Lifestyle
Missouri the Show-Me-State, but how did we get here?
The first recorded European settlers in Missouri were French fur traders and Catholic missionaries who arrived in the late 1700s. The area was later acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and it became a state in 1821.
The first recorded European settlers in Missouri were French fur traders and Catholic missionaries who arrived in the late 1700s. The area was later acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and it became a state in 1821.
In the following decades, the state saw an influx of American settlers, as well as enslaved African Americans brought to work on the state’s cotton and tobacco plantations. Throughout its history, Missouri has been a crossroads for different cultures and peoples, leading to a rich and diverse cultural heritage that continues to shape the state today.
Missouri was inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Osage, Missouri, and Illinois, before the arrival of European explorers in the late 1600s. In the late 1700s, French fur traders established a number of trading posts and settlements along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, including St. Louis. These traders also married into the local indigenous tribes, creating a unique cultural mixture of French and Native American influences.
In the early 1800s, the United States acquired Missouri as part of the Louisiana Purchase from France. This led to an influx of American settlers, particularly from the Southern states, who brought their slave-based agriculture to the state. By the 1850s, Missouri had become a slave state and a major center of the cotton and tobacco industries.
During the American Civil War, Missouri was a border state, with both Union and Confederate forces vying for control. After the war, the state struggled with issues related to Reconstruction, including the integration of formerly enslaved African Americans into society. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Missouri experienced significant industrial growth, particularly in St. Louis, where factories and businesses flourished.
The rivers have played a major role in Missouri’s growth and development throughout its history. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers served as important transportation routes for goods, people, and ideas, connecting the state to other regions and facilitating trade and commerce. The fertile river valleys also provided fertile land for agriculture, including the cotton and tobacco industries that dominated the state in the 19th century.
In addition to supporting the growth of agriculture and commerce, the rivers also had a profound effect on Missouri’s cultural and social development. The waterways provided a means of transportation for early settlers and Native American tribes, bringing people and cultures together and fostering the development of a diverse and multi-cultural society. The Mississippi River, in particular, has been a source of inspiration for many writers and artists, including Mark Twain, who used the river as a backdrop for his stories of life on the frontier.
Overall, the rivers have been a key factor in shaping Missouri’s history, contributing to its growth, development, and cultural richness. They remain a vital part of the state’s economy and cultural heritage, providing recreational opportunities, supporting commerce, and serving as an important resource for communities and industries.
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Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Green being thrown out with in minutes.
Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Al Green Green being thrown out with in minutes. Trump calls out Democrats saying no matter what he says or does they will not stand. The camera flashed shots of the Democrat party with signs that said Musk Steals. Trump continued the speech strong by asking them to enjoy the republicans with the wins of the county.
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Osage Beach Operating Budget shows Significant Increases in Personnel and Capital Spending.
The City of Osage Beach Board of Aldermen officially adopted the FY2025 Operating Budget on December 19, 2024, outlining a comprehensive financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget, spanning 69 pages, projects total expenditures across all funds at approximately $38 million, reflecting a strategic focus on personnel growth, infrastructure improvements, and operational stability.
Personnel Expenditures See Major Boost
The FY2025 budget allocates $10,941,704 for personnel expenditures across all funds, marking a 12.4% increase from the FY2024 budget of $9,736,098 and a 21.2% jump from the FY2024 projected year-end total of $9,031,206. Key highlights include:
- Salaries: Rising to $6,978,788, a 12.2% increase from FY2024’s budget and an 18.8% increase from the projected year-end, reflecting new hires and wage adjustments.
- Per Meeting Expense: Surging 55.8% to $48,000, driven by increased meeting frequency or compensation rates.
- Overtime and Holiday Pay: Overtime is budgeted at $417,400 (up 40.1%), while holiday pay rises to $212,402 (up 22.9%), indicating heightened staffing demands.
- Retirement 401 Contributions: A significant 28.2% increase to $773,225, underscoring the city’s commitment to employee benefits.
The personnel schedule details a total of 136 authorized positions, including 117 full-time and 19 part-time roles, with notable growth in departments like City Clerk (from 1.5 to 3 full-time equivalents) and Engineering (from 2 to 4 FTEs) compared to FY2024.
Capital Investments Prioritize Infrastructure
Capital expenditures for FY2025 are set at $16,990,032, a slight 5.1% decrease from FY2024’s ambitious $17,907,575 budget, though a dramatic 197.3% increase over the FY2024 projected year-end of $5,714,260. Major investments include:
- Transportation Fund: $6,274,726, a 17.3% increase, funding projects like the Salt Barn Roof replacement, Highway 42 Sidewalk construction, and Osage Beach Road improvements.
- Lee C. Fine Airport Fund: $4,986,982, up slightly from FY2024, supporting ongoing airport enhancements.
- 911 Center: A standout $447,247 allocation (384.8% increase), including an AIS P25 Upgrade and dispatch relocation, addressing critical communication needs.
Conversely, departments like Parks & Recreation ($333,800, down 54.7%) and Information Technology ($25,492, down 77.3%) see reduced capital spending, reflecting a shift in priorities.
Operations & Maintenance Stabilizes
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) expenditures total $10,182,427, a modest 1.4% decrease from FY2024’s $10,324,068 budget, though up 10.6% from the projected year-end of $9,209,616. Notable changes include:
- Human Resources: A striking 228.9% increase to $365,117, likely tied to expanded staffing and training initiatives.
- Building Inspection: Up 130.7% to $79,510, supporting heightened regulatory activity.
- Engineering: A 52.2% cut to $261,100, aligning with completed projects from FY2024.
Employee Pay Plan Adjustments
The budget introduces an updated Employee Pay Plan effective January 1, 2025, with pay ranges spanning Level 6 ($32,604-$47,276) to Level 16 ($124,293-$198,868). Positions like City Administrator and City Attorney top the scale, while roles such as Airport Technician and Records Clerk anchor the lower end. The plan reflects periodic reviews mandated by City Code Section 125.050, accommodating new positions and level adjustments.
Looking Ahead
The FY2025 budget underscores Osage Beach’s focus on workforce expansion, infrastructure resilience, and essential services, balancing growth with fiscal prudence. With a total personnel authorization of 123.19 FTEs (up from 117.19 in FY2024), and significant capital commitments, the city aims to enhance public safety, transportation, and community amenities. Residents can expect increased activity in key departments, though some operational budgets tighten to offset these investments.
For more details, the full FY2025 Operating Budget is available through the City of Osage Beach administrative offices.
BIG news to follow — and trust us… even the savviest pirates would never guess what’s coming!
Ahoy, mateys! The winds of change are blowin’ through Captain Ron’s…
LOTS of legendary announcements are about to set sail — one this week and the other BIG news to follow — and trust us… even the savviest pirates would never guess what’s coming! 
Keep your spyglass ready, crew… the Lake is about to get a whole lot more exciting! 
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