WIUM Local

Monmouth will use its broad sidewalks around the town square to make the area more inviting while offering an opportunity for business expansion.

Community Director Paul Schuytema says the cafe seating ordinance will allow restaurants to provide outdoor seating on the public right-of-way on those broad sidewalks.

He says, “In light of the development that we're trying to do downtown...an ordinance like this becomes a really nice recruitment tool to bring restaurants that we don't yet have in the downtown into some of the areas that are going to be developed.”

McDonough County saw a number of very high health insurance claims last year. This year the trend has reversed; claims are down significantly.

Through the first seven months of the current fiscal year, claims are about $350,000 lower than at the same time last year.

Finance Committee Chair Alice Henry is breathing a sigh of relief.

She says, “Last year was such an anomaly with our costs being much higher than average. And so it looks like it's kind of equilibrating and getting back to more of an average year.”

The ballot for the August 7 primary election in Missouri is rather top heavy as there are plenty of contested races for federal and statewide office: U.S. Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor.

Most of the local races are uncontested, though, with the exception of two in Clark County.

Incumbent Roger Sedore (D) is being challenged for his seat as Western District Commissioner by Paul Brotherton (D) and Ed Knupp (D).

Larry Saxton (R) and Henry Dienst (R) will square off in the primary for the opportunity to face Eastern District Commissioner Jerry Neyens (D) in November.

Southeastern Community College has identified its next president. 

The college’s Board of Trustees has chosen Dr. Michael Ash from a field of 30 candidates.

The trustees said, in a news release sent Friday morning, that the details of Ash’s contract and his official start date have not been finalized.

They will be voted on, though, during a future meeting.

Ash previously served as Executive Assistant to the President for Resource Development and External Affairs at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO.

Colchester Mayor Danny Bice would like to get a clearer picture of the city's water consumption.

One step he would like to take is to install a water meter at the Colchester Fire protection District building.