Missouri State Highway Patrol Joins Operation Dry Water
Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the Patrol's participation in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols to keep our waterways safe from boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This year, June 30-July 2 has been designated as Operation Dry Water weekend. As a partner in this national campaign, troopers will focus their efforts on detecting and apprehending impaired boat operators.
Missouri boat operators found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater will be arrested for boating while intoxicated. Intoxicated boat operators endanger themselves, their passengers, and other boaters utilizing our many waterways.
“Missouri is blessed with a variety of water-related recreation opportunities,” said Col. Karsten. “Floating, swimming, and boating activities should be fun, safe experiences. When your family or friends plan a water outing, make sure safety is part of the discussion. Life jackets save lives. Consuming alcohol and then operating a vessel puts lives at risk. The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins its Operation Dry Water partners in stressing the importance of being sober when in and around water. Please don’t operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol.”
Last year, 538 local, state, and federal agencies participated in a weekend long event of heightened BWI enforcement known as Operation Dry Water. Officers removed 367 intoxicated boat operators from the water. In addition, law enforcement officers made contact with over 131,054 boaters concerning BWI or boating safety enforcement and awareness. United States Coast Guard 2015 data reveals that alcohol use remains the primary known contributing factor for recreational boater deaths.
In 2016, troopers arrested a total of 11 people statewide for boating while intoxicated, contacted 661 vessels and 2,000 boaters, and issued 114 boating violation summonses and 613 warnings on Missouri waterways. Marine operations troopers also issued 176 summonses for non-boating violations during the 2016 Operation Dry Water weekend. Special enforcement operations will continue throughout the summer months. Boaters are reminded that designating a sober operator is always the safest bet if alcohol is going to be included in their boating experience.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Want to step back in time to the year 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
A replica of the Nina one of Christopher Columbus' ships that sailed across the Atlantic on his three voyages of discover of the new world will dock at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau.
The Nina will there Friday, September 29, 2017 and depart early Tuesday morning on October 3, 2017.
The Pinta will join the Nina in her travels. While in port you are encouraged to visit this sailing museum, walk-aboard.
The cost for adults is $8 to tour, $7 for seniors (60 and older), and $6 for students ages 5 to 16. Children under the age of 4 are free.
The ships will be open everyday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservation is needed.
NATIONAL DAYLIGHT APPRECIATION DAY and FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
National Daylight Appreciation Day is observed each year on June 21. This day recognizes summer solstice (the longest day of daylight in the northern hemisphere) and encourages people to celebrate the many benefits of the sun.
National Daylight Appreciation Day is also a day to learn more about the importance of daylighting. Daylighting is using skylights, windows and other architectural openings to natural light interior spaces. Doing so helps not only to reduce energy consumption but may also have health benefits.
Some areas are designed with automatic dimming systems when natural light is present, which reduces the amount of artificial light required. The process is known as daylight harvesting.
Daylight has positive psychological effects; it can boost your mental health and help to lower depression as well as help with increased energy levels. The Vitamin D that we naturally get from the sun has many health benefits for us.
Enjoy the summer solstice, enjoy the sunshine and let the sunshine into your home! And enjoy #DaylightAppreciationDay all day!
HISTORY
National Daylight Appreciation Day is sponsored by Solatube International, Inc., a manufacturer of Tubular Daylighting Devices.
SUMMER BEGINS
The longest day of the year marks the Beginning of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere which starts on June 20th, 21st or 22nd. It is also known as the Summer Solstice.
Summer Begins on different dates depending on times zones, the latest start date occurring on June 22nd.
Since ancient times, the summer solstice has been marked on calendars with celebrations honoring the sun and as a way to mark the seasons.
Route F in Stoddard County Reduced for Pavement Repairs
Route F in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
This section of roadway is located from Route 60 to Route J.
Weather permitting, work will take place Tuesday, June 20 through Thursday, June 29 from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Stoddard County, Missouri - New Wave Communication has detected an outage in the area. Their technicians have been made aware and are working to restore services as soon as possible.
They do not have an estimated time of repair and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
