Stories from Thursday, July 4, 2013

I often hear other middle age plus folk complaining that there is nothing good on TV anymore. I often say it myself. I get tired of seeing actresses portraying lawyers or other professional people while wearing dresses with plunging necklines and skin tight skirts. But I know I have reached the stage where whatever I wear must be clean (at least when I put it on) and doesn't bind, pinch or sag. Everything else is OK...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Three state park swimming beaches are temporarily closed for water quality issues, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Wakonda's beach located in La Grange is closed following results of water samples taken Monday that indicated bacteria levels higher than those recommended for waters used for swimming. ...

Richards Board of Aldermen has appointed Mary Jones to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Edgar Higgins, who died unexpectedly about a month after taking office. The board appointed Jones during its meeting Monday, which would have been the second for Higgins...

The Missouri Northern Pecan Growers have been saving a lot of money on operational costs by burning off waste to generate energy and harnessing the sun for even more power. Managing partner Drew Kimmell said the addition of a furnace to burn pecan hulls and a solar array to generate electricity have resulted in a savings of "at least $1,000 per month" or half the plant's electric bill...