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Flags Fly High Over Mark Twain State Park

America is turning 250 this year, and Mark Twain State Park near Florida, Missouri, is making sure the milestone doesn’t go unnoticed. Throughout the park, a new wave of flags marks the park’s role in the national celebration, inviting visitors to reflect on two-and-a-half centuries of history in the namesake park of one of the country’s greatest icons.

The team at Mark Twain State Park is known for their patriotism. Rachel Hoemann, park superintendent, said the flags at the park represent not only the spirit of America, but also the spirit of Missouri’s state parks.

“Seeing these flags will remind our guests that history isn’t just in books; it’s in the land as well,” Hoemann said. “Mark Twain said true patriotism is loyalty to your country all the time. By placing these flags in the park, we aren’t just celebrating a date on a calendar; we are honoring the honest and often humorous spirit that Twain gave to the American identity.”

For those spending time camping, fishing or hiking the trails of Mark Twain State Park this year, the message is simple: America is still unfolding, and its history is as vibrant and enduring as the Missouri hills themselves. Hoemann invites guests to visit the park and reflect on the past as well as the future, and to celebrate our beloved country.

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Posted on May 25, 2026 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Bike To Work Day: Dump The $$$ Gas Pump — Celebrate Bicycling To Work

Pictured: Don Corrgian

By Don Corrigan

With gas at the pump up a buck or more per gallon, area bicyclists contend that commuting on a bike is the smart way to get to work. It’s just more economical. They’re motto: “Burn calories, not fossil fuel.”
That motto was heard a lot on May 15, which marked the National Bike-to-Work Day.

Trailnet, an advocacy group promoting biking, hiking and public transit, is always a major player in celebrating bicycling’s health and economic benefits on the special day in May.

“Sure, biking to work is more economical, but that has not always been my major motivator,” said Erik Herzog. “At one point I did estimate I save a few thousand dollars in gas and parking, but other perks weigh more heavily in my choice to bike.”

Herzog of Webster Groves bikes to his job in the biology department at Washington University. His trip to Washington University and his route have altered with changing traffic patterns.

“When the Metro built a station across Laclede Station Road, I suddenly had a nice stretch of road largely forgotten by car traffic,” Herzog noted. “As the Greenways developed, I’ve enjoyed adding a stretch through Deer Creek Park to my daily commute.”

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Posted on May 21, 2026 in Environment, Home, Local Events

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Ally of Environmentalists: Ray Hartmann’s Death Shocks Colleagues; Marks A Setback For The Many Causes For Which He Advocated

By Don Corrigan (originally posted on the Gateway Journalism website.)

The death of Ray Hartmann in a car accident on April 23 left many St. Louis area residents with heavy hearts, but was also a blow to his journalism colleagues and the local environmental community. During his years with the Riverfront Times, and later with his columns in magazines and online, he covered such environmental topics as dioxin at Times Beach, lead poisoning in the city, radioactive contamination in North County. This memorial tribute piece by EE’s Don Corrigan first appeared in the online newsletter of Gateway Journalism Review.   

Ray Hartmann was part of the character and topography of St. Louis. We have our landmarks – like the Gateway Arch, a square-beyond-compare pizza, an amazing Forest Park. And, we once had our landmark journalist.

The landmark journalist is gone. How the hell could that happen? Could it really be that an errant tire, bouncing off an interstate median, crashing through his car windshield, taking out the 73-year-old driver?

His demise is one of life’s absurdities, the kind Ray might have pondered and pontificated about – with his hands up in the air. That was so much fun. We loved when he put his hands up in the air in exasperation on TV or on a sidewalk – talking at us a mile-a-minute.

We took this landmark journalist for granted. It’s not fair. He was always supposed to be around – with opinion columns, with some snark on the radio, with some pithy commentary on television. And now, he’s gone?

How the hell could that happen?

Sudden death is often a shock to the system. It’s a safe bet that a tear or two has rolled down the face of both friend and foe alike in the case of Ray Hartmann. He had the charm of a sort of Mark Twain on steroids.

Among his journalism contemporaries, his death is a sucker punch to the gut. And it’s not just because he was such a talented voice for justice – and such a loved and needed representative of our kind.

His friends in journalism mourn because his death is the bittersweet icing on the cake – maybe a final nail in the coffin of a craft. It’s the death of a time when a journalism credential, great passion, some insomnia and hard work – might make a difference.

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Posted on May 17, 2026 in Home, Opinion

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Ethanol Blend Solution? Gas Prices At Pump Shock Drivers In Missouri, Illinois

by Don Corrigan

Fuel prices at Missouri and Illinois gas pumps have skyrocketed due to the conflict and turmoil in the Middle East, which affects global crude oil costs. Some legislators seek to soften the blow of high prices with an ethanol blend fuel solution.

Illinois drivers face some of the highest costs in the Midwest with gasoline averaging more than $4.20 – $4.30 per gallon. Missouri prices, though lower, also have seen significant upward trends.

The Land of Lincoln has experienced severe surges, with averages around $4.30 per gallon. The per gallon cost in Metro East area exceeds $4, while prices at some Chicago locations are approaching $5 per gallon. Costs for diesel fuel can be as high as $6.50 – $7.

Missouri gas prices, while historically cheaper than neighboring states, have risen to over $3 per gallon in most areas, with St. Louis leading the state in higher average costs of $3.85 to $4.

Experts say the situation is volatile, and steep prices will persist depending on geopolitical developments. In an effort to ease the pain for drivers, legislators and governors are urging action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he will allow gas stations to sell a blended fuel containing 15% ethanol into the summer season as part of an effort to lower gas prices.

The blend is normally prohibited in many Midwest states over the summer months to reduce smog. The blend known as E15 contributes to foul air that in recent years has been aggravated by wildfire smoke from western states and from Canadian fires.

The move by EPA, which ethanol producers are applauding, could prevent more spikes in prices at the pump during the war with Iran, which has thrown oil markets in disarray worldwide.

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Posted on May 16, 2026 in Environment, Home

Beyond the Badge: Missouri State Park Rangers Protect Public

Posted on May 2, 2026 | Leave a comment

Photo: Missouri State Park

Millions of visitors travel to Missouri’s 93 state parks and historic sites every year for recreation and serenity. A specialized team of professionals works hard to keep those parks safe and protected. Missouri state park rangers serve a challenging, unique dual role, combining law enforcement with public education and resource protection.

Unlike traditional police officers, a ranger’s office spans thousands of acres, waterways and historic landmarks. Their responsibilities are as diverse as the parks they protect.

Missouri state park rangers are fully commissioned state-certified law enforcement officers. They enforce state laws and state park regulations, as well as conduct investigations and perform patrols. They are often the first responders for medical emergencies, search-and-rescue operations and other emergencies, such as flooding and wildfires.

“Our rangers train extensively, preparing them for all types of situations,” said Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer. “Recently, we have had some incidents that could have ended very differently, had it not been for the preparation, the level-headedness and the quick-thinking of our rangers. I am very proud of the way our rangers handled the events.”

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Montauk State Park Plans Centennial celebration for May 8-9

Posted on April 30, 2026 | Leave a comment

Photo: Missouri State Parks

In 1926, Montauk State Park was formally established as a state park. To celebrate this milestone, the park will host several special events throughout the season.

Kicking things off will be the annual Old Mill Days on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9. This celebration features guided and self-guided history tours, as well as games and other activities. Presenters will demonstrate historical skills such as blacksmithing, archery, Dutch oven cooking, weaving, rope making, wood carving, beekeeping and more. There will also be an arts and crafts fair showcasing the finest products that local artisans have to offer, including homemade pottery, jewelry and clothing. All activities will take place around the old Montauk Mill.

Admission is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Stop by to learn a new skill, immerse yourself in local history and support small businesses.

Montauk State Park is located at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. For questions, please contact 573-548-2201.

For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri’s Division of State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Dr. Peter H. Raven, World-Renowned Botanist and 40-Year Leader of Missouri Botanical Garden, Passes Away at 89

Dr. Peter Raven. Photo by Michael Jacob, Missouri Botanical Garden.

Dr. Peter Hamilton Raven, a botanist of global stature who transformed the Missouri Botanical Garden into one of the world’s leading centers for botany and became one of the most influential voices for biodiversity and conservation, passed away on April 25, 2026. He was 89 years old.

For nearly four decades, Dr. Raven served as President and Director of the Garden while also holding the George Engelmann Professorship of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis. When he assumed leadership of the Garden in 1971 at age 35, the institution was modest in scope. By the time he retired in 2010, he had transformed the organization into a global hub for research, education, horticultural display, and sustainability, with far-reaching scientific partnerships and conservation programs.

Dr. Raven’s vast and varied list of accomplishments at the Garden includes opening the Japanese Garden (Seiwa-en), the Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, and the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden. He tripled the size of the Garden’s Herbarium, helping make it one of the largest botanical collections in the world, and greatly expanded its library, now among the world’s most comprehensive botanical libraries and since named in his honor. Dr. Raven’s many global scientific contributions in this role include founding the Garden’s William L. Brown Center and the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, as well as launching numerous research projects, conservation programs, and partnerships across North America and in China, Madagascar, Peru, Bolivia, and Tanzania. The 150-person staff at the start of his tenure, which included just a handful of scientists, had grown to nearly 500, including close to 50 PhD-level research scientists undertaking pioneering work on the St. Louis campus and around the world.

“Peter Raven didn’t simply lead the Garden; he redefined what it could be,” said June McAllister Fowler, chair of the Garden’s Board of Trustees. “His vision elevated it to a world-class institution while deepening its roots in St. Louis. He believed the Garden should serve its community as much as the scientific world, and that legacy is visible across our city today.”

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Posted on April 29, 2026 in Home, Local Events

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MoDNR 2026 Photo Contest

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is now accepting entries for its 2026 MoDNR Photo Contest. The department will feature winning entries on its website, social media platforms and at various public events. The deadline to submit photos is Sept. 1.

Entries can include images from anywhere in Missouri. Contestants can submit entries in the following categories:

Natural Resources: Photographs of Missouri’s air, landscapes and waterways
Unique Places: Photographs taken within one of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. (For a list of all parks and sites, visit mostateparks.com.)
People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors: Photographs of people having fun and exploring Missouri’s great outdoors.

Department judges will choose first, second, third and honorable mention winners for each category. For more information or to submit photos, visit dnr.mo.gov/photo-contest. Please send questions about the photo contest to socialmedia@dnr.mo.gov.

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Posted on April 11, 2026 in Home, Local Events

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Earth Day: Planet VS Plastic at Forest Park

Earth Day 2026 – CLICK HERE for more information.

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Posted on April 6, 2026 in Home, Local Events

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MDC reminds people to be “BearWise” about black bears

MDC reminds people to be BearWise to avoid conflicts with black bears. Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside secure buildings or in bear-proof containers.

With warming weather and the many wonders of nature awakening in spring, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people to be BearWise.

Missouri’s estimated 1,000+ black bears are waking up and are focused on fattening up after a long winter’s sleep. Unsecured food sources around homes and outbuildings could attract the attention of a hungry bear.

MDC Furbearer Biologist Nate Bowersock said it is important that people remove or secure bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste.

“Black bears are super-focused on finding food in the spring,” said Bowersock. “The quest for calories keeps bears active. When the eating is good, a bear can put on two to three pounds a day.”

Bowersock added that keeping areas free of food attractants and letting bears find natural foods is in everyone’s best interest. “If you see a bear, let the animal be and enjoy the sighting, but be sure to not offer it any food,” he said

Intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous because it makes them comfortable around people and can lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for food.

“When bears lose their fear of humans, they could approach people in search of food or may become defensive of the food sources they find near people, which could lead to conflict,” Bowersock said. “When this happens, the bear cannot be relocated and has to be destroyed. A fed bear is a dead bear.”

Click to read more about tips to avoid attracting black bears from the MDC below.

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Posted on March 28, 2026 in Home, Outdoor/Nature