• Akers Ferry, located at Akers on the upper Current River, is expected to be closed until mid-June. It provides a Current River crossing on Highway K in northern Shannon County. Recent flooding in the area resulted in a substantial deposit of gravel in the river channel, preventing the ferry from crossing. Due to fish spawning season, the National Park Service is prohibited from removing gravel from the river from March 15 to June 15. Gravel removal will be completed as soon as possible after June 15.
• Around the area: A former Texas County deputy has been named an officer at Cabool. Dameon Shaw joined the department in March. A U.S. Navy veteran, Shaw has five years of law enforcement experience. He is pursuing a degree in law enforcement…. The City of Ava is considering a half-cent sales tax on the August ballot for transportation needs. If approved, it would generate about $350,000 annually.
• The Stars Foundation announced a variety show from 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 30, at the Melba Performing Arts Center in downtown Houston. You can find a calendar at melbaperformingartscenter.com.
• The Houston Education Foundation is hosting the HHS band and choir for an event that will benefit its work at the Houston School District. The event is 4 p.m. Sunday, April 8, at the Melba Performing Arts Center. It will feature ensembles and solos slated to be performed in contests.
• Missouri Farm Bureau reported last week that Missourians paid slightly more for food during the first quarter. This year shoppers paid $49.16 for 16 items compared to $48.42 in 2017, an increase of 74 cents. The most notable increase was the rising cost of eggs.
• Outdoor writer Larry Dablemont’s has indicated he may be scaling back the frequency of his column. It doesn’t appear this week. “To everything there is a season, and in my life, winter has arrived, ” he writes.