April 2013

Fort Leonard Wood newspaper advances 12 in military competition.

Ad contest entries judged 8 Brad Buchanan of NewzGroup, Columbia, helps judge the Missouri Ad Managers’ Contest on March 1 at the Reynolds Journalism Institute. In the background are Pat Hanna of Hanna Advertising, Boonville; J. Michael Roach of Calendon Virtual, Columbia; and Scott Reeter of Mizzou Magazine, Columbia. Awards will be presented April 18 at Lake Ozark.

More than 700 people attend the Washington Missourian’s annual Family Reading Night activities. 16-17

Regular Features President 2 NIE Report 16 Foundation calls on On the Move 10 Jean Maneke 18 members to help set Scrapbook 12 course for future. 4

Jefferson County Leader objects to council members texting 14 during public meeting.

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com Big XII tourney just not the same Help Press Foundation by attending April 25 summit meeting oday (March 15) is one of those “Chamber-of- the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Commerce Days.” You know, a warm sunny day in Past, present and future leaders of the Missouri newspaper Tmid-March with the temperature in the 70s. industry are asked to participate As I write this, the Big XII basketball tournament is being in a one-day summit on April 25. held in Kansas City. The Sprint Center is just two blocks The foundation’s board of direc- away, and I am tempted to sneak out of work and take in tors voted to call the summit when the festivities. I can start my weekend early, as I have in years it met on Feb. 1. Objec- past on a Friday, when this tournament was A s u r v e y o f held here. newspapers was tive is to But, I have an empty feeling. Missouri is conducted earlier, not playing in Kansas City this year. Instead, and a priority list come up the Tigers are playing in Nashville in the SEC was established tournament. Blair Kerkhoff of wrote from its results. with ways about how many in the area feel about the loss, The survey showed how it seems “weird” that the Tigers aren’t play- newspapers want to help ing here. Especially the way the tournament to build reader- ended last year. Missouri won the last Big XII ship and train newspapers tournament title it ever played for last year in staff members. Kansas City. Other responses To a Missouri fan, that feeling was electric. Mark Maassen include support- boost read- Tiger fans took over the Power & Light Dis- The Kansas City Star. ing independent trict, much to the chagrin of our neighbors to MPA President ownership, re-es- ership, re- the west. In fact, after the championship game, tablishing market Kim English, forward for the Tigers, reminded dominance, im- claim mar- everyone that Kansas City was “OUR CITY.” ploding the myth that newspapers Not this year. Tonight I will head home early to watch are dying and establishing reader ket share the Tigers play on TV. I realize that the move to the SEC is habits of the young. a good move for the Tigers, especially long-term financially. Bill Monroe, retired executive and train But on this Chamber-of-Commerce Day, I can’t help but director of the Iowa Newspaper yearn for the days of Big XII tournaments past. Association, will moderate the staffers. imagine most of you in other parts of the state don’t feel idea summit. I have had the plea- I this same loss as I do. But many of you on this side of the sure of attending meetings with state might share my sentiments. Sometimes, I can’t help but Bill, and I guarantee you that you think, “Are we sure it was a good move to go to the SEC.” will find this meeting informative and useful. The Missouri Press Foundation needs our help. What is The summit will be held in Columbia. Contact Kristie the Missouri Press Foundation? It is a 29-year-old non-profit Williams at the MPA office and tell her you’ll be there. More entity of the Missouri Press Association, founded to deal with information is in this magazine.

PRESIDENT: Mark Maassen, DIRECTORS: Phil Conger, The Kansas City Star. Bethany Republican-Clipper FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Richard Gard, Brad Gentry, Houston Herald St. Louis, Missouri Lawyers Media Joe Spaar, The Odessan SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Jim Robertson, Jon Rust, Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian Columbia Daily Tribune Dennis Warden, Gasconade County Republican VOL. 81, NO. 4 SECRETARY: Tay Smith, Perry County Bill Miller Jr., Washington Missourian APRIL 2013 Republic-Monitor, Perryville Jeff Schrag, Springfield Daily Events Official Publication of TREASURER: Matt Daugherty, Liberty Tribune Carol Stark, The Joplin Globe Missouri Press EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Doug Crews James White, Benton County Enterprise, Warsaw Association, Inc. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Mike Sell NNA REPRESENTATIVE: Trevor Vernon, EDITOR: Kent M. Ford Eldon Advertiser MISSOURI PRESS NEWS (ISSN 00266671) is published every month for $15 per year by the Missouri Press Association, Inc., 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888; phone (573) 449-4167; fax (573) 874-5894; e-mail [email protected]; website www.mopress.com. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, MO 65201-4888. (USPS No. 355620). POSTMASTER: Please send changes of address to Missouri Press Association, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888.

www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 3 Do not wait until contest deadline Template will automatically close off entries at midnight April 30 very year, many newspapers wait you can upload more entries. until the deadline to submit their Remember, all entries must be in by E Better Newspaper Contest en- Learn procedure midnight April 30. The contest template tries to Missouri Press. will shut down automatically. Don’t do that! Uploading your entries before the The online contest template will before you deadline also will help the MPA staff, automatically stop accepting entries at because each entry — and there prob- midnight on Tuesday, April 30. The ably will be more than 3,500 — has to deadline cannot be extended. No late run into trouble be validated. entries will be accepted. Choose your contest administrator MPA’s contest will be administered at deadline. now. Have that person set up the entry online for the first time this year, and folder and place in it several contest the contest template is ready for you entries. Get the uploading instructions to begin uploading your entries. If you and test the system now. wait until the deadline, and you have are in one place, that step will be fast n categories with bulky entries, like difficulty, you may not be able to submit and easy. ISpecial Sections, you can create re- your entries in time. 3. Include Category numbers in the mote digital files and upload the web Complete information about the titles of your entries. For example, name addresses to the contest template. One contest and instructions for upload- a photo of a house fire something like website where you can create these files ing entries are at mopress.com/cur- 10NHouse Fire (the category number is issuu.com. Instructions for creating rent_forms.php. for news photos is 10N). By doing this, issuu files (a simple procedure) are with ere are suggestions for making the entries in your folder will be in nu- all of the other contest information at H uploading of entries easy. merical order and identified according mopress.com/current_forms.php. 1. One person from your newspaper to the categories in the template. For this year’s contest you’ll still need — your contest administator — should When you begin uploading entries, to send hard copies in three categories handle the contest. you will be taken through a validation to the MPA office in Columbia: General 2. Create a folder on one computer process after uploading two entries. The Excellence, Overall Design and Newspa- desktop and put all of your contest program will log you out and send a vali- per In Education Program. entries in that folder. One of the steps dation email to you with a link that will As always, if you have questions, con- in uploading your entries is to “browse” take you back to your contest account. tact the MPA office: (573) 449-4167, to your entry files. If all of your entries After completing contact information, [email protected]. Press Foundation asks for help setting goals he Missouri Press Association has newspapers. Based on the results of that survey and their own experience, board invited leaders of the newspaper MPA members invited industry in Missouri to attend a members determined that three areas T to April 25 Summit Meeting need to be addressed: Staffing, program- summit meeting in Columbia on April 25 for discussion about the future of the in Columbia. ming and fundraising. Missouri Press Foundation. The board decided to hold the sum- Leaders of regional press associations Iowa Newspaper Foundation has suc- mit meeting to continue the conversa- and other Missouri Press affiliate orga- ceeded. In the past few years it has grown tion with the members of all MPA- nizations, and others who are interested, from a nearly broke corporation to one related boards to find out in which will meet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the that has provided training to thousands direction to take the foundation and to Club Room of the Hy-Vee supermarket of journalists and generated 2012 in- develop recommendations. at South Providence and Nifong Boule- come of nearly $571,000. Those who received invitations to vard in south Columbia. t the Feb. 1 meeting, the Missouri the April 25 meeting are urged to let At a Feb. 1 meeting of the Founda- A Press Foundation board Missouri Press know whether they will tion’s board of directors, Bill Monroe, the results of a recent survey that asked attend. Others who are interested also retired executive director of the Iowa members of Missouri Press to identify should contact Missouri Press at (573) Newspaper Association, told how the the most pressing issues facing their 449-4167 or [email protected].

4 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 All things circulation Chamber of Commerce lauds April 20-22 in St. Louis egional and national organizations, Grandview weekly for service R including the Midwest Circula- ear Editor, tion Management Association, have D On behalf of the Grandview Letter partnered to sponsor a Mega Summit Chamber members, board and staff, we focusing on circulation to be held want to express our CONGRATULA- award-winning paper and the Chamber Saturday-Monday, April 20-22 at the TIONS to the Jackson County Advocate has enjoyed working with the Turnbaugh Saint Louis Renaissance Hotel Airport. for serving as our community newspaper family, the Wood family, and now the The 2013 Mega Summit will focus for 60 years! What an incredible ac- Davis/Wilson family. Kudos to all of the on using all of the circulation tools complishment for you and the previ- publishers, editors and reporters who available — including non-traditional ous publishers of this important news have built this newspaper to the success tools — to boost circulation and other vehicle for our community. it continues to be today! vital segments of your business. At the Chamber office, we know every Besides saying “Congratulations” we See the entire agenda and register at Thursday as “Advocate Day.” We watch would also like to say “Thank You” for 360mediaalliance.com/events/. for the paper to arrive in our mailbox the coverage you have given our organi- For hotel information and reserva- and sit down with it over lunch to read zation and the business community over tions: 360mediaalliance.com/event- and educate ourselves on City, school these past 60 years. We look forward to register/. district and community news. Many an the success of the Jackson County Advo- Vickie Miller of USA Today, from article has led to an in-depth discussion! cate for the next 60 and beyond. Olivette, is chairman of the board of Grandview is so very fortunate — Kind regards, the Midwest Circulation Management especially in the technology age — to Kim Curtis, President Association, one of the sponsoring orga- be able to say that we have a thriving Grandview Chamber of Commerce nizations. The association has more than hometown newspaper. Grandview is Mike Simmons, Chairman 100 newspapers in eight states. more than proud to boast about our of the Board Tom Livingston of the St. Louis Post- Dispatch is the third vice president of MCMA. The Missouri state director for the association is Jim Kennedy of Neighbor News, Bolivar. He can be reached at [email protected] for infor- mation about the Mega Summit.

Ryan Squibb buys Greene County papers yan Squibb, who bought the Law- R rence County Record in Mt. Ver- non on Dec. 31, has purchased the Ash Grove Commonwealth and Willard Cross Country Times. Former publisher/editor Laura Scott sold the papers to Squibb on Feb. 16. Squibb, a graduate of Ash Grove High School, is a former editor of the Republic Monitor. He also works a cattle farm near Bois D’Arc. All three of the communities are in Greene County northwest of Springfield. Scott remains on the newspapers’ staff as a page designer, reporter and writer. She published the papers for 11 years. Other staff members also have been retained.

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 5 Odessa foundation will induct publishers into Hall of Fame everal Missouri community newspaper publishers will alumni (John and Joe are Odessa High School graduates). Sbe honored April 20 with induction into the Odessa Wilkinson, too, is a graduate of OHS. Mr. Cobb was a R-7 Public School Foundation Hall of Fame. journalism teacher at OHS in the 1960s and 70s. Betty S. Spaar, John Spaar, Joe and Renee Spaar, The The 10th annual Foundation Banquet and Hall of Odessan; Darryl Wilkinson, Gallatin North Missourian; Fame Induction will be held at the Odessa Middle School and the late Robert “Bob” Cobb, King City Tri-County gymnasium, 607 South Fifth St., in Odessa. Tickets for News, have been selected for the Odessa Hall of Fame the 5 p.m. social hour and 6 p.m. dinner are $40 per honors. person. RSVP by April 12 to 816-633-5316. The Spaars were selected as friends of education and

Lake Ozark passes ordinance to restrict cussing in public atch what you say in Lake Ozark. The ordinance also prohibits displaying a firearm or W The Camdenton Reporter reported that the board other dangerous weapon in public. of aldermen in February unanimously passed a disorderly The Lake Ozark police chief asked the board to pass the conduct ordinance that prohibits “abusive, offensive, ordinance, the city attorney told The Camdenton Reporter. indecent, profane or vulgar language in a public place, One alderman questioned whether the ordinance in- and the language by its very utterance tends to disturb volved prior restraint of free speech, which courts frown the peace of another person, invoke or incite violence by upon. The city counselor said it didn’t, and the aldermen another person, or cause alarm or annoyance to another voted. person …”

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6 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Vote for Government in the Sunshine Tell your legislators to keep ‘the people’s business’ open to the people (Editor’s note: Several Missouri citizens. The Missouri Press Association apply to the taxpayer-funded National newspapers published this op-ed during is supporting these bills and has testified Guard. One of the proposals in Jeffer- Sunshine Week in March.) in favor of current versions. Testimony son City would eliminate the Guard’s supporting the bills has been given by exemption. By DOUG CREWS / Executive Director the Missouri School Boards Associa- Senate Bill 139; House Bill 256, 33 & Missouri Press Association tion, also. 305; and House Bill 600 contain more ake a look out your front door. Dissenting testimony has come pri- bright sunlight shining on government, Is the sun shining at your city marily from the Missouri Municipal and less darkness. Thall? Is it shining at your county League, the St. Louis County Municipal Two of the Sunshine bills have passed courthouse and at your public League and the Missouri As- by wide margins in the Missouri Senate fire district headquarters? sociation of Counties. and the Missouri House of Representa- How bright is the sun shin- The bills would make more tives, respectively, but they have not ing at the school board’s head- than a dozen changes to the reached the finish line and the Gover- quarters, at your public water current Sunshine Law, among nor’s desk. House Bill 600 awaits con- district office and in your them: sideration in committee. public hospital board’s meet- — Two exemptions to the Key supporters of Sunshine legisla- ing room? Sunshine Law expired on Dec. tion include Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Co- March 10-16 is set aside for 31, 2012. These exemptions, lumbia), Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson National Sunshine Week in enacted soon after the 9/11 City), Speaker of the House Tim Jones Missouri and across the U.S. attacks of 2001, protect opera- (R-Eureka), Rep. Caleb Jones (R-Cali- This week-long observance Doug Crews tional guidelines, security plans fornia), Rep. Todd Richardson (R-Poplar is a time for citizens and taxpayers to and systems of public facilities, such as Bluff), Rep. Nate Walker (R-Kirksville), focus on state and local government schools, and the bills would reinstate the Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany), Rep. operations and how those operations two exemptions. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), and a host are visible to the citizens and taxpayers — The fine for a violation of the law of bill co-sponsors. they serve. would be $100. (The current fine for a If you are interested in a more trans- Since 1973, the State of Missouri has “knowing” violation of the law ranges parent, open government, the Missouri had a Sunshine Law in its statutes. Forty up to $1,000.) And, if found guilty by Press Association urges you to contact years ago, the Missouri legislature passed a judge, the public governmental body State Senators and State Representatives Senate Bill 1, and then-Governor Chris- would be required to pay court costs and to seek their support in strengthening topher S. Bond signed it into law. fees of the plaintiff who filed the lawsuit. the Missouri Sunshine Law . . . this year! The Sunshine Law, located in Chapter — City councils, county commis- Ask them to vote for government in the 610 of Missouri’s revised statutes, sets sions, school boards and other local pub- sunshine! out the rules for public governmental lic bodies would be required to provide Two years after Missouri legislators bodies — such as city councils, county 48-hours’ notice of their meetings. Cur- passed Senate Bill 1, the late Judge Fred commissions and boards of education rently, 24-hours’ notice is required. L. Henley of the Missouri Supreme — to follow in providing access to their — Interested members of the public Court in a 1975 decision, Cohen v. Poelk- public meetings and public records. who desire to receive notices of meetings er, speaking for the majority in that case, key passage in Missouri’s law says, could request such notices from public said, “The several sections of Chapter A “It is the public policy of this state governmental bodies. 610, considered together, speak loudly that meetings, records, votes, actions, — Minutes of a closed meeting would and clearly for the General Assembly and deliberations of public govern- contain a list of subjects discussed during that its intent in enacting the Sunshine mental bodies be open to the public the closed meeting to help avoid discus- Law, so called, was that all meetings of unless otherwise provided by law.” And, sions straying from the original purpose members of public governmental bodies sections of the Sunshine Law “shall be of the closed meeting. ... at which the people’s business is con- liberally construed and their exceptions — Missouri is the only state in the sidered must be open to the people and strictly construed to promote this public nation whose National Guard has a not conducted in secrecy, and also that policy.” complete, blanket exemption to its state the records of the body and the votes of This year in Jefferson City, bills are Sunshine Law. It’s odd that the federal its members must be open.” moving through the General Assem- Freedom of Information Act applies It’s “the people’s business!” Thank bly to amend the Sunshine Law with to the Missouri National Guard, but you, Judge Henley! changes that will strengthen the law for the Missouri Sunshine Law doesn’t Happy Sunshine Week!

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 7 Send ad sales people to lake for MAMA ewspapers that won awards in the Missouri Advertising NManagers’ Association Better Ad Contest are requested to not publish their awards until after the April 18-19 ad meeting at The Lodge of Four Sea- sons, Lake Ozark. Shannon Kinney of Dream Local Digital in Maine will be the presenter for the annual meeting. An agenda and registration form have been mailed to MPA members, pub- lished in the MPA Bulletin and maga- zine, and are available at www.mopress. Mike Sell, interim ad director for Missouri Press Service, looks over the shoulder of Ad Contest com/current_forms.php. judge Jack Miller of True Media, Columbia, during judging on March 1 at the Reynolds Journal- The annual MAMA meeting is for ism Institute on the MU campus. In the center background is Jim Sterling, a professor at the School of Journalism and former publisher; and at right are Kaitlin Warner of Word Marketing, everyone in the ad department — and Columbia, and Ashley Troutman of Bucket Media in Columbia. publishers — who want to learn and network. Kinney will give her first presentation products, sales and marketing strategies. The MAMA board will hold a lunch after the panel discussion. She’ll address She has worked on the teams developing meeting on Thursday, April 18, before industry trends, the rise of social media successful Internet brands such as cars. sessions begin. Registration for the gen- and its impact on media companies and com, careerbuilder.com and over 60 eral meeting will begin at noon. their advertisers. online media properties for newspapers A panel discussion about digital sales Winners of MAMA’s Ad Contest all over the U.S. will open the program. Mike Jenner of will receive their awards at dinner that Prior to that, Kinney spent more than the Reynolds Journalism Institute will evening. 10 years in media sales and sales manage- moderate the panel. fter breakfast Friday, Kinney will ment in Maine. Panelists will be Tim Weddle of the A talk about how newspapers can Registration for the meeting costs St. Joseph News-Press, Donna Denson of use social media and digital services to $119. If you can’t attend the entire meet- Rust Communications/Southeast Mis- make money. ing, the registration form has prices for sourian, Darryl Wilkinson of Gallatin The meeting will adjourn at noon. individual activities. Publishing Co., and Ed Farrar of Lake- Kinney has more than 15 years of ex- For a room at The Lodge, call (888) way Publishers of Mo. perience in the development of Internet 265-5500. Post-Dispatch staffers with Guard in Afghanistan n Feb. 3 the St. Louis Post- a distant war closer to home and more nalism Hall of Fame in 2011. Dispatch began a continuing human, Bailon wrote. Bogan and Forbes are documenting Oseries about the 1138th Engi- Jesse Bogan, a Missouri native, is the 1138th through a series of stories, neer Company of the Missouri National a general assignment reporter on the photographs and videos that illustrate Guard, which is deployed in a risky as- metro desk who embedded with the how area people serve in a dangerous signment to clear deadly roadside bombs Texas Army National Guard in 2005 in place abroad. along the military supply and infantry Iraq. Bogan also was based in Mexico for ditors coordinating the coverage routes in southern Afghanistan. the San Antonio Express-News. He joined E in the newspaper and online on Editor Gilbert Bailon wrote in a the Post-Dispatch in 2010. STLtoday.com are assistant metro edi- column that the Post-Dispatch believes Photographer J.B. Forbes has worked tor Matt Franck, photo editor Lynden the Guard’s sacrifice and commitment at the Post-Dispatch since 1975 and Steele, deputy managing editors Adam continue to be a significant story. serves as chief photographer. He has Goodman and Bob Rose and presenta- The Post-Dispatch assigned two covered stories — including the war in tion director Santiago Carlos Ayulo. veteran journalists to embed with the Iraq and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti We believe a vigorous news organiza- Missouri National Guard and tell of — from 30 countries. tion is vital to our community fabric, their military and personal lives. It is orbes, a native of Prairie Village, whether the stories originate in Kirk- important to remind readers about FKan., has won many awards and was wood or Kandahar, Bailon wrote. their risks and contributions that make inducted into the Missouri Photojour-

8 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Maneke recommends NW Mo. Press will have ad, news sessions Media and Law Seminar eparate sessions for news and ad- Mark Maassen of The Kansas City S vertising staffers will highlight the Star will lead the advertising program. April 19 in Kansas City 123rd Annual Meeting of the Northwest Maassen is president of the Missouri he 26th Annual Media and the Law Missouri Press Association. Press Association. Tseminar, sponsored by the Kansas The Northwest Press meeting will The concurrent session for news City Metropolitan Bar Association Me- begin with a business meeting at 1 p.m. people will be led by faculty from the dia Law Committee and the University Friday, June 21, at the McRae Com- School of Journalism. of Kansas School of Law, will be held munity Building in Mound City. Early Those sessions will be followed at Friday, April 19, at the InterContinental arrivers are invited to lunch at noon 3:30 by separate roundtable discussions Kansas City at the Plaza. at the Klub restaurant, which is in the for the news and ad people. Journalists are invited to attend this McRae building. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. day-long seminar for $60. Adam Johnson, publisher of The Northwest Press will present its Craig MPA legal counselor Jean Maneke Mound City News, is the president of Watkins Friend of Northwest Missouri highly recommends this annual pro- Northwest Press and will be the host for Press Award, Merrill Chilcote Award gram, which addresses current issues the meeting. and James C. Kirkpatrick Award during and conflicts involving secrecy, privacy, A general session featuring a presenta- dinner. New Northwest Press officers ethics, marketing, copyright and more. tion by faculty from the Missouri School will be introduced and the gavel will be Industry experts will discuss these is- of Journalism will begin at 1:30. passed to the new president. sues and more at the seminar. Separate sessions for news and ad A registration form is at mopress. Luncheon speaker John Perry Barlow people will begin at 2:30. com/current_forms.php. is an American poet and essayist, retired Wyoming cattle rancher, and a cyber- libertarian political activist. He is also a former lyricist for the Grateful Dead. He is a Fellow at Harvard University’s Berk- man Center for Internet and Society. The Media and the Law agenda/ registration form is at mopress.com/ current_forms.php. APME NewsTrain can yoHu capture more advertWisers and audience? offers two full days of sessions in Illinois With Metro e-Connect, you have what you need to take the lead with he Associated Press Media Editors’ multimedia advertising. This integrated, flexible, cost-effective, TNewsTrain will pull into Spring- field, Ill., April 29-30. It will provide multiplatform program is also easy to launch and easy to manage. low-cost training about watchdog jour- Providing your ad team with the resources it needs to deliver real nalism, government coverage, social solutions for your advertisers’ evolving needs, while expanding audience media skills, working with data, covering engagement, Metro e-Connect translates into a win-win for all. diverse communities and more. After the first day’s sessions, guests may attend a reception and performance Find out more now! Call 800-223-1600, go online to by Freedom Sings of Nashville at the metrocreativeconnection.com/e-connect, email Old State Capitol State Historic Site of Illinois. [email protected] or scan the QR code to see how you Examine the program and register can immediately implement and benefit from Metro e-Connect. at www.apme.com. Call the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel for a room, 1-866-788-1860. If you have questions, contact Mi- Metro e-Connect chael Roberts, NewsTrain project direc- The new multimedia ad program that is changing the way we connect. tor, [email protected]; or Bob Heisse, State-Journal Register, bob. [email protected], 217-788-1505. MSPAHOW2013

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 9 How to hold a closed open meeting Texting allows officials to violate the Sunshine Law with impunity By PATRICK MARTIN should say it instead of texting it, the Missouri’s Open Meetings and Re- Jefferson County Leader complainer said. cords Law, better known as the Sunshine nto the ever-expanding menu of That’s a valid point. Here’s another. Law, is silent on the specific issue of ways that the public’s business is People who are elected to city councils texting, though it does have a section Ohidden from the public, we can and school boards are there to represent relating to electronic communications. add a new entrée. the people who elected them. They are The Missouri Press Association’s Maybe. supposed to debate issues openly, then attorney, Jean Maneke, is pretty well- At the minimum, it’s some combina- collectively decide how to fulfill the du- versed on the Sunshine Law, given that tion of sneakiness and just plain bad ties entrusted to them. she wrote large sections of it. manners. However it gets labeled, it’s They are not there to send each other aneke said if the phone is paid for the latest, if not the greatest example of snarky messages, make silent pacts or Mby the district, the text messages misbehavior: Board members or admin- generally act like a bunch of clannish would certainly be a public record and istrators texting during public meetings. could be requested. What are those people talking about? Text messages on a private phone It’s been questioned three times that may or may not be public records. we’ve heard of in the last few months, They could be if they are sent to in venues far apart, so it’s a safe guess enough board members to con- these are not the only incidents. stitute a quorum. The first was during the Ar- Then there’s the bad man- nold City Council, when city ners argument. Anyone who attorney Bob Sweeney noticed has heard people yakking busy thumbs just a-texting loudly on cell phones in a around the council table. Swee- restaurant, in a theater or ney suggested the council mem- even in church knows that bers knock it off. horse has left the barn. A It’s not clear whether the newer rudeness is going to council members were texting dinner with someone, or each other, checking basketball to a ballgame, and watch- scores or getting a grocery list ing that person spend the from home, but Sweeney called evening staring at his phone it a murky area of the law that or texting. the council might want to avoid. We do expect more – even At the minimum, he told the if we are not optimistic about council members, it just didn’t the outcome – of our public look good. officials. Good manners and He’s right. middle-schoolers with new phones. compliance with the spirit of the law, as Defenders of texting between board If they want to be snarky, they should well as the letter of it, shouldn’t be too members – if there are any – might sug- do it out loud. It’s the American way. much to ask. gest that it’s no different from whispering Finally, the issue has surfaced at the ll boards, councils and commission to your neighbor at the council table. Jefferson County Council, where new A members should have the good That’s a good defense, except that it is chairman Kelly Waymon intends to sense and common courtesy not to text different. Visitors at the meeting can see assign it to the Legislation and Govern- during their meetings. If they have a that happening, unless the whisperer is ment Relations Committee. rogue member or two, then make it a ventriloquist. The committee will study the issue, official policy. he second incident was reported by then make a policy recommendation to When I started reporting, every coun- Ta Fox School District resident who the full council. cil chamber was a smoke-filled room, called Leader World Headquarters to “I don’t feel safe with 100 percent but that changed over time. If they can complain that board members and ad- confidence saying that it’s illegal,” Way- ban smoking, they can ban texting. ministrators were communicating with mon said, “but I wouldn’t sit up there When board members send messages themselves and audience members by and do it. around a room that the public cannot texting during board meetings. “How would anyone know if it’s hear or see, it shows nothing but disre- If they have something to say, they council business or personal?” he asked. spect to the voters who put them there.

10 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Louisiana council to tidy up agendas Missouri Southern he Louisiana Press-Journal reported it also requires that the specific reason Tthat on recommendation from the for closing a meeting be stated. will induct Fairchilds Missouri Attorney General’s Office, the This was the second time the AG’s Louisiana City Council considered an Office advised the city to drop the into Hall of Fame ordinance in March to end the practice of blanket closed meeting agenda entry. It teve and Kathy Fairchild, former placing generic, blanket closed meeting previously told the council in June 2011 Sowners of the Lawrence County Re- notices on its agendas. that the blanket notice was “not creating cord in Mt. Vernon, will be inducted into Those notices had appeared on almost an agenda that is reasonably calculated the Regional Media Hall of Fame at an every regular meeting agenda of the to advise the public of the matters to be April 4 dinner in Joplin. council, the paper reported. They said considered.” The Missouri Southern State Uni- the meeting would be closed for discus- The city changed its agendas soon versity Department of Communication sion of personnel, legal action or real after the June 2011 notice from the sponsors the Hall of Fame. estate transactions. AG’s Office, but late last year the blanket The Fairchilds owned the weekly from Missouri Sunshine Law allows meet- notice reappeared on agendas, - 1984 until they sold it to Ryan Squibb ings to be closed for certain reasons, but Journal reported. on Dec. 31.

Sources and Resources for Missouri Newspapers

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For all things medical in Missouri, turn to the experts at the Advertise on the websites that people go to — their local newspapers. Across Missouri, Missouri State Medical Association. across the country. Call Missouri Press Service. Lizabeth Fleenor 800-869-6762 w [email protected] 573-449-4167 www.msma.org

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 11 year-later follow-up story about the May 2011 Joplin tornado. They took third Scrapbook in spot news for stories about President Barack Obama’s Commencement speech • Houston — The Herald raised its for a day. at Joplin High School. single copy price on March 7 from 75¢ Parts of Missouri got two 10-inch Daily News managing editor John to $1. It was the first bump in 12 years. snows four days apart in the latter part Ford said, “Ironically, these two stories A year’s in-county subscription to The of February. happened a day apart. I remember pull- Herald costs $34. ing up the ‘America’s graduates’ piece • Kansas City — The Star’s coverage and thinking ‘that’s a winner. Enter that.’ • Lebanon — Because of the severe of SoftBank’s offer to buy a controlling “Then I opened the next day’s pages weather in late February, with snow mak- interest in Sprint Nextel won a 2012 Best and thought, ‘well, that’s a winner, too.’ ing some country roads impassable, the in Business award from the Society of I debated which one to enter, then gave free access to its online American Business Editors and Writers. thought, ‘Why not both?’” editions for two days. Mark Davis and Scott Canon earned Sports editor Levin Payton placed Circulation manager Gene Autery said the award in the category of newspapers second in sports features for a story about most papers were delivered, although with daily circulation between 100,000 a baseball pitcher. many were late. and 200,000. Former Daily News sports editor Cody One driver slid into a ditch, damag- Another Star article, written by intern Thorn placed third in spot sports. He ing his car’s fender and shredding a tire. Allison Prang, a student at the University now works for the St. Joseph News-Press. “He came in and got it fixed, then went of Missouri, received honorable mention back out,” Autery said. “I’m proud of in the student category. Prang wrote • Warrensburg — The Daily Star- them. I’ve got a really good group of about policies governing the privacy of Journal also won some awards from people here.” college student data. APME. Some carriers could not get into town It won third-place awards for a spot to get their papers, so other staffers — in- • Neosho — Two Daily News report- news photo of local firefighters, a sports cluding associate publisher Matt Wright ers and the sports editor won awards in photo of a rodeo rider, a graphic about — covered for them. the AP Managing Editors writing and misuse of alcohol and a photo story Many other Missouri newspapers photojournalism competition. about Halloween. delivered papers late. Some carried two Whitney Saporito and Todd G. Hig- Second-place awards were received daily editions after cancelling deliveries don placed second in spot news for a for a feature photo of a girl holding an alligator and for a group of photos from the county fair. Editor Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia won Fort Leonard Wood newspaper first-place awards for best spot news story and best spot photo for coverage of the advances in Army competition murder of a young, local business owner. The paper also won first place for he Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON graphics for an illustration titled “Cyber- Twas named the top newspaper at the Bullying.” Installation Man- agement Command • Carthage — The Press in February level of the Army’s sponsored the first of the annual series Maj. Gen. Keith L. called “Eggs and Issues” gatherings of Ware Public Affairs area residents and their state legislators. Competition. Derek Gean and Robert Johnson. Monthly meetings will be held through The GUIDON In the individual categories, Buckley May in Webb City, Joplin and Neosho. won first place in received first-place awards in Story Se- the metro-format ries, News Feature and Personality Fea- • Jefferson City — News Tribune staff- newspaper category. ture; a second in Photojournalism and ers won several headline writing awards Second place went to honorable mention in Human Interest in the AP Managing Editors News Writ- Melissa Buckley the Bayonet of Fort Feature Article. ing and Photojournalism Contest. Benning, Ga., and Johnson took third in Commentary. Anne Kettenbrink won first and sec- third to 1st Infantry Division Post of Fort More than 500 entries from instal- ond for the headlines “Fifty Shades that Riley, Kan. lations around the world were judged. aren’t gray” and “Oktoberfest, you gotta Significant contributions to the GUI- The top three entries in each category go.” Doug Waggoner took third for the DON listed for the award were Dawn advanced to compete at the Department headline “Fueling our ire.” Arden, Melissa Buckley, Matt Decker, of Army level in March. Other APME awards went to Jeff

12 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Haldiman, second in spot news; and Valerie Mosley, first and second in third, spot news; Kettenbrink, third in feature writing. photo story; Staff, second in spot news; Todd C. Frankel, third, feature Lyndal Scranton, second in spot sports writing; Bernie Miklasz and Tom Tim- • St. Joseph — Staffers at the News- and sports feature writing. mermann, second, spot sports; Derrick Press shared the APME glory as well. In another competition, the News- Goold, third, sports feature; Roger These awards were to be presented as Leader is a finalist in the category Mar- Hensley first, Santiago Carlos Ayulo part of the MPA/AP Day at the Capitol keting Solutions for Advertising Clients second and Lacey Burnette third for program on Feb. 21. Winners were an- (Under 75,000 circulation) in the headline writing; nounced later after a coming snowstorm International News Media Association. Jeremy Kohler and David Hunn, forced cancellation of that event. The INMA Awards reward excellence first, community affairs/public interest; News-Press awards: Phil Ervin, first in in marketing. J.B. Forbes, first and third in spot news sports feature writing; Kelsey Saythany, First-place winners will be announced photos; Lee first and Huy Mach third in first in headline writing; Emily Morri- April 30 at a dinner in New York City sports photos; Robert Cohen second and son, second, headline writing; Clinton that will conclude the INMA World Christian Gooden third in feature pho- Thomas, third, spot news and general Congress. tos; David Carson first, Cohen second feature writing; Cody Thorn, third, spot The other finalists in the News- and Laurie Skrivan third in photo story. sports; Leader’s category are the Pensacola News Sam Robinson, third, sports feature Journal and Diario do Para of Belem, • St. Joseph — The News-Press will writing; Ross Martin, third, headline Brazil. sponsor a trip to the Scripps National writing. Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., for a • St. Louis — Post-Dispatch photog- Maryville Middle School student. • Sedalia — Democrat staffers won rapher Chris Lee won the Photojournal- Sakif Islam, 12, placed first ahead of lots of awards in the APME competition ism Sweepstakes award in the APME another Maryville sixth-grader, Hayden for work done in 2012. competition. His photo “The playoff Mildward, in the Northwest Missouri Sports reporter Eric Ingles, first in pitch” combined four sequential images Regional Spelling Bee. sports features; former sports reporter of a throw by Cardinals pitcher Jaime Sakif spelled “Swahili” in the 39th Seth Stringer, first in spot sports; sports Garcia. round while Hayden missed “percolate.” editor Kyle Smith, third in spot sports; Here are the Post-Dispatch’s other They both had missed their words in the photographer Sydney Brink, first and APME awards: Stephen Deere and Kim 23rd round. second in sports photography and third Bell, first, spot news; Christine Byers, The News-Press is one of several Mis- in feature photos. Jesse Bogan and Elizabethe Holland, souri newspapers that sponsor local bees. The team of reporter Emily Jarett, managing editor Dennis Rich, editor Bob Satnan and former reporter Eliza- beth Schleicher won first in Community Affairs/Public Service. A NEW PARTNERSHIP Also, Satnan, first in feature writing; Rich, second in feature writing.

• Springfield —APME also honored work done by The News-Leader in 2012, including the paper’s Every Child Proj- AT THE INTERSECTION OF DIGITAL AND PRINT ect, which won the top honor in the competition. Every Child examined child welfare in the Springfield area. The project was judged the best from among all of the MPA HAS PARTNERED WITH DIRXION first-place winners. The News-Leader competed in Divi- sion II, daily circulation between 20,000 Based in St. Louis, Dirxion is a leading provider of digital publishing and 49,999. solutions that transform your print into identical digital editions and Its other awards: Juliana Goodwin, enhance it with interactivity. Several Missouri newspapers already first in feature writing; Matt Schoch, first use Dirxion to produce their e-Editions. in spot sports; Every Child team in com- munity affairs/public interest; Nathan FOR MORE INFORMATION OR A FREE DEMO Papes, first in spot news photos; Dean Curtis, first in feature photos, second in call 888.391.0202 spot news photos and feature photos;

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 13 Former managing editor Kyle Mooty has taken a job with a newspaper in On the Move Alabama. Curtis joined Areawide Media in • Bolivar — The new editor of the in St. Louis. He is 2008 as a graphic designer. She became a Herald-Free Press is Matthew Barba. a 1981 graduate of reporter for The Villager Journal in 2009, On Feb. 25 he suc- Washington Uni- primarily covering Sharp County, Ark. ceeded Charlotte versity. Curtis has a web Marsch, who left the He’s been assis- design degree from paper after 16 years tant business edi- University of Ar- to become director tor at the Tampa kansas Community of marketing and Tribune and a staff College in Batesville communications for writer at the Mem- and a graphic com- Southwest Baptist phis and Nashville munication degree University in Boli- Roland Klose business journals. from Arkansas State var, her alma mater. He’s also led Illinois Times, an alternative University. She and Barba previously paper in Springfield, Ill. her husband, Paul, Matthew Barba worked at the Morn- Klose replaces Brian Thevenot, who Tammy Curtis live in Cave City and ing Sentinel in Centralia, Ill., the same left last fall to become an assistant busi- are natives of the Sharp County region. paper where Marsch worked before join- ness editor at The Los Angeles Times. They are expecting their first grandchild ing the Herald-Free Press. Last year he in April. was promoted to managing editor of the • Nevada — Sharon Kay Knight is Morning Sentinel’s Mt. Vernon bureau. the new editor of the Nevada Daily Mail. • Columbia — MU journalism pro- Barba, 29, is an English graduate of She joined the paper’s staff on Feb. 25. fessor Charles Davis has been named Southern Illinois University, Carbon- K n i g h t l i v e d dean of the University of Georgia’s dale. He was born in Mansfield, Mo., in the Missouri Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and his parents now live in Marshfield. bootheel years ago and Mass Communications. He will a n d g r a d u a t e d begin there on July 1. • Joplin — Brent Powers has joined from high school in Davis, 49, is returning to his roots. The Joplin Globe as advertising director. Cardwell. He grew up near the Georgia campus in Previously he was Knight began her Athens and earned ad director at the career as a reporter/ his master’s degree Gaston Gazette and photographer at The in journalism from the Shelby Star in News in Salem, Ark., the University of North Carolina. and later at the Para- Georgia. Those papers are Sharon Kay Knight gould (Ark.) Daily In a story about part of Halifax Me- Press before becoming editor. the move, Davis told dia Group, formerly She also has been a staff writer and the Columbia Mis- Freedom Commu- assistant managing editor for the Bates- sourian, “I’m a Geor- nications. ville (Ark.) Daily Guard and editor of gia boy through and Powers began the Stewart Houston Times in Erin, Tenn. through and through Brent Powers his newspaper ca- Her other work experience includes Charles Davis and through.” reer with the Oxford time as an adjunct instructor of journal- Davis and his wife, Julie, moved their Eagle in Oxford, Miss., and later joined ism at Arkansas State University, a staff family to Columbia 14 years ago, and Co., in Hattiesburg, Miss. writer for Journatic News Services in Columbia will always be home too, he Later he became ad director for Free- Chicago, director of community rela- told the Missourian. Their son, Charlie, dom Communications at the Journal tions for the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth is a freshman at MU and will remain Courier in Jacksonville, Ill., before mov- Ranches and various other positions. in Columbia. Their daughter, Mamie, ing to and Shelby Star. Knight also has been active in many is 14. civic and service organizations. Davis is a former executive director • St. Louis — Roland Klose has of Freedom of Informa- been named business editor of the Post- • Thayer — Reporter Tammy Curtis tion Coalition, which is based in . has been promoted by Areawide Media Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Klose, 54, previously was business to managing editor of the South Mis- School of Journalism. He is an expert in editor at in sourian News in Thayer and Areawide’s open government issues and helped the Memphis for the last three years. nearby Arkansas publications: The Missouri Press Association and others From 1999 to 2003 Klose was the News, The Villager Journal and Avenues, launch the Missouri Sunshine Coalition managing editor of the Riverfront Times a monthly magazine. a few years ago.

14 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 ‘Hazelwood’ still rules after 25 years By MELISSA MEINZER for the 8th Circuit reversed the decision consumption and edited it into a much Missouri Lawyers Media in 1986, finding the paper to be a public gentler version of itself. (Local residents ecades after a high school prin- forum. still complained it was too racy.) cipal yanked two pages of a St. Then the U.S. Supreme Court took “The Supreme Court has given the DLouis County student paper the case. It decided 5-3 that the principal school boards and principals power because of content he found inappropri- was entitled to censor student speech. to avoid potentially sensitive issues,” ate, the U.S. Supreme Court’s January “A school need not tolerate student Davidson said. “It’s not just for news- 1988 ruling remains the definitive pre- speech that is inconsistent with its basic papers and yearbooks, but any school- cedent on student press rights. educational mission, even though the sponsored activity.” The decision supporting the princi- government could not censor similar Davidson said the court’s decision pal’s right to censor the paper, Hazel- speech outside the school,” Justice Byron explicitly avoids spelling out issues of wood v. Kuhlmeier, remains a rallying White wrote in the majority opinion. censorship for colleges and universities, cry for a present-day national student The decision overturned a 24-year- and that consistency would be most use- press organization. It has been cited in old precedent, and Justice William J. ful to her and her students. recent headline-grabbing cases from a Brennan Jr. was unsparing in his dis- LoMonte said he sees “a definite sense rape-alleging cheerleader in Texas to a sent: “The young men and women of of empathy for put-upon principals, that student suing a school for infringing Hazelwood East expected a civics lesson, people want to give them the benefit on his right to hold up a banner about but not the one the Court teaches them of the doubt and want to defer to their marijuana and Jesus. today. …(S)uch unthinking contempt authority.” The Student Press Law Center has an for individual rights is intolerable from But, he said, Hazelwood went too far opinion. It sells bracelets reading “Cure any state official.” and maintains a culture of fear among Hazelwood” on its website. azelwood was cited in 2011 in Doe students and teachers. The Silsbee case, “Ever since Hazelwood, we have reli- Hv. Silsbee Independent School Dis- he said, relies completely on Hazelwood. ably had in the neighborhood of 800 trict. A cheerleader refused to cheer for “That case exemplifies the deference calls a year from around the country a basketball player whom she accused of gone wild since Hazelwood,” he said. reporting censorship,” said attorney raping her (he ultimately pleaded guilty “To tell a 16-year-old rape victim that Frank LoMonte, executive director of to the charge). you’re a mouthpiece and that your case the center, a legal referral nonprofit for The school tossed her off the squad, is frivolous — it’s bloodcurdling.” student journalists, based in Arlington. and the court found that as a cheerleader He said it’s crucial for students to be “More troubling than any specific she was a “mouthpiece” for the school allowed to speak their minds, especially incident of censorship is the overall and as such the school could control her when reporters “can’t get past the front mindset that students’ opinions are speech. Citing Hazelwood, the court door (of a school) without a public worthless, and if you speak out of turn said it was “well settled that students’ relations person following you around you’re at risk of being punished.” First Amendment rights’ are curtailed and making sure you get no unfettered In the early 1980s at Hazelwood East while in school.” access.” High School, The Spectrum student In the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2007 even states, Missouri not among newspaper routinely submitted pages decision in Morse v. Frederick, which Sthem, have anti-Hazelwood statutes, to the principal for reveiw. In 1983, the cites Hazelwood, a school principal LoMonte said. Those statutes take cen- principal nixed two articles in one issue suspended a student for holding up a sorship back to the level established in — one about the effects of divorce on banner that read “BONG HiTS 4 JE- 1969 in Tinker v. Des Moines Indepen- students and one about teen pregnancy. SUS.” The student sued, and the court dent Community School District, which he principal said he was concerned found in the school’s favor. gave students a right to free speech up Tabout the pregnant students’ pri- Sandra Davidson, a communica- to the point where education was being vacy, although they were quoted anony- tions law instructor at the University of disrupted. The seven states are Arkansas, mously, and that a student’s divorced Missouri School of Journalism and an California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, parents were not given an opportunity adjunct professor of the School of Law, Massachusetts and Oregon. to respond in that article. said Hazelwood was written with “a very In the states with laws that pre-empt The editor and two reporters sued. broad brush.” The case comes up again Hazelwood, LoMonte said, the Student Their suit, saying their First and Four- and again in caselaw, and Davidson said Press Law Center’s research has not teenth Amendment rights had been she would like to see its role clarified. found any case of a school losing a law- trampled, was first introduced to U.S. She said it would certainly have pro- suit because of anything published by District Court for the Eastern District tected school officials had anyone sued students. “What those statutes do is not of Missouri, which found that schools in an incident in 2006 at Fulton High a wild, wild West situation. It’s a middle could censor students. The students ap- School, where the drama teacher found ground,” he said. “Students can handle pealed, and the U.S. Court of Appeals the play “Grease” too risque for student legalized press freedom.”

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 15 Newspaper In Education Report organizes the event, can’t accommodate all the community individuals who want to participate. It’s a tremendous effort by the local newspaper to connect young Many features available readers to their community and to re- mind the community how important it is to keep those young people connected to promote Earth Day through their community newspaper. The Washington Missourian also Eldon has great Democracy Day program partners with its schools to organize a community-wide pril 22 is Earth Day. In February, level MAP (Missouri Assessment Pro- reading event I wrote a column about the great gram) tests between April 1 and May called Family More than strides the printing industry has 17. Students in grades 3-8 will test in Reading Night. A th made to become an environmentally communication arts and math, and Now in its 13 150 responsible resource and pointing out grades 5-8 will test in science. year, the event is that digital isn’t necessarily the green The newspaper is a great resource held the first Fri- volunteers alternative. (You can find that News- for educators to have on hand. It’s also day evening in help make paper In Education col- a good time to remind March. umn at mopress.com/_lib/ your education leaders Family Read- Family files/2_2013.pdf.) that students who use ing Night has Vicki Russell of the newspapers in school at more than 150 Reading Columbia Daily Tribune least once a week score on volunteers, com- shared a link to an Edi- average 10 percent better munity leaders Night tor & Publisher column on standardized tests! and high school a success. with similar information: * * * students reading editorandpublisher.com/ he Iowa Newspaper stories in class- Newsletter/Features/Pro- TFoundation has a rooms, policemen and firemen acting duction: Will-An-Indus- great institute that pro- out books on the main stage and parent/ try-Leader-Please-Stand- motes community lead- teacher organizations hosting crafts tied Up-for-Print—Now. ership. It’s a program to good books. In early April we’ll re- I would like to see our More than 700 children, parents lease a new feature on the Foundation replicate in and grandparents attended this year’s Missouri River that will be Dawn Kitchell is MPA’s NIE Missouri. Last month I event (photo on page 17). The goal great for Earth Day. The director. Contact her at was fortunate to be a part of Family Reading Night is to remind Big Muddy feature will (636) 932-4301; dawn.kitch- of two programs that are families about the importance of reading teach about the river and [email protected]. models for community together and to connect children to the the importance of keeping leadership. faces in the newspaper. it clean — not just at its banks, but also Each year the Eldon Advertiser hosts It’s an event that could happen at any throughout the Missouri River water- a Democracy Day in its local school, school, but with the leadership of the shed, which drains 1/6 of all the water inviting elected officials and community newspaper it brings together the entire in the United States. Missouri River leaders to be a part of the conversation community. Relief, a non-profit organization dedi- of what makes a democracy. This year cated to cleaning up the Missouri River, more than 50 people spent the day at Joplin Globe names retired is underwriting this special feature. The Eldon Upper Elementary, and all of the feature will be posted at www.mo-nie. classes rotated through the discussions. carrier ‘Doctor of Delivery’ com under download code bigmuddy. Trevor Vernon, publisher of the retchen Caldwell has been named nother great feature for Earth Day, Eldon Advertiser, says the project grew Ga Doctor of Delivery by The Joplin A and for spring, is Amazing Soil. from a conversation about the lack of Globe. Only those who have delivered This seven-part series is a guide to civic education in our schools. He and The Globe for more than 30 years earn growing and includes features on soil, Tammy Witherspoon came up with the this “doctorate.” raised-bed gardening, germinating seeds, idea of Democracy Day, hoping to show Caldwell retired on Feb. 28 after de- composting, insects, organic gardening, the students what makes a democracy livering The Globe for 31 years. and conservation. Each feature provides and a community work while showing As far as people at the newspaper information for readers of all ages and community leaders how important it is know, she is only the fifth person to activities for smaller green thumbs. Use for students to be civically literate. achieve the status of Doctor of Delivery, download code garden. The project is so successful after seven a distinction bestowed by circulation Missouri schools will be giving grade- years, the Advertiser’s Witherspoon, who director Jack Kaminsky.

16 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013 Postal Service may close processing plant at Columbia airport he Postal Service is conducting Tan Area Mail Processing study to determine how much to reduce staffing and service at the processing plant at the Columbia Regional Airport. The Postal Service said the study will take several months, after which, a public meeting will be held to present findings and receive input. Mail now processed at the Columbia plant could be sent to St. Louis or Kansas City for sorting. Those wishing to comment on the proposal can send them to: Manager, Consumer & Industry Contact, John Family Reading Night in Washington Boeger, 1720 Market St., Room 1015A, Members of the Washington High School baseball team read in one of 27 sessions offered during the 13th annual Family Reading Night at Washington Middle School. More than 700 St. Louis, MO 63155-9511. children, parents, grandparents and volunteers turned out despite winter weather and cancelled classes. This year’s event featured guest author/illustrator Kenneth Kraegel, who traveled from University Extension Michigan to share his book, “King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson.” Other highlights included readers theater presentations by the Washington Police Department and the Washington Fire offers gardening articles Department. Participants heard stories read by community and education leaders and high school leaders from Washington High School and St. Francis Borgia Regional High School. he University of Missouri Exten- Eight parent organizations from local schools hosted crafts. Donated baskets of books Tsion’s Cooperative Media Group and prizes for family reading were given away at the end of the program. Sponsors were is offering Missouri newspapers a free The Washington Missourian, Washington School District and Washington Optimist Club, with gardening series. support from the Washington High School Football Team, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of New Haven, the Washington Library and Washington NEA. (Washington Missourian photo) All articles are approximately 600 words. Some offer short videos and podcasts for placement on newspaper websites. Technical assistance where needed also is free. Instructions and login information are available at extension.missouri.edu/ media/newsroom.aspx This series and the Missouri Press Foundation’s features on soil would hese individuals and organizations made recent contributions to complement each other nicely. TMissouri Press Foundation. To make a donation with a credit card, call (573) 449-4167, or send checks to Missouri Press Foundation, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201. Weekly in Canton moves Foundation Builders downriver to LaGrange Mr. and Mrs. William L. Miller, Washington, Mo. he Press-News Journal has moved Tits office from Canton to a former Washington Missourian Newspaper In Education Program church building at 409 Jefferson St. in Ameren Missouri, Wentzville LaGrange. The historic building has been com- St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper In Education Program pletely restored, and the weekly news- Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. paper began operating out of the lower level on April 1. Both towns are along the Mississippi Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame River in Lewis County, LaGrange about William L. Miller, Washington, Mo. six miles south of Canton.

Missouri Press News, April 2013 www.mopress.com 17 any reason, and that’s not the spirit in which this exception was written. Ask legislators for support It’s clearly meant to allow a public body to consider whether to resolve a conflict that exists before it reaches the of Sunshine Law changes point of a lawsuit being filed. It’s not meant to cover any scenario where a public body thinks its discussion will Don’t let opportunity slip away anger a citizen. New language in this section helps make that clear. y the time this column lands on islators back home, take a few minutes 2. The biggest change in the law is your desk, the spring break recess to corner them and tell them that you that the penalty for a violation has been Bwill be over for the Missouri leg- need their support if a sunshine law bill reduced from $1,000 to $100, and there islature and they’ll be in the long home gets to the floor. no longer needs to be proof of a “know- stretch. I truly believe there is no doubt that ing” violation. (There is still a fine of up Time is running short some sunshine law bill to $5,000 for purposely violating the to get a sunshine law bill will be voted on in com- law.) In addition, however, the public passed this year. 2013 ing weeks. Gov. Jay Nix- body would have to pay attorney fees if is an important year in on has called for the legis- it lost a sunshine lawsuit. Missouri’s sunshine law lature to pass an extension The idea is that this creates an incen- history, as you well know, on the two public safety tive for public bodies to settle disputes. having just come through exceptions contained in It makes violation of the law akin to Sunshine Week. Section 610.021. getting a speeding ticket. The judge will A number of you ran We worked late last fall still be the decision-maker as to what is a Doug Crews’ column out- with the Department of reasonable attorney fee for the plaintiff’s lining the history of this Public Safety on language lawyer, if the case is taken to court. If the law in the state. Some jour- to clarify those excep- case is settled, the attorney fees could be nalists in the state did their tions. But when either extremely minimal, or nonexistent. own “sunshine surveys” of the houses takes up a hat seems, however, to be lost upon and wrote about how lo- bill with that language in municipal organizations in the Jean Maneke, MPA’s Legal T cal bodies responded to Hotline attorney, can be it, your local legislators state, who are continuing to cry loudly requests for records. reached at (816) 753-9000, need to understand that to legislators that this will cost them We appreciate all your [email protected]. there are more changes significant amounts of money and that efforts, but you are not yet than those provisions that this is unreasonable. done. We lost some momentum this year need to be made. Your legislators need It’s time your voices were heard, when the snowstorm hit and all of you to be aware that they should support the too. Your state legislators need to know could not make your annual pilgrimage additional changes to the law. that this change is very important to you, to the Capitol. But yet, legislative efforts These additional changes include and to the public at large. Our time is involving the sunshine law have been several matters that you might mention short to get changes this session, and it’s moving along smartly this session. to your legislators when you see them, time for you to speak. Each of you can enate Bill 139, which incorporates or that you might include in an email help make this happen this session. Slanguage Missouri Press Association to your legislators, specifically: I’m always glad to answer any ques- supports, was passed out of the Senate on 1. The litigation exception needs to be tions you might have. And I appreciate Feb. 12. Considering that it was referred narrowed so that it’s not just a “potential all that each of you does to help us to committee in late January, that’s an cause of action” that triggers closing a change the law to improve access to amazing amount of progress. meeting under the litigation exception, public information for your readers. Much credit for that effort belongs because anyone can file suit any time for to Sen. Kurt Schaefer. On the other end of the Capitol, similar language is contained in House Bill 600, introduced Missouri Press Association / Missouri Press Service by a number of sponsors, including Rep. 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201-4888 (573) 449-4167 / Fax: (573) 874-5894 / www.mopress.com Chris Kelly, Speaker of the House Tim STAFF Jones, and Reps. Stephen Webber, John Doug Crews: Executive Director, [email protected] Wright and Caleb Rowden. However, Kent M. Ford: Editor, [email protected] that bill has not moved since its hearing Connie Whitney: [email protected] before the General Laws Committee in and Jennifer Plourde: [email protected]: Advertising Sales & Placement Karen Philp: Receptionist, Bookkeeping, [email protected] the House. Kristie Williams: Member Services, Meeting Planning, [email protected] Over the coming weeks, if you see leg-

18 www.mopress.com Missouri Press News, April 2013

Missouri Newspaper Organizations CALENDAR April NORTHWEST MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Adam Johnson, Mound 12 — Free Business Journalism City; Vice President, temporarily vacant; Secretary, Kathy Conger, Bethany; Treasurer, Seminar, Fayetteville, Ark. W.C. Farmer, Rock Port. Directors: Past President, Matt Daugherty, Smithville/Kearney/ 18-19 — Missouri Advertising Liberty; Jim Fall, Maryville; Dennis Ellsworth, St. Joseph; Jim McPherson, Weston; Managers’ Association meeting, Chuck Haney, Chillicothe; Steve Tinnen, Plattsburg; Kay Wilson, Maryville; Steve The Lodge of Four Seasons, Booher, St. Joseph. Lake Ozark 20 — Missouri College Media SHOW-ME PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, David Eales, Paris; Vice President, Association Convention, Joplin Jeff Grimes, Centralia; Secretary-Treasurer, Sandy Nelson, News-Press & Gazette 21-23 — Missouri Circulation Manage- Co. Directors: Dennis Warden, Owensville. ment Association meeting & Circulation / Audience Mega OZARK PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Keith Moore, Ava; Vice President, Whitney Summit, Renaissance Hotel, Anderson, Crane; Secretary-Treasurer, Dala Whittaker, Cabool. Directors: Roger Dillon, Lambert Airport, St. Louis Eminence; Brad Gentry, Houston; Jeff Schrag, Springfield; Chris Case, Cuba; Tianna 25 — Missouri Press Leadership Brooks, Mountain View; Sharon Vaughn, Summersville. Summit on the future of the Missouri Press Foundation SOUTHEAST MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION: President, Amanda Layton, 25 — MPA Past Presidents Perryville; First Vice President, Donna Denson, Cape Girardeau; Second Vice President, and Spouses Dinner, Columbia Randy Pribble, Ironton; Secretary-Treasurer, Michelle Friedrich, Poplar Bluff; Executive 30 — Deadline for entering Secretary, Ann Hayes, Southeast Missouri State University; Historian, Peggy Scott, Better Newspaper Contest Festus. Directors: Gera LeGrand, Cape Girardeau; Kim Combs, Piedmont; H. Scott 30 — Deadline for nominations for Seal, Portageville; Kate Martin, Perryville; Deanna Nelson, Sikeston; Ed Thomason, Newspaper Hall of Fame, Photo- New Madrid. journalism Hall of Fame, Out- standing Young Journalist MISSOURI CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: President, Brenda June Carney, Harrisonville; First Vice President, Jack Kaminsky, Joplin; Second Vice 21 — Northwest Missouri Press President, Steve Edwards, St. Joseph; Secretary, David Pine, Kansas City; Treasurer, Association meeting, Mound City Doug Crews, Columbia. Directors: Jim Kennedy, Bolivar; Ken Carpenter, Kansas City; September Rob Siebeneck, Jefferson City. 5-7 — MPA Convention, Marriott Downtown, Kansas City MISSOURI ADVERTISING MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION: President, Jane Haslag, Jefferson City; First Vice President, Jana Todd, Warrenton; Second Vice President, 12-15 — National Newspaper Jeanine York, Washington; Secretary, Mark Maassen, The Kansas City Star; Treasurer, Association Convention & Trade Kristie Williams, Columbia. Directors: Suzie Wilson, Milan; Bruce Wallace, Ashland; Show, Arizona Grand Resort, Brian Rice, Excelsior Springs; Jennifer Vanderpool, Lake Ozark. Past President, Phoenix Dennis Warden, Owensville.

MISSOURI PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATORS: President, Colene McEntee, St. Charles; President-Elect, vacant; Secretary, Peggy Koch, Barnhart; Treasurer, Roxanne Oak Grove staffer near site Miller, Ballwin; Public Relations Officer, Suzanne Corbett, St. Louis; Membership Officer, Linda Briggs-Harty, St. Louis; Contest Director, Janice Denham, Kirkwood; of K.C. restaurant blast Quest Awards Directors, Susan Fadem, St. Louis, and Marge Polcyn, St. Louis; Conference Director, vacant; Archivist, Dee Rabey, Granite City, Ill.; Past President, n advertising staff member of Fo- Fran Mannino, Kirkwood. A cus on Oak Grove, Nancy Mathis, witnessed the fire that destroyed a res- MISSOURI PRESS SERVICE: President, Joe May, Mexico; Vice President, Kevin Jones, St. Louis; Secretary-Treasurer, Vicki Russell, Columbia. Directors: Jack Whitaker, taurant in the Country Club Plaza in Hannibal; Dave Bradley, St. Joseph. Kansas City in February. Mathis lives in an apartment building MISSOURI PRESS FOUNDATION, INC.: President, Mrs. Betty Spaar, Odessa; near JJ’s Restaurant. She was watching First Vice President, Wendell Lenhart, Trenton; Second Vice President, Kirk Powell, Pleasant Hill; Secretary-Treasurer, Doug Crews, Columbia. Directors: R.B. Smith III, TV when natural gas vapors in the res- Lebanon; James Sterling, Columbia; Edward Steele, Columbia; Robert Wilson, Milan; taurant exploded, blowing open a door Dane Vernon, Eldon; Vicki Russell, Columbia; Bill James, Warrensburg; Bill Miller Sr., on her terrace, she told Focus. Washington, Tom Miller, Washington; Chuck Haney, Chillicothe; Dave Berry, Bolivar. Mathis said she saw flames leaping Directors Emeritus: Mrs. Wanda Brown, Harrisonville; Wallace Vernon, Eldon; Rogers Hewitt, Shelbyville. higher than her seventh-floor apart- ment. She grabbed her purse, coat and MISSOURI-KANSAS AP PUBLISHERS AND EDITORS: Chairman, Susan Lynn, shoes and fled the building, not knowing Iola, Kan. Missouri AP Managing Editors: Chairman, vacant; Past Chairman, Carol Stark, Joplin. where the flames originated. Mathis watched emergency respond- MISSOURI COLLEGE MEDIA ASSOCIATION: President, Jordan Larimore, Missouri ers, utility workers and news people in Southern State University; Vice President, Megan Gates, Missouri State University; the next few hours, until she was allowed Secretary, Michelle McIntosh, St. Louis Community College-Forest Park; MPA Liaison, Jack Dimond, Missouri State University; Adviser, Olive Sullivan, Missouri Southern to go back into her building. State University. The blast and fire killed an employee of the restaurant and injured 16 other people. (Focus on Oak Grove)

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