Stoddard County, Missouri - County 911 Sales Tax Collection will begin October 1, 2016. The 3/16th of a percent sales tax to fund the Stoddard County 911 Services will begin while the fee levied on land-line telephones will be discontinued.
Carol Moreland, County 911 Administrator, has contacted all telephone companies to notify them that the fee on landlines was to stop on September 30th.
Stoddard County voters approved the sales tax by a 3,270 - 1,044 vote in April of 2016.
Due to a steep decline in landline usage, it was necessary to ask the public to change the sales tax. More than 80 percent of 911 calls were coming from cell phones users. There were 1,387 calls made to 911 in the month of August of those calls, 1,189 were made with cell phones with 857 for EMS services, 373 were for law enforcement and 15 were to report fires. Several efforts through both elections and the legislature were made to levy a fee on cell phone usage, but all have failed.
Moreland said that sales tax receipts will be directly deposited into the 911 Services account.
Based on the 2015 sales tax receipts to the county, it is hoped that more than $500,000 would be collected. The landline tax was generating only about $140,000 per year so the additional revenue would now allow for improvements in technology and to update necessary equipment for County 911 services.
One of the largest upgrades will hopefully come in 2017, a $200,000 system that will allow emergency dispatchers to pinpoint cell-phone callers.
SDR Mapping Company is already half way through the county collecting address points. By November they will receive wireless locations.
A new app is now implemented for Emergency Responders called Active 911. This will assist them in expedient emergency response.
"Thank you for saving 911," commented Carol Moreland on behalf of the Stoddard County 911 Services.
WILLOW SPRINGS - Route MM in Dunklin and Stoddard Counties will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
This section of road is located from Route J in Dunklin County to Route U in Stoddard County.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Sept. 26 through Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
Dexter, Missouri - More than 80 children and adults attended the Keller Public Library Story Hour on Tuesday, September 21, 2016. Visitors were treated to a quick lesson GERMS from Jeanie Huey, Stoddard County MU Extension Center Nutrition Program Associate.
Mrs. Huey read "Watch Out for Germs" before guests enjoyed the petting zoo outside made possible by Sam Huey of the Stoddard County Fair Board.
Children were able to pet a goat, a sheep, and two rabbits.
Keller Library Story Hour will be held again on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 10:15 a.m. with "Tooth Fairy Magic" by Dr. Nathan Seyer of Dexter.
This event is FREE and the public is encouraged to bring their little ones for fun!
Dexter, Missouri - The Stoddard County Nutrition Center aka Dexter Senior Center lunch menu for Monday, September 26th - Friday, September 30, 2016.
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.
Menu for this week!Monday, September 26, 2016 - BBQ Riblet, Chicken & Broccoli Casserole, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Whole Grain Bread, and Mixed Fruit.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Hash Browns, Biscuit & Gravy, and Cherry Delight.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 - Chicken and rice, Egg Rolls, Carrots, Broccoli Salad, Whole Grain Crackers, Pineapple.
Thursday, September 29, 2016 - Chef Salad with lettuce, ham, egg, cheese, veggies, Pimento Cheese, Whole Grain Bread, Angel Food Cake & Fruit Compote.
Friday, September 30, 2016 - Chicken Sandwich, Sloppy Joe, Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Coleslaw, Bun, Chocolate Pudding w/Oreo Topping.
Activities!
Monday - You Be the Judge 10:30 a.m. Tri-County Hospice, Bingo at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday - Sit and Motion, Singing at 10:30 a.m. and Bible Trivia at 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday - Activity Chair Bingo at 10:30 a.m.
Thursday - Toss n Talk at 10:30 a.m. and Music Special at 12:30 p.m.
Friday - Name 10 Teamplay at 10:30 a.m. and Bingo at 12:30 p.m.
Homebound Clients: Please give them a courtesy call at (573) 624-7234 by 9:00 a.m. to let them know if they do not need to deliver that day. it is very important that they know if you are in the hospital, changing residence or having a nursing home stay.
Stoddard County, Missouri - Are you registered to vote for the November 8th election? Be prepared to vote by registering before October 12, 2016.
If you are registered to vote is your name correct? Is your address correct? Notify the County Clerk's office of any name or address change by calling (573) 568-3339 or (573) 568-2174.
You can register to vote at the following:
1. Online at sos.mo.gov
2. The Office of the County Clerk located in Bloomfield, Missouri for Stoddard County residents
3. Any Department of Motor Vehicles office or state agency providing a service to the public (i.e. WIC or Social Services)
4. Your local City Office
"Now is the time to update or register for the November election," commented Joe Watson, Stoddard County Clerk.
