Serving Tuscumbia, St. Elizabeth, Iberia, Brumley and Ulman
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We learned to read
Allison Harris, right, tells Delaney Raines that she will learn to read next year in kindergarten. This year’s Tuscumbia kindergarten students helped introduce next year’s kindergartners to the classroom during open house Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Ginny Duffield)

Taking care of the greenhouse
Kacie Wright, front, Courtney Abbott and Casey Nelson water the plants in the greenhouse at Tuscumbia High School. Vocational agriculture students held a plant sale this week after school through Thursday. (Photo by Ginny Duffield)

Public nuisance liens planned
Special liens will be placed against the Iberia Academy property once some bookkeeping issues are taken care of, Iberia Mayor Jack Hogue told the city council and the co-chairs of the newly-formed Iberia Historic Preservation Committee, Tony Keeth and Kelly Hammack.
“We’re tabulating the fines from when we found it a nuisance,” Hogue said. Those fines have been accruing since that time.
“It has been deemed a nuisance. By law, we can bring it up to our codes,” Hogue said about the deteriorating property. Several years ago some feral dogs were found to be living in the buildings after one became aggressive toward a man walking in the area and a dog also threatened a police officer who was trying to track that animal.
Hogue said although the property was declared a nuisance and the owners were given time to board up windows and further secure the buildings so animals and people could not enter them, the work was not done. City ordinances give the city the right to have the work done and apply the cost as a special tax lien on the property.
Hogue said the city would request proposals from contractors to make the property safe and several public meetings likely will be held.
Employee handbook revised
The council unanimously approved a revision to the employee handbook that sets up a random drug and alcohol test program for employees and also will include elected city officials. Previously the handbook called for such testing on the initial hiring and anytime there was an on-the-job mishap, City Administrator Roy Beasley said. The city’s workman’s compensation physician does those tests.
Alderman Billy Jo Buechter said several people had told him they think the mayor and aldermen ought to be tested, given the city’s decision to get tough on drug abuse in the community. “I think it would show a united front,” he said. “You’re right,” Alderman Walt Pollard said.
“I can see the public’s questions on it...We are taking a stand on drugs,” Hogue said.
“The tests will only work if they are a surprise,” Buechter said. Beasley said he wants an outside agency to determine the timing of the testing and who will be tested, not the city. It was decided to have the workman’s compensation physician continue the testing, with a random drawing used to decide who will be tested, with no notice.
Hogue asked the aldermen to review the handbook for the next month and bring any changes or additions they would like to see to the council’s attention next month.
Drug dog, handlers train
Police Chief Andy Long said he and Beasley had completed their training with the new drug dog and they, along with the newly trained dog, were qualified last week. They can be put in service immediately.
However, daily practice and training are sill needed and the supplier of the dog and training is continuing to work with the city. “It’s a group effort,” Long said. “I think this will really be a good move for us.”
“It’s our hope to take a stand and be proactive on drugs,” Hogue said.
It also was reported two newly acquired Ford Crown Victorias are in service. The police-equipped cars had about 80,000 miles on them and all the city had to do was transfer radios and light bars to them. The cars were purchased with the $10,000 budgeted for the acquisition of one used patrol car, Hogue and Long said.
Hogue said the council needs to decide to do with the Grand Marquis and Jeep Cherokee that had been used by the police department. They could be declared surplus and sold.
Alderman Larry Martin said he wants to see maintenance and any damage to the cars logged. Beasley said a log book has been set up for every city vehicle and that is being done.
A new public works truck, which has a snow plow attachment, also is in service.
Private property damage
Clifford Baucom, who lives at 225 Clay St., brought pictures of damage to his property he said the city caused years ago and has never fixed, despite promises.
He said prior to paving of the street in the mid-1990s a backhoe was used to make a cut along the street. Baucom said no marks or “strike line” were used to show the location of a 60-70 foot long culvert and the backhoe dug into it.
Baucom said his wife’s grandfather, Pat Davis, had installed the culvert system in the road ditch, providing a clean out basin, and then covered it with gravel to provide off-street parking. A retaining wall was located on the upper side of the area, but once the culvert was removed and the ditch reopened, it collapsed into the ditch, Baucom said. Now the yard is eroding into the ditch, he went on to say.
He wants the city to fix the site, explaining that three times cars have gotten into the ditch and had to be pulled out. “If you go off the side of it, you’re going into the ditch,” Baucom said.
One section of culvert was installed by the city but it gets clogged.
He noted the street is narrow and parking along the side would block traffic. That is why the ditch was filled in with the piping and gravel initially, Baucom said.
“There was nothing wrong with it when it was ripped out,” he said.
Baucom’s brother-in-law, B.J. Davis said, “Dad (former fire chief Bob Davis) kept saying the city would take care of it. Then Dad died,” to explain why the family had not pressed the city to make the repairs before now.
After Hogue brought it up, Baucom said he has refused to pay his city taxes for the last two years. “All my other taxes are paid,” he said.
Hogue said he brought the tax issue up because he hopes if anyone else feels that alienated from the city he would like to see them come forward.
Before making any decision, the alderman said they want to personally inspect the site. Baucom thanked them for addressing the issue.
He said if the problem can be solved, he plans to tear down the house and put a new modular home on the lot.
Another drainage issue
Beasley reported that St. Louis Street, behind Iberia Auto Parts, is being damaged by surface water.
“We have to do something there or we’re going to lose that road,” Beasley said. He said water is cutting under the road and a void has developed under the asphalt. “Right now, it’s undermining the road.”
He recommended cutting the asphalt, installing a new culvert of at least 15 inches in diameter, and then filling the cut with concrete. The aldermen agreed.
New aldermen
Prior to the taking up of business, newly elected Alderman Dennis Rogers was sworn in. He was elected on April 8 to serve Ward II. Buechter was re-elected from Ward I and also took his oath of office.

Final gathering for children Friday at Iberia ParkThe Iberia Parents as Teachers and Early Childhood will be having their last gathering for this school year Friday, May 9, at the Iberia City Park, weather permitting. Plans are to play some games and have outdoor fun. If it is raining or too cool for the park, the event will move to the Iberia Rural Fire Protection District fire station near H and L Market.
May is Family Wellness Month. The Miller County Health Center will be giving those attending some important information on safety and staying well for the summer.
The game will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will follow the activities.
If you have a child who is age birth to five years, come join the fun.

Iberia sixth grade graduation May 12
The Iberia sixth grade graduation will be Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

Iberia pool board to meet May 14
The Iberia Pool Board will meet Wednesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. at Christi Robertson’s American Family Insurance office. 

End of year concert to be held May 13 at IHS
The Iberia High School/Junior High band and choir will perform one last time this school year at the End of Year Concert at the school gymnasium Tuesday, May 13 beginning at 7 p.m.
It is free for all to attend.
The junior high band will perform “Rondeau”, “Hill and Gully Rider”, “Shenandoah”, “Salute to the March King”, “Danny Boy” and “Rok.Com”.
Members of the Iberia junior high band are:  Trenton Brown, Kyle Burke, Michaela Dawes, Jared Drace, Macella Faulkner, Monte French, Taylor Honeycutt, Sammy Kinder, Alison Lattina, Dakota Mason, Nicholas Payton, Jared Pollard, Raven Rickerson, Kevin Schubert, Daman Shetler, Racheal Stone, Hailey Vance and Devin Weems.
The high school choir will perform “Castle On a Cloud”, “Seasons of Love”, “He’s Gone Away”, “Mary’s Little Lamb”, “Annabel Lee”, “Sebben Crudele”, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger”, “Voices That Care” and “Big Spender”.
Members of the choir are:  Elise Buechter, Alexis Cline, Tara Curtman, Elizabeth Fleeman, Jenny Gilliam, Haley Hand, Nicole Holtmeyer, Amanda Jeffries, Chelsey King, Danya Lee, Kaitlin Luttrell, Stephanie Musick, Taylor Plemmons, Jillian Pollard, Elizabeth Pritchett, Megan Robinett, Stephanie Scaterro and Megan Seel.
The high school band will perform “Romance”, “Brandon Bay”, “Sounds of Sousa”, “Balladair”, “Aquamarine”, “Instant Concert”, “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” and Copper Mountain Legend”.
Members of the band are:  Lakota Ash, Elise Buecher, Wilfred Buechter, Alexis Cline, Adam Cooke, Eric Cooke, Zachary Croft, Tara Curtman, Lisa Ewald, Amber Gipson, Jared Drace, Jessica Lattina, Keri Lucas, Christa Marlow, Jillian Pollard, Adrian Rivera, Morgan Routh, BreAnn Shipley, Gregory Simpson, Jessica Stanton, Cameron Taylor, Dakota Mason, Cassandra Trusty, Thomas Trusty, Daniel Wilson, Lillith Wilson, Dylan Witt, Brandan Wokman, Nick Zink, Allen Plemmons, Jacob Pollard, Jared Pollard and Sammy  Kinder.

Power Team to visit county May 7-11
Revisions and additions have been made to The Power Team's visit to Miller County May 7-11. A final meeting of the committee was held Friday but work sessions will be held from 3-7 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Celebration Worship Center on Highway 42 east of Iberia to prepare the grounds for public meetings the team will have Thursday through Sunday nights.
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, the team will given an assembly at Iberia Junior High, followed by an assembly at Iberia High School.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, one member will be at each of the following churches: Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Lake Ozark; Iberia First Baptist Church; and Iberia First Assembly of God Church.
At 8 a.m. Thursday, May 8, an assembly will be held at School of the Osage Junior High School. An assembly will be held at Tuscumbia School for all grades at 1 p.m.
At 7 p.m., the Power Team will begin a program at Celebration Worship Center on Highway 42 east of Iberia. The public is invited to attend. Area churches also will have booths set up for those who are looking for a church home near where they live.
At 8 a.m. Friday, May 9, an assembly will be held at Eldon Upper Elementary School, and another will be held at 9 a.m. at Crocker School for grades 5-12. A 1 p.m. Assembly will be held at Osage High School and a 1:45 p.m. assembly will be held at Eldon Middle School. Another public evening program will be held at Celebration Worship Center from 7 to 9:15 p.m.
Saturday night, May 10, another program will be held at Celebration Worship Center from 7 to 9:15 p.m.
On Sunday, May 11, a Power Team member will be at Iberia Methodist Church at 9:30 a.m., at Iberia First Assembly of God at 9:45 a.m. and at both Celebration Worship Center and Mt. Carmel at 10:45 a.m. The final public program will be held from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Sunday at Celebration Worship Center. That last session is anticipated to be the largest as many churches will either dismiss their Sunday night services so church members can attend or will bring their youth groups to the center for the program.
Donations, volunteers
Donations are still being accepted to pay expenses of the team's visit, including air fare, housing, meals and the cost of materials that will be used during their performances. Volunteers also are needed at Celebration Worship Center each night to get equipment and props onto the stage. Clean up help also will be needed. Anyone interested in either donating or volunteering may contact 573-793-2179 (leave a message on the recorder if there is no answer) or Misty at the Miller County Sheriff's Department at 573-369-1882 Ext. 2236.
Area churches, businesses and the sheriff's department are sponsoring the visit. The Power Team brings a message designed to prevent drug and alcohol abuse by teenagers. Because of recent problems in Miller County, they also will touch on anger management and how to avoid child abuse.

Bailey speaking in Iberia May 13
Former congeressman Wendell Bailey, a regional advocate for the Small Business Administration, will speak at 7 p.m. May 13 at Iberia High School. He will talk about the importance of small business in the community.
The visit is sponsored by the Iberia Area Chamber of Commerce. 

County museum open house delayed until May 17
The Miller County Historical Society will host their anual open house event at the museum in Tusucmbia on Saturday, May 17, from 12 to 3 p.m. This is a week later than previously planned.
Renovation has been progressing with the new addition finished and work is now being done on the older part of the museum located on the first floor. It has taken on a completely new look and will be quite a showplace when finished. It is that work which prompted the date change.
Come visit the museum on May 17 and enjoy a tour of the new and old facilities. The research department is wonderfully equipped now with manty volumes of local and family histories and access to the internet is also available for research.
To visit the historical society’s website to see the progress being made, you can click on: www.millercountymuseum.org<http://www.millercounty museum.org>

ACT offered at Iberia on June 14
Iberia R-5 School will host an ACT test on June 14. Registration postmark deadline is May 9 and the fee must be included. Anyone who has registered by filling out a packet in the past may register at www.actstudent.org but will need to pay the fee with a debit or credit card with parental permission. 
A student at any school may take the test at Iberia. Packets are available at the Iberia High School from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or at other school counselors’ offices. 

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