Missouri - The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to pay attention every time they are behind the wheel, but especially before and after school when children are walking, biking, or driving to school.
Many schools throughout the state have started their 2016-2017 school year. This brings a change in traffic patterns. It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths. School buses and parents taking their children to school will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination.
Afternoons can be especially dangerous. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) in 2015 occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Drivers need to be aware of the increased traffic during this time—not just in areas around school, but all around town.
Remember: Many of these drivers are inexperienced. It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22.
When you see a school bus, follow the law. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.
In 2015, one person was killed and 376 people were injured in school bus crashes. Missouri experienced 960 traffic crashes involving school buses last year. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Let’s help Missouri students return to school safely.
The only 100 percent survivable crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. “Don’t Violate The Trust.”
“We’re excited Devin has become Master Certified,” said Agency Manager Lisa Kirk. “He has made a commitment to help protect farmers and ranchers in our area with the highest levels of professionalism and service. Master certification tells our area farmers that he’ll keep investing in training to be sure he is positioned to help protect them now and into the future.”
The Master Farm Certified designation is also intended to help farmers and ranchers recognize agents who have made a continuing commitment to understanding the complex risks faced by the agriculture industry. Only agents who successfully complete the program will be awarded the designation, and agents must uphold education and service commitments to retain their Master Certification.
“Nationwide Agribusiness developed this multi-level certification program to provide additional education and resources to insurance agents who have made a commitment to protecting farms and ranches,” said Jerry Hillard, Farm Sales AVP, Nationwide Agribusiness. “We’re proud of the agents who complete the program and are excited about the level of service farmers and ranchers can expect from partnering with Master Farm Certified agents.”
Devin said, “I believe in what I do and I truly want to help better our farmers and ranchers. I'm super flexible so if the best time to talk to you is 8:00 in the evening at your kitchen table or a Sunday afternoon at your shop, you let me know and I'll make it happen. Tell me what I have to do to write your farm or ranch and I'll work my tail off to make it happen. I want to earn your business and be your agent. You can call or text me anytime at 573-421-5630 or email me at dbusby@bcddagency.com.”
Birch Tree, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Tom Martin of Birch Tree on being named Missouri’s State Logger of the Year for 2016! Martin was also named the regional logger of the year for the Ozark Region.
He has been a contract logger for Smith Flooring for almost a quarter century and has worked on private, state, and federal-land timber sales across the Ozarks. Martin works by himself, cutting, skidding and hauling timber.
Martin was nominated by MDC Resource Forester Gary Gognat, who says his work represents the top tier of loggers in Missouri. “There’s a trait common to all past logger award winners, and Martin has it,” said Gognat. “It’s that inherent desire to do the very best job in the woods that he can, each and every day.”
MDC Forest Products Program Supervisor Mike Morris added, “Tom represents exactly what we want from Missouri’s professional loggers. He recognizes the value of proper training, safety, and conservation of resources.”
In recognition of his award, Martin received a framed certificate from MDC and a STIHL chainsaw donated by long-time partner Crader Distributing of Marble Hill at the Missouri Forest Products Association summer meeting.
The Missouri Department of Conservation partners with Crader Distributing to give annual awards to loggers who have demonstrated outstanding performance and good working relationships with landowners and foresters. The loggers are recognized for minimizing damage to trees and natural resources and using best management techniques that preserve Missouri's forested lands for generations to come.
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Senior Center will have a Bake Sale beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19th. Lunch will also be served.
Lunch will be pepper steak, catfish, baked beans, fried okra, bread/hushpuppies, and coconut cake and a drink.
The Dexter Senior Center is located at 23 W. Stoddard St. in historic downtown Dexter. You don't have to be a senior to eat. They serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and the cost is $3.50 for seniors and $5.00 for non-seniors.
Dexter, Missouri - Missouri Delta Hospice in Dexter will be holding a Flood Relief Drive for those affected by the recent flooding in Louisiana.
You may drop-off non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and personal items at 1615 West Business Hwy 60 Suite A in Dexter. They are open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
The last day to donate before the truck heads to Louisiana is Thursday, August 25th at 4:00 p.m.
Staff from Missouri Delta Hospice will be taking donated items directly to victims.
"Members of our team have been personally affected and have had to evacuate their homes from the recent flooding," commented Melissa Pennington of Mo Delta Hospice.
Items that are needed are non-perishable foods such as canned goods, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, power bars, trail mix, baby formula, cereal, crackers, bottled drinks, and cookies,
Personal items can be paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic eating utensils, toothpaste, toothbrush, laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, and baby powder.
Cleaning supplies needed are bottles of bleach, hand wipes, Germ X, sponges, towels, rubber gloves, trash bags, and buckets.
Don't forget the pets as well. Dog food, cat food, leashes, and shampoo are needed as well.
