R-2 directors on Monday approved a bid not to exceed $24,538 for a complete sanding, resurfacing and painting of the high school gym and refinishing the middle school and elementary school gym floors.

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 20.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.76 a gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri.

Beneath a threatening sky Monday, Owensville Fire Department veteran Elmer Schulte sprayed water from truck No. 163, which is being retired, onto the new No. 171 which went into service this week. The old No. 171 is being reassigned to the Mt. Sterling station and redesignated as No. 163. Chief Curtis Aytes (right) explains dedication ceremony to Owensville aldermen. “I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your tireless and dedicated service,” Ward 2’s John Kamler told the assembled volunteers and rural fire association members present.

Out of 118 students scheduled to make their commencement walk Friday evening as the school’s 92nd graduating class, these 20 earned 4.0 cumulative grade point averages —the largest number with straight “A’s,” according to their principal, Kurt Keller. Commencement is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and is tentatively to be held on Dutchmen Field. However, if rainfall comes as predicted later this week, the ceremony will likely be moved indoors, said Keller.