Local News
Dexter Police Joins National Holiday DWI Enforcement - Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
December 11th 2017 by Dee Loflin
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.
Last Updated on December 11th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v982/Dexter-Police-Joins-National-Holiday-DWI-Enforcement--Drive-Sober-or-Get-Pulled-Over
President Trump Orders Flags to Half Staff
November 05th 2017 by Dee Loflin
President Trump Sunday ordered all flags on public grounds to be flown at half-staff until Thursday in honor of the 26 people killed and 20 others wounded in a mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
"As a mark of respect for the victims of this senseless act of violence perpetrated on November 5, 2017, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 9, 2017."
"I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations."
Last Updated on November 05th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v90l/President-Trump-Orders-Flags-to-Half-Staff
Local Businesses Be On the LOOKOUT for Counterfeit Money
November 04th 2017 by Dee Loflin
Dexter, Missouri - On Friday, November 3, 2017 three local businesses in Dexter received counterfeit bills according to the Dexter Police Department.
Denominations were $100 and $50. Local businesses should be on the lookout for more suspicious looking money.
LOOK FOR THE SECURITY THREAD!
The security thread is one of the most distinctive security indicators of an authentic bill
If you hold any bill up to the light, you will see a security strip on an authentic bill. It will have “USA” and the Bill’s denomination, aka “USA 20” running vertically on the bill.
The ultimate test is to put the bill under a UV or black light and make sure the bill glows the correct color. This extra security measure was originally added to provide a quick way for bar owners (one of the businesses most commonly targeted to dispose of counterfeit bills) to check the legitimacy of a bill.
Here are the location and colors of the security threads on different bills:
$5 – Right side. Glows blue under UV light
$10 – Right side. Glows orange under UV light
$20 – Far left hand side. Glows green under UV light
$50 – Right around the middle. Glows yellow Under UV light
$100 – On left side. Glows pink under UV light
The newly printed $100 has an extra security feature. There is a visible blue security ribbon down the right middle of the bill that is 3D. If you move it back and forth, you will actually see the number 100 and a variety of little bells will move from side-to-side as the bill shifts.
Last Updated on November 04th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v90g/Local-Businesses-Be-On-the-LOOKOUT-for-Counterfeit-Money
Halloween is a Dangerous Night for Impaired Driving
October 29th 2017 by Dee Loflin
From downtown costume parties to back road bonfires, many celebrations will likely include alcohol. Make your plans for this year's Halloween fun, but keep in mind that one of the best choices you can make is to drive sober or designate a sober driver to get you home safely.
With an increased number of impaired drivers on the road and an increase in pedestrian traffic as children trick-or-treat, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies Halloween as a statistically dangerous night for impaired driving. That danger can be prevented if drivers just plan ahead.
"Every year there are still some people who think they can drive after drinking," says Bill Whitfield, executive chair of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "The only sober driver is one that has consumed no alcohol."
In 2016 there were 11 fatalities and 56 serious injuries from traffic crashes during the Halloween holiday weekend. Eight of those crashes involved impaired drivers, resulting in four fatalities and five serious injuries.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recommends these simple tips for a safe Halloween:
Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
Always designate a sober driver.
If you've been drinking, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.
Enjoy your Halloween holiday and make your memories those of great times with friends and family, not those of tragedy and loss. Don't drive impaired.
Last Updated on October 29th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v8ug/Halloween-is-a-Dangerous-Night-for-Impaired-Driving
MoDOT Prepares for Winter with Statewide Drill
October 27th 2017 by Dee Loflin
The chill in the air and the falling leaves mean winter weather will be here soon. To prepare, MoDOT is stocking salt and preparing equipment to be ready when winter weather is here. To test our crews' readiness, MoDOT will hold a statewide drill on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017.
The drill tests MoDOT's winter battle plan to ensure its readiness to get travelers back on Missouri roadways as quickly as possible after winter storms.
"Over 3,200 MoDOT employees are involved in our winter operations, including every maintenance crew across the state," said State Maintenance Engineer Becky Allmeroth. "The annual drill helps to make sure we all know our roles during a storm, and we can do our jobs successfully."
During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department's emergency operations centers will activate and maintenance employees will be deployed to MoDOT's 1,500 trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.
"One of the most valuable parts of the drill is to measure our snowplow assignments by driving routes we may have modified since the previous winter season. As we open new roads and lanes we must modify our snow removal plans." said Allmeroth. "It also allows our newest snow fighters the opportunity to drive a snowplow over some of their proposed routes so they are aware of obstacles and obstructions that might be hidden in a storm by snow or ice such as curbs and raised islands."
Motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m. The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.
Last Updated on October 27th 2017 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/v8ui/MoDOT-Prepares-for-Winter-with-Statewide-Drill
