News
Commission questions inmate billing, jail costs
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Invoices for boarding inmates outside Ray County raised more questions than answers, prompting commissioners to call staff for clarification during their latest session. The records included charges from Harrison County, but commissioners noted the dates and totals did not align.
Field to Fork
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Field to Fork is a new weekly recipe series from Project Guardian, featuring simple, healthy meals using fresh produce from farmer’s markets or Harvesters boxes. Recipes are provided by Ashley Thompson, Project Guardian community health worker, and are designed to help families make the most of seasonal, affordable ingredients.
Community class highlights safe, simple home canning
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Ray County residents eager to preserve their garden bounty gathered for a recent Community Connections class, where University of Missouri Extension Field Specialist in Nutrition and Health Sue Robison led an in-depth presentation on home canning.
MDC, Missouri Prairie Foundation to host native plant sale
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Native plants beautify landscapes and help support Missouri wildlife. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in partnership with Missouri Prairie Foundation, will hold a native plant sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. A wide variety of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, trees, and other native plant products will be available for purchase from a variety of Grow Native! vendors.
United Cerebral Palsy drives community impact in Missouri
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Editor’s Note: This is the final of a two-part series on United Cerebral Palsy President and CEO Armando Contreras. The first installment traced ways his life was shaped by disability from birth, his path to leading UCP and the steps he took to guide the organization out of financial crisis. This final part looks at the work being done in Missouri, the impact of early intervention and Contreras’ long-term vision for expanding disability support nationwide.)
Commission addresses bridge safety
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Bridge safety and routine contracts shared the agenda as Ray County commissioners moved through a series of projects and maintenance items during their most recent session. Resident Aaron Hicks raised concerns about the old highway overpass in Henrietta, where businesses operate directly beneath the structure.
Caseload surge prompts staffing concerns
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A surge in complex guardianship and conservatorship cases – including a sprawling elderly abuse investigation involving stolen funds, seized property and hundreds of livestock – has left the county’s public administrator warning her three-person staff cannot keep pace with state-mandated duties.
New Orrick superintendent takes reins as year begins
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Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part story on Orrick Superintendent Chris Russo, who shared why he was drawn to the district, plans for transition from principal to the new position, top priorities for the year and lessons carried from the classroom.
