MISSOURI: Gasconade, Montgomery

William "Bill" Scarim, 67, of New Florence, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at his home.

Mr. Scarim was born in Perryville, Missouri on May 31, 1946, the son of the late Albino J. and Esther (Kiefer) Scarim.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Melissa Kay Schaumberg of Hermann, Mo., received a Bachelor of Science degree in health science, with a minor in disability studies, at Truman State University's graduation ceremonies May 11.

Lorene Daisy Bennett Hans, 90, of St. James, MO, formerly of rural Montgomery County, Mo., died on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at the Golden Living Center in St. James, MO.

Photos and Story by Kim Carr

www.ampersandcards.com Poem by Kay Foley" width="466" height="600" style="float: left; margin: 10px; border: 1px solid black;" />

Sunday, June 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. the Hermann Library will be having an open house art reception for the Al Miller paintings now on permanent display in the library. Please come join us in honoring these works of art.

I had a person call and ask why it is legal for synthetic marijuana to be sold. The sad answer is that when Missouri lawmakers make the synthetic substance illegal, the people who make it will then change one component of the drug. The new substance is technically not the same drug and therefore not illegal.

Mercy Clinic physician offers help for swimmer’s ear

Washington, Mo. – As families turn to pools and lakes to find relief from hot summer days, swimmer’s ear becomes a common ailment of the season.

Ms. Ida Aurelia Hoener, 86, of Hermann passed away Thursday, June 6th, 2013 at Mercy Hospital, Washington, Missouri.

Ms. Hoener was born in Gasconade, Missouri on July 8, 1926, the daughter of the late Charles and Aurelia Regina nee Epple Reinholz.

U.S. Veteran Arthur F. Gloe, 93, of Hermann, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at Boone Hospital, Columbia, Missouri.

Mr. Gloe was born in Americus, Missouri on January 19, 1920, the son of the late Martin and Bertha (Bossman) Gloe.

He was the widower of Freddie (Masek) Gloe. They were married April 16, 1966 at Starkenburg, MO.

Arthur proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII.  He was a member of St. Martin's Church, Starkenburg, Missouri and he was a farmer his whole life.

Missouri Graduation Rate Climbed from 71.3 percent in 2000 to 80.7 percent in 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon issued the following statement regarding Education Week’s 2013 Diploma’s Count report, released today, showing Missouri with the 8th highest graduation rate in the country.  According to the report, over 80 percent of Missouri high school students graduated with a regular diploma in 2010, up 9.5 percent from 2000. This is the second year the state has been in the top 10 and the fourth consecutive year the state’s graduation rate has increased.

The regular monthly meeting of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at the MRPC office located at 4 Industrial Dr. in St. James, Mo. This meeting is open to the public. Persons needing more information may call (573) 265-2993.

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster today said a former Knox County deputy sheriff will serve time in jail for stealing and selling a police radio.  Knox County is in northeast Missouri, near the Iowa border.

Koster said the former deputy sheriff, Howard Smith, pleaded guilty in March to one count of class C felony stealing, one count of class C felony disposing of stolen property, and the class D felony of resisting arrest by fleeing.

The Health and Safety Fair will be at Loutre Market Parking Lot on June 9, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to the Public. Sponsored by the Rhineland explorers 4-H Club. Contact Diane Gleeson at 573-236-4509 for more information.

by Jeff Noedel

Photos by Mick Jones

Here are photos from the rustic harbor of Port Townsend, Washington, home to many fishing boats, recreational boats, and Coast Guard boats.

Port Townsend has a population of 9,000 people.  It's so far north that parts of Canada are visible across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the body of water that leads to the Pacific Ocean.

By Jeff Noedel

Photos by Mick Jones

It's been great weather here in western Washington the past three weeks, especially the last week.

Today and tomorrow, I'll show you some photos taken in recent days as we prepare to fly home.