Dexter, Missouri - Police Chief Sammy Stone, commanding officer of the Dexter Police Department, announces the results of a DWI checkpoint conducted in Dexter Missouri, beginning at 10 p.m. on May 20th, 2016, and ending at 1230 a.m. on May 21st, 2016. During the operation,

Officers were assigned to conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Missouri State Highway 25 at the intersection of Business Highway 60 in Dexter MO. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Southeast Missouri DWI Task Force assisted in the sobriety check point.  In total, Officers made 2 arrests, 1 for possession of marijuana and 1 for driving while revoked/suspended 2nd or more, during the checkpoint. The results are as follows for other charges cited during the operation:

1--Child Restraint violation
3--Driving while suspended/no valid driver’s license
3--No operator's license
5--Uninsured motorists
3--Other Non-HMV Violations

A total of 360 vehicles were checked during the operation. Police Chief Sammy Stone said, "Making every attempt possible to remove intoxicated drivers from the roadways, is a top priority of the members of the Dexter Police Department.  We feel that this is a vital part of our commitment to the citizens of Dexter, to ensure their safe travels on our roadways as we continue to protect and serve the public. The members of the Dexter Police Department will continue to pursue this goal.”

The Dexter Police Department urges all citizens to report any vehicle they observe operating in a careless manner to their local authorities. The public can contact the Dexter Police Department at 573-624-5512.

Stoddard County, Missouri - Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 25 Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, 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 25 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.”

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).

For more information about the 100 Mile Yard Sale click HERE.

By the President of the United States of American

A Proclamation

United States of America - For generations, the brave women and men of our Nation's law enforcement have answered the call to serve and protect our communities.  Enduring long shifts in dangerous and unpredictable circumstances, our Nation's peace officers embody the courage and honor that represent the best of America.  On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we express our gratitude for the selfless public servants who wear the badge and put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe, and we pay respect for those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In moments of danger and desperation, the first people we turn to are law enforcement officers.  These often unsung heroes risk their lives and sacrifice precious time with loved ones so their fellow Americans can live in peace and security.  But more than that, they are leaders in their communities, serving as mentors, coaches, friends, and neighbors -- working tirelessly each day to ensure that the people they serve have the opportunities that should be afforded to all Americans.  In honor of all they do, we must give these dedicated professionals the support and appreciation they deserve.

My Administration continues to work to ensure police departments and other law enforcement agencies throughout our country have the resources required to hire, train, and retain officers, provide officers with modern and necessary equipment, and utilize technology to enhance their communication networks.  And our Federal law enforcement officers regularly partner with their State and local counterparts to address some of our Nation's most difficult problems.  We know that strong community bonds are essential for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively.  I established a Task Force on 21st Century Policing, bringing together law enforcement, academia, youth, civil rights, and community leaders to provide concrete recommendations to enhance public safety while building community trust.  Law enforcement officials care deeply about their communities, and together with our partners in law enforcement, we must work to build up our neighborhoods, prevent crime before it happens, and put opportunity within reach for all our people.

Because each fallen peace officer is one too many, I proudly signed the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act last year -- bipartisan legislation that establishes a national "Blue Alert" communications network to disseminate information about threats to officers.  The legislation seeks to ensure that appropriate steps can be taken as quickly as possible to provide for an officer's safety.  I also announced new, commonsense gun safety reforms to help keep guns out of the wrong hands and emphasized that the already dangerous job of an officer is far more dangerous than it should be because it remains too easy for criminals and people who are a danger to others or themselves to have access to guns.

 It takes a special kind of courage to be a peace officer.  Whether deputies or detectives, tribal police or forest service officers, beat cops or Federal agents, we hold up those who wear the badge as heroes.  Though they too often spend their days witnessing America at its worst, in their extraordinary examples, we see America at its best.  On this day and throughout this week, let us celebrate those who nobly serve each day -- and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice -- to move our world toward a more just and safe tomorrow.  May we carry forward their brave and selfless spirit as we keep working together to shape a future worthy of their commitment.

By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as "Police Week."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2016, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15 through May 21, 2016, as Police Week.  I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also call on the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.  I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
 
BARACK OBAMA

Missouri - AMBER ALERT!  A 9-year-old girl taken from school in Tennessee by an uncle with no custodial rights may be in Missouri. Around 3:00pm Tuesday, an Amber Alert was sent out alerting people around Otterville, MO.

Be on the lookout for this van, a white 2002 Dodge conversion van with TN license plate 173GPS or either of these two people. Gary Simpson, age 57 years old, abducted Carlie Trent, age 9 from Rogersville, TN.

They could be literally anywhere even in surrounding states like Missouri or Tennessee. They may possibly be camping in this vehicle. People in rural areas, farmland, state parks, isolated areas, etc need to be on special alert. Help find Carlie Trent and bring her home to her family safely.

There is a combined reward of $12,500 being offered for her safe return. Carlie's pediatrician put up $10,000 and the U.S. Marshals Service put in $2,500. Call the Rogersville Police Department at 1-276-272-7555, contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND with any information, or dial 911. Keep in mind he may have changed license plates or even vehicles by now.

Dexter Police Department’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign Joins National

Crackdown To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities 

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers. 

Dexter, Missouri - Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide

May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired

driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement Dexter, will run from May 5-16, 2016.

The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement,

high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive

campaign to curb substance–impaired driving during the enforcement period.

Dexter Police said its Officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.

Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a

wheel after consuming alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving

epidemic.

“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired

drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Lieutenant Benton. “In 2015, 178 people were killed and 605

seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired

driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every (2) two

days.

Lieutenant Benton added the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Youth Alcohol

Enforcement Campaign May 1-12, 2015, four (4) people were killed and eighteen (18) seriously injured

involving at least one substance-impaired driver that was under 21 years of age.

Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign

reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide

effort, we will make [Local Area]’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Lieutenant Benton.

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately,

not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs

your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about

your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No

warnings. No excuses,” Lieutenant Benton said.

Lieutenant Benton noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide

range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their

driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court

costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends and co-workers find

out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out

in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Lieutenant Benton.

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at

www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov , or www.saveMOlives.com .