State Climatologist Pat Guinan says most of Missouri is now drier than anytime since the drought year of 1988. Guinan says large parts of Missouri were six inches below normal for May and June combined.
In Saint Joseph we’re not as bad as that, thanks to overnight soakers on the 10th and 20th this month. But for May and June combined we’re still 3.84 inches short. And the outlook for the weeks ahead is not promising. Guinan says a dry May and June combined have historically meant drier-than-normal conditions the rest of the summer.
Ten Outstanding Career Nursing Assistants representing ten long-term care facilities in the St. Joseph area were honored this week for their caring and dedication. At a luncheon at the Benton Club, the Downtown Rotary Club of St. Joseph honored Career Nursing Assistants for the 22nd year.
Representing nearly sixty to seventy percent of all nursing home employees, CNAs provide hands-on direct resident/patient care.
The work they do is demanding and difficult. Few others have a more challenging job, yet nursing assistants often receive insufficient recognition for the valuable services they perform.
Mayor Bill Falkner proclaimed June 26 to be Career Nursing Assistant Day in St. Joseph. A plaque is given to each individual award winner in recognition for their dedication to serving the frail elderly in our community. Award winners are further recognized by testimonials from the residents and families they care for at their facility.
This year’s honorees:
Tina M. Hoffmaster, the nominee from Abbey Woods, has logged 9 years of service in long-term care. Tina always greets her residents and family members with a smile and a warm heart and is very protective of their dignity. She anticipates the needs of her residents sometimes before they realize what they need. She often helps her co-workers without being asked because she seems to recognize when they need assistance as well. Abbey Woods is very proud to have Tina on their team and we are proud to have her with us today.
Angela Williams is the first nominee from the Missouri Veteran’s Home. For the last 12 years, Angela has been valued member of Missouri Veterans Home’s frontline staff. She provides restorative services to our Nations Heroes with a tender heart and a tender hand. Angela is a confidant, supporter and shoulder to cry on for Veterans, families and staff alike. Angela can often be found after work visiting a Veteran in the hospital, visiting their families, or attending a funeral to let the family know how much their loved one meant to her. In nominating her, Cameron says that Angela is a wonderful team member and a joy to work with.
Holly Hutton has been a C.N.A. and C.M.T. at Carriage Square for three years. The staff and residents at Carriage Square agree that Holly is dependable, caring, and respectful and never expects special recognition. Residents say that “Holly is the best at putting me to bed” and “Holly knows how to take care of me the best.” Congratulations Holly and thank you!
Carolyn Holden comes to us from King City Manor. While Carolyn has been with King City for just a year and a half, she has literally grown up in long term care. Her mother was a Med Tech in long term care and Carolyn grew up spending time with the residents her mother cared for. She became a C.N.A. herself at 18 and caring for the elderly has been her career path ever since. She loves what she does and it shows. Residents at King City say that she never leaves their room without asking “is there anything else I can do for you?”
Lorey McConnell has been in long-term care for 12 years. Her nomination is testimony that the Living Community of St. Joseph, its staff & residents, respect and appreciate Lorey. Along with her nomination, Living Community passed along the comments of one of their residents. He said “She is the perfect tech. She learns what people’s wants and desires are and fulfills them. She quickly learned by routine and fulfills my needs without flaw”. Congratulations Lorey.
Mallory Gail Burton started working at Oregon Care a little over a year ago but has been a C.N.A. since 2001. After coming to Oregon Care, Mallory completed her TCC Rehab Restorative Aide training and was recently chosen by a panel of residents and peers to be a Lead C.N.A. As such, she has added administrative responsibilities to her caregiver role. She successfully wears many hats while staying on top of the many needs of the residents with a smile on her face. Mallory is a person that puts the welfare of the residents over her own needs and Oregon Care Center and its residents admire and appreciate her service.
Brenda Sue Babb is the nominee from Saxton Care Chateau. Brenda is a C.N.A. and C. M.T. With 23 years experience in health care behind her, Brenda is a dedicated employee that rarely misses work, frequently picks up extra shifts, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. She is always willing to assist a co-worker with patient care, answer any call lights, assist with laundry, cleaning, stocking patient supplies, passing out medications or giving a resident a much needed hug. Staff & residents agree that Brenda is an outstanding C.N.A. and appreciate her hard work and dedication.
Michelle Wood comes to us from Saxton Health Care Inn. They wrote “If graded on each of your criteria for eligibility, Michelle would receive an “A” across the board. But there’s one criteria not listed, and that’s integrity. Michelle stands behind her word and her work. She communicates effectively because she says what she means, and she means what she says. Her attention to detail leaves each resident feeling truly cared for. She is a valuable member of the Health Care Inn team and a godsend to anyone she cares for.”
Brenda Clevenger has worked in long-term care for 10 years and is currently serving as Trainer, Certified Nursing Assistant, Restorative Department at Saxton Riverside. Brenda enjoys working with older people and the supportive relationships she has with her colleagues. Staff says Brenda is friendly, caring, and compassionate. Residents appreciate that she is well-dressed, always smiling, and is willing to listen. They enjoy how nice she is towards everyone and the way she laughs and humms as she goes about her duties. Brenda would like to become a Certified Medical Technical and eventually go to nursing school.
Makala Jean Bradbury is the nominee from Tiffany Heights. She has been with them for four years. Makala spends most of her days in the bath house bathing the residents. She has a magical ability to lift the residents’ spirits and to motivate them to take their bath. Makala goes beyond her job duties as a C.N. A. and bath aid. She is very dependable and leads by example with staff members and with her outgoing personality. Makala has excellent rapport with the residents and they love her.
St. Joseph Police detectives are asking for help in the investigation of a possible abduction attempt this week.
Detectives say the incident happened just after midnight early Tuesday morning. A 13 year-old girl reported a man grabbed her and started to pull her towards a van parked nearby.
The girl managed to get away. It happened in the 2600 block of Olive Street in St Joseph.
The man was described as a white male with a dark mustache between 25 and 30 years-old and around six foot in height with a heavy build.
The vehicle was described as a dark green or blue older full-sized van with tinted windows and poor paint. A second subject may have been in the van.
Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline, 238-TIPS.
We should have the World Trade Organization’s final say on the U.S. country of origin labeling rule Friday. The WTO’s highest tribunal is expected to have its decision on the U.S. government’s appeal of a dispute panel’s ruling in the COOL case. Canada and Mexico have argued the rule violates international trade agreements – specifically a WTO deal that limits the use of technical barriers to trade. The dispute panel sided largely with Canada and Mexico in its final decision – which the U.S. government appealed in March. The ruling of the Appellate Body – expected June 29th (Friday) – is the final step in the case. If the U.S. loses the case – the Obama Administration will likely get a request from the WTO to change the existing COOL rule.
According to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association – the COOL issue is costing their industry more than 100-million dollars each year. The group says it has spent more than two-million Canadian dollars to support their government’s case and they will not back down until the issue is resolved. The group is hopeful that will be soon.
The National Fire Protection Association has voted to amend its standards for animal housing facilities – requiring fire sprinkling systems in newly constructed and some existing facilities. The National Pork Producers Council says this is a substantial change of the standards for animal housing. The sprinkler requirement has only applied to facilities like zoos, veterinary clinics and pet shops in the past. These revisions would cover all barns and other facilities where animals are kept or confined. The NFPA’s uniform codes and standards are widely used by state and local governments to set building and fire codes. They are also used as minimum standards to maintain coverage by insurance companies. NPPC believes the overbroad fire codes could significantly increase the cost of new barn construction and maintenance and could subject producers to biosecurity risks during annual sprinkler system inspections. The group is in the process of appealing the decision.
The World Trade Organization will investigate and decide if Indian restrictions on U.S. poultry meat and eggs break global commerce rules. India says its ban on imports of various U.S. farm products is needed to prevent the spread of low-pathogenic avian influenza. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative accuses India of ignoring scientific evidence. The U.S. Poultry and Egg Export Council has called India’s restrictions protectionist policy that is inconsistent with accepted international standards and has no health or safety justification. In fact – according to USDA – low-pathogenic bird flu causes minor illness, poses no risk to human health and sometimes manifests no clinical signs. The Council estimates the value of poultry-product exports to India could exceed 300-million dollars a year.
This year’s community survey from the Community Alliance of St Joseph provides information about trends, comparing our attitudes now with those gleaned from the survey conducted two years ago.
Officials say 41% of those receiving the survey filled them out and returned them this year, an improvement over the 35% who took part in 2010. The results were unveiled Tuesday by the market research firm ETC Institute of Olathe, Kansas.
Senior Vice President Karen Falk of ETC tells us the survey two years ago provides a baseline by which to judge the results from this year’s survey and look at trends in our attitudes. A few of those trends showed improvement and a few showed the need for improvement. A lot stayed about the same, and Falk says in the current economy, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Much of the survey dealt with perceptions, our attitudes, and our feelings of satisfaction in the City of St Joseph and Buchanan County. In an interview, Falk said there were some positive swings in attitudes revealed in the survey, including in the area of overall city services.
“We had positive increases in the efforts to keep you informed about local issues, recycling opportunities, the effectiveness of city communication, and the quality of stormwater management, all of those were significant increases,” Falk said. There was also an improvement over two years ago in our satisfaction level with the city and county services we receive for the taxes and fees we pay.
On the downside, Falk said, were the number of people reporting satisfaction with Parks and Recreation programs and the number of people satisfied with their feelings of safety in the city. Most public safety questions generated positive results for the city. Falk said 92 percent of residents said they generally felt safe in shopping areas, and 90 percent felt safe at work. A general feeling of safety in neighborhoods was reported by 87 percent of those who responded.
The survey indicates more emphasis should be placed on crime prevention, police visibility and street maintenance.
The Community Alliance, through its funding partners, pays $13,500 for each of the surveys. Alliance Director Steve Johnston says they plan to conduct another one in 2014, and every two years. Johnston says the entire survey and summary will soon be published online, at the city’s web site and elsewhere.
The Community Alliance funding partners are The City of St Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri Western State University, The St Joseph School District, Heartland Health, The St Joseph Metrol Chamber of Commerce and The St Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Deer hunters itching to get started can take some action beginning Sunday – apply for a managed hunt permit. Joe Jerek of the Missouri Department of Conservation says there are plenty of hunts to choose from including events for hunters with disabilities.
Jerek says applications will be accepted until August 15th. A drawing will determine which hunters get permits. They’ll be notified in mid-September. Permits cover a variety of ways to take a deer, from archery to crossbow to muzzleloader to modern firearms. For more information click here.
When consumers think about farmers and ranchers – their perceptions don’t always match reality. There are farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. doing wonderful things to bring food to tables around the globe. But these important figures are not recognizable by consumers, mainstream media and influencers. Bob Stallman – American Farm Bureau Federation President and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance Chairman – says the people who grow and raise are food are often missing from the many voices leading conversations about food. USFRA is looking to change that. He says they want to find the best people to be part of these conversations and represent the real farmers and ranchers of America.
The organization announced during the Food Dialogues event in Los Angeles that it is looking for the “Faces of Farming and Ranching” as a way to put a real face on agriculture and shine a light on the heart, personalities and values that are behind today’s food. They are looking for farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement with others and who are actively involved today in sharing those stories. USFRA is accepting entries through September 8th at www dot FoodDialogues dot com. In November – at the Food Dialogues event in New York City – 10 to 15 finalists will be announced. The announcement will open a public online voting period. Based on those votes and the recommendation of a panel of judges – “The Faces of Farming and Ranching” will be selected – with winners announced in early January 2013.
For all of the details on the application process, what USFRA is looking for and what the winners will receive – visit www dot Food Dialogues dot com (www.fooddialogues.com).
A poll released by National Farmers Union shows that the nation’s farmers believe conservation programs and environmental stewardship are key components of the farm bill. More than five-hundred American farmers across 13 Midwestern and Great Plains states were surveyed. Eighty-six percent of respondents said the level of conservation funding should be maintained or increased – with nearly half stating they would be less likely to support a member of Congress who voted to cut conservation funding more than the six-billion dollars in the Senate-passed legislation. Conservation programs ranked as the second-highest priority for inclusion in the farm bill – with farmers viewing conservation as a priority that’s vital to their long-term economic viability. In fact – nearly three-quarters said conservation programs help their bottom line. Also – by a nearly two-to-one margin – NFU says the poll shows farmers believe farmers should be required to meet some environmental standards in order to receive federal benefits such as crop insurance.
NFU President Roger Johnson says these survey findings demonstrate the deep commitment farmers across the heartland have to conservation. As Congress moves forward with the farm bill – Johnson says NFU would emphasize the important role of conservation programs in environmental stewardship and continued productivity.
