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Henry Grubb and his design instructor, Beth Keith, show the winning logo.
New 'Sustainable Ozarks Partnership' logo designed by Waynesville High School student PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (May 16, 2012) — A Waynesville R-VI High School senior’s work has been selected to become the official logo for the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership, according to spokesman Ron Selfors. The oak leaf logo was designed by Henry Grubb of Waynesville. In an announcement issued by the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership, Grubb said the leaf motif of his design “occurred frequently in the logos of other organizations involved in sustainability,” but the oak tree was selected because it is “a dominant tree in the Ozarks.” According to the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership website, the group is a nonprofit organization with a small portion of its funding coming from the Leonard Wood Institute and the organization serves a four-county region covering not only Pulaski County but also Laclede County to the west, Phelps County to the east and Texas County to the south of Fort Leonard Wood. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Heather Massey
Former St. Robert resident arrested on felony bad check, drug charges PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (May 16, 2012) — A former St. Robert resident was arraigned Tuesday in Pulaski County Associate Circuit Court on eight separate felony charges involving more than two dozen different bad check cases, and according to Sheriff J.B. King, also faces two additional felony charges from Taney and Phelps counties for theft of a credit card and for drug possession. King said that Heather J. Massey, 23, of Arnold, was arrested on Sunday afternoon in the Dixon area by Dixon police and a sheriff’s deputy. The warrants date back several years, and according to King, the arrest happened because deputies “received a tip from a concerned citizen as to the location of a person the citizen thought was wanted on several active Pulaski County warrants for bad checks.” All eight Pulaski County cases are Class C felony charges of passing checks on a nonexistent account, and each has a $5,000 bond with surety by a bail bondsman allowed. Massey’s case has been set for a meeting with a lawyer on May 22 and she’s required to personally appear. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Impeachment trial of St. Robert Mayor ordered postponed by judge SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (May 16, 2012) — An impeachment hearing scheduled to begin today against St. Robert Mayor George Sanders has been cancelled by a restraining order issued by Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston. In a petition filed late Tuesday morning by Sanders’ attorney, Michael G. Berry of the Berry Wilson law firm from Jefferson City, Sanders asked that the city complete discovery proceedings “to which he is entitled as a matter of right.” An announcement issued shortly after noon Wednesday by St. Robert city officials indicated that the temporary restraining order will remain in effect 14 days and that a new impeachment trial date will be set after consultation with the city council. “Discovery” is a legal term referring to the right of a party in a court proceeding to obtain evidence from the opposing side under oath. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
State patrol, St. Robert police, announce road enforcement results SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (March 16, 2012) — Police in St. Robert have announced their plans to participate in another “click it or ticket” traffic enforcement mobilization effort. This month’s upcoming effort will run from May 21 through June 3, according to Traffic Sgt. Butch Hohman, and follows up on a previous sobriety checkpoint conducted by city police on May 4 and May 5. The sobriety checkpoint in St. Robert resulted in five arrests for being a minor in possession of alcohol, one arrest for driving with a suspended license, one felony arrest for driving while intoxicated, one citation for lack of insurance and one citation for improper vehicle registration. State troopers conducted two sobriety checkpoints in Laclede County during the same period but not in Pulaski County; state troopers are also planning their upcoming annual Memorial Day enforcement efforts. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Jeremy C. Dyer and James Wesley Moore Jr.
Two arrested in Swedeborg after Monday night beating of Crocker man CROCKER, Mo. (May 16, 2012) — Two area men face felony assault charges for a late Monday night beating south of Crocker in which one of the men’s housemate had his arm broken. Before ambulance personnel transported him to an area hospital for treatment, the victim told Crocker police and sheriff’s deputies that he was at his home when two men, Jeremy C. Dyer, 30, of the same address, and James Wesley Moore Jr., 44, of Swedeborg, entered the victim’s home and accused him of stealing items. They then took the victim’s minivan and fled the area, but were arrested by deputies shortly after midnight in Swedeborg. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Waynesville reports two recent wrecks WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (May 14, 2012) — Waynesville police announced the results on Monday of two non-injury crashes in previous weeks. On Monday, April 30, Lillian Faye Harris, 54, of Lebanon, had been driving eastbound on Interstate 44 at mile marker 157.2 when her rear passenger tire came apart at 5:30 p.m., causing her to lose control. Late Saturday night on May 5, Kerry Wayne Rayford, 21, of St. Robert, had been driving his green 1997 Toyota Corolla at 11:37 p.m. making a left turn from Historic Route 66 onto Ichord Avenue on a yellow light and failed to yield to an oncoming brown 1979 Chevrolet El Camino driven by Aaron Lee Bryan, 17, of Waynesville, causing Rayford’s Toyota to strike Bryan’s Chevrolet in the side. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Keith Campbell
Deputies arrest accused Poor Boys burglar PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (May 7, 2012) — A man accused of stealing $400 worth of copper wire from Poor Boys’ Auto Salvage on Superior Road between Waynesville and Saint Robert faces up to seven years in state prison, according to court records. Keith K. Campbell, 24, who lives north of Waynesville off Highway T, was charged Friday with second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, following a Thursday burglary at Poor Boys in which “a big bucket of copper was taken from inside the office” and a door was kicked open causing an estimated $250 worth of damage. He’s being held on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
State Senator Dan Brown
Brown outlines remaining bills as May 11 Senate deadline approaches JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (May 4, 2012) — As the end of the 96th General Assembly approaches, the Legislature is a hub of activity. Many bills that either stalled in committee hearings or never made it to floor debate are now being added to other bills as amendments. As a result, discussion becomes a bit more heated as the hurried addition of multiple amendments may delay, change, or even kill a piece of legislation as it winds its way through the legislative process. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... State Sen. Dan Brown
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler meets with farmers, criticizes federal rules harming hotel pools WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 4, 2012) — I spent time meeting with citizens of the Fourth Congressional District to hear your concerns and ideas to take to Washington. With the deadline to renew the Farm Bill drawing close, I hosted a roundtable discussion outside Clinton to bring together farmers and ranchers who are going to be most affected by the Farm Bill and to hear their priorities. Decisions regarding agriculture should be made by these hard-working citizens — NOT by Washington bureaucrats. It is imperative that the thoughts and concerns of farmers and ranchers be represented when the Farm Bill gets to the floor of the House for a vote. A business roundtable I hosted in Sedalia reinforced my belief that government red tape is strangling small business. A hotel manager in attendance told of how the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) interpretation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules are already causing management at some hotels to keep their swimming pools closed this summer. I have shared with you my disbelief upon learning, at an earlier forum, how the DOJ is requiring that permanent wheelchair lifts be installed in public swimming pools — including kiddie pools — to comply with ADA. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Two arrested on charges of burglary, stealing check from residence PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (May 1, 2012) — An area man with a history of drug-related problems, along with his out-of-town girlfriend, faces additional charges following his Thursday arrest on charges of burglarizing a home north of Saint Robert and forging a check stolen from that residence. Garrett Lee Rose, 36, who court records list as being from St. Robert, and Lisa Nicole Webb, 27, who court records list as being from Union, are currently residing on the 16000 grid of Cave Road between Dixon and Saint Robert, according to arrest reports from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Rose and Webb now face charges of second-degree burglary and forgery, both Class C felonies carrying a maximum penalty of two to seven years in state prison, on charges that they broke into a private home on Heller Lane on April 24, stole a check from the homeowner, and filled the check out with the intent of using it. Both people were arrested on April 26, waived formal arraignment on May 1, and are scheduled for a June 11 preliminary hearing. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Law enforcement plan crackdown against DWI, promotion of seatbelt use PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (May 1, 2012) — State troopers, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and two local police departments have announced that they’ll be doing special seatbelt enforcement on Friday, May 4, and drunk driving enforcement from Thursday, May 3 to Sunday, May 13. Friday’s seatbelt enforcement effort was announced April 18 and is part of an interstate effort along Route 66 which began in August 2010 in Oklahoma and has now expanded to all eight states from California to Illinois. Named “Get Your Clicks on Route 66,” the quarterly crackdown continues to be coordinated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol but state agencies will enforce each state’s individual seatbelt laws. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Charles Sharnas
Apparent jail suicide kills man arrested last week on meth, trespassing charges PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (April 23, 2012) — In what county officials say appears to be the first successful jail suicide in decades, a Crocker man arrested last week on methamphetamine possession charges following a trespassing incident was found dead Sunday morning in the Pulaski County Jail. Charles T. Sharnas, 53, was found in his jail cell at 7:13 a.m., according to jail logs. Sheriff J.B. King announced the death Monday morning following a closed session meeting with county commissioners for legal and personnel matters. According to King, a jailer discovered Sharnas’ body “hanging from a bunk by a bedsheet.” King said Sharnas’ cellmate “was asleep and was not aware of the suicide attempt.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
City announces draft articles of impeachment against St. Robert mayor SAINT ROBERT. Mo. (April 23, 2012) — City officials announced Monday afternoon that the proposed impeachment of St. Robert Mayor George Sanders involves accusations of a hostile work environment in the city clerk’s office with additional allegations of misconduct not only by Sanders but also by at least three other now-terminated employees, City Administrator Alan Clark, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Polk, and Planning Administrator Lyle Thomas. As part of the allegations against Sanders, the articles of impeachment claim that Polk’s behavior as deputy fire chief had the effect of “causing the fire protection within the city to be negatively affected when off-duty firefighters and neighboring fire departments would not respond to calls within the city if they heard that the deputy fire chief was responding to the call, rather than subject themselves to hostility.” The city council will meet at 5 p.m. today in special session to review the articles of impeachment against Sanders, schedule an impeachment hearing, and vote on whether to suspend Sanders pending the impeachment vote. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill
McCaskill aims to require ‘plain English’ for federal regulations WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 23, 2012) — In her ongoing fight for stronger accountability and transparency in government, U.S Senator Claire McCaskill is aiming to shine more sunlight on public documents by making them available “in plain English.” McCaskill today introduced the bipartisan Plain Writing Act for Regulations to require authors of federal regulations to use language that is clear, concise, well-organized and follows best practices appropriate to the subject or audience. McCaskill’s bill is cosponsored by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), and supported by the National Small Business Association and the Center for American Progress. “Any time we make it easier for folks to access and understand government information that’s a good thing,” McCaskill said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill
Pvt. Steven Perry is now an Indiana Golden Gloves boxing champion.
State champion boxer coming to Fort Leonard Wood to become MP INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 23, 2012) — An Indiana Guardsman and amateur boxer took the state Golden Gloves title in an uncontested bout at Tyndall Armory in Indianapolis on April 19. Indiana National Guard recruit Pvt. Steven Perry, 19, a junior welterweight from Anderson, Ind., was set to face off against his opponent, Onesimo Perez, who withdrew about two hours before the scheduled bout. For Perry, whose talent and reputation within the Indiana boxing community precedes him, this was nothing new. "The last two boxing championships, he's won unopposed. Nobody wants to fight him," said Rodney Cummings, Perry's trainer for eight years. After winning in Indiana, Perry's next step will be the national tournament scheduled to start April 30 in Mesquite, Nev. His next step after that will be Army basic training in May at Fort Leonard Wood. Perry said boxing training will benefit him at basic training. "The boxing training will help me a lot," he said. "It takes training and discipline to be in the Army, and boxing is training and discipline." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry/Indiana National Guard Public Affairs
Cpl. Mark Hedrick
Two area state troopers receive awards for bravery, community service PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (April 16, 2012) — Two troopers currently or formerly assigned to Pulaski County received Missouri State Highway Patrol awards at a Saturday award banquet. Cpl. Mark Hedrick, who was nearly run over by a fleeing car thief in November and had to shoot the car thief after a car chase, received a meritorious service award for his actions. Lt. Steve P. Davis, who now serves in the Troop I headquarters in Rolla but previously served for many years in Pulaski County where his wife was the Crocker High School principal and he served in the Pulaski County Ambulance Board, has received the MASTERS Public Service Award for a variety of community service work. Hedrick’s award was for his actions in the case of Daryl L. Eye, 49, of Licking, who had twice previously evaded state troopers. Hedrick was also named in February as one of four North America regional finalists for the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Trooper of the Year award. Eye, who troopers said was “extremely dangerous and known as an avid woodsman” when they submitted Hedrick’s name for the IACP award, had been on the run since Nov. 15 when, according to Hedrick’s award packet, Eye had fired a weapon into the home of his girlfriend. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
St. Robert mayor could face impeachment SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (April 12, 2012) — City Administrator Alan Clark and Mayor George Sanders are refusing to participate in a special St. Robert City Council meeting called today to consider impeachment procedures against the mayor and for a public hearing on Clark’s termination. Clark was terminated at the April 2 regular meeting of the city council by a 5-2 vote, with Alderman Bill Urena absent and two other aldermen, Butchie Newkirk and Ed Spotts, voting “no.” Planning Administrator Lyle Thomas was also fired by unanimous vote at that meeting. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Riders from 4th MEB set off on their quarterly mentorship ride which promotes motorcycle safety and camaraderie.
Riders gear up for safety FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 5, 2012) – A group of motorcyclists with 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, gathered at a local cycle shop, Friday, March 30, for a team ride which promotes motorcycle safety and camaraderie in the Army-wide Motorcycle Mentorship Program. According to the official MMP website, the purpose of the program is to establish voluntary installation-level motorcycle clubs where less experienced riders and seasoned riders can create a supportive environment of responsible motorcycle riding and enjoyment. This effort is intended to create positive conduct and behavior, thus serving as a force multiplier. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sgt. Kelly Malone/Army Public Affairs
St. Robert fires city administrator, city planner, deputy fire chief SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (April 3, 2012) — City officials voted in closed session Monday evening to fire St. Robert City Administrator Alan Clark and St. Robert Planning Administrator Lyle Thomas. Those firings follow a decision at the previous city council meeting on March 19 to end the volunteer unpaid duties of Deputy Fire Chief Greg Polk and to grant Mayor George Sanders a three-month leave of absence. While not publicly stated, Mayor Pro-Tem Todd Williams confirmed that the decision to grant Sanders a leave of absence was due to family medical issues. The reasons for the three terminations have not been publicly announced, but they follow extended internal fights within the St. Robert Fire Department. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
First Lt. Meghan Engleson speaks with Maj. Gen. Mark Yenter.
FLW commander discusses Army future, likely re-enlistment cutbacks FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 27, 2012) – Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general spoke with leaders of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, March 26, to discuss the expectations of the current and future Army. Maj. Gen. Mark Yenter spoke about the Army as a profession. “The profession of arms is a definition of who we are expected to be,” he said. “The true professional is someone who has not only made the decision to join the Army but has chosen to stick with it and has been selected to move through the ranks…to become a leader.” The Secretary of the Army announced in February that as part of the overall forces reduction all soldiers in the grade of sergeant or staff sergeant not serving on an indefinite status would be considered unqualified for re-enlistment if their Official Military Personnel File contained a relief for cause non-commissioned officer evaluation report, a “no” in the part VI of the NCOER, a senior rater ranking of 4 or 5 in part V of the NCOER or failure to pass an NCO education system course. In addition to the Army policy, Yenter said to expect that standard promotions will become more discriminatory. “The bottom line is, we want to keep the best of the best,” he said. “And we are doing that as we reconfigure our forces and shape the framework of the Army in accordance with changes in our national defense priorities." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sgt. Heather Denby/Army Public Affairs
March DWI checkpoint results announced, more planned next month SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (March 27, 2012) — Police have announced the results of their March drunk driving crackdown and plan another during the next month, according to Sgt. Butch Hohman, traffic sergeant for the St. Robert Police Department. A drunk driving crackdown from Friday, March 16 to Sunday, March 18, included a checkpoint on Highway Z in which every one of 320 vehicles passing through the checkpoint was checked to make sure its driver was sober, with two arrests and one citation. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Sheriff, county commission races attract numerous candidates PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (March 27, 2012) — Local Republicans will have three contested primary races for county office while Democrats will have a single primary for sheriff, last-day candidate filing reports showed Tuesday. Both incumbent associate county commissioners, Republicans Bill Farnham in the Eastern District and Ricky Zweerink in the Western District, face primary challenges. Farnham is being challenged by Barbara Shackelford-Thomas and and Lynn Sharp; Zweerink is being challenged by David Dicke. Whoever wins the Republican primaries will face Democrat Wayne Gifford in the eastern district and Democrat Lisa Combs in the western district. The lineup for the sheriff’s race has also been known for weeks. In the Democratic primary, Bill Anderson, a retired Air Force senior NCO and a reserve captain in the sheriff’s department, faces J.T. Roberts, who after retiring from the state patrol served three terms as Pulaski County sheriff until he was defeated by King in 2004. Johnny Burgess, a Fort Leonard Wood ambulance paramedic, Nick Pappas, a Fort Leonard Wood civil service employee serving as a reserve police officer in Richland, and retired Texas sheriff's deputy Ron Long are running in the Republican Party primary. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt Applauds Bipartisan JOBS Act, STOCK Act Moving Forward In U.S. Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2012) — U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after voting to pass the "Jumpstart Our Business Startups" (JOBS) Act and voting in favor of continuing debate on the House-passed "Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge" (STOCK) Act: "I applaud the Senate for passing the common-sense, bipartisan JOBS Act, which will help give job creators more certainty. I'm pleased my colleagues were able to work together on this important bill, and I hope President Obama can sign it into law as soon as possible so we can put more Americans back to work." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler criticizes abortion surcharges in new health care exchanges WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2012) — Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) joined Members of the House of Representatives in condemning new rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provide federal funding for abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The HHS rules for new state health care exchanges require abortion surcharges on certain health care plans and permit federal tax credits to be used to purchase insurance plans that cover abortion. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Missouri Air National Guard recognized with Outstanding Unit Awards JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 19, 20120 — The Missouri Air National Guard was recently recognized with three 2011 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. The 139th Operations Group, in St. Joseph, 131st Bomb Wing, at Whiteman Air Force Base, and the 157th Air Operations Group, headquartered at Lambert Air National Guard Base with operations at historical Jefferson Barracks, were each recognized for their outstanding contributions to the United States Air Force, said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. “The Missouri National Guard is lucky to have such outstanding Airmen across the state,” Danner said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Maj. Tamara Spicer/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Pulaski Republicans caucus at 10 am today for presidential candidates PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (March 17, 2012) — When Pulaski County voters went to the polls in February, they voted by large margins for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and helped give his campaign a badly needed boost when every county in Missouri also chose for Santorum. However, that race didn’t actually allocate any delegates to Santorum and Republican caucus-goers in each of the state’s counties will decide soon whether to bind their delegates to the primary election result or start the selection process again. For Pulaski County, the caucus will be held at 10 a.m. in the old Waynesville Middle School behind Eircil’s Jewelry in downtown Waynesville; the school building was recently sold to the county by the school district. Democrats will hold their caucus on March 29 in what is expected to be an easy re-nomination race for President Barack Obama. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Firefighters announce name of person killed in Thursday afternoon fire WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (March 9, 2012) — Emergency personnel announced Friday that they’ve located the resident of a home on Laramie Road who died in a trailer fire that led to every Pulaski County fire department being called to the blaze or placed on standby for other potential fires. Andrew Phillip Carroll, 29, died in the fire at the home where he lived with his parents. The fire was reported about 4 p.m. and the rest of his family members were not home at the time of the blaze, according to Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Firefighters send water uphill to a blaze.
Trailer home burns on Laramie Road WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (March 8, 2012 UPDATED 7 p.m.) — A trailer fire on the 21000 grid of Laramie Road led to every fire department in Pulaski County being called to the scene Thursday afternoon. The blaze, reported about 4 p.m., had the trailer fully involved upon arrival of the first Waynesville fire engine. Early reports indicate that one person may have been trapped inside. The location of the fire in a trailer at the top of a steep hill overlooking Shockley Bottom posed complications for firefighters and resulted in a tanker shuttle with a power-fill setup at the bottom of the driveway. “It’s a double-wide trailer with some additions,” said Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko. “We’re pumping water up a steep driveway… We didn’t have a problem getting there with the engine; the problem is there isn’t enough space up there to turn tankers around so we had to pump from tankers on the scene.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Air assault students take on the obstacle course at Camp Crowder.
First ever Missouri Air Assault course comes to Missouri National Guard NEOSHO, Mo. (Feb. 29, 2012) — Nearly 200 Missouri citizen-soldiers began strenuous training this week at the Missouri National Guard’s first air assault course at Camp Crowder in Neosho. “Zero Day” began before sun-up, and a timed, two-mile formation run came soon after. Following was a grueling, nine-station, obstacle course wherein students did double-time between obstacles whether crab-crawling or high stepping. Push-ups and flutter kicks also kept potential students at a constant pace between challenges, while each loudly shouted “Air Assault!” when their left foot touched the ground. Only then, at the finish, were the Missouri Guard citizen-soldiers — as well as a handful of active duty troops — officially accepted into air assault school. Ten days of intense instruction at the Missouri National Guard’s Camp Crowder is next. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Wednesday rollovers total three vehicles, nine injured with two airlifted PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 29, 2012) — Two Wednesday rollover wrecks involving Pulaski County residents totaled three vehicles, two in a morning Laclede County wreck and one in an afternoon wreck near Swedeborg, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. The morning wreck happened about four miles east of Lebanon on Highway 32 at Pine Tree when Megan A. McQuiller, 32, of Lebanon, failed to stop at a stop sign at 11:40 a.m. and her eastbound 1998 Oldsmobile SUV struck a westbound 2003 Ford Taurus driven by Ruby M. French, 48, of Dixon, totaling both vehicles and causing them to overturn after running off the right side of the roadway. Both drivers suffered moderate injuries. McQuiller’s SUV had six passengers, all from Lebanon: Sean B. Condon, 25, and Heather M. Shackelford, 18, both suffered serious injuries and were airlifted; Devon M. Ferry, 20, William Handcock, and Deborah B. McQuiller, 14, suffered moderate injuries; Troy D. Lay, 19, suffered only minor injuries. Later that afternoon, Judy S. Hueppelsheuer, 59, of Crocker, had been driving her 2002 Jeep northbound on Highway 133 at Badger Road to the east of Swedeborg when she ran off the roadway at 2:38 p.m. and overturned, suffering moderate injuries. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Towing personnel remove a rollover wreck.
Driver swerves to avoid dog, crashes 30 feet down cliff into oncoming lane WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 25, 2012) — A driver swerving to avoid a dog on Interstate 44 lost control of his vehicle and careened down a cliff from the eastbound to the westbound lanes Saturday afternoon at mile marker 158.8 between Waynesville and Saint Robert, totaling his vehicle but suffering only minor injuries. Troopers reported that Terin M. Williams, 17, of Waynesville, had been driving a 1998 Audi when he swerved at 1:30 p.m. to avoid the dog, overcorrected, ran off the left side of the roadway, overturned several times down the steep embankment, and landed on its top. In unrelated incidents, state troopers arrested Adria V. Weakley, 27, of Dixon, and Colton J. Belk, 19, of Dixon, on traffic charges, and Paul H. Schroeder, 32, of Richland, on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Rollover wrecks two Dixon vehicles DIXON, Mo. (Feb. 23, 2012) — A Thursday afternoon rollover crash wrecked two vehicles south of Dixon and caused minor injuries to both drivers, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. Troopers reported that Maranda F. Bowling, 16, of Dixon, had been driving a 1998 Dodge westbound on Highway 28 about two miles south of Dixon at 3:15 p.m. when she struck a northbound 1999 Ford driven by Amanda D. Fruchey, 21, also of Dixon, causing the Ford to run off the right side of the roadway and overturn. In unrelated incidents, state troopers outside Pulaski County arrested Nathan M. Gladback, 30, of St. Robert, and John E. Randolph, 36, of Laquey, on various charges. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Dawn Perry
Dixon woman arrested on drug charges DIXON, Mo. (Feb. 20, 2012) — A Dixon woman faces felony drug charges, Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman announced Monday afternoon. Dawn Perry, 32, was arrested on Thursday evening after a deputy conducting routine patrol on Maries County Road 627 noticed what he believed to be a suspicious vehicle, eventually conducting a traffic stop on Highway BB for “numerous traffic violations” that led to her arrest on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Sunday crash injures Dixon woman DIXON, Mo. (Feb. 20, 2012) — A two-vehicle Sunday morning crash on Highway 28 damaged both vehicles and caused minor injuries to one passenger. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Raymond L. Bullock, 93, of Dixon, had been driving his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado northbound about a mile south of Dixon at 10:30 a.m. when he struck a 2009 Ford F-150 pickup in the rear end driven by Don L. Shackleford, 74, of Dixon, who was facing northbound and had slowed to make a right turn. Neither driver was hurt but Rexanna A. Shackleford, 73, also of Dixon and a passenger in the pickup, suffered minor injuries. In an unrelated incident, troopers arrested Christopher M. Carrig, 28, of Richland, on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Richard Baptiste speaks with community leaders.
Richard Baptiste named Citizen of the Year for Salvation Army volunteer role PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 18, 2012) — Paul’s Furniture owner Richard Baptiste is the newest recipient of the Citizen of the Year award issued by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. Other award recipients were the Pulaski County Health Department as organization of the year, Ron Selfors from the University of Missouri Technology Park on Fort Leonard Wood as volunteer of the year, and Melissa Shelden and Betsy Thomson in a tie as chamber ambassadors of the year. “Those that know me best will tell you that I wasn’t planning on standing up here tonight; I didn’t prepare anything to say,” Baptiste said, citing the Pulaski County service unit of the Salvation Army which nominated him for the award as “one of the best organizations I’ve ever been a part of.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Sgt. Sandra Coast aims her rifle during basic training.
51-year-old mother holds her own during basic combat training FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Feb. 16, 2012) — This morning, Sgt. Sandra Coast will graduate from Basic Combat Training on Fort Leonard Wood, officially beginning her Army career — at 51 years old. According to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, the average age for an Army Reserve recruit is about 23, making Coast one of the oldest people to go through Basic Combat Training. “Everybody in the world thinks I am a total nutcase,” Coast said. “I just want to support our troops. I love all of them.” From 1982 to 1993, Coast devoted her life to the U.S. Navy. She gave up her lifestyle as a sailor to raise her son, Jeff, who ironically led her back to the military she left behind years ago. “When Jeff graduated high school, he joined the Marine Corps. When I was at the recruiter’s office with my son, I walked into the Army recruiting office and said ‘I want to join,’” Coast said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Melissa Buckley/Army Public Affairs
Waynesville school embezzlement case turned over to state prosecutors WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 16, 2012) — Pulaski County Prosecutor Kevin Hillman announced Thursday morning that he’s handing a Waynesville school embezzlement case over to the Missouri attorney general’s office for appointment of a special prosecutor. The request to turn the case over to the state attorney general’s office was confirmed by Circuit Judge Tracy Storie, the presiding judge of the 25th Judicial Circuit, within the last week, according to prosecutor’s office staff. Multiple independent sources have confirmed that the subject of the investigation is a former local official who has served on numerous elected and appointed government boards, and was an employee of the Waynesville R-VI School District but not a member of the Waynesville school board. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Rep. David Day
State legislators work together to address veterans’ home funding issue JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 15, 2012) — Rep. David Day, R-Dixon, and Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, are pleased to announce the filing of legislation in the Missouri House and Senate providing vital funding to the state’s veterans homes. Faced with the closure of homes if the necessary funding wasn’t found, Day and Munzlinger worked together to craft a bill that balances all of the interests involved. Day’s state house district includes Fort Leonard Wood. Munzlinger’s state senate district includes Whiteman Air Force Base. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of Rep. David Day
Wednesday crash wrecks Jeep LAQUEY, Mo. (Feb. 15, 2012) — An early Wednesday morning crash wrecked a Jeep and moderately injured Robert P. Snyder, 20, of Waynesville. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Snyder had been driving eastbound about five miles west of Laquey when his 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee ran off the left side of Highway AB at 12:40 a.m., overcorrected, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Fire wrecked this porch on a Devil's Elbow home Sunday night.
Blaze damages Devil's Elbow home DEVIL’S ELBOW, Mo. (Feb. 14, 2012) — A Sunday night porch fire caused an estimated $35,000 damage to a home off Highway Z, according to Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko. Yurecko said firefighters were called at 8:27 p.m. to a blaze on the 21000 grid of Teahouse Lane, located across from the former clubhouse of the Wingmen motorcycle club, and upon arrival found the porch heavily involved in fire when they arrived 10 minutes later. “It was extinguished pretty quick but we had some hot spots in the attic where the fire had gotten into the eaves,” Yurecko said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
CWO2 Michael Morgan
Missouri National Guard's only engineer warrant officer gets promoted FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo.(Feb. 14, 2012) — Michael Morgan, of Ashland, was recently promoted from the rank of warrant officer to chief warrant officer 2 in the Missouri Army National Guard. Morgan has been with the Missouri National Guard for more than 13 years. He is a construction engineer technician with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood. In his job he provides quality control on projects and provides technical guidance to commanders on engineering practices. Morgan earned the promotion through his commitment to his craft, said Lt. Col. John Findley, administrative officer for the 35th Engineer Brigade. “He is the only engineer warrant officer in the Missouri National Guard,” Findley said. “For his specific job, he is the only one qualified in the whole state to my knowledge.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Sidewalks create questions for planned small subdivision in Waynesville WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 14, 2012) — Members of the Waynesville Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday evening to recommend approval of a preliminary plat converting an old trailer court off Risky Road on the south side of Interstate 44 into single-family housing lots, but not before a long discussion about whether sidewalks should be required. The new development will be known as Oaklawn Subdivision and is currently zoned R-2 for duplexes or other multifamily developments. “That served that trailer park years back,” said Mitch McDonald, the city building official. “It’s just a shade over two acres, it’s subdivided into seven lots — that’s just a recent change since I sent this out — and these overhead power lines… have to be removed before we will approve the final plat.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Swedeborg school board members agreed to remove this trailer for $1.
Swedeborg OKs selling classroom trailer for $1, free removal by buyer SWEDEBORG, Mo. (Feb. 14, 2012) — After months of trying to sell a trailer once used for a preschool program, members of the Swedeborg R-III School Board agreed Tuesday evening to sell the trailer to an area resident for $1, pending review by a lawyer of removal arrangements. “We advertised and kept this open pretty much all fall,” said Superintendent Joe Dunlop. “We have the option of acting on that or we have the option of extending the time, whatever the board would like to do.” Dunlop said all costs associated with the trailer removal would have to be paid by the purchaser with no financial liability by the school board. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Two hurt in separate Tuesday wrecks ROBY/DEVIL’S ELBOW, Mo. (Feb. 14, 2012) — Two Tuesday morning crashes damaged three vehicles and injured two people, one seriously. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Michael Hooks, 20, of Fort Leonard Wood, was driving his 2008 Jeep Wrangler southbound on Highway 17 at 9:55 a.m. about a quarter-mile north of Roby when he ran off the left side of the roadway, struck a culvert, overturned twice, totaled his vehicle, and was airlifted with serious injuries. Earlier in the morning, Jamie W. Shipton, 29, of Overland, suffered minor injuries when he attempted to change lanes at mile marker 167 of eastbound Interstate 44 at 5:15 a.m. and his 2010 Ford Transit struck the rear of the towed unit of a 2005 International semi truck driven by John W. Ross, 72, of Springfield. Ross was not hurt. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
All area schools closed Monday, but Fort Leonard Wood remains open PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 13, 2012) — All area schools in the Fort Leonard Wood area closed Monday morning, but Fort Leonard Wood is maintaining regular operations though a liberal leave policy is in effect for those who can’t make it to work at their scheduled reporting times. Numerous crashes have been reported around Pulaski County, including a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department patrol car on Longview Road off Highway 17 leading to the Shalom Mountain and Northern Heights Estates residential subdivisions, with other crashes on Highway 28 north of Saint Robert. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt seeks federal funds for county-maintained off-system bridges WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 13, 2012) — U.S. Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania introduced an amendment to S. 1813, the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act,” today to establish a dedicated revenue stream through the Off-System Bridge Program for bridges that are not on federal-aid or the National Highway System. In a state like Missouri where bridges are extremely prevalent, the Off-System Bridge Program is an important tool for counties and county commissioners to address their off-system bridge needs. Approximately one in every six Missouri bridges is classified as deficient. The Blunt/Casey amendment would ensure that counties are not left bearing the full responsibility of the cost. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Monday rollovers wreck four vehicles PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 13, 2012) — Wintry weather on Monday closed all area schools and contributed to numerous minor crashes and slideoffs as well as at least four crashes causing injuries. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, the morning’s first crash happened near the Gasconade River bridge when David M. Simpson, 51, of Dixon, was driving westbound in his 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, lost control on an ice-covered roadway, ran off the left side of Highway 28, struck a sign and then continued down an embankment before overturning, suffering minor injuries and totaling his vehicle. A wreck on Highway 133 between Dixon and Hancock totaled the pickup of Michael D. Fateley, 34, of Dixon, causing him serious injuries when his 2001 Dodge Dakota slid off the left side of the roadway and struck a large tree. A crash near a residential subdivision on Highway T north of Waynesville blocked traffic while emergency personnel cleared a rollover wreck. In the afteroon, Reinaldo Santiago, 19, of Waynesville, had been driving his 2008 Chevrolet PC southbound on Highway T when he slid off the right side of the roadway at 2:30 p.m., struck a culvert and overturned, causing minor injuries to his his passenger, Kari L. Duncan, 19, also from Waynesville. Later that evening, Joseph E. Roberts, 54, of Brockway, Penn., had been driving eastbound at 6:20 p.m. when he lost control of his 2003 Dodge pickup on the snow-slicked roadway near Hazelgreen, struck a guardrail, then struck a median cable and overturned, totaling the vehicle and causing minor injuries to Roberts and his passenger, Deborah J. Roberts, 57, also of Brockway. In an unrelated incident, troopers arrested Caroline A. Loughridge, 21, of Rolla, at 12:40 a.m. Saturday on outstanding warrants. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Chief Master Sgt. Laura Clark
Missouri Air National Guard gets first woman in top enlisted position JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 9, 2012) - The Missouri National Guard has selected a new state command chief master sergeant to serve as the senior enlisted Airman for the Missouri Air National Guard. "Chief Master Sgt. Laura L. Clark, of O'Fallon, was selected from a pool of applicants from across the state," said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. "It was a tough decision because of some very well-qualified applicants, but we are confident Chief Master Sgt. Clark will do an outstanding job as our state command chief," Danner said. "She brings a wealth of experience to the position and a distinguished career in security forces." Clark, the Missouri Air National Guard's first female state command chief, has big goals for the position. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Maj. Tamara Spicer/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Waynesville driver wrecks near Dixon WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 9, 2012) — A Thursday morning wreck north of Dixon totaled a Waynesville driver’s car and caused him moderate injuries, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. Troopers reported that Joseph K. Smith, 57, had been driving his 1994 Ford Taurus westbound on Highway 28 about a sixth of a mile before Maries County Road 509 when he ran off the right side of the roadway at 8:30 a.m., struck a telephone pole, continued travelling through two fences, and came to rest off the roadway. In an unrelated incident, state troopers arrested Oleta M. Taylor, 49, of Waynesville, at 10:33 a.m. Tuesday on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
55th Mobility Augmentation Company back from Afghanistan on Superbowl Sunday FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Feb. 7, 2012) – More than 90 soldiers with the 55th Mobility Augmentation Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, were greeted by family members, friends, and comrades who filled the gymnasium at the welcome home ceremony held at Davidson Fitness Center, Feb. 5. The 55th MAC returned from Afghanistan after their 12-month deployment where the company conducted route clearance operations. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sgt. Kelly Malone/Army Public Affairs
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt says Romney will be Republican nominee despite Santorum's win WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7, 2012) — In light of tonight's presidential primary results in Missouri, please consider the following statement from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt: "I congratulate my friend Rick Santorum on his win tonight, but the fact remains that this is a non-binding primary, meaning Missouri's delegates are still very much up for grabs. Mitt Romney has the organization and the resources to go the distance in this election, and I believe he'll ultimately win our party's nomination..." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Dixon woman crashes car on election night south of town on Highway 28 DIXON, Mo. (Feb. 7, 2012) — An election night crash wrecked the car of a Dixon woman. Troopers reported that Lydia C. Roberson, 19, had been driving northbound on Highway 28 about a mile south of Dixon when she lost control of her 2004 Mitsubishi on a wet roadway at 6:55 p.m., crossed the center line, left the roadway and struck a ditch, suffering moderate injuries. In unrelated incidents reported by state troopers, Jeremy B. Shepard, 18, of Laquey, was arrested Thursday on a misdemeanor warrant, and two people, Tonya M. Collins, 46, of Falcon, and Vernon L. Redmond, 46, of Lebanon, were arrested on Thursday and Sunday on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Volunteers help wheel in ballots Tuesday night
ELECTION RESULTS: Pulaski County Presidential Preference Primary PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 7, 2012) — Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum was the blowout winner of the Pulaski County precincts for Tuesday's presidential preference primary, gathering more than 60 percent of the votes, more than double his closest competitor. While numerous candidates are on the ballot, the active Republican candidates are Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, Rick Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, and Ron Paul, a Texas congressman. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich did not file the necessary paperwork to get his name on the ballot for the Missouri primary. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler marks 'Thank a Farmer' day by supporting kids working on farms WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7, 2012) — As America observes 'Thank a Farmer Week' Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler is calling on the Department of Labor to withdraw its new regulations restricting the jobs young people can do on American farms. The new rules are ill-conceived and run contrary to common sense as it pertains to growing up on the farm. "Under proper adult supervision, young farmers are learning the skills they need to feed America's growing population in the future," said Hartzler. "These new rules would make it very difficult for young men and women to gain the experience with livestock and machinery that today's farming world demands." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Roy Clarence Hall
Crocker man with half-dozen drug charges had long prior court record CROCKER, Mo. (Feb. 6, 2012) — Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Crocker man with at least six outstanding Miller County drug warrants on Saturday, according to Pulaski County Sheriff J.B. King. Roy Clarence Hall, 52, who lives on the 2500 block of Highway 17, faces two Class C felony charges and four Class D felony charges of drug possession or manufacturing methamphetamine, King said in a statement issued Monday; he’s being held in the Miller County jail in lieu of a $90,000 bond, after having been held from Saturday until Monday in the Pulaski County Jail.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Don Bordwell and Chris Purvis
Bordwell, Purvis seek votes in new district including southern Pulaski HOUSTON, Mo. (Feb. 4, 2012) — Pulaski County’s rapid population growth means that the district now served by outgoing State Rep. David Day, R-Dixon, will likely be divided into three different districts. While the central part of the county is grouped into a single district centered on Waynesville, Saint Robert, and the northern part of Fort Leonard Wood and the northern part of the county from Richland to Dixon is now grouped with Rolla to form one district, voters in the southern part of Fort Leonard Wood and the Highway 28 corridor from Saint Robert to the Gasconade River will join the Big Piney precinct which was already part of a state representative district based in Texas County. While those boundaries could change based on court challenges, two candidates have announced so far for District 142, centered in Texas County: Don Bordwell of Evening Shade not far from Fort Leonard Wood’s south gate and Chris Purvis of Houston. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
County Treasurer Sue Rapone currently mails tax checks.
Direct deposit of tax payments coming soon to Pulaski County taxing entities PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Feb. 2, 2012) — When County Treasurer Sue Rapone finished her bookkeeping and mailed tax checks on the last week of January, she had to prepare and mail about 30 different checks to different taxing entities. The largest recipients of property tax money are the school districts, but cities, libraries, fire districts and other special boards also receive tax money processed by Rapone’s office in the county courthouse. The current procedure of mailing checks which in some cases total hundreds of thousands of dollars will soon change to direct deposit into recipient bank accounts, she said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Bev Thomas
Tree troubles create concerns for Waynesville in Old Farm Estates WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 2, 2012) — Following a petition by area businesswoman Beverly Thomas and her neighbors regarding acceptance of a private road in the Old Farm Estates subdivision, members of the Waynesville Road and Grounds Committee agreed to consider the request but noted that many of the trees that would be in the city’s right-of-way may have to be knocked down. While residents once valued their tree-lined road, Thomas said other factors have now become important. “I’m not as worried about that as I was back then; I’m worried about the safety of the people back there. It’s an aging community and they feel they need easy access to emergency services,” Thomas said. “Everybody here has prospered considerably and I felt like maybe you were in a position financially to help us with this situation.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Waynesville begins plans for paving, upcoming summer road repair work WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 2, 2012) — It’s time for Waynesville officials to decide what streets should be repaired and repaved, and at Thursday afternoon’s meeting of the Waynesville Road and Grounds Committee, council members took preliminary steps toward producing a street repair list which won’t overspend Waynesville’s budget. “We’re going to get input from the committee on what roads you’d like to consider; you do not have to make a decision at this time,” said City Administrator Bruce Harrill, who said he personally drove all streets that had been suggested by Road Supervisor Brian Adams. Harrill said Councilwoman Luge Hardman had to leave before the committee could consider the road repaving question, but had a list of suggested streets including Skyline, Hillside, and Jared. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Waynesville police may soon expand force of unpaid reserve officers WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Feb. 2, 2012) — Police Chief Bob Carter reported Thursday afternoon that he plans to increase the number of reserve officers from 10 to 15 and that the process of personnel evaluations is underway in the police department. “The corporals and the sergeant do the line officers, the assistant chief does the corporals, the sergeant, and I do him and my administration, and of course (City Administrator Bruce) Harrill does mine,” Carter said at Thursday’s meeting of the Waynesville Emergency Services and Police Committee. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Two hurt by crash near Dixon DIXON, Mo. (Feb. 1, 2012) — A single-vehicle crash near the Pulaski-Maries county line injured two Dixon residents Wednesday morning. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Matthew A. Blythe, 18, had been driving eastbound on Highway 28 in Maries County about six miles east of Dixon at 9:25 a.m. when he ran his 2003 Ford Escape off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Blythe had been wearing his seatbelt and suffered only minor injuries but his passenger, Eunice K. Blythe, 39, had not been wearing a seatbelt and suffered moderate injuries. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Hartzler says she'll fight defense cuts, any new base closure efforts SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — When Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced plans to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from the Department of Defense based on spending cuts proposed by President Barack Obama, he touched off concern in communities outside most of America’s military installations, including Fort Leonard Wood. When Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler came to Pulaski County on Monday for a roundtable forum with local business owners, local leaders weren’t in agreement on whether Fort Leonard Wood stands to gain or lose if the federal government begins a new round of Base Realignment and Closure cuts. “I think one of he biggest things in our area that I’m hearing everybody talk about is the downsizing of the military,” said Loretta Rouse, Pulaski County’s public administrator and co-owner with her husband of the local Sears franchise. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Local bankers, business leaders, urge looser rules for home lending SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — When Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler came to town for a Monday afternoon business roundtable meeting on how to improve the local economy, many of her questions came from bankers and those involved in commercial and residential development who deal with lending regulations. Waynesville Mayor Cliff Hammock, who recently retired as Fort Leonard Wood’s chief financial officer and is now running for a state representative seat covering Waynesville, St. Robert, and part of Fort Leonard Wood, led off the discussion with a question about housing issues. “On average our housing depreciation in our area is not quite the national average, but I’m hearing that over the last 12 months, our housing depreciation is about 20 percent; I’ve heard that from some of our realtors,” Hammock said. “More housing is out there on the market and it’s taking more time to turn them over. Where are we headed in the housing market?” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Maries sheriff hunting for white Dodge Stratus that crashed through yard DIXON, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — Do you know someone driving a damaged white Dodge Stratus? If so, Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman wants to hear from you. Heitman announced Sunday that his deputies investigated a property damage crash on Highway 28 near Dixon in which a vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree near a residence, then drove through the yard. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Staff Sgt. Jared Stewart works as an employee assistance NCO.
Missouri Guardsman helps fellow servicemembers seeking civilian jobs JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — Many servicemembers across the country are struggling with finding employment, but one Missouri Army National Guard soldier is dedicated to helping those in need find jobs. “There are a lot of unemployed service members and it’s hard to find a job right now,” said Staff Sgt. Jared Stewart, an employee assistance noncommissioned officer at the Ike Skelton Training Site. When servicemembers go to Stewart looking for job-hunting assistance, they can expect to receive assistance in a variety of ways. “I help them prepare for interviews, help with resumes, and even job placement” said Stewart. “I can also put together an information packet on companies to give to the inquiring servicemember. Preparation is key in getting people jobs.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Sheriff J.B. King
Pulaski Sheriff’s View #5 for January 30 to February 3, 2012 We had an interesting development this past week. We received a tip in a case we are working, but the tip came from a person in the state of California and was sent to us via our tip line on the Pulaski County Sheriff’s website. This is our new winner as the longest distance tip we have ever received. We have examined the information provided by the person and it appears to be valid. I may get to post a follow up paragraph in a future Sheriff’s View and tell you what happed with the tip. I just checked our Pulaski County Sheriff’s website and became person number 22,034 to do so. I find that number almost unbelievable considering the short time frame we have had the website up and running. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff J.B. King
Richard Baptiste asked Rep. Vicky Hartzler for help revising federal rules.
Strict federal ADA, EPA, OSHA rules don't make sense, local leaders say SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — When Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler came to Pulaski County for a roundtable forum with local business owners, new rules involving the Americans with Disability Act and environmental regulations took top billing on the list of business complaints about federal interference. Steve Ehrhardt, whose company owns six of the hotels in St. Robert, said compliance with Americans with Disability Act requirements is causing problems for his business. “We are trying to make reasonable improvements to our property,” Ehrhardt said. “The rules themselves, you can eventually get to them. The challenge is, it’s impossible to read the law and interpret it. You can give it to 10 different attorneys and get 10 different responses on what you’re actually required to do.” Richard Baptiste from Paul’s Furniture said a disgruntled employee turned his business in to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which required 22 changes. Some he didn’t have a problem implementing, Baptiste said, but others made no sense. “They were going to do an eight hour class on teaching employees how to duck walk,” Baptiste said. “They did it at Tyson Manufacturing because they had a problem with the floors all getting wet.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Three hurt in two Monday crashes PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — Three area residents were injured Monday in two separate one-vehicle wrecks. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, January D. Mennemeyer, 20, of Saint Robert, had been driving northbound on Superior Road a mile south of Waynesville at 1:40 p.m. when she failed to negotiate a curve and her 2003 Mercury Sable went off the right side of the roadway, striking a bridge, and totaling the her vehicle. January Mennemeyer and her passenger, Melinda S. Mennemeyer, 19, of Waynesville, both suffered moderate injuries. Later Monday evening, Jerry L. Rupple, 50, of Dixon, wrecked an antique motorcycle while driving his 1954 Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Highway 42 about four miles east of St. Anthony. He lost control at 7:20 p.m., ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch, suffering moderate injuries. In unrelated incidents, state troopers arrested Tania A. Gordley, 44, of Wentzville, on Tuesday, and Brent L. Dover, 45, of Waynesville, on Saturday, on speeding charges; arrested Lance N. Townsend, 31, and Chris N. Rude, 54, both of Waynesville, on charges Saturday including drunk driving, and arrested Michael A. Sauls, 28, of Crocker, on Sunday and Matthew D. Romine, 38, of Crocker, on Monday on outstanding warrants. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Unemployment, welfare rules harm poor people, Hartzler told Monday SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 30, 2012) — When Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler met nearly three dozen local business leaders for a “business roundtable” next to the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce, discussion led off with a positive note: the county’s unemployment rate is 7.5 percent. “I knew you were positioned better than other places in the Fourth District,” Hartzler said. “Certainly being near the Fort is very helpful, but seven percent is still citizen’s lives, so we can always do better… I wanted to come basically to listen to you and glean from you what are some of your insights on the issues that are preventing job creation or harming job creation, or more importantly, what we can be doing or I can be doing in Washington, D.C., to help make it easier for you to grow your businesses, to expand, to create jobs.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Real estate agent Glen Popejoy (center) reviews Hunters Point records with county officials.
Commissioners concerned that nobody knows who owns Hunters Point road PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 26, 2012) — Neither the county commissioners nor local real estate agent Glen Popejoy know who owns Select Road in the Hunters Point area, but at Monday morning’s commission meeting, County Clerk Brent Bassett and Eastern District Commissioner Bill Farnham said they’re quite sure the county has no record of accepting the road from developer Jerry Laughlin for maintenance. “There is no road maintenance agreement anywhere; in fact they don’t even recognize Select Lane even exists,” Popejoy said. “Nobody knows. There’s nothing recorded anywhere that references Select Lane.” Presiding Commissioner Gene Newkirk wasn’t happy learning that a veteran can’t sell his house because it’s not clear who owns the road to his house. “There’s a right and a wrong, and that’s a wrong, and I’ll stand behind that,” Newkirk said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Registration open for 2012 Best Sapper Competition at Fort Leonard Wood FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 26, 2012) – Applications for engineers wanting the title of Best Sapper are now being accepted. The three-day competition is open to Army Soldiers serving in the 12-series career field or for any Soldier who wears a Sapper tab. “We encourage all qualified teams to come out and compete in the competition. Competing will make you a better Sapper and a better leader,” said Capt. John Chambers, Sapper Leader Course chief of training. The Best Sapper Competition began in 2005 as a means for engineers to show off their skills. Sappers compete in a variety of events, testing them to their mental and physical breaking point. The events include events like a demo exam, a ruck march and land navigation. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Melissa Buckley/Army Public Affairs
Sheriff J.B. King
Pulaski Sheriff’s View #4 for January 23 to 27, 2012 For the past several years, we have been swamped with numerous cases of severe child abuse, sexual abuse of a child and so forth. These are serious cases that require deputies to have special training in order to do an adequate job during the investigation. With our constant employee turnover, we have lost several trained people and are trying to get a few more deputies trained. The end result was that we had many cases waiting for further investigation. In an effort to relieve this problem, we have formed what I call the Pulaski County Special Victims Unit or PCSVU to handle these more serious cases. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff J.B. King
Two hurt in separate Sunday wrecks WAYNESVILLE/FALCON, Mo. (Jan. 23, 2012) — Two separate one-vehicle weekend wrecks caused minor injuries on Sunday to area drivers travelling near but not inside Pulaski County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Bradley D. Smith, 30, of Falcon, had been driving eastbound on Highway 32 at Primrose Drive in Laclede County when his 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche ran off the road at 12:30 a.m. and struck a culvert before coming to rest. Later Sunday evening, troopers reported that Elizabeth A. Sutton, 20, of Waynesville, totaled her vehicle driving westbound near Rolla on Interstate 44 at mile marker 182 when she lost control of her 2002 Mitsubishi at 5:52 p.m., ran off the left side of the roadway, and struck the cable barrier, with her vehicle coming to rest in the roadway. In an unrelated incident reported by state troopers: Teresa O. Davis, 29, of Waynesville, was arrested at 8:52 p.m. Monday in Laclede County on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Crocker man hurt in Thursday crash CROCKER, Mo. (Jan. 19, 2012) — A one-vehicle crash Thursday night wrecked a Crocker man’s car. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Jason D. Clark, 33, had been driving westbound on Broadway Road about a half-mile west of the city limits when he ran his 2002 Kia off the right side of the road at 7:50 p.m. and struck a fence, suffering minor injuries. In an unrelated incident, Amy K. Gould, 43, of St. Charles, was arrested at 12:32 p.m. Tuesday on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Many candidates face no opponent PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 18, 2012) — Final candidate information released Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning by city councils, school boards and special districts shows that two of the area’s seven school districts and one of the county’s two ambulance districts won’t be holding elections this April. State law allows school boards and special districts, but not city councils, to avoid the expense of the April 3 election if the same number of candidates file for office as are to be elected. For area boards, that means no elections for the Swedeborg R-III School Board, Crocker R-II School Board or Dixon Ambulance Board. Several cities will hold elections but those races won’t be contested elections unless someone runs a write-in campaign. Those races are in Crocker, St. Robert, and the Pulaski County Health Board, as well as several individual wards in Richland, Waynesville and Dixon. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Richland gets extra school candidates, not enough in race for city council RICHLAND, Mo. (Jan. 18, 2012) — Voters in Richland have an unusual problem: not enough candidates filed for election to the city council, which means one slot will have to be filled by a write-in campaign and the other two wards have candidates running unopposed. The Richland R-IV School Board has more candidates than needed. As of Wednesday morning, school officials reported that both incumbents, Jerry Pemberton and Elizabeth Warren, are seeking re-election to their three-year terms. Two new candidates, Michael Williams and Donald Decker, are also seeking school board seats. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Dixon marshal, school, city races have longest list of local candidates DIXON, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — As is often the case, city and school elections in Dixon generated more candidates than any other area election, based on candidate filings reported Tuesday evening. For the first time in two decades, Marshal Cliffty Yoakum won’t be on the ballot seeking re-election. Sgt. Mike Plummer is being challenged by James Eddleman, Scott Jones, John Ward, and John McNeil. On the Dixon R-I School Board, incumbents Troy Porter and Craig Rivera both filed for re-election to their three-year terms with challengers Steven Roberson, Marion Jim Anderson, Cesar Salais, and Jim Campbell; Kevin Shepherd was appointed to fill a vacancy and is being challenged for election to a one-year unexpired term by Melinda Cruey and Jim Alexander. The only other contested Dixon race is on the city council where Ward I Alderman Steven Martin didn’t file for re-election; Jeffrey Clark and Linda Hardesty seeking that seat.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Russell Strand
FLW Army expert receives national recognition for fighting sex crimes QUANTICO, Va. (Jan. 17, 2012) — A military professional from the U.S. Army law enforcement community will be recognized in a big way this April for his significant contributions in combating sexual assault and violence against women. Russell Strand, a retired U.S. Army CID Special Agent and the current chief of the Family Advocacy Law Enforcement Training Division at the U.S Army Military Police School (USAMPS), has been selected by the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) International Board of Directors to receive the 2012 Visionary Award. “Russ and the DoD have done an incredible amount of work in a short amount of time combating sexual assault and violence against women,” said Joanne Archambault, the executive director of EVAW International and a 23-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department. “We have never seen that kind of change in a civilian community and I just wish more people would recognize that fact.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Colby Hauser/CID Public Affairs
Firefighters kept this blaze confined to one room but were unable to save the resident.
Gospel Ridge blaze kills resident SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — A Monday night blaze in the Gospel Ridge area north of St. Robert killed a man who was trapped inside the trailer. The 55-year-old man was personally known to Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko, but his name has not yet been released due to difficulty in contacting next-of-kin. Yurecko said neighbors on the 15000 grid of Hardin Road called in the fire at 9:42 p.m. Firefighters arrived at 9:52 p.m. and were able to put out the blaze within minutes, but that wasn’t fast enough to save the man inside. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Last-day filings create races for ambulance board, Plato school board PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — Ambulance district races are usually quiet and often don’t have an election because only the same number of candidates file as are to be elected. The Dixon Ambulance District won't need an election, but two seats are up for election this year in the Pulaski County Ambulance District with only Crocker subdistrict candidate Josh Hall filing until this week. As of Monday it appeared the district wouldn’t have to have an election at all; Layne Lercher was the only candidate to file for the Waynesville subdistrict. Things changed on Tuesday, the last day of filing, when two more candidates turned in their papers: Joe Krill in Waynesville and Daniel Salveter in Crocker. In the Plato R-V School District, which includes a large population south of Fort Leonard Wood, incumbent Penny Morrison and challenger Tina Routh were joined on the last day of filing by incumbent board member Mike Friend and another challenger, David Hall, making a four-way race for two positions. The Laquey R-V School Board will also have a four-way race between incumbent board president Larry Southard and three challengers, Linda Storie who filed last month and two later candidates, Barbara White and Patrick Sanders. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Major construction continues coming into St. Robert, city officials report SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — More major construction is on its way to the area, according to Lyle Thomas, the planning administrator for the city of St. Robert. At Tuesday evening’s city council meeting, Thomas told the aldermen that the city continued to grow with more than $14.3 million in new construction in 2011. That increase of $658,000 from 2010 to 2011 brought the 2011 year to the highest total since 2005, he said, and includes 49 residential permits worth $6.6 million, ten commercial permits work $6.7 million, and 110 miscellaneous construction permits worth $923,000. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Traffic crashes declining in St. Robert, but costly ladder fire trucks aging SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — Police Chief Curtis Curenton told city council members Tuesday evening that aggressive traffic enforcement efforts appear to be succeeding. Fire Chief Doug Cage said his firefighters are also doing well, but cautioned that major expenses may soon be necessary to replace aging fire equipment. “We started the St. Robert traffic enforcement program about 18 months ago, and we saw a reduction of 13 percent in accident rates for 2011,” Curenton said. “That is a very positive number … even better than that, we have been fatality-free inside the city limits for two years now. Coach Nelson’s fatality was the last one we had in the city limits, and that was two and a half years ago.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
This new train signal will alert Misty Mountain drivers to oncoming trains.
Training traffic for the trains FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — Fort Leonard Wood officials have recently installed railroad crossing signals at the entrance to the Misty Mountain subdivision on Thunder Road located east of the city of Saint Robert. Fort Leonard Wood owns the right-of-way along this 18-mile section of railroad, known as the Fort Leonard Wood Spur. In an attempt to increase awareness and highlight the safety concerns, a solar operated set of lighted signals are now in operation at this crossing. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Jeff Maddy/Army Public Affairs
Waynesville council candidate Krill also running for two other elected posts WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2012) — Closing candidate filings on Tuesday evening showed no change in the candidate lists in Waynesville, with a two-way race for the city mayor between Luge Hardman and Adele Nickels, a three-way race between incumbent Herman Blau and challengers Nathan Purdome and Pam Anderson for two seats on the Waynesville R-VI School Board, and mostly quiet races for the city council with the only contested race in Ward III between incumbent Ed Conley and challengers Joe Krill and Richard Petitt. However, Krill, who filed weeks ago for the city council, has now filed for two additional positions, both on the last day of filing. He's seeking seats on the Pulaski County Ambulance District and Pulaski County Health Board.
Joe Krill, a frequent candidate from Ward III on the city council, has also filed for a two-way race for two positions on the Pulaski County Health Board and for a two-way race for one position on the Waynesville subdistrict on the Pulaski County Ambulance Board.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Richland races have extra school candidates, not enough for city council RICHLAND, Mo. (Jan. 16, 2012) — Voters in Richland will choose between four candidates running for the Richland R-IV School Board on April 3, but so far have no competition in city council seats. The two school incumbents, Elizabeth Warren and Jerry Pemberton, filed last month, as did challenger Michael Williams. More recently a fourth candidate, Donald Decker, decided to run for the three-year terms, school officials confirmed Monday morning. However, Ward I Alderman Roy Holler was the only incumbent to file for city council as of Friday, along with Ward III challenger Robert Lilly. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Texting totals vehicle in Saturday crash SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 16, 2012) — A Saturday evening crash involving text messages totaled a Newburg man’s vehicle and but caused him only minor injuries. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Robert D. Hathaway, 46, had been driving a 2005 Ford Freestar eastbound on Interstate 44 near St. Robert Exit 161 at 5:50 p.m. while he was texting when he ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail before coming to rest. In an unrelated incident, troopers arrested Bruce B. Warren, 55, of Richland, on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Spc. Kelly Arends works with a 10-kilowatt generator.
Guardsmen train to operate generators to respond to state power outages FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 14, 2012) — To help protect the state’s citizens in the event of power outages, members of the Missouri National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Engineer Brigade, spent part of their recent drill training to operate generators. In the last three years, the Guard has responded to three separate winter storms that have caused power outages. “State emergency duty is always looming in the winter months and it’s really important to get all the noncommissioned officers trained on generators so we can cover down on any mission where we are tasked for generator power,” said Sgt 1st Class Kevan Phillips, the company training and readiness noncommissioned officer. “This also enables those noncommissioned officers to train their subordinates at the section level on that piece of equipment and get licensed on it. So we are empowering those noncommissioned officers to go train their own people.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Pvt. Damian De Santiago, right, crawls under an obstacle.
Missouri National Guardsmen prepare for state’s first Air Assault Course FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 14, 2012) — The Missouri National Guard is scheduled to conduct its first Air Assault Course in late February at Camp Crowder, near Neosho. To help prepare its citizen-soldiers for the course that is among the Army’s most challenging, the Guard’s 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute recently held a one-day Pre-Air Assault Course at Fort Leonard Wood to give soldiers from across the state a glimpse at the physical and mental demands of the Air Assault Course. “They wanted to establish a course to train soldiers to make sure they are capable of the Air Assault Course,” said Master Sgt. Richard Burns, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the course. “Air Assault tends to be very physically demanding — it’s been quoted as being the 10 worst days in the Army next to Ranger school. So we want to set these soldiers up for success by doing this pre-course.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Adele Nickels challenges Luge Hardman for Waynesville mayor WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — Waynesville city and school races went from quiet to crowded as filing reopened in January. With little time left until filing closes Tuesday afternoon, former Waynesville Councilwoman Adele Nickels threw her hat in the ring Friday to challenge current Councilwoman Luge Hardman in the race to replace outgoing Mayor Cliff Hammock, who is running as a Republican for the state representative seat now held by outgoing Rep. David Day. The city's only other contested race is in Ward III where Councilman Ed Conley is being challenged by two candidates, Joe Krill and Richard Petitt. Two seats are open on the Waynesville R-VI School Board, currently held by Herman Blau and Randy Walters, and each running for three-year terms. Blau has filed but Walters has not done so; retired teacher Pam Anderson and local banker Nathan Purdome have now filed. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Citizen of the Year nominees announced by Chamber of Commerce PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — The Waynesville-Saint Robert Chamber of Commerce announced its citizen of the year nominees Friday, including Rick Morris, director of operations for Ehrhardt Properties in St. Robert; Don Tritten, board chairman of the Bank of Iberia; William Boone, pastor of Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church in St. Robert; Ellen Kay York, retired from Fort Leonard Wood civil service; Richard Baptiste, owner of Paul’s Furniture in St. Robert; and Lindall Mostajo, vice president and Fort Leonard Wood branch manager of Armed Forces Bank. All six have extensive volunteer backgrounds detailed in their nomination forms submitted by member businesses or organizations of the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce and included at the end of this article. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Four file for Laquey school board LAQUEY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — The Laquey R-V School Board race stayed quiet for most of December, but four candidates have now filed for two three-year positions and one of the incumbents hasn’t yet turned in her candidacy papers. Larry Southard, the current school board president, has been joined by retired Laquey Elementary School Principal Linda Storie and two more candidates, Barbara White and Patrick Sanders. So far, incumbent Mary Cristoffer hasn’t filed. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Many candidates file in Dixon races DIXON, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — As is often the case, races in Dixon for school and city offices have gathered more candidates than any other area community. Longtime Dixon City Marshal Cliffty Yoakum, the area's the last remaining elected head of a local city police department, is retiring and four candidates are seeking his job: Sgt. Mike Plummer, Yoakum’s second-in-command, and four former Dixon officers, John Ward, James Eddleman and Scott Jones. Jones ran against Yoakum four years ago and currently serves as chief of police in the city of Doolittle. On the Dixon R-I School Board, Kevin Shepherd was appointed to fill a one-year unexpired term when a board member resigned and is being challenged for that one-year term by two people, Melinda Cruey and Jim Alexander. Two other board members, Craig Alexander and Troy Porter, are being challenged for their three-year seats by Steven M. Roberson, Marion Jim Anderson, Cesar Salais and Jim Campbell. So far, there are no contested races for Dixon city council or the Dixon ambulance district.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Missouri National Guard moves from 37th to top 10 in state rankings JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — The Missouri National Guard has moved up in the ranks, according to a tool used by the National Guard Bureau to rate each state. “I am very proud of the leadership here in Missouri as we have driven individual soldier readiness and taken those metrics that the Guard Bureau judges us by and moved from 37th on the list when we started in 2009, to being in the top 10 today,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, Missouri’s adjutant general. The National Guard Bureau started using a readiness report card in spring 2011 to rate each state’s National Guard. The report card is broken down into three categories and is used to help decide the future force structure allocations for units within the states. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
City Clerk Debbie Adkins, Mayor George Sanders and Finance Director Edna Givens review documents
Saint Robert council holds special meeting to vacate old sewer easement SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — Meeting in special session Friday evening, St. Robert city council members approved a series of documents abandoning old utility easements on city-owned property that will eventually become St. Robert Landing between Missouri Avenue west and then north to St. Robert Boulevard. City Administrator Alan Clark explained that the former owners of the property had recorded a blanket easement for a sewer line that runs along the front half of a 12-acre property. “That perked to the surface. No improvements or sanitary sewer have ever been constructed,” Clark said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Snow-covered roads contribute to three area crashes on Thursday PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — Thursday’s snowfall led to three crashes causing injuries involving area residents. The only injury wreck in Pulaski County happened at 10:05 a.m. on Highway 133 about two miles north of Richland when, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Colleen G. Ous, 51, of Richland, was driving her 2002 Dodge northbound, lost control on the snow-covered roadway, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree, suffering moderate injuries. A few minutes later, a crash in Texas County on Highway 17 a mile north of Roby totaled a 2002 Ford truck but caused only minor injuries to its driver, Jerry R. Leininger, 59, of Plato, who had been driving northbound at 10:15 a.m. when he lost control on the snow-covered roadway, ran off the left side, and overturned, striking a tree. Outside the immediate area, a St. Robert woman extensively damaged her 2005 Ford Freestar minivan but suffered only minor injuries on Interstate 44 at mile marker 192.3 in Phelps County. Rebecca S. McGill, 30, had been driving her minivan westbound when she lost control on the ice-covered roadway at 8:10 a.m., ran off the right side of the interstate, struck the embankment twice, and came to rest. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Some races still have no candidates PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — While candidates are flocking to file in Dixon and most Pulaski County cities and school boards will have contested races, unless someone files Monday or Tuesday, Swedeborg, Plato, and Crocker school voters won’t have an election, Crocker voters won’t have any contested city council races, and voters in the Pulaski County Ambulance District, Pulaski County Health Board, and certain city council races in Richland and Dixon will have to select their candidates by write-ins on the ballot. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Waynesville schools on snow routes but all area districts holding classes PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 13, 2012) — Wintry weather on Thursday won’t be repeated today, and so far all area school districts appear to be holding classes today. However, bus drivers in the Waynesville R-VI School District will be running only on snow routes; click the attached link for a list of snow routes. As of 5 a.m., Fort Leonard Wood officials reported six accidents and said most on-post roads are in “amber” condition, with Fort Leonard Wood Route 25 in the cantonment area and Secondary Range Roads W, P, H, and PA in “red” condition. No facilities on post have been closed, however. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Former elected official investigated for $50,000 missing from school funds WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 12, 2012) — An official audit of financial records at the Waynesville R-VI School District shows that money has turned up missing from funds controlled out of the district administrative offices. However, Pulaski County Prosecutor Kevin Hillman denies reports in two media outlets, KY-3 television from Springfield and the Waynesville Daily Guide, that charges are imminent and may be filed today. Contacted Thursday morning, Hillman said he’s not sure where the media reports originated that his office had already decided to file charges or that the charges could be filed as early as today. School auditors have previously reported to the school board that the amount of money at issue would have been covered by the former employee’s financial bond, which means that the financial loss to the district, if any, would not be substantial. School officials have since estimated that what they’re calling a “misallocation” of funds involves approxmately $50,000. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Salvation Army exceeds fund goal PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 12, 2012) — Officials with the Pulaski County service unit of the Salvation Army have exceeded their fundraising goal by more than 50 percent. Gary Porter, chairman of the Pulaski County service unit, announced Thursday that the goal for the 2011 “Tree of Lights” campaign was $51,500, but the actual amount received was $80,168.28. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Waynesville schools on snow routes, all other area districts closed PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 12, 2012) — All area school districts except the Waynesville R-VI School District have cancelled classes today due to snow, and Waynesville buses will be running only on snow routes. The districts of the Frisco League including Laquey, Richland, Crocker, Dixon, and Plato, as well as the Swedeborg R-III School District, have all cancelled classes today. A link to the Waynesville snow routes is in the attached article. No Fort Leonard Wood facilities are closed and most roads are in amber condition. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Pulaski jurors won't report Thursday for Gipson criminal assault trial PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 11, 2012) — Jurors called to report Thursday for court in Pulaski County won’t need to appear, Circuit Court Clerk Rachelle Beasley announced Wednesday evening. The trial that had been scheduled involves Roger Matthew Gipson, 35, of Rolla, and was moved to Pulaski County on a change of venue from Phelps County. Gipson is charged with two felonies, second degree assault and first degree property damage. According to court records, Gipson’s jury trial had been set to begin tomorrow in Pulaski County before Circuit Judge Tracy Storie but on Wednesday was reset for a two-day jury trial beginning April 9 with an April 4 pretrial conference. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
County Clerk Brent Bassett will have his office open until 5 p.m. for voter registration today.
Registration deadline today for Missouri presidential primary election PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 11, 2012) — Iowans voted last week, New Hampshire residents voted yesterday, and for Missourians who plan to vote in the Feb. 7 presidential preference primary, today is the last day to register to vote. County Clerk Brent Bassett will be in his office today until 5 p.m. in the county courthouse to take registrations. It’s also possible to go to the website of the Missouri Secretary of State, download a voter registration form, and mail it to his office at 301 Old Route 66, Waynesville, MO 65583. Voter registration forms have to be postmarked today, however, to entitle new registrants to vote in the Feb. 7 primary. Any registration received in person today or mailed with a postmark after today won’t take effect until the April 3 municipal elections for city councils, school boards, and other special entities such as fire, ambulance and water districts. “If you intend to vote in that election, you have to be registered no later than today,” Bassett said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Christina Rhodenizer
Saint Robert department head stabbed during domestic violence incident PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 11, 2012) — The girlfriend of a Saint Robert city department head expected a wedding ring from her boyfriend Monday night, but instead she is in jail facing three felony charges. According to court reports, Christina Fay Rhodenizer, 33, stabbed her boyfriend at the home they shared outside Waynesville on Sedalia Road and was arrested by Pulaski County deputies on a Class A felony charge of first-degree domestic assault, an unclassified felony of armed criminal action, and a Class D felony of tampering with physical evidence. If convicted on all charges, she could spend up to 37 years in state prison with a minimum sentence of 10 years. While widely known and already reported by some local media, the name of the victim has been deleted from court records provided to media as a domestic violence victim. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Snipe Road wreck totals vehicle BUCKHORN, Mo. (Jan. 11, 2012) — Emergency personnel called to a Monday evening wreck on Snipe Road discovered that the driver, Kayla N. Phillips, was being transported by private vehicle and the crashed vehicle was being towed out by individuals at the scene. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Phillips, 18, of Richland, had been driving eastbound at 6:05 when she lost control of her 2000 Pontiac while negotiating a curve about two miles west of Buckhorn, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch, totaling her vehicle but suffering only minor injuries. In an unrelated incident reported by state troopers, John E. Batchler, 47, of Dixon, was arrested at 1:03 a.m. Wednesday on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Judge Colin Long
Long may see no Republican opponents in his campaign for circuit judge PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2012) — While numerous Republicans have declared themselves to be candidates for state and local office — at least six area Republicans are running for three different state representative seats, at least three are running for sheriff, and three have declared themselves candidates for Eastern District Commissioner — it’s not clear whether any Republicans are planning to run against the first local Democrat to publicly declare he’s running for office. Associate Circuit Judge Colin Long announced Monday that he’s running for circuit judge, a position once held by his father, Douglas E. Long. The 25th Judicial Circuit includes not only Pulaski County but also Phelps County, Texas County and Maries County. The post is now held by Circuit Judge Tracy Storie, who Long said plans to retire at the end of his current term in 2012. Contacted Tuesday, no local Republican lawyers said they plan to run against Long and none said they’re aware of any Republican judges or practicing attorneys in other counties of the four-county circuit who are considering a judicial campaign this year. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
The Missouri National Guard will now fly Apache Longbow helicopters.
Missouri Guard’s attack battalion transitions to Longbow Apache WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2012) — The Missouri National Guard’s 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion held a roll-out ceremony that officially transitioned the battalion to a AH-64D Apache Longbow unit. The battalion, overseen by the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade in Sedalia, has a rich history as an Army Aviation Battalion within the Missouri National Guard. The battalion has flown the UH-1 Huey, OH-58A/C Kiowa Warrior and the AH-1 Cobra. In 1999, the battalion was designated as one of eight National Guard battalions to receive the AH-64A Apache. In 2002, the first AH-64A helicopter arrived at Whiteman Air Force Base. In August 2009, the National Guard Bureau designated the battalion as the sixth Army National Guard Longbow battalion and began fielding it with aircraft in October 2011.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Rachel Knight/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Spc. Alexiss Petree flips a tire as part of the Unit Fitness Coordinator Course.
Missouri National Guard course focuses on creating physically fit soldiers FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2012) — Following the active Army component, the Missouri National Guard is pushing its soldiers to be more all-around physically fit as opposed to simply being able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. “The Army found that after 10 years of war, soldiers are getting broken,” said. Capt. Ken Huenink, Missouri Guard state fitness coordinator. “The injury rate for backs and knees was through the roof.” The Guard’s most recent Unit Fitness Coordinator Course focuses on this type of training to help get this new information back to its units. “A lot of it is about functional fitness,” Huenink said “It’s a more well-rounded approach. The whole mindset is changing.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Rep. David Day
Day seeks amendment to change state board of education membership JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 9, 2012) – State Rep. David Day (R-Dixon) has expressed concerns about a recent decision by Gov. Jay Nixon to place a hold on a contract which would provide for the installation of an interoperability system for first responders. The previous administration signed a contract with Motorola which would have given first responders in Missouri the ability to communicate from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The system would include local law enforcement, highway patrol, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel. Currently, the Highway Patrol’s radio system is nearly 50 years old. “This contract, which was already signed, would allow our local police and sheriff’s departments to communicate with law enforcement officials and emergency responders regardless of where they are,” Day said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of Rep. David Day
Three hurt in separate Sunday crashes PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 9, 2012) — Three separate single-vehicle Sunday wrecks injured the drivers, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. The worst of the three wrecks happened on Highway 17 when Lynda L. Maynard, 61, of Waynesville, was driving southbound at 2:45 p.m. in a 2003 Toyota about 3.5 miles north of Waynesville when she ran off the right side of the roadway, began sliding, struck a ditch and overturned, ejecting her, totaling her vehicle and causing serious injuries. Another vehicle was also totaled shortly before midnight on Highway 28 when Brandon L. Landsberg, 20, of Dixon, was driving his 2008 Ford southbound about five miles south of Dixon, lost control of his vehicle, ran off the right side of the roadway, ran off the left side, struck a ditch, then ran off the right side of the roadway before striking a fence and a tree. Landsberg suffered only minor injuries. Outside Pulaski County, a Saint Robert man, Jason P. Peace, 31, was jumping sand berms in an off-road vehicle area of St. Joseph State Park in St. Francois County when he lost control of his 2004 Honda 250R at 12:15 p.m. and suffered moderate injuries. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Crocker teen totals car Friday CROCKER, Mo. (Jan. 6, 2012) — A Crocker teenager totaled her car Friday afternoon in Miller County and suffered serious injuries. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. Kayla R. Cantrell, 19, had been driving her 2005 Pontiac southbound on Highway 17 about a quarter-mile south of Route F when she ran off the right side of the road at 2:27 p.m., struck an embankment, and overturned several times before landing on its top in the road. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
State Senator Dan Brown
Brown introduces bill to increase penalties for slow drivers in fast lane JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 5, 2012) — I'm sure you've seen it before: You're going down the highway and attempt to pass a slower car, only to be impeded by someone driving along in the passing lane even more slowly. Not only is this an annoying problem, but a dangerous one, as well. It creates obstructions, slows traffic and commerce, and even creates road rage. Many people probably don't even realize they are in violation of the law by remaining in the left lane if they aren't passing a vehicle. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... State Sen. Dan Brown
Three hurt in Wednesday wreck following Richland police chase RICHLAND, Mo. (Jan. 4, 2012) — A teenager fleeing Richland police crashed into another vehicle Wednesday afternoon, causing minor injuries to himself and both occupants of the other vehicle. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Chase A. Muxlow, 18, was being pursued westbound on Route A about two miles north of the city limits at 3:25 p.m. when he made an improper pass going uphill in his 2000 Toyota and struck a westbound 2008 GMC driven by Francis J. Hobbs, 77, also of Richland, causing both vehicles to run off the south side of the roadway. Hobbs, Muxlow, and Hobbs’ passenger Sharon J. Hobbs, 72, were all transported by ambulance to area hospitals and the Hobbs’ vehicle was totaled in the wreck. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Firefighters contained the blaze to a bedroom.
Bedroom burns in Hunters Point home WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Jan. 3, 2012) — A family suffered about $40,000 damage to their home in Hunters Point shortly after noon on Monday, according to Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko. The blaze at 24220 Sprint Lane, which is a side street off Saline Road, caused little obvious external damage to the house but considerable internal damage. “One room had heavy fire damage, the bedroom which was the room of origin, and heavy smoke damage throughout the whole house,” Yurecko said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Countywide burn ban issued after weekend rash of Turkey Ridge blazes TURKEY RIDGE, Mo. (Jan. 3, 2012) — Pulaski County is under a countywide burn ban following a series of Saturday fires on New Year’s Eve that burned several dozen acres in the Turkey Ridge area on Highway W and forced an emergency response from nearly every fire agency the area with backup from adjoining counties. “There were a few too many fires that day,” said Waynesville Rural Fire Chief Doug Yurecko. “We had everybody from Pulaski County except St. Robert on scene, and they were standing by for coverage, and we had Lebanon Rural and Sleeper-Stoutland firefighters here too.” The fire began about 2 p.m. near the junction of Radar Road and Highway W and appears to have been started by a man burning trash, Yurecko said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Soldier suffering from PTSD breaks in commanding officer's off-post house FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 3, 2012) — Even following nearly four decades of police work in Pulaski County working with the military community around Fort Leonard Wood, Sheriff J.B. King said he’s still sometimes surprised by actions of soldiers. One of those cases happened Monday when a soldier broke into the home of his commanding officer north of Waynesville, said he was thinking about suicide, and said his commander’s home “was the only place he felt safe” because he was suffering with PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. No comparable incident has happened before in King’s career, he said. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Water supply for Century 21 fire gets extra attention by city aldermen SAINT ROBERT, Mo. (Jan. 3, 2012) — Mayor George Sanders said he expected Tuesday evening’s city council meeting to have a short agenda, and that turned out to be true — except that the longest discussion wasn’t on the agenda at all. Aldermen quickly approved items on the agenda to award bids for concrete flat design work to Oke-Thomas Associates of Springfield and to Ozark Ready Mix of Osage Beach for concrete work, as well as authorizing a 3 percent pay raise for City Attorney Debra Moore. One of those calls was singled out for special attention: a recent fire at the new offices of Century 21 on the corner of Bosa and Missouri Avenue. “Someone told me that the hoses were across Missouri Avenue. Why is that?” asked Alderman Ed Spotts. Fire Chief Doug Cage said there were so many fire trucks on the scene that “the Bosa side could not sustain what we needed to have for water flow.” That led to concerns by Alderman Bill Shaw who asked why work previously done by the city to loop water lines didn't solve the problem.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Sheriff J.B. King
Pulaski Sheriff’s View #1 for January 2 to 6, 2012 We ended 2011 with 12,486 calls for service/case numbers assigned. This will be the new high record for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and considering how things have gone the last few years this record should stand until 12-31-2012. We have 45 names on the inmate list today to start out the New Year. On the budget front I am almost ready to claim a victory. I say almost because we ended up at $45,114 over the total budget and that is not bad for a $1,414,413 total budget. The good news is that the overages and the items under budget came out very well and the only reason we are over at all comes from the inmate board bill that was $49,096 over budget. In the end we were under budget enough to balance out $3,982 from the inmate board bill and thus we got stuck with the final $45,114 completely from the inmate board bill. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff J.B. King
Richland woman hurt Monday afternoon in Laclede County crash RICHLAND, Mo. (Jan. 2, 2012) — A Laclede County crash extensively damaged a Richland woman’s vehicle Monday afternoon but caused her only minor injuries despite not wearing her seatbelt. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Loutina M. Hargett, 34, had been driving eastbound in her 2000 Saturn on Historic Route 66 about 11 miles east of Lebanon when she crossed the centerline at 4:43 p.m., overcorrected, lost control of her vehicle, and ran off the right side of the roadway before striking an embankment. In an unrelated incident, troopers arrested Andre L. Frazier, 31, of Waynesville, on charges including drunk driving. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
Capt. Justin S. Patton graduates from Army Ranger School WAYNESVILLE, Mo. (Dec. 29, 2009) — Army Capt. Justin S. Patton has graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning near Columbus, Ga., with authorization to wear the distinctive Ranger Tab. Patton, an armor officer, is the son of Jerry and Carol A. Patton of Waynesville. His wife, Andrea, is the daughter of Patrick and Mary Jeffreys of St. Robert. The captain graduated in 2001 from Waynesville High School. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Army Public Affairs
Master Sgt. Timothy Uptegrove, right, is pinned with his new rank by his unit commander, Lt. Col. Raymond White.
Timothy Uptegrove named top NCO of weapons of mass destruction team FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2009) — Timothy Uptegrove, of Lebanon, was recently promoted both in rank and position in the Missouri Army National Guard to become the first sergeant of the 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, a full-time National Guard unit at Fort Leonard Wood. Uptegrove rose from the rank of sergeant first class to master sergeant and moved up from his position as logistics noncommissioned officer with the 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team. “This promotion gives me a chance to apply what I have learned from, and a means to pay tribute to, the truly great senior noncommissioned officers who have mentored me throughout my career,” Uptegrove said. Uptegrove earned the dual promotion by being the most qualified for the job through his vast experience on the team, said Lt. Col. Raymond White, 7th Civil Support Team commander. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Col. Pamela L. Martis returns from military police duty in Afghanistan NEWBURG, Mo. (Dec. 9, 2009) — Army Col. Pamela L. Martis, a 1981 graduate of Newburg High School and daughter of Wilma Darlene Cardin of Newburg, is returning to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., after being deployed to Afghanistan to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Martis was a senior police advisor to the Afghan National Police and has served in the military for 24 years. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Army Public Affairs
Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Harding retires after 37 years serving National Guard FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 19, 2009) — Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Harding, a Saint Robert resident, was called “a soldier’s friend” and assured that “he will be missed” during his recent retirement ceremony at the Missouri National Guard’s 35th Engineer Brigade. Harding has more than 35 years of service in the Missouri National Guard and two in the Kansas Guard. For the last four years, Harding has been the brigade command sergeant major after moving over from his position as the command sergeant major and commandant of the 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute, also at Fort Leonard Wood. Before that, Harding was with Company B, 203rd Engineer Battalion in Joplin. In his civilian career during the week, Harding works as a contractor for Battelle Corporation. Before that, Harding spent 24 years as a teacher and head football coach or athletic director at Carthage High School. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Capt. Jean Bernard Le Gall
Capt. Jean Bernard Le Gall promoted in Missouri National Guard’s 7th CST FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 16, 2009) — Jean Bernard Le Gall, of Waynesville, was recently promoted from the rank of first lieutenant to captain in the Missouri Army National Guard. Le Gall has been with the Missouri National Guard for five years with an additional 10 years of active-duty Army experience as an enlisted Soldier. He is a physician assistant and officer in charge of the medical section for the active Guard 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team at Fort Leonard Wood. Along with his duties with the unit, Le Gall also works three days a week — two in family practice and one in the emergency room — at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Pfc. Bryan Kaolowi
Pfc. Bryan Kaolowi named Soldier of the Quarter for National Guard unit FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 12, 2009) — Pfc. Bryan Kaolowi of Saint Robert, a 2004 graduate of Waynesville High School, was recently named Soldier of the Quarter for Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 35th Engineer Brigade for his service with the Missouri Army National Guard. The award stated that Kaolowi, who has been in the Guard less than a year, had an exceptional performance during the board, made up of the senior enlisted soldiers. Kaolowi had to perform well on his physical fitness test and answer two current events questions, as well as questions over counseling, the different types of flags and common soldier tasks. During the week, Kaolowi is a sales associate at the Discount Smoke Shop. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Spc. David Eley
Spc. David Eley receives promotion in Missouri National Guard unit at FLW FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 9, 2009) — David Eley, a Springfield resident and 2000 graduate of Laquey High School, was recently promoted from the rank of private first class to specialist in the Missouri Army National Guard. Eley has been with the National Guard for three years. He is a combat engineer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 35th Engineer Brigade, of Fort Leonard Wood, and plans to transfer to Missouri State University in Springfield where he will enroll in ROTC on his way to becoming an officer. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Diana Eberharter, of Waynesville, has her warrant officer rank pinned on her.
Waynesville woman among 10 new National Guard warrant officers FORT McCLELLAN, Ala. (Oct. 30, 2009) — Ten Missouri Army National Guardsmen from six different branches recently graduated from the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort McClellan, Ala. That follows training in the 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Leonard Wood. It was a moment of exuberance for the newly-pinned warrant officers. “I had finally accomplished my goal — it was a long road,” said Warrant Officer Diana Eberharter, of Waynesville. “I was glad to be finished.” Warrant Officer Jesse Darden, of Columbia, said it was the fulfillment of his childhood dream to fly for his country. “I have wanted to be a military aviator since age 3,” said Darden, who is now an aviator with the 3rd Battalion, 135th Theater Aviation Battalion, of Lebanon. “My dream is becoming a reality. I have gained a deeper commitment to my country and the United States Army. I feel that I am now in a position to truly serve where my greatest potential and passion lies.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Matthew J. Wilson/Missouri National Guard Public Affairs
Blunt cosponsors bill to authorize creation of Keystone XL pipeline WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 30, 2012) — U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt cosponsored bipartisan legislation today that was introduced by U.S. Senators John Hoeven (N.D.), Richard Lugar (Ind.), and David Vitter (La.) to authorize the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline. “More American energy means more American jobs, and this is the largest shovel-ready project in our country today. Yet despite his rhetoric in support of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, President Obama opted to put politics before good policy when he rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline,” said Blunt.
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Ambulance Director Gary Carmack
Paramedic’s Corner: Paramedics were busy in December, plan classes soon PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 19, 2012) — The EMTs and paramedics of the Pulaski County Ambulance District have been busy. In December they responded to 408 calls, with the highest call area being Waynesville, followed by St. Robert, Richland, Crocker, and Laquey. The highest destination hospital was St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon, followed by Phelps County Regional Medical Center, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, and Lake Regional Medical Center in Osage Beach. The most frequent trauma calls were motor vehicle crashes 23 falls, with the highest number of medical calls being chest pain, breathing problems, and abdominal pain. The Pulaski County Ambulance District has obtained new advanced technology: paramedics can now send the patient’s 12-lead EKG to the hospital emergency room physician or to the patient’s cardiologist. The Pulaski County Ambulance District also offers blood pressure monitoring, CPR classes, and 200-hour EMT and 50-hour Emergency Medical Responder classes. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Ambulance Director Gary Carmack
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Provision co-sponsored by senators included in tourism announcement WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 19, 2012) — U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) praised President Barack Obama’s announcement today that the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security are advancing a key provision that was originally included in the Senators’ bipartisan legislation, which is designed to increase international tourism to the United States. The provision – which is part of the “International Tourism Facilitation Act” that was introduced by Klobuchar and Blunt in October 2011 – would allow the Secretary of State to ease restrictions on certain foreign tourist visas that prevent travelers from taking frequent vacations to the United States while maintaining strict security standards. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt applauds USDA disaster recovery funding for Missouri WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2012) — U.S. Senator Roy Blunt praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement today that it will provide critical emergency assistance for Missouri following extraordinary storm damages that were incurred in 2011. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that Missouri will receive more than $35 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and more than $14.7 million from the Farm Service Agency's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt withdraws previous support for passing Protect IP Act WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2012) — U.S. Senator Roy Blunt released the following statement today regarding the Protect IP Act: “American innovation is a cornerstone to our nation’s economic growth, and job creators have lost $135 billion in revenue annually as a result of rogue internet sites. While I believed the bill still needed much work, I cosponsored the Senate version of the Protect IP Act because I support the original intent of this bill – to protect against the piracy of lawful content.... But unfortunately, Senate Leader Harry Reid is pushing forward with legislation that is deeply flawed and still needs much work." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler objects to President Obama's decision to reject Keystone XL Pipeline WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2012) — Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has released the following statement in response to President Obama's decision to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline: "By rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline that would bring much-needed oil from Canada to the United States, President Obama has put environmental special interests ahead of American jobs and American energy security..." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler says 'no' to more reckless Obama spending WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2012) — Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler today stood up for her district and fiscal sanity for America by voting against President Obama's request to raise the debt ceiling by an additional $1.2 trillion. She has voted in favor of a resolution disapproving of the Obama Administration's request. "At a time when our national debt stands at more than $15 trillion, it is unconscionable that the President would want to spend more and put this country deeper in debt," said Hartzler. "The debt has already risen by $4.6 trillion since President Obama took office - the most rapid increase in the debt under any United States President." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Sheriff J.B. King
Pulaski Sheriff’s View #3 for January 16 to 20, 2012 Welcome aboard one more time as we move about Pulaski County with the deputies of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. I am starting this column on Saturday the 14th and we are not sliding around on the ice today. As I write this sentence it is 9:25am and we have had a massive counterdrug operation underway since 8am this morning on I-44. We have about 14 deputies from three agencies; Pulaski, Camden, and the Miller County Sheriff’s Office hard at work. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff J.B. King
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt undergoes heart procedure, urges checkups for early detection WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 13, 2012) — U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt announced today that he underwent a routine and successful coronary stent implantation during an outpatient procedure on January 12. The procedure took place at George Washington University Hospital after doctors located a blockage in the front of the senator’s heart as a result of a physical examination earlier this week. Blunt plans to resume his normal schedule next week. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler wants pipeline, congratulates nominees for service academies WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 13, 2012) — Good day. Since I first began representing the people of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District a year ago, I have heard — over and over — of the need for America to become energy independent. I couldn't agree more. That is why I'm excited about a bipartisan, job-creating initiative that is awaiting presidential action. It's the Keystone XL Energy Pipeline which was first submitted for approval three years ago and now awaits President Obama's go ahead before it can get up and running. Unfortunately, this common sense move to obtain much-needed oil from a friendly neighbor, rather than from dictatorships, is being delayed by President Obama and a vocal environmental minority, despite favorable environmental impact studies on the project. On another matter, I have the privilege of announcing the names of 15 students from Missouri's Fourth Congressional District who have received Congressional nominations to the U.S. Service Academies. Nominating these 15 young men and women was an honor as they have exemplary academic and extracurricular records and have demonstrated superior leadership skills. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
State Senator Dan Brown
Brown appointed vice-chair of Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 12, 2012) — Much of the time spent during the first few weeks of legislative session is taken up by the various committee hearings held in the Capitol. This week, I was proud and honored to be appointed vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee by Senate President Pro Tem Robert N. Mayer. The Senate Appropriations Committee is charged with dispersal of funding for various state departments and agencies. The committee hears testimonies from these departments regarding their budgetary needs for the fiscal year. Several hearings are scheduled to ensure every individual has an opportunity to testify on behalf of their respective departments or agencies. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... State Sen. Dan Brown
Victim Advocate Coordinator Natalie McCart
Stalking can cause medical and psychological issues for its victims PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Jan. 10, 2012) — Stalking is a shockingly common, serious, sometimes violent crime that can be unpredictable, dangerous, and escalate over time. According to the National Stalking Resource Center, stalking occurs in one in twelve women and one in forty-five men, totaling an astonishing 1.4 million people every year in the United States. It is a series of actions that make you feel afraid or in danger and is defined as, “a course of conduct, composed of a series of acts over a period of time however short, a credible threat made with the intent to cause the person who is the target reasonable fear, to harass or repeatedly harass another by engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that serves no purpose.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Natalie McCart, Fort Leonard Wood Victim Advocate Coordinator
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler nominates four Pulaski County residents to service academies WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 9, 2012) — Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has announced that 15 students from Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, including three from Waynesville and one from Crocker, have received Congressional nominations to the U.S. Service Academies. "These 15 young men and women have exemplary academic and extracurricular records," said Hartzler. "I congratulate them on their accomplishments and wish them well in their desire to serve our country." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Sheriff J.B. King
Pulaski Sheriff’s View #2 for January 9 to 13, 2012 I would like to take a minute to say job well done to my newest member; Deputy Linda Burgess and her Field Training Officer Deputy Jimmy Bench. They have managed to get into the middle of a series of burglaries and right now they are drowning in paperwork. We have charges filed for two burglaries with another 4-5 cases pending further work and we gave two solved cases to the Waynesville City Police that happened on their turf. We have a lot of recovered property that they are logging into evidence and right now we are not sure where all of it came from.The cases that Linda and Jimmy broke came about because of some fine investigative work on their part that was greatly enhanced by the help of two fine Pulaski County citizens. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff J.B. King
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler objects to Obama's proposed cuts in national defense budget WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 6, 2012) — Good day. The first full week of the year has not been a good one for America's national defense. President Obama announced a new defense strategy that House Armed Services Chairman "Buck" McKeon has appropriately described as "a lead from behind strategy for a left-behind America." While legislation to raise the debt ceiling, which I voted against, enacted defense cuts, the road map released by the Obama Administration provides the President's vision for implementation of a significant weakening of our defense capabilities. This short-sighted strategy has abandoned plans for fighting two major wars at the same time while cutting America's nuclear arsenal. Additionally, it reduces funding for our national defense along with troop reductions. This dangerous move puts America's national security at risk. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Sheriff Chris Heitman
Maries Sheriff’s Corner #1 for January 2, 2012 The Maries County Sheriff’s Office had a very productive year in 2011. We had 20,253 calls for services. A call for service is logged anytime some contacts the Sheriff’s Office in need of a Sheriff’s Deputy, EMS, or Fire Personnel. We investigated a total of 1,218 reportable incidents in 2011, and the Maries County Jail booked a total of 449 inmates. We were able to update our fleet of patrol vehicles, and add a K-9 Unit to the Sheriff’s Office. Being fiscally conservative at the Sheriff’s Office I was able to end the year with over a $20,000.00 surplus. Even with the small tax increase the Sheriff’s Office still operated with less funds then what was used for the Sheriff’s Office in 2007. The tax increase allowed me to keep our 911 system operating and kept me from laying off any current Sheriff Deputies. I appreciate everyone who supported the tax increase, and the Sheriff’s Office in general. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Sheriff Chris Heitman
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt thanks colleagues for election as Republican Conference Vice Chairman WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 13, 2011) — U.S. Senator Roy Blunt issued the following statement today regarding the U.S Senate Republican leadership elections today: "I was honored to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as Republican Conference Vice Chairman today, and I hope this opportunity will allow me to continue contributing to the critical debates that we're facing in America." Click for links to additional information including video links. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler votes to extend reduced middle class taxes, support oil pipeline WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 13, 2011) — Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler has voted to protect taxpayers from a scheduled January increase in their Social Security deductions by voting for H.R. 3630 — the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. The bill maintains, for another year, the reduction in the Social Security payroll tax that Congress approved last December. "This legislation protects workers from a payroll deduction increase but does it in a way that does not borrow resources from the Social Security trust fund," said Hartzler. "The plan protects and funds the trust fund by freezing pay for government workers, including Members of Congress and their staffs, and reforming wasteful federal programs." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt applauds DOT grant for expansion of Gateway Arch grounds in St. Louis WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 12, 2011) — U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt issued the following statement today applauding the $20 million TIGER III grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to the CityArchRiver 2015 initiative: “As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and Gateway Arch in 2015, I’m very pleased that DOT awarded this grant to the CityArchRiver 2015 initiative, which is truly a public-private partnership of national significance ... This grant will help fund infrastructure projects that will facilitate more visitors and greater access to the Gateway Arch Grounds, which is critically important as we work to spur economic opportunity and attract new visitors each year.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt says new federal farm labor rules are 'ridiculous,' could harm FFA, 4-H WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 9, 2011) — U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt strongly condemned the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed rule today, which would restrict youth from performing some duties on farms. "Having grown up working on my family's dairy farm, I am outraged by the Department of Labor's ridiculous attempts to restrict other young Americans from doing the same," said Blunt. "Farmers and ranchers care deeply about the safety of those working on their farms ... But this rule is absurd, and it would hurt these job creators who rely on young people to assist with the day-to-day operations of American farms." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt supports oil pipeline, says good energy policies equal American jobs WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 9, 2011) — As our nation’s economy struggles to rebound, one of the best ways to jumpstart job creation is through good energy policies. Unfortunately, President Obama has delayed one of the largest domestic shovel-ready projects until after his reelection bid in 2012 — stalling the creation of thousands of potential private sector jobs and postponing a critical project that would help strengthen our energy independence. The numbers on the Keystone XL Project speak for themselves: This pipeline will create 20,000 direct jobs during the construction phase of the pipeline. It would also generate $20.9 billion in new private sector spending in addition to $5 billion in new local, state, and federal revenue. Nationwide, this pipeline would benefit 1,400 American job creators. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
State Senator Dan Brown
Brown: Count your many blessings JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 9, 2011) — As the Christmas holiday comes our way, it is an opportune time to be thankful for the many blessings we possess in our lives. Often times, folks become wrapped up in holiday festivities and overlook what is truly important. It's not the gifts you give or the parties that you host that makes the holidays a success — the people who surround you make a merry Christmas season. In addition, as we've endured some difficult economic times in our state, the hardships can sometimes get us down. However, it is when you are faced with the challenging moments in life that you can look to your friends and your family — life's greatest gifts — and say, "I have people who love and care about me. That alone makes me wealthy and a success." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... State Sen. Dan Brown
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler says REINS Act would keep federal rules from destroying jobs WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 9, 2011) — Good day. The House of Representatives took additional important action this week to address out-of-control federal regulations that are destroying jobs. The House has approved H.R. 10 — the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which I co-sponsor. It's a bill that reins in federal regulations by requiring congressional approval for any federal regulation with an economic impact of $100 million or more. It should come as no surprise that excessive regulations strangle the economy and destroy jobs. According to the Small Business Administration, federal regulations cost our economy $1.75 trillion each year. A December, 2010 Obama Administration report on federal regulations listed more than 4,200 regulatory actions under development by federal agencies. We need to lift the burden on small businesses to encourage them to spend more, invest more, and create more jobs. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
State Senator Dan Brown
Brown comments on newly announced state legislative district borders JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 2, 2011) — After failing earlier in the session to come to an agreement towards drawing new legislative district boundaries, the Missouri Apportionment Commission has concluded its task, and filed the new boundaries with the office of the Missouri Secretary of State. Despite many hours of debate and hearings, the Missouri Senate, House and governor failed to agree on the boundaries by the end of session in mid-May. In addition, the bipartisan citizen apportionment commissions also failed to reach an amicable solution on the district lines in September. As a result, the state constitution mandates the lines be drawn by the six Missouri appellate judges. The decision marks only the second time in Missouri history that redistricting of both chambers were created by the judicial panel. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... State Sen. Dan Brown
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler objects to gay marriages on military bases, lack of flood control WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 2, 2011) — It’s been a while since the waters of the Missouri River receded, but the threat of future flooding is first and foremost in the minds of many Fourth District residents living along the river. With possible 2012 flooding on the horizon, the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee met this week to assess the 2011 Missouri River flooding and to consider operational plans for the future. I testified before the committee, calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to take steps to prevent future flooding similar to what damaged property this spring and summer. Many residents of the Fourth District feel that these floods could have been reduced, if not completely avoided, by earlier action and better prioritization of uses by the Army Corps of Engineers. In another hearing, this week, I joined the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel for a briefing examining the legal and policy rationale leading the Department of Defense (DOD) to issue guidance, earlier this year, allowing same sex marriage ceremonies on military bases. The guidance issued by the DOD directly violates the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which defines marriage for all federal purposes to be only between a man and a woman. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler issues Thanksgiving greeting WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 23, 2011) — Congresswoman Hartzler has released a Thanksgiving greeting including this: "Many of us learned, as children, that the first Thanksgiving was observed at Plymouth following the harvest of 1621. The Pilgrims came to America to found a new nation on God's principles and, in so doing, set an example for us on the importance of giving thanks... As we gather this Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, let us give thanks to God for all He has given us. Let us also thank the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces whose sacrifices preserve our freedoms and allow us to enjoy God's bounty. Despite our challenges, truly, we are a blessed nation." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler says 'opportunity missed' by congressional deficit supercommittee WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 23, 2011) — The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, better known as the Super Committee, failed to reach agreement on $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. An opportunity to eliminate some of our huge debt was wasted — and with it, the chance to spur economic growth and create much-needed jobs. To add insult to injury, the failure to reach agreement triggered a mechanism that will lead to an additional $600 billion in cuts to our national defense, making total cuts of more than $1.065 trillion in defense spending over the next ten years. I find this unacceptable. It was clear, early on, that this committee would have a difficult time producing a positive result. Hopes for success were dealt a serious setback when President Obama and Washington Democrats pushed for huge tax increases on America's job creators. The President then insisted that $450 billion of his failed stimulus policies be included in any agreement. Sadly, these "Inside the Beltway" Democrats put their tax and spend dogma ahead of the interests of the American people and failed them miserably. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt glad Supreme Court will review arguments against ObamaCare WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 14, 2011) — In response to the news that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in 2012 surrounding President Barack Obama’s health spending bill, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt has issued the following statement: “I’m pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments over ObamaCare, which the majority of Missourians and Americans have soundly rejected... I hope the Supreme Court will come to the same conclusion next year.”
Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
Hartzler thanks veterans, promotes adoption, defends Lake of the Ozarks WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 12, 2011) — This week America paused to thank our men and women in uniform who have fought to keep our country free. Veterans Day gives all Americans the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed on our behalf. While in Warrensburg, I had the privilege of presenting the 2011 Angels in Adoption award to Dr. Curt and Lisa Dyer for their long-time advocacy for foster care and adoption. The Dyers, who have eight children and four foster children, were chosen because of their personal commitment and dedicated work to find loving homes for all children. In other news, there were major developments in the fight to protect the rights of Lake of the Ozarks homeowners whose homes are threatened by a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) edict which effectively ordered electric utility Ameren, the company that owns the Lake, to tear down thousands of homes and other lakefront structures. I followed up the filing of my bill (H.R. 3244) to rein-in the power of FERC with a visit to the Lake where I met with more than 100 frustrated and concerned residents. I was happy to meet with residents who are pleased that FERC’s overreach is being challenged. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt applauds veterans jobs bill, repeal of 3 percent withholding tax WASHINGTON D.C. (Nov. 10, 2011) — U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt released the following statement regarding the bipartisan repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax and passage of the veterans jobs bill: “The Senate took an important step to reduce economic uncertainty with the passage of these bipartisan bills, both of which passed the House with overwhelming support and President Obama has signaled his willingness to sign it into law. I was proud to cosponsor the repeal of the onerous 3 percent withholding tax, which places an unnecessary financial burden on numerous job creators across America... I was also proud to support important tax incentives for businesses that hire veterans who are coming home and in need of work. As we mark Veterans Day this week, we’re reminded of the incredible sacrifices that our nation’s servicemen and women make each and every day to protect our freedoms. We owe it to these brave heroes to ensure they have the opportunity to earn a living once they return home.” Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Obama urged to protect Georgian sovereignty in Russian trade deal WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 19, 2011) — U.S. Senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and James Inhofe of Oklahoma sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk this week urging the Obama Administration to protect America's national interests by fully considering the sovereignty of our ally, the Republic of Georgia, before endorsing Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). "We are concerned about reports that the United States may endorse Russian membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in spite of larger strategic challenges in the U.S.-Russia relationship," the senators wrote. "As you are well aware, the United States continues to oppose the presence of Russian troops in the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which were invaded by Russia in August 2008." Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Press Office of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
County Collector Terri Mitchell
Fall 2011 Collector’s Report PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Oct. 4, 2011) — We wish to thank everyone who participated in the 2011 Land Tax Sale held Monday, August 22nd; all fourteen properties sold. For months prior to the sale we work extremely hard to inform the rightful owners, heirs or interested parties of the upcoming sale. It is our goal to do all in our power to keep properties from going to the land tax sale; we appreciate all who take part in the sale. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... County Collector Terri Mitchell
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Blunt says Washington shouldn't play politics with disaster assistance WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 30, 2011) — Over the past year, Missouri and the nation have faced numerous natural disasters that devastated entire communities and the livelihoods of people nationwide. As we work to rebuild in the aftermath of those disasters, the scope of these events has placed unusual logistical and financial pressures on our nation's funding, response, and rebuilding efforts. Over the last nine months, Missourians have withstood flooding and tornadoes across the state. The most deadly of these struck in Joplin, where the tornado stayed on the ground for six miles and destroyed approximately 30 percent of the buildings in a town of 50,000 people. More than 8,000 homes and apartments were destroyed in Joplin and more than 500 commercial properties were demolished by this devastating tornado. As a southwest Missourian, I have witnessed a lot of tornado damage, but I've never seen anything like this. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
Andy Offutt
Financial Focus: Know your investment risks — and how to respond (June 6, 2011) — When you invest, you take some risks. While you can’t totally avoid these risks, you can take steps to help reduce their impact and increase your comfort level. And the more comfortable you are with your investments, the easier it will be to follow a long-term strategy that can help you meet your goals. Let’s look at the most common types of risk related to investing, along with some suggestions on helping to reduce these risks. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Provided by Andy Offutt/Edward Jones
Public Notice: Ambulance District Elections The Pulaski County Ambulance District has posted notice of ambulance board filing dates, pursuant to section 115.127, RSMo, that the filing period for ambulance board member candidates for the April 3, 2012 election is from December 13, 2011 through January 17, 2012. Click for details of available positions and filing specifications. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Pulaski County Ambulance District
St. Robert announces bid solicitation for Community Center painting project The City of St. Robert is soliciting sealed bids for Painting of the Community Center in the City of St. Robert. Sealed bids for Painting of the community Center will be received at the Public Works Department at St. Robert City Hall, 194 Eastlawn Avenue, Suite A, St. Robert, Missouri, until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4th, 2011; and then publicly opened and read aloud. Click here for bid details. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... City of Saint Robert
Why should you advertise with the Pulaski County Daily News? People advertise with newspapers for many reasons. Sometimes they want to support a local business. Most of your other local media choices are owned by out-of-town and often out-of-state companies; as the owner of the Pulaski County Daily News, I not only live and pay taxes in Pulaski County, I’m committed to buying products and services locally whenever possible and reasonable. Local newspapers are supposed to be covering the local community. While I can’t be everywhere all the time, those who know me and know my background know I’m committed to covering local news. I live in Pulaski County, and I’m perfectly willing to get out of bed in the middle of the night or drive 30 minutes on ice and snow to get to a breaking news story. But advertising decisions are first and foremost business decisions — who can provide you the maximum readers for your dollar? For $100 per month, a sitewide ad on the Pulaski County Daily News in February was seen almost 120,000 times by more than 1,400 people per day. Those are readership numbers that exceed almost every print newspaper in Pulaski County. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ...
At Roubidoux Vacuum Center and Roubidoux Small Engine Repair, we service and sell supplies for vacuums, lawnmowers, and other small engines. Shop local, pay less! When you can shop locally in Waynesville, why pay more to drive to another city or shop by mail to get your Husqvarna, Simplicity, Kirby or Bissell supplies? Owned and operated by Robert Wait since he retired from the Army in 1985, Roubidoux Vacuum Center and Roubidoux Small Engine Repair is located at 607 Historic Route 66 West in Waynesville, Missouri, just a few minutes from St. Robert and Fort Leonard Wood. Wait sells Simplicity vacuums, which are made in St. James. His business is also a designated service center for Bissell and Kirby vacuums and Husqvarna lawnmowers, tractors, and equipment. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ...
A Meta woman died in this Thursday wreck. (Photo courtesy Maries County Sheriff)
Crocker man charged with death of Meta woman in Thursday wreck CROCKER, Mo. (Sept. 1, 2011) — A Thursday afternoon head-on crash on Highway 133 in Maries County about two miles south of Meta which killed a woman from that community and serious injured her mother may be due to drunk driving by a Crocker man, according to Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman. “I am truly sorry for the family,” Heitman said in a prepared statement. “It is times like this that people need to realize it is never safe to drink and drive… DWI offenders need to be given harsher sentences.” While the charges against the driver, John D. Mazurek, 24, of Crocker, are first-degree involuntary manslaughter, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway, and failure to use his seat belt, and don’t yet include driving while intoxicated, Heitman’s press release said that “we suspect he was intoxicated” and said that an update to the report will follow. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, Mazurek was driving a 2001 Buick northbound on Highway 133 when he crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2009 Kia Optima head-on driven by Wilberta C. Randolph, 57, of Meta, totaling both vehicles. Mazurek suffered only minor injuries; Randolph died at the scene and her passenger, Helen K. Weiberg, 85, of Jefferson City, was airlifted with serious injuries. In an unrelated incident, state troopers arrested James L. Tillman, 20, of Waynesville on a felony warrant for theft/stealing property or services valued at $500 to $25,000. Click here to read more on Pulaski County Daily News ... Darrell Todd Maurina
