Experienced UCM Educator, Ann McCoy, Named College of Education Dean

WARRENSBURG, MO – Ann McCoy, Ph.D., a University of Central Missouri alumna with two UCM degrees, will be working to make a positive impact on the preparation of tomorrow’s teachers and school administrators as the new dean of the College of Education (COE). University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Phil Bridgmon, Ph.D., today announced McCoy’s appointment, continuing her service in the position in which she has served since May 2021 on an interim basis.

“Dr. McCoy has been an outstanding leader for many years and I am grateful she accepted the invitation to continue her service as dean of the College of Education,” Bridgmon said. “She cares deeply about our students and supporting our colleagues in their important work. She leads by example in her professionalism, service to others, and vision. Her ability to bring people together for a common purpose is extraordinary.”

Throughout her tenure at UCM, McCoy has touched the lives of students through her teaching in the classroom, while also utilizing her leadership skills in positions that included serving as a department and school chair, and most recently, associate dean.

“I am proud to be part of the College of Education and to work with the outstanding students and excellent faculty and staff who make up our college,” McCoy said in talking about her appointment. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue the work we have started in the COE to address our priorities of preparing for our national accreditation through the CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), strengthening recruitment and retention, completing the program leadership/reorganization process, and finalizing our strategic plan.”

A longtime Clinton, Missouri resident, McCoy’s affiliation with UCM spans more than 40 years, beginning with her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education and Mathematics, which she completed in 1983. This was followed by a Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 1988, followed by a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction – Mathematics Education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2011.

After serving as an elementary and middle school mathematics teacher for Clinton Public Schools for approximately 22 years, McCoy came to UCM in 2006 as a visiting assistant professor of mathematics education in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics. She was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and climbed the faculty ranks to become a full professor in 2017, when she was serving in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Her career at UCM since then has included serving as a program coordinator of mathematics education; coordinator of the K-12 and secondary teacher education programs; coordinator for the elementary mathematics specialist program; coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Education for elementary grades 1-6 program; chair of the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education; chair of the School of Teaching and Learning; and associate dean for the College of Education.

Faculty Senate President Rene Burress, Ph.D., an associate professor who serves as library science and information services program coordinator, commented on McCoy’s appointment. She described her as a caring leader who is trusted by faculty members.

"When there are hard decisions to make, faculty can rest assured that Ann will make them with the best interest of students, faculty, and staff at the forefront of her thought process,” Buress said.

In addition to her work at UCM, McCoy has played a role in groups and other activities that have had a statewide impact on education. This includes her appointment from 2014 to 2016 to the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s Elementary Mathematics Standards Workgroup charged with drafting a new set of standards for elementary mathematics in Missouri. She has also presented workshops designed to help schools in communities such as Belton and Macon transition to Common Core Standards.

 

Henry County Health Center confirms 10 new positive cases of COVID-19

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) has received confirmation there are 10 new positive cases of COVID-19.

--Clinton-10
--Windsor-
--Deepwater-0
--Montrose-0
--Urich-
--Blairstown-0
--Calhoun-0
--Creighton-0
--Chilhowee (Henry County)-0
--Leeton-0

This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in Henry County to 2,857.

All contact tracing has commenced and all parties that have had close contact are being notified. HCHC continues to encourage residents to practice social distancing, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, and to remain home if you are sick.

The CDC continues to recommend that individuals to wear a face covering when you are in public, and are unable to social distance, to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Missouri fall foliage color show begins soon

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri’s hills might not be alive with the sound of music, but they soon will transition into a kaleidoscope of color. The foliage of trees, shrubs and vines is about to burst into its full glory.

Colors usually peak around the third weekend of October, but Mother Nature is a woman of mystery. “It’s always questionable until the last minute what will happen,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Fall color is like Christmas morning. You don’t know if you are going to get an orange or a lump of coal in your stocking.”

Some years are better than others, but about once a decade colors really pop, and 2021 might be one of those years, Trinklein said.

Missouri’s size and diverse landscape make it possible to follow the color from one part of the state to the other. Color changes begin in northern Missouri and move south. Leaves of different deciduous woody plant species turn colors at different times. As a result, fall color in most parts of Missouri lasts from four to six weeks.

Sugar maples are the heavy hitters of fall foliage color. They burst with yellows, golds and reds along limestone bluffs bordering the Missouri River. Other species, such as hickories, yellow poplar and persimmon, light up the landscape with their lush yellows and golds. Not to be left out of the show, oaks add rustic reddish-browns for contrast.

Of course, the changing of leaves is not just for show. Leaf shedding is part of the dormancy process that helps trees survive winter, Trinklein said.

During the spring and summer, leaves make food for the trees. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates such as sugars and starches through photosynthesis.

The shorter days of late summer trigger the dormancy process. A layer of cells called an “abscission layer” forms at the point where the leaf stem attaches to a branch or twig. Sugars, still manufactured by the leaf but blocked from leaving, turn into colorful pigments known as anthocyanins, which usually are red or purple.

In addition, chlorophyll starts to break down. That is when yellow and gold pigments called carotenoids get to shine. These pigments are present throughout the growing season but are masked by chlorophyll’s dark green color.

Leaf color intensity depends on temperature, light and the availability of water throughout the year. Color-watchers favor a steady supply of mild, sunny days and cool but not freezing nights for the best chance of fall brilliance. Leaves also need some moisture for colors to intensify.

Contrary to common belief, frost is not necessary for trees to begin their color show, Trinklein said. Early frosts may even tarnish leaf color.

What will this fall bring? The mystery is about to unfold as Mother Nature dances across Missouri with her paintbrush. “Whatever the outcome, fall leaf colors are a treat we are privileged to witness only once each year,” Trinklein said. “Therefore, take time to enjoy them.”

Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s regional fall colors reports at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/fall-color.

Obituary - Betty Jane Smith

Betty Jane Smith, age 86, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 surrounded by her loving daughter.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Ball Church of Christ in Dora, Missouri, with burial in the Ball Cemetery.

Betty was born in Dora, Missouri on March 6, 1935 to Clifford Russell and Dorothy (Howard) Russell. She graduated from Bakersfield High School. In the summer of 1952 she was joined in marriage with her late husband, Henry on June 7th. Their union was blessed with two children, Bruce and Sheila. Betty was employed at Western Electric/AT&T for over 25 years. She was very involved with the Telephone Pioneers, in which she was in charge of fundraising for the group, for over 20 years. Betty managed and bought for the company store in the Lee’s Summit facility, as well as many other events throughout the years, raising money for the Pioneers to help the local under served community.

In life Betty and Henry enjoyed traveling. Having been to all 50 states, they ventured out into the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. After retirement they bought an RV, traveling in that for part of the year and eventually they found a place in Florida to buy and settle down in the winter months, giving up life on the road. She especially enjoyed their winters in Florida and attending music venues as Henry was an avid guitar player.

Betty was preceded in life by her loving husband of over sixty-four years, Henry J. Smith; her twelve year old son, Bruce Wayne Smith; and parents, Clifford and Dorothy Russell.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Sheila Smith; brother C. Eldon Russell; and one niece, Brenda Frealy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3846 W. 75th Street #4126, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278

Adrian Lions Club Appreciation Day!

Obituary - Helen Faye Mielke

Helen Faye Mielke, age 63, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born June 2, 1958, in Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, the daughter of Chester Eugene Crim and Judy Bass Crim. Faye married Michael E. Mielke on August 8, 2009, in Ft. Scott. 

Faye had worked in customer service at both Digital Lighthouse and Cigna. She enjoyed gardening, tending her flowers, going to rummage sales and auctions and playing cards. She was a member of the Lighthouse Tabernacle in Pittsburg, Kansas and had recently been attending Open Door Mission Church in Arcadia, Kansas.

Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home, two sons, Steven Bailey (Kaytie), of Ft. Scott and Jerry Bailey (April), of Branson, Missouri and two daughters, Suzie Haffer, Orange Beach, Alabama and Hillary Henson, of Osawatomie, Kansas; a step-daughter, Deserie Salazar of Chicago, Illinois several grandchildren and a great-grandson. Also surviving are her step-mother, Mary Crim of Holden, Missouri, a brother, Kelly Crim of Holden, Missouri, two sisters, Gail Crim, Olathe, Kansas and Linda Sieg, of Leavenworth, Kansas and a step-sister, Debbie Wiely and a step-brother, Louis Wiely both of Leavenworth. She was preceded in death by her father.

There was cremation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 11th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Faye Mielke Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Public Service Announcement from the Butler License Office

Motor Vehicle and Drivers License systems just went down state wide. We are unaware how long this will be down. 

Please call or check back on the page for updates. So sorry for any inconvenience.

(660) 679-0061

Attention City of Rockville Residents

NOTICE:
The City of Rockville water tower will be turned off due to water repairs on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

The Streets will be Bates & 2nd & Lakeview & 2nd. A Water Boil Advisory will be in place from Tuesday, October 5, 2021, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Thru Friday, October 8, 2021, Ending at 12:00 p.m. 

Thank You, The City of Rockville