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Tuesday, August 25, 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 & 1 Insert
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 101
TRENTON R-9 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Briefs...
Classes Still Set To Begin On Wednesday
Two New w Case es
15 In Quarantine After ‘Close Contact’ With the start of classes scheduled for Wednesday, Trenton R-9 School District Superintendent Mike Stegman has announced several staff members have been placed under quarantine. Stegman said there are as many as 15 staff members in the district who are under quarantine at this time, however, not all are from one case. The first set of cases involves around 13 staff members who came into “close contact”
COVID-19
with an individual who was on the R-9 campus earlier and who tested positive for COVID-19. The second set of cases involves school personnel who came into contact with an infected family member outside of the school district. Stegman would not reveal the identity of the individual who tested positive while on the R-9 campus as well as whether or not that individual was an employee, visitor or student. He also
would not identify which R-9 personnel were in quarantine and where the contact may have been made. Stegman did say the school personnel did have on masks at the time of the contact, which he said did offer some protection. However, because teachers are not considered “essential employees” by the state of Missouri, Stegman said the 14-day quarantine of those employees is required. He said he antici-
pates the state changing that status, which would also mean the quarantine rules would change and allow staff members to work as long as they do not exhibit any COVID symptoms. He said staff reassignments are being made to help cover the temporary vacancies and that substitutes are also being utilized. At this time, all positions are covered and Stegman anticipates classes starting as scheduled.
AIM Business Results Sent To Governor
Survey Provided Parson With Re-Opening Data JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — With Missourians under a stay-at-home order this spring as a coronavirus precaution, the Associated Industries of Missouri began surveying businesses to gauge how they were affected and gather suggestions for reopening the economy. The results went straight to Gov. Mike Parson's top staff, according to email records provided to The Associated Press under the state Sunshine Law. Less than a week later, the Republican governor announced that all businesses could reopen — one of the quickest restarts nationally. The Missouri business survey is just one of many examples of how governors across the U.S. were inundated with reopening advice from a wide range of industries during a critical early juncture in the nation’s battle against the worst pandemic in a century and the resulting recession. Many governors chose to reopen before their states met all the nationally recommended health guidelines, which include a sustained downward rate of infection and robust testing and contact tracing. Since then, confirmed COVID-19 cases have surged in most states, including Missouri. “I think states felt a lot of
pressure to reopen because of the economic pain that the communities were experiencing,” said Anita Cicero, deputy director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. The Associated Press filed open-records requests in May seeking copies of communications between governors’ offices and health, business and local government organizations during the period when they were considering reopening plans. The AP received records at no cost from at least 15 states, including Missouri. A few states sought to charge the AP hundreds or thousands of dollars. Many others still haven’t provided records, citing delays in complying with open-records laws because of the coronavirus. Records provided by Parson’s office included a survey of 146 businesses conducted by Associated Industries of Missouri from April 15-20. About two-thirds of respondents said their business had significantly declined during the pandemic. The survey results also included extensive comments from business leaders. Some urged caution and a gradual approach to reopening. “We would love to be back to normal, but not if it creates a second wave of risk,” wrote
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
one person. Another warned: “The lack of available testing for COVID-19 makes it reckless to relax the present stay at home orders.” But more business leaders pleaded to allow customers back in their doors. “RE-Start our economy before we don’t have one. Please,” implored one survey respondent. Another wrote: “Just get out of the way and LET US GO TO WORK!!!!!!” The results were forwarded to Parson’s chief of staff April 21 with an explanation from Associated Industries of Missouri President Ray McCarty that the governor was getting them before others. “Thank you, this is really helpful and informative,” replied Parson's chief of staff, Aaron Willard. Less than a week later, Parson announced that all Missouri businesses could re-open May 4, so long as they implemented social distancing guidelines. Parson spokeswoman Kelli Jones told the AP the business survey “provided quality information” and that the administration has “attempted to reach out and engage with all stakeholders who have been impacted by COVID-19.” McCarty told the AP he sent
Gilma an City En nro ollment
Photo Courtesy of Spickard R-2 School District
See Survey, Page 3
As classes are set to begin this week, several area school districts held a “prayer at the pole” event on Sunday afternoon. Spickard R-2, pictured above, was among the districts taking part. Spickard students head back to the classroom on Thursday. Other districts opening this week include Laredo R-7 and Grundy R-5 on Tuesday and Trenton R-9 and Pleasant View R-6 on Wednesday.
Right-Of-Way Maintenance Cost Savings
GEC Partner In Wildife Habitat Project The Missouri Department of Conservation is partnering with the Grundy Electric Cooperative on a project to benefit wildlife habitat and reduce power line right-of-way maintenance costs. Private property owners are also a voluntary partner. MDC’s Wires Over Wildlife program provides expertise and cost-share money for converting overgrown brush and trees under electrical distribution lines into more productive wildlife habitat, such as food plots or native wildflowers that benefit pollinators and wildlife. “One of the benefits I see is that the right-of-ways can provide connectivity for wildlife between habitats,” said Jason Jensen, MDC community and private Land conservation chief. The co-op is developing a pilot project in Grundy County, southwest of Trenton, with the help of MDC Private Land Conservationist Scott Roy. Grundy Electric Cooperative primarily serves Grundy, Mercer, and Harrison counties, but the co-op also has members in portions of nine other counties and maintains more than 2,200 miles of distribution lines. “This gives us an alternative way to maintaining right-of-way,” said Scott Wilson, co-op general manager. “We can turn a right-of-way into a pollinator plot or a food plot that a landowner maintains, which keeps us from having to clear brush under the lines in the future.” Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives must keep trees out of distribution lines
Sunny skikes and hot temperatures in the area through Thursday with highs forecast to be in the mid to upper 90s and lows to be in the upper 60s to low 70s. The high at Trenton on Thursday, Aug. 20 was 85, Friday’s high was 89 and Saturday’s high was 90. The high on Sunday was 95 with a low of 70. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
that carry electricity from substations to homes and businesses. Under the voluntary WOW program, a landowner with distribution lines crossing or bordering their property will be able to request that right-of-way vegetation be converted to wildlife friendly habitat. Native wildflowers and grasses add beauty, and they provide food and shelter for deer, turkeys, rabbits, butterflies and songbirds. MDC will provide expertise and plans for projects. The co-op will provide costshare funds. Landowners will also contribute to the cost-share project, including annual maintenance such as mowing or light disking. Cattle grazing may also be a management option. Well-managed grazing by cattle reduces vegetation density and adds openness, which greatly benefits ground-nesting grassland birds such as bobwhite quail. According to the MDC, the WOW program can provide more wildlife for property owners while reducing co-op maintenance costs. Also, after major storms with severe winds, openness under the lines makes it easier for co-op crews to reach the lines needing repair. The WOW program is also an option for other electric cooperatives in the state. “I think any time the co-ops can work with anyone to help our members it is a good thing,” said Caleb Jones, CEO for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. “Not only will this help us save money, it will also help wildlife. We’re proud to be a partner with the Missouri Department of Conservation.”
What’s Inside...
National Weather Service
The rules and regulations for attending fall sporting events in the Trenton R-9 School District have been announced. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times to find out what you will be asked to do to watch your favorite sports participant.
Trenton Republican-Times “News Every Day...When YOU Want It”
SUNNY, HOT
Grundy County has two new positive cases of COVID-19. According to the Grundy County Health Department, the cases were reported over the weekend and bring the total number of cases to 32 since reporting began. There are three active cases at this time in the county with one death reported. Other area counties and their case counts as of Monday morning (Aug. 24) include Sullivan, 161 (16 active); Carroll, 93 (5 active); Linn, 73 (5 active, 1 death); Livingston, 67 (2 active, 1 death; Chillicothe Correctional Center, 240 total cases, 47 active); Harrison, 60 (1 active, 1 death); Caldwell, 48 (10 active, 1 death); Daviess, 21 (5 active); Putnam, 21 (6 active, 1 death); and Mercer, 15.
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The Harrison County R-4 School District at Gilman City saw an increase in the number of students reporting on the first day of classes on Monday. A total of 130 students were enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12, which is seven more than the number on the first day a year ago. There are also 26 pre-school students. The eighth grade class has the largest number of students, 15, while the smallest class is first grade with five students. Other class totals include kindergarten, 12; second grade, 12; third grade, 9; fourth grade, 8; fifth grade, 11; sixth grade, 11; seventh grade, 8; ninth grade, 14; 10th grade, 8; 11th grade, 9; and 12th grade, 9.
Liibrrary Pllans Eve en t In celebration of National Library Week, the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library will host an event for children and their grandparents. “Fall Back into an Old Habit: Read a Book” will take place the week of Sept. 8-11 at the library. Children can bring their grandparents or other adults who fill that role to the library for special activities. There will be a special theme each day, along with take-home activities, crafts and snacks. This will be a come-and-go event and will take place during regular library hours. There will also be a sign-up for prize drawings to be held during the week. For more information, persons can contact the library at 359-3577.
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News ....................page 3 Across Missouri ............page 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Comics ...........................page 6 Dear Annie ....................page 7 Crosswords....................page 7 Classifieds ..............page 8 & 9