Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

The grass-covered hills of the Ozarks, with no corn or bean fields in sight, provided the setting for the annual Missouri University Extension Beef Tour on Saturday, August 29^th. Some 275 producers toured four grass farms and a University of Missouri research station to learn improved beef production. At the first farm of Leon and Helen Kreisler in Salem, they told how management-intensive grazing eliminates supplemental feeding for 93 fall-calving cows. The Kreisler’s started their grazing system in 1991. At the next farm of George and Senator Frank Barnitz, a father-son partnership located in Lake Spring, they told how they add value to their weaned calves. Bob and Gretchen Thompson of the Glengrove Hereford Farm in Rolla, showed their seedstock herd. They sell breeding stock from their 40-cow herd to commercial herd owners. At the last stop, Denny and Mary Beth Pogue of Rolla, eliminated hay feeding altogether last winter. When hay equipment wore out, it was not replaced. The beef tour ended at Missouri University Wurdack Farm in Cook Station, for a beef dinner. Afterward, five tour wagons took visitors to two grazing systems, including one in woodlands. The tour was organized by the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program with sponsorship from Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Department of Conservation, FCS Financial and Missouri Beef Industry Council.

Troop I of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recorded two traffic fatalities during the month of July 2009. This is one less than July 2008.  There were 193 accidents with 89 injuries and three fatalities in 2008 compared to 194 accidents with 97 injuries and two fatalities for 2009. The total fatalities for 2009 are 11 compared to 22 for the same time period as last year. In Crawford County, they reported 32 accidents with seven injuries; Dent County recorded 12 accidents with nine injuries, while Laclede County had 39 accidents with 27 injuries and one fatality. Maries County reported that 10 accidents occurred with three injuries and no fatalities in July, Phelps County had 49 accidents happen with 22 injuries and no fatalities, and Pulaski County recorded 52 accidents with 29 injuries and one fatality. Captain Lee Ann Kenley, Commanding Officer of Troop I Headquarters of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, asks that you use extra caution now that schools are back in session. Allow extra time as you approach and travel through a school zone, or when behind school buses. Obey the stop arms and lights on buses, and be especially careful to watch for children crossing highways and roads. Often children may not be paying attention and are depending on you to watch for them. Help everyone stay safe by being alert, and of course, always wear your seatbelt. Parents, please remember it is your responsibility to insure that all children in your vehicle are properly secured.

Big Spring Park is celebrating Labor Day. On Saturday, September 5^th the park will host an Ozark Storytelling Festival and Bluegrass Concert. We will share Ozark stories to inspire, entertain, and amuse visitors with tales of the past. Accounts of the Civil War in the Ozarks, Hunting, Ozark Superstitions, Chivarees, Tall Tales and much more will fill the hollows of Big Spring. The storytelling event begins at 6:00 p.m. and features professional storyteller Champ Herren. Arrive early to choose your favorite stories!  Buzzard Run, a local bluegrass band, will finish up the evening and begin playing on the porch of the Depression Cabin at 8:30 p.m. Big Spring is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri on State Route 103.  You may want to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the concert. This event is free and all are welcome.  For more information, call (573) 323-4236 EXT 0. 

Senator Frank Barnitz of Lake Spring has been appointed to serve on the Missouri Veterans Commission. Legislation passed and signed into law this year adds legislators to the Missouri Veterans Commission, which worked to provide services to Missouri’s veterans. The 16^th Senate District includes Fort Leonard Wood, giving Senator Barnitz the opportunity to represent a large concentration of soldiers and veterans. The Missouri Veterans Commission duties include providing a safe, comfortable environment for residents of veterans’ homes, providing timely and compassionate benefit services to veterans and dependents, and providing honorable resting places for deceased veterans through a system of state veteran’s cemeteries.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Softball Varsity Tigers were shutout by Ava yesterday, 8-0, to fall to 1-4 on the year. The JV won their game, 9-8, to even their record at 2-2 on the year. The Lady Tigers will be off until Monday.

Matt Holliday's three-run homer in the seventh inning propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. Albert Pujols also homered for the red-hot, NL Central-leading Cardinals, who have won four straight, eight of nine and 15 of their last 18 games overall. Joel Pineiro pitched seven innings and earned the win. Pineiro (14-9) allowed four runs and seven hits and has won his last eight decisions. The Cardinals have won the last 11 times he has started a game. The Cards and Brewers play again tonight starting at 6:55 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

St. Louis Cardinals have signed pitchers Ryan Franklin and Trever Miller to contract extensions through 2011.

Alberto Callaspo had two hits and two runs batted in, while Kyle Davies pitched six innings of one-run ball, as the Kansas City Royals downed the Oakland Athletics, 4-3. Davies (6-9) allowed four hits and two walks while fanning six to win for the third time in his last five starts. Mark Teahen and Miguel Olivo each drove in a run apiece in the Royals' second win in three tries. Joakim Soria pitched two scoreless innings to earn his 21st save. The Royals and A's finish up their series this afternoon.

Kansas City Chiefs have released wide receiver Amani Toomer, defensive end Alfonso Boone and tackle Cameron Goldberg; and placed running back Kolby Smith on the physically unable to perform list.

St. Louis Rams have released wide receiver Jarrett Byers, tight end Joe Klopfenstein, guard Daniel Sanders and cornerback Marcus Brown; placed wide receiver Brooks Foster on injured reserve.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Doris Gean Dunlap of Boss, age 58, will be held today at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Hanson Cemetery in Boss.

Graveside services for Ronald Henson of Rolla, age 58, will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Pilot Know cemetery in Vida, Missouri. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary of Rolla. 

Funeral Mass for William R. “Bob” Cottrell of Steelville, age 71, will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 at the St. Michaels Catholic Church in Steelville. Visitation will be today from 3:00 to 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Leasburg. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund.

Funeral services for Edward Simpson of St. James, age 78, will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time.

Funeral services for Helen Deniszuk of St. Charles, age 90, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from Noon until time for service. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Association. 

Weather [TOP]