Missouri Older Adults Transportation Services is planning to build new regional headquarters in St. Joseph that could open sometime in 2010.

OATS state executive director Linda Yeager said the structure will be in the Mitchell Woods Business Park. It will replace the agency’s current office complex in the Kmart Plaza on the North Belt Highway.

A preconstruction conference was held Friday in Kansas City with general contractor Lee Grover Construction Co. and architect/engineer TranSystems Corp. of Kansas City. The contract calls for a 379-day construction phase after a notice to proceed is approved, Ms. Yeager said.

“It’s going to be at least a year,” she said. “We’re excited.”

The project will be composed of 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent local cash, under the auspices of the Federal Transit Administration. The Missouri Department of Transportation will administer the construction. A formal groundbreaking is not planned, but an open house will be held after the facility is complete.

‘Spring Fling’ planned

The Holt County Historical Society is planning a “Spring Fling” May 30 on the school grounds at the north edge of Fortescue, Mo.

Activities will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through the day. Various living history areas will include old-time crafts.

Everyone will have the chance to dance the Virginia Reel, view a tepee and hear stories about Lewis and Clark in Holt County. All events are free, and visitors are urged to bring lawn chairs.

Anyone with crafting skills is invited to attend and offer their items for sale. Vintage autos or tractors are also welcome.

The historical society will have a food stand available all day. Vendors, except food stands, are welcome without charge.

Call any of the following for more information: Jill Asher, (660) 442-3610; Mike Girdner, (816) 487-2084; or Nancy Nauman, (660) 442-5724. Questions can also be e-mailed to Liz Burnsides, the society’s secretary, at lizb@embarqmail.com.

Editor’s Note: Region in Review will return in the Saturday, May 30, News-Press.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.