■ Jefferson County 911 Dispatch officials hope voters approve an April 2 ballot measure that would maintain current funding for the agency, but they are contending with major opposition from state Sen. Paul Wieland (R-Imperial). Prop 9-1-1 asks voters to maintain the 1/2-cent sales tax collected in the county to fund the agency, rather than letting the sales tax be reduced to 1/4 cent, as a sunset clause called for when voters approved the funding source in 2009. According to that clause, the reduction in the sales tax would take effect Oct. 1, that is unless voters approve the measure, which requires a simple majority vote to pass. Wieland, however, claims that a bill the Missouri Legislature passed last year prohibits 911 Dispatch from placing the measure on the ballot. Officials with 911 dispute that claim, though, and say the measure is legal. See Kevin Carbery’s Page 1 story.
■ Jefferson County resident George Sirois gets out his message any way he can – speaking through his short stories and novels; narrating audiobooks; and doing voiceovers for commercial ventures. He also is preparing to launch a new podcast service, hosting interviews with up-and-coming artists. “I’m definitely enjoying the ride,” he said. Sirois, 42, of Imperial said the third novel in his young-adult-fiction trilogy is nearing completion. See Laura Marlow’s Page 1 feature story.
■ Everybody knew just what to say when actor George Wendt came to JeffersonCounty on Saturday. “When George came into the (De Soto) KC Hall, everybody yelled ‘Norm!’ and the same thing happened at the Russell House (in Hillsboro) when he walked in,” said Jim Thomas, organizer of the seventh annual Frank Wilcox Film Festival, for which Wendt was the celebrity headliner. The actor played affable barfly Norm Peterson in all 275 episodes of the TV sitcom “Cheers” from 1982 to 1993. See Gordon Bess’ story.
■ At Monday school board meeting, Hillsboro R-3 officials discussed “what ifs” should the Hawk Rollback Waiver proposition not gain voter approval on April 2. None of the alternatives are pleasant, said Jon Isaacson, a current assistant superintendent who will become the Hillsboro R-3 superintendent July 1, and he stressed that no decisions on potential cuts have as yet been made. “Do you reduce 10 teaching positions or do you cut sports?” he said Tuesday. “Nothing has been prioritized. It was just to discuss the financial impact in preparation if it should not pass. It was strictly for planning purposes.” See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Jefferson College students likely will pay more in tuition and fees next school year. The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously March 14 to give President Ray Cummiskey the authority to increase tuition by up to $6 a credit hour, which would increase the price for county residents to attend classes at the college from $106 per credit hour to $112 per credit hour. See Kevin Carbery’s story.
■ Editor Peggy Bess writes about the federal Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPAA) and how it interferes with the public’s right to know details on health topics. Plus, the March 21 newspaper is the last one with readers’ letters on April 2 election topics.
■ When military veteran Randy Althage moved back to Crystal City, he saw a need. So, Althage two years ago opened the Strength Barracks on Mississippi Avenue in Glasstown. See Sports editor Russell Korando’s column about Althage’s work in shaping county athletes, plus lots of baseball coverage.
*** The Spring Equinox is Wednesday. Now, let’s warm up for good.