Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Police announced today they are joining with statewide law enforcement March 15-31 for an aggressive youth seat belt mobilization to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities. Only 70 percent of Missouri teens wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Eight out of ten teen vehicle drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.
Under the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law, teens are required to wear their seat belt as it’s a primary offense, meaning they can be pulled over solely for not wearing their seat belt. “Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up seat belt enforcement,” said Chief Stone. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can – and do – save lives.” Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Dexter, Missouri - "Bootheel Recycling is a Missouri scrap metal recycling company whose customer base includes regional utility companies, large manufacturing businesses, tool and die shops, local Dexter scrap dealers, haulers, farmers and individuals across Southeast Missouri and Arkansas."
"We comply vigilantly with the laws set forth by OSHA, EPA, federal and Missouri. Our scrap metal recycling policies are honest and transparent. Our scales are certified yearly and calibrated twice a year. We belong to the Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. We are OSHA 10 certified. We have the highest graded material in the industry."
"We buy most forms of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, scrap iron, radiators and catalytic converters. Please consult our Scrap Metal Selling Guide to find out more about how to sell scrap metal, and how to get the most money for your scrap metal. The best indication of our success is our loyal customer base. We are nice people with good business practices. We have a very high level of return business, and our new customers often come to us by way of referral."
"Our friendly customer service staff will ensure that your recycling experience is simple and hassle-free. Our modern and streamlined processing system allows us to offer competitive prices. Please contact us today if you would like to inquire about our services."
Check out their website by clicking HERE.
East and Westbound Route 60 in Stoddard County will be closed as contractor crews perform utility repairs.
This section of roadway is located from County Road 785 to County Road 789.
Weather permitting, work will take place Sunday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A detour route will be signed
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.
Stoddard County, Missouri - The National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have declared the week of March 5th - 11th, 2017 as Severe Weather Awareness Week for Missouri.
The goal is simple: SAVE LIVES!
Be prepared and everyone should have some basic knowledge of severe weather safety rules and an weather plan in place.
A good time for all Missouri citizens to practice their severe weather plans will be during the Annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
If there is actual severe weather, clouds, or rain the drill will be postponed to Thursday, March 9th. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the drill. Ask your employer if you can participate.
From 1950 - 2015 Stoddard County has had 36 reported tornadoes.
In 2016 there were 18 reported tornadoes in Missouri. the most active month was April followed by May.
Monday is Preparedness Day. Identify the severe weather hazards you face. Storms can produce tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain that can produce flash flooding. Set up your plan whether at home or in the workplace. Then practice your plan with drills and determine if they will work.
Tuesday is Tornado Safety Day. Know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.
Wednesday is Flash Flood Safety Day. Just six inches of swiftly flowing water can knock a person over and two feet of water will cause a vehicle to float. Each foot of water exerts 500 pounds of force. Remember TURN AROUND! DON'T DROWN!
Thursday is Severe Thunderstorm Day. thunderstorms are dangerous because they include lightning, high winds, heavy rain and possibly tornadoes. By definition, a thunderstorm is a rain shower that contains lightning. A severe thunderstorm is one that contains large hail, 1 inch in diameter or larger and/or damaging straight-line winds of 58 mph or greater. Rain cooled air descending from a severe thunderstorm can move at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
Friday is Communication/NOAA Weather Radio Day. The Wireless Emergency Alert System is now available in newer cell phones. There is nothing you need to download. It is built into the cell phone. The cellular carriers receive NWS warnings and if you are within the coverage area of a tower you will receive that warning.
Dexter, Missouri - The city of Dexter and surrounding areas were hit hard by a severe thunderstorm early Wednesday morning. Winds knocked out power, blew roofs off of a few buildings, and caused damage to trees, even a few trampolines didn't survive the storm!
"We are steadily cleaning up the city," commented City Administrator Mark Stidham. "We had 17 blocked streets and as of this morning we have only Catalpa and Walnut as the two remaining streets closed. Our guys have been working hard and AmerenUE sent in additional staff to help get power restored and trees off of power lines. There were at least 10 electric lines down and poles broken."
"Several out buildings were destroyed or damaged, Rainey-Mathis had a tree fall into their crematory, Dexter Collision had some major damage and the Masonic Lodge's roof blew off and landed in the parking lot of the United Methodist Church causing Walnut St. to be closed."
"There are also a few people on Grant St. without power this morning," continued Stidham. "We are working to get them restored. It just takes so much time to get things cleaned up, but we have done a good job handling so much storm damage."
If the citizens of Dexter can get their limbs and cut-up trees to the curb the city will pick up the storm debris.
"If the citizen can call the water department at 624-5527, they will come and get your debris; however it may be a day or two depending on the backlog. Just get it out to the street and we will get it," stated Stidham. "If we see several housed with debris piled up we will pick it up and no need to call. Clean-up is a longtime effort, but together we can get it done."
Stidham also said that in the past when there has been major storm damage and elderly or handicapped citizens have needed help with storm clean-up area volunteers, church, civic organizations have pitched in to help. If you are in need of assistance please call the city of Dexter at (573) 624-5959 and they will put you on a list. If you are an organization willing to offer your services also call and leave contact information. Together we can make a difference!
