The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans five public meetings later this month to discuss the new draft operating plan for the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System. One of the meetings is scheduled at Corps’ facilities in Smithville on Wednesday, October 29.

The public meetings will include a presentation from the Corps regarding 2014 operations and plans for managing the reservoir system in 2015, followed by a question and answer session. There will also be an opportunity for members of the public and stakeholders to speak one-on-one with Corps officials.

The draft 2014-2015 Annual Operating Plan anticipates serving all of the authorized project purposes, including flood control, navigation, hydropower, water supply, water quality control, irrigation, recreation and fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Click the above to view the draft plan on the Corps’s web site.

Comments on the draft plan will be taken during the series of public meetings. Written and email comments will be accepted through November 21, 2014. Email comments should be sent to: [email protected]

The public meetings will be conducted at the following times and locations:

Monday, Oct. 27 – Fort Peck, Mont.
Start time: 6 p.m.
Fort Peck Interpretative Center
Lower Yellowstone Rd.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Bismarck, ND
Start time: 11 a.m.
Bismarck Civic Center
315 S. 5th St.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Pierre, SD
Start time: 6 p.m.
Capitol Lake Visitor Center
500 E. Capitol Ave.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Smithville, Mo.
Start time: 11 a.m.
Jerry Litton Visitor Center
16311 DD Hwy

Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Council Bluffs, Iowa
Start time: 6 p.m.
Western Historic Trails Center
3434 Richard Downing Ave.

Northwest Missouri State University’s campus is now home to a friendly game of Cricket!

The school’s new cricket pitch, is the first in the region.  It’s located on the southwest corner of the campus, near the intersection of Fourth Street and Icon Road.

“This is an initiative and deployment of resources that proves our focus on student success,” Northwest Director of International Affairs Dr. Jeff Foot said. “We are student centered in our efforts, and this pitch highlights our ability to understand the new and varied needs of current Northwest students. It will aid recruitment and retention of new types of students, and it differentiates us from our peers.”

According to a news release from the school Northwest international students took to the pitch for the first time Sept. 26 and organized an Indian Student Association Cricket Tournament during the weekend. Northwest staff members, including Graduate Dean Dr. Greg Haddock and international recruiter Dr. Phil Hull, were on hand to welcome the students and present them, on behalf of Northwest and the Office of International Affairs, with playing equipment that included a bat, ball and gloves.

“We can’t express it in words, we’re so grateful,” said Siva Satyanarayana Daggubati, who came to Northwest from Guntur, India, to work toward a Master of Science degree in applied computer science.

Said Srujan Yaparthi, who also hails from Guntur and is studying applied computer science, “It means a lot. We didn’t expect to get a ground so this is huge for us.”
Northwest had discussed installing a cricket pitch on the Northwest campus for several years, Foot said, and the idea came to fruition over the summer through a collaboration of the University’s Office of International Affairs, Department of Athletics and Facility Services.

After identifying a location for the pitch and interacting with students to determine its orientation, Facility Services staff members worked throughout September to prepare the playing surface. Staff members removed grass and packed clay into the soil to ensure the area met students’ specifications before installing the pitch surface.
“We are thankful for the input from our faculty, staff and community in partnering with and supporting our students to provide this opportunity,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “This is yet to another engagement opportunity within a wide portfolio of experiences at Northwest and it supports our core value of intercultural competence.”

Much like American football, cricket is ingrained in Western culture and people flock to watch games whenever they are played. At Northwest, around 60 students regularly participate in pickup games of cricket, which until now were played regularly in a parking lot on the opposite corner of the campus.

“After we’re born, we’ll see cricket on the TV screens, we’ll see cricket in the streets,” Yaparthi said. “We’ll see cricket everywhere in India. You can find competition anywhere in India when it comes to cricket. People leave everything and come to cricket.”

In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 6-10, Northwest Missouri State University Wellness Services will sponsor a variety of events and opportunities for students to interact with peers and counselors in Professional Development and Counseling Services while learning about mental illness.

“The purpose of these events is to encourage students to seek help when they need it, reduce the negative stigma around mental illness and inform students that counseling is available to them at no additional charge through Personal Development and Counseling Services at Wellness Services,” said Courtney Koch, a counselor in Wellness Services.

Events will include speakers who are educated about mental health, yoga and meditation classes, among many others.

Northwest encourages students who are struggling with mental health issues to visit with a counselor at Wellness Services. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students also may make an appointment by calling Wellness Services at 660.562.1348. In case of a crisis, during non-business hours, students should call University Police at 660.562.1254 or the Support Line at 888. 279.8188.

A complete list of Mental Illness Awareness Week events are below.

Monday, Oct. 6

“Coffee with the Counselors” (10 to 11 a.m., B.D. Owens Library, Novel Grounds on the first floor): Counselors from Northwest’s Personal Development and Counseling Center will conduct a discussion about mental health and students may ask questions about Wellness Services.

“Hidden Pictures: A Personal Journey into Global Mental Health Screening” (7:30 to 9 p.m., J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom): Award-winning filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston, who grew up in the shadow of her dad’s schizophrenia, explores the hidden struggles faced by the 450 million people living with mental illness worldwide. Through deeply personal stories involving bipolar illness, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety in India, China, Africa, France and the U.S., “Hidden Pictures” reveals a global epidemic of silence around mental illness as well as moments of profound compassion and remarkable change. This event will include the one-hour documentary and 30 minutes to discuss reactions to the film.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

“Speaking Out for Mental Health” (5:30 to 6:30 p.m., The Station Center Room): Hy-Vee greeter Fred Mares, Professor of Psychology Dr. Carla Edwards, counselor Rhonda Lesley and health educator BK Taylor will share their stories, experiences and thoughts about mental health.

Wednesday, Oct. 8,

“In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness” (4 to 5 p.m., The Station Center Room): The National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas City will present “In Our Own Voice: Living with Mental Illness,” a program focused on spreading the message of recovery by living examples. It provides hope and opportunity to both the audience and the presenters. Participants should sign up by emailing Wellness Services at [email protected] with the event name, the participant’s name and S number.

“A Time of Reflection and Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery” (5:30 to 5:45 p.m., Memorial Bell Tower): The Personal Development and Counseling Services will celebrate Mental Illness Awareness Week at the Bell Tower in honor of the National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery. One counselor will discuss mental illness to promote awareness, and attendees will be invited to silently reflect or pray for mental illness recovery.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Wellness Fair (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Union Ballroom): Counselors will pass out free popcorn at the event. Rhonda Lesley, counselor and registered yoga teacher, will teach yoga and Counselor Mike Mattock will lead meditation.

Friday, Oct. 10

“Go Green Day”

In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Northwest students, employees and community members are invited to wear green or lime green to support mental health awareness.

“How Are You Doin’?” (11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Union second floor)

In honor of National Depression Screening Day and World Mental Health Day, students can take a brief questionnaire to see how they are doing and receive a free sports water bottle.

 

Tonight: Patchy frost after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. West northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Saturday: Patchy frost before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57. West northwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday: Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.