Local News – Friday, July 5th, 2024

Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District announced that 22 Dent County students were honored with first and second place awards and honorable mentions in the 33rd Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash and Graphic Art contest. This year’s contest theme was “Plastic vs. Planet.” From the Oak Hill R-1 School District where students were under the direction of Rachel Privett, 1st Place winners in Poster Art were 5th grader Carmen Woodruff, 2nd grader Ashton Poor and 3rd grader Ava England. Second place winners in Poster Art included Kindergartner Alixandrau Cox and 3rd grader William Anderson, while three students received Honorable Mention honors for their Poster Art. Those students from Oak Hill were Kindergartner Raelynn England, 4th grader Ada Greener and 5th grader Dylan Mayberry. Dent Phelps R-3 students concentrated on Trash Art under the direction of Kayla Wisdom with four students taking 1st place in their grade. Those students are 8th grader Quentin Barbee, 5th grader Jackie Hanson, 4th grader Chase Gover and 3rd grader Michael Johnson. Dent-Phelps R-3 had two students receive 2nd place in Trash Art and they were 5th grader Hayden Gidcumb and 4th grader Grace Heithold; plus they had eight students get Honorable Mention in the Trash Art Category. Those students included 7th grader Abby Edmondson, 6th grader Brantley Thompson, 5th graders Emma McMullen and Colt Watkins, 4th grader Riley Duncan and 3rd graders Cira Bright, Callie Hayes and Rowen Parker. Congratulations goes out to all these students and their instructors. The contest required participants to repurpose trash into three-dimensional pieces of art or create posters that were hand drawn or graphically designed, based on the year’s theme. There were 935 entries from 17 schools in the district and three home school groups. The contest was open to kindergarten through 12th grade, home school, college and university students who reside or attend school in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. The 2024 Earth Day Contest was funded through an Ozark Solid Waste management District grant, made possible through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, along with donations from the following area sponsors: Legends Bank – Belle, Steelville Chamber of Commerce, The Missouri Bank – Hermann, Belgrade State Bank, The Maries County Bank – Vienna, Mid America Bank, DML LLC, Infuze Credit Union, Security Bank of Pulaski County, Phelps County Bank – Rolla, Bank of Crocker and Town & Country Bank.

The newly appointed Superintendent of the Salem R80 School District, Nathan Wills, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead and serve the Salem community in a heartfelt letter addressed to the public. In the letter he wrote about his excitement to work alongside students, parents, educators, and community members. Reflecting on the dedication and passion observed within the district, the new Superintendent acknowledged the strong foundation of excellence in Salem, which he aims to build upon collaboratively. Looking ahead, Superintendent Wills shared his primary goal is to provide a top-notch education for every student, preparing them for success in an ever-changing world. This mission is anchored in the values of academic excellence, community connection, and continuous improvement. In the coming months, the district will focus on several key priorities, including elevating academic standards to meet the diverse needs of all students, emphasizing the critical role of regular school attendance in student success, fostering a culture of innovation, professional growth among staff, data-informed decision-making, strengthening communication and partnerships with the community to support the district’s goals. He emphasized the importance of open communication, collaboration, and feedback as essential components in achieving these goals. The community can expect regular updates from Superintendent Wills on a wide range of school related topics, including transportation, state testing, snow days, and facilities. Grateful for the opportunity to serve as the district’s leader, he looks forward to working together to shape the future of Salem R80 and lead the district towards a bright and successful future, ensuring that every student receives the quality education they deserve. You can read this letter in its entirety on our KSMO Radio/Your World Today Facebook page.

Montauk State Park officials announced today that Campground Loop 4 has reopened and is now accepting reservations. The campground, which had been closed since March 4 for electrical upgrades, is once again available to visitors starting July 3. The reopening comes after months of construction aimed at improving guest experiences at one of Missouri’s most popular state park campgrounds. The project, which faced delays due to issues with electrical component deliveries, took longer than initially anticipated to complete. The park is pleased to have the new facilities operational and would like to thank visitors’ patience and understanding during the construction period. The closure of Loop 4 had necessitated adjustments to camping reservations made between March 4 and April 30. Park officials had worked to accommodate existing reservations in other areas of the park during the closure. Visitors interested in making reservations for Campground Loop 4 or seeking more information can contact the Missouri State Park reservation call center at 877-422-6766.