The Franklin County Special Education Cooperative is seeking a full time paraprofessional for Early Childhood Special Education serving New Haven and Franklin County R-II students.  This position would be located at Franklin County R-II School District.  60 college hours are preferred however, the Paraprofessional Mega exam is acceptable.  Applicants should contact Cindy Edwards at (636) 629-3571 ext. 105 or email cedwards@stcmo.org for more information.   

Learn how Missouri’s different wetland natural communities play an important role in the ecosystem.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to learn about Missouri’s wonderful wetlands during American Wetlands Month in May. Wetlands play a critical role in every ecosystem by improving water quality, providing habitat for plants and animals, and reducing flooding by absorbing excess rain.
“May is a great time to experience Missouri’s rivers, streams, and wetlands,” said MDC Wetland Ecologist Frank Nelson. “Water is flowing, temperatures are warming, and plants are bursting with a myriad of green hues.”
Wetlands are a transition zone between land and aquatic environments, and they protect the quality of both. Once abundant, wetlands now make up less than 1 million acres, or roughly 2-percent, of Missouri’s landscape.
“We have nine different wetland natural communities in Missouri,” explained Nelson. “They include marshes, shrub swamps, bottomland prairies, bottomland forests, swamps, sinkhole ponds, oxbow lakes and sloughs, and riparian areas and groundwater seeps.”
Missouri’s wetlands provide numerous ecological benefits, such as erosion control, water quality improvement, pollution filtration, and even supporting fertile farm land. They are also the primary habitat of hundreds of plant and animals that are considered rare or endangered in Missouri.
“Wetlands are frequently referred to as nature’s kidneys because of their ability to store and filter contaminants from the land that could harm other waterways,” said Nelson. “They also are likened to sponges because of their ability to soak up floodwaters.”
Wetland areas also provide the public recreation and tourism opportunities, such as wildlife watching, fishing, boating, hunting, and hiking.
To find a wetland near you, visit MDC’s website at https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places.
WETLAND PLANNING INITIATIVE
 According to Nelson, wetland conservation activities in Missouri are crucial to protect habitats, maintain those that have been restored, and take advantage of opportunities to enhance and improve upon the efforts of previous conservationists. Extensive partner collaboration has led to the newly created Missouri Wetland Planning Initiative, which provides strategic vision to manage existing wetlands and engage a variety of partners to plan and incorporate wetland conservation and management into lands that include local agriculture, businesses, and communities.
“We’ve been assessing the current conditions of Missouri’s wetlands over the last several years,” explained Nelson. “We’ve looked at the function wetlands and other bottomland habitats provide. We’ve also been looking at a range of wetland species and their habitat requirements throughout the year. Our goal is to determine what we’re doing well and what we can improve upon.”
Nelson added that the Wetland Planning Initiative also assesses the social landscape.
“Do people value our rivers and wetlands?” he said, “What activities do they enjoy at wetlands? What are major obstacles or opportunities we’re facing? We’ve used several different surveys to various groups of people, including waterfowl hunters, birders, and the general public. The Initiative will help us lay out our vision and goals for wetland conservation for the next 25 years.”
To learn more about Missouri’s wetlands, visit https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/habitats/wetlands.

Betty J. Niewald, 77, of New Haven, MO, passed away Monday, May 4, 2020 at her home. 
Betty was born in Owensville, Missouri on April 2, 1943, a daughter of the late Warren & Mildred (Asher) Branson.
Betty was the wife of Ervin W. Niewald.  They were united in marriage on March 12, 1960, at Presbyterian Church, Owensville, MO.
Betty was a member of Church of Christ, Owensville, Missouri, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, New Haven, and New Haven Fire Department Women's Auxiliary.
Betty worked as a cook at Kellwood and for the New Haven School District for many years.  She also worked at New Haven Care Center and part-time for Barreth Chrysler, Shelter Insurance, New Haven Ice Cream Shop, and she was an Avon Representative. 
Betty is survived by her husband Ervin, of the home; by two daughters, Debbie Freitag & husband David, of New Haven, Missouri; and Rhonda Grannemann & husband Dave, of New Haven, Missouri; a son, Michael Niewald, of New Haven, Missouri; by two sisters, Brenda Creacy, of Ranger, Texas; and Robin Peters & husband Gus, of Aurora, Colorado; by a sister-in-law, Nada Branson, of Denver, Colorado; by her grandchildren, Denise Berlekamp & husband Jeff, of St. Louis, Missouri; Daniel Freitag & wife Erica, of New Haven, Missouri; Todd Grannemann & wife Sarah, of New Haven, Missouri; Erin Lewis & husband Andrew, of Lake City, Pennsylvania; Alyssa Niewald, of Nampa, Idaho; and Nathan, Savannah, & Jackson Niewald, of Coupeville, Washington, and great-grandchildren, Emma, Addison, Grayson, Tatum, Margaret, Darcy, and Olivia.  She is preceded in death by her parents, and a brother Ron Branson.
Betty enjoyed reading, fishing, bird watching, and being with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She especially loved Christmas and celebrating her family's birthdays.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 7th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven, where funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. James Niewald officiating. 
Burial will be at Country Side Memorial Gardens, Owensville, Missouri.  Memorials may be given to New Haven Care Center or American Diabetes Association.  C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.
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**Visitation and funeral services will be open to the public.  People that are attending the visitation or funeral will be asked to maintain social distancing, 6 ft.  The capacity and seating may be limited, and people are welcome to and, indeed, are encouraged to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.