Hayti, Missouri- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) asks for help to solve a wildlife crime. Hayti Fire Department personnel reported illegal poaching activity to Missouri Conservation Agent Brian Shelton last Thursday after discovering a dump site of dead turtles while fighting a wildfire. Agent Shelton determined the large pile of turtles included 161 red-eared sliders and two snapping turtles.

“This dump site is, without a doubt, the most egregious turtle poaching incident that I have seen in my career,” Shelton said. “I’m appalled that anyone would have this kind of disregard for our wildlife here in the Bootheel.”

Shelton said there appeared to be no reason for someone to kill the turtles, which left him with more questions than answers.

A red-eared slider is a common semi-aquatic turtle in Missouri. A distinct red or orange stripe is normally present on each side of the head behind the eye. The name “slider” comes from their habit of sliding quickly into the water from their basking spots. They become active in March and remain active until mid-October. The snapping turtle is a large aquatic turtle with a big pointed head, long thick tail, and small lower shell. Both turtle species help to keep the populations of many aquatic animals and plants in check.

This case comes at a time MDC is actively reminding drivers to watch for turtles in the road, indicating turtles are already at a disadvantage this time of year, when they tend to travel. Spring rains and warmer weather encourage turtles to emerge from their burrows and begin to search for food and mates, which sometimes leads them across roadways. Although there is regulated hunting of some turtle species, Shelton said this is a case of wanton waste.

“It is illegal to intentionally leave or abandon any portion of any wildlife that is commonly used as human food,” Shelton said. “The amount of wasted wildlife here is shocking and I look forward to learning more about this case.”

Information about this incident can be shared anonymously through the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-392-1111. Agent Shelton may be reached directly at (573)757-8357. Information leading to an arrest may lead to an award of up to $1,000. For more information about Operation Game Thief and The Wildlife Code of Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

Dexter MO: Local law enforcement recently joined agencies from six states across the area in a high visibility Drug Impaired Driving enforcement effort – “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!”. From April 20-April 22, area law enforcement officers participated in the area’s Six-State Drug Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign. The effort was spearheaded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and State Highway Safety Offices in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Officers from city, state and county law enforcement agencies in these states conducted high visibility enforcement efforts to crack down on drug-impaired drivers. 

From April 20 – April 22, these officers covered approximately 32,318 miles of roadway in Missouri. With the strong presence of law enforcement, organizers put motorists on notice that if they drive impaired, they will be arrested. 

“This was an effort to keep drug impaired drivers off the road. Too many of our fellow citizens are impacted by drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Captain Trevor Pulley.   “Large scale mobilizations such as this one have had a positive impact on encouraging safe driving,” he/she said.

It is never safe to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong; it has been proven that THC – the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects – slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what term is used, if a person is high, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she is impaired. Driving while impaired by any substance is illegal and can be deadly to the driver and other road users. 

Thousands of turtles are killed each year on roadways, others are taken captive by well-meaning people.

Missouri -  As turtles become active in late March, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) asks people to watch out for them; don’t hit them on the roadways and certainly leave them where you find them.

Spring rains and warmer weather encourage turtles to emerge from their burrows and begin to search for food and mates, which sometimes leads them across roadways.

“While we don’t advise risking a wreck to avoid hitting a turtle, we do hope motorists will drive cautiously and avoid hitting a turtle if it’s safe to do so,” said Jamie Koehler, assistant manager at MDC’s Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

Koehler said turtles spend their lives on a very small portion of ground, but sometimes they’ll wander bigger distances, as much as six miles.  While most Missouri turtles live 15 to 30 years, box turtles can live 50 to 80 years, occasionally more than 100 years. They spend their quiet lives eating plants, earthworms and insects. Their shell provides a bony shield to protect them from most natural enemies.

Unfortunately, thousands of turtles are killed each year by cars, which is why MDC urges drivers to watch out for them. MDC also advises people to leave turtles wild. As people encounter turtles while outdoors, sometimes people pick them up and take them home, thinking they have a new pet. However, this usually ends in a slow death for the captive turtle.

“Turtles depend on knowing their surroundings,” Koehler said. “People may think they can keep a wild turtle alive, but a captive life is not best for any kind of wildlife.”

Koehler recommends leaving turtles where you find them when hiking, as well as following the speed limit and keeping a watchful eye on the road.

“Helping turtles is easy, if you follow those simple steps,” she said.

Pictured is Elvis, a blind box turtle owned by Jessica Loflin.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEATH OF BARBARA BUSH

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On this solemn day, we mourn the loss of Barbara Bush, an outstanding and memorable woman of character. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, military spouse, and former First Lady, Mrs. Bush was an advocate of the American family. Mrs. Bush lived a life that reminds us always to cherish our relationships with friends, family, and all acquaintances. In the spirit of the memory of Mrs. Bush, may we always remember to be kind to one another and to put the care of others first.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Barbara Bush, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, 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, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Like drunk driving, drugged driving is impaired driving, which means it is illegal in all 50 States Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers and other road users. 

Between April 20 and April 22,  Dexter Police will join participating law enforcement from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma in “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!”— a six-state Drug Impaired Driving enforcement campaign to put an end to drug impaired driving.

Law enforcement officers across the state will patrol approximately 32,318 miles of roadway. By concentrating law enforcement on high traffic corridors, organizers hope to put motorists on guard and encourage sober and safe driving.

Local Impact

“Drug impaired driving is a serious safety issue for drivers and law enforcement on Dexter’s roadways,” said Captain Trevor Pulley. “By intensifying enforcement of drug impaired driving laws, we hope people will think twice before driving while impaired by any drug. It is deadly for the driver, but also for his or her passengers, and for other people on the streets. If you are taking any type of drug, prescription, over-the-counter or illegal, make plans for a sober driver. Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.“

Drug impairment effects on drivers

It is never safe to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong; it has been proven that THC – the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects – slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what term is used, if a person is high, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she is impaired. Driving while impaired by any substance is illegal and can be deadly to the driver and other road users. 

“Our goal is to save lives and we’re putting all drivers on alert – Drug impaired driving is against the law. Remember “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!” said Captain Pulley.

For more information on drug impaired driving, please visit http://trafficsafetymarketing.gov/.