The federal emergency unemployment benefit has run out for 1.3 million people. Thousands in Missouri will lose this benefit. Now, they are scrambling to find work. In Missouri, nearly 85,000 people will lose their benefit and in Arkansas just more than 40,000 people will lose the federal benefit at midnight, Dec. 27. The Missouri Career Center’s John Peine says they dug deeper to find out how many people were affected in the Ozarks. These federal unemployment benefits were designed to help the long term unemployed. The Missouri Career Center says right now they are offering multiple training courses and have hundreds of jobs open for people meeting the specific requirement for the work. There are also free re-training classes offered as part of a grant from the department of labor and a partnership between the Career Center and OTC. For additional information about training workshops or job opportunities you can contact the Missouri Career Center by calling 417-887-4343

Carbon monoxide poisoning is being blamed in the death of a couple in northeast Missouri.

The Hannibal Courier-Post reports that 49-year-old Howard Stout and 48-year-old Theresa Stout died Wednesday night or Thursday morning in rural Pike County. They were found in a small camper where they had been living.

Coroner Jim Turner says the Stouts hooked up a propane tank and had a space heater in the camper, which apparently caused carbon monoxide poisoning. A relative found the couple about 10 a.m. Thursday. They were last seen alive about 3 p.m. the day before.

A St. Louis judge has ruled that DNA tests fail to prove that a man is innocent of killing a woman and sexually assaulting her young daughters three decades ago.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 69-year-old Rodney Lee Lincoln sought to have his double life sentence overturned. He had hoped that DNA testing would show that he didn’t kill 35-year-old JoAnn Tate in 1982, nor assault her daughters, 7-year-old Melissa and 4-year-old Renee.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Robin Vannoy on Tuesday rejected the motion after hearing the case in September.

Lincoln’s daughter, Kay Lincoln, says an appeal is planned.

Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce agreed to allow DNA testing after misplaced evidence was found. Prosecutors said it was not a case where DNA provided the ultimate word.

With less than eight months before School of the Osage begins classes for the 2014-15 school year, the Heritage Building renovation is right on schedule. Board of education members received their monthly update Tuesday night during their regular meeting, and approved a handful of change orders as the project nears the halfway mark.School of the Osage voters last April approved a $22 million bond issue for renovation and expansion of the Heritage Building, security improvements at district buildings and improvements to the high school.

The Salvation Army said they are behind on making their goal for this year’s Christmas campaign. Administrators blame today’s cashless society.

They said many shoppers carry less cash than they did in the past and that means fewer donations in their red kettles. If you don’t carry cash while shopping, the Salvation Army would like you to use your plastic at one of their thrift stores for Christmas campaign donations.
Bell ringers will be out until Christmas Eve.

You can make donations through end of January and still get a tax credit for the Salvation Army’s 2013 Christmas Campaign.

Missourians who live in rural areas are far less likely to have health insurance than those living near big cities, according to U.S. Census data.

The Associated Press examined county-by-county data for 2011, the most recent year available.

The numbers show the uphill climb facing President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul in Missouri, which opted against setting up its own exchange and instead allowed the federal government to run it.

Missouri overall ranks right in the middle of the nation in the percentage of uninsured residents under age 65 — tied with Washington state at 25th with 16 percent uninsured.

But in 34 of Missouri’s 115 counties, one-fifth to one-quarter of non-senior residents lack health insurance. Twenty-seven of those 34 counties have fewer than 25,000 residents.

Now in it’s third week in a row, Missouri faces a weekend filled with potentially dangerous winter weather. Freezing rain, snow, and even flash flooding are in the forecast. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges motorists to take caution, pay close attention to weather forecasts, and consider changing travel plans to Friday instead of Saturday.

“If temperatures don’t move above freezing in central and northern Missouri this weekend, there could be a quarter inch of ice along the I-70 corridor,” said State Maintenance Engineer Beth Wright. “If that occurs, we advise that motorists not travel until we can make progress clearing those roadways.”
Freezing rain is in the forecast for the northern half of the state, but accumulations could vary. Motorists should remember that even a thin glaze of ice can cause travel problems because it’s difficult to see and very dangerous to drive on.

“During last week’s storm we had a light glaze of ice on roadways, and nine people lost their lives,” said Wright. “We ask that you reconsider your travel plans this weekend because we don’t want any more families to face the holiday season without all their loved ones.”

After today’s freezing rain, the northern half of the state may also see snow accumulation on Sunday. And in the southeast portion of the state, flash flooding, thunderstorms, and strong winds may affect travel through Sunday.

“We have a full fleet of trucks and equipment and thousands of maintenance workers ready to fight this storm for the duration,” said Wright. “Our crews are ready.”

If you must travel, take your mobile phone and winter survival supplies. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle and call 911. Be aware that emergency responders may have difficulty reaching you. Remember the following winter driving tips:

• Wear your seat belt.

• Slow down, and adjust your speed to the conditions.

• Give snow plows plenty of room.

• Keep your windshield and windows clear to help you see.

• Be alert and remember that road conditions can change very quickly.

• Allow extra travel time to get to your destination.

Stay informed about Missouri road conditions by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available online at www.modot.org or through the smartphone app. The map offers current views of road conditions for Missouri interstates and highways. You can zoom in to a particular location, check live weather radar and view images from MoDOT’s traffic cameras and message boards.

The Morgan County R-II Board of Education and Administration will be holding public hearings in January after receiving word Dec. 12 that the school district’s grant application with FEMA for assistance in building a storm shelter was approved. the grant will provide $1.8 million toward the construction of a facility at the main campus in Versailles large enough to hold everyone at the location and be able to withstand an F-4 tornado. The board will also begin looking for an architect to develop a design for submission to FEMA.

The next section of the old Hurricane Deck Bridge in Sunrise Beach came down today. The Missouri Department of Transportation says the span on the south end of the old bridge was blown up at 9:00 AM. Route 5 over the new Hurricane Deck Bridge was closed in both directions for 15 minutes at the time of the blast and water traffic was prohibited in a 15 hundred foot radius around the bridge for one hour. American Bridge will take the next couple of weeks to fish the truss span and any debris out of the lake. The metal retrieved from the lake will be placed on barges, processed and salvaged as scrap metal. Saturday’s blast is the second of three to demolish the old Hurricane Deck Bridge. The first blast took place on December 7th, and the last one is scheduled to happen in the next two weeks.

The winter weather is to blame for a fatal accident involving a Camdenton woman Friday morning. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident was reported at 7:55 a.m. on Route D, west of Spencer Creek Road. Karla Brown, 42, of Camdenton slid on an ice covered road and traveled into the path of a vehicle driven by Jeanne Mcintosh, 43, of Linn Creek. Mcintosh was struck head on. Mcintosh was taken to Lake Regional Hospital with moderate injuries. She was wearing a seat belt.

Ameren UE will temporarily close Bagnell Dam on Business Route 54 in Miller County on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to replace a gate on the dam. The dam will be closed to traffic at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, with plans to reopen by the end of the day. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes during the closure. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or log onto www.modot.org/central.

Here is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the mid-Missouri area for the two-week period of December 16 – December 27, 2013. Weather conditions may cause postponements in the work schedule. Other construction or maintenance work may occur on other roadways throughout the area. Many projects will include lane closures, and delays can be expected. In Camden County Route 5 bridge over the Lake of the Ozarks at Hurricane Deck Bridge replacement continues. The new bridge is open to traffic.
The contractor will continue general cleanup under the bridge and demolition of the old Hurricane Deck Bridge over the next several months. The work will have little impact on traffic, except when the blasting takes place. The next blast is tentatively planned for Friday, December 20. The blast will require the road to be closed for approximately 15 minutes.
Route V between Route 54 and Chandler Drive Culvert pipe repair will take place Monday, December 16 through Friday, December 20. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Route V between Route 54 and Route 7 – Roadside maintenance will take place Monday, December 16 through Friday, December 20. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area.

Bella Donna Salon in Osage Beach recently donated $1,138 to Lake Regional Cancer Center’s HOPE Program, which provides supportive assistance for cancer patients.
In October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the salon hosted a cut-a-thon, donating 100 percent of the one-day event’s profits. Also throughout the month, Bella Donna stylists sold pink hair extensions and pink paraffin hand treatments with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lake Regional. With the help of other community businesses, Bella Donna Salon also hosted a raffle with four prize packages. The prizes included donations from Bentley’s, Walmart, J. Bruner’s and Mike Harrington. Bella Donna’s donation was nearly double the amount the salon raised in 2012 through similar activities.

Camdenton High School Class of 2014 Project Graduation will be holding a fund raiser on December 14th, 2013 from 8am-11am. Project Graduation has become a safe alternative for our Graduating Seniors to celebrate this milestone in their lives. This night provides transportation to and from an off campus venue and offers activities for all graduating seniors. This evening has help eliminate many tragic accidents resulting in injuries and deaths of our graduates across the country by offering a safe drug and alcohol free environment.

A Belle man was charged late Saturday after Maries County deputies found a suspected meth lab in his home. Keith Lansford, 50, was arrested during a search warrant on Highway 28 outside Belle early Saturday. deputies found methamphetamines, a suspected meth lab, guns and ammunition inside the home. Lansford was charged hours later with attempt to manufacture a controlled substance. He was being held Saturday night on $100,000 bond.

Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District officials continued the process of narrowing down candidates for a new assistant chief Wednesday with an assessment center set up at the administration building to evaluate three candidates selected from a pool of more than 20. The job candidates participated in three exercises while outside evaluators from Columbia, Jefferson City and Joplin fire departments reviewed their work in scenarios that covered command of a fire scene, communicating with the community and personnel management. Their performances were judged on a one to five scale on command presence, decisiveness, oral communications, problem analysis and stress tolerance.

Ameren Missouri crews continue working around the clock to restore power to customers in southeast Missouri affected by the recent winter storm. Due to the nature of this dynamic storm, outage numbers are fluctuating. Outages in some areas are reoccurring only hours after they were restored. These are caused by a phenomenon known in the industry as “galloping lines,” the result of ice and high winds that cause power lines to sway and even bounce up and down. “This dynamic storm poses unique challenges to our crews,” said Michael Moehn, senior vice president, Customer Operations for Ameren Missouri. “Sometimes our workers return to the same lines they’d repaired only hours before because these high winds have knocked out power again. Most customers have not experienced more than four hours without power. We remain committed to making sure our customers have the safe and reliable power they expect from us, so we’ll stay on the job until the lines are secure.”

A traffic stop by the Camden County Sheriff’s Department leads to the arrest of two Lake Ozark residents on drug charges. On Monday night, a deputy stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Horseshoe Bend Parkway. The people inside the vehicle, 49-year old Mark Wood and 36-year old Michelle Mack, consented to a search and deputies found 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and three and a half grams of meth. A search warrant was obtained for the home where Wood and Mack lived in Lake Ozark where officers found more meth and packing material common with the sale of meth. Wood is charged with distribute, deliver, manufacture of a controlled substance. His cash bond is set at 40 thousand dollars. Mack is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Her cash bond is set at 50 thousand dollars.

The snow and road conditions on Friday will delay the first demolition blast of the old Hurricane Deck Bridge until Noon today weather permitting. The Missouri Department of Transportation says the first blast will happen at high noon. MODOT Area Engineer Bob Lynch says traffic will be stopped on the new bridge and on the water. This is the first of three blasts to demolish the Old Hurricane Deck Bridge. The next will happen in two weeks and the last will happen two weeks later. These will be done weather permitting.

Construction of phase one of the Sunrise Beach wastewater treatment system is set to begin Dec. 9. The board of trustees finished up financial paperwork with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and pre-construction details at a special meeting Nov. 25. In addition to collection pipe, phase one will include an extended-aeration treatment plant with a capacity of 50,000 gallons per day and potential for future expansion. The plans for phase one have a total scope of $2.5 million with $1,820,475 roughly 75 percent coming from a DNR grant. A $750,000 low interest loan from the state revolving fund rounds out the financing package.

A reminder for your trans[ortation needs this week. Route 5 at the Hurricane Deck Bridge will be completely closed in both directions for approximately fifteen minutes on Thursday, December 5, as crews take down a portion of the old bridge. Crews will be blasting a 740-foot section of the old Hurricane Deck Bridge at 11 a.m., and the area must be cleared for approximately 10 minutes prior to about five minutes after the blast. Water traffic will be prohibited in a 1,500-foot radius from the bridge for approximately one hour, starting at 10:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 11:30 a.m. People in watercraft who want to travel under the bridge should plan their trip accordingly. Once the area is secured, the span from the north end of the old bridge to the second pier in the water will be blasted and around one million pounds of steel from the truss will be dropped into the Lake of the Ozarks. Crews will then sweep the new Hurricane Deck Bridge to clear any debris before reopening the highway to traffic.

It’s that time of the year for the music that warms your hearts…The Lake Area Community Orchestra will have its first of six performances of the winter season Sunday with a concert at Community Christian Church in Camdenton. Performances will take place Sunday and Tuesday evenings the first three weeks in December. If your excited about the event all concerts start at 7 p.m. The concerts have no admission fee, but donations will be accepted. More than 40 musicians ranging in age from high school to the 70’s make up this orchestra and come from many communities surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks area and as far away as California and Jefferson City.

How many times have you driven in the city limits of Laurie and been frustrated with bad roads? Almost 10 years since the initial paving, roadway conditions in the City of Laurie have begun deteriorating and depressions, cracks and potholes mar several spots along the eight miles of city streets. With citizen complaints earlier in the year about potholes, depressions and cracks marring several spots on city streets, the Laurie Board of Aldermen has been looking at what it can do with a limited budget to make improvements.
While the fund does not have money to repair all bad places or do maintenance on all streets, the board decided to stretch an unspent $15,000 in the fund to do some of the worst spots. APAC has repaired two bad spots at Osage Ave. and Indian Lake Ave. at the entrance to Indian Rock Golf Course and a large deficiency on Fairgrounds Drive. The company also crack sealed several lineal feet on Lake Trail Rd. and Laurie Heights Drive. The estimate for the work was just over $15,000, according to Young, but the final bill has not yet been submitted to the city.

With so many residents heading out to begin their holiday shopping this weekend, the Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce and other local business groups are asking local residents to “shop small” on Small Business Saturday. The “shop small” concept is part of a nationwide effort to recognize small business and the contribution those small businesses make in a community. Statistically, it is estimated the 52 cents of every dollar spent in a small business stays in the local community. In 2012, consumers spent $5.5 billion what consumers spent in 2012 on Small Business Saturday. According to Camdenton Chamber of Commerce officials, Small Business Saturday® was created in 2010 in response to small business owners’ need for more customers.

The Sunrise Beach TIF Commission hearing on a proposed amendment to the terms of the Sunrise Beach Market Center tax increment financing plan has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District Headquarters, 30 Porter Mill Spring Rd. The developers of Sunrise Beach Market Center Supermarket Developers, Inc. are seeking to extend the TIF due to cost overruns in the excavation budget for the site. Under state statute, a TIF district allows a portion of future taxes generated by a designated development to pay for certain project costs. In this case, the TIF is funding site development and professional fees. The project was originally estimated at $15.64 million with the TIF to be concluded in 2030 – a period of 17 years. The proposed extension would lengthen the TIF to 18-20 years.

Programs that help Missouri’s wine producers and urban gardeners are among those sharing $300,000 in federal funding. State officials say the money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The largest grant nearly $60,000 will help Missouri State University research ways to make the Norton grape more resistant to fungal disease. The University of Missouri’s Grape and Wine Institute is receiving nearly $34,000 to help wine grape growers make good decisions about harvest and management. Nearly $30,000 is going to the Kansas City Community Gardens. Money also will be used to research methods to improve production of nuts, berries, vegetables and flowers throughout the state.

New numbers released from the Missouri Department of Transportation show that Missouri’s percentage of seat belt users is below the national average. According to MoDOT, seat belt use in Missouri is around 79 percent, compared to the national average of 85 percent. The Missouri number comes from a statewide survey about two weeks after the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign this past spring. Teen seat belt use in Missouri increased one percent from 66 percent last year to 67 percent this year.

The Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments is looking for a regional planner for the second time in a few months. The organization had recently hired Andy Draper to fill its second of two regional planner positions after terminating the employment of Mac McNally this summer for unspecified reasons. The staff of two regional planners, fiscal officer and administrative assistant are headed by Executive Director Linda Conner who was named to her position in January 2013 after serving as interim director since August 2012.
The council serves the counties of Camden, Miller, Morgan and Laclede. Projects currently being worked on by LOCLG staff include hazard mitigation plans for Laclede, Miller and Morgan counties, sewer expansion in Camden County.

Missouri businesses will continue to pay higher unemployment taxes next year in order to pay down a state debt to the federal government. Missouri began borrowing from the federal government in 2008 to pay jobless benefits after an economic downturn drained the state’s unemployment benefits trust fund. That debt has remained outstanding for several years.
Businesses would normally pay $42 per employee per year under the federal unemployment benefits tax. Missouri is one of 13 states being hit with a tax higher rate to help pay down its federal loan.

Gov. Nixon has selected the chief medical officer for the Missouri Department of Mental Health to lead the state’s Medicaid health care program. Joe Parks will take over as director of the MO HealthNet Division of the Department of Social Services starting Dec. 16. He replaces Ian McCaslin, who left that position in May after serving as director since August 2007.
The MO HealthNet Division oversees a Medicaid program that provides health coverage to about 850,000 lower-income children, custodial parents, disabled residents and seniors.

New numbers released from the Missouri Department of Transportation show that Missouri’s percentage of seat belt users is below the national average. According to MoDOT, seat belt use in Missouri is around 79 percent, compared to the national average of 85 percent. The Missouri number comes from a statewide survey about two weeks after the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign this past spring. Teen seat belt use in Missouri increased one percent from 66 percent last year to 67 percent this year.

The Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments is looking for a regional planner for the second time in a few months. The organization had recently hired Andy Draper to fill its second of two regional planner positions after terminating the employment of Mac McNally this summer for unspecified reasons. The staff of two regional planners, fiscal officer and administrative assistant are headed by Executive Director Linda Conner who was named to her position in January 2013 after serving as interim director since August 2012.
The council serves the counties of Camden, Miller, Morgan and Laclede. Projects currently being worked on by LOCLG staff include hazard mitigation plans for Laclede, Miller and Morgan counties, sewer expansion in Camden County.

The Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District has identified the victim of a house fire last Thursday as that of a 51 year old David Ratterree of 58 Winding Ashley Drive in Sunrise Beach.
The district was alerted to the house fire at 10:34. When units arrived on the scene the home was fully involved. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in less than 45 minutes. Due to the extreme nature of the fire, Chief Reilly believes the homeowner succumbed to the fire before they were even notified. The house could not be seen from the roadway because it was positioned so far down on the lake shore. The house was a total loss and the fire has been classified as an accident, but the exact cause has not been determined.

A Linn-area meat processor this weekend said hunters brought in fewer deer on the first day of firearm season than he has seen in the past. He said hunters used to bring in as many as 50 deer on the first day of firearm season in the past. Last year, he said hunters brought in about 100 deer in total, compared to 300 during normal years. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the main portion of firearm season continues through Tuesday, Nov. 26. Hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Hunters may take one antlered deer during the firearms deer season, including the two youth firearm sessions.

All you bakers get ready for some fun competition. The Shawnee Bluff Winery in Lake Ozark will host the Front Porch Pie Baking Contest on Sunday, Nov. 24. Nonprofessional bakers in the Lake Area community are invited to compete, submitting an entry form by 4 p.m. this Friday to the winery. All entries must be homemade, with only one entry per person. Contestants who enter pies can do so at 10 a.m. Nov. 24, with judging taking place at 2 p.m. The first place prize winner will receive a $75 gift card and a two-night stay at Shawnee Bluff Winery or Casa De Loco Winery. For more information or to enter, contact Teena at Shawnee Bluff Winery at 573-365-9463.

Secretary of State Jason Kander announced this week he has established the Elections Integrity Unit, a new program in the Elections Division of his office that will help protect Missouri elections and the rights of Missouri voters. Since he took office in January, Kander has shown zero tolerance for voter fraud, and his office has already reviewed numerous complaints and assisted local prosecutors with elections-related cases. Kander is the first secretary of state in Missouri to formalize this process and make his office’s findings available to Missourians.

A large amount of crystal meth and guns were found in Maries County Thursday. Deputies arrested two people after searching a home on Maries County Road 302 in Vienna. Officials say they found three pounds of meth, which is worth more than $100,000. They also found evidence that the residents were making and selling it.
Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman says that is the largest amount of meth they have ever seen.

November is in full swing and that can only mean one thing in Missouri, Firearms Deer Season! With deer season right around the corner, there are a few things that all hunters need to keep in mind. All hunters are required to wear a hunter orange top and a hunter orange hat during the fall firearms deer season. Tagging requirements are a little different this year compared to years past, so it is crucial that hunters are aware of the changes. After harvesting your deer, you must immediately invalidate your permit by notching the month and day that the deer was taken on.

As colder weather moves in, the systems we us to keep warm, like space heaters and furnaces, become a concern for firefighters. Already this season, firefighters have doused flames at various homes because of fires possibly sparked by heaters. Anything combustible should be kept at least three feet away from any heater and be sure children and pets stay away, too. All portable heaters should be turned off before bed, chimneys should be cleaned and smoke detectors tested. And with the upcoming holidays, turkey cookers, christmas lights and extension cords and other items also spark concern.

During the holiday season, a few hours of your time can make a world of difference to local residents suffering hard times as well as disaster victims around the country. Tis the season for the Lake Area Salvation Army to sign up bell ringers. Give a little time at the familiar cherry red kettles, and you’ll likely get more than you bargained for perhaps a dash of Christmas spirit and some good will towards man. Volunteers are needed to tie on the apron and toll the bell to help keep the buckets open and donations flowing throughout the holiday season. The Salvation Army’s motto is “need knows no season.” While the kettles only stand outside area businesses in November and December, the coins and bills dropped in by denominations large and small help lift up the struggling throughout the year.

Changes aimed at boosting numbers of large blue catfish in Missouri’s lakes will be considered by a state Legislature committee. The Conservation Commission has approved a regulation that would allow anglers to keep 10 blue catfish instead of five at the Truman Lake and the Lake of the Ozarks and its tributaries. People would be allowed to keep two fish longer than 34 inches and would be required to return immediately all fish between 26 inches and 34 inches. A state House appropriations committee focused on agriculture and natural resources has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday. The proposal is scheduled to take effect this upcoming March. Conservation officials say it’s aimed at improving the fishery and boosting the number of large blue catfish.

It’s coming up on that time of the year. The Greater Lake Area Chorale and the Lake Area Children’s Choir will be performing three concerts this season. The children’s choir is sponsored by the GLAC. The children’s choir is for students in grades 5-8 from lake area schools. The joint performances will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 17 Harper Chapel Osage Beach, Nov. 24 Christ the King Lake Ozark, Dec. 8 New Life Nazarene Camdenton. The Greater Lake Area Chorale presents “Winter’s Songs” for this year’s concert series. The chorale will performa a concert series. Nov. 17 Harper Chapel, 3 p.m., Nov. 24, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3 p.m.

After completing a tour of the state and speaking with thousands of Missourians about what they want in a transportation system, the Missouri Department of Transportation learned some financial decisions will have to be made. MoDOT on Thursday released a draft of its long-range transportation plan containing four goals for the future of Missouri’s transportation. The goals were compiled based on Missourians’ thoughts on the state’s transportation after MoDOT traveled county to county from January to June during its effort called “On the Move.” MoDOT is required every five years to construct a 20-year transportation plan.

A change in a plea means an Iberia man will be sentenced early next year for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On Wednesday, Jerry Henderson the second changed his plea to guilty. His bond was also reduced from five thousand to 50 thousand dollars. Henderson was charged after more than 20 guns and hundreds of pounds of ammunition were found inside his bedroom during the investigation into the murder of his 13-year old step daughter in June. Macala Shelton had been reported missing before Henderson’s brother, Steven Henderson, confessed to stabbing her to death and placing her body near an abandoned farm. Jerry Henderson will be sentenced on January 8th.

At the Mid County Fire Protection District, members of the board are encouraging voters to get out and vote so they know what type of fire protection organization the public wants.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, residents of the district are being asked to approve an increase in the operating levy. MCFPD officials say the costs of providing fire protection are on the rise, forcing the use of reserve funds to keep pace with the demands of the district.

A Camdenton woman is dead following a one-vehicle wreck Friday morning inside the Camdenton city limits. Sarah Wroda, 22, was driving a 2004 Dodge when she drove off the right side of Highway 54 at Laker Pride Road. The vehicle then hit a utility pole. Wroda was pronounced dead at 5 a.m. by Camden County Medical Examiner Dee Ballard.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Wroda was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck. This is Troop F’s 38th fatality in 2013.

This past week a 2009 provision that increased funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program sunsetted. This means users of SNAP benefits, popularly known as food stamps, will get less money to spend on food this month than they did in October. The Missouri Department of Social Services said the reduction amount varies, but a family of four with no income would receive $632 in SNAP benefits for the month of November compared with $668 this October. This means a family in this situation would be able to spend at most $7.02 on a single meal, assuming the family eats three meals a day for 30 days, down 40 cents from last month.

Scott Gordon, the communications director for the Foo

The start of November means Missouri residents are protected by the state’s “cold weather” rule, which bars cutoffs of heat in freezing weather. The rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. It prohibits shutoffs from November through March whenever the temperature is predicted to fall below 32 degrees in the following 24 hours. It also provides more lenient payment terms for residents to reconnect natural gas or electrical service.

Voters in many counties across Missouri will have issues to decide next Tuesday, November 5th – and many of them are the same issue. It’s a local use tax on purchases made out of state, such as over the internet, and is equal to the local sales tax charged per county. In Greene County, commissioners estimate $3 million a year could be raised by charging the tax on internet purchases. It would not be charged on any purchases made in Greene County or Missouri only out of state.

The long awaited plans for a new hotel at the Old Kinderhook development are about to be unveiled. The project planned for the lakefront development west of Camdenton on the Niangua Arm of Lake of the Ozarks has been in the planning stages since 2013. Next week, Old Kinderhook Executive Director Bob Renken, along with a host of public officials, will unveil the plans for The Lodge at Old Kinderhook. The architecture is described as a majestic lodge setting with 84 rooms. It is scheduled to open late 2014.

Lake Regional Health System will host a community health fair from 7:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Climax Area Civic Center on State Road DD. The health fair will include free blood pressure readings, body fat analysis and pulmonary function screenings. The Camden County Health Department will offer flu shots for $20. In addition, the following screenings will be available for a nominal fee. Complete blood count – $3…Blood chemistry profile – $10…Prostate cancer (PSA) – $15

Investigators say a Branson man and woman face multiple charges in a rape investigation involving a minor. Malcolm Pearce faces forcible rape and statutory rape charges after police say he got a minor drunk, then had sex with her. The 16-year-old told police she faded in-and-our of consciousness during the incident. She also told police she resisted the contact both physically and verbally. Dawn Driggars also faces an enticement of a child charge in the case.

A few lucky pigs to tell you about…More than 60 pigs were rescued from a barn near the Lake of the Ozarks Friday. Around 10:30 a.m., people spotted flames at the barn off Sharp Road in Montreal, which is east of Camdenton.
Crews from the Mid-County Fire Protection District cleared the scene around 2:30 p.m. Most of the damage was contained to an office inside the 7,000 square-foot building. Firefighters say they safely evacuated 63 pigs.

Hard to believe…that time again for those piles of leaves…The City of Camdenton Public Works Department will begin the annual leaf pick-up on Nov. 4. A map showing what week the different areas of town will be picked up can be found on the City’s website at www.camdentoncity.com, or can be picked up at City Hall. If you plan to have a pick up, please place the leaves in a pile next to the ditch (not in the ditch or on the street) and be sure there are no limbs, rocks or other debris mixed in with the leaves.

A drug task force in the Lake Area releases their quarterly numbers for drugs seized by their officers. The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group focuses their efforts on drug enforcement by conducting both covert and overt narcotics investigations. From July 1 to September 30, officers seized more than six thousand grams of marijuana and 538 grams of meth. 205 units of prescriptions drugs and 100 grams of pseudoephedrine along with amounts of six other kinds of drugs were seized. LANEG also seized four guns, disassembled 23 meth labs, served 28 search warrants, and made 78 arrests. The Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group serves Camden, Crawford, Gasconade, Laclede, Maries, Osage, and Pulaski Counties.

A sad weekend on area roadways…a woman is dead and a toddler seriously injured after a crash on Highway 54 Saturday evening. It happened when a car driven by Jefferson City resident Luis Narvaez hit another car belonging to Columbia resident Huayang Wang, who was stopped on the side of the road. Wang was uninjured, but 22 year old Maria Martinez was taken to Capitol Region Medical Center and then to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a little after 8 p.m. Another passenger, 2-year-old Karla Gonzales, was airlifted to University Hospital, where officials said Sunday she was in critical condition. Narvaez and a third passenger, Jorge Guevara, were taken to Lake Regional Hospital with moderate injuries.

Cole County Fire officials are calling a fire at a daycare on Bagnell Drive Saturday afternoon “suspicious.” Cole County Fire Protection District, said the fire was put out in about ten minutes. It caused about $5,000 in damage to exterior siding and also damaged toys outside the building. The interior of the building was unharmed. No one was in the building at the time. Authorities are investigating.

Missouri’s judges could be due a multi-million-dollar pay increase if their counterparts in the federal government win a court case seeking a retroactive pay hike. The potential pay increase could affect more than 400 judges in Missouri. It even could lead to pay increases for dozens of full-time local prosecutors. The administrative arm of Missouri’s court system has prepared a budget request for the next year estimating the potential judicial pay increase could cost nearly $6.7 million. Counties could collectively be on the hook for an additional $1 million for prosecutors.

What is being described as a destination entertainment complex could soon be under construction in Osage Beach. During the 6th Annual Real Estate Symposium on Thursday, those in attendance were told about Town Harbour which would be built off of Jeffries Road and Highway 54. The project would include two hotels along with shops, bars and restaurants connected together with a boardwalk. Town Harbour would be accessible by both water and land.
Developer Kent Nixon says the project will depend on a successful tax increment financing application. Nixon says if the TIF is approved later this year, excavation would start in 2014 and part of the project would be ready to open in late 2015.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports that hunters checked 600 deer during the Urban Portion of Missouri’s Firearms Deer Season. County harvest totals during the urban portion were: Boone, 77; Cass, 39; Christian, 9; Clay, 30; Cole, 33; Franklin, 57; Greene, 104; Jackson, 33; Jefferson, 64; Platte, 9; St. Charles, 98; and St. Louis, 47. Female deer made up 83 percent of this year’s urban portion harvest. Hunters are only allowed to shoot antlerless deer during the Urban Portion. This focus on harvesting female deer is designed to control deer numbers in urban and suburban areas, where hunting pressure is lighter and the potential for deer-vehicle accidents and property damage is greater.
This year’s harvest was below average for the urban portion, which became part of the firearms deer season in 2003.

State Representative Rocky Miller has revealed he recently suffered from a cerebellum stroke, and says he is now making a “quick recovery.”He reportedly began experiencing vertigo and severe headaches, and checked into Capital Region Medical Center for treatment. Calling the stroke a “mystery,” Miller reported he spent a couple of days in the hospital and has now begun physical therapy. He also said his time of rest has given him a chance to muse on state government inefficiencies and ways to improve various state agencies.

More personnel changes are being made at the Missouri Department of Agriculture. A department spokeswoman said Thursday that Deputy Director Dennis Baird is being replaced by Misti Preston. That comes several days after Gov. Jay Nixon announced that Director Jon Hagler was being replaced. Agriculture Department spokeswoman Christine Tew said Baird will become a special assistant to the director in the agency’s land survey program in Rolla. That will take effect Oct. 21.

Things getting done in Laurie…The board approved the committee’s recommendation to schedule a town hall meeting for the purpose of obtaining moral and financial support from the community for the four phase sidewalk project. The meeting is scheduled 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Laurie City Hall. The first phase of the sidewalk project is proposed to construct 3,929 feet, of five foot wide, sidewalks from Highway O north of the Laurie Care Center connecting to North Fairgrounds Road.

It’s “Run for the Fallen,” Lake of the Ozarks will be hosting the 4th annual walk/run to honor our American heroes. The event is free and open to the public, however donations will be accepted for the Flags for Freedom. The run/walk will take place during the weekend of Aug. 17-18. The miles at this event will be pledged towards a national total of miles for all fallen service members. Each participant will wear a runner’s bib with the name of a fallen soldier.

A Chillicothe, Mo. man is dead after a head-on personal watercraft collision on the Lake of the Ozarks. 22 year old Blake Briner was driving near the 19 mile marker of the main channel of the Lake of the Ozarks when he made a 180 degree turn. 28 year old Brett Keith also of Chillicothe struck the front of Briner’s PWC after Briner turned unexpectedly. it happened at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. Keith was arrested and charged with Boating While Intoxicated. He was taken to the Camden County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold.

It’s a scary thought…the Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed the sighting of a mountain lion on private land in Pulaski County. The confirmation is based on a trail camera photo taken June 29. The name of the landowner and the property location are not being released at the request of the landowner. Mountain lions are naturally shy of humans and generally pose little danger to people, even in states with thriving breeding populations. Although mountain lions are protected by law, Missouri’s Wildlife Code allows people to protect themselves and their property if they are threatened.

The annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk driving started yesterday in Missouri. The crackdown includes high-visibility enforcement throughout Greene County and many others in the Ozarks. It will run through September 2. The Highway Patrol, local police and county sheriffs departments are taking part. The campaign to curb drunk driving will run through Labor Day weekend. Drunk driving takes a particularly heavy toll among young drivers. Among 18- to 34-year-old drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the 2011 Labor Day weekend, 42 percent were alcohol-impaired. never drink and drive…always seek a designated driver or call for a ride.

The repairs will costs many dollars…It will cost more than $1 million to fix all the damage to Pulaski County roads caused by the major flooding there last week. That’s right…the record flooding from the Roubideaux, Gasconade and Little Piney washed away roads and knocked out bridges. Now the county is working to figure out how to foot the bill. The flooding dealt a huge blow to pulaski counties roads and bridges. Some washed away roads are shut down forcing drivers in other directions and holding up the progress of recovery. Sixty-five percent of the roads in the county sustained major damage.

The Waynesville community is coping with the loss of two of its citizens from what officials are calling a 100-year flood. The body of Jessica Lee, 23, of Waynesville, was found about 7 p.m. Friday night on the Roubidoux River in downtown Waynesville. Lee had been missing since she and her 4-year-old son, Elyjah, were “swept from their vehicle in raging flood waters” on the morning of Aug. 6. Firefighers found Lee’s body a few yards from the Roubidoux River Bridge on Friday. Elyjah’s body was recovered in Waynesville on the day of the incident.

All lanes of Route 50 at Mt. Sterling in Gasconade County are now open to traffic after being closed due to flooding. Currently, about 32 numbered and lettered routes throughout the state mainly in central and southern Missouri remain closed due to flooding. Drivers are encouraged to check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org to get updated road conditions. MoDOT also recommends allowing extra travel time if detours are necessary.

The Hope House needs your help. The facility serving Miller and Camden counties, was hit hard by last week’s flash flooding. It’s located about a quarter mile off Highway 54 on Lakeland Road. Runoff from three sides hit the building, causing interior damage to the entire building and much of its contents. Restoration started work immediately, but the handful of Hope House paid staff and volunteers needs help moving all of the clothing, accessories, food and furniture out of the building so the restoration company can continue its work.

A grim find Friday night…The search for the body of Jessica Lee, 23, ended at about 7:05 PM, after her body was discovered on the Roubidoux River in downtown Waynesville. Ms. Lee has been missing since she and her four year old son, Elyjah, were swept from their vehicle in raging flood waters early Tuesday morning. The body of Ms. Lee was located by firefighters, just a few yards from the Roubidoux River Bridge. A press conference has been scheduled for this morning at the Pulaski County Ambulance District office in east Waynesville.

Camden county Sheriff’s says a single vehicle accidnt resulted in minor injuries to a Montreal, Missouri senior. Police say 73 year old margaret Yale was traveling on 54 WESTBOUND AT PASSOVER RD OVERPASS and for an unknown reason LOST CONTROL CAUSING her VEHICLE 1 TO STRIKE A CONCRETE BARRIER. She was transported to lake regional hospital and is expected to recover.

A two car accident leaves two with serious injuries…At around 5pm Friday afternoon Boone county authorities said A car driven by 18 year old TROYVEIA THOMAS of Arlington Texas was trying to avoid another vehicle when he plowed head on into a car driven by 27 year old Jonathan Peck of Booneville. It happened on OLD US40 .3 MILES EAST OF ROCHEPORT GRAVEL RD. Both of the occupants of the vehicles received serious injuries and were transported to University Hospital.

Three Webb City residents are charged in a Newton County burglary, and could be connected to two more crimes. Bradly Busick, 27, Amanda Waller, 39, and Michael Phillips, 44, are each charged with first degree burglary and resisting arrest. a resident in the west part of the county reported a break in earlier this week. Deputies caught up with the three suspects, which led to a pursuit and arrests. Authorities say the three could also be connected to a break in at a rural Jasper County home that happened on the same day.

An Aldrich, Mo., man is sentenced to 20 years in prison for two counts of Child Molestation. Robert Walter Dureault, 63, pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to two 10-year sentences to be served consecutively. Polk County Prosecutors say Dureault will report to the Polk County Jail on Monday, Aug. 5, for transportation to the Missouri Department of Corrections.

In Crawford county 1 58 year old woman drowned in the MERAMEC RIVER AT CAMPBELL BRIDGE. Crawford authorities said NANCY WHITAKER disappeared on a HOUSE BOAT. The VICTIM’S HUSBAND DISCOVERED HIS WIFE HAD DISAPPEARED. THE VICTIM’S BODY WAS LOCATED NEAR THE BOAT IN THE WATER. THIS IS TROOP I’S FIRST DROWNING this year.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it has increased the number of troopers on a stretch of Interstate 29 because of recent crashes that caused the highway to be shut down.
reports overtime funds will pay for additional troopers in the Buchanan and Andrew counties in northwest Missouri. Patrol Sgt. Sheldon Lyon says the heightened patrols, which began Thursday, will be cracking down on all traffic violations. the interstate was closed three times last week because of two accidents in Buchanan County and one in Andrew County. He says the patrol hopes the increased trooper presence will prompt drivers to be more careful.

Police say a small plane has crashed in St. Louis County, killing both people aboard. St. Louis County Police said that the victims in Saturday morning’s crash were an adult male and a female child. Their ages and identities were not released. the Cirrus SR-22 plane was scheduled to leave the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in West St. Louis County at 4:50 a.m. Saturday, and a distress call was received at about 5:10 a.m. The Monarch Fire Department said the plane didn’t clear trees after taking off from the airport. The FAA has been called into investigate.

A Sunrise beach woman received moderate injuries in a crash Saturday night at about 8:30 on ROUTE TT a quarter mile EAST OF ROUTE F in Camden county. Police say 19 year old AUTUMN CHRISTIANSEN FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE. Her car TRAVELLED OFF NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. The woman chose to seek medical attention on her own, meanwhile police in Sullivan responded to an accident with serious injuries on ROUTE E 2 MILES WEST OF MILAN at about 3:20 Saturday morning. 43 year old Tammy Tucker of Milan SLID OUT OF CONTROL, CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, STRUCK A BRIDGE RAIL, AND THE END OF BRIDGE, AND CAME TO REST IN THE WESTBOUND LANE. She was TRANSPORTED BY SULLIVAN COUNTY AMBULANCE TO SULLIVAN COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.