 2010, every county in the Meramec Region was undercounted, some by as many as 30%! Your county, the Meramec Region and the state of Missouri are counting on you to do your part. Every Missouri household that has a physical mailing address will receive or has received a letter with a Census ID, but you will not get a letter if you get your mail at a P.O box. Nonetheless, you are still responsible for completing the Census. You can complete the Census at www.my2020census.gov, by calling 844-330-2020 or by returning the paper application by August 14. Better yet, take five minutes and do it now. Be counted!

In Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing, Governor Mike Parson announced that all Missouri public and charter school buildings will remain closed through the remainder of the academic year. This recommendation was made to Governor Parson by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and several school superintendents from rural and urban areas across the state. School services are expected to continue through the last day of school in each school district as pre-established by the academic calendar approved by their local board of education. These continued services include alternative educational opportunities, child care as well as providing much-needed free nutritional meals to students who count on them. These services will continue to what would have been the last day of the regular school year on May 15th. Additional K-12 information and guidance can be found at dese.mo.gov/COVID19.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday evening at 9:30 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles north of Houston. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2018 Ford F-150 being driven by 66-year old John Moncrief of Rolla, was southbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway when he overcorrected. The Ford then traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned, ejecting the driver. Moncrief was not wearing a safety at the time of the accident and was taken by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for the treatment of serious injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended may fish without needing a permit or daily trout tag through April 15th. Seasons, methods, and limits still apply and will be enforced. The James Foundation has closed Maramec Spring Park in St. James to the public for trout fishing and all other activities until further notice. Missouri’s three other public trout parks remain open for day use and fishing: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. Anglers will need to have a fishing permit, unless exempt, after April 15th. Trout anglers will also need required fishing permits after April 15th but will not need a daily trout tag at the three open trout parks until further notice. Trout anglers fishing other areas around the state, including lakes and streams not at a trout park, will need both a fishing permit and trout permit after April 15th. MDC has suspended daily trout stocking at all trout parks along with most other fish stocking in waters around the state until further notice. MDC has also cancelled the kids’ fishing day events at the trout parks, including May 2nd at Montauk State Park and Bennett Spring State Park, and May 16th at Roaring River State Park and Maramec Spring Park.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday evening around 8:30 in Dent County on Route ZZ about two miles south of Jadwin. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by 19-year old Caleb Mischiara of Salem, was traveling northbound when he ran off the right side of the road. The Mustang struck two trees and the driver and a passenger, 20-year old Ian Hutchings, also of Salem, were ejected from the vehicle. Both occupants, who were not wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident, were transported by private conveyance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) office is now closed to the public. In an effort to reduce COVID-19 exposure, PHA staff are using extra precautions to reduce person-to-person contact for the foreseeable future. Until further notice, walk-ins or unscheduled appointments will not be accepted. The PHA encourages everyone to try to conduct business by phone, email, mail, or fax to the extent possible. Current tenants and landlords are asked to call ahead to schedule an appointment, if absolutely necessary, at 573-265-4200. All re-certifications will be done on time and will be completed by mail or email. Staff will be limiting one-on-one contact and will meet in person only as a last resort. Paper applications can be picked up at MRPC, #4 Industrial Drive, St. James, both at the back door and front foyer. Completion of the application must be done off site. To request that a paper application be mailed to you, please call 573-265-4200 or email pha@meramecregion.org. Completed paper applications can be dropped off at the drop box located in back of the building or may be mailed to Phelps County PHA 4 Industrial Drive St. James, MO 65559. Staff will be completing inspections in a timely manner, however, they will be accomplished in a different manner than in the past. Landlords and tenants will be advised of the new procedures, if an inspection is needed. For more information, call 573-265-4200 or email pha@meramecregion.org. Additional information can also be found at the MRPC website. MRPC provides staffing to the Phelps County Public Housing Agency that provides rental assistance to over 750 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that the Patrol is extending the suspension of all written and skills-based driver road testing at all locations until April 15, 2020. This includes operator, commercial driver license, andmotorcycle testing. In addition, the Patrol is extending the suspension of all salvage inspections at all locations and all bus inspections until April 15, 2020. This does not affect local businesses that are the providers of safety and emission inspections for the public and may continue to be open for services depending on their circumstances. The Patrol is monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and will update the public on testing and inspections as more information becomes available. The Missouri State Highway Patrol appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to ensure public health and safety.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announces it will offer Missourians the state’s first elk-hunting season in modern history starting this fall. At its April 8th meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the issuance of five permits for hunting bull elk for the 2020 season. Four general permits will be for the public and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners. Missouri’s first pending elk hunt comes after years of restoration efforts of the once-native species by MDC and numerous partners and supporters. For this first elk season, the Conservation Department has designated a nine-day archery portion running October 17th through the 25th and a nine-day firearms portion running December 12th through the 20th. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random-lottery drawing. A $10 application fee is required for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee. The Conservation Department will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year “sit-out” period for those drawn for a general permit before they may apply again. If selected for a landowner elk permit, qualifying landowners will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for a landowner elk permit. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a general elk hunting permit and for a landowner elk permit but are eligible to receive only one permit annually. General permits can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. General permits are nontransferable.The landowner permit is also nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property in the counties mentioned. To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt. Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before January 1st, 1967) before they may purchase the permit. All applications must be completed online or at a local vendor. You may apply for the random elk-permit lottery starting May 1st and lasting through the 31st online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through a permit vendor. The Department of Conservation gathered public input on elk hunting during 2018 and 2019 at several public meetings in communities around the elk restoration zone and through online public comment periods.