Your World Today

Following state and federal guidance, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is extending the temporary closures of its facilities and cancellations of its public events and programs through April 30th. MDC will reassess the situation at that time. To help protect people amid increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, MDC temporarily closed its regional offices, department headquarters in Jefferson City, staffed shooting ranges, nature centers, visitor centers, and educational centers around the state to the public in March. MDC also temporarily cancelled its public events and programs, including hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. While MDC offices are closed to general visitation, offices will still be staffed. Visitors with official business will need to notify the office to gain access. Find MDC office contact information at mdc.mo.gov. Conservation areas, nature center trails, and boat accesses remain open to the public. Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons continue as scheduled. MDC managed hunts and mentored spring turkey hunts continue as planned. For more information on MDC, to contact MDC offices, to buy permits, and more, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the mid-Missouri area for the period of April 13th through the17th. The projects listed will include lane closures that could cause traffic delays. Work will take place during the entire week, unless otherwise noted. Weather conditions may postpone the work schedule. In Dent County, pavement repair will take place on Highway 19 between Highway 68 and Route TT, and on Highway 32 between Highway 19 and Highway 72. Edge rut repair will take place on Highway 68 between Route FF and Highway 19, and on Route B between Highway 19 and Highway 72. MoDOT reminds motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow posted signs and drive safely through work areas. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). You can also follow MoDOT’s Central Missouri District on Twitter and Facebook.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways asks for assistance from the public to identify those responsible for a recent wildfire and to prevent future arson in the park. Each year, several wildfires within the Riverways are caused by arson. While carefully planned prescribed burning has a variety of benefits for Ozark landscapes and ecosystems, wildfires caused by arson have the potential to damage natural and cultural resources, historic structures, and private dwellings within the park boundary. Landmarks such as the Wallace Barn near Devils Well, consumed in an arson fire in August 2016, are forever lost. Responding to wildfires also puts the lives of firefighters at risk. Recently, the Pot Hole Wildfire, near Pulltite Campground, burned within sight of a private dwelling that had been rebuilt after a previous wildfire destroyed the original cabin. The National Park Service is offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to convictions in arson cases. If you have information that can help catch arsonists, please provide as much information as you can about the suspected arson, including the location, date and time of the fire; the description of vehicles or persons observed at the scene; any names of persons responsible or involved plus any other pertinent information. Caller’s contact information will be needed for reward purposes. To report an arson, call or text the Investigative Services Branch Tip line at 888-653-0009 or E-mail to nps_isb@nps.gov.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported that in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court on Friday in front of Judge Megan Seay, Herbert helms of Salem had his probation revoked and he was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections. Also on Friday, Curley reported that Heath Bradley who was incarcerated in the Department of Corrections under a long-term treatment order of one year for charges involving the felony possession of a controlled substance and for receiving stolen property, incurred a conduct violation while in the program. Judge Seay ordered that his seven year sentence now be fully executed.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that the Patrol is extending the suspension of all written and skills-based driver road testing at all locations until April 27th, 2020. This includes operator, commercial driver license, and motorcycle testing. In addition, the Patrol is extending the suspension of all salvage inspections at all locations and all bus inspections until April 27th. This does not affect local businesses that are the providers of safety and emission inspections for the public and may continue to be open for services depending on their circumstances. The Patrol is monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and will update the public on testing and inspections as more information becomes available. The Missouri State Highway Patrol appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to ensure public health and safety.

With all the news centering around the COVID 19 outbreak, all citizens in the United States and their territories need to remember to submit their 2020 census information. About 64 million households across the nation will be receiving or already have received a paper questionnaire as the U.S. Census Bureau continues to ensure responding to the census is easier than ever. Of the nation’s households, 46.2% have already responded to the 2020 Census. The remaining households will receive a paper questionnaire starting April 8. While nearly half of all households have responded online to the 2020 Census, some may prefer to receive a paper questionnaire. About 22% of the country received a paper form at the beginning of the census. Households receiving the paper questionnaire can still respond online or by phone, or they can return it by mail in the enclosed envelope. They can choose to respond online at www.2020census.gov in English or 12 other languages, or receive assistance through language guides and videos available in 59 languages. When you respond online, use the Census ID from the letter or provide your address. The public should respond for the number of people living at that address as of April 1st. Some areas where census takers were originally going to hand-deliver forms in person will now receive a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau reminding them to participate, including many households in Puerto Rico. Social distancing currently is having a big influence on the old fashioned way a census taker would go door-to-door to get an accurate count of the people in a household. If households don’t receive a letter in the mail, those people can go online to submit their information or Census takers will follow up with all households that do not respond on their own. Responding now to the 2020 Census will minimize the need for a census taker to follow up and visit your home in person later this year. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and it’s key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency response, schools and bridges over the next 10 years. Why is it important to be counted in the 2020 Census? It is our chance to make sure the hard-earned tax dollars we send to Washington D.C. make their way back to the Meramec Region. For every adult and every child that is not counted in the Census, our counties could lose, on average, $1,300 in federal dollars per person every year. That adds up to $13,000 per person over the next 10 years. In 2010, every county in the Meramec Region was undercounted, some by as many as 30%! Your county, the Meramec Region and the state of Missouri are counting on you to do your part. Every Missouri household that has a physical mailing address will receive or has received a letter with a Census ID, but you will not get a letter if you get your mail at a P.O box. Nonetheless, you are still responsible for completing the Census. You can complete the Census at www.my2020census.gov, by calling 844-330-2020 or by returning the paper application by August 14. Better yet, take five minutes and do it now. Be counted!

In Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing, Governor Mike Parson announced that all Missouri public and charter school buildings will remain closed through the remainder of the academic year. This recommendation was made to Governor Parson by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and several school superintendents from rural and urban areas across the state. School services are expected to continue through the last day of school in each school district as pre-established by the academic calendar approved by their local board of education. These continued services include alternative educational opportunities, child care as well as providing much-needed free nutritional meals to students who count on them. These services will continue to what would have been the last day of the regular school year on May 15th. Additional K-12 information and guidance can be found at dese.mo.gov/COVID19.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday evening at 9:30 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles north of Houston. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2018 Ford F-150 being driven by 66-year old John Moncrief of Rolla, was southbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway when he overcorrected. The Ford then traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned, ejecting the driver. Moncrief was not wearing a safety at the time of the accident and was taken by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for the treatment of serious injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

Missouri residents and nonresidents whose fishing privileges are not otherwise suspended may fish without needing a permit or daily trout tag through April 15th. Seasons, methods, and limits still apply and will be enforced. The James Foundation has closed Maramec Spring Park in St. James to the public for trout fishing and all other activities until further notice. Missouri’s three other public trout parks remain open for day use and fishing: Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and Roaring River State Park near Cassville. Anglers will need to have a fishing permit, unless exempt, after April 15th. Trout anglers will also need required fishing permits after April 15th but will not need a daily trout tag at the three open trout parks until further notice. Trout anglers fishing other areas around the state, including lakes and streams not at a trout park, will need both a fishing permit and trout permit after April 15th. MDC has suspended daily trout stocking at all trout parks along with most other fish stocking in waters around the state until further notice. MDC has also cancelled the kids’ fishing day events at the trout parks, including May 2nd at Montauk State Park and Bennett Spring State Park, and May 16th at Roaring River State Park and Maramec Spring Park.