Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer Troop E, Poplar Bluff, announces that Troop E will be participating in enforcement operations throughout the Labor Day weekend. The objective of these operations is to promote safety and reduce traffic crashes. Throughout the holiday weekend, troopers within Troop E and throughout the state will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop E will also participate in a statewide enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7. During this operation, Troop E troopers will be assigned to Interstate 55 to maximize visibility. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads within Troop E will be conducted during the same time frame.

Captain Ridens said, “Over the entire holiday weekend, troopers will be targeting all traffic violations and will be especially vigilant regarding excessive speed, careless and imprudent driving, and aggressive driving violations. Troopers will also be available to help motorists in need of assistance.”

Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!

Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 61 Labor Day weekend in search of bargains at the 61-Mile Yard Sale from Bloomsdale to Jackson, Mo., but MoDOT wants you to remember the greatest savings of the event could be a life.

"It's a fun weekend that people look forward to each year," says Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, "but we want people to remember that there's more traffic and more congestion along Route 61 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind."

MoDOT will do its part to bring the safety message to the forefront.  Message boards will be in place along the route to alert drivers of the unusual traffic patterns and promote safe driving.

"We really want drivers to be alert-to be aware of their surroundings, to be aware of sudden stops and to look for pedestrian traffic," Compas says.  "It's a big event locally, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and be as safe as possible."

All the fun begins Thursday, September 3rd morning through Saturday.

For more information, contact Compas at (573) 472-5310 or call MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Bright Futures Poplar Bluff celebrated its one-year anniversary with a breakfast symposium attended by an estimated 125 supporters on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Gamma HealthCare Conference Center. Speakers included original program affiliates from across Missouri as well as members of the national board.
 
Bright Futures Poplar Bluff is a non-profit organization run by school social workers that, through partnerships, helps to meet the basic physical needs of students so they can focus on academics. Symposium speaker Kim Vann, Bright Futures USA executive director, cited that the national organization currently has 39 affiliate communities in seven states serving 170,000 children. Poplar Bluff R-I is the first district in Southeast Missouri to implement the program model, which originated in Joplin in 2010.
 
According to a report co-coordinator Carrie Booker provided to the R-I school board on Thursday, Aug. 20, in less than one year Bright Futures Poplar Bluff has helped 17 families seek relief, providing items ranging from a water heater to a cap and gown. Between the overseeing advisory board and the site councils at the district’s individual schools, over 65 community partnerships have been forged with parents, faith-based organizations, businesses and human service agencies.

Following the symposium, Lori Amoss (left), who serves as a parent on the Eugene Field site council, visits with speaker Tracie Skaggs, the coordinator of Bright Futures Carl Junction, which was the first community to affiliate with the organization after it became incorporated.

Article and photo submitted by Tim Krakowiak, Communications/Marketing Coordinator, Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Dexter, Missouri - The City of Dexter will begin striping the turn lanes at Grant and One Mile (out by the Dexter Public Schools) on Wednesday, September 2nd at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The city workers will then move towards  One Mile Road and Hickory Hills Drive across from Burger King.

They encourage motorist to take alternate routes if possible.
 

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Police Department announced today they are joining with law enforcement September 13-19 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?

Lieutenant Benton 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.

Missouri's Child Restraint Law
(RSMo 307.179)

• Children less than 4 years old or less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.

For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

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