June brings with it wet weather, summertime celebrations, traditions

The highlight of June in Vernon County is always Bushwhacker Days, the county's biggest celebration of history, hometown fun, food, music and more. Highlights this year included music by lots of local folks, a bigger, better carnival, and old favorites like a host of re-enactors, free concerts on the Square, firefighters' games and, of course, the parade -- all part of the tradition of a good, old-fashioned good time.

But the first weekend in June brought Mother Nature's wrath -- high winds raked through Schell City, leaving most properties in the small, northeast Vernon County town damaged in some way.

The damaging winds came quickly -- even though Schell City clerk Sharon Sanderson had sounded the tornado sirens, many said they had too little time to take cover when the storm let loose its wrath on the small town, shortly after 2 p.m., Monday, June 2.

A severe thunderstorm had torn through the area already, causing little damage; but a short time later the gale-force winds estimated at 80 mph or more struck the town with a vengeance. At about the same time, the National Weather Service was tracking a tornado that also went through Vernon County, nearby, triggering the tornado warning for that portion of Vernon County as well as parts of Cedar and St. Clair counties, leaving many people without power.

In the wake of the storm, neighbors rallied to clean up the mess and start getting back to normal.

Late the next night, storms raged through the area again, downing trees all over the county. In Nevada, high winds ripped the Vernon County Valor mural from the wall in the 100 block of South Cedar. Plans were later developed proposing placing the mural in Earp Park, where the Nevada Board of Parks and Recreation hopes to construct a new veterans' memorial.

The Vernon County Youth Fair Rodeo brought things back to normal the following weekend, with a big crowd and plenty of action.

Then came Walker Fun Days and the Relay for Life, but the relay was cut short by yet another visit from Mother Nature.

Friends, family and fellow Rotarians gathered Thursday, June 5, to honor Nevada resident Pat Chambers with the 2008 Nevada Rotary Club's Citizen of the Year Award.

Gas prices climbed to $3.85, and motorists everywhere were feeling the crunch.

On June 10, the YMCA broke ground on its long-awaited new pool facility to be completed this winter.

Mother nature wasn't finished with Vernon County; rain and minor flooding continued in mid-June.

Vernon County, along with several of the surrounding counties, experienced a rash of smash-and-grab burglaries through mid-June as well, according to Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman.

Nevada's water and sewer rates increased, raising the city's water rates for users who consume between 1,000 and 50,000 gallons per month from $5.82 to $5.99, or an increase of 17 cents per 1,000 gallons. The city estimated the change would increase average bills by about 28 cents per month. Sewer rates also increased, from $2.93 to $3.41, or 48 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used.

Sheldon was host to a battle of the bands, to raise funds for youth activities, and the First Baptist Church of Nevada was preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Bushwhacker Colgate Country Showdown winner Ginelle Esry, 13-year-old daughter of Gary and Nancy Esry, El Dorado Springs, said she enjoyed singing in competitions and that winning was an added bonus.

Habitat for Humanity's 10th home in the area was under construction, this time an Energy Star home.

Construction on the county's new jail began, having gotten off to a slow start due to drainage problems and lots of wet weather encountered earlier in the year.