Boonville

Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar
After 15 years of operation on Commercial Street, Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar LLC expanded Nov. 28 with a drive-thru location. Owner and CEO Lyle Foster said startup costs for the drive-thru, at 1626 N. Boonville Ave., were $50,000. It fills an 800-square-foot building, formerly a Commerce Bank branch, which closed in early 2018, according to bank officials. He declined to disclose lease terms with building owner The General Council of the Assemblies of God, which he said handled in-house construction for the project designed by architect Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc. The shop is roughly a four-minute walk from the flagship Big Momma’s at 217 E. Commercial St. The drive-thru menu mostly focuses on coffee and espresso drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos, along with a few desserts. Prices range $2-$5.35. Foster said the shop also is expected to offer lunch options, including meatloaf and catfish, by early January from Queen City Soul Kitchen, which he co-owns with Francine Pratt.
Phone: 417-868-4157
Web: BigMommasCoffee.com

Birch & Willow Spa
A mother and daughter with nearly 30 years of combined experience in massage therapy opened Birch & Willow Spa LLC on Nov. 19 at 4562 Gretna Road, Ste. 4524, in Branson. The 3,200-square-foot spa in The Shoppes at Branson Meadows is owned by Jami Kysar and her mother, Jodi Lilly. The owners originally targeted an early May launch for their venture, but Kysar said factors such as getting city approval for their design plans from Pete Long of Design One Architects LLC and supply chain shortages contributed to the delays. Startup costs were $240,000, she said, declining to disclose the three-year lease rate with Maples Properties LLC. Birch & Willow Spa’s services include massages, facials and body treatments, as well as salon options such as haircuts, manicures, pedicures and eyelash extensions. Massages are roughly $50 for a half-hour, and haircuts start at $25 for children, $30 for men and $50 for women. Memberships also are offered, ranging from $85-$140 per month.
Phone: 417-544-0247
Web: BirchAndWillowSpa.com

Crescent Cradle Birthing Co.
Shortly after moving back to her hometown of Springfield from Nashville, Tennessee, Aneva Jefferson launched Crescent Cradle Birthing Co. on Aug. 17. Jefferson is the lone employee of the home-based business for which she serves as a doula, offering emotional and educational support during pregnancy, including birth and the postpartum period. She said startup costs were $1,200, adding she recently participated in training by Postpartum Support International, which covered perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In Nashville, Jefferson worked for a year as a doula with nonprofit Homeland Heart Birth and Wellness Collective, which promotes and protects maternal, perinatal and infant health among families of color. In addition to Crescent Cradle, she works as a care coordinator with Jordan Valley Community Health Center, where she began employment in August, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Web: Facebook.com/CrescentCradle
Email: crescentcradlebirthingco@gmail.com

Originally Appeared Here

Warm Springs Ranch has announced the return of its yearly holiday celebration. The home of the Budweiser Clydesdales, is opening up its special winter event, Holidays with the Clydesdales.Boonville, Missouri, announced dates for this year’s event. The reservations-only experience will be held Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, from 5-8 p.m.A favorite tourist destination in central Missouri, Warm Springs Ranch serves as the official breeding facility for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The ranch is home to more than 70 Clydesdales of all ages at any given time.The in-person experience allows guests to walk through the barn, see a Clydesdale wagon display, take photos with the Clydesdales and browse the gift shop stocked with unique holiday items. Food and Anheuser-Busch products will also be available for purchase.Private Winter WonderStalls can be reserved for $1,050 and accommodate up to 10 guests.To join the world-famous Budweiser hitch, a Clydesdale must stand at least 18 hands high (6 feet tall). They must have a bay coat, four white stockings, a blaze of white on the face, a black mane, and a black tail. The Budweiser Clydesdales must weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds and be at least four years old.Learn more about Holidays with the Clydesdales by Clicking here.Offered at $20 per person, $10 for children 3-12 and free for children two and under, the Warm Springs Ranch holiday experience is available for up to 750 guests in two time slots each evening: 5:00-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.

BOONVILLE, Mo. —

Warm Springs Ranch has announced the return of its yearly holiday celebration.

The home of the Budweiser Clydesdales, is opening up its special winter event, Holidays with the Clydesdales.

Boonville, Missouri, announced dates for this year’s event. The reservations-only experience will be held Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, from 5-8 p.m.

A favorite tourist destination in central Missouri, Warm Springs Ranch serves as the official breeding facility for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The ranch is home to more than 70 Clydesdales of all ages at any given time.

The in-person experience allows guests to walk through the barn, see a Clydesdale wagon display, take photos with the Clydesdales and browse the gift shop stocked with unique holiday items.

Food and Anheuser-Busch products will also be available for purchase.

Private Winter WonderStalls can be reserved for $1,050 and accommodate up to 10 guests.

To join the world-famous Budweiser hitch, a Clydesdale must stand at least 18 hands high (6 feet tall). They must have a bay coat, four white stockings, a blaze of white on the face, a black mane, and a black tail. The Budweiser Clydesdales must weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds and be at least four years old.

Learn more about Holidays with the Clydesdales by Clicking here.

Offered at $20 per person, $10 for children 3-12 and free for children two and under, the Warm Springs Ranch holiday experience is available for up to 750 guests in two time slots each evening: 5:00-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.

Originally Appeared Here

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, on behalf of nearly 26,000 members of Missouri FFA, Governor Mike Parson proclaimed Feb. 18-25, 2023, to be National FFA Week in Missouri.

“Missouri’s agriculture industry depends on our young people taking the lead,” Governor Mike Parson said. “We’re proud to see such leadership displayed in Missouri FFA members each time we meet with them. For the First Lady and I, living the agricultural way of life is our American Dream, and we appreciate all that our Missouri FFA members do to preserve that legacy and tradition for the next generations.”

For the fifth year in a row, Gov. Parson drove a John Deere tractor to the Capitol in honor of the FFA tradition of students driving their tractor to school during National FFA Week. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe joined in on the tradition again this year, demonstrating his ties to agriculture and commitment to FFA students. Missouri FFA President Colton Roy, from the Trenton FFA Chapter, received the proclamation on behalf of the 2022-2023 Missouri FFA State Officer team.

“Missouri FFA members have access to incredible opportunities to learn and grow,” Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe said. “As a first-generation farmer, I am proud to celebrate the future of Missouri agriculture with our next generation of leaders during National FFA Week in Missouri. It’s important we continue traditions, such as today’s event, to showcase our support of agricultural youth organizations.”

In 1928, 33 young men met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City, Mo., and began the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA). Today, the organization’s official name is the National FFA Organization, which 95 years later is represented locally by 8,995 FFA chapters and 850,823 members nationwide. 

“The passion FFA members possess is indescribable,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “Their excitement for the future of agriculture is reassuring. I’m confident Missouri FFA members will help the Missouri agriculture industry soar to new heights in the years to come, and I’m proud to stand alongside them as they do so.”

Missouri FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways through their experiences in agricultural education. Missouri is home to more than 356 chapters and 25,677 members, ranking the eighth highest in the nation for membership.

“Missouri schools work to provide students with access to opportunities, and FFA does just that,” said Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Margie Vandeven. “FFA has a rich history of helping students develop their skills and the attributes needed to be ready for their chosen path to success. We are proud of our students and the FFA Advisors who lead alongside them each day.”

To learn more about the Missouri FFA Association, visit MissouriFFA.org.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor drove tractors to work in honor of FFA Week.
(Photo provided by Missouri Department of Agriculture)

Originally Appeared Here

Missouri has numerous sources of beauty. There are many urban areas in The Show-Me State to visit, but the smaller towns offer the finest access to the state’s picturesque grassy plains and Ozark woods. There, visitors will discover inviting small-town charm, top-notch eateries and boutiques, active business sectors, magnificent state parks, outdoor activities, historic locations, and museums that are just waiting for visitors to explore them. Here are 10 beautiful towns in Missouri that should be visited because they perfectly capture the state’s beauty.

Related: 10 Reasons To Visit Missouri (You Hadn’t Thought Of)

10 Discover Missouri’s Wine Country At Hermann

Hermann, which was previously awarded Missouri’s most beautiful town in a reader’s survey, is located in the heart of Missouri’s wine region. It is tucked away along the Missouri River’s banks and provides a starting point for numerous local vineyards and rural areas that may be explored on foot or by bicycle. German immigrants founded the town in the middle of the 19th century, and Hermann’s German heritage is still evident in its brick buildings, yearly celebrations, and claim to be Missouri’s capital of sausage manufacture.

9 Learn About The Interesting History Of Parkville Town

Parkville, a relatively tranquil town, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state as a result of its efforts to conserve and promote its historic downtown area. In the 19th century, it was a key town for the westward migration that can be explored through nearby museums and historic structures. Visitors can browse antique stores, art galleries, and boutiques that sell homemade goods and vintage clothing. They can also find great eateries that primarily provide American cuisine and café treats.

8 Enjoy The Small-Town Charm Of Boonville

Boonville was established in the 1800s and was given its name by the sons of Daniel Boone. Due to its location on the Santa Fe Trail and the Missouri River commerce route, the town has a rich history and is best known for hosting a Civil War combat, but today it is one of the most amazing and tranquil tiny towns in Missouri to visit and discover the state’s rich history.

7 Explore Rocheport Bike Trails

Rocheport was once only a little trading post, but it has since developed into a stunning town that is ideal for lounging around. Rocheport is one of the top places in Missouri for cyclists if they are seeking an athletic adventure. The town is situated along the 240-mile (386.24 km) Katy Trail, which allows bicyclists to travel primarily along the Missouri River’s northern bank. Visitors can also hang out and browse the local boutiques and art galleries.

6 Observe Ste. Genevieve’s Historical Sites And Architecture

French Canadian colonists established this town way back in 1735, making it the first European colony west of the Mississippi. This is a great site for history buffs and architecture fans because a large portion of the original architecture and furnishings of various public structures and inns are traditionally French. The wineries and vineyards of Ste. Genevieve is also French-influenced.

• Sites to visit:
  Visitors can explore The Bolduc House Museum and the Felix Valle House State Historic Site

Related: Hannibal Is Missouri’s Most Visited Destination, But It’s Also The Most Haunted Town In The US

5 Visit Hannibal, Mark Twain’s Hometown

The renowned American author Mark Twain gave Hannibal its initial reputation by living there with his family. Additionally, many of his writings, including Tom Sawyer, have the town as their setting. Tourists can visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, which has been open for more than a century. Shopping, riverboat trips, museums, and other intriguing activities are all available in Hannibal. Visitors can also take part in one of the town’s ghost tours.

• Entrance fee to the museum:
  $12 per adult, $10 per senior, and $6 per youth (6 to 17 years old)

4 Appreciate The Beauty Of Branson

Branson is well-known as a tourist destination because of its extensive array of entertainment venues, but it is much more than that because of its proximity to the Ozark Mountains, wineries, and the Branson Tri-Lakes. Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits and scenic views, or they can take the free trolley to Historic Downtown to experience life in the 1880s. Branson offers beauty in the form of nature, modernity, and history. Spending a weekend in this town is an excellent idea!

• Additional activities to do:
  Tourists can visit Branson Landing, the Branson Scenic Railway at the historic depot, and the Ralph Foster Museum.

3 Kimmswick Is The Town For Those With A Sweet Tooth

Kimmswick, which is in Jefferson County, is a beautiful and well-liked vacation spot. Its history and architecture were preserved ever since the town was founded in 1859. Kimmswick attracts a surprising amount of tourists since it is filled with numerous locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, and antique stores. People who enjoy sweets travel to the town as well. The Dough Depot and the Blue Owl, the town’s two bakeries, are essential stops.

• The Town’s most popular events:
  The yearly Strawberry Festival and Bluegrass Festival in June and the Apple Butter Festival in October

2 Step Into The 19th Century At Arrow

Arrow Rock, a small community by the Missouri River, is located in Saline County. When visiting this town, tourists will think that they have gone back in time because it still has a lot of its rich history attractions conserved. The 1829 city design gave the town its distinctive appearance. Seeing an amazing show at the Lyceum Theatre is a must for tourists. The town also has interesting museums, a state historic site, several antique and specialty gift stores, delicious restaurants, and excellent bed-and-breakfasts.

1 Experience Carthage And Its Endless Maple Trees

In Missouri’s Jasper County, a charming little community called Carthage bears the name of the ancient Tunisian metropolis. Its abundance of colorful maple trees has earned it the title of America’s Maple Leaf City. To find out more about local history and the town’s involvement in the American Civil War, tourists can visit several historical sites and museums. They can also attend the Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage in October for lots of regional cuisine and beverages, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

• Additional sites to visit:
  Tourists can visit the Precious Moments hotel and shop, the Jasper County Courthouse, in addition to the Civil War battleground.

Originally Appeared Here

The state of Missouri is one of the USA’s key meeting points. The mighty Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet in Missouri at St. Louis. Missouri is also a meeting point for the midwestern and southern states—its neighbors include Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The state’s central location makes it a popular meeting point for visitors to tourist destinations like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Branson. But visitors should not miss out on the opportunity to meet up in one or more of Missouri’s many picturesque small towns. While there are great choices in every county, here is a list of seven of the cutest small towns in Missouri.

Boonville

Historic railroad Katy Bridge over Missouri River at Boonville with a new viewing deck – aerial view

Located on the outskirts of Columbia along the Missouri River, about halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Boonville is the seat of Cooper County. Home to about 8,000 residents, Boonville was named for two sons of Daniel Boone who settled nearby. Boonville’s location along the Missouri River and Santa Fe Trail made it an important crossroads, and it was a site of an early Civil War battle in June 1861. In addition to numerous historic markers and buildings, today’s Boonville offers gorgeous blufftop views of the Missouri River as well as a charming downtown business district. Boonville hosts an annual performing arts festival at the historic Thespian Hall (circa 1857).

Kimmswick

Street view in Kimmswick, Missouri

Despite being located less than 25 miles south of St. Louis along the Mississippi River, the village of Kimmswick definitely retains its small-town charm. Founded by Theodore Kimm in 1859, Kimmswick was a busy commercial center and a spa town at different times in its past. Today, Kimmswick has only about 150 residents, but maintains around 25 shops and restaurants in its downtown area due to tourist traffic. Visitors come to Kimmswick to see its large number of historical buildings, including a reconstructed log house from the 1840s. Kimmswick hosts several popular festivals though the year, including the Strawberry Festival in June, Apple Butter Festival in October, and Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival in December. 

Parkville

Riverpark Pub and Eatery in Historic Park College Power Plant Building, via Jon Kraft / Shutterstock.com

Because of its location within the Kansas City metro area, the town of Parkville’s population has nearly quadrupled over the past 40 years—but the current population is still only about 7,000. Despite this growth, Parkville continues to have one of Missouri’s most beautiful downtown areas. Downtown Parkville contains numerous historic buildings, with the limestone walls and grand towers of the Mackay Building (part of Park University) overlooking everything from a hilltop spot. Parkville is known for having several antique shops and art galleries that bring in visitors from Kansas City and beyond. The town also has a string of lovely parks along the Missouri River, with views of the neighboring state of Kansas on the other shore.

Rocheport

Cyclists at Rocheport station on Katy Trail, via marekuliasz / Shutterstock.com

Positioned in the middle of Missouri, about a two hour drive from either St. Louis or Kansas City, the quaint village of Rocheport has sat near where Moniteau Creek enters the Missouri River since 1825. The town’s population of about 200 residents live among numerous historic buildings dating as far back as the 1830s, especially in the Rocheport Historic District. Rocheport is home to a range of shops, restaurants, and inns, but visitors and residents also rave about the beautiful views of the Missouri River. The Katy Trail, which runs for about 225 miles across the state on an abandoned railroad line, goes through Rocheport, making it a popular stopover for bicyclists.

Ste. Genevieve

The County Clerk building in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

The oldest European settlement in present-day Missouri and one of the oldest anywhere west of the Mississippi River, Ste. Genevieve was founded by French-Canadian settlers from the Illinois Country across the river in 1735. The town, now home to about 5,000 people, retains several buildings from the 1700s that have a distinctive French architectural style, as opposed to the log cabin styles common elsewhere. Ste. Genevieve continues to celebrate this French connection with various festivals and events, and also bills itself as a family-friendly, pet-friendly, and eco-friendly escape for residents of nearby St. Louis and beyond. When water levels allow, the Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry shuttles cars, bicycles, and pedestrians across the Mississippi River.

Van Buren

View across campground from US 60; courthouse square in the distance, via Brian Stansberry on Wikipedia

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of southeastern Missouri, Van Buren is the county seat and largest town in Carter County, despite having fewer than 1,000 residents. While the town itself has an appealing small-town charm, Van Buren’s main draw is the natural beauty found all around the town and surrounding countryside. The crystal-clear waters of the Current River flow right through town and serve as a water gateway into the Ozarks. Visitors can catch beautiful sunsets over the Ozarks on Skyline Drive, try canoeing or whitewater rafting, stay at one of the numerous campgrounds, and head to The Landing back in Van Buren to enjoy some shopping and dining. 

Arrow Rock

Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitor Center: Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, via (nps.gov)

Arrow Rock is a tiny village of only about 60 residents in the middle of Missouri, but it is a place steeped in history and charm. While the town has existed since 1829, travelers have passed through Arrow Rock for centuries, from Native Americans to the Lewis and Clark Expedition to settlers heading westward on the Santa Fe Trail. The entire village was named a National Historic Landmark in 1963, and the historic architecture and character of Arrow Rock continue to be extremely well preserved. The compact downtown is ideal for walking tours and contains several cute shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts, as well as museums focused on Black history, the printing business, and more.

From the level plains of its northwest corner to the impressive Ozark Mountains of its southeast corner, the state of Missouri has more than its fair share of lovely small towns. Several of these towns are situated along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, demonstrating the vital importance of these waterways to the state’s history. But Missouri’s cutest small towns are not just stuck in the past; they offer plenty of recreation and entertainment options for modern visitors as well.

Originally Appeared Here

Steady streams of voters flowed in and out of polling places early Tuesday morning and into the afternoon as voting continued in Tuesday’s election.

Springfield voters have the opportunity to elect a mayor, choose at least three new City Council members and two school board members. They also ill decide whether Springfield Public Schools should move forward with a $220 million bond issue.

The polls close at 7 p.m. To find your polling place, visit the Greene County Clerk website at vote.greenecountymo.gov/.

The News-Leader interviewed Springfield voters leaving polling places in various parts of the city throughout the morning and early afternoon.

For additional coverage and election results, go online to News-Leader.com.

Neighborhoods, leadership factor into votes for mayor

Kris Hoffmeyer, a stay-at-home mom, visited McGregor Elementary on Tuesday morning to vote.

When it came to voting for mayor, Hoffmeyer said she chose Melanie Bach because of her pro-neighborhood stance on development.

“From my understanding, she is more in line with my type of thinking that we need to help ourselves be better before we bring lots of new in,” Hoffmeyer said. “I’m not against bringing new in, but I think we need to be more established and secure before that happens. There are people who live here in houses falling apart; roads that aren’t taken care of. We need to take care of our people more than we do.”

Jill Cooper voted at Sequiota Elementary School because she felt like Springfield leadership needs a change. For her, crime and homelessness were the biggest factors that went into deciding who to vote for.

“I’m concerned with the current situation in Springfield and the current leadership, and I think that we need some changes,” Cooper said, like making sure “the mayor represents the desire of the citizens, and they have a holistic approach to deciding what’s best for Springfield.”

Ray Burmood, a retired clinical social worker and resident of the Delaware neighborhood, said he voted for incumbent Ken McClure at University Heights Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. He described himself as a conservative-moderate.

Burmood is a board member for the National Alliance of Mental Illness Southwest Missouri and said McClure’s support for the organization is one reason why he voted for him.

“I’ve gone to some meetings that he’s been at and the dedication of our building down on Boonville, and he seems to really be in favor of helping out the mentally ill,” Burmood said. The NAMI Hope Center is located at 819 Boonville Ave.

For Stanley and Lynda Magoon, voting “is like celebrating birthdays and Christmas” — it’s just something they make sure to do. The Magoons voted at the Darr Agricultural Center on Tuesday morning.

Lynda said she has been happy with McClure.

“I also felt that Ken McClure has done a good job as mayor,” Magoon said. “No politician is perfect but some good things have happened during his administration.”

Electioneers try to win last-minute support

Gerard Burns was electioneering outside McGregor Elementary School, a polling place for members of the West Central neighborhood, in support of City Council Zone 3 Candidate David Nokes on Tuesday morning.

State law prohibits electioneering within 25 feet of a polling places, and bans political apparel inside, but candidates and supporters are allowed to make their pitches from outside that distance.

Burns is a former school teacher and currently works as an overnight security guard. Originally from Chicago, Burns moved to Springfield last year.

“I think he has a good attitude toward some of the problems that the city has,” Burns said about Nokes. “I think he correctly identifies that crime and homelessness are some of the bigger problems the city should address.”

Burns said that prior to Tuesday’s election, he met with the candidates he felt agreed with his political views, which he described as a meld of conservatism and libertarianism.

Carolyn Ruff and Maggie Castrey were outside the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center on Missouri State University’s campus on Tuesday afternoon, showing support for school board candidate Shurita Thomas-Tate. The women said they also voted for Jury Brunner.

“Springfield is changing. Thirty percent of the children in our schools are (of a) race or ethnicity other than white,” Castrey said. “We have significant numbers of children who are LGBTQ or trans, and I think we need people on the board who are committed to standing up for the rights of people who are not in the majority.”

Ruff and Castrey both added that they were not interested in voting for candidates with an “agenda.”

“Our kids aren’t red or blue, you know,” Castrey said. “Let’s focus on all being grown-ups and trying to educate them for the good of the community.”

Ruff and Castrey did not disclose which mayoral or City Council candidates they voted for but expressed support for the pro-neighborhood perspective.

Voters show support for Proposition S, mixed views on board

Paula Christenson voted at Sequiota Elementary School on Tuesday morning. The main issue that brought her out was Proposition S, which she said was especially important as the parent of former SPS students and someone who substitute teaches there.

If approved by Springfield voters, Proposition S would allow the district to issue $220-million in bonds for capitol improvements. It would not raise the property tax rate.

“I’ve been in the schools and I’ve seen how they’ve renovated Delaware and Hillcrest, and my kids all went to school here. The buildings need help,” Christenson said. “It’d be nice if they put up doors that shooters can’t break, like they did in Nashville.”

Donnie Browning also voted in favor of Proposition S at Sequitoa Elementary School on Tuesday morning. Browning did his research, which included talking with people who would be directly impacted by races’ outcomes.

“Proposition S is important to me; my wife is a teacher. I love the upgrades and what they plan on doing with the funding,” Browning said. His wife’s input also helped him decide his choices for school board.

At Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church, Ryan Kowalski, who said he volunteers at Westport Elementary, also voted yes for Proposition S on Tuesday morning.

“Knowing that Proposition S would be good for our local schools is really important to me,” Kowalski said. “Even though it’s a regular election time to get out and support that, having worked in public schools it’s going to be really beneficial to all of the people that I work and volunteer with.”

Burns did not disclose the candidates he voted for school board, but he stressed his distaste for Critical Race Theory.

“I think some things like Critical Race Theory are just ridiculous ideas,” Burns said. “My own family is multi-racial … the idea that people are supposed to have an attitude of someone else because of their race, is ridiculous. I’m very much against that.”

Current and former SPS employees cited the school as reasons they came out to vote Tuesday morning at Darr Agricultural Center.

“I wanted to vote for Judy Brunner. I know what kind of educator she is,” said Carol Arms, a former educator. “When I used to teach at Wilder Elementary, she was my principal when I was there. She was such a wonderful educator so I wanted to make sure that I voted for her. That was the most important to me.”

Nancy Ragains said voting on school board and Proposition S was important to her as a current employee at SPS.

“I work for the school, so I have my opinions on how the school board, which direction I’d like for it to go,” Ragains said. “I’m a strong proponent of Proposition S so we can continue doing what we’ve been doing.

Brian Cain said he already planned to vote in the election, but the attack ads targeting Brunner and Thomas-Tate reminded him why he needed to exercise his civic duty at the Darr Agricultural Center on Tuesday morning.

“It was amazing to me to see a negative attack ad against school board opponents, calling them ‘anti-American,’” Cain said. “I was already going to vote for Shurita Thomas-Tate and Judy Brunner, but I was flabbergasted” at the ad.

“It kind of reminded me how important it is to vote locally,” Cain said.

While the Magoons, who voted at the Darr Agriculture Center, have no children or grandchildren in the Springfield Public School district, they both feel strongly about education.

“I am very disturbed about the lack of, I call it civics. Growing up, we had civics from first grade on — learning the Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution, and ‘I have a bill here on Capitol Hill.’” Lynda said. “Some of the young people today just have no clue. … How do you make decisions on those kinds of things when you don’t have something to judge?”

The state of public education across the country is part of what drove Stanley’s decisions, as well.

“I am a firm believer that our education system — throughout the country, we’ve lived in many areas of the Midwest in our working career — is failing our kids in too many places. It just really bothers me,” Stanley said. “The school system needs to get back to ‘reading, writing and ‘rithmatic,’ like when I was a kid. Making sure they’re teaching that really well and get away from some of this other stuff. I’m really opposed to what popular culture is calling ‘woke,’ things that are happening in school.”

Missouri State students provide resources to community

Set up outside the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center on Tuesday was the Paws to the Polls tent. The student organization, established in 2020, works to educate both students and community members on the importance of voting. This year, the organization published a non-partisan voter guide for the local election.

Paws to the Polls member Ava Taylor said the organization emailed three questions to each mayoral, City Council and school board candidate for the guide. All of the candidates but City Council General Seat D Candidate Derek Lee submitted answers.

“With local elections, this is going to impact our community for years to come,” Taylor said. “Who gets elected today is going to have really lasting impacts.”

Originally Appeared Here

Whatever you do, don’t forget to sign the form before you mail it.

Greene County Assessor Brent Johnson and his staff have more than 15,000 personal property assessment forms to review by June 1. They also mailed out more than 32,000 second notices to Greene County property owners who did not return their initial assessment forms. 

If a property assessment is not returned to the Assessor’s Office by May 1, the property owner incurs a penalty.

“It’s between $15 and $105, but for a lot of people $105 is a lot of money, so I really want our people to understand: get them in,” Johnson said. “And if we have to make adjustments after that, that’s okay. We still received your list.”

One of the most common mistakes, Johnson said, is property owners who use the paper mail-in option forget to sign the form. The signature line is found in the middle of the first page of the form.

“They fill out the form, they mail it in, we have to send it back to them to sign,” Johnson said. “I can’t accept it without their signature, so that’s the rough part. I’m like, ‘Oh, man.’”

There are more than 118,000 taxpayers in Greene County. Johnson estimates about two-thirds of them have returned their assessments at this time. You can check your assessment status with a new online tool available on the Greene County Assessor’s Office website.

Sometimes, personal property tax is the last thing people think about when they move.

“People move, and so we don’t get their new addresses until we get their mail returned on their initial notices, so we update the address and send out a second notice,” Johnson said.

Missouri law requires all Greene County residents and business owners as of Jan. 1, 2023, to declare all taxable personal and business property to the assessor. Taxable property includes motor vehicles, boats, trailers, livestock, farm machinery and business-related equipment. The assessment lists are the basis of 2023 personal and business property tax bills, which residents and business owners will receive in November from Collector of Revenue Allen Icet.

Not receiving a form in the mail is not an excuse to avoid filing. Residents and business owners who did not receive an assessment list should call the Greene County Assessor’s office at (417) 868-4101, or visit the office in the Greene County Historic Courthouse at 940 North Boonville Avenue, Room 37.

Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The assessor’s staff has until June 1 to review all of the forms. Only about 20,000 people use the online filing system.

“I would love more people to use the online filing,” Johnson said.

But for those who don’t file online, the staff of the assessor’s office is there to check their filings by hand.

“We have a lot of folks who don’t file online, so we have a lot of paper forms, so right now of all the forms we have received, we still have to go through about 15,000 paper forms that have changes,” Johnson said. “They are marked ‘received,’ but somebody has to physically review those paper forms.”

Real estate assessments occur in odd-numbered years, so 2023 is a reassessment year. That means for most Greene County property owners, real estate taxes could change compared to what was paid in 2022. Property values can also change for people who made improvements to their properties, like adding a garage or a wooden deck, in such a way that the improvements increase the home’s assessed valuation.

When it comes time to pay taxes in November and December, every property owner’s tax statement contains a breakdown of where their money goes, listing their school district, fire protection district, library tax, tax for Ozarks Technical Community College, plus taxes for senior citizens programs and for the state of Missouri, among others. 

Rance Burger

Rance Burger covers local government for the Daily Citizen. His goal is to help people know more about what projects their government is involved in, and how their tax dollars are being spent. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with 15 years experience in journalism. Reach him at rburger@sgfcitizen.org or by calling 417-837-3669. Twitter: @RanceBurger More by Rance Burger

Originally Appeared Here

BOONVILLE − The opening of MU Health Care’s new Boonville clinic saves some stress in the commute for one mid-Missouri couple.

Earl Mangels went for his physical therapy appointment at the new clinic Monday. He and his wife, Patty, scheduled the appointment months ago for the opening. They live in Bunceton, about a 20-minute drive from the clinic.

The building, located at 516 Jackson Road, is 14,000 square feet and has an urgent care with extended hours, primary care, imaging to include a CT scanner, lab and therapy services.

The Jackson Road Medical Building, located at 516 Jackson Road, Boonville.

Courtesy of MU Health Care

Though Boonville did have physical therapy services before, the Mangels said having the clinic closer for blood draws and urgent care services is tremendously helpful.

“If you have an emergency, it’s here, you don’t have to worry about calling an ambulance because it’s here … and that’s expensive [ambulances], so that’s the way I look at it,” Earl Mangels said.

MU Health Care collaborated with Boonville and Cooper County leaders to find more options for extra health services in the area after the Pinnacle Regional Hospital closed in 2020.

The Mangels said having more emergency services nearby will help close some of the gap left behind.

“It’s a load off everyone’s back around here,” Earl Mangels said. “To have a place to go without driving 40 miles to get there, that’s the thing. It [could be] a life or death situation.”

Patty Mangels said she’s waiting for more specialty services for the area to keep filling the gaps left from the closed hospital.

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“It would be nice to see a cardiologist, a specialist pediatrician coming in, orthopedic, because we’ve had that in the past and it would be nice to have that again,” Patty Mengels said.

MU Health Care said those specialty options are in the works.

“We have a lot of specialists who are very interested in coming over and having clinics here, so hopefully as the year goes on we’ll get those established and that will be great,” Dr. Mona Brownfield, a physician and medical director at the Boonville clinic, said. “Helping people not having to go to Columbia to see their specialist will be very important.”

Brownfield said the clinic has talked to many specialists at the university in nephrology, cardiology and orthopedics.

The Boonville clinic expands on MU Health Care clinics throughout mid-Missouri. The company has clinics in Fayette, Ashland, Fulton and Mexico.

Brownfield said MU Health Care’s expanding helps serve smaller communities more efficiently.

“When our hospital closed and it became really hard to get health care, they [patients] put off a lot of their health care needs, and I think a lot of people in rural communities tend to do that because it’s just too hard to get to Columbia to take care of those things,” Brownfield said. “I think all the local and rural outreach clinics that the university is providing will really help people in their long-term health care goals, and as far as preventive goals in keeping them healthier.”

Patients wishing to schedule an appointment with the MU Health Care Family Medicine Clinic in Boonville should call 660-882-3585. Urgent care in Boonville will be open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week to serve patients on a walk-in basis. 

Additional information about the services offered at the Jackson Road Medical Building are found on the MU Health Care website.

Originally Appeared Here

BOONVILLE — The local Boonville firemen/women respond to any fire calls, alarms or accidents, and provide safety coverage for large events such as the Boonville-Oneida County Fair and Woodsmen’s Field Days. The dedicated volunteer firemen/women show up in parades, maintain equipment, meet for work night every Thursday evening, and hold educational events for children. They also aid other local departments as needed. They do all this for free, donating their time.

The paramedics that stay on duty 24/7 for ambulance calls hold the only paid position; the drivers and EMTs are all volunteers. They respond to all 911 emergency calls.

At the fire company’s annual dinner, Chief David Pritchard Jr. stated, “The number of ambulance calls has tripled in the last year. These calls last anywhere between one to three hours, so it’s not just a few minutes of a volunteer’s time to answer a call.”

Multiple calls per day can mean volunteering for hours at a time, day or night. The ambulance recently had 12 calls in just one day. So many in fact, that several calls had to be rolled to other ambulance services outside of Boonville. Even with two ambulance teams, Boonville couldn’t answer each call.

When to call 911

There are ways the public can help these very dedicated volunteers. Prevent false fire calls by keeping batteries fresh in smoke detectors. Let the alarm company know about a false trip, so the entire fire department doesn’t respond.

The paramedics/EMTs and drivers are there for anyone who truly needs ambulance service – accidents, strokes, cardiac arrest, seriously ill people, major medical emergencies or seniors who have no way of driving to the hospital or need lift assists. Many elderly or ill people just need a hand getting up off the floor or out of a tub.

The problem arises when these calls are for something else – a sprained ankle, headache or nosebleed. Those 911 calls really do happen. Taking an ambulance out of service for a non-life threatening or minor illness may mean that someone experiencing a heart attack or traumatic injury must wait longer for help to arrive. Those extra minutes can feel like a lifetime.

Ambulances should not be used just as a means of getting to the hospital. Boonville never has a fee for a driver and paramedic to show up to your house; however, hospital transport is different. Patients are billed for the transport to local hospitals. This fee helps pay for the vehicles, the paramedic, fuel, equipment, and supplies used during a call.

Arriving at the hospital in an ambulance does not ensure a patient will be treated faster. Once the patient is removed off the stretcher and put in a wheelchair or bed, they will wait for their turn unless it’s a true emergency. The hospital ER is meant for life-threatening issues or traumatic injuries, not for general illness. This has become an increasingly difficult problem for crowded ERs. Often local hospitals call for diversion – meaning the ambulance must go somewhere else, even with an emergency patient.

Use Urgent Care – Call your family physician first. If family or a friend with a vehicle are available to assist you, visit an urgent care center for non-critical services. Patients are seen faster at an urgent care center than at a hospital ER. If necessary, urgent care will call an ambulance.

Do call 911 for any serious medical issue or any fire.

Boonville’s volunteer firefighters, EMTs and paramedics will always be there when needed, regardless of the time of day or night.

If you have the time and the interest, and want to give back to your community, ask how to join the fire company. Take an EMT class. Make a donation. Support firehouse functions like the chicken barbecues.

For more information, contact Fire Chief David Pritchard Jr. at 315-942-4371 or email boonvillefire@frontiernet.net.

Boonville resident Sally Smith is a licensed veterinary technician and owns a pet transportation company. Her husband is a volunteer member of the Boonville Fire Co. and she plans to take the EMT course this fall.

Originally Appeared Here