Bloomfield, Missouri - Our beloved old courthouse in downtown Bloomfield is preparing for a facelift.  The Stoddard County Commission held a Pre-Bid meeting for the Stoddard County Courthouse cupola project. Representatives from R.L.Persons Construction and Pyramid Roofing were present for the meeting.  The bid opening officially began on January 29th at 10:00 a.m. .

Dale Rogers, an architect, with Robert Stearnes and Associates led the meeting explaining what needed to be done and outlined specifications and requirements for the work.  

"Three contractors have requested paperwork on this project," Rogers stated.  "They are R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff, Sides Construction of Cape Girardeau, and Keifner Brothers of Cape Girardeau."

Stoddard County received a $70,000 grant from the Missouri Department of National Resources, State Historic Preservation Office.  They required the county to contribute $30,000 in county funds for the restoration as well.

Listed as primary work to be completed are:  

*  Structural repairs for the cupola framing and floors of the cupola and attic

*  New Louver header and spire support

*  Removal of wood louvers and replacement with new wood louvers

*  New sheet metal flashings and sealants

Rogers also explained that the bid would include three alternates, if and only if there was enough money available for these projects.  They are application of fluid applied roofing, the use of metal and PVC louvers, and painting flashing and counter flashing.

Rogers also distributed to the contractors present a list of requirements that must be met.  He noted that the control arms on the clock in the cupola will be removed prior to any work being performed.

The completion date for the Stoddard County Courthouse is May 31, 2016.

Present at the County Commission Pre-Bid Meeting were Carol Jarrell and Danny Talking.  Also present were Dale Rogers, Jeff Alford of R.L. Persons, and Lloyd Stoner and Ed Pike of Pyramid Roofing.

Doniphan, Missouri - An Endangered Person Advisory has been issued by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department for a missing 19-year-old woman.

Deputies state that Topanga S. Thompson, 19, was last seen around 2 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 at Rural Route 2 Box 7641, County Road K-1 in Doniphan, Mo.

She is 5'4", 166 pounds with brown hair, blonde highlights and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a Carhartt jacket, black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Deputies say Thompson reportedly suffers from depression and may be suicidal.

They say she left her home on foot and without personal belongings. They are unsure where she was going. They say she left after posting vague, concerning statements on her social media account.

Anyone who has seen Thompson, or has any information, is asked to call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. You may also call the Doniphan Police Department - Ripley County Sheriff's Department at 573-996-5555.

2015 ends with highest fatalities in five years - 

63 percent of fatalities were unbuckled

As of Dec. 31, 853 lives were reported lost in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes. Sixty-three percent of the drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seat belts.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the leading causes of fatal crashes continue to be speeding, driver inattention and impaired driving. A couple of new trends have emerged for 2015 including increases in improper lane use and substance-impaired driving. Those crash trends are showing a 100 percent increase in expressway intersection fatalities and an 82 percent increase in overturning vehicle fatalities when compared to 2014.

"Fifty percent of those not belted were also ejected from the vehicle," said Colonel Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries resulting from traffic crashes, so make sure everyone is properly restrained on every trip.

"Combined efforts in engineering, law enforcement, education, and emergency medical services aid in the reduction of roadway fatalities," says MoDOT Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. "With lower gas prices in 2015, we are seeing an increase in the amount of overall travel on Missouri's roads. Drivers need to take a proactive role by wearing their seat belt and focusing on their driving,"

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Stoddard County Commission voted on Monday, January 4, 2016 to continue with Missouri Rural Services (MRS) for 2016.  The insurance is provided through County Wide Insurance Agency and is for their property and liability insurance at a cost of $139,721.

County Wide Insurance had presented them with two bids back in November of 2015.  The first provider was Trident Insurance with a cost of $133,827.90 and the second provider was Missouri Rural Services. Trident would have a higher deductible and there were some differences in the coverage.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis asked Carol Jarrell and Danny Talkington if they wanted to look further into the two policies or take action on the proposals.  County Wide Insurance was the only company to provide a bid.

Talkington made the motion to accept the bid with Missouri Rural Services as it was better coverage.  Carol Jarrell seconded.  It passed with a 3-0 vote.

The next item on the agenda about a newspaper article on transportation from the St. Louis Post Dispatch.  It was about a bill filed in the Missouri State Legislature that would increase the fuel tax in the state by 1.5 cents per gallon.   The bill was filed by State Senator Rob Schaaf.  It would also turn all state roads that are marked by letters over to the counties for maintenance.  In Stoddard County that would be turning the maintenance of all lettered roads over to the townships.

Mathis said that more transportation funding is needed however a 1.5 cent increase in fuel tax would not be enough.  An increase should be more in line with 5 cents per gallon to address all the needs of the roads and bridges in the state.  He also went on to say that a fuel tax could be passed with a "sliding scale" so that it could be rolled back if fuel prices were to increase again.

"Legislation is spending a whole lot of time on right-to-work legislation to improve economic development, but that wouldn't help without adequate transportation funding," stated Mathis.  "If they can't get their product from point A to point B, there will be no economic growth."

Mathis also stated that expecting townships to maintain "lettered" highways in the county was absolutely ridiculous.  "I think we should send a letter to State Rep. Tila Hubrecht. and Senator Doug Libla asking them to oppose the bill by Schaaf."

"I am in agreement," Jarrell stated.  "I think we also need to talk with Richardson as well."  Jarrell then made a motion to send letters to all local legislators to oppose the bill by Schaaf.  Seconded by Talkington.  It passed by a 3-0 vote.

No other matters were brought forth during the meeting.  The next scheduled meeting is Monday, January 11, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in Bloomfield.

Photo credit to Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times Manager/Editor.   Shown in the photo are County Commissioners Greg Mathis, Carol Jarrell, and Danny Talkington.

Missouri Department of Conservation and MoDOT invite schools to fight litter through "No MOre Trash!" contest. Win School Funds While Having Fun Trashing Trash!!