MoDOT and Safety Partners Promote Buckle Up Phone Down Day
10/29/2024
For the eighth year,
the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for
Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners, schools and businesses
throughout the state, are encouraging better driving behaviors as part of the
annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day on October 30. The day challenges all
drivers to do the two most important steps while driving to reduce your risk of
a fatal crash. The goal of BUPD Day is to have zero traffic fatalities on
Missouri roads throughout the day.
To date in 2024, of the more than 740 fatalities in Missouri, 63% of vehicle
occupants killed were unbuckled. Distracted driving is also a leading
cause of crashes in Missouri. In 2023, distracted driving was cited in
crashes that claimed 106 lives.
In
August 2023, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri,
prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device
while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to
crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state during
the last decade. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment
of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri.
Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been educating drivers on
the new law for the past year, and law enforcement agencies throughout the
state will begin writing citations for driving distracted beginning January 1,
2025.
Since
the creation of BUPD in 2017, Missouri’s seat belt usage rate reached an
all-time high and the number of people killed who were unbuckled has decreased.
The movement has collected more than 55,000 pledges to BUPD and has expanded to
more than a dozen states across the country.
“We
are very proud of the impact of the Buckle Up Phone Down program, but there is
still a lot of work to be done to eliminate fatalities from our roadways,” said
Missouri State Highway Safety and
Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson. “We are asking everyone to do their part on this BUPD
Day. Buckle up and put the phone down. Lives are on the line.”
In
support of the hands-free law, many Missouri high schools are participating in
AAA Missouri’s Show Me Your Score Safest Driver Competition. This competition
will be held through the end of February 2025, and will measure participant’s
acceleration, braking, and phone usage habits. The goal of this competition is
to promote positive driving habits and educate young drivers on how crucial it
is to make smart, safe decisions behind the wheel, especially putting down the
phone. More information on the competition is available at www.savemolives.com/mcrs/smys.
“Every single driver plays a role in combatting the
safety crisis happening on our roads,” said Nelson. “The Safest Driver
Competition is a great step in educating the next generation of drivers to make
the right decisions behind the wheel. It’s important to be mindful of the
shared responsibility we have to each other every time we hit the road.”
Drivers can accept the challenge to
BUPD at modot.org/bupd
and spread the word on social media using the hashtags
#BUPD and #BUPDDay.
Missouri DMV Launching New Technology
10/29/2024
The Missouri Department of Revenue is launching new technology at the DMV. The department will launch a new tablet based digital system for license applicants at its offices on November 12th. Officials say the new system will cut down wait times.
AT&T Relocating Hundreds Of STL Employees
10/29/2024
Hundreds of employees are expected to be affected by AT&T's decision to relocate jobs in the Gateway City to the company's other U.S. offices. Little information has been released. On Friday company officials didn't say exactly how many jobs would be impacted or the type of jobs or where employees would be relocated.
Senate Candidates Debate On Halloween
10/29/2024
U.S. Senate candidates Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce square off in a critical debate on Halloween night. The one-hour debate will be broadcast from the studios of Fox2 at 7 p.m. In addition to TV stations across the state, several radio stations are also broadcasting the debate. Lucas Kunce is the Democratic challenger to Senator Josh Hawley who is seeking a second term.
Proposition A Opponents Speak
10/29/2024
Opponents of Missouri Proposition A are speaking out. The measure would raise the minimum wage to 15-dollars per hour and mandate paid sick leave. KOMU reports that representatives from Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Grocers Association, the Missouri Restaurant Association, the Missouri Retailers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business are arguing that some workers could abuse the paid sick leave privilege.
DESE To Miss Payment Backlog Goal
10/29/2024
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will miss a goal of reviewing the backlog of all childcare subsidy payment corrections by the end of October. KOMU reports technical issues with the Missouri Child Care Data System's launch several months ago led to missed payments for childcare providers. Officials say the payment correction backlog is only 58 percent reviewed.
MoDOT to close one lane eastbound and westbound on Route 50 near the Bourbeuse River for bridge inspection in Union
10/29/2024
The Missouri
Department of Transportation will close one eastbound and westbound lane on
Route 50 between Route 47 north and Route 47 south in Union, on Friday,
November 1 to complete bridge inspections near the Bourbeuse River Bridge.
Beginning at 7
a.m. Friday, November 1, crews will close one lane eastbound to begin their
inspections and once complete, eastbound will be reopened and one westbound
lane on Route 50 will be closed. All lanes are expected to reopen by 3 p.m. on
Friday, November 1.
Electronic
message boards are in place to inform drivers about the scheduled work zone.
For up-to-date
traffic and travel info, motorists can check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map
at http://traveler.modot.org/map/.
Answering the Call: 353 Missouri Lineworkers Assist in Hurricane Helene Recovery for Georgia Co-ops
10/29/2024
When one of the most destructive storms in
history hit the Southeastern U.S., Missouri electric cooperatives answered the
call. In total, 353 lineworkers representing 33 Missouri electric cooperatives
assisted five electric cooperatives in Georgia that suffered extensive damage
to their systems, resulting in widespread outages due to Hurricane Helene.
The 353 Missouri lineworkers joined thousands of other
lineworkers and personnel from across the cooperative family to repair the
unprecedented damage. The teams, who brought their own machinery, equipment and
tools, worked to assess the damage and assigned resources as efficiently as
possible while prioritizing safety in this dangerous environment. The
lineworkers worked in multiple shifts over the last month to restore power to
each of the electric cooperatives they assisted and have now returned to
Missouri.
"When disaster strikes, the cooperative family
stands together, and that commitment was evident in the dedication of our
Missouri lineworkers during Hurricane Helene," said Caleb Jones, CEO of
Missouri Electric Cooperatives. "These crews worked tirelessly, often in
challenging conditions, to help restore power to communities in Georgia. Their
willingness to step up and support others in need speaks volumes about the
cooperative spirit we uphold here in Missouri."
On a national scale, AccuWeather estimated total
damage and economic loss from Helene at $145 billion to $160 billion, making it
one of the costliest storms on record. The Georgia cooperatives included
Altamaha EMC in Lyons, Canoochee EMC in Reidsville, Excelsior EMC in Metter,
Little Ocmulgee in Alamo, and Okefenoke REMC in Nahunta.
Missouri's electric cooperatives have a long history
of lending a helping hand to their cooperative peers in trying times,
exemplifying the sixth principle that guides electric cooperatives -
cooperation among cooperatives. Missouri electric cooperatives first helped
with hurricane relief efforts in 2004 when the Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane
Ivan, and they have continued to provide aid ever since. Their most recent
deployment responding to a hurricane was in 2021 when crews traveled to
Louisiana electric cooperatives following Hurricane Ida.
Missouri's restoration efforts were coordinated by
Missouri Electric Cooperatives. Three staff members were onsite during the
storm restoration. The Jefferson City-based association represents all 47 of
Missouri's electric cooperatives. Learn more at www.amec.org
Deputy Shoots Suspect
10/28/2024
A deputy-involved shooting is under investigation in Camdenton. Authorities were called to the report of a dead body at 95 Third Street on Friday and shot Matthew MacDonald, who was armed with a rifle. MacDonald was taken to a hospital for treatment, and no body was found inside the residence.
Non-Profit Raises Money For Injured Deputies
10/28/2024
A non-profit is raising money for two Callaway County deputies who were injured in a shooting. KMIZ reports the Chief Mason Griffith Foundation has raised more than 35-thousand-dollars for Deputy Gardner Pottorff and Corporal Justin Bax. Pottorff and Bax were wounded during a traffic stop and shootout on I-70 earlier this month. Pottorff remains hospitalized.
Traffic Crashes
10/28/2024
Union woman taken to the hospital following a two vehicle crash. The patrol says it happened at 11:25 Friday on Highway 47 South of Melinda Drive. The patrol says 67-year old Phyllis Chapman of Union struck the rear of a vehicle driven by 74-year old Robert Moad of Jefferson City as both swerved to avoid traffic ahead. Chapman was taken to Mercy in Washington with minor injuries.
St. Clair woman injured in a UTV/Deer collision on Peacock Road in Franklin County. The patrol says it happened at eight o'clock Friday evening when 38-year old Devin Dunham struck a deer and the UTV crashed into the ditch. A passenger, 37-year old Alysha Dunham, was taken to Mercy in Washington with moderate injuries.
Two vehicle crash involving a car and a utility vehicle sends two people to the hospital. It happened at 4:50 Saturday afternoon on North Bend Road near North Bend Loop. The patrol says 37-year old Amy Collins of Union attempted to pass a UTV driven by 37-year old Esther Strugari of Union as Strugari was making a left turn and they collided. Both drivers were taken to Mercy in Washington with minor to moderate injuries.
Two injured in a car crash in Franklin County. The patrol says it happened at one o'clock Sunday afternoon in the eight thousand block of Rye Creek Road. The patrol says 24-year old Christian Pilger of St. Clair was northbound when he missed a curve, ran off the road and struck a tree. Christian Pilger and a passenger, 24-year old Sarah Pilger of St. Clair, were taken to Mercy South for treatment.
Crash involving a pick-up truck and an electric bicycle sends a Sullivan woman to the hospital. The patrol says 37-year old Rebecca Maloney of Sullivan was on the bike preparing to turn into a parking lot when she was struck by the truck driven by a St. Louis woman. Maloney was taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan with minor injuries. It happened before five o'clock on East Springfield Road.
UTV crash in Franklin County sends a St. Charles man to the hospital. The patrol says it happened after one o'clock Sunday morning on Boeuf Creek Road near Detmold Road as 57-year old Daniel BushDiecker was driving in a creek bed. He traveled up a hill, struck a tree and overturned down a steep embankment. Bushdiecker was taken to Mercy in St. Louis with serious injuries.
Parson Hosts Final Fall Festival
10/28/2024
The final Fall Festival of Governor Mike Parson's administration is held in Jefferson City. KOMU reports at least 15-hundred people showed up for the festivities at the Governor's Mansion on Saturday. The event featured live music, booths with candy and hayrides.
Schnucks Customers “Round Up” More Than $135,000 for United Way
10/26/2024
Schnuck Markets, Inc. today announced that, in total, Schnucks customers donated $135,675 to support United Way as part of the company’s September 18 - October 1 Round Up at the Register campaign at all Schnucks locations throughout the Midwest.
One hundred percent of customer round ups will benefit the United Way chapter in the
community in which they were donated and will contribute to the organization’s campaign to mobilize communities around the world to close gaps and open opportunities so everyone can thrive. Proceeds will also support United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline, a free and confidential resourceavailable 24/7 in up to 250 different languages.
Schnucks and its teammates have a long history of supporting United Way. In 2023, the company campaign raised more than $2.34 million to support United Way affiliates in communities that Schnucks serves. (The 2024 company campaign total will be announced in the coming weeks.)
“While United Way of Greater St. Louis is our oldest and largest United Way partner, our customers’ round ups, along with Schnucks teammate donations through our company campaign, also support 16 other United Way chapters throughout Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck. “The continuous work United Way does in our communities directly aligns with our company’s mission to nourish people’s lives, and it’s why we’re proud to host this round up as well as our company campaign each year.”
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity from so many people throughout St. Louis and local markets across the entire Schnucks footprint,” said Michelle D. Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “Schnuck Markets is such an incredible partner, and we appreciate their willingness to support us through their Round Up at The Register campaign. Their continued support will help us as we continue our mission to help people live their best possible lives.”
MDC warns to not burn outdoors to avoid wildfire
10/25/2024
With ongoing and worsening drought
conditions throughout the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
reminds people that outdoor burning could cause a wildfire. According to MDC, a
main cause of wildfires is improper burning of debris such as leaves or brush
piles. MDC reminds people that a person who starts a fire for any reason is
responsible for any damage it may cause.
“It’s
been drier and warmer than usual, which means fires have the potential to get
out of control very quickly,” said MDC Fire Program Supervisor Ben Webster. “We
want everyone to check weather conditions and be extremely careful with or
avoid burning leaves or debris during these drier and warmer conditions. Check
with your local fire department regarding burn bans or reference the National
Weather Service for Red Flag Warnings that may be in place because of critical
fire-weather conditions.”
MDC urges landowners, hunters, campers, and
others in the outdoors to help prevent wildfires and offers the following tips.
OUTDOOR BURNING: Avoid burning
during times of high temperatures, low relative humidity, and increased winds.
These conditions make fire more difficult and hazardous to control. Check with
local fire departments regarding burn bans or reference the National Weather
Service regarding Red Flag Warnings that may be in place.
DRIVING OFF ROAD: Wildfires can
start when dry fuel, such as grass, comes in contact with catalytic converters.
Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field. Never park over
tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle. When
driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that
fuel and brake lines are intact, and no oil leaks are apparent. Always carry an
approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road. Check for the
presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts.
MAKING A CAMPFIRE: Clear a generous
area around fire rings. Store unused firewood a good distance from a campfire.
Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Keep
campfires small and controllable. Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a
rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close. Extinguish campfires each night and
before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments.
CALL FOR HELP: Call 911 at the
first sign of a fire getting out of control.
GET MORE INFO: For more information
on preventing wildfires, go online to mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/wildfire-prevention.
PRESCRIBED FIRE CAN HELP
Wildfire
can destroy property and threaten life, especially if it strikes in an
overgrown or unmanaged area. However, careful use of prescribed fire can
actually improve land health, help create habitat for wildlife and protect life
and property.
MDC
and the Missouri Prescribed Fire Council promote the responsible use of
prescribed fire as a natural resource management tool. Prescribed burning
mimics the historical occurrence of fire that shaped our plant communities but
is conducted under a prescription of specified environmental conditions, such
as temperature, humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction.
Landowners,
land managers, and contractors can become certified prescribed burn managers
through a self-paced three-hour online prescribed burn course followed by an
all-day field exercise to demonstrate skills learned. For more information on
using prescribed fire as a land-management tool and becoming certified in
prescribed burns, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/prescribed-fire.
HELPING RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS
MDC
supports about 700 rural fire departments around the state by providing
tens-of-thousands of dollars in annual grant monies that help these small-town,
mostly volunteer fire departments buy personal protective gear and firefighting
equipment. Grant funds are used on everything from radios and other
communication equipment to chainsaws, hoses, and hand tools. Funding for the
program is provided by MDC and the U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Fire
Assistance Program. For more information on how MDC helps fire departments
around the state, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/fire-department-assistance-programs.
Two upcoming road closures in Franklin County
10/25/2024
- Hilltop
Road (Villa Ridge area) will be closed Monday , October 28, 2024, from
approximately 8 AM to 3 PM for cross pipe installation. The closure will
be 500 feet West of Hwy AT. The nearest address is 6415 Hilltop Road,
Villa Ridge. The road will be closed to all traffic, including emergency
vehicles.
- Hilltop
Road (Villa Ridge area) will be closed Tuesday , October 29, 2024, from
approximately 8 AM to 3 PM for cross pipe installation. The closure will
be 1000 feet West of Hwy AT. The nearest address is 6405 Hilltop Road,
Villa Ridge. The road will be closed to all traffic, including emergency
vehicles.
If you have
questions, please feel free to contact our office at 636-583-6361.
Drug Take Back Day Tomorrow
10/25/2024
Missouri residents are getting a chance to get rid of their old prescriptions. The Drug Enforcement Administration will host Take Back Day tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The DEA and local law enforcement agencies will team up to collect capsules, tablets, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs during the event at select locations around the state. Syringes and illicit drugs will not be accepted, and liquid products must be sealed in their original containers.
MU Health Care Announces New Program
10/25/2024
MU Health Care is unveiling a new blood and marrow transplant and therapy program. The program at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia will help adults who suffer from lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma. Patients will be able to receive blood and marrow transplants and T-cell therapy.
Person Of Interest Arrested In Death Of Soldier
10/25/2024
A person of interest is under arrest in connection with the death of a Fort Leonard Wood soldier. Authorities say 23-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque was found dead inside a dumpster after she failed to report for duty on Monday. Investigators have not said how Roque was killed.
MDC invites public to explore Busch Conservation Area November 1 at fall hayride event
10/25/2024
Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to enjoy fall
traditions. One of the season’s most popular is taking a hayride.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding a Habitats & History Fall Hayride
event at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles Friday
evening, Nov. 1, from 5 – 8 p.m. The event is free and open to all
ages.
Participants will explore the diverse habitats of Busch
Conservation Area from a nocturnal perspective and learn about the history of
the area with MDC naturalists. Stops along the way will highlight the homes of
local wildlife as well as historical relics of the past found on the area.
There will be four separate departure times every half hour from
5:30 – 7 p.m. Participants should check in to board their reserved hayride at
least 5 minutes before departure time.
“Each Hayride will be about 45 minutes long and will trek
through a variety of habitats on the area,” said MDC Naturalist Sabrina
Hansen. “We’ll talk about what animals may be found there. We’ll also
stop at some historic spots to talk about the fascinating past of the area,”
she said.
Visitors can also put on headlamps and helmets to explore an
indoor inflatable cave from 5 – 8 p.m. and learn about Missouri’s unique cave
life. Friends from the nearby Department of Energy’s Weldon Spring
Interpretive Site will feature an activity table too.
The hayrides are free, but advanced online registration is
required for the desired departure time at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4zw. Participants
need to select and register for the ride of their choice.
Each person attending must be registered separately, however
small children who intend to sit in a lap don’t need to be registered.
Call 636-441-4554, ext. 4181, or email sabrina.hansen@mdc.mo.gov
for information on ADA accessibility.
Visitors should dress for the weather and are welcome to bring
their own blankets to use on the hayride.
The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is located at
2360 Highway D in St. Charles, about two miles west of Highway 94.
Sign up for email or text alerts to stay
informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.
MDC hosts free Discover Nature Schools teacher workshop Oct. 31 at Rockwoods Reservation
10/25/2024
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a
program that meets the educational curriculum needs of Missouri science
teachers and includes unique grant opportunities. MDC’s Discover Nature Schools
(DNS) curriculum accomplishes both goals, and it’s free. DNS is
aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards and the Next Generation Science
Standards.
MDC invites teachers to attend a DNS teacher training workshop
for certification in two of the program’s units Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.
– 4 p.m. at Rockwoods Reservation in Wildwood. The workshop is free for
teachers and educators and all materials will be provided. Participants
will learn ways to help students discover Missouri ecology in this one-day
teacher workshop.
More typically held over two days, this workshop will be
condensed into a one-day training covering both MDC’s Nature Unleashed unit,
designed for 3rd to 5th grade students, and Nature
Unhooked, created for 6th to 8th grade students.
During the workshop, teachers will become familiar with
Missouri’s prairie, forest, and aquatic ecosystems through hands-on, outdoor
activities. Attendees will learn about the DNS curriculum’s free teacher
guides, student books, and science notebooks as well as the noncompetitive
grant opportunities for classroom materials and field experiences.
Nature Unhooked
emphasizes student-centered and collaborative investigations of water
properties, water cycle, biotic energy flow, biodiversity, and human impacts on
aquatic ecosystems. A project-based learning component is also included in this
unit.
Nature Unleashed promotes
understanding of Missouri habitats by exploring food chains and the roles of
producers and consumers, as well as specialized structures and living and
non-living factors. Emphasis of this unit is on student-centered and
collaborative investigations of pond, prairie, and forest ecosystems.
This workshop will cover lessons and activities from each unit
as well as an outdoor, experiential approach to student learning.
Participants should download the free SEEK mobile app by iNaturalist prior to
the workshop at https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app.
Attendees need to bring their own lunch and appropriate clothing for the
weather, as part of the workshop will take place outside.
MDC’s DNS program provides no-cost curriculum units to teachers
and schools in the state of Missouri. Curriculum units are available for
preschool through 12th grade and help teachers and students meet required state
learning standards. The DNS program is currently used within every school
district in Missouri.
The workshop is free however space is limited, and participants
must register to attend. To register via the online MDC Teacher Portal,
visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4zi.
Rockwoods Reservation is located at 2751 Glencoe Road, off
Highway 109 between I-44 and Highway 100.
Jeep Connected To Missing Person Found With Remains Inside
10/24/2024
Authorities in Sullivan say a Jeep wanted in connection to an Endangered Person Advisory was found burned with human remains inside. Officials said the vehicle was found by Washington County deputies in a wooded area Tuesday night. Police were searching for the Jeep in connection to the suspected abduction of 63-year-old Dale Ryerson. The man accused of abducting Ryerson was taken into custody.
Clearview Road Project Schedule
10/24/2024
NB West Contracting will be working on Clearview Road in Franklin County on the following dates:
Friday, October 25, 2024: We will start milling at Hwy 47 towards Hwy A, then turn around and mill to Hwy 47. Possibly going across 47 and mill towards Hwy V.
Monday, October 28, 2024: We will be milling from Hwy V to Hwy 47. We will also start paving at Hwy V and go to Hwy A.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024: We will pave from Hwy A to Hwy V.
Start time is 7:00 A.M. and will continue to 6:00 PM.
McDonald's E. Coli Outbreak Impacting Missouri
10/24/2024
An E.coli outbreak involving McDonald's is impacting Missouri. McDonald's is temporarily removing the quarter pounder sandwich from some of its Missouri restaurants due to the outbreak. It is unknown if any St. Louis-area locations are impacted. Forty-nine people in ten states have gotten sick because of the outbreak, and one person has died.
U.S. Attorneys Assigned To Take Election Day Complaints
10/24/2024
The U.S. Attorney's Office in St. Louis is assigning two assistant U.S. Attorneys to handle any election day complaints concerning voting rights, election fraud and threats of violence. Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will be available to handle any issue. Goldsmith says the Justice Department takes threats against voters, poll workers and candidates very seriously. The U.S. Attorney's Office has a hotline to report voter fraud and election night concerns. It is 314 - 539 - 7733.
Former Executive Director of the Union Area Chamber of Commerce pleads guilty to forgery, fraudulent use of a credit device charges
10/24/2024
Former Executive Director of the Union Area Chamber of Commerce pleads guilty to forgery, fraudulent use of a credit device charges.
Union, Missouri – In a significant development, Amanda Egli, former Executive Director of the Union Area Chamber of Commerce, plead guilty to forgery and fraudulent use of a credit device in court today before the Honorable Craig Hellmann. The plea comes after an extensive investigation by the Board of Directors and the Union Police Department which revealed the misuse of funds intended for community development initiatives.
According to the investigation, Amanda Egli was found to have misappropriated funds allocated for various programs aimed at supporting local businesses and enhancing community services. Instead, the former director diverted these funds for personal use, undermining the trust of both the Chamber and the community it serves.
The court proceedings have highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in nonprofit organizations.
"The actions of this individual do not reflect the values of our Chamber or the commitment we have to our community," said Chamber President Chris Dieckhaus. "We are committed to ensuring that our resources are used responsibly and will continue to work diligently to restore trust among our members and the public."
The Chamber has implemented new measures to enhance oversight and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sullivan Police Department-Death Investigation
10/24/2024
Sullivan,
Missouri - Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - On 10/22/2024, at
approximately 12:40 am, Sullivan Police Department Officers were dispatched to
a residence on the 300 block of Jones Street in Sullivan, MO., Franklin County,
for a report of a check the well being on a 63-year-old white male, later identified
as Dale W. Ryerson. The reporting party stated that they heard a
disturbance at the Ryerson residence, approximately a half hour earlier,
and saw someone carrying a man out to his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The subject placed the man into the passenger seat of the vehicle and they
drove off.
Upon Officers' arrival, they observed that the front door to
the residence was unsecured. Officers entered the vacant residence and
found evidence of a struggle and possible assault.
Officers immediately sent a Be On the Look Out message to surrounding agencies
for the Jeep Cherokee, bearing MO license plate EK3R7P, and entered Dale W.
Ryerson as a missing/endangered person and placed an Endangered Person Advisory
out.
Police are seeking information on the location of Ryerson and his Jeep
Cherokee. Police are also seeking the location of 34-year-old Cody Lee
Hunt as a person of interest in this investigation. If located do not
approach. Contact your nearest law enforcement agency. Hunt is to
be considered armed and dangerous.
UPDATE:
On 10/22/2024, at approximately 7:30 pm, Washington County Deputies responded
to a wooded area south of Potosi, MO. for a report of a brush fire. Upon
their arrival, they located a Jeep Cherokee that was burnt, and located human
remains inside the vehicle. At the time of this press release, the
remains have not been identified. The Jeep Cherokee was identified as
Ryerson's.
Again, If Hunt is located, do not attempt to make contact. He is
considered armed and dangerous. Contact 911 or your local law enforcement
agency.
UPDATE:
On the morning of October 23, 2024, Cody Lee Hunt was taken into custody at a
residence in Washington County, MO by the Washington County Sheriff's
Department. He was transported to the Washington County Jail before being
transferred to the custody of the Sullivan Police Department. The investigation
remains ongoing. All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven
guilty in a court of law.
Traffic Crashes
10/24/2024
A Leslie teenager was injured in a one vehicle crash in Franklin County. The state patrol says it happened at 5:45 Wednesday evening on Peters Ford Road south of Noser Mill Road. The patrol says 19-year old Colton Fritzmeyer was northbound in a pick-up truck driving too fast when he missed a curve, ran off the road and struck an embankment. Fritzmeyer was taken to Mercy in Washington by Gerald Ambulance with serious injuries. The patrol says he was not wearing a seat belt.
A New Haven man was taken to the hospital following a motorcycle crash in Franklin County. The patrol says 50-year old Matthew Sharpe was northbound on Highway C when he was struck by a deer. Sharpe lost control and overturned. He was taken to Mercy in Washington by Gerald Ambulance with moderate injuries following the wreck at 6:50 Tuesday evening on C near Old State Road.
Owensville Man Charged with Statutory Sodomy and Sexual Misconduct
10/24/2024
An Owensville man is facing charges of statutory sodomy and sexual misconduct.
The Gasconade County Prosecutor has charged James W. Gooch Junior with allegedly molesting two young children.
Gooch is charged with two counts of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy and deviate sexual intercourse. He faces an additional charge of sexual misconduct
Authorities say the parents of a 10-year-old and 12-year-old reported the incident to police.
The Child’s Advocacy Center interviewed the children on Oct. 21st, and during the interview the children stated they slept in Gooch's bed that night, and he allegedly inappropriately touched the children and showed his genitalia.
Gooch is being held on a bond of 75 thousand dollars.
Owensville police say it's an ongoing investigation and if anyone has further information, contact the Owensville PD at 573-437-7770.
State Working Through Childcare Payment Delays
10/23/2024
The state of Missouri is addressing delays in subsidy program payments to childcare providers. KMIZ reports that the delayed payments have been an issue for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for months. The delays were caused by technology issues that took place last December. The agency expects to be caught up on the delayed payments by the end of this month.
Missouri Farm Income To Drop
10/23/2024
Missouri farm income is expected to drop over the next two years. A new University of Missouri report says lower crop prices, high production costs and less federal aid are expected to impact the state' farm income. The state's net farm income is predicted to decrease by 697-million-dollars this year to three-point-six billion dollars.
Name The Alpaca At Longmeadow Rescue
10/23/2024
Longmeadow Rescue is looking for some help naming a new baby alpaca. Staff has selected four names they are hoping people will vote for including Michael, Fruitloop, Pacha and Alpacacino. The baby was born on September 30th.
Votes can be cast on the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Facebook page.
Missing Soldier Found Dead
10/23/2024
A missing Fort Leonard Wood solider is found dead. Twenty-three-year-old Sergeant Sarah Roque had served as a mine dog handler with the Fifth Engineer Battalion. Details about Roque's death and the discovery of her body have not been released. Roque's death is under investigation.
Possible Abduction In Sullivan
10/23/2024
Authorities in Sullivan are issuing an Endangered Person Advisory for a suspected abduction. Police believe 63-year-old Dale Ryerson was abducted by 34-year-old Cody Hunt overnight Tuesday. Hunt was last seen driving a silver 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Missouri license plates. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Sullivan P-D.
Child Welfare Division Head Resigning
10/22/2024
Missouri's child welfare division will soon be under new leadership. Darrell Missey is resigning effective November 1st. He has served as director of the Children's Division since January 2022.
Firefighter Suffers Minor Injuries
10/22/2024
A firefighter is recovering from minor injuries following a fire in Montgomery County. The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, and authorities say that a home and shed were fully involved. Firefighters were able to stop the blaze from spreading to another large shed, and no other injuries were reported.
Unexcused Early Voting Underway
10/22/2024
Missouri voters can now cast an early ballot without an excuse. Today is the first day that Missourians won't need an excuse to vote prior to election day. Election day is Tuesday, November 5th.
Missouri Utility Companies Backing Kehoe
10/22/2024
Missouri utility companies are backing Missouri Republican candidate for Governor Mike Kehoe. Since 2019, Evergy, Ameren and Spire have donated more than 408-thousand-dollars to a political action committee that supports Kehoe. The utilities have also given 86-thousand-dollars to the Citizens to Elect Mike Kehoe campaign committee.
Washington Job Fair & Hiring Event
10/22/2024
The
Washington Job Center will bring Missouri Department of Higher Education &
Workforce Development staff and area employers together to connect prospective
employees to career opportunities.
Attendees can create resumes, take assessments, and prepare for job interviews.
They can also learn about veteran services and education and apprenticeship
opportunities.
For more
information, please call the Washington Job Center at 636-583-9670.
When: 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. on October 22, 2024
Where: Washington Job
Center
1108 Washington
Square Center, Washington, Mo. 63090
Van Leer Honored with Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award
10/22/2024
Nursing is a field where care and compassion are at
the core, but it’s the educators who mold those qualities in future healthcare
professionals.
At East Central College, Jessica Van Leer, Assistant
Professor of Nursing, has been guiding eager nursing students for nearly a
decade. Now, her dedication and excellence in teaching have earned her the
prestigious 2024 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award.
Over the past nine years at ECC, Van Leer has played a
vital role in her students' growth, watching them evolve from enthusiastic
learners into confident professionals.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards program, sponsored
by Emerson, annually recognizes educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area
who exemplify excellence in their field. Recipients are selected by the chief
administrators of their school districts or employing educational institutions.
Van Leer holds a master’s degree in nursing education
from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in nursing
from Maryville University. Before joining ECC, she worked as a pediatric nurse
at Mercy Children's Hospital in St. Louis, where she cared for patients on the
medical-surgical pediatric floor.
Her transition into teaching allowed her to bring
real-world experience into the classroom.
“Jessica has consistently demonstrated excellence in
teaching through her ability to make complex nursing concepts easy for students
to understand,” one colleague said. “Her dedication and mentorship have earned
her the respect and admiration of her students, colleagues, and the community.”
Beyond teaching, Van Leer is actively involved in the
ECC community. She serves as the Student Nurse Organization club advisor and
chairs the Faculty Professional Development Committee, fostering an environment
of support and growth for both students and faculty.
In 2022, she was also nominated for the Washington
Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Professionals award, a testament to
her ongoing commitment to student success and professional excellence.
Brown-headed Nuthatches gaining ground in Missouri Ozarks following MDC and partners’ restoration efforts
10/22/2024
Biologists with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
say reintroduced Brown-headed Nuthatches are dispersing well within restored
pine woodland habitat in the Missouri Ozarks.
MDC and partners recently finished the third year of ongoing
efforts to reintroduce Brown-headed Nuthatches in the U.S. Forest Service’s
Mark Twain National Forest. In the first two years, 2020 and 2021, 102 birds
were translocated to the Eleven Point Ranger District of Mark Twain National
Forest. In Aug. 2024, MDC and partners released another 95 nuthatches to the
same area. Monitoring efforts have been ongoing, and signs have shown released
nuthatches move long distances across the landscape, but researchers did not
know just how far these birds were dispersing until recently.
On Oct. 2, a group of conservation partners who were touring a
pine woodland restoration site at Pioneer Forest, owned by the L-A-D
Foundation, heard the iconic squeaks of two Brown-headed Nuthatches. This was a
remarkable discovery because these nuthatches were nearly 30 miles away from
the original release site in Mark Twain National Forest. That may not sound
like a long distance, but to a tiny bird that doesn’t migrate, that’s quite
far.
“Not only have these nuthatches dispersed a great distance, one
of them did not have leg bands – meaning it was born in Missouri,” explained
MDC State Ornithologist Kristen Heath-Acre. “This is such an exciting
documentation because it means these birds are moving across the landscape,
finding good pine woodland habitat, and breeding.”
Brown-headed Nuthatches are only found in pine woodlands where
pines are mature, the canopy is mostly open to sunlight, and there are plenty
of well-decayed snags for nesting. This species was likely extirpated from
Missouri in the early 1900s when the last large swaths of shortleaf pine
woodlands were removed by intensive harvest and logging. The Ozark landscape
regrew into primarily oak-hickory forest, which is unsuitable for Brown-headed
Nuthatches. However, decades of pine woodland restoration by the Mark Twain
National Forest and other partners has returned the Brown-headed Nuthatch
habitat to the landscape.
“Finding these birds have moved across the landscape validates
all of the hard work the L-A-D Foundation, Mark Twain National Forest, MDC and
others have done restoring the landscape to historic pine woodland,” said
Heath-Acre. “If you build it, they will come – with a helping hand.”
Partnerships in Missouri’s Brown-headed Nuthatch restoration
include U.S. Forest Service’s Mark Twain National Forest, Ouachita National
Forest and Northern Research Station, the University of Missouri, Central
Hardwoods Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri River Bird
Observatory, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and more.
Learn more about the
Brown-headed Nuthatch on the MDC website at https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/brown-headed-nuthatch.
William Woods University To Celebrate Inaugural Homecoming
10/22/2024
A Missouri university is starting a new tradition. William Woods University is planning to host its first-ever homecoming this weekend. University President Jeremy Moreland says holding a homecoming celebration made sense because the school has introduced an intercollegiate football program.
Missouri Airmen Honored
10/21/2024
The men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base are being honored. KCTV reports that the service members were congratulated after the base's B-Two bombers returned home from a successful mission to Yemen. Missouri Congressman Mark Alford says that the airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen highlight the important role that the stealth bombers and the men and woman of Whiteman Air Force Base play in defending the nation.
Missouri Superintendent Of The Year Announced
10/21/2024
The state of Missouri's top school official is named. The Missouri Association of School Administrators announced Saturday that the Lebanon School District's Dr. David Schmitz has been named the 2025 Missouri Superintendent of the Year. Schmitz has led the Lebanon School District since 2016.
Voter Turnout Trends In Mid-Missouri In Line With National Trends
10/21/2024
Voter turnout trends in mid-Missouri are in line with national trends. KOMU reports that voter turnout in Laclede County was 47-percent in 2022, while 53-percent of Morgan County voters cast ballots during the 2022 election. The nationwide voter turnout two years ago was 46-percent.
MDC asks Missouri anglers to watch for Sandy Flesh disease
10/21/2024
Due to a recent finding of Sandy Flesh disease in walleye taken
from Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
biologists are asking Missouri anglers to watch for this uncommon fish disease.
The most recent discovery of Sandy Flesh disease occurred in a
walleye harvested in September by spear-fishing anglers in Bull Shoals in
Arkansas near the Arkansas-Missouri border. The only confirmed report of Sandy
Flesh disease in Missouri was in 2019 at Table Rock Lake. However, the
proximity of this recent discovery to Missouri has prompted MDC fisheries
biologists to ask Show-Me State anglers to be on the lookout for this disease.
“Because of the recent case in Bull Shoals, which spans two
states and has connectivity to a number of streams and other reservoirs, it
makes sense to ask anglers to look for this disease in Missouri, too,” said MDC
Sport Fish Ecologist Robert Weber. “Though we’re still learning more about this
uncommon disease, angler reporting of potential cases of Sandy Flesh disease
will keep us better informed and help track its prevalence.”
Sandy Flesh disease is a degenerative muscle disease that has
been present in the upper Midwest region of the U.S. for a number of years. It
should be noted that, though this disease has been found in several states, it
is uncommon – where it has been found, it seems to impact only a small number
of mature walleye. It has also been found in yellow perch, but it appears to be
a disease that primarily affects mature walleye. The disease is believed to be
non-transmissible to humans though MDC never recommends consumption of any meat
from diseased fish or wildlife. Specifics about the cause and mode of
transmission of Sandy Flesh disease are still unknown, but the disease doesn’t
appear to be transmissible to other fish species. The emergence of the disease
is thought to result from a combination of genetic factors and environmental
stressors.
There are no external signs of Sandy Flesh disease on an
infected fish; it is only visible once the fish has been cleaned and filleted.
The affected tissue resembles freezer-burnt meat. Characteristics of the
diseased flesh include tough, granular, coarse, and yellowish-brown muscle
tissue with knotted muscle fibers.
Anglers can help biologists gather information about this
disease by reporting potential cases to local MDC fisheries biologists.
Photographs of discolored filets and any other information about the fish are
helpful. MDC staff may be interested in collecting samples for testing if fish
are reported promptly.
Anglers should not dispose of infected fish in the body of water
where they were caught or in other reservoirs or streams. Infected fish should
be disposed of by burying the carcass or placing the remains in trash bags for
disposal through trash collection.
More information about this disease can be found at https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fish-diseases/sandy-flesh.
Stay at home dads are uniting in St. Louis
10/21/2024
The National At-Home Dad Network is holding its annual convention in downtown St. Louis this week. The HomeDadCon offers networking opportunities and speakers and panel discussions for dads to learn from their peers how to be a better parent and partner. The dads are also sharing ideas about improving the caregiving for their kids.
Gas Prices Steady
10/21/2024
Gas prices in Missouri are continuing to hold steady. According to Triple-A, the price for a gallon of regular was unchanged yesterday at two-dollars-and-84-cents. Prices are down by one cent over the past week.
Man Shoots Victim With Crossbow On Highway
10/18/2024
A Missouri man is accused of shooting a victim with a crossbow on a highway. The "Kansas City Star" reports that 19-year-old Jack Thomas Farlow of Ste. Genevieve was arrested October 10th for first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Farlow allegedly shot and wounded a man with a crossbow while trying to goad him into a fight on Highway 61 in Ste. Genevieve County on October 9th. The victim was taken to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.
MU Leader Addresses Racist Incidents On Campus
10/18/2024
University of Missouri System President Mun Choi is calling two recent incidents on the Columbia campus "abhorrent." KMIZ reports that Choi spoke about the incidents in a letter to students this week. The Mizzou Legion of Black Collegians shared information on its Instagram page on Sunday about students being called racial slurs on campus on October 6th and October 9th. Choi says that a juvenile from Boonville and a juvenile from Columbia were identified as responsible for the incidents, and they have been banned from campus.
September 2024 Monthly Jobs Report
10/18/2024
Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent in September 2024. The September 2024 rate was six-tenths of a percentage point higher than the September 2023 rate. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 121,636 in September 2024, down by 654 from August's 122,290.
The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased in September 2024, declining by nine-tenths of a percentage point to 3 percent from the August 2024 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 3.9 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 2.7 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for September 2024 was 3.9 percent.
Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.9 percent in September 2024, 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate of 62.7 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61.4 percent in September 2024, 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60.2 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in September 2024, two-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than nine years.
SIU-E Giving Fontbonne Transfers A Tuition Break
10/18/2024
Officials at SIU-Edwardsville have made the closing of Fontbonne University a little easier on Fontbonne students. SIU-E is waiving the 40-dollar application fee and offering Fontbonne students in good academic standing a 50-percent discount on tuition. Fontbonne also has agreements with 25 colleges and universities that will help students through the process of transferring. Declining enrollment and decreased endowment led to the decision to close the university in the summer of 2025.
Small Earthquake Reported In Missouri
10/18/2024
A small earthquake is reported in Missouri. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that a magnitude two-point-seven quake was centered about two-point-six-miles east of Doniphan in Ripley County at six-o'clock yesterday morning. There have been no reports of damage or injuries following the seismic activity.
No Hate Initiative Introduced In Ladue District
10/18/2024
Ladue School District is taking part in an anti-hate initiative. The district is implementing the No Place for Hate education initiative which has been developed by the Anti-Defamation League. More than 16-hundred schools nationwide are participating in the initiative and Ladue District officials say all eight of their schools are ready to take the No Place for Hate pledge next week. In recent weeks students in Ladue have been learning about the power of words and the harm done by name-calling and insults.
Task Force One Team Members Return Home
10/18/2024
Missouri Task Force One is back in the Show Me State. KOMU reports that the task force's 16-member Water Rescue Ready Package Team returned to the Boone County Fire Protection District Headquarters yesterday morning. The team was deployed late last month to conduct damage assessment and search and rescue operations in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The task force's Type Three team will return home today.
Traffic Crash
10/18/2024
A Union woman was injured in a two vehicle crash in Franklin County. The state patrol says it happened at 5:18 Thursday evening on Highway 47 at College Road. The patrol says 59-year old Pamela Baumgarth failed to yield to a vehicle driven by 58-year old Richard Ham of Lonedell and they collided. A passenger in Baumgarth's car, 81-year old Barbara Seaman of Union, was taken to Mercy in Washington with minor injuries.
Gas Prices Increase
10/17/2024
Gas prices in Missouri are up slightly. According to Triple-A, the average price for a gallon of regular rose by one-cent yesterday to two-dollars-and-86-cents. Prices are up by three cents over the past week.
Sunny Sky Forecast For Several Days
10/17/2024
The coldest temperatures since April have moved into St. Louis. The near-freezing nighttime temps will only last another night and then some warmth makes its way back into the St. Louis metro for the weekend. The forecast is calling for sunshine with highs in the 70's and lows in the 40s Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Senator Tours KC Riverfront Development
10/17/2024
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is getting a firsthand look at the Riverfront development in Kansas City. Schmitt toured the site of the 800-million-dollar Port KC development yesterday. Officials hope that Schmitt's visit results in more federal support for Kansas City's infrastructure projects.
More Task Force Members Returning Home
10/17/2024
More members of Missouri Task Force One are returning home. KMIZ reports that three Human Remains Detection Teams were scheduled to return to Boone County yesterday. Another task force team will return home tomorrow. Task force members had been in North Carolina to provide relief following Hurricane Helene.
Missourians Urged To Prepare For Possibility Of Major Earthquake
10/17/2024
Missouri residents are being urged to prepare for the possibility of a major earthquake. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency is conducting its annual ShakeOut Earthquake Drill today at 10:17 a.m. State officials say there is a 20-to-40-percent chance of a category six quake taking place in Missouri within the next 50 years.
Injured Deputy Released From Hospital
10/17/2024
One of the two Callaway County Sheriff's deputies who were shot this week is out of the hospital. Corporal Justin Bax was released from the hospital yesterday. Bax and Deputy Gardner Pottorff were shot during a traffic stop on I-70 in Callaway County on Monday. The suspect, Jonathan Beason, was killed during the shootout.
Post-Dispatch To Change Printing Shop, Layoff Workers
10/17/2024
The St. Louis Post Dispatch has announced it's moving its printing facility from Maryland Heights. Officials say the newspaper will layoff 72 employees and move its printing to a facility in Columbia, Missouri owned by its parent company Gannett. The Post says the print edition will still publish seven days a week. Delivery times will not change. The newspaper will stop the presses in Maryland Heights and make the move west in January.
St. Charles Soccer Complex Sold
10/17/2024
The St. Charles City Council has sold the city's soccer complex to a private developer. The council approved the sale of the soccer park to the Invesco Group for three million dollars. Invesco says it will keep the soccer complex and invest 20-million-dollars in improvements. Those would include installing eight fields with artificial turf and adding an indoor complex.
Hunters take 5,741 deer during firearms early antlerless portion
10/16/2024
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation
(MDC) shows that hunters harvested 5,741 deer during the state’s firearms early
antlerless portion of deer season, Oct. 11-13. The top-three harvest counties
were Franklin with 156 deer harvested, Howell with 140, and Bollinger with 135.
Last year’s early antlerless portion harvest total was 16,553. Get more
information on harvest summaries by county at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.
MDC’s Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle attributes the
decreased harvest to the stark contrast in weather conditions between the two
years. He noted that the unseasonably warm temperatures this year undoubtedly
kept many hunters out of the woods, resulting in far fewer deer being
harvested.
“We were fortunate to have caught a cold front during last
year’s inaugural early antlerless portion, which resulted in increased deer
movement and greater hunter participation,” said Isabelle.
Archery deer hunting in Missouri opened Sept. 15 and runs
through Nov. 15. It reopens Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Firearms
deer hunting in Missouri continues with the Early Youth Portion Nov. 2-3. The
November Portion runs Nov. 16-26 followed by the CWD Portion Nov. 27 – Dec. 1
in open counties. The Late Youth Portion runs Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 followed by the
Late Antlerless Portion Dec. 7-15 in open counties and then the Alternative
Methods Portion Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025.
Get more information on deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey
Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits
are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.
Traffic Crash
10/16/2024
One car crash in Franklin County sends a Ballwin man to the hospital. The state patrol says it happened at 8:20 Tuesday night on Highway O west of Robertsville Road. The patrol says 26-year old Bryentt Diltz was eastbound when he crossed the center line, ran off the road and overturned into a utility pole. Diltz was taken to Mercy in Washington by Meramec Ambulance with moderate injuries.
New iPhone Being Stolen Off The Porch
10/16/2024
Police in the Metro area are taking more and more reports about thefts of the new iPhone. The phones are being delivered to homes and then stolen by porch pirates. One of the most recent reports caught on camera is from a resident in Crestwood who had a phone stolen within minutes of delivery on Friday. In that case a man dressed like a FedEx driver left an empty box on the porch and took the box with the iPhone.
Injured Deputies Identified
10/16/2024
Two Callaway County deputies who were injured in a shooting are being identified. Corporal Justin Bax and Deputy Gardner Pottorff were shot during a traffic stop on I-70 on Monday. The driver, 37-year-old Jonathan Beason, who was wanted on multiple felony warrants, died following the exchange of gunfire.
Public Meetings Scheduled Over Proposed Ameren Rate Increase
10/16/2024
The Missouri Public Service Commission is planning to hold public hearings over Ameren's proposed rate increase. Ameren Missouri wants to raise its rates by more than 15-percent, which would cost the average residential customer more than 17-dollars more per month. The public hearing will take place January 23rd at noon at the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City.
Cryptocurrency Fraud Increasing
10/16/2024
Cryptocurrency fraud is on the rise in Missouri. KMOV reports that an FBI study found that victims in Missouri lost more than 55-million-dollars to scammers in 2023. The most common victims were people over age 60, and the highest number of incidents involved investment fraud and personal data breaches.
MoDOT Needs Snowplow Drivers
10/16/2024
The Missouri Department of Transportation is calling for more snowplow drivers. Officials say that there has been a statewide shortage of snowplow drivers for the past five years. MoDOT hired 100 drivers last summer, but they remain far short of a full crew of 32-hundred snowplow operators.