The Sullivan Independent News

Gov. Jay Nixon has proclaimed the week of Jan. 22-28 as School Board Recognition Week.
Missourians benefit every day from the dedicated energies and countless hours devoted by a group of more than 3,600 men and women in every community across the state. These public servants are elected by local constituents and do not receive compensation for their tireless efforts. These men and women are local school board members of Missouri.
Crawford County R-1 School Board members [...]

Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) has initiated its community grantmaking program, which is open to programs and organizations in the Meramec Region counties of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington.
Grant requests for 2012 are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 29, 2012.
The purpose of the grant program is to address local needs that will enhance the quality of life within the community and region. Five grants will be awarded for $250 each. [...]

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) approved Doug Dunlap to be its Gasconade County representative at its October board meeting at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).
Dunlap, of Owensville in Gasconade County, also serves on the nominating committee for the soon-to-be formed Greater Owensville Community Foundation.
Dunlap has served as president of First State Community Bank in Owensville since 2009. He was previously a branch president for First Bank, covering the Owensville, Gerald and Beaufort locations. [...]

By Ryan Storz
Crawford County Treasurer Jessica Easler resigned last Tuesday, effective Jan. 17.
Easler, who has been in office for the past four years, turned in her resignation letter to the Crawford County Commission last week and asked that the board install Jenny Farr as the interim replacement. Easler said she had spoken with Farr about the position and that she was interested.
Easler will be training Farr until she leaves office and that it was important [...]

By Ryan Storz
A Steelville woman faces 10 years to life in prison after allegedly stabbing Donald Allen in the chest with a pocket knife on Dec. 31.
Katherine Darlene Russell, 43, has been charged with Class A felony assault in the first degree.
Allen had a stab wound, approximately two inches in length, right below his shoulder.
He was flown to St. John’s in St. Louis to be treated for his injury.
Russell is incarcerated in the Crawford County [...]

A certificate of appreciation was presented to Kurt Unnerstall of Washington, MO by Adjutant Earl Simmerly of American Legion Post 81 of Bourbon. Unnerstall donated material for the construction of the new American Legion Post which was built on College St. in Bourbon. The American Legion greatly appreciates the donation from KJU Construction Company. Simmerly is a retired laborer from KJU.

By Ryan Storz
Accidents in the area patrolled by Troop I of the Missouri State Highway Patrol held steady from last year’s Christmas and New Year’s counting period, but one man lost his life during the holiday season.
Wayne C. Taylor, 44, Steelville, lost his life on Jan. 2, around 6 p.m., in an accident on Highway 19 and Highway 0 at the south edge of Cuba.
Taylor, driving a 1994 Ford Ranger, crossed the centerline and struck [...]

By Ryan Storz
County employees who took a 25-cent pay cut had their wages reinstated last Tuesday when commissioners met for their first meeting of 2012.
District 1 Commissioner Richard Martin, who has been a passionate supporter about taking care of employees, argued that since the Salary Commission did not take a cut in pay, then it was time to reinstate the 25 cents that was docked off paychecks beginning in 2010.
Martin and County Clerk Mardy Leathers [...]

American Legion received a new sign on their building. Sonja, from Taylor Sign Company of Bourbon, is shown standing next to the sign. Permission was granted by the American Legion to reproduce the logo on the sign.

By Ryan Storz
With just two weeks remaining for prospective candidates to file for either school board or the Bourbon Board of Aldermen, the only race to take shape is for the mayor’s seat.
While Larry Maserang has filed to challenge Mayor Leonard Armstrong, Ward 2 Alderman Stanley Bell is the only other candidate that will seek another term. Bell is currently running unopposed for the second straight term in Ward 2.
Ward 1 Alderman David Kline has [...]