News – Wednesday, September 4th 2024

Seven people died in traffic crashes, two people died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2024 Labor Day holiday weekend. The 2024 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6:00 Friday evening August 30th, through 11:59 Monday night, September 2nd. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following enforcement activity during 2024 Labor Day holiday. These are preliminary statistics. There were 233 crashes resulting in 115 injuries which resulted in 7 fatalities. There were 108 DWI arrests and 5 Drug arrests. Preliminary MSHP Boating indicate there were 3 crashes, resulting in 8 injuries and 2 fatalities. There was 1 drowning and 8 Boating While Intoxicated arrests. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.

The Maries County Public Water Supply District No. 1 has been awarded a $30,000 grant by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This Drinking Water Engineering Report Grant will enable the district to evaluate its drinking water system and identify necessary improvements. The grant is part of a program designed to help communities assess their public drinking water systems. With this funding, the district will be able to pinpoint any upgrades needed to maintain reliable service and meet drinking water quality standards. Department officials stressed the importance of water infrastructure in supporting community health and economic vitality. This evaluation will allow the district to address current needs and plan for future growth. The project is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, through its Financial Assistance Center, offers various funding opportunities for communities with water infrastructure needs. For more information on water-related funding opportunities, interested parties can visit the department’s website at dnr.mo.gov.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is accepting public comment on its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) until September 7th. A CEDS is designed to identify regional priorities for economic and community development. An effective plan allows the region to maximize its economic development potential, as well as engage with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and other federal partners to receive infrastructure and technical assistance grants. MRPC Planning Manager Anne Freand said that the CEDS is important to the region because it identifies locally grown strategies that will guide regional economic development, encourage partnerships and collaboration and improve economic outcomes and overall quality of life in our region. The CEDS document is the result of a year-long planning process, which included data gathering and input from people who live and work in the Meramec Region. The draft plan can be found online at www.meramecregion.org. For additional questions or to submit feedback email Freand at afreand@meramecregion.org or call the MRPC office at 573-265-2993. Feedback can also be mailed to MRPC Attention Anne Freand, #4 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO 65559 or individuals can stop by the office in person between 8:00 and 4:30, Monday through Friday.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will offer free, one-day fly fishing workshops for youth ages 12-16 on September 8, 15, and October 6 at Mt Zion Church north of Akers. Park Ranger Mark Van Patten, a 2023 National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, will lead the sessions. The workshops will cover casting techniques, catch and release methods, fly presentation, aquatic entomology, equipment, and water reading. Each session is limited to 10 youth participants, with a required parent or guardian for each. Participants should bring a valid Missouri fishing permit (if 16 or older), trout permit, waders, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, lunch, and water. Some equipment will be provided. For reservations, contact Round Spring Ranger Station at (573) 858-3297. 

The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) is accepting applications for the Show-Me Entrepreneurial Grants for Agriculture (SEGA) Innovation Grant Program until October 4, 2024. The program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for Missouri entities seeking to add value to agricultural products. Recipients must provide a minimum 25% cash match. Eligible projects include facilities, equipment upgrades, services, and cooperative marketing efforts related to value-added agriculture. For application forms and more information, visit www.masbda.com or contact MASBDA at (573) 751-2129 or masbda@mda.mo.gov.