Dexter, Missouri - Are you ready for the August 4th Primary Election in Stoddard County?  Want to be an informed voter?

Attend the Meet the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at The Gathering on the North Outer Road in Dexter.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the forum will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Candidate Forum is sponsored by Stoddard County Farm Bureau.

DRIVE SOBER THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND EVERY DAY:

BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING

Dexter, MO  - This Independence Day, Dexter Police and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration want to remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Unfortunately, the summertime merrymaking can create dangerous road conditions, as some drivers hit the streets after drinking alcoholic beverages. Make sure you celebrate the birth of our nation safely. If you are under the influence of any substance and you choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you put everyone in a vehicle on the road in danger, including yourself. During the Fourth of July holiday, make sure you plan for a safe weekend of festivities. 

According to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, drunk driving accounted for 29% (10,511) of motor vehicle traffic crash deaths in 2018. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more vehicles will be on the road at night. In 2018 alone, 193 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5). Forty percent (78) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. This compares to 2017 when 38% of the July 4 holiday period fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. 

“We want our community to have a happy and safe Independence Day, one that they’ll remember for years to come, for all the right reasons,” said Chief Pulley. “We’ve partnered with NHTSA to help remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Under no circumstance is it ever okay to drink and drive. This behavior is illegal, it’s deadly, and it’s selfish. Do everyone in your community a favor: If you’ve been drinking at a Fourth of July party, or for any occasion, find a sober ride home.” 

“If you are drunk or high, or even a little buzzed, we are begging you: Stay off the roads,” said Chief Pulley. “Drunk driving is deadly. If you plan to be the sober driver, then don’t indulge — your friends are relying on you.” 

Prepare for the Fourth 

This Fourth of July, Dexter Police and NHTSA urge drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan how you will get around without driving. 

Remember these tips for a safe night on the roads: 

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. 

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Dexter Police Department. 

• Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and decide to get your friend home safely. 

This Fourth of July commit to driving 100-percent sober, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. 

Dexter, Missouri - There will be a 4-Family Garage Sale in Dexter on Friday, June 26th and Saturday, June 27th from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. both days.  You won't want to miss out on this fantastic sale located at 1415 E. Kenton Road.

Here are just a few of the items available:  Weedeater, leaf blower, chainsaw, cabinet hardware, dresser, mirror, desk, printer, baby girl clothes 3 months-24 months, infant car seat and two bases, baby items, boy clothes 5T-7/8, children’s books, toys, men and women’s clothes, miscellaneous household items, name brand clothes, men and women’s are all sizes, rotary phones, old rocking horse, and older cabbage patch dolls.

Driving Directions: CLICK HERE  From One Mile Road (turn east) onto Hickory Hills Road (near Burger King), turn onto W. Kenton Road and it will circle around to East Kenton Road.

Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Police reported 15 citations along with 23 warnings issued during the enforcement period, which ran from June 5th – 14th 2020. 

“Substance-Impaired driving is more than a reckless choice by a few individuals,” Chief Trevor Pulley. “Each year, impaired driving cost the lives of thousands on America’s highways. 

Dexter Police joined forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and nearly 10,000 law enforcement agencies across the country in this year’s Youth Alcohol Enforcement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. 

People began reporting cell phone issues on Monday, June 15, 2020 across the United States. The outages impacted T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon customers.

The Downdetector website (click here) showed an increase in outages beginning around noon CST.  Major cities impacted were New York, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Is there a connection between cell phone outages and protesting in the large cities?  We may never know for sure, but the  T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray said in a tweet. “Thanks for your patience.”

I guess we are fortunate in Stoddard County not to have experienced any major outage today.