Jefferson City, Missouri - Hunters checked 594 deer during the urban portion of Missouri’s firearms deer season. Officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation attribute the lower-than-average harvest in part to warm, rainy, windy weather.

County harvest totals during the urban portion were: Greene, 122; St. Charles, 88; Boone, 84; Franklin, 55; Jefferson, 54; St. Louis, 47; Cole, 40; Clay, 36; Cass, 33; Jackson, 24; Platte, 11.

Hunters are only allowed to shoot antlerless deer during the urban portion. This focus on harvesting female deer is designed to control deer numbers in urban and suburban areas, where hunting pressure is lighter and the potential for deer-vehicle accidents and property damage is greater.

This year’s harvest was below average for the urban portion, which became part of the firearms deer season in 2003.  Over the past 11 years, the urban portion harvest averaged 961 deer. However, the harvest has been between 500 and 700 deer in four of the past six years.

Warm temperatures have been associated with lower urban portion harvests in the past. Temperature does not appear to have been a factor this year, since daytime highs ranged from the mid-50s to high 60s. Conservation Department Resource Scientist Jason Sumners says gusty wind and rain during the four-day hunt likely played a role in holding down this year’s urban harvest.

“No one likes to hunt in the rain, and windy weather makes it harder to detect deer movement,” says Sumners. “Considering the widespread rains we had during the urban hunt, this harvest is pretty good.”

Sumners said expanded archery hunting opportunities in many of Missouri’s urban communities, plus the hemorrhagic disease outbreak in 2012, have helped reduce deer numbers in some urban areas, and likely played a role in keeping the urban-portion harvest down.

Missouri’s firearms deer season consists of six portions, totaling 42 days. The remaining portions of Missouri’s firearms deer season are: early youth (Nov. 1-2), November (Nov. 15-25), antlerless (Nov. 26-Dec. 7), alternative methods (Dec. 20-30), and late youth (Jan. 3-4).

For more information about Missouri’s 2014-15 deer harvest, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/2613.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - What little girl wouldn't want to be a princess for a day, especially with her Daddy?  No matter her age, dads can bring their daughters to the annual Father Daughter Ball set for Saturday evening in Poplar Bluff.

Hosted by the Poplar Bluff Masonic Lodge 209 AF & AM this year's event will be spectacular. 

"It's an event for fathers to spend more time with their daughters and their daughters are princesses for the day.  Each young lady will receive a tiara and t-shirt along with a special pumpkin carriage ride around the Aad Gratto," state Terry Yarbrough, one of the Youth Advisors for the Masonic Lodge.  A professional photographer will also be on hand taking photos.

"Last year was our first attempt at a Father Daughter Ball and we had an overwhelming response with 110 tickets sold.  This year's event we are practically sold out with 256 tickets available," continued Yarbrough.  "Our hopes are for next year to open it to other communities and fill a larger venue.  It's a fundraiser for our youth, but the real priority and most importantly of all it's for the daughters to have a very special evening with their fathers."

"Mama-razzi" will be posted out front in a special roped off section taking pictures of their handsome men and their lovely daughters as they walk the red carpet under a posted sword archway to an evening of glitz and glamor!   Steak and chicken dinner will be served along with baked potato, salad, drinks and desserts.  Music by Atom Entertainment with David Williams rocking the night away!

"Last year we had several military dads with daughters of all ages," stated Yarbrough.  "We had girls from 2 - 42 dancing with their dads and having a wonderful time.  It makes for  a special moment that they get to spend with their dads."

This year two lucky fathers and their daughters received a Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage ride from the Masonic Lodge to the Aad Gratto building. A drawing was held and the winners were Tate & Bailey Tayler along with their dad Travis and Trinity & Tangent Tuggle along with their dad Trampus.  Congratulations ladies you have the honor of riding with your dads to the Ball in a real Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage.

The 2nd Annual Father Daughter Ball will be Saturday, October 18th from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Three Rivers Shrine Club, 3102 Kennedy Lane.  All proceeds from the Ball will go to Masonic Youth Organizations of Poplar Bluff, the Shriners Hospital Transportation Fund and UCAN.  Divisions of the Youth Oranizations are the Divine Chapter Order of DeMolay, Poplar Bluff No. 115 International Order of Rainbow Girls ages 11-21, and Squires of the Round Table.

“There is such a need for girls to spend quality time with their fathers, and giving back to the community is so important to these youth groups,” stated Earnie Wilson, Secretary of the Poplar Bluff Masonic Lodge.

The evening of dining and dancing, with dads in tuxedos and daughters in gowns and tiaras, will provide a lifetime of memories to be cherished by all in attendance.

Jefferson City, Missouri - Recent heavy rains are hampering farmers' efforts to harvest a bumper grain crop. As muddy fields dry, Missourians must race to draw grain from the fields and get it to market.

At the request of Richard Fordyce, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced that Missouri grain haulers will be allowed to haul corn, soybeans and other grain crops at heavier than normal weights.

Private and for-hire motor carriers may carry up to 10 percent more than their licensed weight; however, the heavier loads are not allowed to use interstate highways.

Overweight permits are not required for these slightly overweight loads. All other traffic and motor carrier regulations that normally apply remain in place. This waiver is in effect immediately through midnight, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. While the waiver is in effect, participating motor carriers are limited to:

A loaded, gross weight no greater than ten percent (10%) above the gross licensed weight of the commercial motor vehicle

Transportation only within the State of Missouri

Drivers must obey all posted bridge weight limits

When crossing a bridge, the driver must restrict the vehicle speed to no more than thirty miles per hour (30 mph) and must center the truck between two lanes of the bridge.

The truck driver must yield to oncoming traffic, and travel on highways other than Missouri interstate highways.

No overweight travel is allowed on Missouri interstate highways.

All travelers are advised to visit the MoDOT Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org for up-to-date road closure information. For more information, call MoDOT Motor Carrier Services at 1-800-877-8499 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time.

Each year on October 16th, employees across the United States show appreciation and thankfulness to their boss’s for being kind and fair throughout the year by celebrating National Boss’s Day!

National Boss’s Day, also known as National Boss Day or Bosses Day is a secular holiday that began in 1958.  Patricia Bays Haroski was working as a secretary for State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois when she registered “National Boss’ Day” with the United States Chamber of Commerce.

  October 16 was chosen as it was her father’s birthday.   Patricia was working for her father at that time, therefore making her father, her boss.

It was four years later, in 1962, that Illinois Governor, Otto Kerner, backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed Boss’ day.

In 1979, Hallmark Cards introduced Boss’ Day cards to their inventory.

Happy Boss’s Day to all of the bosses out there!

 

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

By order of the President of the United States, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the United States flag at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, Sunday, October 12, 2014 from sunrise to sunset in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Fires can take lives, devastate communities, and destroy our homes and businesses. They pose a threat to Americans across our Nation, and they cost us billions of dollars each year. As we mark Fire Prevention Week, we emphasize the importance of taking steps to prevent fires, and we recognize the selflessness of those who answer the call to fight these blazes, placing themselves in danger to help others.

All Americans can protect themselves by taking precautions to guard against fires. This week's theme, "Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month," reminds us of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in the places we live and work. Powerful and unpredictable, fire spreads rapidly and widely. That is why I encourage every American to develop and practice fire evacuation plans that will allow for swift exits from regularly visited places. It is our responsibility to teach our children about fire prevention and do everything we can to protect our loved ones during these emergencies. To learn more about fire safety, visit www.Ready.gov.

This year, our Nation has suffered tragic losses as wildfires ravage States across our country. As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity in a changing climate, fire prevention and planning only become more urgent. My Administration continues to take action to increase our Nation's preparedness and resiliency, and every person can do his or her part. Americans who live near woodlands should clear flammable vegetation away from homes and buildings, and everyone can be ready by making an emergency kit and discussing evacuation routes and emergency plans with their families.

We owe a great debt to our brave first responders and firefighters who run toward the scene of a disaster to fight fires. They are heroes who demonstrate courage, determination, and professionalism every day as they battle flames and smoke and teach their neighbors how to protect themselves. During Fire Prevention Week, we recognize our duty to be vigilant and take action to avert fires, and we remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives so others might live.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim October 5 through October 11, 2014, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 12, 2014, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA