Local News – Friday, October 20th, 2023

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, hiking, driving tours, or even floating. To help, department will offer weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. Foresters are posting reports that show users where trees are beginning to turn and even suggest great places to see changing leaves. The drought that was experienced over the summer could affect this year’s color. Dry conditions we saw this summer could cause trees to lose their leaves early or begin changing colors earlier than normal, which may affect the amount of fall color we see later in the season. The chilly evenings we see in the fall season are critical for leaves to change color. Chilly nights cause the breakdown of green pigments, allowing the fall colors to show through. Missouri trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move southward. Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change in mid-September. In late September, the black gum, bittersweet, and dogwoods began turning. The peak of fall color usually hits around mid-October. Trees like maple, ash, oak, and hickory are at the peak of their fall display by the middle of October and that normally by the end of the month, colors are fading and leaves are falling. Missouri’s fall color can be enjoyed from almost anywhere. For spectacular vistas, choose routes along rivers with views of forested bluffs, and along ridges with sweeping scenes of forested landscapes. Conservation areas or Missouri state parks are wonderful places to take in the fall color, plus fall color isn’t just limited to trees. Prairies and roadsides display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive, and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses. In cities and towns, enjoy places with mature trees such as older neighborhoods, parks, and even cemeteries. MDC provides its annual fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The weekly reports include what species of trees are turning and the best places to see them. The updates will run through November.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. After approving the consent agenda, the board heard from Choir Director Elaine Russell who was requesting an out-of-town trip for choir members as well as chaperones in April of 2024, from the 18th through the 21st. She would like to go to either Washington, D.C or Nashville. She also prepared a “code of conduct” form for non-staff chaperones that they must sign to go along. The board approved her request. Architect Matt Patterson discussed with the board an updated survey of the upper elementary school and found the proposed elementary and FEMA addition straight off the south side would put the building into the tree line with about a seven foot drop. He offered two options: the first option would rotate the plans creating a bit of a triangle at the south side of the school changing the corridor and classroom; while the second option would slide the addition to the northwest and cut into the green space at the playground. The cost for either would be about the same. The board will get input on the options from other administrators, principals and others before deciding. Patterson he would like to know in about two weeks so he can move forward with the plans. Chris Salzman from ESP brought in a notebook binder that featured the original contract with the R-80 district for the Tin Gym project that included transactions orders, change orders, subcontractor agreements and change orders, scope of work to be performed, applications for payment and lien releases. It also included a summary of ESP fees and their profit as well as a request for the final payment along with documented proof of performance. The building principals discussed with the board their CSIP building improvement plans while Athletic Director Clay Moody reported the improvements to the baseball field have been completed. He said the fall sports are wrapping up and winter sports begin on October 30th at the high school. Moody said the bus driver situation has improved and said if things work out, they are close to having a full staff. The board approved a 12-month bus lease from Dalton Sanders for $7,000 with Sanders providing maintenance. The board then selected Carolyn Faith Pryor as the Belcher Scholarship Nominee. Principal Jody Heavin recommended the board go with Graduation Day as Friday, May 17th with Sunday, May 19th as the rain date. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon in Phelps County around 2:15 on Route H about a mile east of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Chevy Equinox driven westbound by 62-year-old Kimberly Brugman of Edgar Springs, traveled off the left side of the roadway and went airborne before returning to the roadway. The Chevy then traveled off the right side of the road and struck a gate. Brugman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health for treatment. Brugman was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Equinox sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.