Local News
MDC and MoDOT's annual Trash Bash starts April 15th
April 16th 2018 by Dee Loflin
Missouri's 16th annual No MOre Trash! Bash will focus on "spring cleaning" the outdoors by asking residents to pick up litter throughout the state April 15 - May 15. The litter prevention campaign is sponsored by the Missouri departments of conservation and transportation.
The annual Trash Bash encourages people to clean up litter across Missouri from roadsides, parks, neighborhoods, rivers, streams, trails and other places. Trash Bash activities also include educational efforts in schools, community events and Earth Day celebrations.
Each year, MoDOT spends about $6.75 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. Annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways are valued at more than $1 million.
Littering also hurts wildlife and Missouri outdoors.
"Many animals mistake litter for food and become sick and die when they try to ingest it," said Joe Jerek, the Missouri Department of Conservation's No MOre Trash! coordinator. "Birds, fish, turtles and other animals get tangled in litter, such as plastic six-pack holders and fishing line, and it can kill them."
Volunteers are needed across the state to participate in litter cleanup activities. Participants can report their cleanup efforts and will receive a thank you No MOre Trash! pin. For more information and to learn how to participate, visit www.nomoretrash.org/ or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
Last Updated on April 16th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/va7j/MDC-and-MoDOTs-annual-Trash-Bash-starts-April-15th
National Work Zone Awareness Week 2018
April 12th 2018 by Dee Loflin
MoDOT reminds motorists to slow down and not be distracted when driving through construction areas. The emphasis on safety is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week.
Interstates and major roads will have numerous work zones set up through the fall. There will be work zones along interstates 44, 55, 64, 70, 270 and on U.S. Route 65.
Motorists are urged to observe warning signs and merge before reaching lane closures. Please be aware of changing traffic conditions. Traffic could slow or stop unexpectedly, traffic lanes can merge or equipment and workers can enter the roadway. Be aware and be prepared to slow down. Driving too fast for the conditions is a major factor in work zone crashes.
The best defense in a work zone crash, or any crash, is a seat belt.
In 2017, 65 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities were not wearing one.
To help make your travel safer, visit MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for work zones. Motorists can comment on the quality of MoDOT's work zones with an online customer survey.
For information on work zone safety and a list of high impact work zones across the state, visit http://www.modot.org/workzones/index.htm.
Last Updated on April 12th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/va7i/National-Work-Zone-Awareness-Week-2018
SCAM ALERT - IRS Does Not Call With Warrants for Your Arrest
April 11th 2018 by Dee Loflin
SCAM ALERT!!!! Individuals are receiving calls stating they are from the IRS and telling them they have a warrant for their arrest and law enforcement will pick them up unless they send them money. The amounts they request to keep from being arrested varies. The caller has valid information about the individual they are calling. They will ask them to go to a store that has gift cards and purchase cards and send to a specific address. Those who are receiving these calls should not send any money because of a phone call.
THE IRS DOES NOT MAKE PHONE CALLS OR MAKE THREATS REGARDING WARRANTS. INDIVIDUALS SHOULD USE COMMON SENSE AND NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE WHO IS DEMANDING IT OVER THE TELEPHONE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY SAY.
Last Updated on April 11th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/va7d/SCAM-ALERT--IRS-Does-Not-Call-With-Warrants-for-Your-Arrest
Help Bash Trash During MDC and MoDOT Annual Trash Bash
April 09th 2018 by Dee Loflin
Help bash trash during MDC and MoDOT annual Trash Bash April 15 – May 15
Get more information on the April 15 – May 15 Trash Bash online at nomoretrash.org.
Jefferson City, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) encourage people throughout Missouri to help “bash trash” during their 16th annual No MOre Trash! Bash April 15 through May 15.
The event focuses on “spring cleaning” the outdoors by asking people to pick up litter across Missouri from roadsides, parks, neighborhoods, rivers, streams, trails, and other places. Trash Bash activities also include various educational efforts in schools, community events, and Earth Day celebrations around the state.
"Littering harms the environment and pollutes our waterways," said MoDOT No MOre Trash! Coordinator Stacy Armstrong. "Please consider the impact you can make on the environment by recycling, reusing, and disposing of waste properly."
Each year, MoDOT spends about $6.75 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. Annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways are valued at more than $1 million.
Littering also hurts wildlife and Missouri outdoors.
"Many animals mistake litter for food and become sick and die when they try to ingest it,” said MDC No MOre Trash! Coordinator Joe Jerek. "Birds, fish, turtles, and other animals also get tangled in litter, such as plastic six-pack holders and fishing line, and it can kill them."
Last year, volunteers collected more than 43,000 bags of litter and several truckloads of debris during the spring No More Trash! Bash. People also attended numerous educational events that stressed the importance of not littering.
Volunteers also participated through Adopt-A-Highway and Stream Team litter cleanup events. Missouri Stream Team Program volunteers removed 547 tons of litter from waterways and dedicated more than $2.3 million worth of volunteer time to litter removal statewide annually.
Last Updated on April 09th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/va6d/Help-Bash-Trash-During-MDC-and-MoDOT-Annual-Trash-Bash
Car Crashes - Leading Death Among Children in Missouri
April 03rd 2018 by Dee Loflin
Car crashes - a leading cause of death among children
MoDOT and the Department of Health and Senior Services know that car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1-13 in the United States. Safety professionals continue to stress the importance of buckling children in an age-appropriate safety seat. It's their best defense in a traffic crash. MoDHSS Director Dr. Randall Williams reminds, "Everyone, including pregnant women and children, should use seat belts or car seats every time they ride in a motor vehicle."
In 2016, 18 children less than eight years of age were killed and 47 suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri. Twenty-nine percent of the children killed were not restrained in a car seat or seat belt. Additionally in 2016, motor vehicle crashes were responsible for eight maternal deaths (the death of a mother while pregnant or up to a year after delivery) in Missouri.
"All parents and caregivers need to understand the importance of child passenger safety seats. It's not just about following the law; child passenger seats help prevent serious injury and may even save your child's life," said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna.
Missouri child safety seat technicians can provide education and car seat inspections. A list of car seat inspection stations and locations across the state can be found at seatcheck.org. Appointments may be necessary.
MoDOT urges everyone to get their child safety seats inspected. "When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes," said McKenna. "It's also all the more reason to always buckle up, everyone, every trip, every time - and put your cell phone down if you're driving - Buckle Up Phone Down."
For more information on child passenger safety or Buckle Up Phone Down, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.
Last Updated on April 03rd 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/va4f/Car-Crashes--Leading-Death-Among-Children-in-Missouri