Geoff Folsom

Missouri

Covering Union and Franklin County and writing a column about whatever I come up with for @emissourian. Busy apologizing for things I do while apologizing!

Articles

Union considers change of address policy

2 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

After residents of the Birch Creek Estates subdivision complained about having their addresses changed, the City of Union is considering creating a policy for similar situations in the future. Aldermen approved the address changes for seven homes in April after other lots at the subdivision were adjusted to allow for more homes to be built. Six of the homes with new addresses were on Wedgewood Drive and one on Fairway Drive. kAm“%96C6 H2D 2 C6DF35:G:D:@? @? E96 =@ED :? q:C49 rC66<[ A2CE:4F=2C=J @?
Union's Hansen Park officially open

3 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

Hansen Park is officially open in downtown Union. The park has opened even though a set of proposed rules for the park haven’t been officially approved by the full Board of Aldermen. kAm“%96 >2J@C C6BF6DE65 E92E[ AC:@C E@ E92E C64@>>6?52E:@? 8@:?8 E@ E96 7F== 3@2C5[ E92E H6 ;FDE @A6? :E FA E@ E96 AF3=:4[” !2C<D s:C64E@C r925 !@9=>2?? D2:5]k^AmkAm(9:=6 w2?D6? !2C< :D 82E65[ !@9=>2?? D2:5 E96 82E6 :D 36:?8 =67E @A6? 6G6? 5FC:?8 9@FCD H96?
Thousands sign up for property fraud alerts in Franklin County

4 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

While it isn’t a major issue in Franklin County yet, thousands of county residents are taking precautions against property fraud. Franklin County Recorder of Deeds Lisa Smart has joined with recorders in St. Charles, St. Louis and Lincoln counties in asking residents to guard against scammers who try to register fraudulent deeds in attempts to claim ownership, sell or borrow money against their homes. kAmuC2?<=:? r@F?EJ 92D J6E E@ 92G6 2?J <?@H?
MoDOT plans Highway 50 culvert project

5 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

Culvert replacement work usually means a road closure on Missouri Department of Transportation highways. But that won’t be the case with upcoming work on Highway 50, east of Beaufort. Instead, the culvert will be installed by adding a pipe on one side of the road and putting it through the highway by “pipe jacking,” Rachel Suddeth, MoDOT senior communications specialist, said in an email to The Missourian.
County officials debate how to pay for gun range

5 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

Franklin County officials disagreed over how to fund a project at a county-owned property. The shooting range for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is being built on 41.3 acres the county owns on Highway 50 east of Beaufort. Though a highway department headquarters project initially planned for the site was canceled, some wanted to use highway department funds to help pay for a building that is used with a shooting range. kAm“%96C6’D 2 EC2:?:?8 724:=:EJ :?
Franklin County officials help with operations after St. Louis tornado

6 days ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

While Franklin County Emergency Management Director Abe Cook has had plenty to deal with in the wake of March tornadoes in his own county, he took time recently to assist with the recovery from a May 16 EF3 tornado in St. Louis. Cook has spent three days so far working in logistics in support of the incident management team, helping to coordinate and document resources. kAm“(6 2C6 FD:?8 E96 :?4:56?E 4@>>2?5 DJDE6> >@56= :? 4@@C5:?2E:?8 H:E9 >F=E:A=6 56A2CE>6?ED :?
Signs considered for Pottery Road after fatal crash

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

After a Washington teen died last month in a motorcycle crash on Pottery Road, Franklin County is seeking to improve safety signs on the route. Franklin County Highway Administrator Jim Grutsch initially said that, after talking with commissioners, his sign crew was looking to lower the speed limit on Pottery Road to 25 mph from the current 30 mph. But a commission order would be needed before the speed limit could go into effect.
County entering emergency service agreements with cities

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

Franklin County is developing new mutual aid agreements with cities to assist in emergencies. County commissioners approved a mutual aid agreement with the City of St. Clair on May 27. Similar agreements are expected to be approved by county commissioners with the cities of New Haven and Berger on Tuesday, June 3. kAm“%9:D :D 4@G6C286 @7 36:?8 23=6 E@ 5@E @FC ‘x’D’ 2?5 4C@DD @FC ‘%’D’ H96? H6’C6 AC@G:5:?8 2:5 24C@DD ;FC:D5:4E:@?2= 3@F?52C:6D[” uC2?<=:?
Union committee assignments approved

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

Union Ward 2 Alderman Barbara Laberer will chair a key committee she lost last year when it briefly appeared she would no longer be on the Board of Aldermen. The alderman she is replacing as chair was in a similar situation this year. The Board of Aldermen voted May 12 to name Laberer chair of the city’s Parks, Buildings, Development and Pubic Service Committee.
Union school bond projects getting underway

1 week ago | emissourian.com | Geoff Folsom

The Union R-Xi School District is starting construction on projects utilizing money from a recently approved $35 million bond package. The Board of Education green-lighted a $2.86 million agreement at its May 21 meeting with Garland Roofing, of Cleveland, Ohio, for roof system retrofits at Beaufort and Central Elementary schools, as well as a roof restoration at Union High School. kAm“%9:D H:== 2==@H E96> E@ 368:? D64FC:?8 >2E6C:2=D[ D@ E92E E96J 42? 36 @?