Local News – Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Predicting the peak of fall color can be difficult. Missouri is blessed with a great variety of trees, shrubs, and vines. Their leaves turn at different times, so Missourians enjoy a fall color season that may last four to six weeks. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the only locations beginning to change colors is the northeast region of the state in the Hannibal and Kirksville area. Unlike last year, the Department is actually expecting a fairly decent fall color season because of a good amount of moisture we’ve had in the last month and a half. Right now, most of the fall color consists of the golden yellows of ash, honey locust, cottonwood, and black walnut. Along roadsides, pastures, and field edges, the wild sunflowers and goldenrods are putting on a beautiful display. Soybean fields are changing to yellow rather quickly, too. The beautiful deep reds of sumacs, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy are in full swing. The norm for the peak of the fall color in Missouri is usually around mid-October. This is when maples, ashes, oaks, and hickories are at the height of their fall display. Normally by late October, the colors are fading and the leaves beginning to drop from the trees. Fall color is usually finished by the middle of November. The progression of color change starts earliest in northern Missouri and moves southward across the state. Generally, the color change is predictable, but it can vary from year to year. Much depends on the weather. For more information about the leaves color changes, persons can go to nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/fall-colors. To check out the colors nationwide, go to www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2018.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met in closed session last Thursday. After the resignation of Lisa Jadwin as the elementary yearbook sponsor in regular session, the board made a motion to hire Mary Beth Patrick as elementary yearbook sponsor and the motion was approved. The board approved a motion to grant an A+ appeal of a student before the board issued a letter of reprimand to Volleyball Coach Amanda Walker and a three day suspension from coaching for the period of September 24th through the 26th with pay. The closed session was then adjourned and the board adjourned the meeting at 8:15.
This is National Child Passenger Safety Week and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to ensure all caregivers of young children know the importance of buckling children in an appropriate child restraint. Motorists can also expect increased enforcement of Missouri’s child seat safety laws during this campaign. In 2017, 12 children less than eight years of age were killed and 43 suffered injuries as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. Thirty-one percent of the children killed were not restrained in a car seat or safety belt. Missouri law requires all children under eight to be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, unless: They are at least 80 pounds or they are at least 4’9” tall. Child safety seat technicians will provide education and car seat inspections at locations across the state during this campaign, and throughout the year. You can get your car seat inspected at City of Rolla Fire and Rescue located at 1490 Route BB in Rolla. For more information or to make an appointment, call Jason Goebel at 573-364-3989.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will conduct their October meeting on Tuesday, October 2nd, at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda as well as the minutes from the September meeting, the Board will review and approve bills. The Board review financial reports for the district and there will be a review of the calendar for upcoming events. The monthly reimbursement report will be presented and the Board will address any old or new business. The Board may then vote to go into closed session to discuss personnel, if necessary, and they will also set the date for the November meeting to be held at the station beginning at 6:00 pm. The October meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.