News – Thursday, September 3rd, 2026

The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2026 Labor Day weekend. The 2026 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 Friday evening, and will last through 11:59 Monday night, September 7th. The Labor Day holiday is a busy boating weekend. Before you take your boat on the water, inspect fuel lines and hose connections for leaks, and test the battery to confirm it is charged. When refueling, turn off any electrical devices which could create a spark. After refueling, open the engine compartment to visually inspect and smell for fuel leaks. Activate the blower system for at least four minutes before restarting the vessel. In 2025, there were nine boating crashes which included six injuries and no fatalities. One person drowned during last year’s Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested nine people for boating while intoxicated during last year’s counting period. If you’ll be on the road this Labor Day holiday, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition before you depart as it will be extremely hot. Drive courteously and obey all of Missouri’s laws. Remember to buckle up and pay attention as you travel. In Missouri, six people died and 423 were injured in 931 traffic crashes over the 2025 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 104 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. 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. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cell phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency on the water or on the road. 

If you’re hanging out with family over at Montauk State Park this Labor Day weekend, stop by on Saturday or Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening between the rearing pools and the Montauk Mill for an archery lesson provided by certified instructors. Instructors will guide you through safe archery practices and techniques. Or, on Saturday at 2:00 in the afternoon, meet at the Montauk Spring parking lot and head over to Pigeon Creek to catch crawdads, stream bugs, and learn about the aquatic life at the headwaters of the Current Rivers. This is a fun, all-ages event! Attendees are encouraged to wear water shoes and bring bug spray. On Sunday evening at 8:00, meet at the campground amphitheater to learn about the aquatic insects anglers mimic with their fishing flies. The Montauk Mill will also be open for historical tours on Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, along with a special candlelit tour beginning at 8:00. Tours will also be available Sunday morning from 10:30 to 12:30.

Arts Rolla invites all to come out to see the September exhibit at The Centre, Rolla’s Health & Recreation Complex at 1200 N. Holloway, Rolla. This month’s exhibit features 79 original works of art by 10 Missouri artists and features the work of artists associated with the Current River Artists of the Texas County Museum of Art and the Ozarks Heritage Artists of Salem. Make plans to attend the opening of the exhibit this coming Friday between 5:00 and 7:00 in the evening.

Dove season began this week and will continue through Nov. 29th. Daily limits for mourning doves and white-winged doves combined are 15 birds with a possession limit of 45. Before you go dove hunting, know that residents of Missouri require a small game hunting permit, for those aged 16 to 64. A migratory bird hunting permit is also required for dove hunters aged 16 and older. Non-residents require a non-resident small game hunting permit if ages 16 or older. A non-resident migratory bird hunting Non-toxic shot is required on many conservation areas — check area regulations before hunting. Shooting hours for doves are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Safety and courtesy are critical. For more information on dove season, hunting regulations, and public hunting areas near you, visit mdc.mo.gov, click on “Hunting and Trapping,” and then scroll down to click on “Dove” in the sidebar. You may also contact the Ozark Regional Office by phone at 417-256-7161 or email OzarkRegion@mdc.mo.gov