The Saline County Commission gave approval to an agreement Wednesday, Jan. 15 for the installation of a storm siren outside Arrow Rock.

At Wednesday morning’s session, the commission authorized the agreement worked out between Saline County Emergency Management and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to install a storm siren at the state park, at a nominal cost of one dollar to the county. Also this morning, the commission reported that Norm Lucas, who has worked with the county on behalf of the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission, had retired but was seeking to remain involved with several projects as a private contractor. The commission authorized retaining Lucas’ services at a rate of $55 per hour.

Two requests for use of the courthouse lawn in April were approved by the commission. The first request was from Whitney O’Bryan of Marshall Schools, who is planning a ceremony and flag display the morning of April 4 for Child Abuse Prevention Month. The second was from the Marshall Chamber of Commerce for their event April 26, requiring use of the entire square including the circle drive.

The commission adjourned ahead of the quarterly meeting of Develop Saline County, where representatives from Arrow Rock, Malta Bend, Marshall, and Sweet Springs provided updates on projects receiving funds from the county’s economic development sales tax. Sweet Springs City Clerk Michelle Fuehring announced that the Missouri Department of Transportation would host a public forum on planned improvements to Route 127 at Interstate 70 on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The improvements are in advance of Road Ranger building a new location in the northeast corner of the junction, and will be funded in part by Sweet Springs’ share of the tax revenue.