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The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released their arrest reports for Dent County. On Sunday, January 1^st at 8:45 in the evening, 23-year old Stephanie Westerman of Salem was arrested on a misdemeanor Dent County warrant for no seat belt and charged with failure to register a motor vehicle. She was taken to the Dent County Jail. On Sunday, January 8^th at 9:15 in the morning, 25-year old Gina Schenk of Salem was arrested on felony Dent County warrants for 2^nd degree burglary and stealing. She was then taken to the Dent County Jail. On Tuesday, January 10^th at 27-year old Daniel Hayes of Salem was arrested on a felony warrant from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department for a probation violation. He was taken to the Dent County Jail.

University of Missouri Extension will host a “Freeze Branding Workshop” at the University of Missouri Wurdack Farm, near Cook Station, from 3:00 to 5:30 pm Tuesday, January 17^th. This workshop is designed to provide participants with “hands-on” training required to successfully administer freeze brands to their livestock. Freeze branding is an excellent way to permanently identify cattle and other livestock species.  The process involves chilling branding irons using liquid nitrogen or dry ice, than applying the irons to the animals hide, which results in destroying or altering the pigment producing cells of the hair follicle.  When properly administered the hair grows back white in color making for a very legible brand, especially when applied to dark-hided livestock. There are several benefits of freeze branding.  Recently, interest in branding as a theft deterrent has regained popularity. Freeze branding works very well for this purpose, and as opposed to hot iron brands, freeze brands are generally easier to read.  Freeze brands also work well as a permanent ID, especially for breeding stock, which may simplify record keeping for the farm manager.  Additionally, freeze brands do not damage the hides of the animal as with hot iron brands, which in turn improves the value of the hide when sold. Topics for the workshop will include all necessary steps required for properly freeze branding livestock using either liquid nitrogen or dry ice, as well as information pertaining to the Missouri Brand Law.  To provide hands-on instruction, participants will have the opportunity to assist in freeze branding replacement heifers at MU Wurdack Farm. Cost of the workshop is $5 per person.  Class size is limited, and reservations are required by Monday, January 16, 2012.  For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Ted Cunningham, Livestock Specialist at the Dent County MU Extension Office at 573-729-3196 or visit extension.missouri.edu/dent/.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission will conduct their monthly meeting tonight at the MRPC office located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James beginning at 7:30 pm. After approval of the agenda and several contracts, Darrell Skiles will report on the Housing Advisory Board meeting, Tammy Snodgrass will report on solid waste activities, and Kraig Bone will report on the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting. Tom Klebba will then report on business loan activities, T.R. Dudley will report on workforce development activities and Chair Laura Antolak will report on the MRCF meeting. She will also discuss a recommended name change for the capacity building fund. Then Chairman Russell Scheulen and Director Bonnie Prigge will report on issues of interest. The Board may vote to go into Closed Session if the Board wishes to discuss any item in detail. The monthly meeting of the MRPC is open to the public.

Congratulations to Salem High School students for being selected for the SCA Honor Band. They include Kasey Wainwright on the flute, Jeri White & Larissa Swift playing the clarinet, Zoe Myers on the oboe, Emily Green playing the bassoon, Alan Benowitz & Weston Richardson on the trumpet, Josiah Beckett playing the trombone, and Gannon Craig & Joshua Knueven on playing the tuba.  A special congratulation goes to Gannon Craig for being first pick SCA All-Conference.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is encouraging people to take simple and affordable steps to test their homes for harmful levels of radon gas as part of National Radon Action Month.  Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.  It causes no immediate symptoms but is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills more than 21,000 each year in the United States. Radon is a dangerous health threat to our families and communities that can be easily avoided through simple testing. Nearly one of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Radon can enter a home through cracks in the foundation or other openings, such as holes or pipes. Although radon can enter a home through the water supply, entry through the soil is a much larger risk. Radon in a home’s water system is more likely when the home has a ground water source – such as a private well or public water supply system that uses ground water. In addition to testing for radon, there now are safer and healthier radon-resistant construction techniques that home buyers can discuss with builders to prevent this health hazard. In 2011, EPA announced the Federal Radon Action Plan, along with General Services Administration and the departments of Agriculture; Defense; Energy; Health and Human Services; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; and Veterans Affairs. This action plan will demonstrate the importance of radon risk reduction, address finance and incentive issues to drive testing and mitigation, and build demand for services from industry professionals.

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