Missouri - It can be challenging to keep track of the various insurance policies Missourians have today. To help residents keep track of their policies and organize their insurance information, the Missouri Department of Insurance created the Mo2Go Wallet, a free application that stores insurance documents and information on the consumer’s smartphone.
“When disaster strikes it can be stressful and difficult to locate all of the appropriate documentation necessary to file a claim,” said Missouri DIFP Director John M. Huff. “This easy-to-use tool can assist Missourians in organizing insurance information and having the proper information on hand when it comes time to filing a claim.”
The department understands that when disaster strikes, policyholder’s may not always know where their insurance documents are located. There is always the potential of losing the information or it being destroyed in a disaster. The free, Mo2Go Wallet has a user-friendly interface that walks consumers through the process of saving pertinent insurance information onto their phones.
Missourians can snap photos of their insurance cards, save their insurance company’s and agent's contact information and store all of their insurance information in one place. They also have the ability to share their insurance information through text message and email. For example, parents can use the app to text insurance cards to their children who may be away at school. They can also email pertinent insurance information like insurance cards to their medical provider right from their phone.
The department does not store the consumer’s information nor do they have access to it; rather the information is stored directly onto the user’s phone. The app helps consumers organize their information by the four common types of insurance - auto, home, health and life insurance and is available for no cost to consumers.
Trying to locate documents in the midst of a crisis can be very stressful. The department encourages Missourians to download the free Mo2Go Wallet. The Mo2Go Wallet can be found in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Simply search for “Mo2Go” in the search section of the app stores. Individuals can also find links to download either version of the app at insurance.mo.gov/Mo2Go.
About the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration
The Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP) is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of financial industries and professionals. The department's seven divisions work to enforce state regulations both efficiently and effectively while encouraging a competitive environment for industries and professions to ensure consumers have access to quality products.
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Chairperson and President Norma McLane Smith recently announced the promotion of Chris Hyten to Vice President of Midwest Bancorporation, Inc. and its affiliate, Poplar Bluff Banc Company.
Hyten joined the affiliated group in 2011. He came to the company with several years of prior commercial banking experience.
Chris manages the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) department that provides small business loans to customers throughout the Southeast Missouri Region. Additionally, Chris supervises the Loan Review function of all First Midwest Banks assisted by Bryce Cohen and the group’s internal audit staff headed by Melissa Vail. Chris also manages the Asset Liability process for all three banks.
”Chris’ many talents assist the banks in offering quality services and benefits to our customers. We are very pleased to have Chris as a valuable member of our management team,” said Norma McLane Smith.
Chris graduated from the University of Missouri in 2007 with a degree in Economics and Business Management, and went on to earn an MBA from William Woods University. He graduated from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and is also a certified Community Bank Internal Auditor.
Chris and his wife, Kayli, make their home in Poplar Bluff and are both active in various church, civic, and community organizations. Kayli works at Baldwin Chevrolet in Poplar Bluff. Her parents are Roger and Jan Baldwin, both of Poplar Bluff. Chris’ parents, Lloyd and Tresia Hyten live in Dexter.
The subsidiary banks of Midwest Bancorporation, Inc. and Poplar Bluff Banc Company have consolidated assets in excess of $800 million with locations in Poplar Bluff, Puxico, Columbia, Dexter, Dudley, Sikeston, Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Piedmont, Van Buren, Greenville, and Williamsville. Midwest Bancorporation, Inc. is the parent holding company of First Midwest Bank of Dexter and First Midwest Bank of the Ozarks, while Poplar Bluff Banc Company is the parent holding company of First Midwest Bank of Poplar Bluff.
Photo and article by Maddie Guethle, First Midwest Bank
Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Steve Wengler of St. Louis became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River using a rod and reel.
The new “pole and line” record skipjack herring caught by Wengler on April 17 weighed 2-pounds, 5-ounces. It broke the previous state-record of 1-pound, 14-ounces. Wengler was using two 1/8-ounce white and chartreuse jigs to catch the skipjack herring. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Defiance.
“The skipjack put up a pretty good fight, but I got it in as fast as I could because I didn’t want to lose the nice fish,” he said. “Once I got it in, I had an idea that I had caught the state record, but wasn’t sure until I put it on the scale.”
Anglers often catch skipjack herring to use for bait. The fish is boney, lacking in flavor, and is seldom used as food. But it fights spectacularly when hooked and can provide considerable sport on light tackle. The oil present in its flesh is said by fishermen to attract catfish. Skipjacks can usually be found in swift water below dams and around the ends of wing dikes.
“2016 is shaping up to be a big year for state record fish in Missouri,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “We have already had nine new records so far, which is more than an entire year sometimes. The mild weather we have had so far this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.”
Wengler added that he intentionally tried catching a state-record skipjack herring.
“I’m really thrilled to have caught a fish like this,” he said. “I’m really glad I was able to get my name in the record books. My plan now is to get back on the water and go after many more records.”
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
James Lucas of O’Fallon recently snagged a state-record skipjack herring under the “alternative methods” category on the Mississippi River on April 8 that weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches.
Dexter, Missouri - Declaring Dexter's participation in the States May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown a major success, Dexter Police reported 1 fugitive was apprehended and 36 citations were made during the enforcement period, which ran from May 5-16, 2016.
“I am proud of our Officers for their hard work and dedication to making our region’s roadways safer,” said Lieutenant Benton. “Substance-Impaired driving is more than a reckless choice by a few individuals,” He said. “Each year, impaired driving cost the lives of thousands on America’s highways. “There were 178 people killed and 605 seriously injured in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driving involved fatality every two days” A substance-impaired driver less than 21 years of age was involved in 17 of the fatalities and 58 of the serious injuries.
During May 1 – 12, 2015, four (4) people were killed and eighteen (18) seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver (Alcohol and/or drugs). Dexter Police joined forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country in this year’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Dexter Police Department’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign a Success
Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Dan Schmitz of Jefferson City became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a river redhorse on Tavern Creek using a rod and reel.
The new “pole and line” record river redhorse caught by Schmitz on April 15 weighed 9-pounds, 13-ounces. It broke the previous state-record pole-and-line river redhorse of 9-pound, 10-ounces caught on the Osage River in 2006. Schmitz was using worms when he caught the fish. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Jefferson City.
“I fought the fish for about ten minutes before I got it to the bank,” said Schmitz. “I knew the fish was pretty big, but I didn’t know it was a state record until talking to MDC. I really can’t believe I caught a fish like this! I’m not a master angler. I’m just a hobby fisherman who loves to fish. I’m super excited to have the honor to be a state-record holder.”
River redhorse fish are a part of the sucker family. They are a moderately chubby, coarse-scaled fish with a dorsal fin containing 12 or 13 rays. These fish are can be found mostly throughout the Ozarks.
Schmitz’s fish also beats the current world record. While the river redhorse does get much larger, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) only recognizes fish taken by pole and line.
“Larger river redhorses are usually taken by gigging and do not qualify for the IGFA world record,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish and this new unique record clearly shows why. This fish could be the largest river redhorse ever taken with a pole and line.”
Schmitz added it’s hard to believe he may be a world-record holder.
“I just can’t believe it! One day I’m fishing for fun and the next I could be a world-record holder,” he said. “I’m still in disbelief.”
Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.
