Missouri - Seat belts save lives. A recent survey of Missouri motorists show that more Missourian's are getting the message. However, statewide seat belt usage remains stagnant 79 percent for the general public and increased just one percent among teenagers from 66 to 67 percent. The nationwide average is 85 percent.

Law enforcement agencies statewide will be participating in a quarterly Occupant Protection Enforcement on Nov. 25 to increase seat belt use and reduce highway fatalities. Law enforcement will take a zero tolerance approach in the enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws during this campaign.

"Saving lives is what it's all about, and seat belts are such an easy way to prevent tragedy, suffering, and grief associated with disabling or fatal traffic crashes," said Leanna Depue, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "This type of campaign and enforcement effort is just one method used to heighten awareness about the importance of wearing a seat belt."

Other strategies used to increase Missouri seat belt use include using portable message boards to post messages about fatalities and seat belt citations; partnering with high schools and large employers to get them to adopt seat belt policies; assisting cities in passing a primary seat belt ordinance within their city limits; and providing incentives to positively reinforce wearing a seat belt.

As of November 17, of the 668 fatalities in Missouri this year, 62 percent of those killed were unrestrained.

Submitted by Jill Temples

SMT Writer

Dexter, Missouri- On Thursday, November 28th the Stoddard County Ambulance District will be conducting their 28th Annual "Home for the Holidays" for Thanksgiving. The ambulance district will transport patients, who are unable to travel, except by ambulance, from nursing homes in Stoddard County to residences within the county.

Visits can be for a few hours or even overnight. The Stoddard County Ambulance District offers this with no charge to the patient or their family for the service! Those interested in participating in Home for the Holidays should contact the activity director at the patient’s nursing home for more information.

Below is a list of a few nursing homes in Stoddard County:

Dexter:

Central Gardens:  624-0011

Cypress Point:  624-8908

Golden Living Center:  624-7491

Crowley Ridge Care Center:  624-5557

Bloomfield:

Golden Living Center:  568-2137

Puxico:

Puxico Nursing and Rehabilitation Center:  222-3125

Advance:

Advance Nursing Center:  722-3440

Submitted by Jill Temples

SMT Writer

Dexter, Missouri -  Sheila LeGrand requests your presence at the Holiday Open House at Sheila’s Own Shoppe, which is located inside LeGrand’s AT&T store on 320 West Business Highway 60 in Dexter.

The Holiday Open House will feature Sheila’s custom made wreaths for Christmas and other occasions, as well as jewelry, purses, decorating items, and furniture! Lorie Featherston Rivere will also be displaying her customs ornaments!

Sheila will personalize wreaths with your favorite ornaments to showcase those special memories, or you may bring your wreaths and supplies for her to add her special touch.

Please come in and join the fun on Monday, November 25th from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

 

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

All State and Government Offices to Fly Flags  at Half-Staff from Sunrise to Sunset, November 22, 2013

A half century ago, America mourned the loss of an extraordinary public servant. With broad vision and soaring but sober idealism, President John F. Kennedy had called a generation to service and summoned a Nation to greatness. Today, we honor his memory and celebrate his enduring imprint on American history.

In his 3 years as President of the United States, John F. Kennedy weathered some of the most perilous tests of the Cold War and led America to the cusp of a bright new age. His leadership through the Cuban Missile Crisis remains the standard for American diplomacy at its finest. In a divided Berlin, he delivered a stirring defense of freedom that would echo through the ages, yet he also knew that we must advance human rights here at home. During his final year in office, he proposed a civil rights bill that called for an end to segregation in America. And recognizing women's basic right to earn a living equal to their efforts, he signed the Equal Pay Act into law.

While President Kennedy's life was tragically cut short, his vision lives on in the generations he inspired -- volunteers who serve as ambassadors for peace in distant corners of the globe, scientists and engineers who reach for new heights in the face of impossible odds, innovators who set their sights on the new frontiers of our time. Today and in the decades to come, let us carry his legacy forward. Let us face today's tests by beckoning the spirit he embodied -- that fearless, resilient, uniquely American character that has always driven our Nation to defy the odds, write our own destiny, and make the world anew.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 22, 2013, as a Day of Remembrance for President John F. Kennedy.

I call upon all Americans to honor his life and legacy with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. I also call upon Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on the Day of Remembrance for President John F. Kennedy. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

Barack Obama
President of the United States

Missouri - As cold temperatures return to the state, it is important for Missourians to plan for the threat of severe winter storms and the dangers these storms can pose.

To help get ready, the National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri's local emergency managers are joining forces to promote Nov. 20 as Winter Weather Awareness Day in Missouri.

Because Missouri’s winter weather can be difficult to predict and can quickly become severe, people are encouraged to begin preparing now, before winter sets in. Among the preparations Missourians can make are:

·   Creating a family emergency plan and an emergency kit with bottled water and food that can be prepared without cooking in case of a power outage. Kits should include bottled water, canned and dry foods, battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, manual can opener and a first-aid kit. 

·    Making sure all heat sources, such as fireplaces, woodstoves and oil heaters function properly. If you have a generator, make sure you have fuel and that your generator functions properly. Only operate generators outdoors.

·    Creating a winter car kit. This includes a blanket, spare radio with batteries, snacks or energy-type food, jumper cables, flares, shovel and sand or shingles to give tires traction.

·    Exercising caution when shoveling snow or pushing a car out of snow banks and avoiding unnecessary travel when driving conditions are poor.

·    Making sure cell phones are charged before driving in foul winter weather and ensuring that important emergency numbers, such as *55 for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, are saved for fast dialing in case of emergencies on state highways. 

It is also important for people to stay current on weather forecasts and to understand key National Weather Service terms:

·    Winter Storm Watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area within 12-48 hours.

·    Winter Storm Warning indicates severe winter weather is in the area or expected immediately and can be life threatening.

·    Ice Storm Warnings are issued for ice accumulations of a quarter-inch or more.

Additional information about winter weather and preparedness tips can be found at the following Web sites:

·    National Weather Service - St. Louis Winter Weather Awareness Page: www.crh.noaa.gov

·    SEMA: www.sema.dps.mo.gov (Click on “Severe Winter Weather” in the “Plan and Prepare” section.)

·    Missouri Dept. of Transportation's Travel Information Map: www.modot.mo.gov

·    Missouri Ready in 3 Program's Weather Preparedness Page: http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/readyin3/weather.php

·    Missouri Ready in 3 Program also provides free family safety guides to help prepare your family and household: http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/readyin3/pdf/familyguideenglish.pdf, or call (573) 526-4768 to order a free family safety guide. The family safety guide is available in several languages. 

You may contact your local NWS office for interviews about Winter Weather Awareness Day or for additional information:

St. Louis: (636) 441-8467
Kansas City: (816) 540-6021
Springfield: (417) 869-4491
Paducah, Ky: (602) 744-6424