The Sullivan Independent News

Patrick Jones has penned his first novel, “The Wolf’s Moon,” and he will be signing copies on Saturday at Blazers from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
“The Wolf’s Moon” is a thriller set in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and tracks a mysterious beast stalking innocent people in the fictional town of Maple Hills.
The book’s protagonist, Mark Lansdowne, tracks the beast, only to find out it has been extinct for thousands [...]

Several Crawford County officials and community leaders were in attendance for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s visit to McGinnis Wood Products, Cuba, on Thursday afternoon as Nixon discussed the Missouri Works strategy.
The Missouri Works strategy will:
• Grow more auto supplier jobs in Missouri;
• Sell more Missouri-made goods overseas;
• Prepare more workers for high-tech careers;
•Train and hire more veterans;
• Jumpstart innovation in science and technology;
•Target high-growth industries; and
• Create jobs in rural communities.
“My number one priority for 2012 is to [...]

Teddy Binkholder of the Bourbon Backpack Club is shown accepting a donation from Carol Hofstetter of the Bourbon Boosters. The donation originated from Don and Shirley Dillon of Dillon’s Auto Repair and was made through the Bourbon Boosters. The Dillons have been in business since 1963 in Bourbon.
Any food donations for the Bourbon Backpack Club can be dropped off at Town & Country Bank or Peoples Bank in Bourbon. Any monetary donations may also be [...]

By Ryan Storz
Sales tax revenue in Bourbon saw a big increase last year, a probable sign of Dollar General’s effect on the city.
Sales tax revenue in the general fund jumped from $152,595 in 2010 to $175,719 in 2011, a 13 percent gain.
That reversed a decline from 2009 to 2010. In 2009, the city collected $154,900 in revenue for the general fund.
Revenue for the street department also saw an increase. The department ended the year with [...]

By Ryan Storz
County commissioners appointed three new members to the SB40 Board, a board that oversees the developmentally disabled.
Lynn Vanderwerf and David Wheeler were approved to the board during the commission meeting last Monday.
There are 85 SB40 boards in Missouri’s 114 counties. Funds for the board provide services and opportunities for county residents with developmental disabilities.
Board members are appointed by commissioners, but the commission does not have any oversight of funds.
Two board members had their [...]

Read about red stoplights—sing about yellow school buses—explore the blue ocean—make a purple grape jam painting.
Join the fun at Ozark Regional Library this spring as they explore the world of Colors! Their weekly story time programs are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers and include fun books, games, songs, activities, crafts and more.
Programs last for approximately 45 minutes and are free of charge to the public, though parental or adult supervision of children is required.
Stop by [...]

Adjutant Earl Simmerly of American Legion Post 81, Bourbon, presenting the Bourbon Food Pantry with a donation of 10 turkeys. Accepting the donation is Kathleen Courtouise, food pantry volunteer.

By Ryan Storz
Crawford County Commissioners have spent the better part of their last few meetings to review insurance plans for employees.
Commissioners discussed the insurance options with Jeff Laxton of Laxton Insurance in Cuba and ECCHIC, a firm the City of Bourbon has begun working with in the past year.
District 2 Commissioner John Hewkin mentioned the city working with ECCHIC (Employers Committed to Control Health Insurance Cost) and its aggregate plan and that it was, so [...]

Mid-Ozark CASA was proud to be part of a very special day when a foster family of teen girls were treated to a “Makeover Day” at a local salon. Sunday, Dec. 4, was a great day for one foster mom and three of her foster daughters when Michele Beckemeyer of Xcentra Beauty Salon in Cuba sponsored a complete salon treatment for them.
The event was coordinated by Michelle Yoest, who manages The Exchange Resale Shop in [...]

By Ryan Storz
Travelers went relatively unscathed through the area when a couple inches of snow fell on Thursday, but the accidents still managed to pile up.
Officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop I investigated eight accidents that day, beginning at 4:30 a.m.
The big one involved six vehicles, of which five were tractor-trailers and one a school bus near Rolla around 5:20 a.m.
The accident occurred when a 2006 Thomas School bus driven by Saundra F. [...]