Lake Regional Hospital is naming Ellie Kathleen Sharp its New Year’s Baby for 2021.

Anita Harrison with Lake Regional Health System tells KRMS News this is something the hospital likes to do to help celebrate the start of the new year.

She says this tradition has been ongoing for a long time.

Harrison says Ellie Kathleen weighed 8 pounds and measured 22 inches long after being born at 6:54 am New Year’s Day.

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Ellie Kathleen Sharp, daughter of Chelsea and Larry Sharp of Edwards, Missouri, is the first baby born at Lake Regional Health System in 2021. Ellie was born at 6:54 a.m. on Jan. 1. She weighed 8 pounds and was 22 inches long.

 Ellie’s paternal grandparent is Holly Ray, and her maternal grandparent is Elizabeth Lambert.

 As the New Year’s baby, Ellie received a portable play yard donated by Lake Regional Health System.

 More than 650 babies are born each year at Lake Regional Health System’s Family Birth Center. The Family Birth Center offers prenatal care classes, prepared childbirth classes for first-time parents and breast-feeding support. To learn more, visit lakeregional.com/fbc.

Caption: Lake Regional Hospital’s 2021 New Year’s baby Ellie Kathleen Sharp with parents Chelsea and Larry Sharp

What’s open, What’s Closed – presented by Lake of the Ozarks Animal Hospital, now R Veterinary at The Lake. Visit them online at http://www.lake.vet

Currently open:

Most lake area restaurants have reopened to the public.

Most area churches have reopened to the public.

Annual Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade on December 12th is still on

Christmas On The Lake with Celebration Cruises are on

Closed/Cancelled.

All Ozark Jazz Society Concerts are cancelled until further notice

The Hero’s Outreach program has suspended all veterans gatherings until further notice

Events put on by the Camden County Developmental Disability Resources are cancelled until further notice.

Have an event happening soon? Want to let us know if it’s still on or it’s being cancelled/rescheduled? E-mail it to newsroom@krmsradio.com

As the unemployment rises throughout Missouri due to COVID 19 closures and layoffs, so does the need for food assistance.

That’s why officials with the Missouri Department of Social Services say they’re boosting their staff to keep up with the increased demand.

Starting today, the Food Stamps (SNAP) Call Center will begin operating 7 days a week temporarily.

The new hours include Monday-Friday from 6AM to 6:30PM, Saturdays from 8AM to 5PM and Sundays from 10AM to 3PM.

To keep things simple, all Food Stamps interviews have also been temporarily suspended to allow for faster processing and assistance for Missouri residents.

A lake area business is stepping up to help residents and medical offices in the wake of COVID 19.

According to their Facebook page, Ozark Distillery has transitioned from making alcohol to hand sanitizer.

Co-owners Dave and Tiffany Huffman say there will be no charge for the product, and they plan to hand it out to whomever needs it.

All 4 OZ bottles and ½ Gallon Jugs of sanitizer meets current FDA and WHO guidelines.

The Huffmans say the larger jugs are being donated to area health care facilities, nursing homes and other high-risk places. Residents can request a single 4 oz bottle per person for their home or business.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so to help get them get more bottles and ingredients to make more product.

The Missouri Special Olympics is stepping up to the plate for those isolating at home.

Official with the organization say area athletes are putting together fun virtual classes daily on Facebook Live as well as uploaded videos on YouTube.

Officials say it’s there way of continuing to thrive despite having all activities postponed until the end of May due to the Coronavirus.

Some of the videos focus on workouts and stretching routines, while others focus on mental health and stress relief.

You can find their FACEBOOK LIVE videos here

You can find their YouTube videos here

Good news for job seekers who may have recently been laid off.

Officials with Walgreens and CVS say they’re hiring. Reports show that Walgreens is looking to add more than 9,500 full and part time roles in their stores nationwide. Some of those positions include customer service associates and pharmacy technicians. The chain says they would also give bonuses to those who start, including $300 for full time and $150 for part timers, starting in April.

CVS also says they’re looking to hire more than 50,000 workers and are promising a similar bonus structure up to $500.

The Viper Communications Group is asking you to keep News Director Reuben Perdue and his family in your prayers. Reuben suffered a serious stroke over the weekend and is currently hospitalized in Columbia.

Viper co-owner Dennis Klautzer says, “We are all saddened by the developments and hope the best for Reuben.” In the meantime, the radio station’s news department will continue to operate as normally as it can.

Former News Director John Rogger has been called upon to fill in and deliver the news in Reuben’s absence. Reuben’s prognosis remains unknown at this time.

A GoFundMe has been setup to help him and his family with the ongoing medical bills. You can donate by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/f/reuben-perdue-health-care-campaign

The City of Lake Ozark will take advantage of a student program at Drury University to help them plan for their future. It will be a partnership with Drury’s Center for Community Studies Studio. Students in the program work with cities to plan aesthetically, socially, culturally, and economically. Mayor Gerry Murawski says they’ll get a fresh perspective from the students.

Essentially, they’ll help city leaders determine what they want the city to look like as far out as 25 years from now. City Administrator Dave Van Dee says it’s also a great chance to get more community members actively involved.

The project is expected to be the first step in the process of updating the city’s long-term comprehensive plan.

Some items at lake area grocery stores and other retailers are in hot demand due to concerns being raised by the nationwide spread of the coronavirus…hand sanitzers, disinfectant sprays, bleach and other cleaning supplies are some items you might think would be in short supply. But why…of all items…is toilet paper getting hard to find in some stores…..?

Not to fear, while TP is seemingly flying off the shelves, there does appear to be enough paper towels to go around…just in case.

We reported on a conversation in Miller County regarding setting speed limits on gravel roads. Presiding Commissioner Tom Wright says that’s still on their radar, but it’s not a top priority right now.

Wright says crews are working hard to get caught up repairing roads damaged by rains in the winter months.

Wright says the commission does plan to bring up the speed limit issue again in the future. Sheriff Louie Gregoire has said he fully supports putting stricter limits in place.

All the hype and media attention nationwide being generated by the spread of the Coronavirus could actually prevent the spread of other everyday illnesses such as the common cold or the flu. That’s according to School of the Osage Superintendent Doctor Laura Nelson who, this week, directed a letter reassuring district patrons that the situation is being closely monitored. Doctor Nelson also says, if the virus should be discovered locally, a plan of attack is in place to work with the CDC and local health officials to minimize any potential spread of the virus. Among the tips for the general public to follow…

 — Wash hands often with soap and water

 — Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;

 — avoid close contact with others who are sick;

 — stay home when sick;

 — cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing;

–  clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

At the current time, the risk of the coronavirus in the lake area is considered to be low. More information on the virus can be found on the CDC’s website.

With the recent rock slide along Highway-54 in Osage Beach still fresh in the minds of many, officials from MoDOT are looking ahead to the possibility of more such incidents happening in the future. That’s according to Central District Area Engineer Bob Lynch who says part of planning the next STIP includes taking a look at locations that are favorable to such an incident happening in the future…

The rock slide in Osage Beach, between Case Road and Nichols Road, kept part of the highway closed for the better part of three days. Lynch, who made his comments this week on “The Ozarks This Morning” on KRMS, says there are several potential locations across the district where a rock slide could happen.

Lake area fire districts often work together on mutual aid calls, and to prepare for those situations, they also train together as often as possible. This past weekend provided a rare opportunity. Lake Ozark Fire District Training Officer David Woodward:

Firefighters from Gravois Mills, Mid-County, and Sunrise Beach were training on the First Assembly of God Church that caught fire in January. On the other side of the lake, crews from Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, and Rocky Mount were drilling at the Lake Ozark training facility. Woodward says the exercises are vital to learn other departments’ techniques and equipment.

A Camdenton area church is rising from the ashes after being hit by fire earlier this year.

That’s Pastor Greg Mills from the Camdenton First Assembly of God, which was gutted by flames January 31st. Some good has come from that fire, which resulted in no injuries. Local firefighters trained on the structure this past weekend ahead of scheduled demolition. They plan to rebuild the church on the existing location. In the meantime, Mills says the fire brought their congregation closer together.

They hope to be in the new building by fall. They also plan to hold their annual Easter Egg drop April 11th and could use some help. If you’d like to know more about how you can help the church recover, call 573-873-2241.

Residents in Eldon and Jefferson City received a harsh reminder early last spring about the need to be prepared for severe weather in Mid-Missouri when they were hit by a tornado that many have not fully recovered from.

Steve Runnels is a Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Springfield. All this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week. Weather forecasters and news outlets along with emergency management offices will be working to educate people on how to be safe and ready for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and more.

The NWS recommends that you follow forecasts, sign up for alerts, and purchase a NOAA weather radio to help stay ahead of the weather. The statewide tornado drill will take place Tuesday morning, weather permitting.

All this week is “Public Schools Week”…a nationwide recognition of the public school system sponsored by the Association of American Educators. Doctor Laura Nelson, School of the Osage Superintendent, says the system provides a quality education for all students who walk through the hallways in the lake area…

Doctor Nelson also gives credit to the teachers in the lake area who are driven by one common passion…

The AAE is the largest national, nonunion organization representing professional educators. They say Public Schools Week celebrations are being held all across the country.

With springtime right around the corner, pet owners are being forewarned of a potential danger which, often, goes overlooked when letting their dogs run loose or while taking them for a walk. As the grass grows higher and the temperatures warm up, snakes will soon be making their annual appearances which could mean bad news for man’s best friend…

Ellen Page from the Dogwood Animal Shelter also says, whether walking your dog or discovering that it may have been attacked, having a dose of Benadryl on hand can go a long way in minimizing the potential affects of a snake bite…

That swelling, if not relieved fairly quickly, can cause pressure on the brain for some breeds.

While we may be partial to the joys of living and boating here at Lake of the Ozarks, now a popular website reinforces what we have been thinking for years. Boatingmag.com has updated its list of the top-10 places for boating across the country’s lower-48 and the lake appears on that list. Attributes identified for the lake, according to the website, include: nine public-access ramps, a long list of private marinas, the rental industry for boats and other vessels, available lodging, and the numerous dockside cafes and watering holes. Other areas appearing on the list include: Destin, Florida; Long Island, New York; Newport, Oregon; Chickamauga Lake in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina; Green Bay; and Traverse City, Michigan. The top-10 was compiled based on livability, public access, convenience and relaxation.

Operators of a natural attraction at Lake of the Ozarks are adding a program for teachers and students. Stark Caverns will be rolling out an in-cave, hands-on learning program next month. It’s designed for elementary and secondary school students and is a partnership with the Museum at Prariefire, an affiliate of the American Museum of Natural History. The curriculum is aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards. The program will consist of learning stations focusing on Social Studies, Science, and English Language Arts. Teachers are invited to learn more at a free sneak preview and informational event scheduled for February 27th. You’re asked to RSVP if you plan to attend. You can do that at www.starkcaverns.com/learningrocks.

The groundhog may have had his say a couple weeks ago but another harbinger that spring is right around the corner is the upcoming products and services shows here in the lake area. First up will be the Camdenton Expo-2020 the final weekend of this month…

Camdenton Chamber Executive Director Trish Creech, speaking over the weekend on the “No Wake Zone Boating Radio Show,” says interest in being part of the show this year is really a good sign of things to come…

The Camdenton Expo begins on Friday, the 28th, from 3-7pm continuing from 9am-5pm on Saturday, the 29th. Last year’s show attracted vendors and spectators from 81 different cities across Missouri and from five of the bordering states. KRMS will also be on hand broadcasting from the expo on the 29th.

A request for an inquiry into the Tri-County Lodging Association appears to be dead in the water for now. The matter was submitted to the Camden County Prosecutor by the County Commission. Prosecutor Heather Miller says her office is not an investigative agency and felt it would be better if the matter were handled by an outside agency in the interest of transparency. She sent it to the Attorney General’s office along with all the accompanying paperwork. After a thorough review, the AG’s office found no evidence of criminal activity and declined to open a formal investigation. The State Auditor’s office also has declined to look into the matter, saying they have no jurisdiction to perform an audit without a petition from each of the contributing counties.

Over 100 students at Camdenton High School are enrolled in the district’s new Army Junior ROTC program. The course teaches a wide variety of life skills.

That’s Retired First Sgt. David Dowell, one of the instructors for the course. He says the students that stick with the program will have even more opportunities as they progress. That includes competitive drill teams and rifle marksmanship teams.

The cadets will also undertake community service projects and fundraising efforts to support the program.

He’s one of the most popular artists to ever grace the stage at the Ozarks Amphitheater.

Mary Kay Von Brendel appeared on KRMS during her many media stops on Tuesday to make the official announcement.

Nugent of course is famous for his solo career along with his time in the supergroup Damn Yankees. When he comes to the Amp in July, he’ll be accompanied by The Artimus Pyle Band. Get ticket information online at www.ozarksamp.com.

Miller County Sheriff Louie Gregoire

If a gambling boat is ultimately approved to be placed at the Lake of the Ozarks, how it would affect the area in terms of crime is a relative unknown.

Sheriff Louie Gregoire says that, if it happens, he would reach out to other Sheriffs in counties that already have casinos for their input and advice.

Winter weather may have caused travel problems around the state the last couple weeks, but for at least one Mid-Missouri resident, it’s been nothing compared to what he’s been working in. Bud Steed has been driving the ice roads on the North Slope in Alaska.

Steed talked about his experiences on “The Ozarks Today” on KRMS. The long-time long-haul trucker said taking on the job was a personal challenge.

Steed is also a published author and is currently working on some books about his Alaskan adventures. Interested listeners should visit www.budsteed.com.

Kudos to a longtime law enforcement officer for being named the Highway Patrol’s Troop-F Officer of the Year. Sergeant Scott White, who lives in the lake area, was recently bestowed with the recognition by Troop-F Commander Captain Corey Schoeneberg. White says it was quite the honor…

White, a 25-year veteran in law enforcement, was selected as “Trooper of the Year” from among more than 100 others in Troop-F.

Water quality is a top priority to keep tourists coming and spending money at the Lake of the Ozarks. Several different stakeholders are charged with the task of ensuring that water quality, including LOWA…or the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance. However, according to LOWA Executive Director Donna Swall, the volunteer group is limited in the scope of what it can offer in reaching that goal…

Swall also says that LOWA is now in the process of seeking approval and funding to expand, with plans to almost double its coverage of the ake from where it currently stops near the 19.5 milemarker…

LOWA is currently undertaking a project to slow erosion near the community bridge.

It looks like we’re in for another dose of winter weather. A winter weather advisory will be in effect until 6am Wednesday. That’s expected to produce a wintry mix of rain, snow, and ice accumulating up to an inch and a half. A winter storm watch will be in effect until late Wednesday night with 3-6 inches of snow accumulation possible. We’ll of course keep you posted on the forecast and any weather-related closures.

Community members continue to clamor for details regarding the deaths of a popular Lake Ozark couple found dead in their home. The bodies of Anand and Kourtney Torres were found in early November with no cause of death clearly evident. Since then, autopsies have been conducted along with toxicology tests. Camden County Sheriff Tony Helms says he understands that people want results, but it’s a lengthy process that’s out of their hands.

The sheriff says he’s seen times when six months was not considered a long time to get those results back. When they do come back, what gets released is partially dependent on the impact it has on the family if there’s no evidence of a crime.

In the meantime, Helms says there’s a possibility that some agencies could start using a different lab in hopes of getting test results more quickly.

While winter weather has required some other school districts to add make-up days or extend their calendar, at least one area district won’t have any make-up days.

School of the Osage Superintendent Dr. Laura Nelson says they do that because they they have high aspirations for themselves and their students.

The minimum hours required by the state is 1044.

In a story first reported by KRMS News, we told you about a long-time person of interest being arrested and charged with being an accessory to a 2001 cold-case murder in Miller County. But, after 19 years, what was the turning point in locating the suspect identified as, now, 53-year-old Tabatha Mae Carter…

Sheriff Gregoire also says, despite the length of time that passed between the murder and the arrest, at no time did the department give up on trying to find the person, or persons, responsible for the murder of Jerry Jeffries…

Carter was taken into custody in Oklahoma and transported, first, to Morgan County on a probation violation. Since then, she has been transferred to the Miller County Jail and formally charged with accessory to first-degree murder and accessory to armed criminal action…she is being held on no bond. No other arrests, to date, have been reported in the case.

A series of meetings in Miller County will educate parents on three areas of concern for young people.

That’s Jennifer Kempker from the Miller County extension office. The topics were chosen by parents who filled out an online survey. Kempker says several agencies are coming together to address the parents’ concerns.

The meetings begin February 4. There will be two sessions for each topic. One will be held at the Lake Regional Clinic in Eldon and the second will be at Iberia High School. Dinner and childcare will be provided at each session.

Internet Safety:

Feb. 4 Eldon Lake Regional Clinic…….www.lakeregional.com/safeinternetA

Feb. 11 Iberia High School……www.lakeregional.com/safeinternetB

Vaping:

Feb. 18 Eldon Lake Regional Clinic…….www.lakeregional.com/vapingA

Feb. 25 Iberia High School…….www.lakeregional.com/vapingB

Mental Health:

March 3 Eldon Lake Regional Clinic…..www.lakeregional.com/mentalhealthA

March 10 Iberia High School…..www.lakeregional.com/mentalhealthB

For the second time in about a week, the Ozarks Amphitheater announces another big act to make an appearance at the Lake of the Ozarks…

Tom Abbett, again with Mary Kay VonBrendel, making the announcement on KRMS about the Lynyrd Skynyrd band performing at the amphitheater. You can order tickets or get more info about the concert on the amphitheater’s website. The concert is expected to sell out pretty quickly.

As the new year began, so did a period of renewed hope of finding hundreds of missing persons from Missouri. Here in the lake area, according to the Highway Patrol, there were 11 active cases when the calendar changed over to 2020. Those cases included nine adults and two others classified as children or juveniles on the dates they were reported missing. The active cases date back to 1984 when, then, 37-year-old Gary Brumley and, then, 15-year-old Tammy Rothganger, both of Eldon, were last seen. An arrest and conviction was made in the Rothganger case despite her body never being found. Another lake area resident reported missing in 2010, Richard Hess of Versailles, has been presumed dead according to the courts. The three most recent cases were filed late last year…Timothy Nicholas of Tuscumbia in August, Jessica Teer of Camdenton in October and 16-year-old Brittany Burgess of Camdenton in November. A complete list of missing persons from the lake area and across Missouri is available on the Highway Patrol’s website. Anyone with information on any of the cases is encouraged to contact the Highway Patrol or local law enforcement.

Camdenton’s new City Administrator is on the job. Jeff Hooker was hired to replace Jeff Hancock following his retirement. Hooker has relocated to the area from Florida and has been touring city facilities and meeting with department heads. The city’s Board of Aldermen will meet Tuesday and will hear an amendment to a city ordinance dealing with open burning, recreational fires, and portable fireplaces. They’ll also hear reports from their department heads and updates on capital improvement projects at Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 6pm in Camdenton City Hall.

An event at Lake of the Ozarks this weekend will serve as a kickoff for what’s expected to be a large trade convention scheduled for later this year. The GROW Tradefest is designed to be a one-stop shop for businesses associated with the medical marijuana field. It will include everything from producers and testers to distributors and even businesses focusing on CBD.

Rachel Crawford is on the board for Tradefest and also owns Rustic Oils CBD in Lee’s Summit. The tradeshow in September will attract businesses and speakers from all over the country. This weekend they’ll be holding a kickoff event at the Lodge of Four Seasons.

The kickoff party is open to the public and begins at 7pm Saturday.

www.thegrowtradefest.com

Efforts continue within the city of Camdenton to become more autism-friendly. Parks Director Larry Bennett says last year they expanded their swim lessons and this year they plan to go a step further.

The program will be self-sufficient and require no additional expenses for the department. Bennett says he’s had the idea for a number of years, but with the city recently joining the Stars for Autism program, the timing is now perfect.

The Stars for Autism program began in the city last year and is designed to teach city workers and business owners how to create autism-friendly environments.

The Mid-County Fire District is mourning the passing of one of their own. Chief Scott Frandsen says that Delmar Dean Davis was one of the founding members of, what had been known as, the Camden Rural Fire Department…now known as the Mid-County district. Frandsen also says that Mister Davis’ hard work and dedication during the early years of the district made it what it is today and will be missed by the community. Memorial donations are being accepted in Delmar Davis’ name to the Dale Blair Memorial Cemetery or the Dogwood Animal Shelter.

Visitation is tonight (Jan. 13) at the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Camdenton. Funeral service is at 10:00 Tuesday morning (Jan. 14) at Allee-Holman-Howe with burial to follow at the Dale Blair Cemetery.

Parks and Recreation directors from around the state will converge on the lake area next month. The Missouri Park & Recreation Association will be holding their annual conference at the Lodge of Four Seasons. Camdenton Parks and Rec Director Larry Bennett says he’s been going to similar conferences for 30 years and it’s always worth it.

Bennett says it’s also a great networking opportunity to share ideas with others in the industry.

The MPRA conference is scheduled for February 18-20th.

If you see a police officer today, don’t forget to say “thank you.” It’s a good message for any day, but January 9th is set aside each year as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Camdenton-based Concerns of Police Survivors says you can show support in many ways:

 – Wear blue
 – Shine a blue porch light
 – Send a “thank you” card
 – Donate blood in honor of an officer
 – If you’re on facebook, visit facebook.com/nationalcops to change your profile picture to support officers

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day began in 2015.

How far will it advance in this year’s General Assembly nobody knows…we’re referring to House Judiciary Rule-87 introduced by Lake Area Representative Rocky Miller. The proposed Constitutional Amendment would, if ultimately approved, expand the possibility of a gambling boat or floating facility to be located along the “navigable portion” of the Osage River as recognized by the U.S Coast Guard. The possibility of a gambling boat coming to Lake of the Ozarks brought reaction for, and against, from KRMS listeners…

OR

A copy of the proposed amendment, as introduced by Miller, is now available on the Missouri House of Representatives website. Adoption of the House Judiciary Rule would send the issue to the ballot boxes to be decided during the 2020 general election or in a special election if called for by the governor.

The Missouri Farm Bureau says that state needs to do more in the way of expanding access to rural broadband. That’s one of the legislative priorities they intend to focus on during the upcoming regular session of the General Assembly. Every December, Farm Bureau delegates meet to vote on the items they feel are most urgent. Some of the other items on their list this year include protection of property rights in lieu of approval of the Clean Line Grain Belt transmission line; agritourism and cooperation with local governments to help promote it; expanded used of biodiesel; and caps on productivity value increases on farmland leading to large increases in property taxes.

An officer from the Versailles City Police Department is being recognized for going beyond the call of duty to help bring an end a vehicle pursuit in Morgan County. Sheriff Norman Dills says the incident happened in June when his department requested assistance from the VPD. Officer Cassidy Keene responded to the intersection of Old Highway 5 and Route-W where the fleeing subject rammed her patrol car, resulting in the patrol car being partially disabled and leaving Keene with non-disclosed injuries. Keene was still able to pursue the suspect, eventually taking him into custody after he crashed into a field. The actions by Keene, according to Sheriff Dills, resulted in the felony arrests of two suspects and the seizure of a large amount of illegal narcotics. For her efforts, during the sheriff’s department’s recent annual awards banquet, Captain JD Williams presented Officer Keene with a certificate and a medal of merit.