Submitted by Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
news@showmetimes.com
Jefferson City, Missouri - The official 2013 Missouri State Highway Map is hot off the presses and available free of charge.
The map features up-to-date route information and its cover celebrates the Missouri Department of Transportation's centennial of service.
"MoDOT has been around for a hundred years and we want to celebrate that fact with the citizens of Missouri," said Dave Nichols, director of MoDOT.
"The cover features the new Christopher S. Bond Bridge in Kansas City and has inset pictures dating back to the times when Missouri still had mud roads."
In addition to showing 33,891 miles of state-maintained routes (252 more than the last map), this edition displays several new features, including the Chicago to Kansas City Expressway (Missouri Route 110), the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (opening in early 2014), an updated Katy Trail inset and the newly signed US Bike Route 76 Transamerica Trail in Missouri.
State parks, conservation areas, historic sites, hospitals, airports, Amtrak stations, colleges, universities and other destinations also are displayed on the map.
Other helpful bits of information include easy-to-locate emergency telephone numbers, and contact information for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT district offices. The 2013 state highway map was printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. It was printed by a St. Louis, Mo. company, Universal Printing.
To request a free map, contact MoDOT at 1-888-Ask MoDOT or visit www.modot.org. Sidebar: State Map History
The first Missouri road map, so far as State Highway Commission files reveal, was put out in 1851 by the federal government. Primary consideration was given to steamboat travel.
The first road map put out by the State of Missouri was in 1918. The map was printed in black and white with no photos.
25,000 copies of the 1924 map were printed, and the supply was quickly used up. That's compared to the 2.7 million printed this year.
To cover printing costs, the department sold the early maps to any individual, firm or company at cost, then allowed them to resell the maps for 25 cents to "make a fair profit."
There are two versions of the 1939 map. The maps have the same cover, but carry different information on the back.
The 1942 and 1944 maps have the same cover.
There was no map printed in 1943 because of World War II.
The 1966 map caused a bit of a stir because the cover featured two women in shorts.
A special map was printed in 2004 to commemorate the Lewis and Clark bicentennial.
Check out images from Missouri's official state highway maps here www.modot.org/historicmaps/index.htm.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Sikeston, Missouri - Neal E. Boyd, of Sikeston, will be announcing at the Bootheel Conservative Republicans meeting in Sikeston being held at the Sikeston Public Library, that he will run again for the 149th State Representative seat that will be vacated by current Rep. Steve Hodges-D of East Prairie in 2014.
Please join him on September 10, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Boyd, then a newcomer political campaigning, lost to Hodges, then a three term incumbent, in November 2012. “It was a learning experience as former Rep. Peter Myers told me it would be,” Boyd said. “This time will be a very different challenge. We need jobs and I will fight for new job opportunities for the area and its citizens.”
Boyd, 37, is best known as the 2008 winner of America’s Got Talent, but he has twenty plus years of public service experience having been a former Chairman of the Southeast Missouri State University College Republicans, an intern in the District offices of Senators Bond and Ashcroft, volunteered on the campaigns of former Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson, State Rep. Peter Myers and Lanie Black, to name a few. Most notably he was appointed to two statewide gubernatorial (Governors Blunt and Nixon) Workforce Commissions and Boards, MTEC in 2007 and MoWIB in 2009.
Boyd is also a small business owner as partner in Cox and Boyd Insurance Solutions.
In his 2012 campaign for the 149th, Boyd was endorsed by both the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Right to Life.
“We have many challenges in this district, but having grown up here, I believe in the potential of Southeast Missouri and our citizens. I believe we will overcome this severe poverty crisis with the right ideas and new opportunities for jobs.”
Campaign Information can found at:
nealeboydformissouri.com or Neal E. Boyd for Missouri on Facebook
Correspondence, Endorsements and Donations can be sent to:
Friends of Neal E. Boyd
PO BOX 454
Sikeston, MO 63801
Submitted Article
news@showmetimes.com
Dexter, Missouri - A group of individuals is dedicated to launching a networking outlet for people 18 – 40 in the Dexter area.
The Jaycees are a great organization to allow young people the opportunity to network, improve their leadership skills, and make a mark in their community all at the same time. The Missouri Jaycees are excited about the opportunity to become involved in the Dexter community through the creation of the Dexter chapter.
A civic organization for men and women between the ages of 18 and 40, the US Jaycees promote individual and leadership development and personal growth through service to others. The Jaycees are a part of Junior Chamber International with nearly 200,000 young active citizens and over five million alumni – including several world leaders. Local chapters are spread over more than 5,000 local communities and 100 countries. The sense of belonging and responsibility is what leads to the growth of the organization worldwide. JCI members are proud of the impact they create around the world.
Since 1920, the organization has been a force for good in America and around the world. Jaycee chapters have built parks, playgrounds, hospitals and established community festivals. They’ve raised millions of dollars for local charities and for causes such as the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Muscular Dystrophy, and more recently for global causes such as fighting malaria and international disaster relief.
Take the opportunity to become a member of the Dexter Jaycee Chapter to create positive change in the Dexter Community.
For more information, contact Debbie Stidham, Field Coordinator at mdstidham@sbcglobal.net or call 573-421-0538.
“Let The Fun Begin!”
Come out and join the Jaycees tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Hickory Log in Dexter!
Submitted Article
news@showmetimes.com
Schultz Surveying and Engineering Helps
Pave the Way to Improve Carter County Roads
Poplar Bluff, Missouri – Schultz Surveying and Engineering, Inc. (SSE) was chosen by Carter County to design road paving improvements to County Road (CR) K-259. The work included designing the roadway, grading, drainage, and paving. SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “We have helped several counties obtain funding to pave busy county roads and were very excited to be able to help Carter County improve this highly traveled road. The better grading and drainage along with the new pavement will greatly improve the safety for residents.”
Back in 2010 SSE Project manager Marvin Nesbit started working to secure funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to pave CR K-259. Carter County had never received any funds for roadwork and most observers thought none would be available. The application came back approved and everyone was pleasantly surprised when $325,000 was committed to the project. Marvin added, “Obtaining funding to improve this county road was not easy but it was well worth the effort. Thanks to the CDBG funding, Carter County was able to provide a local match of culverts, grading and labor, which provided the necessary funds to pave all two miles of K-259.”
A floodplain presented an environmental issue that slowed the process down but once all those issues were addressed Pace Construction was awarded the paving contract, which required laying 3 inches of asphalt on a 20 foot roadbed. They used 3,700 tons of new asphalt on the 2 miles of road surface.
Nearly 6,500 people call Carter County home and many of them commute to Poplar Bluff for work. CR K-259 is one of the highly traveled interconnects residents use to go from Highway K to Highway 60. Easter District Commissioner Eddie Ballard mentioned, “It’s been costing us more and more to keep K-259 maintained and in a safe driving condition. The new pavement will be a big help to all those who use the road on a daily bases.”
Besides dealing with the floodplain issue there were two low water crossings and numerous culverts that were installed. “This was one of the simpler road projects I have worked on but helping rural counties track down funding and improve safety on their roads is very important to our company. Carter County had hundreds of people traveling K-259 each day and this new road will lower maintenance costs and improve safety,” said Nesbit.
Commissioner Ballard concluded by saying, “We couldn’t have gotten this project funded and built without Marvin and the engineers at SSE. It’s so wonderful to have this road paved, making commuting to work better for our citizens and this will also save our county many dollars in maintenance expenses over the coming years.”
Schultz Surveying and Engineering is a Missouri based Civil Engineering Company with offices in Poplar Bluff, Branson, Lake Ozark and Doniphan. They have provided drinking water and wastewater design services to over 58 communities in Missouri. To date, they have helped those communities obtain over $124,000,000 in public funding. They have helped design roads for cities, counties and MoDOT including Hwys. 67, 60, and 13 to name just a few. They have several large state of the art USACE validated testing labs and are one of the select companies that have been approved for a Blanket Purchase Agreement with the USACE. They have also provided surveying services to a variety of clients from utilities, MoDOT, USACE, cities, corporations, small business, and individuals. SSE is a HubZone certified company and can be found at www.schultzengineering.com
Submitted by Jill Temples
SMT Writer
Missouri- Colonel Ronald Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make safety part of their Labor Day weekend. Col. Replogle strongly urges the use of seat belts when traveling in any kind of vehicle and life jackets when on a Missouri lake, river, or stream.
In 2012, seven people were killed and 413 injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday in 1,086 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 11.1 minutes. Of that total, troopers worked 201 traffic crashes, which included 144 injuries and four of the fatalities over the 2012 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 147 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend.
The 2013 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 2.
The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and alcohol laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.
Troopers throughout the state will participate in a 20-Mile Trooper operation on August 30 and again on September 2. This operation will include Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 61. Troopers will be targeting all traffic violations, and be especially vigilant of aggressive driving violations.
Col. Replogle reminds the public that the Labor Day holiday is a busy boating weekend. Two people were injured in two boating crashes, and one person drowned during the 2012 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested seven people for boating while intoxicated during last year's counting period. In an effort to increase safety on our state’s waters, all available officers will be working over the holiday weekend. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating a vessel.
Remember: If you choose to drink alcohol, don’t operate a vessel. Alcohol consumption slows reaction time. Pay attention to the boats around you and ask your passengers to assist with this. Evasive maneuvers should be made early and deliberately. Check your vessel’s navigation lights before heading out at night, and be sure to have spare bulbs on board. Avoid overloading your boat with too many passengers, and observe Missouri’s nighttime speed limit of 30 miles per hour on the water.
“The Patrol encourages everyone to have a safe Labor Day holiday,” said Colonel Replogle. “Please buckle up in your vehicle and wear a life jacket on or near water. If you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency—whether you're on a highway or on the water— call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line at 1 (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive, whether you are in your boat or your car. Please don't become a statistic.”
For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q8192013 (573) 526-6115
