Region briefs 3a 6/29

Museum's annex to open for public activities today

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Margaret Harwell Art Museum will take part in July 4 festivities early, with the opening of the museum's new annex and a holiday brunch today.

"We've scheduled this event every year for when the parade goes by," said Nancy Buttry, president of the Friends of the Museum.

The new annex at 415 N. Main St., has been a special project of the museum's friends group, and today will be the public opening of the building. The museum houses the work of William Andree, the group's scholarship recipient.

The annex is also home to pieces of the museum's permanent collection and includes a conference and board room.

Members of the community are invited to watch the Black River Festival parade at 9 a.m. on the museum lawn. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to take a look at the museum's exhibit, Alternative Photography by Gwen Volner Walstrand, and tour the gift shop.

Ferry towboat bids sought a second time

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Mississippi County Port Authority will seek bids for a new ferry towboat for the second time.

Leon Steinbrueck, administrator for the port authority, updated county commissioners during this week's meeting on the port authority's efforts to buy a new towboat for the Hickman-Dorena Ferry.

Steinbrueck said no bids were received back from the port authority's first request. He suggested that because towboat manufacturers aren't used to dealing with the government, the request for proposals coming from the government "scared a bunch of them off." This time the bid specifications will include a list of options that can be included or left off as the price dictates, Steinbrueck said. He said the deadline for this round of bids will be Aug. 15.

-- From Southeast Missouri News Service