Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Police Department ticketed 4 motorists for not wearing seat belts during the Nov. 25 Click It or Ticket mobilization. Law enforcement agencies throughout Missouri participated in this statewide effort to get more motorists to buckle up — and save more lives.
During the enforcement effort, officers issued a total of 4 traffic citations including 1 citation for driving while revoked/suspended, 1 for uninsured motorist and 3 other traffic citations.
Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in five Missouri motorists are still not making it click. Even more concerning, six out of ten Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.
“Seat belts are your single best defense in a crash,” stated LT Joshua Benton, Dexter PD. “We will continue to encourage drivers to make a simple, smart choice to buckle up and Arrive Alive.”
For more information on Missouri’s seat belt use, visit www.saveMOlives.com. Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.
Dexter, Missouri - On Tuesday, November 15th North Locust Street (from Holmes Drive north to the city limits) in Dexter, Missouri will be closed for street repairs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please take alternate route. Thank you!
Warm weather has subdued colors, but there are pockets of splendor to enjoy.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says fall is at last in full splendor in southeast Missouri. White oaks, including post oaks, are moving to their russet colored leaves as the green is disappearing. Red oaks, including pin oak, shumard oak, and northern red oak also exhibit spectacles of auburn. Hickories continue their move, transforming into gold and flaxen qualities.
Jennifer Behnken, MDC’s community forester for the southeast region, says the region’s fall color has been delayed and subdued as compared to other years, due to warmer than usual temperatures. That doesn’t mean there aren’t views to enjoy though. Behnken recommends several routes in southeast Missouri that offer beautiful autumn-painted vistas and country scenes.
“I suggest Highway 21, especially in the Ironton and Arcadia Valley area for some pretty scenes,” Behnken said, adding a recommendation for driving views along Highways 67, 32, 25, 21, 72, and 49.
“Places on the must see list include Buford Mountain Conservation Area, Hughes Mountain Natural Area, Johnson Shut Ins State Park, Taum Sauk State Park, and Elephant Rocks State Park,” Behnken said.
In these areas, various species of trees add different colors to the scene. Eastern hophornbeam tints the forest mid-story with creamy yellow shades. Sumacs, dogwoods, and sassafras add ruby and pomegranate grandeur to accompany the tones of blonde. Silver maple trees join the group, some exhibiting lemony colors while others are ablaze in cherry. Sugar maples complete the color wheel, decorating the landscape in brilliance and beauty.
Behnken added that she’s noticed persimmon trees across the region are loaded with fruits and the area’s had a good overall crop of walnuts, hickories and acorns.
“Watch your footing as you enjoy a stroll through the neighborhoods, parks and conservation areas,” she cautioned. “Acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts on the ground may require maneuvering adjustments to deter any accidental stumbles.”
Fall is a good time for actions other than enjoying the show, Behnken added.
“This is a great time for plantings,” she said. “I think fall planting is a bit better, since trees are entering dormancy and can focus growth on the roots instead of the leaves.”
But she cautioned fall planters to not forget to continue watering new plantings until the first frost sets in.
Dexter, Missouri - Do you like trains? Most everyone in Dexter and the surrounding area know all too well the train schedules in these parts, but have you ever seen a piece of train history even rare and unique to the locomotive industry?
This is one of Union Pacific's oldest serving locomotives and is the only steam locomotive never retired by the North American Class 1 Railroad.
In 1960 the train was saved from being scrapped to be used as a public excursion train.
"Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger."
Union Pacific says its 4-8-4 No. 844 steam locomotive will arrive in Bloomfield on Wednesday, October 19th around 2:30 p.m. on County Road 527 and stop at 15399 CR 527 for about an hour. It will then depart around 3:45 p.m. and stop in Dexter at the junction of County Road 708 and County Road 717 from 4:30 p.m. Wednesday until 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
The Class I railroad released a full October schedule for its famed Northern-type locomotive which shows the engine departing its Cheyenne, Wyo., base at 8 a.m. Oct. 13, and passing through North Platte, Neb., Oct. 14; Fairbury, Neb., Oct 15; and taking a day for display in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 16; before heading to Illinois. The locomotive and crew will cross the Mississippi River for brief visits to Chester, Gorham, and Wolf Lake, Ill., on Oct. 19, before returning to Missouri and heading through Arkansas on the way to Memphis.
"Hailed as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," the engine is widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excursion runs, especially over Union Pacific's fabled crossing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming."
To follow the Steam Locomotive's schedule click HERE.
North and Southbound Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County will be closed as contractor crews perform utility repairs.
This section will be between Exit 96 and Exit 99. Weather permitting, work will be completed on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Message boards and signs will be in place marking a detour route, using William Street, Mt. Auburn and Kingshighway. 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.
