Trenton R-Times_01-15-2021

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

TRENTON

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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 157th Year - No. 38

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R-9 Board: Teachers Are Essential Now Staff Won’t Have To Quarantine Unless Symptoms Are Shown

Teachers and administrators in the Trenton R-9 School District will now be considered “essential” employees after action taken by the R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday. On a vote of 4-3, the board voted to make the designation, which would allow classified staff and administrators to be in school as long as they are not sick or showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. The designation would mean that teachers who may have been exposed to the virus through a close contact would not have to quarantine from school unless they are showing symptoms. Those voting in favor of the designation were Brandon Gibler, Dr. David Whitaker, Corey Leeper and Andy Burress. Voting against the motion were Marcie Cutsinger, Dorothy Taul and Cliff Roeder. The issue of whether or not to designate teachers as “essential” employees has been discussed among school districts since the pandemic

hit the U.S. last spring. R-9 Superintendent Mike Stegman said the district had received legal advice previously that designating the teachers as essential could leave the district open to liability if a teacher who is not showing symptoms but would ordinarily be required to quarantine were to be at school and infect students. Board members voting for the measure felt that many teachers are having to quarantine when they are not sick and through no fault of their own. A motion to designate all staff as essential failed, although board members said they do feel that all of the staff is essential. Gibler was the only “yes” vote on that measure. In another COVID-related decision, the board voted to continue the 80 hours of paid leave for COVID19 through the end of the 2020-21 school year. The vote was 7-0. Under the plan, teachers are allowed 80 hours of COVID leave before having to use their sick leave, which accrues at 10 days per year. Those who are able to teach from home or perform other duties from home will be asked to log those hours, which will then be deducted from the amount of time used. Board members heard an update on the district construction project, with Director of Support Services Kris Ockenfels saying the work at

the high school/middle school should be completed in early spring. Plans for small events to let the public see the changes are being planned, with a larger event, such as a spring program, being considered for the first public event. Director of Special Education Tara Hoffman gave a report on Early Childhood/Parents as Teachers programs. The Early Childhood Program, which operates the three- and four-year-old preschool program, has a half-day program, five days a week, with morning and afternoon sessions for each age group. Mrs. Hoffman said playgroups have been cancelled for this year. The program offers transportation, daily snacks (through the Rissler Elementary School cafeteria) and annual early childhood screenings for vision, hearing, speech, language development, motor skills, concepts, and social and emotional development. The PAT program currently has 57 children enrolled representing 36 families, with 10 of those families meeting the criteria of “high needs.” Rissler Principal Tiffany Otto reported on in-service meetings and the iReady Reading and Math diagnostic assessments. An assessment at the beginning of the year showed students to be significantly behind grade level in reading, but a follow[See R-9, Page 7]

City Taking Over Right Of Ways Council Also Approves Rock Blankets

The Trenton City Council approved two routine ordinances during a meeting Monday evening. One ordinance authorizes the city to enter into an agreement with BRS Construction LLC to install Missouri Department of Transportation Type 2 rock blankets at two locationsthe raw water intake on the Thompson River and on 28th Street at the Muddy Creek Bridge. The company will be paid

$276,370 for repairs, which are to be completed by the end of March. The raw water intake portion of the work will cost $181,350, all of which will be paid for by the city, while the Muddy Creek Bridge work will cost $95,020, of which the city will pay $45,510 with the remainder being paid for by the county. FEMA funds will be used to pay 75 percent of those costs. The council also approved an ordinance approving an agreement between the city and MODOT by which the city will accept the right-ofway in two areas as was agreed upon in July 2019. The areas in which the city will now have responsibil-

ity for maintenance of the right-of-way includes Oklahoma Avenue (referred to by MODOT as Business 65) from just north of the intersection of Ninth/10th Street and Oklahoma Avenue north to just south of the 28th and Oklahoma Avenue intersection. In addition, the right-of-way on Princeton Road/28th Street from near 21st Street to just west of the 28th and Oklahoma Avenue intersection will also be deeded to the city, with the city taking over maintenance. Councilmembers gave the go-ahead to Street Superintendent Gary Dryer to pursue the purchase of a used dump truck, which is estimated to cost $30,000

to $35,000 and would replace an older model. The funds are included in the current budget and councilmembers had planned to purchase a different type of vehicle (10-wheeler), however, on Dryer’s recommendation, they agreed that purchasing another dump truck would make more sense with the amount of contracted hauling the city is currently doing. It was noted that the current trucks are at least 20 years old and one is currently being offered for sale through an online auction site. Councilman Glen Briggs commended the street department crews for [See COUNCIL, Page 7]

Park Board Reviews Possible Projects 2021-22 Budget Could Include Up To Seven Projects

The Trenton Park Board reviewed a list of projects for possible inclusion in the 2021-22 budget during a meeting held Wednesday at the park department shop building. Board President Duane Helmandollar presented the list, which will now have cost estimates attached to each item so they can be included in expenses for the new budget. The projects include: Trenton Family Aquatic Center - dumpster bin repair and diving

board fall protection. Moberly Park – replacement of trash bins, repair of the dugout at the lower ball field, stump removal, new backboards and removal of the light by the flagpole (there is a different one in place). Shop Building – concrete parking area/sidewalk and spray foam for the addition. Gladys Grimes Park – playground border, replacement of the flagpole and concrete pad, pea gravel on the playground and replacement of the swing set. Burleigh Grimes Field – renovation of the parking lot on the south side of the field, including putting in a tube and painting the outside walls of the concession stand/press box. Van Meter Park – playground border, pea gravel inside playground

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Snow moves into the area today (Friday) ending tonight. Saturday and Sunday will be mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-30’s and lows in the low 20’s. Monday looks to be partly sunny with a high of 40. The high at Trenton on Monday was 45, Tuesday’s high was 51 and Wednesday’s high was 49 with a low of 34. The high Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 47, with a low of 31.

and adding a metal sign on the existing concrete sign. Eastside Park – replace the entrance sign and re-seal the walking trail. Helmandollar encouraged members of the grounds, pool and facilities committees to get together soon to discuss budget priorities. Board member Gary Schuett, who serves on the grounds committee, said a cleanup will get under way soon at the Sesquicentennial Park and board members agreed to have Park Superintendent David Shockley seek bids for stump removal at Moberly Park, where several trees are in the process of being removed. In his report, Shockley said park department staff has been removing snow at the public safety complex, [See PARKS, Page 7]

BRIEFS County COVID Update The Grundy County Health Department has released its latest COVID-19 numbers as well as information on the status of possible vaccinations in the county. According to Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson, the county has 82 active cases of COVID, a number that is down from the 99 active cases reported in the Tuesday Republican-Times. There are 971 total cases (up from 952) which includes 748 confirmed cases (up from 724) and 223 probable cases (down from 228). The county is reporting 33 deaths attributed to the virus, a number that is up from 29 reported on Tuesday. In addition, Ms. Gibson said the health department has received the first of two anticipated deliveries of vaccine for individuals in Tier 1A, which consists of patient-facing healthcare providers and staff, such as EMS, physicians, nurses, optometrists, dentists, pharmacists, chiropractors and community health workers. GCHD staff is working to identify and vaccinate individuals within this group who live or work in Grundy County.

MLK Closings Several offices and businesses have announced plans to be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Closed will be the Trenton Post Office, Trenton City Hall/TMU, the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce/License Bureau, all state offices at the Grundy County Courthouse (Division I and II of the Circuit Court, the juvenile office and recorder’s office), the USDA Farm Services Agency, the Grundy CountyJewett Norris Library, the Grundy County Health Department, the North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center, the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission and Missouri Job Center, the Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri, BTC Bank, Citizens Bank, Farmers State Bank, Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri and US Bank. There will be no classes in the Trenton R-9 School District or at North Central Missouri College, where all offices and buildings on all campuses will be closed. The Ketcham Community Center will be open from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Trenton Republican-Times office will be open and the Tuesday, Jan. 19 edition will be delivered as usual.

Standoff Ends After 8 Hours The Trenton Police Department was involved in an eight-hour standoff with a suicidal subject Tuesday in the 300 block of Kavanaugh Street. According to Chief Rex Ross, the subject, later identified as 37-year-old Marquise Jones of Trenton, was reported to have a gun. When officers arrived, they secured the scene and requested assistance from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. As the standoff wore on, Jones became loud and angry toward officers. As they surrounded the residence and attempted to talk with him from the street, Jones pointed the handgun toward officers multiple times. The TPD requested assistance from the Special Response Team of the St. Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department. After deploying what Chief Ross said were “less lethal” measures, Jones was eventually taken into custody and charged with unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held in the Grundy County Detention Center on $25,000 cash-only bond, with a court date of Jan. 26. Chief Ross commended the help provided by those departments mentioned above as well as the Trenton Fire Department and the Grundy County Ambulance Service.

Budget Hearing Tuesday

The Grundy County Commission will meet in regular session Tuesday at the courthouse. The only item listed on the announced agenda is a 9 a.m. public hearing to receive comment on the 2021 budget. The commission will continue its work on the document during the remainder of the meeting.

Filing Deadline Nears Tuesday, Jan. 19 is the deadline to file for offices, subject to the Tuesday, April 6 Municipal and School Board election. Those wishing to file for the Trenton City Council may do so at city hall, while those who wish to file for a seat on the Trenton R-9 School Board may do so at the district office. Those wishing to file for seats on area councils and school boards may do so at their respective city halls and school offices. It should be remembered that many city hall offices and schools are closed Monday, Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Properties For Sale Grundy County Collector-Treasurer Barbara Harris has announced that she is taking sealed bids for properties that have gone beyond the third offering at the Grundy County Delinquent Tax Sale. Those that failed to receive a bid at the third offering may be sold by sealed bid according to Missouri State Statutes. A list of the properties will be posted and available at the collector-treasurer’s office, located on the second floor of the courthouse.

Dolan Files For City Council A Trenton city councilman has filed for re-election from the fourth ward, subject to the April 6 Municipal Election. John Dolan of 4002 Manor Dr., has filed for re-election. He is the only candidate from the fourth ward to file. Glen Briggs, the incumbent councilman from the first ward has also filed for re-election. Others whose terms are up include Danny Brewer from the second ward and Cathie Smith from the third ward. Candidates may file for office through Tuesday, Jan. 19.

SCHOOL BOARDS HOLD MEETINGS... School boards from Pleasant View, Laredo, Tri-County, Princeton and Newtown-Harris held their monthly meetings this week discussing personnel and 2021-2022 school calendars. LOCAL, PAGE 3

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SPORTS ..........................PAGE 2 LOCAL ....................PAGES 3 & 7 OP/ED ...........................PAGE 4 CALENDARS ..................PAGE 5 AGRICULTURE..............PAGE 6 COMICS .........................PAGE 8 CROSSWORDS ..............PAGE 9 CLASSIFIEDS ...............PAGE 10 NASCAR .....................PAGE 11


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