Day: October 29, 2020

On October 29, 1862 the Battle of Island Mound was fought southwest of Butler not far from the Marais des Cygnes River.  The skirmish between the 1^st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry and Bates County southern guerrillas was memorable because it marked the first armed action and encounter between black soldiers and the enemy.  It was not until January 1, 1863 that the Union Army began enlisting African-American men to serve.  The Battle of Island Mound proved to the War Department in Washington that black soldiers would perform their duties efficiently and display courage on the battlefield.  The 1^st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry went on to gain a reputation for being formidable and brave in battle. 

Today we remember the men of the 1^st KCVI and the men in Bates County who fought what would become a significant turning point in the Civil War.  In 2008, a statue was dedicated on the Courthouse lawn and in 2012, marking the 150^th anniversary,  the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site was dedicated.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — A trash bag that was found in Hot Springs contained evidence connected to a homicide that happened in Missouri, police reported Thursday.

Hot Springs officers responded to the Walmart on Malvern Avenue around 12:35 p.m. Wednesday in reference to a suspicious package, according to police. When officers arrived on the scene, they found possible evidence in a trash back that was in the back of a pick-up truck.

Police said after interviewing the owner of the pick-up, investigators learned through video surveillance that the trash bag was placed into the back of the truck at a nearby hotel the night before by an unknown individual. Investigators later found out that the evidence was connected to a homicide in Deerfield, Missouri.

Hot Springs police are now assisting Missouri Highway Police and the Vernon County Missouri Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.

The Harrisonville Chamber is holding their annual Silent Auction. Businesses are encouraged to support your local Chamber by Putting together your most awesome basket & bring it to the Chamber by Friday November 20th. Baskets will be auctioned off during Christmas on the Square Saturday December 5th. Harrisonville Chamber Thank you for your support!

The use of bait, including grain or other feed to attract deer or turkeys, while hunting is prohibited

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters to be aware of baiting regulations during the fall deer and turkey hunting seasons. The use of bait, including grain or other feed placed or scattered to attract deer or turkey, while hunting is illegal. The regulations are in place to help limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and to ensure fair chase.

MDC Protection Division Chief Randy Doman notes that an area is considered baited for 10 days after complete removal of the bait.

“It’s important to note a hunter can be in violation if they take or attempt to take a deer or turkey by the aid of bait where the hunter knows or should know the area is or has been baited,” Doman explained. “It’s also illegal to place bait in such a way that it causes other hunters to be in violation of the baiting rule.”

Additional rules apply if hunting in a CWD Management Zone. There are 30 counties in the management zone for the 2020-2021 deer seasons. Due to COVID-19 concerns, MDC has transitioned its mandatory CWD sampling to voluntary sampling this year. For more information on CWD regulations, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZL3.

Doe urine and other scents, such as apple, acorn, and persimmon, are allowed to attract deer while hunting, as long as they are not used on or with grain and other food products.

Mineral blocks, including salt, are not considered bait. However, mineral blocks that contain grain or other food additives are prohibited. MDC notes that mineral and salt blocks are not allowed on conservation areas.

While it is legal to hunt over a harvested crop field, it is illegal to add grain or other crops, such as apples, to the field after it has been harvested.

Manipulating crops, such as mowing or knocking them down, is not considered baiting for deer and turkey.

“Having these regulations in place keep deer from concentrating in one small area, thus limiting the potential of CWD transmission,” said Doman.

Find more information on CWD and hunting regulations from MDC’s 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information Booklet, available where permits are sold and online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fall-deer-and-turkey-hunting-regulations-and-information.

Hunters are also encouraged to contact their local conservation agent or MDC regional office for additional questions or concerns. Find contact information at https://mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage.