News – Monday, December 2nd 2024

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 159,120 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, November 16th through the 26th. Of the 159,120 deer harvested, 82,613 were antlered bucks, 13,203 were button bucks, and 63,304 were does. Top harvest counties statewide were Franklin with 3,530 deer harvested, Texas with 2,935, and Howell with 2,741. Top counties in our area include Dent County with 1,594 deer harvested, Crawford County reported 833 deer had been taken, Reynolds County had 1,114 deer harvested, Phelps County hunters took 1,417 deer, and Iron County saw 1,400 deer taken. This year’s harvest total was 15% below the five-year average. Less than ideal hunting conditions throughout much of the November portion was a factor that contributed to this year’s lower opening weekend harvest total with another factor being an abundance of acorns that had an effect on deer movement. Deer hunting continues in Missouri with the Late Antlerless portion starting December 7th and lasting until the 15th in open counties. The Alternative Methods portion of the hunting season will be from December 28th through January 7th, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Wednesday, November 27 and runs through January 15th, 2025. Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov. 

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) has closed its waiting list, effective Tuesday, November 26th and is no longer accepting new applications for housing assistance. This action came as a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency that provides the rental assistance funding, to head off a projected funding shortfall in 2025. Current participants of the HUD Choice Voucher Program, administered by the Phelps County PHA, are not impacted by this closure. Only those wishing to apply for assistance or those currently on the waitlist but have not yet received a voucher will be impacted by the closure of the waitlist. The reason for closing the wiat list is the high demand for housing assistance that have higher than normal rents which could cause a budget shortfall. Public notice will be provided once the waitlist has reopened. Those currently on the waiting list will not need to reapply but will maintain their position on the waitlist, once the list has reopened. There are roughly 148 families with approved vouchers looking for housing in the six-county area. The Phelps County PHA provides HUD Section 8 rental assistance to about 700 families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city of Rolla) and Washington counties at a cost of $3.5 million annually. Persons needing more information should call 573-265-4200 or via email at dkeeney@meramecregion.org. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) provides staffing to the Phelps County PHA. Tim Schulte, presiding commissioner of Gasconade County, chairs the PHA board. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs. 

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a Winter Themed Clay Handbuilding class with Wanda Nickles and Tana Kettner tomorrow and on the 10th from 5:30-7:30 in the evening. The two-evening class includes sculpting & glazing, then pick up your figurine later. Attendees will learn the basics of handbuilding with clay to create your own winter decorative figurines. The class is appropriate for all those 12 and older. The cost of the class is $40 and for the classes and firings, and all supplies are included. There must be four people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at 12. Then on Thursday evening, there will be a class on Hand-stamped Copper Jewelry Making, from 6:30 to 8:30 with Leann Light. Attendees will learn how to stamp on metal, add texture  (if you wish), make a chain and assemble your necklace. At the end of the class you will take home a custom stamped, one of a kind, piece of jewelry created entirely by you. All tools and materials will be provided. The class is appropriate for all those 14 and older. The cost of the class is $50 and all supplies are included. There must be two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at six. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.