Dexter, Missouri -  Local police will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Holiday DWI Enforcement Crackdown “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” on substance–impaired driving. The enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from December 15, 2017 - January 1, 2018. 

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 over the Holiday DWI Enforcement Crackdown.

Dexter Police said its Officer’s will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.  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 too much alcohol and / or drugs. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing impaired-driving epidemic. 

“Twenty-five percent of all Missouri motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2016 involved one or more substance–impaired driver or motorcycle operator,” said Chief Stone. “233 fatalities and 700 serious injuries in 2016 involved at least one substance-impaired driver. That equates to one substance-impaired driving fatality every 1 ½ days and one substance-impaired driving serious injury every ½ day. 

Chief Stone added the Holiday Weekend is particularly dangerous. During the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday in 2016, from December 15, 2016 through January 1, 2017, there were 44 fatalities and 193 serious injuries, which seven (7) fatalities and fourteen (14) serious injuries involved at least one substance–impaired driver. 

“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 Dexter’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Chief Stone.

 

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired by alcohol and / or drugs is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does alcohol and /or drugs 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 choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Chief Stone said. 

Chief Stone noted that being arrested for driving impaired 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 a job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment. 

“Substance–impaired driving 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.

 

Citizens of voting age in Stoddard County, pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 262-577, R.S. Mo. 69, will have an opportunity to vote and elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council in January 2018.   The elected and appointed members of the Extension Council will guide and direct extension work within the County.   Citizens have been nominated for each of the elective positions in their respective districts.  The nominees are as follows:

2018 COUNCIL    LENGTH OF NOMINEES TERM

Jerry Brehmer               2 Years

Pam Rowland   2 Years

Additional nominations may be made by petition of 25 or more qualified voters residing within the district, filed with the Council within 10 days after the publication of this notice of election. 

Forms for nomination are available in your County Extension Office located at:

Stoddard County

University of Missouri Extension Office

316 S. Prairie Street

Bloomfield, Mo 63825

Phone: 573-568-3344

The Stoddard County University Extension Council

Anthony Bockhold, Chairman

Missouri-  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people that strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions this time of year means extra caution is needed to avoid unexpected wildfires. According to MDC’s Forestry Division, the main cause of wildfires is improper burning of debris such as leaves or brush piles.

“It’s been drier and warmer than usual, which means fires could get out of control very quickly,” said Forestry Field Program Supervisor Ben Webster. “We want everyone to check the weather and be extremely careful if they plan to burn leaves or debris.”

Each year, MDC staff work with fire departments around the state to help suppress numerous wildfires that can consume thousands of acres. MDC urges landowners, hunters, campers, and others in the outdoors to help prevent wildfires and offers the following tips.

Do not conduct outdoor burning during times when grasses, brush and other fire fuel are very dry, humidity is low and weather is windy. Dry fuel -- combined with high temperatures, low humidity and high winds -- makes fire nearly impossible to control.

Check with local fire departments regarding local burn ordinances or burn bans that may be in place.

A person who starts a fire for any reason is responsible for any damage it may cause.

Done properly, prescribed fire can be a beneficial tool to improve land for wildlife habitat and grazing. For more information on using prescribed fire as a land-management tool, visit mdc.mo.gov and search "Prescribed Fire."

Wildfires can start when fine, dry fuel such as grass comes in contact with catalytic converters on motor vehicles.

Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field.

Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle.

When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact and no oil leaks are apparent.

Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road.

Check for the presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts.

Clear a generous zone around fire rings. When humidity is low and wind is high, debris can become tinder for a stray spark or ember.

Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire.

Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire.

Keep campfires small and controllable.

Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel and bucket of water, close by.

Never leave a campfire unattended! Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even for a few moments.

Extinguish cigarettes completely and safely, and dispose of butts responsibly.

Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.

Many wildfires are set by vandals.

Help stop arson by calling Operation Forest Arson at 800-392-1111. Callers will remain anonymous and rewards are possible.

 

Route 25 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. 

This section of roadway is located from Hunts Road to Drake Street.                              

Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Dec. 4 through Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 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

Missouri -  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted Missouri an extension through Oct. 10, 2018, to satisfy requirements of the REAL ID Act and its regulations.

During this extension, federal agencies, may accept Missouri-issued drivers licenses and identification cards for official purposes, including air travel.

"I am please DHS has recognized the State's efforts on this issue," said Joel Walters, director of the Mo. Dept of Rev, the state agency that oversees the issuance of driver licenses. "With this extension, Missourians will not be inconvenienced while we continue our work to improve state-issued identification.

Pictured are Dexter License Bureau employees Devosha Vaughn and Justin Crane.