Monthly Archive

Students and teachers in Drexel and surrounding
areas were back in their classrooms last week. For Drexel, Friday, August 21st denoted the first day of the 2009-2010 school year.
The start of the school year was uneventful in the Drexel R-IV school and most other systems in the region. “We had a nice, clean start on Friday,” says Dr. Judy Stivers, superintendent of schools. She explained that no big issues arose, at least none that the
administration didn’t already expect.

Several paving projects will begin in rural Cass County next month. MoDOT will send out a more general news release soon, but we want you to have the details from Wednesday’s two pre-construction meetings with the contractors. We now have the detailed schedule from contractors.
Cold milling and one-inch asphalt overlay operations of 52 miles of state highways in rural Cass County will begin in late September.  Here is the list of projects to be done by Lake Asphalt Paving and Construction, LLC, and their proposed schedule, barring any weather delays:

The Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (SCA) was initiated by Sheriff Dwight Diehl to give citizens of Cass County a better understanding of the day-to-day operations.  An eight-week course gives citizens an in-depth look and hands on training into the career of law enforcement at the sheriff’s office.  Citizens are instructed by deputies on the subject of patrol, jail, communications, investigations, court, and community policing.

oard of Education met in regular session on Monday, August 17th. A quorum was established with President Christyne Hellebuyck, Vice President Brad Lancaster, Treasurer Kim Hocker, Members Chuck Martin, Chris Collins, Ronnie Jacobs and Brenda Hadley all in attendance including Superintendent Judy Stivers, Elementary Principal Jeff Levy, JH/HS Principal Robbie Shepherd and Secretary Linda Moles. John and Kevin Gunnels were visitors.
President Hellebuyck called the meeting to order with first reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and observing a moment of silence.

Helen Reighard, age 78 of Drexel, Missouri died Thursday, August 20, 2009 at her home in Drexel.  She was born July 1, 1931 to Edgar and Edna Johnson Cline in Greenwood, Missouri.
   Memorial services were 7 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri with Rev. Don Keithly officiating. Contributions, Heartland Hospice.  Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

The Drexel Star highlights the fall sports teams of Drexel R-IV in the August 27th edition. Read more about the teams in the printed issue.

Gary Mallory, Presiding Commissioner of Cass County, recently contacted Congressman Skelton and expressed concerns about the unfunded FCC mandate to update all emergency responder radio systems. The County Commission also expressed concern about a Congressional sub-committee that tucked $160 million into the defense budget for new radio-communications for the Mexican police. The Congressman’s office immediately did research and discovered what the sub-committee had done. Soon after, the Congressman agreed to come to Cass County and discuss the issue.

By STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
The 2009-2010 school year begins for Drexel R-IV students on Friday, August 21st. Some things have changed: increased meal pricing, cell phone use, updated handbooks and new teachers. That’s right... new teachers. There are four new faces instructing the youth this year. All four come to Drexel with several years of previous teaching experiences.
Nathan Danneman, a 1997 graduate of Rockwood Summit High School, will be enhancing the educational opportunities of the district as the new K-12 Physical Education and Health and Weight Training Instructor.

The Board of Aldermen of the City of Drexel met in Regular Session on Monday, August 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Kenneth Reece, Alderwoman Sue Wishon, Aldermen Terry Mayfield and Mayor Pro Tem Doug Musick were in attendance along with City Clerk Kara Smith, City Treasurer Peggy Moles, Public Works Superintendent Martin Doughty and Police Officer Chuck Steele. Five visitors were present.
The agenda was approved after Alderman Mayfield questioned the minutes to last month’s executive session.

To reflect changes in fuel and purchased power costs, the Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company to adjust the fuel adjustment charge on electric customer bills. The charge, which appears as a separate item on the monthly bill, is known as the fuel adjustment clause or FAC.
The FAC change reflects fuel and purchased power costs for the six month period of December 2008 through May 2009. The company cited changes in natural gas, purchased power, coal and freight costs as reasons for seeking an adjustment to the FAC.

The Drexel R-IV Board of Education held the Tax Rate Hearing at the school last Wednesday, August 12, 2009.
Vice President Brad Lancaster called the meeting to order with Kim Hocker, Brad Lancaster, Chris Collins, Chuck Martin, Kim Hocker, Ronnie Jacobs, Brenda Hadley, Linda Moles, Dr. Judy Stivers, Jeff Levy and Robbie Shepherd in attendance.
Immediately following the approval of the agenda a motion to approve a tax rate of $4.4105 Operating Levy and $.90 Debt Service Levy for the 2009-2010 school year was made by Lancaster. Motion was seconded by Hocker, and carried unanimously.

In the early 1990’s, per state statute and the approval of Cass County voters, the County Commission of Cass County authorized the execution of service agreements with various telephone companies for expanded 911 emergency telephone services. Section 190 of the Missouri statutes authorized county commissions to impose an emergency telephone tax up on voter approval.
Specifically, it states, “The governing body is hereby authorized to levy the tax in an amount not to exceed fifteen percent of the tariff local service rate.”

Mary Elizabeth Van Meter, 94 of Drexel, Mo., passed away Thursday, August 13, 2009, in Adrian Manor, Adrian, MO.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel, with the Rev. Steven Donnelly officiating. Burial followed in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. No visitation.
Memorial contributions in Elizabeth’s name are suggested to the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, in care of the funeral home.
Written messages may be sent to the family at www.mullinaxfh.com. (Arr.: Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel, MO.

It’s almost time for Drexel kids to return to classes. On Monday, Drexel R-IV started a three-day enrollment schedule that included the mandatory enrollment of all students this year. Pictured above, Kristie Musick, elementary principal’s secretary, aids Tanya Gammon and daughter, Sara with enrollment papers. And, Kelly Lacy, JH/HS principal’s secretary, explains the process of enrollment to a family.

Dear “Anonymous”:
By calling DFS and reporting our family, implying that there was a safety issue in our home, you have stooped to a new low. Your report to DFS contained some fact and many errors, the info was not quite two years ago and had already been well documented, not to mention it did not happen in our home.
The information you chose to report was personally shared with you by the minor child to which it happened. She trusted you and took you into her confidence, only to have you violate that trust in an attempt to undermine our family. You reported....

Respectfully submitted by D. ALBURTY, Secretary

James Chester Bullock, better known as Chet, passed over July 30, 2009 at his home in LaCygne with his wife and family at his side. God answered his prayers that he and his wife Betty complete his life journey together.
Graveside funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Jingo Cemetery near LaCygne. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 2 at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in LaCygne.
The family suggests contributions to the Olathe Hospice or East Central Kansas Area on Aging.

Dennis R. Smith, 61, of Harrisonville, Missouri departed this life July 30, 2009.
Cremation with later burial.

Bill and Vicki (Deel) Hotsenpiller of Louisburg, Kansas will celebrate 40 happy and blessed years of marriage on August 9, 2009. The couple exchanged vows on August 9, 1969 at the Baptist Church in Drexel. Family of the couple are requesting anniversary cards be sent to them in celebration to 35235 Coldwater Road, Louisburg, Kansas 66053.
Bill and Vicki are the parents of Stephanie Reynolds of Drexel and Christy and Gabe Sallee of Osawatomie, Kansas. They are the proud grandparents of Jacoby Hotsenpiller of Drexel and Jasper Sallee of Osawatomie, Kansas.

The Drexel Public School Foundation met in regular business meeting on Monday, July 27, 2009.  Officers and board members are: Wanda Wilkins: President, Jill Marks: Vice President, Chuck Martin: Secretary and School Board representative, Darin Bartholomew: Treasurer, Donna Ziegler: member, Cari Hunziker: member, and Dr. Judy Stivers: ex-officio member.