Overheard

Paul Mueller Co. plans to purchase the outstanding shares of its European licensee that manufactures Mueller-designed dairy farm milk coolers. Springfield-based Mueller has signed a letter of intent with Rollbas BV to acquire Paltrok Beheer BV, which Rollbas wholly owns. Paltrok’s manufacturing facility is in Lichtenvoorde, The Netherlands. The transaction is contingent on a definitive share purchase agreement and approval from certain authorities, including the Mueller board of directors.

Small-business Explosion

An explosion last week that destroyed Safari Off-Road’s building in Nixa was found to be accidental, according to the Nixa Fire Protection District. The small business, 422 S. Patricia Ave., modifies vehicles for off-road and recreational use. The district said the explosion was caused by vapors from a used motor oil furnace, which occupants were trying to light to heat the building. Afterward, the district issued this warning: “The Nixa Fire Protection District reminds citizens that alternative heating devices should be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer requirements. Maintenance of auxiliary heating devices should be performed by experienced and trained professionals.” No fatalities were reported.

Condition of Nursing Wages

Registered nurses in Missouri earned an average hourly wage of $25.55 in May 2006, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, meanwhile, averaged $15.69 per hour. Missouri’s nursing wages fell short of nationwide averages of $28.71 for registered nurses and $18.05 for licensed nurses. The statistics are a result of an occupational employment survey conducted by the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data was not available for the Springfield metropolitan area’s registered nursing employment, but licensed nurses in Springfield numbered 1,300 in May 2006, earning $14.07 an hour on average. Registered nurses were among the most prevalent occupations in Missouri in May 2006, with 55,470 workers representing 2.1 percent of the state’s work force, according to the survey.

County Job Take 2

Greene County is accepting a second round of applications for its new county administrator position. The county already interviewed finalists for the job, but none were “the right fit,” said Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod. The job opening has been reposted, and applications will be accepted through Feb. 25. The county administrator job – with an annual starting salary range of $88,670 to $96,907 – is responsible for planning, directing and supervising functions. An application and full job description is available at www.greenecountymo.org under “Employment” and at the county Human Resources Department, 933 N. Robberson Ave.

Slice of Nice

St. John’s Health System Bike Team announced that it raised more than $100,000 to fight multiple sclerosis, making the group the top fundraising team during September’s MS 150. More than $500,000 was raised to benefit the local chapter of the MS Society. Of the St. John’s bike team’s 92 members, 82 rode in the race.