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Dec. 24, 2019 UPSP 213-200 Vol. 155, No. 31
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Appeals court approves Grain Belt power line A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, gave approval to the state’s portion of a controversial wind power transmission line that would provide energy from the Midwest to a power grid for eastern states. The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District ruled against landowners and the Missouri Farm Bureau, who claimed the Public Service Commission erred in March when it approved construction of the Grain Belt
Express Transmission line, according to The St. Louis PostDispatch. The $2.3 billion high voltage line would be one of the nation’s largest wind energy projects, carrying electricity generated by Kansas windmills 780 miles across rural Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana serving eastern states. Missouri landowners in the project’s path, along with the
Janet McMahon retires after 23 years with health department; Amber Webb named as the new office manager Janet McMahon will retire Dec. 31, after 23 years as office manager at the Daviess County Health Department. Janet is responsible for many jobs at the health department. She is the county registrar, does accounting and payroll, bills state contracts and insurance, provides customer service, and covers a host of other office duties. Janet and her husband Casey live in Gilman City. Janet’s daughter, Elizabeth, is married to Jarett Webb. Janet has three grandchildren, Grady, Kason, and Sadie, who she says are her “pride and joy.” When asked what her plans are after retiring, Janet says: “I am looking forward to doing the simple things outside the office I haven’t gotten to do since working a full time job.” Janet McMahon Janet has been in the workforce for 48 years. She added that she is definitely looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren. The Daviess County Health Department staff and board expressed their thanks and gratitude to Janet for her 23 years of dedication and service to the health department and to the community. As Janet starts a new chapter in life, the health department is happy to welcome Amber Webb as the new office manager. Amber and her husband Jason live near Jamesport. They have three daughters, Colbi, Calli and Chyles. If you haven’t met Amber yet, visit the health department at 609 South Main Street in Gallatin and say hello. Amber Webb
Farm Bureau, argued before the appeals court that the commission misinterpreted evidence and state utility regulations in March when it reversed earlier findings and approved a “certificate of convenience and necessity,” declaring the project in the public interest. The certificate also gives developers the right to use eminent domain to construct the line. The opponents, called the Missouri Landowners Alliance, didn’t meet their obligation to show evidence that the commission’s order “was not based on competent and substantial evidence on the whole record,” Appellate Judge Mary Hoff wrote. The project is expected to cross the property of 570 Missouri landowners across more than 200 miles and eight northern counties. In Missouri, the route is proposed to go through Buchanan County, Clinton County, Caldwell County, Carroll County, Chariton County, Randolph County, Mon-
roe County and Ralls County. The commission initially rejected the proposal in 2015, but the owners reapplied after persuading nearly 40 municipal utilities in Missouri to buy power generated by the project, which could save an estimated $12.8 million each year for 20 years. In July 2018, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that state regulators had wrongly rejected the project. In June, the commission unanimously approved Chicagobased Invenergy’s acquisition of the transmission line from Clean Line Energy Partners. Invenergy contends its structures will take up less than 10 acres of land in Missouri, not including land underneath transmission wires. Lawmakers in the Missouri House approved legislation in April that forbids the project owners from using eminent domain for the line, but the proposal died in the state Senate after senators filibustered the bill.
FSA, MU Extension to host joint farm bill meeting in county The Daviess County U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and MU Extension will host a joint meeting to explain crop provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. The meeting will take place starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at the First Christian Church, 1501 Main St., in Gallatin. This meeting is open to the public and will conclude by 3:30 p.m. The 2018 Farm Bill has several changes that FSA and MU Extension would like to discuss with local producers. At the meeting, Mandi Bird, FSA County Executive Director, will provide an overview of Farm Program changes, Market Facilitation Payments, and Disaster Payments. Brent Carpenter, Agriculture Business faculty for MU Extension, will provide information on crop market prices and Decision Support Tools for (continued on page 9)
Gallatin’s Phil Tate passes away at home The Gallatin community was 100 people. Tate previously was saddened upon learning about influential in negotiations with the death of longtime communiContinental Grain Company to ty leader and former state replocate large hog confinement resentative Phil Tate. He was 73. operations in North Missouri, Phil apparently suffered resulting in the continuing emheart failure while sleeping at ployment of thousands through his home on West Grand Street Smithfield Foods today. on Sunday morning, Dec. 22. A graduate of Gallatin R-5 Arrangements are still pendHigh and the University of Mising, under the care and direction souri, Phil served five years as a of Stith Funeral Home of GallaGallatin city alderman, six years tin, as this early edition goes to on the school board and chaired press. The online guestbook is the successful bond election to www.stithfamilyfunerals.com erect the vocational building. Mr. Tate represented the 3rd Phil served in numerous and 4th Districts in the Missouri civic and service organizations House of Representatives from and was a 10-year volunteer fire 1986 to 1996. He was widely recfighter. For 17 years he was sucPhillip A. “Phil” Tate ognized as a leader in the area cessful in private business beof economic development on the fore entering into the political state and regional levels of government, most arena serving citizens in this region and entire recently assisting the City of Trenton in secur- state. A full obituary and arrangements will be ing the Nestle plant which employs in excess of posted on NorthMissourian.com when available.