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Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces a Discover Nature Youth Dove Wingshooting Clinic and Hunt in Cape Girardeau county Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.  On Saturday, Aug. 30, MDC will lead a wing shooting clinic at Apple Creek Conservation Area Shooting Range to prepare youth for a hunt at Maintz Wildlife Preserve on the opening morning of dove season, Monday, Sept. 1.

“This is a unique chance for youth to learn dove hunting techniques and the skill of wing shooting before putting their skills to the test on the first day of the season,” said Dee Dee Dockins, Outdoor Skills Specialist.

This free clinic is offered to the first 20 applicants that meet requirements, so pre-registration is required. To register, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730. A $25 refundable deposit holds reservations for the clinic and will be refunded at the conclusion of the dove hunt. To be accepted, applicants must be 11 to 15 years old and hunter education certified by Sept. 1.  Participants must attend both sessions. An adult sponsor with a valid hunting permit and migratory bird permit must accompany each participant during both the clinic portion and the hunt.

Participants are not required to have a shotgun but should bring a shotgun that fits them comfortably and bring choke tubes if they have them. Participants must also have camouflage clothing, including a hat, a dove hunting bag or vest and a stool. Ammunition, water and eye/ear protection will be provided.

“Dove hunting is a wonderful family activity that gets the children unplugged,” said Matt Bowyer, Wildlife Regional Supervisor. “It’s a foundational tool in helping the next generation to discover nature, which leads to an understanding of the value of our forests and wildlife.”

Dove season begins Sept. 1 and lasts until Nov. 9 with a bag limit of 15 and possession limit of 45.

For complete regulations on Missouri’s dove season, check out the Migratory Bird Digest at mdc.mo.gov.

Stoddard County, Missouri - Route CC in Stoddard County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.

This section of roadway is located from Route HH to Route 114.

Weather permitting, work will take place Thursday, Aug. 21 through Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Police Department has issues a news release:  Crack Down on Child Restraint Violations!

For More Information Contact: Sergeant J.T. Benton 914, 573-624-5512

Dexter Police Department Will Crack Down on Child Restraint Violations

Missouri Law Requires Children under Eight to Be Buckled Up

Dexter – Missouri law requires all children under the age of eight to be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 lbs or 4’9” tall.

Dexter Police Department announced today they are joining with law enforcement

September 14-20 for an aggressive Child Passenger Safety Week Law Enforcement

Campaign to crack down on Missouri’s child safety seat law violators and to reduce highway fatalities and injuries to children.

Car crashes are the number one killer of kids. Nearly 73 percent of all child restraints are not used correctly. Is your child safe?

Chief Sammy Stone said regular child safety seat and safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

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Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner, Greg Mathis, shown talking with Doug Siler of the Duck Creek Township Board and Bill Robison, representing S. H. Smith & Company of Poplar Bluff, prior to the Commission's, Monday meeting.

The commission was meeting with the board members of Stoddard Counties Township and Special road districts, to explain the recent purchase of $650,000 of soft-match money to be used for the replacement of deficient bridges in Stoddard County.

Stoddard County recently traded with Greene County, $350,000 in cash for $650,000 in soft match credit, which is used for Stoddard Counties 20% match in qualified bridge replacement projects. The remaining 80% is funded thru the Federal BRO-Bridge fund, of which Stoddard County has 1.8 million dollars ready to be used.

Stoddard County currently has four bridge projects underway and are hoping to program an additional six in the very near future. According to Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis, there is not another county in the state of Missouri that has more than two bridge projects underway.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Missouri - The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that schools throughout the state are starting their 2014-2015 school year.

Young people will be walking, biking, and driving to school. It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths. Traffic patterns will change as school buses and parents taking their children to school join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination.

Afternoons can be especially dangerous. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) in 2013 occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Drivers need to be aware of the increased traffic during this time—not just in areas around school, but all around town.

Remember: Many of these drivers are inexperienced. It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22.

Missouri law also states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, be alert. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.

In 2013, two people were killed and 150 people were injured in school bus crashes. Missouri experienced 945 traffic crashes involving school buses last year. It’s important for drivers to pay attention, especially in areas where schoolchildren are traveling to and from Missouri's schools. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus or walking to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Let’s help Missouri students return to school safely.