Funding to secure entrances at Maryville Middle School and Northwest Technical School has been awarded.

The Missouri School Boards’ Association through its Missouri Center for Education said it has awarded a school safety grant in the amount of $7,155 to the Maryville R-II School District.

The District competed with other public schools in the state for a limited amount of funding aimed to enhance school safety in local school districts.  More than $400,000 in grants was awarded to 49 school districts in Missouri, to support school safety related programs and initiatives.

“Providing a safe and secure learning environment for students is a top priority for all Missouri school districts and these grants will help fund projects and programs designed to do just that,” said Paul Fennewald, CES Director.

CLICK HERE for more information on the grant and other school safety related programs.

Bode Ice Arena is getting into the holiday spirit this weekend with three Christmas-themed ice skating shows starring local performers.

The Griffon Gliders synchronized skating teams will entertain the public with shows at 6:30 in the evening on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12. “Glide Tidings of Christmas” will feature group numbers, synchronized skating routines from two teams and individual and duet performances. A total of 53 area skaters will perform to holiday music.

Tickets are $10 for adults. The purchase price includes two free tickets for children ages 13 and younger.

Bode also will be the site of the annual Mayor’s Children’s Christmas Party, from 10 to noon on Saturday, December 12.

This free event includes group numbers featuring performers from the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club and the city’s Learn to Skate Program. The mayor’s program includes free treats for children as well as door prizes.

Free skating for the public will be offered at the end of all three shows.

Bode Ice Arena is located at 2500 SW Parkway in St. Joseph.

Missouri’s Chamber of Commerce and and Industry President & CEO plans to speak in St. Joseph on a 15-year strategic economic plan.

Dan Mehan will speak at the Fall Chairman’s Breakfast Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center. The event will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Mehan is expected to talk about the Missouri Chamber’s 15-year strategic economic plan, which was developed through in-depth economic research by Gallup and the input of more than 1,000 Missouri CEOs. It focuses on workforce, competitive policy, infrastructure and a plan to unite the business community behind one long-term economic effort.

The 15-year strategic plan is called Missouri 2030: An Agenda to Lead. The Missouri 2030 plan includes components to improve Missouri’s workforce preparation, economic competitiveness, job-supporting infrastructure and business leadership. CLICK HERE to learn more at MO2030.com.

The Chamber said the cost to attend is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for general admission. Cost goes up after Dec. 11.

Three juveniles have been arrested after a vandalism spree in Chillicothe that caused thousands of dollars worth of damage.

According to the Chillicothe Police Department on Nov. 29 officers began investigating vandalism and property damage in city limits.

Officers took several reports in regard to houses, sheds, and vehicles having been spray painted with the words “dragons” or a spray painted depiction of a monkey. The spray paint colors were blue, black, or silver in all areas.

The police department announced Tuesday that the case is now closed and the three juveniles have been interviewed and turned over to the Livingston County Juvenile Office for further court proceedings.

The department said it is asking any citizen that received property damage connected to this case to contact them with the estimates of how much it cost to repair or replace any damaged property.

The City of St Joseph is hoping for your input on a possible new fire station next to Bode Middle School.

The Capital Improvement Program sales tax provided for the purchase of land and the construction of new fire stations to replace two existing older stations. St. Joseph Fire Department staff completed a relocation study that recommended the relocation of Station 9 at 2217 Frederick, and Station 11 at 2329 South 18th Street.

The city is currently interested in purchasing the land located at 2715 Union, next to Bode Middle School, as a replacement site for Station 9. A public meeting will be held on December 9, beginning at 6:30pm, in the Bode Middle School library. Fire department staff, along with and Public Works staff, will be present to give a brief overview of the project and to answer any questions or concerns the public may have regarding the construction of a fire station at this location.

If you cannot attend the public meeting, please feel free to send any comments or concerns to mdalsing@ci.st-joseph.mo.us.

A Missouri Western State University art student’s work will be seen globally. Shaina Mixon submitted the winning poster design for an international music festival.

The design by Mixon, senior graphic design and marketing major from Easton, Missouri, was selected from more than 60 submitted for soundSCAPE, an international composition and performance festival held each summer in Italy.

“soundSCAPE brings together top musicians from around the world for two weeks each summer,” said festival founder, president and artistic director Dr. Nathanael May, associate professor of music at Missouri Western. “Shaina’s poster will be seen by thousands of music students who attend the best music schools across the globe.”

Mixon’s design features a trio of stylized musical instruments in blue on a gray background, with text in orange and white. It advertises the 12th season of soundSCAPE, July 1-14, 2016 in Maccagno, Italy.