Throughout most of the year, Missouri’s black bear population is nearly invisible. Naturally fearful of humans, they prefer to mind their own business, foraging for natural foods in fields and forests. But summer can be a lean time for bears. They lose most of their fat reserves during the winter and have to subsist on vegetation, insects, and other less substantial fare until blackberries ripen in midsummer. Even then, they are constantly looking for food. If they find an unsecured garbage can, a bowl of pet food left outdoors, or even a hummingbird feeder full of sugar water, their stomachs sometimes overcome their shyness. That can get them into trouble.
“Bears are wonderful animals,” says Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer, “and they generally are harmless. But things can end badly for bears that get in the habit of foraging for food near people. Harassment and other aversive conditioning often convinces a bear to stay away from people. But sometimes they keep going back where they don’t belong and have to be destroyed.”
The great majority of Missouri’s black bears live south of I-44. Most are found between Poplar Bluff and Springfield. People who live in this area should consider not feeding birds and other wildlife from April through September, especially in rural areas. Later in the fall, bears are busy feeding on their dietary mainstay, acorns. Bears are much less active from December through March, when supplemental feeding is more important for birds.
Beringer also recommends keeping pet food and livestock feed inside secure outbuildings. The same is true for barbecue grills and other items that smell like food. Trash should be put out as close to pickup time as possible to minimize exposure to hungry bears, and feeders that dispense corn or other feed for wildlife should not be used during the summer.
Beringer said campers and floaters in south-central Missouri also need to be bear aware. It is a good idea to keep food locked inside vehicles with the windows closed when it is not being used. Floaters should keep food in bear-proof containers or hang it from ropes between trees at night or when it is left unattended.
To learn more about black bears, including preventing and dealing with black bears around potential food sources, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/973. If you have problems with a nuisance bear, contact the nearest MDC office or conservation agent.
News Release
Missouri - Missourians are preparing to celebrate the last holiday of summer, Labor Day. Typically, this weekend sees heavy volumes on Missouri's roads as many people will be taking one last summer trip.
It's important to remember the end of summer doesn't mean the end of construction season. The Missouri Department of Transportation continues to have work zones around the state making improvements and repairs to the transportation system. The majority of construction work zones will not be in place from noon Friday, August 29 until mid-morning Tuesday, September 2. However, some work zones have lanes closed all the time that are unable to be reopened for the holiday weekend.
Driver behavior is the key to safe driving in work zones and on busy highways.
• Wear your seatbelt. During the Labor Day holiday in 2013, there were eight fatalities in crashes on Missouri roadways and two of those killed were not wearing a seatbelt.
• Don't Text and Drive. Distracted driving is a top cause of crashes. Put down your phone and focus on your driving.
• Don't tailgate. Keep a safe distance. Remember to leave at least two seconds of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Slow Down for Work Zones. Lanes may be reduced or shifted. By slowing down you will be more prepared to adjust to the changing conditions and potential delays from reduced lanes.
Before you head out this holiday weekend, visit MoDOT's traveler information map at http://www.modot.org/ to get the latest information on current projects that may affect your travel plans. The map also provides real-time information regarding incidents on major roads that include lane closures. The MoDOT traveler information map can also be downloaded as an app to your phone. MoDOT's 24/7 customer service is also available to provide information on road conditions at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).
NEWS RELEASE
08/29/2014
REFERENCE: PROBABLE PHONE SCAM
Earlier on today's date, Dexter Police received a call from a complainant who received a call from a male subject who represented themselves as an employee (technician) from DirectTV. The caller advised that there was trouble with the complainants DirectTV connection.
The "technician" advised the complainant that he needed to access the internet at the residence in order to "test the signal" of her DirectTV and began giving instructions on how to use her computer to give the "technician" access. The complainant did not allow this access and terminated the phone call.
After this call, the complainant contacted DirectTV and was advised that no service calls had been made to the residence by a legitimate representative of DirectTV.
These types of scam phone calls sometimes even show a legitimate name of the business on your Caller ID. This scam usually continues by the "technician" running a "scan" or a "line test" and claim that "the line is bad" and that it will cost you a small fee to repair the line. After taking your credit or debit card information, the fee turns out to be a large amount of money, if not the entire balance of your account.
The Dexter Police Department would like to remind everyone to be cautious in giving out personal information and any financial information if you receive these types of calls.
Submitted Article to
news@showmetimes.com
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The main and River Campuses of Southeast Missouri State University are closing immediately due to a City of Cape Girardeau water main break that feeds the main campus. Residence hall students are encouraged to return to campus on Monday, September 1st, and offices will open and classes will resume at 8 a.m., Tuesday, September 2, 2014.
Residence halls will be open for those students who need to remain on campus, but dining facilities will be available only in the Towers cafeteria, Rowdy’s, and at the River Campus.
The football game on Thursday, August 28th, against Missouri Baptist College will proceed with the 6 p.m. kick-off, and the women’s soccer match scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Friday, August 29th, will be played as scheduled.
The Student Recreation Centers and the Show Me Center will observe normal working hours, and the Towers open computer lab will be available for student use.
The deadline to add a full-semester class has been extended to Wednesday, September 3, 2014. The deadline for dropping a first eight-week class or full semester class with 100 percent refund has been extended to Wednesday, September 3, 2014.
This closing does not affect the University’s regional campuses or the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education located at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.
Excelsior Springs, Missouri - An Amber Alert has been issued for a 3-year-old Missouri girl.
According to amberalert.com, authorities are searching for a female who took 3-year-old Ramy Angeline Demboski.
Ramy was abducted around 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday from Persimmon Drive in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
Ramy is described a white, 25 pounds and 3 foot tall. She has blond hair and blue eyes.
She was wearing a white t-shirt and yellow pajama shorts with pink fish on them.
The suspect was driving a gray or blue Dodge Challenger or Charger with Nebraska plates.
If you see Ramy or the woman who took her call 911 or the Excelsior Springs PD at 816-630-2000.
