Local Briefs: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
Local Briefs art
City of Maryville starts new text alert system
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The city of Maryville is now offering text alerts for residents to receive notifications and updates.
City Manager Ryan Heiland said that alerts will include notifications about street closures, boil orders and water service notices, service interruptions and emergencies, in addition to other updates.
To sign up, text “ALERTS” to 660-280-7869 or visit maryvillemo.gov/subscribe/texting for more information.
Graves-Chapple Field Day to highlight farm progress, research innovations
ROCK PORT, Mo. — The University of Missouri Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center will showcase research and technological improvements at its field day Tuesday, Aug. 25. The event is free and open to the public.
According to a news release, topics of presentations will include fertility, weeds, fungicides, variety selection and the latest trends in agricultural technology.
Attendees will be able to learn about upgrades at the center, including a new plot combine, truck, trailer and mower, as well as the use of PlanetScope remote-sensing technology. These additions enhance the center’s capacity to collect data, improve research efficiency and support demonstration projects that provide practical, research-based solutions for agricultural producers, said Jim Crawford, director of the MU Graves-Chapple Center, near Rock Port.
“Field days are a crucial part of the land-grant mission, providing producers, agribusinesses and residents with research based, unbiased information,” he said. “This information can influence and assist them with maintaining or increasing their bottom line. Oftentimes, small changes to how they do things can be the difference between being profitable or losing money.”
The field day begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast. Field tours will be followed by lunch. Admission is free. For details, visit muext.us/GravesChapple2026.
State Historical Society offers local history grants
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The State Historical Society of Missouri is seeking proposals of up to $1,000 to help Missouri cultural heritage institutions preserve and provide access to local history.
According to a news release from the organization, the deadline to submit applications is Sept. 15. The one-year grant period begins in October 2026.
The Richard S. Brownlee Missouri Local History grants honor a longtime former executive director of the State Historical Society who helped expand the Society’s holdings of newspapers, reference materials, manuscripts and artworks. A maximum of $15,000 will be awarded this year.
The Missouri Local History grants are eligible for projects geared toward the preservation of historical local records, which includes the purchase of archival supplies to store or display personal papers, photographs, maps or other materials. Funds may not be used for preservation of federal, state or local government documents. Another area of focus can be education or programming activities to promote learning about local history or training for the preservation of local history records.
Grants are available to Missouri cultural heritage institutions that are members of the State Historical Society at the silver level or higher with preference given to local historical societies.
Grant proposals for the 2026-27 cycle can be submitted online at shsmo.org/awards/brownlee-grant.
