Houston city government’s web site is at houstonmissouri.org
Downtown Houston, Inc.: Downtown Houston, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of the community. Elaine Campbell is development director for the organization. The group is currently working on a master plan for upgrading the downtown and adjoining areas. To contact the group click here. If you would like to learn more, check out the group’s Web site.
U.S. Forest Service: Texas County contains about 48,807 acres of Mark Twain National Forest land. Offices are at 108 S. Sam Houston Blvd, Houston. Phone 417-967-4194. Its web site is at: www.fs.fed.us.
Missouri Department of Conservation: A forestry office is on North U.S. 63, Houston. Gary Oakley is the forester. Phone 417-967-2248. Its web site is at www.mdc.mo.gov
USDA Service Center: Includes the federal offices of Rural Development, formerly Farmers Home Administration; Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Texas County Soil and Conservation District and Top of the Ozarks Resource, Conservation and Development also has quarters at 6726 S. U.S. 63. Phone 417-967-2028. Its website is at www.usda.gov
Texas County Library: The main branch is at Houston with other facilities at Cabool, Licking and Summersville. Texas County Rural Area Information Network, which provides Internet service, is at the Houston library. Phone 417-967-2258. Its website is at train.missouri.org/~texcolib
University Extension: The office is located on South Sam Houston Blvd. in Loretto House situated behind St. John’s Clinic. Phone 417-967-4545. Its web site is at www.outreach.missouri.edu/Texas
Texas County Children’s and Family Support Divison, left – The agencies serve clients from North U.S. 63 and Oak Hill Drive. Phone 417-967-4551. The division of aging has a separate telephone number: 967-8353. The agency’s Web site is here.
Department of Revenue License Bureau: Kevin McGowen is the fee agent for the office on Walnut Street, Houston, situated across the street from the county library. Phone 417-967-3878.
Ozark Action: The service agency oversees several programs to help county residents, such as heating assistance and the Head Start program. Phone 417-967-2036. Its web site is at www.oaiwp.org
Texas County Courthouse, at right: Located at 210 N. Grand, county government operates from the courthouse. The administrative and judicial offices are there – Assessor’s office, 417-967-4709; circuit clerk-recorder’s office – 417-967-3742; county clerk, 417-967-2112; county treasurer/collector, 417-967-2580; associate circuit judge and probate, 417-967-3663; and Texas County Sheriff’s Department, 417-967-4165. 911 services also are available in the county.
Members of the county commission are: Presiding Commissioner Don Shelhammer and Associate Commissioners Joe B. Whetstine and Linda Garrett. The commission’s formal meeting is Wednesday and it has a working session on Thursday. A commissioner is normally available in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, providing there is no conflict with other meetings or appointments. Its telephone number is 417-967-3222. Its website is at www.texascountymissouri.us
Courthouse annex: The Texas County prosecutor’s office, 417-967-2029; public administrator’s office, 417-967-2669; and juvenile officer, phone 417-967-4127; are located there.
State officials: Rep. Don Wells, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 236A, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101, 573-751-1490, e-mail don.wells@house.mo.gov
Rep. Van Kelly, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 402, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101, 573-751-2205, e-mail van.kelly@house.mo.gov
Sen. Chuck Purgason, State Capitol Building, Room 420, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101, 573-751-1882.
Federal officials: Office of Sen. Claire McCaskill, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510, 202-224-6154 FAX 202-228-6326. Contact Sen. McCaskill
Office of Sen. Kit Bond, 274 Russell Senate Office Building. Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-5721. Contact Sen. Bond
Office of Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, 2440 Rayburn House Office Building. Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-4404. Contact Rep. Emerson
Rep. Emerson also has an office at 35 Court Square, Suite 300, in West Plains. The telephone number is 417-255-1515.