| Flooded Roads in Southeast Missouri |
| Update April 30 at 7:30 a.m. |
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SIKESTON – The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed several state routes in Southeast Missouri due to the recent flooding. In addition, motorists are encouraged to watch for flash flooding. This could cause water to quickly rise in areas that were previously safe. MoDOT crews will continually monitor state routes, but motorists are also urged to stop and turn around if they discover a roadway has high water. Routes that are closed include: Bollinger County:
Butler County:
Cape Girardeau County:
Carter County:
Douglas County:
Howell County:
Iron County:
Madison County:
Oregon County:
Ozark County:
Perry County:
Reynolds County:
Ripley County:
Shannon County:
St. Francois County:
Ste. Genevieve County:
Stoddard County:
Texas County:
Wayne County:
Wright County:
Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution and plan alternate routes. MoDOT also offers the following driving tips that can help avoid delays and unsafe conditions during rainy weather:
For more information, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) |
Dexter, Missouri - On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Dexter Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the police station at 305 Cooper Street. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or call the Dexter Police Department at 624-5512.
The Dexter Police Department is located at 305 Cooper Street.
Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Police Department is sponsoring a "Prescription Drug Take Back Event" in conjunction with the Bernie Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Rural Water Association on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
You can bring your unused or unwanted prescription medication to the Walgreens Parking Lot located at 116 S. Walnut St on Hwy 25 in Bernie.
"Let's all do our part in properly disposing of these drugs. Proper disposal of these medications will prevent possible misuse and will also keep them from harming the environment in which we live," stated Justin Allen, Chief of Police, Bernie Police Department.
To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities
‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers.
Dexter, Missouri - Local and state law enforcement will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide May/Youth Alcohol Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from May 4-15, 2017.
The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance–impaired driving during the enforcement period.
Dexter Police said its Officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.
Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or other illegal drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.
“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Chief Sammy Stone. “In 2016, 196 people were killed and 652 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every (2) two days.
Chief Stone added the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Youth Alcohol Enforcement Campaign May 5 - 16, 2016, 10 people were seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver that was under 21 years of age.
Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make [Local Area]’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Chief Stone.
“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Chief Stone said.
Chief Stone noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of their job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.
“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Chief Stone.
Stoddard County, Missouri - The Stoddard County Sheriff's Department put out an alert warning people of a possible SCAM in the area. According to the Sheriff's office they have received several calls this week from local residents who received phone calls from Publishers Clearing House.
Remember not to give out any personal information when receiving any phone call.
Other residents have also received phone calls from a credit card company wanting to lower your interest rate on your credit card. They need to verify information such as a bank account number or the last four digits of your social security number.
These potential scams can be damaging to your credit as they may use your personal information to set up accounts, credit cards, or use to steal your identity.
