News – Thursday, August 7th 2025

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is now accepting grant applications for the 2026 grant round through noon on Friday, August 15th. This workshop ensures that potential grantees know application requirements and understand the benefits and obligations, should they receive reimbursement funding for their projects. Projects must be located in or benefit the Ozark Rivers district, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Grants are available to city and county governments, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, citizens and other interested parties to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. The district’s list of targeted materials is based on the state-targeted materials list. In addition, the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has identified multiple priority project areas to address specific needs in the district, however all projects will be considered. Potential projects can focus on district priorities for education, end-market development for recycled materials, waste reduction and reuse, hard to recycle items such as carpet and mattresses, food waste reduction or composting, construction and demolition waste, and special events/business/multi-family dwelling recycling. Some $140,927 is available for grants this round. A more detailed list of priorities and targeted materials is included in the grant application and available at ozarkrivers.org/grant-projects/how-to-apply. In its 2025 grant round, Ozark Rivers awarded $132,331.50 to fund or partially fund five projects throughout the seven-county district. These projects included assistance to local recycling programs and collection centers along with district-wide programs for outreach and education, illegal dump cleanups, continued support of the household hazardous waste collection sites in Rolla and St. Robert and special collections for electronics, appliances, and tires. The grant dollars awarded by Ozark Rivers comes through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and represents a portion of the landfill tipping fees collected state-wide. The grant application is available online at www.ozarkrivers.org. For more information, contact Jill Hollowell at 573-265-2993.

Salem residents are being encouraged to take proactive steps this summer to reduce energy usage and lower their utility bills while helping the community maintain overall cost-efficient operations. According to the City of Salem’s Utility Department, small behavioral changes and low cost improvements can lead to immediate and long term savings. Key recommendations include setting your thermostats as high as comfortably possible especially when you’re away. Installing a programmable thermostat or adjusting settings to around 84°F while you’re out of the house can make a significant difference. Residents should also keep window shades closed on sunny sides of the house during peak hours, and wear light clothing indoors to stay comfortable without overcooling. Practical household tips underline the impact of good maintenance: clean or replace HVAC filters every few months, clear debris away from outdoor AC units so airflow is unrestricted, and ensure that vents are not blocked by furniture or drapes. Caulking around windows and doors, replacing weather stripping, installing insulation blankets on water heaters, and adopting low flow showerheads also contribute noticeably to reduced energy use. Everyday choices make a difference: avoid using heat producing appliances like ovens, dishwashers and dryers during peak hours  between 3 pm and 6 pm, use cold water for laundry when possible, and run appliances only in full loads. These recommendations follow guidance from national energy savings programs and utilities across the state. For instance, Ameren Missouri advises raising the thermostat, sealing drafty doors and windows, switching to LED lighting, and optimizing ceiling fan settings to enhance cooling efficiency—all of which align with the City of Salem’s suggestions. By putting these energy-saving strategies into practice, families can expect to see lower monthly bills and contribute to reduced strain on community utilities. Those looking for more comprehensive guidance can visit the Summer Home Efficiency Tips section on the City’s website, SalemMO.com.

The MU Extension office is inviting the public to take part in a needs assessment survey regarding Alpha Gal Syndrome also referred to as AGS. AGS is a tick-borne food allergy cause by a bite from the lone star tick. A bite from this tick can result in the development of a food allergy to mammalian meat and related products. The survey is estimated to take ten to fifteen minutes, and you must be 18 years of age or older to participate. For more information you can contact Rachel O’Halloran a Field Specialist in Nutrition and Health at (573) 266-2701 or at RachelOhalloran@missouri.edu.