Iron County
Resident ask for MoDOT help
A number of Iron County residents are asking people to sign a petition which urges the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to fix routes V and W.
The petition has been circulating around the county for the past few weeks and can be found at the various businesses and city halls in the county.
The petition specifically asks MoDOT to widen and add shoulders to routes W and V. Several deaths and injuries have been blamed on the narrow, hilly, curvy roadways.
The “deadly highway corridor” lies within two different MoDOT districts. The part in Iron County is District 9 while the part in St. Francois County is District 10.
MoDOT did a study on the highways in 1999.
“In their own report they said it was a critical issue,” said Ironton Mayor Tom Hamilton.
Area representatives and the presiding county commission plan to meet with representatives of both districts after the legislative sessions ends.
Madison County
Students earn highest honors at state competition
Several students from Fredericktown High School earned top honors recently at the Missouri State Solo and Ensemble Festival in Columbia, bringing home 13 superior “I” ratings and five outstanding “II” ratings. The state level is the final level, after district competition, and is recognized as the best student performances in the state. Those earning ‘I” ratings include Stephen Emlund, Amber Gipson, Travis Huffman, Jessica Morgan, Florian Spenner, Matt Stevens, Ashley Moyers, Madeleine Moore, Kayla Goldsmith, Kassy Boyd, Sabrina Johnson, Charlene King, Crystal Settle, Denise Johnson, Angie Miller, Melanie Nelson, Jamie Graham, Audra Spain, James Bearden, John Debold, Matt Hilterbrand, Sheena Shoemaker, Erica Robbins and Phillip Tune.
School district seeks support for levy increase
The Fredericktown R-1 School District is seeking the help of local voters in a special election Tuesday, June 3.
Due to recent budget cuts for the state, the R-1 district has already lost $120,000 from the current year’s budget. More than $400,000 is anticipated to be taken from next year’s budget. The district’s current levy is at $2.75, the state minimum. The ballot measure is asking for an increase to $3.20. At $3.10 the district’s levy would still be the second lowest among schools in surrounding counties.
“With these cuts, the district has found it necessary to ask for this levy increase to maintain educational programs and to possibly upgrade our heating and cooling system at the middle school,” said Dr. Kelly Burlison, superintendent of the district. The district has not replaced seven staff members, due to funding, who are leaving or retiring at the end of the school year.
Topping the school’s priority list is replacing the heating and cooling system at the middle school.
Residents can vote by absentee ballot until the day before the election, June 2. For information or questions about the levy, contact Dr. Burlison at (573) 783-2570.
Ste. Genevieve County
Kaskaskia church honored
A liturgy will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Immaculate Conception Church on Kaskaskia Island to honor the church’s 300 years of history and the city of Kaskaskia’s founding. Bishop Wilton Gregory of the Belleville Diocese will over see the celebration, which will feature music courtesy of the 1878 Jackson organ.
Memorial mass set for Memorial Day
A memorial mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day at the St. Joseph Church in Zell, and VFW Post 2210 will host a memorial service at the VFW Hall on Memorial Drive in Ste. Genevieve beginning at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow the service. The Post will again be participating in its annual “Avenue of Flags” as well.
Washington County
Public input sought for project in Mark Twain National Forest
If you are interested in the management of the Mark Twain National Forest, now is the time to get involved.
Officials are proposing a project that will affect the environmental quality of the park in the area east of Fredericktown. The project includes harvesting trees, using prescribed burns for wildlife habitat improvement and restoration and hazardous fuels reduction.
The project also includes the designation of 1,608 acres of old growth habitat, relocating a portion of the Audubon Trail located in the floodplain of Bidwell Creek, and the construction of two trailheads.
Illegal garbage dumps will be cleaned and 37 miles of road reconstruction and maintenance is proposed. Some roads will be evaluated for addition to the forest’s road system, or for closure and obliteration.
Comments regarding the proposal should be as specific as possible and must be submitted in writing by May 29, 2003, to ensure consideration. The final plan will be available for public review in September 2003.
For more information about the project, or to submit comments, contact the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District, P.O. Box 188, Potosi, MO 63664. The phone number is 573-438-5427.
