Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine!

Missouri law enforcement officials have announced they will conduct a speed enforcement blitz throughout the state from July 21-July 23, 2017. "Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine" is an intensified effort to crack down on speeding. Similar crackdown efforts are occurring across the region in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Up and down the highways and roadways of these states in the country's midsection, officers will be ticketing anyone exceeding the speed limit. 

 "Speeding translates to death on our roadways. It greatly reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object - or an unexpected curve. Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk. All drivers need to be on alert - the posted speed limit is the law. When it comes to speeding, no more warnings and no more excuses - Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine," said Susan DeCourcy, Regional Administrator NHTSA Region 7. 

National and Statewide speeding deaths

In 2015, speeding was a contributing factor in 27 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S. and more than 9,500 lives were lost in such crashes, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

In Missouri during 2015, there were 869 total traffic fatalities with 310 of them (36 percent) speeding related. 

"During the "Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine" blitz in Missouri, officers will intensify enforcement of posted speed limits in Missouri. We'll stop and ticket anyone caught speeding - especially on Interstates 70, 44, 55, 35, where most of our speed-related crashes occur," said Colonel Sandra Karsten of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Missouri -  You will have to move over for utility trucks with flashing lights beginning August 28, 2017.  The "move over" legislation is Senate Bill 222.

Under legislation signed into law by Gov. Eric Greitens Thursday, drivers approaching a utility vehicle with flashing lights, such as an electric company repair truck, must vacate the lane closest to the vehicle if it is possible, or slow to a safe speed.

The measure, which goes into effect on August 28th, adds utility vehicles to a list of other emergency vehicles, including police, fire, towing and recovery vehicles, where motorists are required to move over in order to give emergency and law enforcement workers space to do their jobs.

Missouri - The Japanese beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) are two invasive insects that are wreaking havoc on Missouri's plants and trees. To the untrained eye, these two pests may look similar to one another. However, there are a few easy ways to figure out which green pest is plaguing your yard.

"It's easy to tell these two beetle species apart, even though both are metallic green in color and about a half-inch long," said MDC Forest Entomologist Robbie Doerhoff. "EAB is slender and bullet shaped, while Japanese beetles are much wider and have copper-colored wing covers."

Japanese beetles were first discovered in North America in 1916, likely imported from Asia in potted plants. Japanese beetles can now be found through much of Missouri, with high populations in some areas.

Japanese beetles are leaf "skeletonizers," feeding on the upper surface of leaves and leaving behind a lacy network of leaf veins. They can feed upon more than 300 different types of plants and are frequently seen on grape vines, rose bushes, and elm, linden, sassafras, and fruit trees.  In Missouri, these pests are usually present in June and July.

"Japanese beetles can defoliate an entire tree in just a few days. Good tree care, such as proper mulching and watering during dry spells, becomes very important in helping reduce stress to damaged trees," said Doerhoff.

For light infestations of Japanese beetles on shrubs and small trees, Doerhoff recommends hand-picking beetles and putting them in soapy water. While several insecticides are available to control these pests, caution is in order.

"If you decide to use insecticides, select a product labeled for Japanese beetles and the plant type you want to protect. To avoid killing beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, don't apply insecticides to blooming plants," she said.

Circle G located on Market Street behind Busy B has Japanese Beetle Traps for just a few dollars and rumor is they work GREAT!!!  

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The Poplar Bluff Police Department is currently investigating several complaints of SCAMS.

The scams vary from accusing the targeted victim of having outstanding arrest warrants and unpaid government loans to having uncompleted federal questionnaires.

The one common factor in all the previously mentioned scams was the demand that the victim purchase a prepaid Green Dot Card to pay for the alleged violation.

The Green Dot Card and other prepaid debit cards allow the scammer to circumvent security measures of traditional money transfer services.

Any request received that instructs a person to pay an outstanding debt using the above-mentioned methods should be treated as a possible scam until discovered otherwise.

If you feel you have been contacted or have further information please contact your local police department.