The draft FY 2024-2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) was presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission today. The draft five-year program includes funding from General Revenue – passed by the Missouri General Assembly – to widen and improve I-70, fix low-volume minor roads, upgrade railroad safety crossings and more. A 30-day public review and comment period begins today.

The STIP makes available $14 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $14 billion, the draft STIP details $10.5 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2.1 billion per year.  It also includes a record $3.4 billion in state General Revenue funded projects from the General Assembly subject to governor approval of the final budget.

“Over the past two years, the cost of doing transportation improvements has experienced record inflation ranging from 20-30%. Aside from the new funding from the General Assembly, this year’s program didn’t add a significant number of projects to the last two years as we manage the fiscal constraints of the funding,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “We are able to continue our asset management efforts while also making critical improvements and upgrades to corridors and safety features across the state.”

The draft FY 2024-2028 STIP lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2024-2028 (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2028) and reflects the transportation needs of communities across the state.

The proposed program is available for public review. Those interested in seeing the program or offering comments can contact MoDOT by email to STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov, by calling customer service at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or by mail to Transportation Planning, Program Comments, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The program is also available on MoDOT's website: https://www.modot.org/DRAFTSTIP. The formal comment period ends July 6, 2023.

Following the public review period, the comments will be presented to the Commission. The Commission will review the comments and the final transportation program before considering it for approval at its July 12 meeting.

East Central College and Logan University signed an agreement that streamlines students’ path toward a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

ECC and Logan, in Chesterfield, entered into a 2+4 agreement for students who earn their Associate of Arts degree in the STEM Pathway from ECC, and then transfer seamlessly to Logan’s Bachelor of Science degree program. This is the first 2+4 agreement entered into by ECC.

Under the agreement, ECC students complete their STEM AA degree, with an emphasis in biology, and then enter Logan’s BS in Life Science (BSLS) program. Students then work toward a BS degree and the admissions requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

“This transfer agreement represents a significant opportunity for ECC students who are interested in pursuing a career in chiropractic medicine,” said Dr. Robyn Walter, ECC vice president of academic affairs.

“By providing a clear and efficient pathway to advanced study at Logan University, this agreement will help students achieve their career goals and contribute to the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.”

Dr. Kristina Petrocco-Napuli, dean of the college of chiropractic at Logan University, said Logan is, “honored to partner with another top-notch institution to provide students with high-quality educational opportunities.”

“The ability to fast track education is extremely beneficial in today’s competitive workforce landscape,” she added. “This partnership benefits both schools and provides a direct career path into chiropractic or another health sciences field.”

Logan University has offered chiropractic education since 1935, including the Doctor of Chiropractic. It also offers masters and bachelor’s degrees online and on campus. To learn more, visit www.logan.edu.     

To learn more about ECC, visit www.eastcentral.edu, or call 636-584-6588. 

On June 4th, 2023, at approximately 8:00pm, Franklin County Deputies responded to a residence in the 1200 block of Schuchart Road in regard to a call of a peace disturbance with shots fired. It was determined the suspect was possibly inside a camper trailer on the property.

Upon deputies arriving at the trailer the suspect exited the trailer. Deputies began investigating the incident and conducting interviews. It was alleged the suspect, had been involved in a domestic assault earlier in the day and had damaged the victim’s property.  At one point during the confrontation the suspect had allegedly threatened to shoot the victim. The victim had left the residence in fear of the suspect.

Later in the day, the victim returned to the area, at which time the suspect exited the residence and fired rounds from a shotgun at the victim’s residence.   Upon conducting interviews with neighbors, they advised, they were outside and heard the shot ring out and heard projectiles strike a stock trailer near where they were standing. Inside the trailer, deputies located indications of a physical altercation as well as a shotgun and expended ammunition. The suspect was taken into custody for Domestic Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

Deputies applied for and were granted in custody warrants for the suspect Mark W. Vanderpool a 33-year-old male from the Union area on charges of two (2) counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one (1) count of Domestic Assault 4th with a bond amount of $50,000 cash only.   

On June 4th, 2023, at approximately 2:30am, Franklin County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 60 block of Hwy M in Villa Ridge, MO in regard to an intoxicated driver that crashed into numerous vehicles at a residence and was currently in the vehicle with a handgun. 

Upon deputies arriving on the scene, they began giving verbal commands for the suspect driver to exit the vehicle. The suspect was cursing out loud at deputies and was moving about within the vehicle. Eventually, the suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody by deputies where he was found to be in an obvious intoxicated state. 

Upon interviewing witnesses on the scene, it was discovered the suspect had crashed the vehicle before exiting and pointing the handgun at numerous people at the residence. He reentered the crashed vehicle just prior to deputies arriving on the scene.  The suspect was taken into custody for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and investigation of Driving While Intoxicated.  A search of the vehicle the suspect was occupying revealed a fully loaded handgun under the center arm rest of the vehicle. 

Deputies applied for and were granted in custody warrants for the suspect Alan Chavez-Dominquez a 19-year-old male from Ballwin, MO on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon-Exhibiting in a Threatening Manner with NO BOND set.

On May 23, a bear was struck and killed on I-55 near Festus—a reminder that bears are especially active this time of year, and that bear-human encounters are more likely. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds St. Louis region residents black bears are becoming a growing part of the St. Louis area landscape, even at times in highly populated areas. 

MDC’s ongoing bear research indicates the Show-Me-State is currently home to around 900 black bears, and that population is growing by 9% each year.   Only one species can be found in this state—the American black bear (Ursus americanus)—though multiple color phases can occur in Missouri other than black, such that a bear’s fur can be brown, red, or cinnamon in color.

Most of our bears are found in the southern part Missouri, according to MDC wildlife biologists, which is where the largest tracts of forested habitat are.   Despite their primary concentration in the Ozarks, sightings and potential encounters with bears are likely to increase in the St. Louis region as the population continues to grow.

Research shows the population is expanding its range too, which might explain the uptick in sightings in recent years. As the population grows and expands, bears are showing up in areas further north. Additionally, late spring/early summer is prime time for bears to be on the move. Young bears begin to wander seeking food and new areas to settle and adult males begin moving large distances in search of females.   

These creatures are part of our state’s natural history, and many people enjoy the thought of seeing one of these impressive animals.  While generally not aggressive, like any wild animal black bears are driven to find food.  It takes a lot of calories to fuel an animal that typically weighs several hundred pounds, and as they emerge from hibernation in spring, they’re especially hungry.  Bears are attracted to a variety of food sources this time of year.

Food, or rather the lack of it, is key to avoiding conflicts with bears.  The last thing homeowners should do is tempt them with any sort of food source, whether it be intentionally or unintentionally.  Feeding bears is dangerous as it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal.

A bear that grows accustomed to obtaining food from humans can become a problem which could result in an increased number of encounters, bolder behavior, property damage, and even the euthanizing of the bear. Tempting a bear to stick around high population areas with ready food sources also increases the chance of a fatal vehicle encounter, like the one near Festus.

These types of situations can be prevented by ensuring bears don’t have access to easy foods. 

MDC suggests the following tips to avoid issues if a bear has been sighted in the area.

• Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container or location.
• Regularly clean and disinfect trash containers to minimize smells that could attract bears.
• Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside.
• Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each meal and remove the empty containers.
• Refrain from using birdfeeders in bear country from April through November. If in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and four feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to the area.
• Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources.

These measures will also reduce problems with more common critters like raccoons and coyotes.

While black bears are generally a shy, non-aggressive species and bear attacks are rare throughout their range in North America, MDC offers these tips to stay safe when hiking and camping in bear country:

• Never deliberately offer a bear food!
• Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries, and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees.
• Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn or bury garbage or food waste.
• Make noise, such as clapping, singing, or talking loudly, while hiking to prevent surprising a bear.
• Travel in a group if possible.
• Keep dogs leashed.

• If hiking or camping in bear country, consider carrying bear spray. Read the instructions carefully and keep bear spray immediately available on your belt or your pack’s waist strap, not buried inside your pack.

• Be aware of surroundings. If there are signs of a bear, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area.
• Leave bears alone! Do not approach them, and make sure they have an escape route.

With a few sensible measures, it’s possible to welcome back Missouri’s black bears as our neighbors in the wild, without inviting them to the dinner table.

For more on black bears in Missouri, go to mdc.mo.gov/bearaware.  Report bear sightings and submit photos online at mdc.mo.gov/reportbears.

In addition to directly educating Missourians on how to Be Bear Aware about black bears in the state, MDC is also affiliated with the BearWise® program. BearWise is a multi-state education effort developed by black bear biologists and supported by state wildlife agencies, such as MDC, that provides sound information and smart solutions that help people, neighborhoods, and communities prevent problems with black bears and keep bears wild. BearWise shares ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild. Learn more at BearWise.org.