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Friday, May 8, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
75¢
per copy Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Ten Pages
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 71
GRUNDY COUNTY COMMISSION
COVID-19 Lawsuit Dismissed
Board Appointments Made
County To Disperse CARES Funds Grundy County will be the recipient of $1.1 million in funding through the federal CARES Act. According to the Grundy County Commission, the county will receive $1,155,602 through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The commission anticipates the funding will be received this week. Funds must be used for expenditures from March 1 through Dec. 30. Presiding Commissioner Phil Ray said it is the understanding of the commission that any taxing entity in the county will be able to apply for funding, which will be administered through the commission. The commission is in the process of determining the specific guidelines for how the money can be used. Policies will be developed addressing issues related to the next steps in the process. Ray said more information regarding the county’s allocation and distribution of
SCHOOL BOARDS
CARES Act funds will be made available to the public once more information is gathered. The announcement came during Tuesday’s commission meeting, where appointments were made to the Grundy County Senior Citizen Tax Board and the Workforce Development Board. Max Dickerson, Delores Newton and Cyndi Chrisman were appointed to four-year terms on the Senior Citizen Tax Board while Scott May of Modine Manufacturing was appointed to the Workforce Development Board. Commissioners announced they have revised the COVID-19 Grundy County State of Emergency declaration to follow the Grundy County Health Department guidelines. Commissioners heard an update on the Show-Me Recovery efforts and its effect on businesses, churches and organizations. There are still no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Grundy County.
Briefs...
Pleasant View R-6
Contract Gives Go-Ahead For Addition The Pleasant View R-6 Board of Education is moving forward with construction of a new addition to the school that will allow for students in grades six through eight to have their own classroom area. During a special meeting on Friday night, the board approved a contract with Weldon Builders for the addition, which will be constructed at the east end of the gymnasium. Three proposals were considered and the board gave Superintendent Rebecca Steinhoff authority to approve all change orders. The addition will include a new classroom, new bathrooms and a new concession area for the gym. The sixth through eighth grade will be moved to the new addition, along with the three teachers who previously had students in grades five through eight. The
NCMC/KCC
board has hired a teacher for the fifth grade class next year, allowing the fifth grade to have its own instructor. The fifth grade will stay in the current building. Mrs. Steinhoff said the board has considered adding to the existing building for some time and that an increase in the number of students anticipated next year made it viable to move ahead at this time. Depending on the weather, Mrs. Steinhoff said construction of the new addition is anticipated to begin later this week and it is hoped the building can be ready for use by Sept. 1. She emphasized existing funds are being used to cover the construction costs. In other business during the meeting, Ben Thomas was given the oath of office and will serve a three-year term on the board.
Summer Hours In Place
College Facilities Re-Open Monday The North Central Missouri College main campus and the Ketcham Community Center will re-open buildings and facilities on Monday with specific measures in place to ensure the safety of students, visitors, faculty and staff and community is upheld. Monday will begin NCMC’s summer hours of operation with campus services and buildings open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Employees will be returning to campus at a gradual pace that still allows services to be available. Individuals are asked to continue to communicate through virtual tools and phone when at all possible. If visiting campus, appointments are encouraged. Walk-in visits are welcome, but persons may encounter ad-
In other business, it was announced that FEMA has issued a revised Flood Insurance Rate Map for Grundy County, updating the map to include any changes that have occurred to properties and/or structures. A road and bridge report was also given with bridge maintenance and equipment service work being performed. The courthouse was to be closed today (Friday) in observance of the Harry S. Truman birthday state holiday. The commission plans to meet again on Tuesday, May 11. Agenda items include a road and bridge update at 8:30 a.m., followed by an emergency management report at 9 a.m., a report from Ambulance Director Steve Tracy at 10 a.m. and a health department report at 10:45 a.m.
ditional wait times to comply with social distancing measures. The KCC will be open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The center will be closed on Sundays. Those using the KCC are encouraged to wear masks, but they will not be required. Members are to be responsible for adhering to the six-foot social distancing guidelines. All persons coming into the building will have their temperature taken and those with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter. There will be no day passes issued, however, memberships will be available for sale to non-members. Single entry is See NCMC, Page 3
NCMC C Trustees s To Ho old Meeting The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting at noon on Friday in the Cross Hall Coffee Shop. Items on the announced agenda include consideration of a contract with Weldon Builders, along with a fee schedule, involving construction of dormitory facilities and consideration of a Head Start Summer Program financial supplement application.
On nline Re ead ding Prrogram Se et The Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library will offer an online “Imagine Your Story” summer reading program for area youth this year. Due to Covid-19 and the inability to gather in large groups, the library will conduct an online program through the READsquared service. According to librarian Amy Morton, this software will allow youth and their families to sign up online, read their books (which still must be checked out at the library), log their minutes, play games, earn badges and earn prizes that may be picked up at the library. Sign-up begins on Thursday, May 14 at the link, http://grundy.readsquared.com/. Ms. Morton noted there are many sign-up options, including participation alone or as a family. There is also an APP that can be downloaded. Those who do not have access to the Internet but who would like to take part in the reading program can call the library, which will assist in getting participants signed up. Persons with questions can call the library at 660-359-3577 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Fo ood Pantry Drrive e-T Thrrough Set The Community Food Pantry of Grundy County will hold a drive-through distribution on Friday, May 15. Distribution will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals who have lost their jobs, have had their wages or hours cut or are food insecure are eligible to receive items. Those with expired ID cards may also pick up items.
Lo oca al H otel H as N ew N ame Cobblestone Inn and Suites will be the new name of the hotel now under renovation at 1845 Hoover Drive. According to co-owner Micah Landes, renovation work is currently under way on the hotel, formerly known as the Country Home Inn, with plans to have it re-open in the fall. The hotel was recently purchased by Landes Urich Weldon LLC, which is comprised of Aaron and Micah Landes, Duane and Jennifer Hottes Urich and Scott and Mackenzie Weldon.
National Weather Service
R -9 Picku up Reminder Trenton R-9 pre-kindergarten through 11th grade students will be able to pick up personal belongings at their respective schools beginning Monday, May 18. Students with the last name beginning with the letters A-G will pick up from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18; those with the last name beginning with H-0 will pick up from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19; and those with the last name beginning with PZ will pick up from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Those who can’t make their appointed time can pick up items from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21.
Princeton R -5 Meeting Ag genda The Princeton R-5 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 11 at the school. Items on the announced agenda include reorganization of the board and election of officers, appointment of the board secretary and treasurer, announcements concerning the last day of school (May 20), summer central office and maintenance hours, summer school update (cancelled due to the Trenton R-9 cancelling), a health insurance premium review and proposals, updates on extended learning and other COVID-19 issues, setting the dates and guidelines for the 2020 graduation and prom due to COVID-19, setting the online auction date for school surplus items, an update on 2020-21 staffing and upcoming budget review and administrative reports. The board plans to hold a closed session to discuss real estate, personnel and records protected from disclosure by law.
Police Personnel Bo oard Meeting The Police Personnel Board of the Trenton City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at the Grundy County Law Enforcement Center. The meeting will be an executive session, closed to the public and news media, and will address personnel.
Cops ‘N Bobbe ers Set The Trenton Police Department will hold its eighth annual “Cops ‘N Bobbers” fishing event on Saturday, June 6. Activities will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus and is co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Barton Farm Campus. The event is free for children, with lunch provided by the NWTF. Participating youth will be eligible for prizes donated by local merchants. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult and youth ages 16 and older are required to have a Missouri fishing permit.
What’s Inside...
There’s a good chance of frost overnight on Friday with lows around 34. Mostly sunny on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s. The high on Monday, May 4 was 63 with .33 of an inch of rain. Tuesday’s high was 64. Wednesday’s high reached 59 and the low was 42. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
The THS wrestling teams have been honored by Coach Charlie Bacon. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times to find out individual award winners as well as read comments about the 2019-20 season.
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Federal Judge Sides With Smithfield A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a community advocacy group and a worker at Smithfield’s Milan pork processing plant, finding the company has taken “significant steps … to reduce the risk of a COVID19 outbreak at the plant.” According to an article published by the website, agri-plus.com, U.S. District Judge Greg Kays issued an order stating the company has enhanced cleaning and disinfection, taken measures to promote social distancing, is processing fewer hogs and has increased pay for employees who are working fewer hours. “Given the significant measures Smithfield is now taking to protect its essential workers from COVID-19 and the fact that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently at the plant, the court cannot conclude that the spread of COVID-19 at the plant is inevitable or that Smithfield will be unable to contain it if it occurs,” Kays said. The judge deferred jurisdiction to the USDA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and said such deference “will ensure uniform national enforcement” of joint meat and poultry guidance issued by OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The judge said that if he were to rule on whether the plant is complying with the joint guidance, the order stated “this ruling would be binding on Smithfield but not other meat-processing facilities because the court lacks personal jurisdiction over them.” Such a determination “could easily lead to inconsistent regulation of businesses in the same industry. And under these circumstances, where the guidelines are rapidly evolving, maintaining a uniform source for guidance and enforcement is crucial.” “National and local guidance on COVID-19 is continuously evolving and changing,” the judge said. “An injunction would deny Smithfield the flexibility needed to quickly alter workplace procedures to remain safe during the ever-changing circumstances of this pandemic.” David Muraskin, litigation director for the Public Justice Food Project and counsel for the plaintiffs, said Smithfield workers’ “unprecedented stand for workplace safety has resonated across the entire meatpacking industry. Smithfield, and other companies across the country, are now on notice that the entire nation is watching their actions and insisting on fair treatment for See Lawsuit, Page 3
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News.............page 3 & 5 Op/Ed ............................page 4 Calendars ......................page 5 Agriculture....................page 7 Comics ...........................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 8 Crosswords....................page 8 Classifieds .....................page 9