Mindful of the recent rescission of federal funding for upgrading off-system bridges, the Phelps County Commission discussed Thursday the urgency of using accumulated funds to replace or rehabilitate some of the county’s smaller bridges.

Area veterans were honored during an assembly at Rolla Junior High. Each year the school's students and staff salute the veterans during Veterans' Day.

Rolla Municipal Utilities has agreed to purchase the building at 101 and 103 W. 10th Street — the Beger & Bushie Law Offices — with the intent of moving its Engineering Department and some of its billing operation there, RMU General Manager Rodney Bourne told City Council members Monday.

The move to the 12,000-square-foot building will begin “after the first of the year,” Bourne said as the City Council went into closed session.

Although the bond approval was the big issue during last week’s meeting, there were still a number of topics and discussions the board considered.

If the Rolla business people and residents who attended the Rolla Regional Economic Commission meeting were looking for a positive sign for improvements to U.S. Route 63 from transportation officials, it came in the form of an update on the Environmental Impact Statement.

“By the end of November, we should get environmental clearance,” said Tom Stehn, South Central District Engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. “We’ve submitted it to the Federal Highway Commission. This is a very good thing for us.”

Word of the Day

Pescatarian pess-kuh-TAIR-ee-un (noun) One whose diet includes fish but no meat -- www.merriam-webster.com

Web Site of the Day

Academic Earth
www.academicearth.org

Have a thirst for learning? This site allows you to easily find, interact with, and learn from full video courses and lectures from the world’s leading scholars. Search by subject, university or lecturer, and create your own course list.

Number to Know

53: Pounds of bread an average American consumes in a year. Today is Homemade Bread Day, so don’t forget to make a loaf!

This Day in History

Nov. 17, 1973: Watergate scandal: In Orlando, Fla., President Richard Nixon tells 400 Associated Press managing editors, “I am not a crook.”

Today’s Featured Birthday

Actor/director Danny DeVito (65)

Daily Quote

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” - W.J. Cameron

Rolla High School's cross country team wrapped up its season. Austin Lohr was a Missouri Class 4 State Championships qualifier. Stephen Kofoed qualified for the sectional meet.

Don’t worry, Rolla. Just like Ebenezer Scrooge, who after four ghosts came calling early Christmas morn, there is still time — time to snap into the holiday spirit and time to catch one of the remaining shows of “Scrooge, the Musical,” playing this week at the Ozark Actors Theatre.

This “Scrooge” is an artful rendition — the work of Leslie Briscusse — of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” turned into a musical.

Word of the Day 

Hobnob HAHB-nahb (verb) To associate familiarly -- www.merriam-webster.com

Web Site of the Day

Lolligift
 lolligift.com

Shopping for gifts can be fun, but you don’t always have the funds to buy the newest, coolest item. This site provides you with an easy and organized way to pool your money with friends and buy a gift for a special occasion.

Number to Know

1995: Year that The International Day for Tolerance was first observed on this date. The UNESCO-backed observance still takes place and is a day to promote awareness of the dangers of intolerance around the world.

This Day in History

Nov. 16, 1907: Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory become Oklahoma and are admitted as the 46th state.

Today’s Featured Birthday

Former baseball star Dwight “Dr. K” Gooden (45)

Daily Quote

“What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” - Erma Bombeck

 

During a brief City Council meeting, Newburg officials discussed the aftermath of the flood that hit the city two weeks ago.

Rolla residents will be voting on a bond issue in April after the Board of Education agreed Thursday to place the issue on the ballot.

The Phelps County Commission reviewed Thursday seven bids submitted by health-care insurance brokers seeking to provide health insurance for an anticipated 128 county employees in 2010.

Over 200 turned out for a sunny, clear day to dedicate Rolla's new Veterans Park. Music, speeches, and a commitment to continue the project through the cooperation of various organizations greeted the unveiling of signage and a recently completed parking lot. Veterans from all branches and from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East were on hand to take part in the celebratory events.

Recent rate increases in wastewater treatment has the Doolittle City Council at least considering building it’s own plant at it’s meeting Tuesday.

For its only meeting in November, the Rolla Board of Education is stuffing the agenda to the gills.

Rolla area veterans got their wish on their special day — Veterans Day — as more than 200 gathered at the 10-acre site on Southview Drive to dedicate Veterans Memorial Park.

It is a site — and it was a sight — befitting World War II veterans and current-day Iraqi war warriors, and the multitudes and servicemen and women in between.