(Mountain Home) – A Mountain Home resident was injured Thursday after an accident on Highway 5 in Arkansas.
The accident happened at 3:55 PM Thursday when the vehicle driven by 45-year-old Anthony Lewandowski began to negotiate left just past County Road 13, traveled along the shoulder and left the east side of the roadway and hit several wooden fence posts and a large tree around.
A report from Troop I of the Arkansas State Police says Lewandowski suffered minor injuries, and was cited for Careless and Imprudent Driving and No Seatbelt.
(West Plains) – An issue that came to light last year concerning a city street in West Plains is back in the news again. City Public Information Officer Laurel Thompson has the latest update on Monks Street:
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The meeting is expected to take place next week.
(Jefferson City) (AP) – A state senator has introduced legislation clarifying that anyone in Missouri may kill a mountain lion.
Republican Sen. Bill Stouffer, of Napton, offered the proposal Thursday. His bill would require anyone who kills a mountain lion to report immediately to a state conservation agent and surrender the body within 24 hours.
Missouri statutes are currently silent on the killing of mountain lions.
The Department of Conservation says Missouri has had 27 confirmed mountain lion sightings since 1994, mostly in southern sections near the Arkansas border.
In January, a man in Reynolds County caught a live male mountain lion in a large cage trap. Conservation agents collected DNA samples and released the cat into the wild.
Bank of Birch Tree President and CEO Katie Bowden and Landmark Bank-Mtn. View President Steve Vines. (Photo provided)
(West Plains) – Landmark Bank is looking to acquire the Bank of Birch Tree and has filed for federal approval. The announcement was made earlier this week.
“We’re happy to welcome the customers of the Bank of Birch Tree,” said Steve Vines, President Landmark Bank – Mountain View. “This gives us an opportunity to serve more of our friends and neighbors in the area.”
After the sale is finalized, Bank of Birch Tree customers will be able to conduct business at any Landmark Bank location as well as the Bank of Birch Tree.
After the acquisition, Landmark Bank will have eight locations in southern Missouri.
(Sikeston) – The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract during its regular meeting on February 1 for pavement improvements in Laclede, Texas and Wright Counties. The $592,805 contract was awarded to Missouri Petroleum Products Company, LLC., St. Louis.
The project includes sealing the roadway with a mixture of rock and oil on Route 17 from Route U to Route 38 in Laclede and Texas Counties, and on Route F from Route V to Route EE in Wright County.
The project is expected to be completed between May and September 2012.
Work zones will be marked with signs as the improvements are being made. MoDOT will alert drivers prior to any change in traffic.
For more information, please contact Project Manager Pete Berry at 417-469-6242, Resident Engineer Lindell Huskey at 417-469-9028 or MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
(Jefferson City) – 151st District Representative Ward Franz, R-West Plains, recently introduced legislation in the Missouri House that limits that restricts animals from having equal rights with humans. Ozark Radio News spoke with Franz, who told us about the reasoning behind the introduction of his legislation:
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He says, however, that the bill will not change animal cruelty and abuse laws on the books:
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Franz says the bill will be discussed and possibly voted on in the next few weeks.
(West Plains) – Continuing their financial aid workshops across the area, MSU-West Plains will be holding another workshop at 6 PM Monday, February 13, in the Koshkonong High School library.
A representative from Missouri State-West Plains will be on hand to provide information to students and parents regarding federal and state resources available to help students finance their post-secondary education, including information about federal financial aid programs such as the Pell Grant, campus-based work-study programs, Stafford student loans and PLUS loans for parents, as well as state programs such as the Access Missouri grant, Bright Flight Scholarship and the A+ Program.
In addition, those attending will receive information about the financial aid application process, including instructions for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
All of the information provided will be useful for students planning to attend any post-secondary institution that participates in the federal Title IV programs, not just Missouri State-West Plains.
For more information about the workshop, contact the Missouri State-West Plains financial aid office at 417-255-7243 or contact Koshkonong High School Counselor Jessica Johnson at 417-867-5601.
Other financial aid workshops scheduled include Thursday, February 9, in the Dora High School library; Thursday, February 16, in the Hartville High School library; Monday, February 20, in the Lutie High School library; Tuesday, February 21, in the Willow Springs High School library; and 6 PM Wednesday, February 22, in the Winona High School library.
(Eminence) – Owls have fascinated mankind for centuries, from the wise owl of the Greek goddess Athena to Winnie the Pooh’s friend.
On Saturday evening, February 4, 2012, join a park ranger on an Owl Prowl to learn more about these creatures of the night. Explore fact and folklore about these little understood hunters of the night. Using recorded owl calls, the ranger will hopefully encourage the owls to respond and perhaps entice them to approach close enough for a good look see.
Attendants will meet the ranger at 5:30 PM for the free program at the Alley Spring General Store Visitor Center. Alley Spring is located six miles west of Eminence, Missouri on State Route 106. The walk will be less than one mile, but dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A bit of snow adds interest to the walk, however, threatening inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions may cancel the program. Please call 573-323-8093 during business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar for current information and if necessary, the rescheduled program date.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
McWilliams and his staff at Spring Dipper will be donating 100% of their Saturday proceeds to St. Jude Children's Hospital. (ORN Photo)
(West Plains) – Many businesses will be getting involved with the 30th annual Ozark Radio Network St. Jude Radiothon, and one of those businesses is the Spring Dipper, 903 Broadway in West Plains.
Ozark Radio News spoke with the owner of Spring Dipper, Neil McWilliams, who told us that they’ll be helping out St. Jude tomorrow from noon to 10 PM:
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The St. Jude Radiothon will be held from 6 AM to 6 PM on Wednesday, February 8.
(West Plains) – A number of residents in West Plains woke up to a shock on Wednesday morning, as many people across the city found their cars broken into and items inside stolen.
Roughly 20 cars were broken into late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning on West Fourth, Fifth, Six, and Seventh Streets, as well as Texas St. Items stolen by the suspects range from guns, skateboards, and power tools to computers and cash and change.
Ozark Radio News spoke with West Plains Police Department Information Officer Bryan Brauer, who says that a majority of the cars broken into were left unlocked. He urged people to keep their vehicles locked at all times and not leave valuables inside:
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Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says that burglaries, thefts and break-ins are on the rise in the county, and also urges people to lock their vehicles and to not leave valuables in their vehicles.