JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 8, 2025 – Justin Bensley, an archeologist with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Missouri State Parks, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for December 2024. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts while reviewing cultural resource impacts related to projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

In January 2024, Bensley’s section learned of approximately 20 American Rescue Plan Act projects that needed to be reviewed for cultural resource impacts. Most of the projects were for water and wastewater improvements, so each one also need an architectural survey. All of the projects had to be reviewed and any issues resolved so they could go out for bid by the end of the fiscal year, which was June 30, 2024.

“Justin turned out to be a miracle worker,” said Kim Dillon, a natural resources manager who nominated Bensley for the award. “His work resulted in most of the projects being reviewed, modified and approved just before the end of the fiscal year.”

Due to a vacancy, Bensley was the only staff archeologist at the time, so he was tasked with evaluating each of these projects on his own or with archeological contractors on the larger jobs. In addition, he had to consult with the Osage Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office on the projects, which was a new process. Completing the reviews required Bensley to coordinate between each facility, archeological contractors, planners and the Missouri Office of Administration while also holding many meetings, making countless phone calls and preparing numerous documents.

“I honestly don’t know how he did it, but we are so thankful that he did,” said Dillon.

Bensley joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021 and resides in Columbia.

LICKING, Mo. (KY3) – The South Central Correctional Center in Licking has new leadership.

The Department of Corrections replaced Michelle Buckner. A spokeswoman for the prison system shared a response to KY3.

Michele Buckner is no longer employed with the department, effective today. Michael Shewmaker is serving as acting warden at South Central Correctional Center. Personnel matters and investigations are confidential, so I can’t go into further detail.

In 2024, 19 prisoners died at the prison.

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