Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Stoddard County, Missouri - Route TT in Stoddard County will be closed as railroad company crews perform repairs.
This section of roadway is located between South Street and North Street.
Weather permitting; work will take place Wednesday, April 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 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 (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Marmaduke, Arkansas – Little Draven Fornash is the son of Eric and Tina Fornash. Both Eric and Tina are employed at Utility Trailer Manufacturers in Paragould. Their son was critically injured last week after being kicked in the face by a horse.
He was airlifted to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and is now in stable condition, but his recovery will take some time. He will face several surgeries.
David Barnes is Eric’s supervisor at work and a close friend. He has taken it upon himself along with Justin Taylor, Mandy Cox and Nichole Wiggins Dinkins to appeal to anyone and everyone to help this family who is in need both of your prayers and your financial help to meet the needs they have after this horrific accident.
Over the years, David has seen Tina and Eric give and give and give to people in need. He has watched them give $100 bills when others were dropping their pocket change in the hat at work. He has watched them supply gifts at Christmas time to children of families they didn't even know and now they are the ones that have a need.
“I think they deserve a return on then their generosity.... If you would like to help this family financially, your contributions I know would be a tremendous blessing,” explained David Barnes.
If you are interested in blessing this family you may contribute at the drop canisters placed around Paragould or contribute at either Bancorp South Bank branches in Paragould. Just let the bank know you would like to contribute to Draven Fornash and that it is in the name of Eric Fornash.
If you are unable to make it to the bank you may contact David Barnes, Justin Taylor Mandy Cox, or Nichole Wiggins Dinkins for the details on how to get your monetary gift to this family.
Please reach deep in your heart and pocket book and help this young child and his hardworking parents during this time in their life. “Please help us get the word gets out about our endeavor to financially bless this family,” Barnes continued.
What a good friend and what a wonderful community, coming together to help a family in need.
Submitted by
Missouri - Spring has arrived, and along with it, varying temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can cause problems for drivers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol offers these reminders for driving safely during spring:
Heavy rain can cause flooding and spring showers will certainly spawn flash flooding. Never drive through fast-moving waters; even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a slow-moving vehicle off the roadway. If your vehicle becomes stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Respect barriers or barricades put in place by MoDOT. They are there to protect you; don’t go around them!
Widely varying temperatures can leave roadways or bridge floors covered with frost. Even though roads appear to be clear, it is important to slow down and watch for slick areas, especially early in the morning. Temperature changes also cause fog to develop. Drivers need to slow down, turn on their headlights, and be prepared to stop in foggy conditions.
Weather conditions requiring the use of windshield wipers are usually those that affect visibility. Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to turn on their vehicle’s headlights any time they are using the windshield wipers. It only takes a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. But, that second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.
Spring weather brings more traffic to the roadways, as people begin taking advantage of Missouri’s many recreation areas. Watch for changes in traffic patterns caused by the increase in the number of drivers on the road. One of the traffic patterns to watch for is an increase in bicycles or pedestrians. In nice weather, joggers are more common. Also, children are likely to walk or ride their bicycle to school. Stay alert!
The Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life and Wear It!!!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Parents As Teachers organization is offering FREE vision, hearing, health and developmental screening to children 3 months to 35 months of age.
Screenings are invaluable because they can catch hearing, vision, development or health issues early, providing the chance to get treatment to your child early. A vision screening will check for conditions such as Amblyopia, or Lazy Eye, which is most effectively treated if caught early.
Our brains open "Windows of Opportunity," when we can do our best learning. For example, 80% of what we learn is through our vision, but vision is the first "Window of Opportunity" to close. This means if certain vision problems are not diagnosed before approximately 5-years-old, they can be much harder to treat or correct.
Children do not need to be enrolled in Parents As Teacher and they can be screened in the office or at their home. Please call their office at 614-1004 to set up an appointment.
Please feel free to pass this information on to other parents of infants and toddlers in our area especially if they are not enrolled in Parents As Teachers.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Burfordville, Missouri – The Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive is a regional driving tour that includes a stop in Burfordville, Missouri at the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site.
The Scenic Driving Tour will take place on April 27 and April 28. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants that stop at the historic site can enjoy the 19th century gristmill and the oldest covered bridge in the state of Missouri.
Visitors to Bollinger Mill State Historic Site will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of wool spinning and weaving in period 19th century clothing on both days.
Free tours of the mill will be offered Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and delight in this historic treasure.
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is the site of a Civil War-era mill where visitors can learn how corn and wheat were ground into meal and flour by water power, just as it was done long ago. Burfordville Covered Bridge, the oldest of the four remaining covered bridges in the state, was built in 1858 and stretches 140 feet across the Whitewater River, which powers the mill.
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is located at 113 Bollinger Mill Road in Burfordville. For more information, contact the site at 573-243-4591.
For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
