Missouri - Forest health professionals with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) advise Missourians to watch for damage from an invasive tree pest in winter months. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a small, metallic green beetle native to Asia that attacks and kills ash trees.

EAB attacks all species of ash trees, and kills nearly every tree it infests. At approximately a half-inch long, the green adult beetle feeds on leaves and does very little damage to trees. However, in its larval stage, the insect kills ash trees by feeding on the water- and nutrient-conducting tissues just under the bark.

The destructive insect has been confirmed in 42 Missouri counties, as well as the City of St. Louis, and is suspected to be present in several more locations.

MDC encourages Missourians to watch for signs of this invasive pest during winter months.  While birding, watching wildlife, hiking, or enjoying other outdoor pursuits this winter, keep an eye out for bark blonding on ash trees. Bark blonding is caused by woodpeckers removing a tree’s outer bark while searching for insect larvae.  On ash trees, this feeding activity reveals a white inner bark that is highly noticeable.  Ash trees with bark blonding may not have EAB, but it is certainly worth reporting these trees for a closer look by trained foresters.

“EAB is estimated to cost Missourians more than $180-million in tree treatments, removals, and replacements over the next 20 years,” said MDC Forest Entomologist Robbie Doerhoff.  “If you have a healthy, high-value ash tree in your yard, it can be treated with insecticides that will protect it from EAB. However, these treatments can be expensive and must be applied every year or two to guarantee protection. For some ash trees, the best option is removal and replanting with a different species such as an oak native to Missouri.”

MDC encourages Missourians to help prevent the spread of this destructive pest by learning to identify signs of EAB and reporting possible infestations in counties where EAB has not yet been confirmed. 

MDC congratulates Richard Bradshaw on breaking the state record by gigging a 2-pound, 12-ounce northern hog sucker on the Current River.

Carter County, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Richard Bradshaw of Winona became the most recent state-record-fish breaker in Missouri when he gigged a northern hog sucker on the Current River in Carter County. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Bradshaw on Jan. 27 weighed 2 pounds, 12 ounces with a length of 18.6 inches. Bradshaw’s recent catch broke the previous state record by 4 ounces.

MDC staff verified the northern hog sucker’s weight on a certified scale in West Plains. This is the first state-record fish of 2018.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield High School celebrated Senior Night with 22 seniors honored on the court in front of a very well attended evening by Wildcat fans.  

Each athlete will have an individual article on the ShowMe Times.

Riley Burns is the son of Amy and Wayne Burns.  He is a member of the High School Cross Country Team.

His future plans are to attend Hesston College, 2-year Mennonite college in Hesston, Kansas

He plans to earn a degree in mechanical engineering.

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield High School celebrated Senior Night with 22 seniors honored on the court in front of a very well attended evening by Wildcat fans.  

Each student will have an individual article on the ShowMe Times.

Brianna Shubert is a member of the BHS Pep Band.

She is the daughter of Darla Shubert and James Green.

Her future plans are to attend Southeast Missouri State University and earn a degree in Elementary Education.

Congratulations Brianna and good luck in your future endeavors!

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Bloomfield High School celebrated Senior Night with 22 seniors honored on the court in front of a very well attended evening by Wildcat fans.  

Each athlete will have an individual article on the ShowMe Times.

Mason Pulley is a member of the BHS Pep Band.

He is the son of Lisa and Tim Pulley.

His future plans are to graduate from college and major in nursing.

Congratulations Mason and good luck on your future endeavors!