Local News – Friday, September 4th, 2020
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2020 Labor Day weekend. Whether you are on the water or on the road, it’s everyone’s responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri laws. It is also important to observe social distancing and other CDC guidelines related to the coronavirus, and stay home if you are ill. As you plan your Labor Day weekend, incorporate safety into every facet from choosing your route, making sure your equipment is in good working condition, being aware of and following Missouri’s traffic and boating laws, driving your vehicle or vessel courteously, and wearing a seat belt or a life jacket. In Missouri, nine people died and 431 were injured in 1,021 traffic crashes over the 2019 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 10.6 minutes. Troopers arrested 116 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2020 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 tonight through 11:59 Monday night, September 7th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive whether you are in your boat or your car. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone you they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is now accepting entries for its annual photo contest. Winning entries will be posted online and featured in an issue of Missouri Resources magazine. The deadline to submit photos is October 1st. Contestants can submit entries in three categories. One category is natural resources which could include photo of Missouri’s air, landscapes and waterways. Another category is unique places including photos taken within one of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. For a list of all Missouri parks and sites visit mostateparks.com. The final category is people enjoying and exploring Missouri’s great outdoors. Judges will choose first, second, third and honorable mention winners for each category. For more information or to submit photos, you can visit dnr.mo.gov/photocontest. Questions about the photo contest can be sent to socialmedia@dnr.mo.gov.
It’s time to dig out your cowboy boots and saddle up for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday at the Commons. The IPRA/MRCA Pro Rodeo by Outlaw Rodeo Productions kicks off each night at 7:30. Rodeo events include bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding. There will be a calf scramble each night for children 10 year of age and under, Blake Skaggs mini buckers will be in action. Saturday night will be red, white and blue night saluting our veterans. Advance tickets will be $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 5 to 11. They can be purchased at the Salem Area Chamber Visitors Center, both locations of the Bank of Salem, Progressive Ozark Bank, both Town and Country Bank locations, and Riverways Federal Credit Union. Tickets at the gate each night are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. The concession stand will be open and there will be vendors and music on the grounds. For more information call the Salem Area Chamber office at 573-729-6900.