Memphis Democrat Newspaper

Robert Vernon Cox, 94 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away at his home on Saturday June 16, 2018.

The son of John Anderson and Myrtle Annis (Dent) Cox, he was born on May 17, 1924 in Corydon, Iowa.  He went to school in the Corydon area and lived around Corydon and Cambria, Iowa for most of his young life.  He was united in marriage to Lois Gaston on May 26, 1948 in Boone, Iowa and to this union, three children were born, John R., Ruth and Mary.

Vernon is survived by his children, John R. Cox of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ruth Schmidt and husband, Bruce of Fairborn, Ohio and Mary Antal and husband, Randy of Lancaster, Missouri; grandchildren, Christina Cox, Amy Bennett and husband, Steve, Becky Allen and husband, Brandon, Robert Schmidt and wife, Tiffany, Jessica Tinkle, Jonathan R. Antal and wife, Lyndsi, Rachel Hanson and husband, Derrick,  Gail Melvin and wife, Diane; great grandchildren; Daniel Lantz, Alice and Grace Bennett, Conner and Christopher Allen, Zack and  Zoe Tinkle, Casen and Chayten Antal and Lydia and Lucas Melvin; his dear friend, Lorraine Stevens and family, Cyndy Ellis, Chuck Pearson and Lori Spears; his friend, Sharlene Zhorne from Tama, Iowa; one brother, Daryl Cox and wife, Hazel; one sister-in-law, Nellie Cox of Corydon, Iowa; many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members.

Vernon is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mrytle Cox; his wife, Lois; his brothers, Dean and Raymond and one brother in infancy, Larry Dale Cox; nephews, Rickford Gaston, Jerry and Jeff Cox and one niece, Patty Casey; his in laws, Fred and Verna Gaston and brothers-in-law, Elon and Virgil Gaston.

After Vernon and Lois were married in 1948, Vernon worked for several farmers in various places.  In January 1951, they moved to Tama, Iowa where he continued working for farmers and farmed on a place north of Toledo for several years.  He sold out in 1959 and worked for Charlie Gary’s feed store and Tama Hatchery.   They moved to Toledo in March 1970.  In 1975, they built their new home in Toledo and he began doing carpenter work.  He always had time to do the small jobs many people needed done.

Vernon and Lois accepted Jesus at a young age and were very dedicated to not only attending Church, but in serving the Lord at the Otterbein United Methodist Church as Sunday School teachers, ushers, committee members and later in life became the church caretakers.  Vernon faithfully shoveled the walks and saw to the needs of the church.  He was also known to shovel half the neighborhood.

His hobbies were collecting trucks, tractors and collecting dolls with Lois.  Together they went to doll shows and traveled visiting many places including the Laura Ingalls Wilder museums and homes.

After Lois passed in January 2004, Vernon continued to maintain the home, carpenter and serve his church and neighbors.  In 2010, Vernon made the decision to move to Lancaster, Missouri to be near his daughter, Mary.  He was a member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri.  He continued to garden up to his death and also volunteered at the Schuyler County Food Room.

Vernon loved to talk and visit with everyone.  He never knew a stranger!

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with H. R. Rogers, Pastor of the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri officiating.

Pallbearers will be Robert Schmidt, Jonathan Antal, Zack Tinkle, Brandon Allen, Derrick Hansen and Gail Melvin.  Honorary pallbearers will be great grandsons.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. one hour prior to the funeral services at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.

Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Nutrition Site in Lancaster, Missouri.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com.

Burial will be in the Corydon Cemetery in Corydon, Iowa.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.

by Brian Neal

Memphis, MO (Friday, June 15, 2018) – It’s been twelve years since the Sprint Invaders last visited the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri. But that drought would come to an end, as the series returned to the widest track in the Midwest on Friday night. All of it couldn’t be possible without the support of Pepsi Memphis Bottling Co, Casey’s General Store, B&B Propane, Lakeside Towing, KMEM, Walker Motors Collision Repair, Gas & More, NEMO Trader, and Hawkeye Trader. The nice crowd on hand got to witness one driver score his first career Sprint Invaders feature win, and four other driver’s claiming their first wins of the season at the track.

The 12 lap Sport Compact feature was first to take to the track, with Josh Barnes and Kevin Garrett drawing the front row for the event. Barnes would use his starting spot to his advantage, as he grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Brandon Housley and Barry Taft, who started 8th. The lead for Barnes only lasted for 1 lap, as Housley would slip past to take over the top spot on lap 2. But Barnes wouldn’t give up, as he looked under Housley over the next 2 laps. Housley would hold him off each lap, that was until coming off turn 2 to complete lap 5. Barnes was able to work under Housley, as the two raced down the backstretch side-by-side. Barnes emerged off turn 4 with the top spot. Over the next 5 laps Housley tried to work back under Barnes, before the action was slowed for the first and only time on lap 10. Seth Scholl, who made the long pull down from La Crosse, Wisconsin, came to a stop in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Barnes jumped back out front, with Housley and Taft glued to his back bumper. Housley would try to work under Barnes coming of turn 4 on the last lap for the win. But Barnes was able to hold him off to claim his first win of the season at the track. Housley settled for 2nd, Taft was 3rd, Brandon Reu started 6th and finished 4th, with Kimberly Abbott rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 10 lap Hobby Stock feature, and despite only four of the five starters taking the green flag the race turned out to be a good one. Derek Kirkland and Aaron Martin made up the front row, with Martin edging out Kirkland at the line to lead lap 1. Kirkland would look under Martin coming off the corners, even getting up beside him on lap 3 and 5. But Martin held the lead at the line each lap. Then coming off turn 4 for the last time Kirkland once again got up beside Martin. But Martin would use the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge out Kirkland at the line for his first win of the season at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway. Kirkland settled for 2nd, Rick Van Dusseldorp was 3rd, with Catlin Auberlin rounding out the starting field.

Evan Martin and Kyle Bellm led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 25 lap Sprint Invaders feature, with Martin using his starting spot to move out front on lap 1 over Bellm and his father Randy Martin. The fast pace Evan Martin was setting out front put him into lapped traffic on lap 8. Despite the lapped traffic keeping Evan Martin from putting some distance between himself and the battle behind him for second. It looked like he would go unchallenged for an easy win. But the one and only caution of the race appeared on lap 17, which would allow the rest of the field to restart on Even’s back bumper. Randy Martin and Cody Wehrle, who were battling for the fourth spot, got together off turn 2 and spun to bring out the yellow. Both cars suffered too much damage to continue. On the restart Bellm went low going into turn 1 and then slid up in front of Evan Martin coming off turn 2 to hold the lead briefly. But Evan would turn back down under him coming off turn 2 to keep the lead at the strip. One lap later, lap 19, Jon Agan, who started 5th, slid past Bellm to take over the runner up spot. Agan then made a few challenges on Evan Martin over the final laps. But Evan was able to hold him off to score his first career Sprint Invaders win. Agan was 2nd, Bellm was 3rd, Brayden Gaylord started 9th and finished 4th, with John Schulz coming home in 5th.

Twenty-four SportMods took to the track next for there 20 lap feature, with Adam Birck and Trent Brink drawing the front row. Birck took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Jeffrey DeLonjay and Daniel Fellows. The two and three wide action was slowed for the first time on lap 4, as Austin Becerra, who started 8th and was running 4th, spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Birck moved back out front, with Fellows over taking DeLonjay for second. Fellows then tried to work under and even tried the top of the track to get by Birck over the next 2 laps, when the second caution of the race slowed the action on lap 7. This time Brandon Dale, who started 10th and was running 4th, spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Birck once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Fellows working to hold back Brandon Lennox, who started 12th, in the battle for second. One lap later, lap 9, DeLonjay’s run up front came to an end, as he spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jace Gay spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Birck jump back out front, with Lennox over taking Fellows for second. Lennox, who was working the top of the track, used the momentum off the top of the track coming off turn 4 to grab the top spot away from Birck on lap 11. Birck, who was working the bottom of the track, wouldn’t go away, as he tried to work under Lennox over the final laps. But Lennox was able to hold him off to score his first win of the season at the track. Birck was 2nd, Fellows was 3rd, Charlie Weber finished 4th after starting in 11th, with Jim Gillenwater driving Fellows back up car to a 5th place finish.

The 15 lap Stock Car feature was the final event to take to the track, with Derrick Agee and Tom Bowling Jr. on the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Eric Glass spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Agee grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Bowling Jr. and John Oliver Jr., who started 6th. After the completion of lap 1 Beau Taylor and Steve Mast collided in turn 1 to bring out the caution. Agee jumped back out front on the restart, with Oliver Jr. over taking Bowling Jr. for second. After another lap was scored complete, the final caution of the race appeared. Glass would spin in turn 2 to bring out his second caution to end his night. On the restart Agee jumped back out front, with Oliver Jr., Abe Huls and Bowling Jr. glued to his back bumper. Oliver Jr., who was working the top of the track, used the momentum to grab the top spot on lap 6. But Agee, who was working the bottom of the track, came back to take the lead back on lap 7. Huls would make it three wide for the lead, as he worked under both Agee and Oliver Jr. to grab the top spot on lap 8. Over the final 7 laps Oliver Jr. would work the top to try and get the lead away from Huls. But Huls was able to hold him off on the final lap to pick up his first win of the season at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway.

Coming up next at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway will be the Fair Race, which will be held on Friday, July 13th. Stay up to date on what will be racing during the fair, by liking them on Facebook.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Pepsi Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, MO

Friday, June 15, 2018

Sprint Invaders

A-Feature: 1. Evan Martin, Lohman, MO; 2. Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA; 3. Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO; 4. Brayden Gaylord, Wever, IA; 5. John Schulz, West Burlington, IA; 6. Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington, IA; 7. Brady Barker, New Berlin, IL; 8. John Greenwood, Woodward, IA; 9. Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis, IA; 10. Randy Martin, California, MO; 11. Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 12. Wayne Kniffen, Ft. Madison, IA; 13. Dave Keperling, Hannibal, MO; 14. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, IA; 15. Jarrod Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (DNS) 16. Harold Pohren, Lowell, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. Randy Martin; 2. Kyle Bellm; 3. Ryan Jamison; 4. Cody Wehrle; 5. Brady Barker; 6. John Greenwood; 7. Harold Pohren; 8. Dave Keperling

Heat 2: 1. Evan Martin; 2. Jon Agan; 3. Tanner Gebhardt; 4. John Schulz; 5. Brayden Gaylord; 6. Jarrod Schneiderman; 7. Daniel Bergquist (DNS) 8. Wayne Kniffen (DNS)

Shake-up Dash: 1. Jon Agan; 2. Randy Martin; 3. Evan Martin; 4. Kyle Bellm; 5. Ryan Jamison; 6. Cody Wehrle

Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 2. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3. Derrick Agee, Huntsville; 4. Beau Taylor, Canton; 5. Tom Bowling Jr., Danville, IA; 6. Scott Jordan, Wapello, IA; 7. Steve Mast, Palmyra 8. Eric Glass, Memphis.

Heat: 1. Abe Huls; 2. Tom Bowling Jr.; 3. Derrick Agee; 4. Scott Jordan; 5. Steve Mast; 6. John Oliver Jr.; 7. Beau Taylor; 8. Eric Glass

SportMods

A-Feature: 1. Brandon Lennox, New London; 2. Adam Birck, Canton 3. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 4. Charlie Weber, Sigourney, IA; 5. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 6. Austin Howes, Memphis, 7. Austin Becerra, Carthage, IL; 8. Brandon Dale, Arbela 9. Kiel Morton, La Plata 10. Trent Brink, Bussey, IA; 11. Brandyn Ryan, Coatsburg, IL; 12. Rick Barlow Jr., Montrose, IA; 13. Jace Gay, Farber 14. Jeff Frana, Ottumwa, IA; 15. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 16. Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 17. John Anderson, Novinger 18. Kevin  Skaggs, Kirksville 19. Hugh Eddy, Milan 20. Jeffrey DeLonjay, Quincy, IL; 21. David Snyder, Greentop 22. Josh Petre, Atlanta 23. Cody Agee, Huntsville 24. John M. Anderson, Kirksville

Heat 1: 1. Adam Birck 2. Jace Gay 3. Daniel Fellows 4. Jeffrey DeLonjay 5. Austin Howes 6. Tom Lathrop 7. Kiel Morton 8. David Snyder

Heat 2: 1. Jim Gillenwater 2. Austin Becerra 3. Brandyn Ryan 4. Trent Brink 5. Jim Walker 6. Jeff Frana 7. Kevin Skaggs 8. Josh Petre

Heat 3: 1. Brandon Dale 2. Brandon Lennox 3. Charlie Weber 4. Cody Agee 5. Rick Barlow Jr. 6. John Anderson 7. John M. Anderson 8. Hugh Eddy

Hobby Stocks

A-Feature: 1. Aaron Martin, Richland, IA; 2 Derek Kirkland, Centerville, IA 3. Rick Van Dusseldorp, Oskaloosa, IA; 4. Catlin Auberlin, Moberly 5. Hank Billings, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. Derek Kirkland 2. Aaron Martin 3 Rick Van Dusseldorp 4 Catlin Auberlin; 5. Hank Billings

Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA 2. Brandon Housley, Ottumwa, IA 3. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA 4. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA 5. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL 6. Kevin Garrett, Bloomfield, IA.7. Kyle Boyd, Ottumwa, IA; 8. Justin Anderson, La Crosse, WI; 9. Seth Scholl, La Crosse, WI; 10. Dylan Schantz, Luray 11. Justin O’Haver, Kirksville

Heat 1: 1. Barry Taft; 2. Brandon Reu 3. Kimberly Abbott 4. Brandon Housley 5. Kyle Boyd 6. Dylan Schantz

Heat 2: 1. Seth Scholl 2. Justin Anderson 3. Kevin Garrett 4. Josh Barnes 5. Justin O’Haver

Power was knocked out across parts of Memphis again on Tuesday as bad weather downed several trees in the area, including this example on Clay Street.

A utilities service accident Friday morning knocked out power in a portion of the City of Memphis for approximately five hours.

According to city officials, municipal utilities workers were working at a commercial site on the north edge of town at around 10:30 a.m. when the city’s boom truck make contact with one phase of the 12470/7200 circuit and a ground on a secondary service drop.

This accident caused a circuit breaker at the substation at the light plant to ultimately lockout.

No one was injured in the accident.

Following a safety inspection of the system, the breaker was restored, returning power to the city’s electric plant. At this time, two additional circuits were identified as being tripped by the accident. One of the two circuits was able to be restored at that time, but the power outage continued for a portion of town as the second circuit was unable to be immediately restored.

The work crews were able to restore power to the municipal water plant, a top priority, at around 2:30 p.m. and ultimately brought the remainder of town back on line at around 3:30 p.m.

The city encountered a second power outage on Tuesday, June 19th as the result of stormy weather A downed tree limb knocked out power in part of town for approximately an hour in the afternoon.

The Board of Aldermen of the City of Memphis met in regular session on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in Memphis City Hall in a meeting rescheduled from June 7th.  Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Feeney called the meeting to order in the absence of Mayor William Reckenberg.  Aldermen present were:  Andrea Brassfield and Lucas Remley; Alderman Tom Glass was absent.  Others in attendance were:  City Superintendent  Roy Monroe; Utility Superintendent Stacy Alexander; Police Captain Bill Holland; citizen Laura Schenk; and City Clerk Angela Newman.

Alderman Remley moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to approve the minutes of the May 3, 2018 and May 31, 2018 council meetings.  Vote:  Brassfield, Remley, and Feeney, all aye.

Alderman Remley moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to approve the payment of bills as presented.  Vote:  Remley, Brassfield, and Feeney, all aye.

In citizen participation, Laura Schenk, representing the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce, announced Peanut Days will be held on June 23rd followed by the annual Safety Fair on the city square.

A request to conduct the annual fireworks display on Monday, July 2nd was received from the Scotland County Care Center.  Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to give special permission to the Scotland County Care Center to conduct their annual fireworks display on July 2nd. Vote:  Brassfield, Feeney, and Remley, all aye.

UNIFORM POLICY

A uniform clothing policy was presented to the council for their consideration.  Council unanimously agreed to the proposed policy, which will now be presented to the employee committee for their comments.

PROPANE BIDS

Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to request propane bids.  Vote:  Brassfield, Feeney, and Remley, all aye.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander reported the City has been supplying water to Rural Water the past few weeks.  The City currently charges $4.00 per 1000 gallons to Rural Water and council agreed to continue with that rate.

ALDERMEN REPORTS

A demonstration from PubWorks was presented to the council earlier in the evening.  PubWorks is software specifically designed for public works departments to assist in managing assets, tracking work and job costs as well as service requests and fleet maintenance.  Projected cost of the software was $7,500 which includes asset management, service requests, work orders, mobile application, and fleet maintenance.  Installation and on-site training are an additional $3,450.  Annual support and maintenance of the software was quoted at $1,500 plus a $250 annual cloud fee for the mobile application.

Alderman Remley moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to approve the purchase of the PubWorks software package.  Vote:  Brassfield, Remley, and Feeney, all aye.

Alderman Brassfield set an employee meeting date of Tuesday, July 3rd at 9:00 a.m. in City Hall.

Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to adjourn into closed session pursuant to RSMo. 610.021(3) – hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body.  Vote:  Brassfield, Feeney, and Remley, all aye.

Regular session adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Council met briefly in closed session. No votes were taken.

Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to adjourn from closed session.  Vote:  Brassfield, Remley, and Feeney, all aye.

Closed session adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Brassfield seconded to adjourn.  Vote:  Brassfield, Remley, and Feeney, all aye.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Thursday, June 21 – Walk-in clinic hours from 8-10 a.m. for immunizations.  A nurse is available at Scotland County Nutrition Site for blood pressure checks.

Friday, June 22 – Walk-in clinic hours from 8-3:30 p.m. for fasting blood sugars, cholesterols, blood pressure checks, immunizations, and nail care.  Blood draws from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26 – Walk-in clinic hours from 8-9 a.m. for fasting blood sugars, cholesterols, and blood draws and from 12-2:30 for blood pressure checks, immunizations, and nail care.

Thursday, June 28 – Walk-in clinic hours from 8-10 a.m. for immunizations. 

MENU

Thursday, June 21 – Lasagna/Meat Sauce, Lettuce Salad, Hominy, Garlic Bread, Peaches

Friday, June 22 – Fish Fillets, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli Salad, Buttered Peas, Cornbread, Cream Pie

Monday, June 25 – Juicy Burger/Bun, French Fries, Cauliflower Blend Veggies, Peaches, Cookie

Tuesday, June 26 – Meatloaf, Baked Potato, Marinated Tomatoes, Lima Beans, Slice Bread, Pudding

Wednesday, June 27 –Chicken Strips, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Buttered Corn, Hot Roll, Fruit Salad

Thursday, June 28 – Ham and Beans, Carrot-Pineapple Salad, Buttered Beets, Cornbread, Cake

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, June 20 – Board and business meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 21 – Blood pressure checks here today. Card Party at 5:00 p.m.

Monday, June 25 – AAA and CARE Meeting in Shelbina at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, June 26 – Movin On Group meets here at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 28 – Card Party at 5:00 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Starting this week, the names of more than 100,000 Missourians who have Unclaimed Property will be listed in over 100 publications across the state of Missouri. State Treasurer Eric Schmitt today announced the start of this annual effort to reconnect Missourians with their Unclaimed Property, which gets turned over to his office by financial institutions, business, government agencies and other organizations.

“We have $1 billion of Unclaimed Property in our state, so I have made it a priority to get this money returned to its rightful owners as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Schmitt said. “This money doesn’t belong to the government, it belongs to the people of Missouri. I’m proud of the work our team has done to cut the processing time nearly in half and make it easier for Missourians to claim and receive their Unclaimed Property.”

An ad in this week’s Memphis Democrat features roughly 40 local listings for unclaimed property believed to belong to current or past Scotland County residents.

Missouri law requires these notices be published annually in order to list the names of individuals whose Unclaimed Property valued at $50 or more has been turned over to the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office in the past year.

Individuals, families, small businesses and others can check to see if they have Unclaimed Property online at www.ShowMeMoney.com. They can also sign up for email notifications when new assets come in matching their information and send notifications to family and friends to let them know about money being held in their name.

Treasurer Schmitt returned $45 million of Unclaimed Property in 2017 – more in his first year than any previous treasurer in Missouri history. Since Schmitt took office, the average processing time for claims has dropped from fourteen days to eight days.

Schmitt was sworn in as Missouri’s 46th State Treasurer in January of 2017. As Treasurer, Schmitt is focused on protecting Missouri taxpayers, supporting small businesses and empowering individuals and their families while overseeing the state’s $4 billion investment portfolio. To learn more about the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, visit www.treasurer.mo.gov.

Two long-running June events are teaming up this Saturday to offer a fun-filled day on the Memphis City Square. The Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce annual Peanut Day and the Scotland County Kids Safety Day are joining forces to help pack the square on June 23rd.

The day will get underway with a special breakfast hosted by the Scotland County Farm Bureau starting at 7 a.m. at the Memphis Fire Station. Pancakes and biscuits and gravy will be served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. to celebrate Dairy Month and Kids’ Safety Day. Free-will donations will be accepted.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce will man the corners of the square starting at 8 a.m. to sell bags of peanuts for the MACC Peanut Day. Each bag of peanuts will contain prizes donated by MACC members.

The 8th Annual Kids Safety Day organized by the Scotland County Ambulance Service will get underway on the square starting at 10 a.m.

Representatives from local emergency services providers will give demonstrations throughout the day. The Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department, Scotland County, Rutledge and Gorin fire departments, Scotland County Ambulance Service and Scotland County Health Department will have informational booths and equipment for viewing. Other booths will be offered by the Missouri Conservation Department, National Weather Service, Missouri Fire Marshal, Adair County Humane Society and many more.

In addition to the educational opportunities, the children will be entertained with bounce houses and other games as well as snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, soda and balloons. They can also expect a visit from Smokey the Bear.

In addition to the multiple emergency vehicle displays, guests will also be able to cool off a bit while enjoying several firemen water games.

The event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to the free refreshments, door prizes will be given away including several bicycles.

“This event is hosted by the Scotland County Ambulance Service which holds and manages all of the funds raised for the event,” said organizer Derek Ambrose. “All of the funds that are collected go toward kids safety day and no other organization or department. I say again that 100% of all donations given toward Kids Safety Day go toward Kids Safety Day. All donations go to pay for the food, drinks, prizes, and entertainment that is provided free of charge to ALL that attend the event.”

Last year nearly 500 area children participated, the largest total to date.

“It is all about providing a fun and safe environment for children of all ages to learn about all the potential dangers they could face in everyday life,” said Ambrose.

Anyone interested in donating to support the 2018 Kids Safety Day or future events can contact Ambrose at 660-341-3671. Volunteers are stilled needed for Saturday as well. Anyone interested can contact Ambrose or get with him the day of the event.

KIRKSVILLE, MO — Jordan Dunn of Bible Grove and Emily J. Ebeling of Memphis were among the students to graduate from Truman State University during spring commencement. Truman conducted graduation ceremonies May 12.

KatRina Burgess of Memphis also graduated with a Masters Degree in education.

Founded in 1867, Truman is Missouri’s public liberal arts and sciences university. Truman has the highest graduation rate among the state’s public colleges and universities. U.S. News & World Report has rated Truman as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest region for 21 consecutive years, and Washington Monthly ranked Truman as the No. 4 master’s university in the nation.

The Scotland County Consolidated Public Water Supply District #1 recently announced changes to its billing system as part of the recent meter upgrades for the rural water service provider.

CPWSD#1 of Scotland County would like to notify all of our customers they will now be receiving a monthly bill for their water service,” said office manager Kelly Frazier. “If you do not receive your bill by the 10th of the month, please call the office at 465-7200.

The company is also now offering online payment options through Payment Service Network (PSN).

CPWSD#1 will no longer accept debit or credit card payments in the office. Those types of payments will need to be made online through the Payment Service Network.

The company also noted there is no charge to pay by check in the office. Payment Service Network does charge a $1 check fee to use its electronic bill pay services.

Frazier noted that PSN had mailed information to customers, and while the mailer indicated the wrong state, the other information was accurate, including the website for registration. Customers can go online to register their account or can call PSN to set one up.

In addition to the billing changes, the rural water district announced it is now offering leak alert services. Customers can register their cell phone number with CPWSD#1, either by calling the office or submitting the cellular phone number and the service provider with their next payment. Once registered, customers will be able to receive text alerts if a water leak is detected in their service.

The rural water board expressed its appreciation for their customers patience and understanding during the recent transition to the new electronic meters and new billing system.