News/Talk KRMS 1150 AM, 97.5 FM & 103.3 FM
Talk Radio at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri
We’re learning more about a shooting in Eldon that has one man recovering in the hospital and another man facing charges.
The Eldon Police Department says on Facebook the victim was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound in their foot.
Police say Travis Crown of Pineville, Missouri was arrested after a short pursuit.
The Miller County Prosecutor’s Office is charging Crown with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
We’ll have more details on this story once they’re available.
It’s Tax Day in the lake area.
There is still time to file your returns and experts say to double check your documents and make sure you’re not missing anything.
“There’s so many people, that if they changed jobs….they forgot about it and they just eliminate that W2” says Nancy Steward with H&R Block in Osage Beach and Camdenton.
She tells KRMS News if you cannot file today, you need to request an extension or else face strict penalties “there’s two separate penalties you can be tagged with, if you don’t file….and you owe taxes.”
Steward recommends calling your tax office to make an appointment as offices are expecting to be slammed today.
***additional info***
Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17th deadline can request a filing extension until October 15th. They will need to file Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the IRS Free File link.
Filing Form 4868 gives taxpayers until October 15th to file their 2020 tax return, but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due, according to the IRS website.
The IRS announced the decision to extend the deadline to May back in March. The move provides more breathing room for taxpayers and the IRS alike to cope with changes brought on by the pandemic.
The decision postpones when individual taxpayers must file their return and when their payment is due. The IRS said taxpayers who owe money would not face any further penalties or interest if they pay by May 17th. The new deadline also applies to individuals who pay self-employment tax.
Taxpayers do not need to take any action to take advantage of the new deadline. Those who need more time beyond May 17th can request an extension until October 15th.
The new deadline does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15th; those remain due by that day.
Police are looking for two people accused of stealing from the Stockton Lake State Park Marina, just southwest of the Lake Area.
According to the Park Ranger’s office, the two men seen on camera took items from several docked boats and storage lockers in the marina on May 11th.
The Cedar County Sheriff’s office, also assisting in the investigation, says they fear there could be more items discovered missing as boat owners start arriving for the summer.
It’s estimated the duo took off with more than $2,000 worth of fishing gear.
If you have any information, contact the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office at 417-276-5133 or Stockton State Park at 417-276-4259.
MoDOT will continue work on the new interchange of U-S 54, Route W and Osage Hills Road this week.
The westbound exit ramp will be closed for paving work starting Thursday at 7 pm.
The ramp will be closed through Friday at 6 am.
You will need an alternate route during the closure.
****Additional Info****
Route 54 Exit Ramp to Close at Lake of the Ozarks Interchange Next Week
LAKE OZARK – As construction of the new interchange at the intersection of U.S. Route 54, Route W, Business 54, and Osage Hills Road continues to move forward, crews will temporarily close the westbound exit ramp next week.
Crews are scheduled to begin paving the westbound exit ramp on Thursday evening, May 20 at 7 p.m. The work will require the closure of the ramp until 6 a.m. Friday morning, May 21. Motorists will need to utilize an alternative route around the closure.
Construction on the new interchange began in February of 2020 and is scheduled for completion later this year. The new interchange is designed to increase traffic safety and improve traffic flow in an area where numerous traffic accidents have occurred. In addition to the new interchange, the project involves building several new connecting roads and three roundabouts in the same area.
More information and updates are available at www.modot.org/Miller54Interchange.
This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/Miller54Interchange. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.
If you have a child yet to reach high school who’s thinking about a career wearing a badge, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office wants you to know about its Junior Police Academy.
It’s going to be happening during the first week of August and kids need to have an essay turned in to the Sheriff’s Office by July 1st.
Twenty-five to 30 students will be accepted and you can get more details by contacting the Camden County Sheriff’s Office or by reaching out to the Hurricane Deck School Resource Officer.
Photo by Eugene Triguba on Unsplash
Here is the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Monday May 17th.
For today: Daytime highs approaching 72 under overcast skies with scattered thunderstorms likely. Winds turning southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
For tonight: Chance for scattered thunderstorms, otherwise overcast skies. Lows level off around 63, south winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 55%.
The City of Lake Ozark is warning one local bar about how people can drink on the premises.
“Very often we have businesses who apply for extensions of their liquor licenses, so it can be outside the structure of their business” says Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry, “maybe they’ll have tent set up out-front where they have a band and patrons maybe want to enjoy a beverage while they listen to music….those applications have to go through an additional process through our board, and very recently we’ve had an issue some businesses trying to circumvent that process.”
He tells KRMS News that bar got the attention of Lake Ozark police, causing the Chief of Police to scold the business for their mistake.
Fry says having a liquor license means you can serve alcohol to be consumed within the premises, but if you want to serve beyond those boundaries you’ll need a catering license.
Fry also says businesses owners need to know the difference between the two licenses and he also says a catering license for a special event will have a limited time frame.
***Additional Information***
For Immediate Release
5/14/2021
City of Lake Ozark officials have a stern warning for businesses that sell alcohol within the city limits:
Follow the rules or face possible suspension of your liquor license, or even worse your business license.
A local bar/restaurant recently violated city code when an employee allowed patrons to consume alcohol outside the boundaries of the premises three days in a row without the proper licensing. The business owner had acquired the proper state license but had failed to obtain a catering license from the City of Lake Ozark. Both licenses are required by law before alcohol can be consumed off premises – even then, the exact boundaries of the off-premises consumption must be outlined in the catering license application.
The issue arose when the bar/restaurant owner applied for a temporary catering license at the regular May 11 board of aldermen meeting for additional dates throughout the summer. The license was ultimately approved, but not before city staff and the Chief of Police scolded the bar/restaurant manager about the incident and warned him not to let it happen again.
“It was made clear to that business that he had to have a local city permit, but still continued to serve alcohol in the parking lot in violation of Missouri law,” Police Chief Gary Launderville said. “I have a hard time with the board okaying anything for this business. The license clearly states that the business is subject to all ordinances of the City of Lake Ozark and that the owner and employees agree to that, yet he violated those rules Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday.”
City Administrator Dave Van Dee reiterated that both state and city permits are required before alcohol can be served or consumed off the premises of a bar.
“The chief wants to know that the board understands that if it happens again the Police Department will issue citations and will forward the information to the proper state agency,” Van Dee said.
City Attorney Christopher Rohrer confirmed the violation. He witnessed the incident Saturday night of that recent weekend and alerted the chief of police.
Rohrer noted during the meeting that the police department is stretched well beyond its manpower with other issues and shouldn’t have to deal with permit violations when the owners or managers knowingly break the rules.
The business manager, given an opportunity address the board, said it was a misunderstanding as to what constituted the bar’s premises. He assumed it included the tent outside the business.
“The minute your patrons left your doorway and went to that tent, they crossed that line and put you and your license in jeopardy,” Van Dee said.
The bar owner said there are posted signs that alert patrons about taking alcohol off the property.
“I don’t see any ambiguity in this,” Mayor Dennis Newberry said. “It’s your job as business owner to know the rules and regulations.”
Chief Launderville said he and his officers will be watching closely for any violations and will take appropriate action which could include a citation or shutting the business down.
“From my perspective, we definitely want to support the businesses, but we also want to send a clear message that businesses must comply with our code,” Van Dee said. “We want to be user friendly and want businesses to be successful, but we have to have their cooperation and follow both state and local liquor laws. The responsibility is on the business owner, in my opinion.”
The city administrator stressed that following the rules and regulations of both the city and state applies to all businesses, not just those that serve alcohol.
Photo by Boban Ninkovic on Unsplash
Police in Osage Beach want to know how available alcohol is to minors.
So the department recently sent officers to ten businesses and they had underage buyers go inside.
Investigators say four out of ten retail locations sold booze to the underage buyers.
The locations included convenience stores, restaurants and mass retailers.
The operation was assisted by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.
Scattered showers and maybe some thunderstorms expected in Lake of the Ozarks over the next several days, including a warm-up also ahead.
Weather officials believe the rain should be spread out enough to avoid any major flooding concerns, “Now we could see some small creeks and streams, and the Lake Level rising a little bit particularly by the time we get to the end of the weekend as we start to see the effects of the total amount of rainfall” says Meteorologist Ray Miller with the Weatherology Weather Center.
He tells KRMS News they are expecting somewhere between 2 to 3 inches of rain over the course of the weekend “you’ll always want to be informed, especially if you’re out on the lake, as even a storm that may not be marked as severe can be dangerous if you’re out on the water at the wrong time. And remember if you see water over a roadway or too much water flowing over a low water crossing, turn around don’t drown is your best bet.”
Miller says later next week we are expecting a warm up across the region.
A 36-year-old Lake Area cold case has been solved.
“Diana Lukosius was described by all who knew her as a “beautiful” and “intelligent” woman. She was beloved by her family and many in the community. Her violent death sent shock waves throughout our small county for decades. After thousands of hours of work, the efforts of countless officers, neighbors, prosecutors, family members and others…..we got him” says Camden County Prosecutor Caleb Cunningham.
He says in a prepared statement 78-year-old Larry Hicks was arrested after investigators say they got admissions that implicated him in the Camdenton woman’s death “my office paid to send an investigator and a detective to a small town in Louisianan, and interview a suspect in the murder. After 2 days, Larry Gene Hicks made admissions with implicate him in the murder of Diana Lukosius.”
Diana Lukosius was found beaten by her car off Highway 5 in 1984.
She died of her wounds days later.
The Camden County Sheriff’s Office is working with police in Louisiana to have Hicks extradited back to Mid-Missouri.
This is a developing story and we’ll pass on more details as soon as they become available here on KRMS.
MoDOT will be adding a treatment to help make curves safer as more people hit the road.
It’s a high friction treatment that’ll be added to several locations along I-70 through July 1st.
You may find crews working in the area of Morgan County Route W and Pulaski County Route T.
MoDOT says signs will be posted to alert you the work’s being done and there will also be flaggers helping to guide traffic.
***Additional Info***
High Friction Surface Treatment Work Planned for Several Mid-Missouri Routes
BOONE/CALLAWAY/MORGAN/PULASKI/WASHINGTON COUNTY – A contractor working for the Missouri Department of Transportation will soon begin applying a high friction surface treatment to curves in order to increase motorist safety on several busy mid-Missouri roadways.
Starting Tuesday, May 18, crews will begin applying the treatment to curves at various locations along both directions of Interstate 70 in Boone and Callaway Counties. Once that work is complete, crews will apply the high friction surface treatment on westbound I-70 at the Missouri River bridge near Rocheport. Surface treatment work at all locations is scheduled to be complete in three weeks. All work will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., with intermittent, single-lane closures where crews are operating.
Once I-70 work has been completed, crews will move onto treating curves at various locations along Morgan County Route W, Pulaski County Route T and both directions of Route 21 in Washington County during daily work hours.
Signs will be in place to alert motorists of the daily lane closures and flaggers will be used to guide motorists through the work zones. Drivers will need to slow down and obey all signs in work zones.
The complete project is expected to be completed by July 1.
This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/modot-central-district. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.
Here is the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Saturday May 15th And Sunday May 16th.
For Saturday day: High temperatures reach up to 66 under overcast skies with scattered thunderstorms likely. Southerly winds 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
For Saturday night: Lows level off around 57 under cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms likely. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
For Sunday day: Daytime highs approaching 75 under overcast skies with scattered thunderstorms likely. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 85%.
For Sunday night: Scattered thunderstorms likely, otherwise overcast skies. Lows around 60, southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
We’re learning more details about the Lake of the Ozarks attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the Largest Boat Parade.
“It’s really starting to come together, we have our boat parade….the regatta permit has been issued by the water patrol and we have a lot of volunteers that are going to be helping out in coordinating all the milling areas” says Tom Abbett, who’s handling logistics for the parade, now scheduled for June 12th.
Abbett says you’ll need to maintain a slow speed as Guinness officials try to count the boats taking part “this is an organized parade, it is a no-wake fast idle speed…it’s not a race, it’s not a contest….it’s something where we need the ability to count all the boats.”
The World Record for the Largest Boat Parade now belongs to Malaysia.
That’s where 11-hundred-80 boats lined up for a festival in 2014.
Investigations into two separate water fatalities are now underway in Benton County.
According to the Highway Patrol’s water division, 58-year-old Edward Larison of Warsaw was found dead in Town Branch Creek around 3:35pm on Monday.
No further information as to how this occurred was released at this time.
In the same day, 50-year-old Arthur Hey of Fenton, Missouri fell from the 2010 Tracker Bass boat he was riding on during a fishing trip on Truman Lake.
The driver of the boat, 75-year-old Martha Hey also of Fenton, reportedly attempted to rescue Arthur, but was unsuccessful and his body was later recovered near the scene.
Photo Courtesy of Syndney Howe via KY 3 TV
A major fire investigation is now underway after explosions rock the former Pinnacle propane plant in Marshfield, south east of the Lake.
Residents from as far north as Lake of the Ozarks to as far south as Nixa reported seeing the massive cloud of smoke that ended up registering on the National Weather Service radar from its intensity.
Nearly 10,000 small propane tanks were hurled more than 60 feet into the air during the height of the battle.
“We had to hang back, again because of the propane tanks going airborne….flying 100 feet into the air, literally at times, then coming back down….as well as the threat of the fire reaching the 33 thousand gallon propane tank that the fire was very close to” says Marshfield fire chief Michael Taylor.
He tells our news partner KY 3 TV it took them all day and into the night just to get the fire under control “it put us in a situation that we had to kinda back off, protect the other buildings and evacuate the neighborhood in case we lost that other tank. So it actually took us a while to get the fire under control itself.”
Numerous agencies throughout Missouri responded to the scene to help keep the fire from reaching multiple buildings surrounding the plant, including a fire station.
The Missouri Propane Gas Commission and Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office are also helping with the investigation.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson could soon see a bill on his desk that would stop lawsuits against businesses accused of exposing people to COVID-19.
State Senator Tony Luetkemyer is sponsoring the bill that now needs only final approval from the Missouri House.
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce says more than 58-hundred COVID-related complaints have been filed around the nation, and they’re concerned that number will rise as trial attorneys recruit plaintiffs who think they were infected by a given business.
The Chamber says all but one of the Missouri’s neighboring states have passed some kind of legislative protection against these lawsuits.
Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash
Here is the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Friday May 14th.
For today: Highs around 71 under partly cloudy skies. Southerly winds 8 to 15 mph.
For tonight: Skies becoming overcast with a chance for scattered rain showers late. Lows level off around 55, south winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 35%.
Governor Mike Parson has some numbers on the Missouri economy.
Those include a COVID-19 job-loss-recovery of 70-percent and a current unemployment rate of 4.2-percent.
“We are now 1st in the nation for Small Business wage growth. We are 2nd for the lowest change in employment rate, year over year. We are 2nd in the nation for apprenticeships. We are 4th in the nation for new manufacturing facilities” says Governor Parson.
He also says Missouri is 7th in the U-S in migration and 10th in the nation in new business expansion, all because of they way the state has handled everything from working, building and COVID 19 “we have taken a balanced approach to how we dealt with the crisis, and everything we did prior to the crisis. That’s why we are at where we are today.”
Earlier this week Parson announced all COVID-19-related unemployment programs will end June 12th.
The City of Lebanon and Laclede Electric Cooperative are talking about unifying electric service in the city.
“Many streets we have power poles and power lines in the same area. One is owned by the city, the other by the Co-op” says City Administrator Michael Shoemaker, “it just makes sense to have a conversation about….are we doing what’s best for our customers?”
He tells KRMS News current city employees working in electric service won’t be affected “Laclede Electric readily agreed there would be zero job losses in this, so we’re going to make sure our team is taken care of no matter what direction this heads.”
Shoemaker says the talks are in the early stages and he has does not have a time frame for how long they’ll take or on what the outcome will be.
Shoemaker was interviewed by Christian Blood on the KRMS Morning Magazine.
An Edwards man facing numerous charges, including DWI, has serious injuries after a head-on collision in Camden County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a car driven by 47-year-old Anthony Curtis ended up on the wrong side Ballenger Creek Road north of Adkins Road.
Investigators say that’s when he hit another car head-on, causing moderate injuries to a woman in the passenger seat.
Curtis’ car was totaled in the crash and he was taken to Lake Regional Hospital.
Aside from a DWI charge, Curtis is also charged with felony possession of a gun, driving while suspended or revoked and failure to drive on the right side of the road.
Some parts of Missouri continue COVID-19 restrictions, but those mandates will now have a time limit.
The Missouri House and Senate passed legislation that would limit restrictions, like closing businesses, churches and schools to 30 days, unless extended by the local governing body.
The legislation also puts a limit on how long a local area, like St. Louis, can restrict gatherings of people.
Camden County’s been notified by the Fed there’s money coming in the near future from the American Rescue Plan of 2021.
“Camden County is going to get a Ball Park $9 Million dollars from the Department of the Treasury to handle this ongoing health crisis that we have” says Presiding Camden County Commissioner Greg Hasty ,“since we received a direct guidance earlier this week, by e-mail from the Federal Government, I am anticipating that since they’re sending that out that sometime in the very near future we will be receiving those funds.”
He tells KRMS News guidelines for spending that money have been given to the Commission, and they’ll have a limited time to spend it “we’re going to have to be looking at water or sewer projects, or bridge projects…things that are “shovel ready” that are ready to go and we can spend money in those areas.”
Hasty says broadband infrastructure is also an area where some of the money can be spent.
He says the money has yet to arrive.
Here is the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Thursday May 13th.
For today: Highs level off around 67 under sunny skies. Easterly winds around 5 mph.
For tonight: Clear skies and quiet with lows around 45. Winds turning east around 5 mph.
Lake of the Ozarks might hold a world record later this summer.
Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark turns 90 this year, and to celebrate there’s a push to set the Guinness World Record for the Largest Boat Parade.
“Currently it’s held in Malaysia, so not only do we want to bring it here to Missouri to celebrate our Bi-centennial, but also to bring it here to Lake of the Ozarks to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Bagnell Dam” says Executive Director Heather Brown with the Convention and Visitor Bureau.
She tells KRMS News the Lake Area boat parade will half to beat the 11-hundred-80 boats that set the current record in Malaysia in 2014 “We’ve been working with Guinness and we have a adjudicator set to come here on June 12th as we try to break this record.”
And Brown also says if you plan to be in the boat parade, you have to register to get counted by Guinness “Don’t assume we have enough boats, because some people may be a no-show for that day. So we want to get as many boats as we can on that day…because we don’t just want to beat the record, we want to blow it out of the water.”
Brown says the cost of getting a Guinness official to the Lake for the parade cost $15-thousand and that fee was paid for by a local real estate company.
You can register here: https://bestdambirthdaybash.com/boat-parade/
***Additional Details***
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Attempt for the Largest Boat Parade Will Be Held At Lake of the Ozarks on June 12th, 2021
The Lake of the Ozarks is excited to attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest Boat Parade. The record is currently held in Malaysia with 1180 boats. Our goal is to not only bring this record to Missouri but to Lake of the Ozarks. A press conference will be held on Wednesday, May 12th at 10am to announce all the details regards the World Records Attempt and to answer any media questions.
For more info e-mail Heather@FunLake.com
The Aldi rumors are finally getting some teeth.
According the Lake Ozark planning and zoning commission, a site plan has been approved for the grocery chain at the Eagle’s Landing development.
The plan had originally been approved in 2018, however numerous revisions needed to be made before an official yes could be given.
The store will open just to the northeast of the recently approved Casey’s General Store site, both of which will face Business 54 and Krestel lane.
***Additional Details***
On the heels of Casey’s coming to Eagles’ Landing in Lake Ozark, it appears the prospects of an ALDI grocery store is back on the agenda for the popular shopping district.
The Lake Ozark Planning & Zoning Commission approved a site plan for a store to be located on Bus. 54 northeast of the proposed area for Casey’s. The store would be located on Bus. 54 and Krestel Lane.
The site plan for this location was originally approved by the P&Z on Sept. 5, 2018. Revisions to the original plan were resubmitted to meet city requirements, and the P&Z signed off to allow the project to proceed. A spokesman for ALDI said they hope to begin construction documents and “move full speed” on the design and permitting processes.
The store and adjacent parking would cover about 19,200 square feet with the actual store about 12,700 square feet with about 109 parking spaces. The ALDI store would have two entrances to provide easy access from Bus. 54 or Krestel Lane.
ALDI also has stores in Lebanon, Jefferson City and Columbia among the 110 stores in Missouri.
About Aldi
For more than 40 years, ALDI US has stuck to the same guiding principle: Great quality shouldn’t come at a high price; rather, great quality should come with everyday low prices.
Founded by the Albrecht family, the first ALDI store opened in 1961 in Germany, making ALDI the first discounter in the world. Headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, ALDI now has more than 2,000 stores across 36 states, employs over 25,000 people and has been steadily growing since opening its first US store in Iowa in 1976.
The no-frills grocery shopping experience focuses on customers first – delivering high quality food, responsive customer service, everyday low prices and a quick-and-easy shopping experience with only four to five aisles and all the essentials.
ALDI also proudly serves as a Feeding America Leadership Partner, donating 30 million pounds of food each year in an effort to end hunger in America.
For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.
Osage Beach has openings in law enforcement, parks and recreation and public works – among others.
But there’s nobody putting in applications lately.
“I don’t know that we are dealing with anything that other cities, counties, other states across the nation aren’t deal with in some shape or fashion” says City Administrator Jeanna Woods, “I think it’s actually a national and state to state trend. All the meetings and different things that I’m involved with….I’m hearing that same story.”
She tells KRMS News the city wants police recruits “so if you are interested in receiving your post-certification….we will go through the hiring process, you get hired on as a police recruit. We will pay you salary plus benefits and we’ll pay for your academy.”
Woods says positions available in the City of Osage Beach include jobs at Parks and Recreation and in Public Works .
Woods was a guest on the KRMS Morning Magazine.
Senior graduation at School of the Osage is coming Thursday, but preparations will begin Wednesday.
“One of the first things that the senior class will do today is make sure their cap and gowns have been given a “good shake” so that all the wrinkles are out” says Superintendent Dr. Laura Nelson.
She tells KRMS News seniors will have a graduation practice at noon Wednesday.
That’ll be followed by the Senior Send off at 1:30 and then the senior dinner at 6:30.
The graduation ceremony is Thursday at 7 pm, but School of the Osage Seniors finished classes last Friday.
A woman is dead and another woman’s seriously hurt after a four-car crash in Morgan County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened in Tipton at U-S 50 and Highway 5.
Investigators say an SUV driven by Karen Overmiller of Four Seasons passed another SUV waiting to make a left turn.
But Troopers say Overmiller swiped the SUV waiting to make the turn and then crossed the center line.
Overmiller’s SUV then hit a tractor trailer and then another SUV before coming to a stop.
Overmiller was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say the final car hit was driven by an Eldon woman who was taken to University Hospital in Columbia.
Three of the four cars in the crash, including the semi-truck, were totaled.
The extended unemployment benefits in Missouri are officially coming to an end in June as a statewide labor shortage continues.
“Despite our economy’s strong comeback, many business owners and employers across the state are still struggling. Not because of COVID 19, but because they can’t find people to fill the jobs” says Governor Mike Parson during a briefing on Tuesday, “to help address this labor shortage, I have directed the Missouri Department of Labor to end participation in all Federal Pandemic related unemployment benefits….effective Saturday June the 12th.”
He says these programs were only meant to be temporary “it’s time that we end these programs, that have incentivized people to stay out of the workforce. This is an important step towards returning to normalcy and strengthening our economy. While these federal benefits providing necessary financial assistance during the height of COVID 19, they were only meant to be temporary. Continuing these programs would only worsen the workforce issues we’re currently facing.”
The benefits for regular pre-pandemic unemployment benefits will remain available after June 12th.
****Additional Details***
Governor Parson Announces Missouri to End All Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Benefits
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – In order to address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson today directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m.
“From conversations with business owners across the state, we know that they are struggling not because of COVID-19 but because of labor shortages resulting from these excessive federal unemployment programs,” Governor Parson said. “While these benefits provided supplementary financial assistance during the height of COVID-19, they were intended to be temporary, and their continuation has instead worsened the workforce issues we are facing. It’s time that we end these programs that have ultimately incentivized people to stay out of the workforce.”
“As I travel the state, from Sarcoxie to Hannibal and all points in between, over-arching concerns from business owners is the shortage of employees,” Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said. “Across every industry, businesses cannot compete against federal largesse. Our economy is built upon an active and vibrant workforce, and we should be cultivating job-creation and employment rather than inhibiting them. The jobs exist and the demand exists, and I applaud the governor for taking this bold and decisive action.”
The termination announced today applies to the following programs:
“We know that one of the last remaining hurdles to full economic recovery is addressing this labor shortage. Even with unemployment at only 4.2 percent, there are still 221,266 known job postings across the state,” Governor Parson said. “The solution to close this gap is not the excessive spending of taxpayer dollars by the federal government, but rather getting people back to work and to a sense of normalcy for themselves and their families. Today’s action ensures that we will fill existing jobs as well as the thousands of new jobs coming to our state as businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri.”
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui gave notice of Missouri’s intention to terminate all federal pandemic-related unemployment programs. To view the letter, see attachment.
“During the last recession in 2008, the federal government contributed $25 per week to supplement state unemployment benefits. During the latest economic downturn, Washington poured in $600 per week in addition to Missouri’s weekly benefit of up to $320,” said Director Hui.
“Even after the original $600 supplement expired, it was replaced by a federal supplement that provides an extra $300 per week on top of Missouri’s existing state benefit, meaning thousands of claimants continue to receive $620 per week or more,” Director Hui continued. “The unemployment system is designed to provide a temporary safety net as workers look to reenter the job market. Leaving the level of benefits artificially high would prevent a return to full employment in our state.”
Today’s action follows steps taken last July to require claimants to again conduct weekly work searches in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits. This work search requirement had originally been waived in March of 2020 as part of an agreement with the federal government to receive funds under the CARES Act.
Under Missouri’s law, claimants are required to perform and report three work search activities per week. Qualified work search activities include filing an application (online or in-person) with an employer or through job posting sites or attending a job fair, job interview, reemployment service, or skills workshop.
Missouri Job Centers are available to assist unemployed workers with these requirements by providing customized job searches through jobs.mo.gov , job fairs, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments, workshops, and other training programs. Employers are encouraged to post job openings on MoJobs. For more information about services available through the Missouri Job Centers, visit jobs.mo.gov.
For questions regarding Missouri unemployment, please utilize the Division Employment Security’s virtual assistant at labor.mo.gov and visit labor.mo.gov/coronavirus.
2021-5-11 Dir Hui to USDOL - Termination of Program Agreement
Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash
Here is the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Wednesday May 12th.
For today: Mainly sunny skies and calm with daytime highs approaching 64. Winds out of the northeast 8 to 15 mph.
For tonight: Clear skies and quiet with a low of 40. Northeasterly winds around 5 mph.
Plans are moving ahead in Lake Ozark to improve around 90 miles of streets in the city.
Voters in the city started the process last year by approving two ballot measures.
“The first of those was to have a use tax passed” says Community Development Director Harrison Fry, “if you live in the city limits, and you purchase something online…there will be an additional sales tax that goes to into our transportation fund.”
Fry tells KRMS News the second ballot measure passed was the green light to borrow up to $6 million dollars to improve Bagnell Dam Boulevard and other streets in Lake Ozark.
Later this year, voters could approve the creation of a Transportation Development District, which would bring in money to pay off the city’s debt “and it should go before the voters in August, who live within that district….as long as everything stays on track the way that it has.”
Fry says a future TDD could collect up to $275-thousand dollars each year to help pay for road improvements.
***Press Release***
For Immediate Release
5/10/2021
Progress is slow sometimes, and the path to improve the city’s 90 miles of streets is moving forward.
That was the scenario presented to Lake Ozark Board of Aldermen during a recent workshop.
Lake Ozark voters approved two ballot issues in June 2020 that will help fund the street construction projects:
One was a Use Tax on the purchase of items online. Previously, online sales tax collected from various vendors remained with the Department of Revenue. Now, those sales tax funds will be distributed to a special City of Lake Ozark Transportation Fund from which debt incurred will be paid.
The other issue was granting the city the authority – with board of aldermen approval – to borrow up to $6 million over the next several years to pay for the street improvement projects affecting the 90 miles of city streets.
Now, the third phase of the transportation plan – formation of a Transportation Development District — is moving forward. The TDD would collect a small sales tax and would oversee improvements to Bagnell Dam Blvd.
The board of aldermen earlier this year endorsed formation of a TDD which would be an independent authority to collect up to ¾ of a cent additional sales tax from businesses within the TDD boundaries. Those funds, along with Use Tax funds and other possible sources, would help pay off construction debt on Bagnell Dam Blvd. improvements.
Preliminary estimates are that as much as $275,000 could be collected annually, which would be earmarked for street improvements and maintenance.
City Attorney Christopher Rohrer updated the board of aldermen on the TDD progress during the workshop.
He said the petition for TDD formation is now before the Circuit Court, which is part of the state-mandated process. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission also must review and sign off on the petition.
Rohrer said he hopes the TDD issue will be ready for vote by mail in August or September. Only registered voters within the TDD boundaries would be eligible to vote.
While the TDD commission would be independent of the city of Lake Ozark, it would include a representative from the city of Lake Ozark. The commission would be subject to the state’s open records laws.
City Administrator Dave Van Dee reminded the board that voters approved the Use Tax and authorized debt for the construction, but the city still has to find ways to pay for the debt. The Use Tax, which only recently went into effect, has generated about $18,000. If that trend continues, the Use Tax could generate between $130,000 and $150,000 a year – again, all earmarked for street improvements.
Van Dee reminded board members that there are four components to funding the estimated $6 million cost to fix the streets. Cost for upgrading Bagnell Dam Blvd. from Quality Inn to Bagnell Dam is estimated at $3 million alone.
“If you want the roads to be done, we can either do a halfway job or do it right,” Van Dee said. “If we’re going to do it right, it takes time and planning.”
A Kansas City man is recovering after a boat crash on Lake of the Ozarks near the 14 mile marker.
The Missouri Highway Patrol Water division says there was as collision between a personal watercraft and a tritoon.
Investigators say 27-year-old Maurice Jackson went into the path of the larger boat before 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
The Patrol says Jackson was ejected from the PWC, which was totaled in the crash.
Jackson had minor injuries and he was wearing a life jacket.
The driver of the tritoon, also from Kansas City, was not injured.
Photo by Jonathan Petersson on Unsplash
Missouri has the second lowest gas tax in the U-S – only Alaska is lower with a tax rate of eight cents per gallon.
But now the Missouri House is looking to change that.
They’re working on a bill that would gradually raise the user fee by 12.-and-a-half cents over a five-year period.
The goal is to figure out how to pay for the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Missouri’s current tax rate of 17 cents per gallon hasn’t been increased since 1996.
They’re headed down the home stretch of the legislative session in Jeff City.
One lawmaker says anything can happen between now and Friday.
“We could walk out of here with a budget that I think really did a lot of good and some school choice stuff, and some infrastructure and a whole host of other things” says State Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden of Columbia.
A Democrat in the state Senate’s looking at other areas as Friday’s deadline closes in.
“Talking about billions of dollars that the state needs to adequately to run healthcare in the state. I don’t know anything that’s more important than that” says Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo of Kansas City.
The first regular session of the 101st General Assembly closes at 6 pm Friday night.
Lawmakers finished the budget for Fiscal Year 2022 last week.
The FDA is moving forward with approving the use of the Pfizer COVID 19 Vaccine for teenagers.
Officials modifying the Emergency Use Authorization on Monday, now allowing for teens 12 to 15 years old to get the 2-dose vaccine.
They previously allowed only 16 or older to accept the shot.
A vaccination event is scheduled for today in Camden County for those 18 and older.
It’s being hosted by Central Ozarks Medical center at the Camdenton Middle School from 5-7 PM.
Details on who can take the vaccine and how to register can be found below:
************
MoDOT’s going to working near Bagnell Dam this week.
“We do have message boards up that have been mentioning the closing of Business 54. There is a slide that occurred on the north side of the dam, several hundred feet away from the dam…which we have to repair” says MoDOT Central Engineer Bob Lynch.
He tells KRMS News the dam will be closed to traffic 6 am to 6 pm through Thursday, but he also says businesses on the strip southwest of the dam are open and accessible.
He also says crews are wrapping up work on the new interchange at Business 54 and W.
Lynch was interviewed by Guy Wehman on The Ozarks This Morning.
***Additional Info***
Work Will Temporarily Close Bagnell Dam
MILLER COUNTY – Work near and along Business Route 54 at Bagnell Dam will close the road over the next two weeks.
Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will replace a culvert pipe on Wednesday, May 5 and repair shoulders Monday, May 10 through Thursday, May 13. The work will take place from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day and will close Business Route 54 between River Road and Valley Road.
Motorists will need to use alternate routes around the dam. MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while this work takes place.
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Tuesday May 11th.
For today: Chance for scattered showers, otherwise overcast skies. High of 60, winds becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 45%.
For tonight: Chance for scattered showers early, otherwise overcast skies. Low of 45, northeasterly winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
A classic rock icon is coming to the lake later this summer.
“We are proud to bring to the Ozarks Amphitheater, none other than ZZ Top” says Mary Kay Von Brendel.
She tells KRMS News the date is Friday, August 6th with George Thorogood as the opening act.
She also says ZZ Top was among the first few groups she wanted to bring to the Lake when she first saw the venue “was up in the lawn seats looking down at the stage and envisioning what my Top 5 acts would be to have playing on that stage….and this was one of my Top 5.”
Von Brendal says tickets go on pre-sale on Thursday.
Tom Abbett with the Ozarks Amphitheater tells KRMS News the concert was actually in the works for 2020 “one of the interesting facts about this particular show was that, we actually had ZZ Top on the Calendar for last year…and it was about 10 days before making the announcement that COVID really hit. And now here we come back around with the show for August the 6th so, this has been over a year in the making.”
The outdoor venue in Camdenton has already announced dates with Aaron Lewis, Styx, Jon Pardi, Shinedown and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, among others.
2020 makeup dates with REO Speedwagon and Three Dog Night are also on the calendar.
The announcement was made on the KRMS Morning Magazine with Christian Blood.
Photo by Arturo Rey on Unsplash
Food truck owners in Lake of the Ozarks can set up for business in most cities, but not in Lake Ozark.
The Planning and Zoning commission sat down with several local food truck owners interested in opportunities along The Strip.
While the P and Z says it’s committed to protecting established brick and mortar restaurants on The Strip, it’s also aware of the demand on social media for options beyond packed restaurants during popular events, like hot summer Night and the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals, held earlier this month.
Lake Ozark says it’s working on an ordinance that would pave the way for local food trucks to operate within the vicinity of the Strip while protecting the restaurants already there.
***Press Release***
For Immediate Release
5/7/2021
Food trucks in Lake Ozark.
Currently, they are prohibited by ordinance. But growing interest from both the public and food truck vendors is keeping the issue on the front burner for city officials.
The Lake Ozark Planning & Zoning Commission spent about 45 minutes during its regular monthly meeting May 5 hearing from proponents of food trucks within the city and discussing the ramifications at length. No one spoke in opposition.
The issue was raised at the commission’s April meeting after the city received several inquiries from potential vendors. Social media was robust with conversation after the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show during which many visitors and residents complained they could not find a place to eat because of the crowds. The social media solution is food trucks.
One thing P&Z members made clear at their meeting was that food trucks would not be allowed within C-1 (commercial) districts – The Strip. Their intent is to protect existing restaurants from mobile food vendors that don’t have the same type of overhead that brick and mortar businesses do, and that don’t have the vested interest in the city’s long-standing business district. It’s feared that food trucks located on The Strip could compete with existing businesses, the members agreed.
However, the door was left open to seek an amicable solution so residents and visitors have access to food trucks. After hearing input from proponents of food trucks and research by city staff, the board asked Community Development Director Harrison Fry and City Attorney Christopher Rohrer to craft an ordinance that would address the issue.
The P&Z would then make a recommendation to the board of aldermen which would make the final decision.
Chairman Margaret Davis reiterated that the board is not in favor of taking away revenue from established brick and mortar businesses. There is also the issue of inadequate parking with food trucks possibly taking up valuable parking spaces.
“The discussion this time is the possibility of putting them someplace else,” she said.
“The simplest solution is that they not be allowed in a C-1 district, which is considered to be The Strip,” Fry noted. “As far as the parking issue, many communities don’t allow them on public spaces. But the city couild have mechanisms in place to allow them on private property during certain circumstances.”
Lake Ozark apparently is the only lake-area community that bans food trucks, according to one of the unidentified supporters of food trucks.
“There are several food trucks that are locally owned businesses that can’t operate in Lake Ozark. They can locate in Camdenton, Osage Beach and Jeff City but cannot operate in Lake Ozark,” he said.
It was noted that food truck permit fees range from $25 to $500 among those communities. Lake Ozark’s business license is $50.
Another proponent explained that he carries food liability and vehicle insurance, has property owner permission or leases property, is state certified and licensed, is inspected by Camden, Miller and Cole county health departments, pays sales tax, follows the same rules as brick-and-mortar businesses but does not have same overhead.
“My concern is that I’m not able to go out and make a living in Lake Ozark where I live,” he commented. “I’m president of the Lions Club (on Fish Haven) but can’t set up and do anything for the club because it’s residential even though the club owns all of the property.”
One food truck owner responded to the board concern that food trucks might cause a restaurant to fail.
“If that happens, they were going to fail already. It wasn’t the food trucks that did it,” he said. “We have an entirely different business model. With us, people say, ‘hey, there’s a food truck’ and buy a hot dog. We’re mostly a convenience, not usually a destination. Our business model is not to compete with the brick-and-mortar businesses.”
The discussion is expected to continue at the next P&Z meeting June 2.
Laclede Electric could soon be running electric service in the City of Lebanon.
Mayor Jared Carr says the talks are about figuring out whether or not customers would benefit from their electric service being managed by Laclede Electric Cooperative, as opposed to the City.
Lebanon and Laclede Electric say there will be transparent studies that’ll assess the pros and cons of the possible switch.
Carr says in a release all current city employees working in the city’s electric department would be retained even if the change does happen .
This is a developing story and we’ll keep you caught up with the latest here on KRMS.
***Press Release***
The City of Lebanon and Laclede Electric Cooperative to discuss the City’s Electric System
The City of Lebanon and Laclede Electric Cooperative announced they have entered into discussions about the possible purchase or management of the City of Lebanon’s electric system by the Cooperative. The talks come as both organizations assess the uncertainty of increased electric distribution costs and labor, as well as forecasted increases in wholesale power supply costs.
According to Mayor Jarred Carr, the goal of the conversation is to determine if the City of Lebanon electric customers could benefit from increased efficiencies from the increased economy of scale.
Both parties will perform extensive and transparent studies to assess the potential benefits to the electric consumers of both the City and Laclede Electric. These studies will include long-range financial performance, rate stability, reliability, and operations.
City of Lebanon Mayor Jared Carr and Laclede Electric Cooperative CEO Marc Roecker commit that all existing employees, including the City’s electric department employees, will be retained if Laclede Electric Cooperative would purchase the City’s Electric System.
Officials expect these discussions will take several months before any recommendation can be made to either board.
Two cars are damaged and one person seriously hurt after a crash in Morgan County.
The Missouri Highway Patrol says a Roach man was trying to cross Highway 5 in a golf cart, but he was then hit by another car driven by a man from Gravois Mills.
The ‘Patrol says the golf cart driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and he was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia.
The dates are piling up for Ozarks Amphitheater in Camdenton this year.
And there’s another one on the way.
“You’re gonna want to tune into KRMS on Monday Morning because we’ve got fantastic news coming from the Ozarks Amphitheater” says Mary Kay Von Brendel.
She tells KRMS News the opening act for the August 6th will be as well-known as the headliner that night.
An official announcement will be happening during the 9 o’clock hour on Monday during the KRMS Morning Magazine.
Dates with Aaron Lewis, Styx, Shinedown and several others are already on the calendar a year after almost everything scheduled at the outdoor venue last year was cancelled.
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Monday May 10th.
For today: High temperatures reach up to 60 under cloudy skies. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
For tonight: Low of 42 under partly cloudy skies. Winds becoming northeast around 5 mph.
An Eldon business is starting a third phase of construction that could help bring more than 300 new full-time jobs to the Lake Area.
Quaker Windows and Doors in Eldon is now a year old, and the company says it’s investing close to $65 million dollars into its second campus in Mid-Missouri.
Governor Mike Parson went to a ceremony on Friday and he says Quaker Windows and Doors is helping to build a better future for the next generation.
The company says it wants to have the third phase of construction complete by early 2022.
***Press Release***
ELDON, Mo. – Quaker Windows and Doors announced today it has started construction on the third phase of their Eldon facility.
Quaker aims to complete the project by early 2022, which will help the company meet previously announced goals to create 300 new full-time jobs and invest nearly $65 million in its second mid-Missouri campus.
“This new facility represents a continuation of our strategic growth plan for the Eldon campus and we are very excited about the additional new jobs this will bring to the community,” said Quaker CEO Kevin Blansett.
Today, Quaker celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of its Eldon campus with Governor Mike Parson and other state and local partners. While its first year of operation at the location faced incredible challenges due to the pandemic, Quaker has continued to create jobs and bring opportunities to the region.
“Quaker has been a key employer in Central Missouri for more than 70 years, and its success deserves to be celebrated,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Over 1,000 Missourians are currently employed by Quaker, and by helping the company create even more good paying jobs, we are building a better future for the next generation.”
“So many state and local partners worked incredibly hard alongside Quaker Windows to ensure the success of this project,” Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon said. “Their hard work will help this community grow for years to come.”
“The City of Eldon is excited to see the next chapter in the Quaker story begin,” Mayor of Eldon Trevor Vernon said. “The city has been blessed that Quaker chose to be part of the community a couple of years ago. The new jobs are boosting the Eldon economy and we look forward to Quaker’s continued success.”
About Quaker Windows and Doors
For more than 70 years, Quaker has been a leading manufacturer of wood, vinyl, and aluminum window and door solutions for both commercial and residential markets. The company is dedicated to quality and craftsmanship, and uses state-of-the-art technology to produce the perfect solution for their customers. They operate out of facilities in Freeburg, Missouri and Eldon, Missouri.
Learn more about Quaker Windows and Doors here. See all the photos from the celebration here.
A 2-year-old Phillipsburg boy has died after drowning in a Dallas County Pond.
The Highway Patrol reports it happened near Blue Springs Circle in Elkland.
The boy was reported missing Thursday and was found later that night unresponsive in the water.
Right now there’s an additional 3-and-a-half million dollars available by Ameren Missouri to help out if you’re having trouble keeping up with utility bills.
“With the Pandemic still continuing, we are seeing some good signs of things happening….but customers are still dealing with the fallout from unemployment, reduced hours and illnesses” says Connie Taylor with Ameren Missouri.
She says the money’s available to eligible customers through three different programs, one of which is putting energy-efficient products in the hands of eligible customers along with a ‘do it yourself’ kit “a smart thermostat, weather striping, LED light bulbs and a number of items that are customer installable.”
Taylor says you can learn more about the new programs available to low-income customers online at http://AmerenMissouriSavings.com
***Press Release***
Ameren Missouri designates additional $3.5 million to help low-income customers impacted by COVID-19
New funding will focus on supporting families facing financial hardship due to the pandemic
ST. LOUIS (May 5, 2021) – As the ongoing financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact families across the state, Ameren Missouri has worked with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) and Office of Public Counsel to direct an additional $3.5 million to help eligible customers.
“We want customers to know that Ameren Missouri is here to help, especially in times of critical need. These additional funds will support more customers as we head into summer, a time when electricity usage is typically much higher,” said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri.
Ameren Missouri will use the $3.5 million in three ways:
For the first time, Ameren Missouri will distribute energy-efficiency products to 2,100 low-income customers across the state. These customers were identified based on a variety of need indicators and will be contacted directly by Ameren Missouri. Participating customers will receive a DIY home kit with a variety of energy-saving products worth up to $250.
The kits are designed for customers to install on their own, with an energy specialist on hand to answer questions and assist via phone. Once installed, the customer will be eligible for a one-time, $150 credit on their energy statement. Each kit will include a smart thermostat, LED bulbs, advanced power strip, aerators, pipe and window insulation, foam weather stripping and door corner pads.
“We appreciate the Missouri Office of Public Counsel working with us to make this important assistance available to those customers who have the greatest need, and the PSC approving the usage of these funds for these three purposes,” Lyons said.
Whether or not you qualify for the program, all customers can access many of the items in the DIY kits for a low cost at Amerenmissourisavings.com. This site also includes a $0 Sensi smart thermostat offer, which can help save up to $180 in energy costs each year.
Energy assistance is available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/
The state of Missouri recently announced expanded income eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Missouri households with an income of up to 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) are now eligible for LIHEAP. This change allows a family of four with an annual income of up to $51,021 to qualify for assistance, up from the previous annual income limit of $35,364. For detailed eligibility requirements and to apply online, visit myDSS.mo.gov/energy-assistance
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.
Two people from the Kansas City area are facing drug charges.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 24-year-old Cody Hall of Overland Park was arrested after Troopers say he was trying to deliver a controlled substance.
22-year-old Ashley Lindsay, also of Overland Park was arrested on the same charge.
Both were taken to the Camden County Jail and both were released on summons.
A man accused of stabbing another man who was giving him a ride is now facing charges in Laclede County.
Lebanon police say the victim was giving the suspect a ride when he started to act irrational.
The victim pulled over and asked the man to get out of the car.
That’s when investigators say the suspect pulled a knife and stabbed the victim on the arm before running off.
The victim tells police he drove himself to the hospital and the 59-year-old suspect was later found at a home in Lebanon and he was arrested.
He was taken to the Laclede County Jail, where charges are pending.
5.7.2021 media release-stabbing
Governor Mike Parson is scaling down the Missouri National Guard’s involvement with mass vaccination sites around the state.
The Governor says the demand for the vaccine is declining, but he also says state-supported vaccine sites scheduled in May will continue as planned.
Parson says you can expect the Missouri National Guard to be completely withdrawn from COVID vaccine operations by the first of June.
***Press Release***
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased in recent weeks, Governor Mike Parson announced the Missouri National Guard (MONG) has begun scaling back its involvement at mass vaccination site locations in May. The drawdown of National Guard members is set to be completed by June 1, 2021.
“We are in a far different situation today than we were just a couple months ago. In the beginning, vaccine demand far outweighed vaccine supply. Now, we are seeing the reverse of that, and the need for large scale vaccination events has lessened,” Governor Parson said. “Missouri is in a good place on the vaccine front, and that is thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of our National Guard members to get vaccines into the arms of Missourians. We couldn’t be more thankful for the hard work of these dedicated men and women over the past several months.”
State-supported vaccination teams have conducted hundreds of vaccine clinics and administered more than 382,000 vaccines, representing nearly 10 percent of total vaccines administered across Missouri.
Recently, state-supported vaccination teams and other vaccinators have experienced sharp reductions in COVID-19 vaccine demand – a trend that is occurring across the nation. As a result, the state has begun a phased approach to reduce state-supported lines of effort, particularly those utilizing the MONG.
The MONG will continue the work of its Targeted Vaccination Teams in St. Louis and Kansas City. Guard members will also continue to assist in staffing the Department of Health and Senior Services’ COVID-19 Hotline and provide support for Missouri food banks and food pantries.
There are no plans to cancel currently scheduled state-supported vaccination events in May. However, operations will begin to shift so that a full withdraw of MONG members can be achieved by June 1. Local partners, along with AmeriCorps, FEMA vaccinators, and the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team, will assist as needed with assignments previously filled by Guard members.
The State Emergency Management Agency will continue to supply PPE for local events and will also continue its efforts in providing clinical and non-clinical volunteers as needed for local events.
The state is also working with vaccinators across Missouri, including health care systems, pharmacies, local public health agencies, and other community providers, to promote more convenience-driven vaccine options for Missourians like walk-up availability and extended hours of operation.
Data shows that 80 percent of Missourians have access to a COVID-19 vaccine within a five mile radius of where they reside. This is due to the vast network of local vaccine providers across the state of Missouri.
“Vaccines are readily available all across the state, and Missourians can often walk right into their local pharmacy and receive a shot. With universal vaccine availability and decreased interest at our mass vaccination events, scaling back our state-supported teams is the right decision for the most efficient use of our resources,” Governor Parson said. “We will continue to educate Missourians on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine so that those who have not yet chosen to be vaccinated may join the millions of other Missourians who have.”
In total, more than 4 million vaccine doses have been administered in Missouri, nearly 2.4 million Missourians have initiated vaccination, and more than 1.8 million Missourians have been fully vaccinated. Missouri’s dashboard shows that over 38 percent of all Missourians have initiated vaccination, and nearly 50 percent of Missourians 18 and older have received at least one dose.
Of Missourians 65 and older – some of the most vulnerable Missourians – nearly 66 percent have been fully vaccinated, and 76 percent have received at least one dose.
Missourians can visit MOStopsCOVID.com for more information about the vaccine or call the Missouri COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411 for additional information and assistance. Missourians can also use VaccineFinder.org to find vaccinators in their area with available vaccine and specific vaccine type.
More and more boats are showing up on Lake of the Ozarks, especially on weekends.
One local captain is talking boating safety as tourism ramps up.
“In 2017, Lake of the Ozarks had 182 incidences….the State of Missouri had 427, so the Lake was responsible for 43% of that” says Doug Beck, President of the Lake of the Ozarks Captain’s Association and Co-Chair of the Water Safety Council, “but you need put in perspective…we are the busiest Lake…have more visitors than we have Lake! We want this place where people come and enjoy themselves. We want them to come back, we want them to have fun…but just be safe while doing that.”
He tells KRMS News the number of incidents on the lake continues to rise and by 2018, Lake of the Ozarks was accounting for half of all incidents reported by the Missouri Highway Patrol Water Division “the boating incidences ranged from boat crashes, boat related injuries and boat fatalities.”
Captain Beck says Lake of the Ozarks could surpass 10 million visitors over the course of 2021.
He encourages locals and visitors on the lake to wear life jackets, to understand proper fueling techniques for boats and personal watercraft and to look into Engine Cutoff Switches for all applicable vessels “really in order to reduce some of these numbers, you need boater education and boater awareness. And that’s what we do here at the Water Safety Council.”
A boating safety seminar is coming up at Margaritaville Saturday, May 15th and Beck highly recommends all residents and visitors alike attend the meeting.
The Missouri House is passing a bill that create a ‘Rush Limbaugh Day’ across the Lake Area and Missouri.
Limbaugh died in February of lung cancer, but for years he was considered one of the most influential conservative media figures in the U-S.
Limbaugh is a native of Cape Girardeau and the bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For May 8th And May 9th.
For Saturday day: A mix of clouds and sun develops with a chance for scattered storms. High of 75, winds out of the southeast 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 65%.
For Saturday night: Scattered thunderstorms likely, otherwise cloudy. Lows dip down to about 57, south winds 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
For Sunday day: Cloudy skies expected with scattered thunderstorms likely. High of 69, winds turning west 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 65%.
For Sunday night: Overcast skies with a low of 45. Winds becoming north 8 to 15 mph.
The City of Lake Ozark will soon be looking for another City Administrator.
Dave Van Dee is announcing his retirement after 12 years with the city.
He offered a letter of resignation to the mayor and board of aldermen at the end of April.
Van Dee previously served as City Administrator in Hiawatha, Iowa and also served in Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo.
***Press Release***
After 37 years in public office, Lake Ozark City Administrator Dave Van Dee is retiring from public service.
Van Dee, who has been with Lake Ozark 12 years, announced his resignation and retirement in a letter to the mayor and board of aldermen April 28. His resignation is effective Oct. 29.
“I have enjoyed my tenure in public service and more specifically my time serving as the city administrator for the City of Lake Ozark,” he said in his letter of resignation. “It has been a unique experience.”
Van Dee moved here from Hiawatha, Iowa, where he was city administrator. He also served the Iowa communities of Dyersville and Waterloo having started his career in city government in 1984.
“I have made an effort to develop Lake Ozark organizationally to accommodate the growth I am confident the city will experience in the future,” he added. “I am leaving the city on a path that will provide for growth in utility infrastructure as the city will soon become debt free in both the water and sewer funds.”
Van Dee was also instrumental in starting the city on a path to resolve its need for improved streets, especially Bagnell Dam Blvd. and The Strip. Two significant ballot issues were approved in the last year that ultimately will help finance construction projects.
He lauded the support and vision of the boards of aldermen he has served over the last dozen years as the city has moved from a contentious environment to one that is united for the betterment of Lake Ozark.
“With the assistance of prior and current board members, and current and former city staff, the city now has a solid financial foundation upon which to build while maintaining and growing the community. I am confident the city has a bright future as it has a well-qualified and dedicated group of employees,” he offered. “It has been an honor to serve the city of Lake Ozark.”
If it is the desire of the board of aldermen, Van Dee said he will assist in the transition and in securing someone to fill his position.
Deaths on motorcycles are rising around the state of Missouri, despite that helmet law that went into effect in August.
“As a result of that….coincidentally or not, we’re seeing an increase in the number of Motorcycle Fatalities…and the number of those not wearing helmets have increase greatly from the last two years” says Sergeant Mike McClure with the Patrol.
He tells KY3 TV there were 11 motorcycle-related deaths recorded around Missouri in 2020.
But after four months in 2021, the number of motorcyclists killed is 18.
Eligible mothers and other parents will now see an increase in the monthly Cash Value Benefit under the Women, Infant and Children Program.
WIC benefits will increase to $35 dollars per month for those who are eligible after the U.S.D.A was given the authority to put the increase in effect by the American Rescue Plan.
The normal cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables in Missouri is around $11 dollars per month.
The increase will be in effect from June through September.
Other people caring for young children may also be eligible for the WIC Program, like fathers and grandparents.
For more you can log onto the Miller County Health Center website.
An Osage Beach man is facing a felony DWI charge.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 32-year-old John Rus was taken to the Miller County Jail after his arrest.
He’s accused of failing to drive on the right lane of the highway with two or more lanes going in the same direction.
Troopers also says he failed to use his signal.
Photo by Steven Abraham on Unsplash
Some 35 seniors at the Laquey High School will be graduating tonight (Friday).
Students and families plan to gather at the Laquey Physical Education Facility and there are no restrictions in place at this time.
Bleachers will be pulled out to provide additional seating and masks are recommended.
Student Evelyn Rogers was chosen to be the class of ‘21’s valedictorian.
The graduation ceremony begins at 6PM.
Teamwork between two law enforcement agencies has three people facing drug charges in Miller County.
“We’d received information on the residence, done our due diligence and done our homework….and was able to obtain that search warrant, and execute it and were able to arrest 3 people at the residence” says Sheriff Louie Gregoire, “If you’re using, or selling, eventually we’ll find out….and we’ll probably knock on your door.”
Gregoire tells KRMS News investigators found marijuana, meth and pills, but he also says one of the people arrested also had a gun “It was in possession of an individual that’s already convicted of a felony, which is against the law…you can’t have that firearm, so I think he will be charged with that at some point.”
Gregoire did not confirm which person had the gun, but we do know 40-year-old Harley Gabbard is facing additional felony charges.
53-year-old Bobby Reed is facing numerous charges, including distribution of a controlled substance.
48-year-old Jackie Bonnett had a previous warrant out of Osage County.
The home searched was located in St. Elizabeth, in the eastern portion of Miller County.
257 Brushy Creek Rd.Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weather Forecast For Friday May 7th.
For today: Skies becoming cloudy with daytime highs approaching 72. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph.
For tonight: Cloudy with scattered thunderstorms likely. Lows around 54, winds turning south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
The Regalia Hotel and Conference Center
250 Racquet Club Drive
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Hours of Operation:
10 Am until Noon
Lake Race 2021 is less than a month away, and there’s another Lake Race social coming up Thursday night.
It’s going to be hosted by Paradise. It’s just a $10 donation, and you’ll get a fabulous appetizer buffet and all of the money raised goes back to Lake Race” says Executive Director Christy Janssen.
She tells KRMS News Lake Race is scheduled for June 3rd, 4th and 5th “and it’s being returned to the Strip, where it was in the past, so we’re excited to have it back there. We’re going to have so many fun events…there’s just so much going on and we have so many people planning to come in for this year. It’s just going to be a fun event that nobody should miss.”
Janssen says more Lake Race socials are scheduled this month and you can learn more at http://lakerace.com
Wall-to-wall coverage of Lake Race will be happening on News / Talk KRMS and the Viper Communications family of radio stations.
For information on the social and how to get to Paradise, see below:
Paradise Tropical Restaurant & Bar
430 Tropical Trails End Rd
Sunrise Beach, MO 65079
24MM of the Main Channel by water
We now know who’s going to take over as Principal for Laclede County R1 High School in Conway.
According to the Superintendent Mark Hedger, Mr. Tyler Vestal will be taking the spot following the departure of Jaymes Wapp, who’s taking over as Director of Alternative Programs for Lebanon Schools.
Vestal has been with Laclede R1 for 15 years, 8 years as a teacher and 7 years as an administrator.
With his appointment, the school is now looking for a new Assistant Principal to fill the vacant slot.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
If you’re planning a protest anywhere in the Lake Area or Missouri, you may soon be facing a felony charge if you take that protest to the street or highway.
The Missouri House passed a bill that would make it a felony to repeatedly block traffic without permission.
One Republican State Senator says the idea is to keep protestors and drivers safe, but a Democrat State Representative says lawmakers need to address the root issues that encourage protestors to block traffic.
The legislation also requires full-sentences to be served for people convicted of attacking police, firefighters or other first responders.
Photo by Rusty Watson on Unsplash
A new study shows Missouri is the 8th best state in the U-S for nurses.
WalletHub.com says the Show Me State ranks fourth in the country in annual salary for nurses.
Missouri gets a ranking of 6th in the nation in nursing job-openings per capita and 11th in the U-S in average number of hours worked.
You can see the complete rundown of the survey right below.
***Additional Info***
With nurses working to administer the COVID-19 vaccine while facing continued PPE shortages, and with National Nurses Week kicking off May 6, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Best & Worst States for Nurses, as well as accompanying videos.
In order to help new nursing graduates find the best markets for their profession, WalletHub compared the relative attractiveness of the 50 states across 22 key metrics. The data set ranges from monthly average starting salary for nurses to health-care facilities per capita to nursing-job openings per capita.
The Nursing Market in Missouri (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
In Pulaski County, a Buckhorn man is dead after he was ejected from his SUV.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Johnny Curtis was driving on I-44 near mile marker 157 when he went off the right side of the road, crashed into an embankment and then went airborne.
Investigators say the GMC Yukon rolled over and Curtis was thrown from the truck.
He was pronounced dead at General Leonard Wood Army Hospital.
Troopers say Curtis was not wearing a seat belt and the SUV was totaled.
By May 17th, state employees are expected back to work in person all over Missouri.
Governor Parson made the announcement Wednesday.
Many employees have been working remotely for 14 months.
Normal business hours are to resume and Governor Parson wants all state buildings to be open and accessible to the public.
The office of the governor says COVID-19 screening and testing protocols will continue.
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Thursday May 6th.
For today: High of 66 under partly cloudy skies with a chance for scattered storms early. Winds becoming northwest 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 35%.
For tonight: Clear skies with a low of 44. Winds becoming west 5 to 10 mph.
Lake of the Ozarks now has national notoriety because of TV shows made about the area and publicity from critical national media, but now the lake is about to get a new dimension of interest – with a video game.
“It’s come a long way” says Game designer Shawn Kober, “we flew drones over the last few years, we’re using all kinds of maps…just a combination of all kinds of technology and everything that’s out there, combining it and using that technology to make the Lake as real as we can.”
Kober tells KRMS News you’ll be able to go on missions in the game while walking along the shoreline of the lake or riding in a boat thanks to virtual reality “we’ve been using that for the last 6 years, so…it’s kinda pushing a lot of those technologies that people aren’t or haven’t really adapted to yet. We’re pushing some envelopes here, but I think it’s something people…long term…can really get behind when they play the game, or when they see what we’re really developing.”
He says there’s more plans down the road “we’re looking forward to bringing businesses into the game. It’s very interesting, with the technology that we’ve been able to come to and use to build it.”
Kober says the game has no name as of yet, but it is expected to come later this summer.
See the official launch video below.
There’s a recall effort right now in Sunrise Beach.
“Right now we’re trying to get director Bob Hemen recalled from the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District” says Stephanie Kerhbiel of Sunrise Beach, who’s the one putting the recall petition together “we have a few petitions out at a number of local business and we will be starting a door knocking campaign as time goes on.”
She tells KRMS News the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District can’t function with Hemen sitting on the Board “He’s putting not only the lives of the Firefighters at risk, but also the lives of the community at risk…by failing to approve the budget. Right now we have no operating budget, so we can’t move forward with getting the equipment or the improvements we need, that was laid out in the 5 year plan by Fire Chief Joseph LaPlant.”
Kerhbiel says the goal of the petition is to get the recall on the November ballot and around 790 signatures are needed to do it.
KRMS News has reached out to board member Bob Hemen and he has agreed to a future interview.
We’ll feature that discussion as soon as possible.
Kerhbiel was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.
The City of Lake Ozark has a clean bill of financial health for fiscal year 2020.
Lindsay Graves of Graves and Associates presented her findings at the end of April.
The report shows the city has four to six months of operating budget funds available.
Dale Hicks has now been sworn into office as Alderman of Ward 2 – he was unavailable when other elected officials were sworn in April 13th.
***Press Release***
For Immediate Release
5/4/2021
The City of Lake Ozark has received a clean bill of financial health for the fiscal year 2020.
Lindsay Graves, CPA, of Graves and Associates, presented the annual audit during the regular board meeting April 27.
She noted that the city had sound accounting and financial practices and meets most recommendations for communities of Lake Ozark’s size. One of the most important objectives which the city meets is having between four and six months of operating budget funds available in the various accounts.
She also commented that 2020 was “a good year” for the city financially despite the challenges communities and residents faced last year.
For a detailed look at the 2020 audit on the city’s website, click on https://bit.ly/3eYudw6.
Appointments
The board of aldermen also approved Mayor Dennis Newberry’s scheduled appointments to various committees as follows:
Reappointed Margaret Davis and Mark Maples.
Reappointed Mike Kolar, Dave Gardiner, Kristina Malloy, Ethan Shackleford, Pat Thompson, Dennis Klautzer, and Keith Vance to fill a vacancy.
Appointed Joseph Gibbs, Chris Wagner and Matt Wright.
Appointed Dale Hicks.
The board also approved the reappointment of several staff members as follows:
Kathy Vance, city clerk
Gary Launderville, chief of police
Karen Hughes, treasurer
Trisha Kane, collector
Christopher Rohrer, city attorney/city prosecutor
Richelle Christensen, municipal judge.
Other business
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
There may be some changes coming to a driver examination station near you.
“Drivers testing exams will be the Fourth Tuesday of every month, until further notice” says Nancy Cable, manager of the Morgan County / Versailles Driver’s License Office.
She tells KRMS News it’s unclear right now if the change is permanent or temporary.
Cable says driver’s tests will be given at the Hunter Civic Center.
The Missouri Highway Patrol says there’s no change in schedules for driver’s license offices in Eldon or Camdenton.
****Additional Info****
EMPHASIS: Troop F Driver Examination Changes Effective May 4, 2021
Captain Corey J. Schoeneberg, commanding officer of Troop F, Jefferson City, announces the following schedule to accommodate staffing changes:
The Linn Driver Examination Station will now be open the 1st Tuesday of each month.
The Fayette Driver Examination Station will now be open the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
The Versailles Driver Examination Station will now be open the 4th Tuesday of each month.
The Owensville Driver Examination Station will now be open the 1st Wednesday of each month.
The Mexico Driver Examination Station will now be open the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
The Hermann Driver Examination Station will now be open the 4th Wednesday of each month.
The driver examination station schedule in Columbia, Jefferson City, Montgomery City, Camdenton, Eldon, Fulton, Boonville, and California will remain unchanged.
Also, the Mexico Driver Examination Station will also be closed on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. It will open again on Wednesday, May 12,2021.
There’s a protest against the Camden County Commission scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the Camdenton Square.
“So this protest is about raising awareness, letting people know what’s going on…in case they haven’t heard yet…and hopefully educate people on some of the issues” says Neal Gist, organizer of the planned protest.
He tells KRMS News Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams are the main focus of the protest, but he offers support for newly elected commissioner James Gohagan.
Gist says he thinks there’s corruption happening on the commission, and he says the reasons for the gathering include what he calls a misuse of public funds, favoritism and the illegal banning of some Camden County residents from county property.
He also agrees that social media is driving public opinion more and more these days “but at the same time now, we have this ability to stay in touch with people who are acquaintances who have helpful information and pretty much everyone can shoot video on their phone, so many times were able to just go directly to the source most of the time.”
KRMS News has reached out to Commissioners Hasty and Williams for comment.
We’ll pass along more details on this developing story here on KRMS.
Photo by Micah Hallahan on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Wednesday May 5th.
For today: Bright sunshine expected with a high of 69. Northwesterly winds around 5 mph.
For tonight: Partly cloudy with lows around 47. Winds turning southwest around 5 mph.
The Lake of the Ozarks has officially broken the COVID 19 10,000 case threshold.
The latest data from the combined 4 counties that makes up the Lake Area, shows a total of 10,024 positive cases since March 2020, when testing first started.
Despite that number, the progress towards slowing the spread has been rapidly expanding, with just 19 active cases remaining at this time.
In total, 9,778 people have recovered from the virus, while 227 people died as a result of its effects.
Overall, the Lake area has so far administered over 47,000 COVID 19 vaccines in the 4-county region.
See the full numbers below:
Current Active Cases: 19
Total Recovered Cases: 9,778
Overall Totals in the Lake Area: 10,024
Overall Deaths In The Lake Area: 227
Number of residents now vaccinated: 47,829
Totals by County:
Camden County:
Total Active Cases: 10
Total Recovered: 3,901
Total Cases: 3,992
Deaths: 81
Residents Now Vaccinated: 23,192
UPDATED 05/04
Miller County:
Total Active Cases: 2
Total Recovered: 2,427
Total Cases: 2,485
Deaths: 56
Residents Now Vaccinated: 8,796
*UPDATED 05/04
Morgan County:
Total Active Cases: 4
Total Recovered: 1,688
Total Cases: 1,735
Deaths: 43
Residents Now Vaccinated: 9,481
*UPDATED 05/04
Benton County:
Total Active Cases: 3
Total recovered: 1,762
Total Cases: 1,812
Deaths: 47
Residents Now Vaccinated: 6,360
*UPDATED 05/04
For state data: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ ongoing data on COVID 19 cases can be found here.
The summer months are almost here and the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance is reaching out with a plan to help bring awareness on rip-rap for your shoreline.
Officials with LOWA say they are planning to hold several free kayaking lessons throughout the Summer, taking place on the second Saturday of each month from May until September.
The goal of these free sessions is to teach about the skills of kayaking, while showcasing the importance of rip-rap on the shore.
The process of using rip-rap helps to keep sediment out of the lake, which is what causes the bacteria to grow.
LOWA says they’ll be doing these trips, weather permitting, from 8:30am to 12PM and both a Kayak and a life vest will be provided.
You can find out more on their website: https://www.lowatershed.org/events/kayak-roundup/
The Camden County Commission will be meeting this morning for a jam-packed session.
Some of the items on their agenda include a bid appraisal, a bail bonds agreement for the Sheriff, a tax sale publication discussion, a certified copy of order and a closed session.
The meeting will start at 10AM, however it’s expected to continue through 1PM with a discussion on the Macks Creek water district.
It takes place at the old courthouse and it’s open to the public.
You can read the full agenda below.
AGENDA(21)
National Work Zone Awareness Week is not done, but MoDOT continues to urge caution as several projects are happening in and around the Lake Area.
“Our maintenance crews will be working on bridges over route 54 in Osage Beach, to try and improve some transition areas…when you go from the bridge onto the roadway. You’ll see that at Jeffries, Case and Nichols road” says MODOT Central District Engineer Bob Lynch.
He tells KRMS News MoDOT continues repairs on roads damaged by harsh winter weather and there are other projects happening as well “we’re also putting in pipe across the areas, some of the crews are patching various routes still coming out of the winter time, trying to repair the roadway that was damaged due to the winter.”
Lynch also says there is still some work happening at the new interchange just opened on Route 54 and Route W “contractor’s completing work up on 54 that we had to do, so pay attention to that work zone…..as there will be a lane drop through that area this week. We’re also beginning to build the new roundabout between W and Business 54, as part of the last phase of that project.”
He also says chip-seal work is happening near Lebanon in Laclede County.
Lynch says you can expect road construction and repairs to be happening all over Missouri throughout the warm summer months.
The Camdenton Board of Alderman meet this evening.
Items on their agenda include the swearing in of some newly elected officials, additional ordinances for the continued work on the Airport’s runway, a new liquor license for a local Mexican restaurant and selecting a new President of the board.
The meeting starts at 6PM at City Hall….it is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook.
You can view that agenda here: https://towncloud.io/go/camdenton-mo/agendas/206
State lawmakers have until Friday to turn in Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget.
It’s due by 6 pm to the desk of Governor Mike Parson.
“Obviously being in the Minority, we play a lot more defense, but we’re ready to work with the Majority” says Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, a Democrat from Kansas City.
In addition to the operating budget, Medicaid expansion is another topic being discussed.
But one lawmaker says money’s always going into Medicaid without the expansion.
“We’ve added a considerable amount of money to the Medicaid budget, without the expansion” says Republican State Senator Dan Hegeman.
We’re now less than two weeks away from the end of the first regular session of the 101st General Assembly.
One of three Camden County Commissioners is reacting to recommendations made by an independent HR firm after an altercation in January.
“I don’t agree with the findings” says First District Commissioner James Gohagan, “the audio alone has the public outraged! You can hear what happened on that audio…it was definitely contentious…it was definitely inappropriate.”
He tells KRMS News an attorney with the firm told him it seemed likely other people were involved in the staging of the argument, but it’s unclear who that was “here’s what she said to me…quote “If we didn’t have any other players, I think it would be stronger. If it was just those two acting a lone, nobody else got involved…I think were I see kinda a balancing act, that there were others that facilitate, or failed to deescalate, or some combination of both.””
Gohagan says he has filed charges against two county workers, both of which have been on paid leave since January.
This is a developing story and we’ll pass along more details as they become available here on KRMS.
Below is a copy of a press release sent out by Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty and 2nd District Commissioner Don Williams.
Camden County Commission
Press Release
The results of the independent investigation by Jackson Lewis P.C. regarding the January 7, argument that took place between maintenance employees and 1st District Commissioner James Gohagan, were presented to the Camden County Commission on Monday, April 26, 2021, by Camden County Human Resources.
The firm of Jackson Lewis P.C. is an independent professional firm specializing in Human Resources investigations. and were contracted by Camden County through the sealed bid process. They collected evidence and interviewed everyone involved.
As usual, the reality of situation is far from the fabrications created on Facebook. This situation was triggered by social media posts from a small group of individuals, for political purposes. These Facebook posts are not based in truth. The truth is, no one was surrounded by ten maintenance employees (there are only five maintenance employees and only two were involved in the argument), no one was ever being “held hostage”, there was no physical assault, there was no conspiracy, and no crimes were committed. It was merely a disagreement.
In closed session, the recommendation of Jackson Lewis P.C. was discussed and was for a 5-day suspension, without pay for the two maintenance employees involved, and for conflict resolution training for the members of the commission. Commissioner Gohagan revealed that he had already spoken with Jackson Lewis P.C., and that he therefore had prior knowledge of their findings. He then refused to undergo any training. He left the meeting, breaking a door in the process, cursing, and was not present for any votes.
Commissioner Don Williams made a motion to accept the recommendations of the independent investigation. Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty Seconded the motion. The vote among the remaining commissioners was unanimous in favor of accepting the recommendations of Jackson Lewis P.C.
Commissioner Williams made a motion to authorize the HR Administrator to set up the Commission training regarding conflict resolution and to invite all elected officials to participate if they wish. Presiding Commissioner Hasty seconded the motion. Commissioner Gohagen was not present for this vote. The motion then passed by unanimous vote of the remaining members of the commission.
Much has been stated on social media regarding this incident without any knowledge of ALL of the facts. The independent professional firm doing this investigation are experts in their field. They had access to ALL of the facts, and the testimony of everyone involved. This investigation was professionally done, in accordance with state and federal law. The commission has accepted their findings, and will implement their recommendations.
The employees involved are aware of the results and recommendations, and are reviewing their legal options.
We are hoping this matter can now be put behind us and we can move forward serving the citizens of Camden County in a positive manner.
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Tuesday May 4th.
For today: Temperatures fairly steady in the upper 50s under cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms likely. Winds becoming north 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
For tonight: Mainly clear with a low of 43. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.
Strong to severe thunderstorms are in the forecast for this afternoon into tonight.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say a system will move into the Lake Area around 5 to 6pm this evening, with the possibility of stronger storms between 9 and 11PM tonight.
***From the NWS***
There is the potential for thunderstorms to develop by mid to late afternoon across southern Missouri. IF they do develop, then storms could become severe with large hail to the size of golf balls and damaging winds. Thunderstorms may not develop due to an
increasing capping inversion.
Higher chances for thunderstorms arrive by mid evening, generally after 6pm, lasting into the late evening hours. Thunderstorms will be moving northeast out of Oklahoma and Arkansas and will generally affect locations along and south of Highway 60. Large
hail to the size of golf balls, damaging winds in excess of 70 mph and tornadoes will be possible with this activity. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also possible. Stay up on the forecast today for any changes to the severe weather threat areas or
hazards.
There is a localized risk for excessive rainfall tonight across southern Missouri, however widespread flooding is not expected.
Two people are injured and a boat has extensive damage following a collision on the Lake of the Ozarks.
According the Highway Patrol’s Water Division, the crash happened at the 1-mile-mark of the Glaize Arm Saturday night.
Investigators say 58-year-old Jimmie Peterson of Cherokee, Iowa struck the side of a 2007 Skeeter, driven by 56-year-old Robert Richardson of Valley Park, Missouri, causing extensive damage to the hull.
The crash also injured two of Richardson’s passengers, 50-year-old Michael Huffman and 51-year-old Marjorie Huffman, both of Ironton, Missouri.
They were taken to Lake Regional for treatment.
There are now eight new names on the Missouri Law Enforcement Wall of Honor.
“This year we’re adding the names from last year, and seven historical names” says Mike O’Connell with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, “the founders of this decided we wanted to have a state memorial, to all of those who risk their lives on a daily basis…and ultimately suffered the ultimate consequences of their service.”
He tells KRMS News one of those names added to the wall Saturday was Lebanon police officer Kendle Blackburn, who died of COVID-19 in December.
The ceremony took place on the grounds of the state Capitol.
Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt were both speakers at the event.
***Press Release***
At annual ceremony, Missouri law enforcement community honors state’s officers who made ultimate sacrifice
Names of 8 officers who died in the line of duty in 2020 were added to Law Enforcement Memorial, along with 7 recently confirmed historical deaths
JEFFERSON CITY – Six Missouri law enforcement officers and two corrections officers who died in the line of duty in between in 2020 were honored today during Missouri’s annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service for those who have paid the ultimate price for their service protecting their fellow Missourians.
Officers, their families and friends from across the state gathered as the service returned to the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds to the state Capitol, after being held virtually last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the officers who died in 2020, the names of seven law enforcement officers whose historical line of duty deaths were recently confirmed were also added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor.
Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt each delivered remarks at the memorial service.
“The names on this wall were husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and sons and daughters,” said Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “Today, we remember them. Today, we offer condolences for those for whom the grief of loss is still very raw and real. Today, we etch their names into this monument to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. Today, we see an earthly example of the promise of Scripture in the book of John, 15:13: ‘that no greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.’”
“The brave men and women of law enforcement wake up each morning, put on their uniform, and say goodbye to their family and loved ones, not knowing if they’ll return at the end of the day,” From Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said. “Law enforcement officers face unknown risks and danger every day, and sometimes, tragically, make the ultimate sacrifice in their commitment to keeping the communities they love safe. It’s imperative that we continue to honor and remember that sacrifice.”
Each year, the families of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty the previous year, and through the decades, participate in the ceremony by placing white carnations in a wreath in honor of Missouri’s fallen heroes.
On Friday, April 30, a candlelight vigil was held at the memorial in remembrance of all Missouri law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Governor Mike Parson ordered that the Capitol dome and Law Enforcement Memorial to be lighted blue on Friday night in honor of fallen law enforcement officers.
The following law enforcement officer’s names were added to the memorial wall this year:
Christopher Ryan Walsh
End of Watch: March 16, 2020
Rank: Officer
Department: Springfield Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months
On March 16, 2020, Officer Christopher Walsh was shot and killed when he and another officer confronted an active shooter at a convenience store.
Andy Deric Clark
End of Watch: June 3, 2020
Rank: Sheriff
Department: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 43
Years of Service: 22 years
Sheriff Andy Clark was killed in a vehicle crash near Osborn, Mo. while responding to assist a deputy in an emergency situation.
Tamarris L. Bohannon
End of Watch: Aug. 30, 2020
Rank: Officer
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 29
Years of Service: 3 years, 6 months
Police Officer Tamarris Bohannon passed away on Aug. 30, 2020 after succumbing to a gunshot wound he suffered the night before when he and another officer were ambushed as they responded to a shooting call in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.
Rick A. Groves
End of Watch: Oct. 16, 2020
Rank: Assistant Chief
Department: Kennett Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 69
Years of Service: 38 years
Assistant Chief Rick Groves passed away after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service to the Kennett Police Department.
Richard Allen Wright
End of Watch: Nov. 19, 2020
Rank: Corrections Officer
Department: Missouri Department of Corrections
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 61
Years of Service: 15 years
Corrections Officer Richard Wright died on Nov. 19, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a corrections officer. He served at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia.
Dwight Eugene Willis
End of Watch: Nov. 22, 2020
Rank: Detention Officer
Department: Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 56
Years of Service: 19 years
Detention Officer Dwight Willis passed away on Nov. 22, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a detention officer.
Herschel Turner Jr.
End of Watch: Dec. 5, 2020
Rank: Sergeant
Department: Moline Acres Police Department
Cause: Vehicle Crash
Age: 54
Years of Service: 22 Years
On Dec. 5, 2020, Sergeant Herschel Turner and a Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department officer had stopped a stolen vehicle. Sergeant Turner was fatally struck by the vehicle of another officer arriving at the scene to provide assistance that swerved to avoid striking a vehicle and unintentionally struck Sergeant Turner.
Kendle Glen Blackburn
End of Watch: Dec. 28, 2020
Rank: Patrolman
Department: Lebanon Police Department
Cause: COVID-19
Age: 55
Years of Service: 21 Years
On Dec. 28, 2020, Lebanon Patrolman Kendle Blackburn died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service.
Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths
Albert Kopf
End of Watch: Sept. 3, 1907
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Pacific
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 32
City Marshal Albert Kopf, who had only been serving as acting city marshal for just 10 days, was fatally shot in the chest by a homeless man after responding to a call from a woman about a disturbance at the woman’s home. He managed to return fire and struck his assailant with one shot. Marshal Kopf succumbed to his wound three days later, on Sept. 3, 1907.
John W. Burns
End of Watch: April 21, 1922
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Lathrop
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 55
Years of Service: 9 years
City Marshal John W. Burns was fatally shot on April 21, 1922 in a gun battle with five men who had attempted to rob him at gunpoint as he performed his duties.
William E. Griffin
End of Watch: June 10, 1923
Rank: Patrolman
Department: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 24
Years of Service: 4 years
Patrolman William E. Griffin was shot several times and killed on June 10, 1923 after responding to an armed robbery at the Telegraph Inn, which was located in St. Louis County.
David W. Waymire
End of Watch: March 13, 1927
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Crane
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 62
Marshal David W. Waymire was shot as he attempted to arrest a man wanted for automobile theft two miles west of Crane. He died as a result of his wounds days later, on March 13, 1927.
S. Dent Owen
End of Watch: Jan. 3, 1929
Rank: Marshal
Department: Monroe City
Cause: Vehicle Accident
Age: 37
On Jan. 3, 1929, Marshal S. Dent Owen died from injuries he sustained in a head-on collision on Highway 36 while driving a vehicle that had been stolen and that he had recovered during an investigation.
James E. Tines
End of Watch: Sept. 9, 1933
Rank: Special Agent
Department: St. Louis – San Francisco Railway Police
Cause: Gunshot
Age: 50
On Sept. 9, 1933, Special Agent James E. Tines was fatally shot three times after being targeted by two armed robbers while he was on duty near Springfield.
Herman E. Weirich
End of Watch: Feb. 12, 1946
Rank: Marshal
Department: City of Sullivan
Cause: Car Accident
Age: 59
Years of Service: 20 years
On Feb. 12, 1946, City of Sullivan Marshal Herman E. Weirich died, four days after the vehicle he was traveling in while on duty was struck by a train.
One person is dead following a crash in Benton County.
According to the Highway Patrol, 61-year-old Geary Shaddox of Warsaw was traveling South on Route MM in 2005 Harley Davidson Motorcycle.
Investigators say Shaddox began to skid before he hit a deer, then he traveled off the road, overturned and was ejected from the bike.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff of Camden County wants to pay his deputies more money, and Lake Area voters will be deciding on that in August.
“If my good citizens choose to pass this tax, it’s one quarter of one percent, about a $1 per $1000 so if you buy a new car for $10,000…you’ll pay $10 extra” says Sheriff Tony Helms.
He tells KRMS News right now it’s easy for a Camden County Sheriff’s Deputy to find a better paycheck in another jurisdiction “why would a deputy want to work for me for $31 or $32 thousand, when he can go across the street for $36! So, we’re trying to get that up, we are trying to start our deputies at $42,000 a year. Right now they’re making about $31,000.”
Sheriff elms tells KRMS News he’s losing deputies to other jurisdictions for a higher salary at a time when calls for help are increasing “you gotta have money to give money. It’s not a thing that the commission just won’t do, they can’t if they don’t have the money.”
Lake Area voters will decide on the quarter-cent sales tax increase August 3rd.
Helms was interviewed on the KRMS Morning Magazine.
Photo by Eugene Triguba on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Monday May 3rd.
For today: More clouds than sun with a chance for scattered thunderstorms late. Highs around 81, winds becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
For tonight: Scattered thunderstorms likely, otherwise cloudy skies. Overnight lows approaching 55, winds becoming north 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
A former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood is pleading guilty to sexually abusing four children over several years at the base.
The Army National Guard officer, 42-year-old David McKay of Waynesville, entered his plea before a US judge earlier this week.
He worked as the youth ministry director for the Religious Services office and officials say his victims ranged from 11 to 17 years old between 2010 and 2017.
The testimony submitted indicated the abuse took place at the base, as well as other locations in Pulaski County and on a Ski trip to Colorado.
Under federal statutes, McKay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, and up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
***Press Release***
Former Youth Director at Fort Leonard Wood Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Army National Guard officer pleaded guilty in federal court today to sexually abusing four minors over several years while he was director of the youth ministry at Fort Leonard Wood U.S. Army Base.
David J. McKay, 42, of Waynesville, Missouri, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and four counts of sexually abusing a minor.
McKay, an Army National Guard Major Sergeant, was the youth ministry director for the Religious Services Office at Fort Leonard Wood. By pleading guilty today, McKay admitted that he sexually abused four victims, ranging in age from 11 to 17 years old, on dozens of occasions from 2010 to 2017.
According to today’s plea agreement, the sexual abuse occurred at Fort Leonard Wood and various other locations within Pulaski County, Mo. The victims also reported being abused during the youth group’s ski trips to Colorado and on camping trips at Fort Leonard Wood.
Under federal statutes, McKay is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base, the Pulaski County, Mo., Prosecutor’s Office, and the Waynesville, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
A massive drug take-down has taken place in Benton and Morgan Counties.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s office, 4 different organizations worked this multi-county take-down, which resulted in 9 arrests.
Officials say over 500 grams of Methamphetamine, 15 illegal firearms and numerous prescription narcotics were sized in the raids.
You can see the full arrest list below:
Drivers should be aware of road work scheduled for next week in Pulaski County.
MODOT Says they’ll be doing seal coat treatments on Highway 7 between Highway 133, Route P, Route F and the Interstate 44 Loop, including areas near Parks road, Route NN and Route 66.
Crews will be closing one lane between 7AM and 4PM each day starting Wednesday.
***Press Release***
Seal Coat Operations to Impact Traffic on Pulaski County Roadways
PULASKI COUNTY – Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews will be making driving surface improvements on several roadways in Pulaski County next week.
Starting on Wednesday, May 5, a seal coat treatment will be used to create a smoother driving surface on Route 7 between Route 133 and Route P, Route F between Loop 44 (Historic Route 66) and Parks Road, and Route P between Route 7 and Route NN.
Crews will close one lane on each route between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Flaggers and a pilot car will be in place to guide traffic through the work area.
Seal coats are a pavement repair process that is used by MoDOT on roads with lower traffic volumes to maximize available resources and extend the life of a roadway. Hot emulsion oil is sprayed onto the surface of the road, followed by finely ground rocks which are then compacted to adhere to the roadway. Excess material is swept off the surface, leaving an improved roadway that will hold up longer against the elements.
The method costs about one third the amount of a traditional asphalt overlay. Along with a smoother driving surface for travelers, the treatment keeps water from penetrating the surface, extends the life of the roadway up to seven years, and provides improved traction.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down in work zones, obey all traffic signs and give crews on the road plenty of room. Delays are possible and MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while the work takes place.
As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, MoDOT is asking drivers to work with us this construction season. Always buckle up and keep your phone down, and slow down and move over in work zones. Know before you go, and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.
Photo by Sam Schooler on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Saturday May 1st And Sunday May 2nd.
For Saturday day: Sunshine mixed with clouds at times with highs around 83. Winds turning southwest 8 to 15 mph.
For Saturday night: Lows level off around 62 under partly cloudy skies. Southerly winds 5 to 10 mph.
For Sunday day: Scattered thunderstorms likely, otherwise cloudy skies. High temperatures reach up to 74, winds out of the south 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
For Sunday night: Cloudy skies with a chance for scattered storms. Lows level off around 62, south winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
A Lake Area man’s sharing photos of what he thinks might have been a UFO in the sky Thursday.
“It was about 9 O’clock at night…and I was a, driving down Bluff road. And off to my left I saw a bright object in the Sky and it was brighter than anything else” says Jeff Hughes of Osage Beach.
He tells KRMS News the object seemed to change shape over several seconds.
He says he had never seen anything like it before.
Two Camden County Workers involved in an argument with newly elected First District Commissioner James Gohagan will be keeping their jobs.
At a Closed Session meeting on Monday, the County Commission heard the findings of the independent H.R. firm Jackson Lewis PC.
The county says, in a release, the firm found fault on both sides of the argument.
The firms recommending that County employees Melvin Miller and Dean Duran get five days off work with no pay for their role in the argument January 7th.
The two employees have been on paid leave since then.
County Commissioners Greg Hasty and Don Williams voted to accept the recommendations.
Commissioner Gohagan declined to vote on whether or not to accept the recommendations.
A few changes are taking place a couple of Lake Area schools.
In the Macks Creek School District, Jason Trusty has been named as the 2021-2022 Principal of the High School.
Current Principal Dr. Brad Kolwyck is leaving the position to become the Scott County R-IV Superintendent.
Trusty previously served as a social studies teacher, head softball and baseball coach, and athletic and activities director.
In the Camdenton R-3 District, officials are announcing Lu Tana Griffin as Assistant Principal at Dogwood Elementary.
Lu Tana has served the district as a kindergarten and 1st grade teacher since 2009.
She’s also served as a substitute administration for the district prior to this appointment.
And in Lebanon’s school district, Jaymes Wapp is being named as the next Director of Alternative Programs.
Wapp replaces Dr. Kati O’Quinn in that position, who was recently hired as Lebanon High School Principal.
Wapp is currently the Principal at Laclede County R-1 High School in Conway and at this time it’s unknown who will be taking his role.
Police in Fulton are asking for your help in finding a woman missing since April 21st.
Investigators say 25-year-old Tori Taylor borrowed a car from a friend who lives in Fulton, but she was supposed to return the car the next day and she has not done that.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Taylor is not responding to phone calls or texts and she’s not active on social media.
Tori Taylor is a white female with brown hair and green eyes. She’s 5-2 and weighs around a hundred pounds.
***Additional Info***
Taylor, Tori - Flyer
Roadwork near and along Bagnell Dam will close the road over the next two weeks.
MoDOT says culvert pipe replacement will be happening next Wednesday, and then shoulder repairs are scheduled May 10th through the 13th.
The closures will happen from 6 am until 6 pm.
The area affected will be Business Route 54 between River Road and Valley Road.
You will need an alternate route to get around the dam during the closures.
***Additional Details***
Work Will Temporarily Close Bagnell Dam
MILLER COUNTY – Work near and along Business Route 54 at Bagnell Dam will close the road over the next two weeks.
Crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will replace a culvert pipe on Wednesday, May 5 and repair shoulders Monday, May 10 through Thursday, May 13. The work will take place from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day and will close Business Route 54 between River Road and Valley Road.
Motorists will need to use alternate routes around the dam. MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while this work takes place.
Work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook or Twitter for project updates.
A U-S Representative from the Lake Area is responding to Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress Wednesday night.
Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler says Biden’s time in office has closed school’s for children while opening U-S borders to illegal immigration.
Hartzler also says gas prices are going up and jobs are being lost due to the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline.
Hartzler also adds Biden is taking undue credit for COVID-19 vaccines.
***Press Release***
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) issued the following statement regarding this evening’s joint address to Congress by President Biden:
“This evening, President Biden addressed Congress regarding the first 100 days of his administration. But in his speech, he failed to understand the gravity in which his partisan proposals have been a detriment to the American people — while also taking undue credit for a coronavirus vaccine he inherited from the previous administration’s unprecedented efforts.
During his time in the White House, his administration closed our children’s schools while opening our borders to illegal immigration, raised gas prices by cancelling the Keystone Pipeline which employed thousands, proposed tax increases which would result in one million jobs lost for hardworking Americans, and attacked our institutions with plans to pack the Supreme Court.
To call this platform a disappointment would be an understatement.
America is the land of freedom and opportunity — not of big government and restrictive mandates. I implore President Biden to spend his remaining term in office working for the American people by providing real solutions to the crisis on the border and resisting the urge to dramatically reshape and damage our nation with the socialist policies from the far-left of his party.”
The names of eight Missouri law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2020 will be added to the Law Enforcement Wall of Honor this weekend.
One of those eight names is Kendle Blackburn, a Lebanon police officer who died of COVID-19 December 28th.
The names will be added Saturday and there’s a candlelight vigil on Friday evening for all Missouri law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
Governor Mike Parson has ordered the capitol dome to be lighted in blue Friday night to honor the fallen officers.
****Additional Details****
JEFFERSON CITY – The Department of Public Safety today announced details of two ceremonies that will be held on April 30 and May 1 at the Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol to honor Missouri law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate price for protecting their communities.
On Friday evening, April 30, a candlelight vigil will be held at the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial in tribute to all Missouri law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Capitol dome and Law Enforcement Memorial to be lighted blue on Friday night in honor of law enforcement officers.
On Saturday, May 1, the names of eight officers who died in the line of duty during 2020 will be added to the memorial’s Wall of Honor during the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the memorial. The names of seven officers whose historical line-of-duty deaths have recently been confirmed will also be added to the wall.
2020 Line of Duty Deaths
* Christopher Ryan Walsh – On March 16, 2020, Springfield Police Department Officer Christopher Ryan Walsh was shot and killed when he and another officer confronted an active shooter at a convenience store.
* Andy Deric Clark – On June 3, 2020, DeKalb County Sheriff Andy Deric Clark was killed in a vehicle crash near Osborn, Mo. while responding to assist a deputy in an emergency situation.
* Tamarris L. Bohannon – On Aug. 29, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Tamarris L. Bohannon was mortally wounded when he and another officer were ambushed responding to a shooting calling in the Tower Grove South neighborhood. He succumbed to his wound the next day.
* Rick A. Groves – On Oct. 16, 2020, Kennett Police Department Assistant Chief Rick A. Groves died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service.
* Richard Allen Wright – On Nov. 19, 2020, Missouri Department of Corrections Officer Richard Allen Wright died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a corrections officer.
* Dwight Eugene Willis – On Nov. 22, 2020, Greene County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Dwight Eugene Willis died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his service as a detention officer.
* Herschel Turner Jr. – On Dec. 5, 2020, Moline Acres Police Department Sergeant Herschel Turner Jr. and another officer had stopped a stolen vehicle when Sergeant Turner was fatally struck by the vehicle of another officer arriving at the scene to provide assistance.
* Kendle Glen Blackburn – On Dec. 28, 2020, Lebanon Police Department Patrolman Kendle Glen Blackburn died after contracting COVID-19 as a result of his law enforcement service.
Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths
* Albert Kopf – On Sept. 3, 1907, City of Pacific Marshal Albert Kopf succumbed to his wounds after being shot three days earlier by a homeless man after Kopf had responded to a call from a woman about a disturbance at the woman’s home.
* John W. Burns – On April 21, 1922, City of Lathrop Marshal John W. Burns died after being shot in a gun battle with five men, who had attempted to rob him at gunpoint as he performed his duties.
* William E. Griffin – On June 10, 1923, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Patrolman William E. Griffin was shot and killed responding to an armed robbery at the Telegraph Inn, which was located in St. Louis County.
* David W. Waymire – On March 13, 1927, City of Crane Marshal David W. Waymire died as a result of wounds suffered after being shot by a man wanted for auto theft whom he had attempted to arrest two miles west of Crane days earlier.
* S. Dent Owen – On Jan. 3, 1929, Monroe City Marshal S. Dent Owen died from injuries suffered in a head-on collision on Highway 36 while driving a vehicle that had been stolen and that he had recovered during an investigation.
* James E. Tines – On Sept. 9, 1933, St. Louis – San Francisco Railway Police Special Agent James E. Tines was fatally wounded in an armed robbery while on duty near Springfield.
* Herman E. Weirich – On Feb. 12, 1946, City of Sullivan Marshal Herman E. Weirich died, four days after the vehicle he was traveling in while on duty was struck by a train.
The families of the fallen and representatives of law enforcement agencies from across Missouri will participate in Saturday’s solemn ceremony. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Attorney General Eric Schmitt will deliver remarks at the ceremony.
The Lake of the Ozarks Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show is now happening in Lake Ozark.
“It’s been held for 33 years here in Lake Ozark” says Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry, “you’ll have the chance to enter your car in, whatever class or category it falls into, and maybe go home with a trophy!”
Fry tells KRMS News the Strip will be closed Saturday, but you’ll still be able to get work if necessary “your boss should have employee parking pass for you, and there will be dedicated to employee parking lots throughout the strip for you to be at…so you can get to your job on Saturday.”
Fry says resident passes are available for those who live in the area of the Strip.
The event had to be postponed last year during the COVID Pandemic “there was a lot of uncertainty in the air due to the COVID 19 pandemic, so the folks behind the Magic Dragon made the conscious decision to postpone until the fall….we were able to have a safe and successful event and they have now returned it to the traditional weekend.”
The Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals continue through Sunday.
Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash
Here’s the KRMS Weatherology Weather Forecast For Friday April 30th.
For today: Lots of sunshine outside with daytime highs approaching 79. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph.
For tonight: Lows around 55 under clear skies. Winds turning south around 5 mph.
Residents across the Ozarks are reacting to a bill that’s moving through Jefferson City, aiming to increase the Gas Tax for the first time in 25 years.
“It’s ridiculous!” says one woman. One man says “you can’t plan for it, you wake up and there it is” while another man says “I don’t want no taxes…but if you gotta pay them, then you gotta pay them.”
The proposal up for consideration would raise the state’s gas tax 2.5 cents per gallon, every year for the next four years.
That would generate a total of $450 million dollars for the state’s road and bridge departments, with an option to get a yearly rebate of the tax money you spend on fuel.
Speaking with our news partner KY 3 TV, Ozarks Transportation Organization Director Sara Fields says their biggest issue has been keeping up with the change in inflation “Between inflation and increased efficiency in fuel economies, we just don’t have spending power that we once did. Our big issue is that the fuel tax hasn’t kept up with the inflation. We don’t want a big money influx, we just want to keep up with what we have been able to do in the past.”
While the bill has passed a committee in the House and passed in the Missouri Senate, the legislative session only has 2 weeks left before recess and a final vote on the bill has not been scheduled as of yet.
We’re now learning the name of one of two Lebanon women arrested during a drug bust.
“The individual that was charged in this investigation is Ashley Rowden, the 37-year-old female from Lebanon, she’s facing charges of two counts of delivery of a controlled substance” says Sergeant Kacie Springer with Lebanon PD, “If you are using illegal narcotics within the city of Lebanon, or Laclede county….you’re bound to get caught.”
She tells KRMS News the arrest happened after numerous agencies served a search warrant for a home on Ivey Lane and that Rowden was a passenger in a car that was leaving as police were showing up “that vehicle was subsequently searched, as well as the residence in conjunction with the search warrant issued for this bust.”
Sergeant Springer also says a 20-year-old Lebanon woman was also arrested after the search, but there’s no word on charges she might be facing.
Investigators say the searched turned up around a quarter-pound of meth, pills, pot, and drug paraphernalia.
Photo by Thomas Def on Unsplash
State Senators in Jeff City are talking about the Second Amendment to the U-S Constitution.
Senator Eric Burlison of Battlefield brought Senate Bill 39 to the floor of the Missouri Senate, his proposal would create the Second Amendment Preservation Act “Governments too often turn to tyranny and they attack individual rights, when their Governments grow to large. This results in the loss of individual rights and lives.”
Supporters say their idea comes because of executive actions from Washington, D.C.
Senator Karla May of St. Louis mentions she does not see the need for this legislation “I think that we take an unrealistic look to the 2nd Amendment. And I really think this is a solution, in search of a problem.”
Senate Bill 39 has been laid over for future consideration.
Next up for lawmakers will be the operating budget for Missouri’s next fiscal year. By law, the budget has to be complete by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 7. Fiscal Year 2022 will start on July 1.
