The Grundy County Board of Equalization has upheld the assessments on five appeals pertaining to the amounts of taxes to be paid. The five member board, consisting of the county commission and two citizens, held FOUR hearings last week with property owners or their representatives.

The Princeton City Council has enacted an ordinance banning the public use of water for lawns, gardens, and private washing of motor vehicles at Princeton. The water restrictions were put into effect immediately for the city of Princeton due to on-going drought and water levels getting lower in the city wells.

The Missouri National Guard will recognize citizen-soldiers from the 548th Transportation Company of Trenton (who recently served in Afghanistan) during a "Freedom Salute" ceremony on Saturday night at 7 o'clock at the Ketcham Community Center.

A Unionville couple was injured yesterday (Monday) when, the Highway Patrol said, they attempted a turn from a private drive and drove into the path of a tractor trailer.

The Highway Patrol says a Cainsville man was injured on Thursday when his motorcycle was struck by an unknown vehicle. The accident happened on Harrison County Route N, just a half mile west of Route B.

The Mercer County Commission today (Thursday) enacted a ban on outdoor burning. The action was taken this morning when commissioners signed a resolution to begin the burn ban throughout Mercer county because of the continued very dry conditions.

Four contestants are expected for this year's contest to choose the next North Central Missouri Fair Queen. The contest itself is Sunday, July 29th with an outdoor coronation to occur on opening night of the fair, Tuesday July 31st.

Because of the heat, the Livingston County Jail has announced some changes regarding this week's livestock entries. The poultry show in the north barn was moved to 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning from its original time of 1 o'clock, with a sheep show scheduled for 3 o'clock in the expo center with the goat show to follow (both on Wednesday afternoon). On Wednesday night, a talent show will be held in the outdoor arena northwest of Chillicothe.

Two teenagers were injured on Tuesday when (according to the Highway Patrol) their pickup twice ran off a road north of Bethany and overturned onto the driver's side. The accident happened on Harrison County Route W, three miles north of Bethany.

Novinger and Milan residents were hurt when a car traveled into the path of a truck in Novinger this weekend (according to the Highway Patrol). The driver of the car, 35 year old Jason Brandenburg of Novinger, was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, with "MODERATE" described injuries.

Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney has announced that he is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Airport Board. Those interested can pick up a form from the City Clerk's office at Chillicothe City Hall (715 Washington Street). Forms must be submitted by Monday, August 6th.

Motorists in the Gallatin and Hamilton areas will soon encounter lane closures on Highway 13 as crews begin preparing the road for a resurfacing project. Herzog Contracting of St. Joseph will be doing the work.

As a result of the continuing drought, beef cattle producers are facing decisions regarding their crops, pastures, and cow herds. Even after the drought is over and crops are out of the field, the producers are expected to continue to deal with the lasting implications of this summer's drought.

On Monday morning the Grundy County LEPC announced that effective on Tuesday, July 31st, Grundy County Emergency Management Director Marisa Hutson is resigning her position as the county EMD to pursue a career opportunity outside the area.

In response to recent extreme temperatures and drought that has impacted forage acres, Curtis Crawford, Grundy County executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced emergency haying and grazing use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres is now authorized in Grundy County, Missouri.

With the heat wave continuing, the Green Hills Community Action Agency reports it is ready to financially help eligible local and area citizens facing loss of their electricity.

There is a goal of $18,000 to provide food to as many as 120 school-age children for weekend consumption in the 2012-13 school year. The program is called “Backpack Buddies.” This is the fourth year for the program offered to eligible children from the Grundy County Community Food Pantry.

Members of the Trenton Downtown Improvement Association, on Tuesday night heard a presentation on a strategic plan that has four dozen recommendations.

North Mercer High School senior Sierra Michaelis has given a verbal commitment to the University of Missouri women's basketball program, choosing the Tigers over other interested suitors from Nebraska, Creighton, Drake, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

A Maysville resident was hurt when the car she was driving overturned off a road in northern DeKalb County. Nineteen year old Natalie Lemmon of Maysville was taken by private vehicle to Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.