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Friday, November 13, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Trenton, MO 64683
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 157th Year - No. 21
TRENTON R-9 SCHOOL BOARD
Briefs...
Winter Sports Policy Addressed
In-Person Instruction Remains A Priority Keeping students in the classroom during the COVID pandemic was the focus of a lengthy discussion by the Trenton R-9 Board of Education during a meeting on Tuesday night. Superintendent Mike Stegman reported an uptick in COVID-related cases within the district, with numbers hovering around 200 for students and staff either having COVID or being quarantined as a close contact. He said that many of the incidents resulting in the absentees “are not under the control of the school district,” adding he felt the district was “doing the best it could” in its efforts to keep students and staff in the classroom. He said he believed online classes “were not the answer,” adding staff members cannot teach any better online than in person if they are ill. He said the district will do what it can to make in-person classes continue, adding he believes the district has done a good job in dealing with the pandemic. The district is looking into enhancement for its wireless network, with Stegman noting access points being the next item to be updated to help with online usage. He said funding is available through the E-rate program to help with the upgrade, which he hoped would come in late spring or summer. Director of Supportive Services Kris Ockenfels said the district has about 100 “hot spots” available for students who have little to no wireless capability with about 50 of those currently in use. Additional hot spots can be obtained if needed. He said Internet service is also available in the parking lot of the high
GRUNDY COUNTY COMMISSION
school and elementary school parking lots for students who cannot get service where they live. There was also discussion regarding the district’s use of iPads, with Stegman noting the district is in a program in which the devices are replaced every four years, with repairs being made as needed. Reviews as to usage of the iPads are mixed and Ockenfels said some online students are not turning in their homework even though the district is providing the hot spots and iPads. Dr. Whitaker said students need to be aware that they will not be receiving credit if they do not turn in their work. Stegman also reviewed the policy regarding attendance at winter sports activities, with the district attempting to control the number of individuals in attendance. Each athlete is being given four tickets while visiting athletes will receive two tickets and no one will be admitted without a ticket. Stegman said the district has set a maximum at 400 persons, which is around 50 percent of the capacity in the high scheol gym. The high school gym is being used for activities at both the high school and middle school to allow more spectators. Stegman noted the 400 also includes cheerleaders and band members. Several board members expressed a concern about students not having enough tickets available to them for family members to attend their events, with Brandon Gibler and Dr. David See Election, Page 8
L3Harris and Command 1 LLC for detailed information regarding an update to the county 911 communications system. Both firms are located in Missouri. An updated user agreement has been submitted to NW Electric involving a lease agreement to place 911 radio equipment on the NW Electric towers near Galt and west of Trenton. The agreement is to be reviewed by both parties prior to being signed and activated. Grundy County Ambulance Service Director Steve Tracy said Philips heart monitors have been ordered, with the monitors capable of offering video monitoring and medical control as well as transmitting information to patient care
TRENTON CITY COUNCIL
Citty C ommiittee Me eetings Three committees of the Trenton City Council have scheduled meetings for next week. The Economic Development Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16 at city hall. The public will not be allowed to physically attend the meeting, however, the meeting can be accessed on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82217871203. Items on the announced agenda include discussion of a use tax, a convention and visitors bureau update and reports from NCMDA Director Micah Landes and Main Street Trenton Director Megan Taul. The Utility Committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with the Finance Committee to meet at 7 p.m., both at city hall. Both meetings can be viewed on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88379756440. Items on the Utility Committee agenda include department reports, a director’s update and a review of monthly finances. The finance committee will conduct a six-month financial review and also discuss police department salaries.
THS Dra ama Prresentation
Interest In 911 System
HVAC Bid Is Approved The Grundy County Commission accepted a bid for HVAC work at the courthouse during its meeting on Tuesday. According to information provided by Presiding Commissioner Philip Ray, Wilson Heating and Cooling submitted the lone bid for the HVAC work, which includes three two-stage 96 percent efficiency natural gas furnaces, an exhaust flue, supply line, ductwork and labor. The cost was listed at $20,221. The system will replace the boiler, which has become increasingly difficult to maintain in recent years. Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs told commissioners information has been requested from
COVID-19 Update COVID-19 cases continue to increase, with Grundy County seeing 33 more active cases since the report received by the Republican-Times on Monday. The Grundy County Health Department said that as of Thursday morning, 103 active cases are being monitored by health department officials. Grundy County has monitored 483 total cases since testing began, up from 50 since Monday. The total includes\ 17 deaths. Numbers continue to increase in surrounding counties as well. The totals as of Thursday include Livingston, 564 (70 active, including 15 hospitalized, and 15 deaths); Sullivan, 514 (92 active, 4 deaths); Linn, 446 (97 active, 14 deaths); Carroll, 369 (62 active, 8 deaths); Caldwell, 310 (58 active, 2 deaths); Daviess, 277 (106 active, 5 deaths); Harrison, 256 (45 active, 1 death); Putnam, 101 (20 active, 2 deaths); and Mercer, 54 (18 active, 0 deaths).
providers, which allows for a contactless transfer of care when the need arises. The cost of the monitors is being paid for with CARES Act funding. It was reported there has been increased difficulty experienced with the supply of PPE available for patient care providers. Tracy also reported that while call volume has remained on track, the nature of calls has changed due to COVID. Interfacility transfer numbers are slightly up from previous years. Equipment purchase plans were outlined for FY2021, with the primary discussion centering on the remount of an ambulance. Ray said the See County, Page 8
The Trenton High School Drama Club will present “Hallmark of Horror” in two presentations on Friday, Nov. 20 in the Rissler Elementary School gym. Show times are set for 6 and 7:15 p.m. and tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students. To reserve a ticket, persons can contact instructor Tash Dowell at tdowell@trentonr9.k12.mo.us or call the high school at 359-2291. Those attending the event should plan to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Down n town n D olla ars Main Street Trenton is sponsoring a promotion featuring eight locally-owned downtown businesses and giving shoppers a chance to win a basket of items from those businesses. “Downtown Dollars” will take place from Nov. 23-28. For $5, persons can purchase a card filled with discounts and special offers, then use the cards at those businesses during the Nov. 23-28 timeframe. At the end of the timeframe, the cards can be returned to either Vintage Vines or Howard’s Department Store for a chance to win the basket. The cards are available for purchase at Vintage Vines, Howard’s Department Store and the Trenton Main Street office. Participating businesses include Vintage Vines, Main Street Mercantile, Howard’s Department Store, Lucky Dog Embroidery, Chumbley’s Pet Central, Fueled Up Nutrition and Grand River Press and Design.
Fire Truck To Be Repaired
City Health Insurance Sees 3.9% Increase The Trenton City Council approved employee health insurance rates and agreed to make repairs to a fire truck during a meeting on Monday night. On a 7-0 vote, with Cathie Smith absent, the council approved a 3.9 percent increase in employee health insurance through the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, an insurance pool of 25 municipalities and of which the city has purchased its insurance coverage for the past three years. The increase for insurance coverage will be $29,580, all of which will be paid by the city. Funds to pay for the increase are coming from a rebate the city had received from its previous insurance provider and had placed in a fund to help pay for future insurance costs. The 63 employees covered by the insurance will see no rate increases for their portion of the insurance costs. The council voted 6-1, with Glen Briggs opposed, to move forward with repairs to the 2000 American LaFrance fire truck, which is currently out of service
due to being unable to pump water. Fire Chief Brandon Gibler said the truck was taken to Jon’s Mid America Fire in Oak Grove, which determined repairs are needed to a gearbox and the pump housing and estimated the cost at just over $27,000. This is the same fire truck that received $16,000 worth of chassis repairs earlier this year. Gibler talked about other options for the council to consider - both of which included purchase of a different truck. He noted a used truck would cost between $200,000 to $300,000 while a new truck could be purchased at around $475,000. By purchasing a new truck, Gibler said the council could choose to refinance its loan for a ladder truck purchased three years ago and add the new truck to the note. The city currently pays $51,000 annually for the ladder truck, which is paid through the fire tax. Adding the new truck would increase those payments to $81,000. Gibler said the city would have to come up with how to pay the difference as the tax would not support the
National Weather Service
Rain likely on Friday night and Saturday with the sun returning on Sunday. Highs will be mainly in the low 50s with lows hovering around the freezing mark. The high at Trenton on Monday was 73. Tuesday’s high reached 67 and .67 of an inch of rain was recorded. The high on Wednesday was 57 and the low was 29. The high on Wednesday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 53, the low was 28.
additional costs if a new truck was purchased. Gibler also told council members that the pumper truck now out of service is the first one out of the station for fire calls and is also used to do rental inspections, which are currently being done by the fire department. He said using the fire truck for inspections allows for firemen to be on scene immediately should they be called out for a fire or an accident while doing an inspection. City Administrator Ron Urton reported repair has been completed on one pipe at the river pump station, but that a second leak is now being addressed. He said bids are to be opened on Nov. 18 for the river jetty/pump station and rip rap repairs at the East 28th Street Bridge. Replacement of the cable on the flag pole at Five Points is also being done, resulting in the flag having to be taken down. An executive session for legal and real estate matters was also held with no announcement made.
What’s Inside... THS senior Maci Moore has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at North Central Missouri College beginning in January. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for a photo and information about the newest Pirate roundballer.
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Twelve Pages & 1 Insert NCMDA Meeting ED Needs
And The Survey Says... Editor’s Note: The Trenton Republican-Times will be publishing a weekly series of articles regarding the activities of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance and information about economic and community development in Grundy County. By Micah Landes, Director North Central Missouri Development Alliance Grundy County is included the northwest region of the state and is comprised of 18 counties in the corner of Missouri. In reality, due to our central location, Grundy County is actually a part of the northeast region as far. But for state reporting purposes, we are in the northwest region. In 2019, the Department of Higher Education and Department of Workforce Development prepared a Missouri Workforce Survey study which will be referenced as the data points of this week’s update. Economic development is an art, not a science, and is always reacting to what is happening today, while attempting to position a community or county for the projected trends of the future. According to the Missouri Workforce survey, the northwest region’s workforce is comprised of 123,000 employees representing just 4.2 percent of the total state employment. In keeping with the baby boomer phenomena, the workforce is getting older, with 24 percent of the workforce being age 55 or older. Educational attainment is below state averages with the exception of high school graduation (or equivalent) rates, which are higher than the state average. The higher high school graduation rates can be attributed to the importance schools have in smaller communities which make up most of the northwest region. The study also analyzed the top employing industries in the region and showed manufacturing, health care, social assistance, retail trade, accommodation, food service and public administration were the sectors employing the most people. Within the manufacturing sector the region has concentrations in food, fabricated metals and chemical manufacturing. The production and processing of food is certainly an industry that is identified with northwest Missouri. Major food manufacturers such as Nestle, Kraft, Smithfield and Tyson provide thousands of jobs and are projected to grow through 2026. Other sectors with projected growth in the region include health care and social assistance occupations. Economic development is See NCMDA, Page 8
What’s Inside
Sports .....................page 2 & 3 Op/Ed ............................page 4 Community ...................page 5 Agriculture....................page 6 Local ..............................page 7 Across Missouri ............page 8 Comics ...........................page 9 Dear Annie ..................page 10 Crosswords..................page 10