100-Mile Yard Sale kicks off this week; drivers urged to use caution

Visitors and residents will be out in full force along Route 25 Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, but MoDOT wants you to remember the greatest savings of the event could be a life.

“It’s a fun weekend that people look forward to each year,” says Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, “but we want people to remember that there’s more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind.”

MoDOT will do its part to bring the safety message to the forefront.  Message boards will be in place along the route to alert drivers of the unusual traffic patterns and promote safe driving.

“We really want drivers to be alert—to be aware of their surroundings, to be aware of sudden stops and to look for pedestrian traffic,” Compas says.  “Additionally, there is an increase in traffic, including large truck traffic, between the City of Jackson and the Route AB in Cape Girardeau County due to the Diverging Diamond Interchange construction. While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, we ask that people also be as safe as possible.”

For more information, contact Compas at (573) 472-5310 or call MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Route FF in Stoddard County will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway. 

This section of roadway is located between Route 60 and County Road 554.

Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, May 26 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT

In the thirty-Fifth Judicial Circuit, State of Missouri Administrative Order

Covid-19 Operational Directives: Phase Four, Effective May 20, 2021

Beginning May 21, 2021, all Circuit, Associate Circuit and Municipal divisions of the Thirty-fifth Judicial Circuit will begin operations subject to Phase Four operational directives set out in this Administrative Order.  These operational directives will remain in effect until further order of the Court.

Phase four operational directives must remain in effect until further order of the Missouri Supreme Court and they may be extended if the incidence of COVID-19 significantly increases above the current relatively low level.  In the event of dangerous increase in the incidence of COVID-19, the Court may revert to lower Phase Zero or order a complete closure of the Court.  Different phases may be applied to different counties or different municipal divisions as circumstances warrant.

The Court will continue to apply the operational directives that have been in place. It is ORDERED that:

1.  No person exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to a person exhibiting those symptoms may enter a court facility.

2.  The use of face masks by litigants and staff if required.  The Court has masks to distribute if needed.  The face masks or covering requirement can be modified for good cause shown in a particular proceeding, such as when a witness is testifying.

3.  Only litigants, witnesses and attorneys will be admitted inside the building.  Family members and supporters must remain outside..  If a litigant believes that he or she cannot proceed without support, the litigant should contact his or her attorney and request a continuance.  The press will be admitted upon reasonable request.

4.  Everyone will exercise social distancing.

5.  Court personnel will work a full-time schedule, with exceptions to be allowed for vulnerable court personnel.

6.  All facilities will be cleaned no less than twice a day and everyone will practice good handwashing and protective hygiene.  Furthermore, hand sanitizer will be made available and encouraged to be used frequently throughout the day.

7.  In-person court proceedings have resumed and will continue to be conducted including grand and petit jury proceedings and will be in compliance with social distancing protocols and occupancy rate limitations applicable to the local community and comply with Supreme Court Operational Directives on Jury Proceedings.

8.  Matters involving vulnerable individuals ** may be taken up by video conferencing where possible and, where that is not possible, continuances shall be granted liberally.

9.  A copy of this order shall be posted at every public entrance to each court facility.

THIS ORDER MAY BE AMENDED AS CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: May 21, 2021

Robert N. Mayer, Circuit Judge

** Vulnerable individuals are defined by the CDC as individuals 65 years or older or individuals with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled,including those who suffer from chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthmas, serious heart conditions, immune disorders, obesity or chronic kidney or liver disease.

Route FF in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.

This section of roadway is located between Missouri Route 114 and Route E near Essex, Missouri.

Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, May 24 through Thursday, May 27 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT

Dexter, Missouri - Dexter Police will be joining with statewide law enforcement May 24 – June 6, 2021 for a statewide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to step up enforcement on Missouri’s seat belt law. 

More than 6 out of 10 people killed in 2020 Missouri traffic crashes were unbuckled. Even with all the advancements in automobile safety, a seat belt remains a person’s single greatest defense in the event of a crash. 

Missouri’s seat belt use has shown significant improvement in the last three years, but the state remains just below the national average in usage. Missouri has an 86.1 percent seat belt use while the national average is 90.7 percent. Teens and pick-up truck drivers are among those least likely to buckle up at 75.5 and 71.6 percent, respectively.

 “Nearly every day someone dies in a Missouri traffic crash because they weren’t buckled up,” said Chief Hank Trout. “We will be pulling out all the stops to help ensure motorists are making the smart decision to buckle up.”