Overheard

In August, Bass Pro Shops advertised and sold a handful of limited edition all-terrain vehicles that featured the Tracker nameplate. Springfield-based Tracker Marine Group, sister company to Bass Pro Shops, is known for producing seven brands of boats. Tracker spokesman Maurice Bowen had no comment on whether Tracker was planning to launch a line of ATVs. The advertised price for the limited edition Tracker ATV was $5,699.

OTC Goal: Cut Health Care Costs

Ozarks Technical Community College is attempting to control employee health care costs through a new on-campus clinic. Longtime Springfield-area doctor Jim Blaine began seeing patients last week at OTC’s Health and Wellness Center, where full-time employees and their dependents can receive free basic medical services, including physicals, Pap smears, prostate and skin examinations, immunizations, acute care and minor surgeries. Blaine also operates the on-site medical clinic at Paul Mueller Co.

Speak Up on Storage Containers

Springfield officials continue to seek comment from the public and local businesses about the use of on-site storage trailers and containers. Two of four meetings remain: Sept. 25, targeting large retail businesses and users, and Oct. 1, targeting manufacturing and industrial users. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. in the fourth-floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Ave. City staff is working with stakeholders to draft language for an ordinance. Springfield City Council last month tabled an ordinance that would require permits for all on-site storage trailers and would limit the number allowed. An administrative delay on the current ordinance was extended for 180 days.

Social Work Search

Missouri State University has begun a search for a full-time director of its School of Social Work, one of several changes the department has undergone since it received a negative evaluation earlier this year. Ads for a director are running, and applications will be considered starting Oct. 5. Officials expect to have a new person on board by July 1, when the school’s next fiscal year begins. This comes after two reports commissioned to evaluate the social work department recommended changes in a number of areas. MSU President Michael Nietzel requested the reports following the out-of-court settlement of a lawsuit filed against MSU by a social work student who alleged that she’d been discriminated against on the basis of religion.

Slice of Nice

Joplin-based Empire District Electric donated four computers to the International English Program classroom at Missouri Southern State University. The IEP, in conjunction with Joplin Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action, began work in August through a Phi Kappa Phi grant to enhance English instruction in NALA’s downtown Joplin location.