HIGHWAY PATROL ENCOURAGES DRIVERS AND BOATERS TO HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Memorial Day weekend is upon us and the Missouri State Highway Patrol wants the public to make safety a priority.
Officials tell KWOC News that every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists during the long holiday weekend.
Troopers will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers.
Over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 10 people died and 442 were injured in over 1,017 traffic crashes.
Motorists or boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime can use the Highway Patrol's Emergency Assistance number at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.
TIPS ON HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE GRILLING
Summer is on the way and that means it is time to get out and grill.
Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt says, here are some safety tips and recommendations for when you are grilling.
Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
Never leave your grill unattended when in use.
If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid.
Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
Additional fire safety information is available at nfpa.org.
BUTLER COUNTY ROAD TO BE CLOSED FOR FOUR MONTHS STARTING IN JUNE
The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that a Butler County road will be closed for approximately four months beginning in June.
Route W in Butler County will be closed as contractor crews replace a bridge over Black River. The bridge is located between County Road 525 and Ravenwood Lane near Poplar Bluff.
Weather permitting, work will begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1st, with completion anticipated by Friday, September 30th.
A signed detour will be in place and the Hilliard River Access will be temporarily closed to the public during construction.
SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY IN MISSOURI
Memorial Day weekend is coming up and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is reminding everyone to be buckled up while on the road.
State and local law enforcement are joining with the Coalition for the National Click it or Ticket enforcement campaign through June 5th, to highlight the importance of buckling up.
For 2021, preliminary data indicates 428 individuals killed in Missouri traffic crashes were not wearing their seat belt. It is the highest number of unbuckled fatalities in Missouri during the last 5 years and an 18 percent increase from 2020.
Along with wearing a seat belt, officials want to remind motorists to slow down, put your phone down, and never drive impaired.
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ENCOURAGES WATER SAFETY
Residents from across Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas are heading to area lakes and rivers for Memorial Day weekend and officials are reminding everyone to be safe.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake is reminding visitors of the importance of practicing safe, sensible, and thoughtful activities in, on, and around open water.
One of the most important things you can do is remember to wear a life jacket.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, during the 2021 Memorial Day weekend, there were 12 boating crashes which included one fatality and three injuries.
You can learn more water safety tips by visiting PleaseWearIt.com.
RIVER RADIO BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR JULY IN POPLAR BLUFF
A date has been announced for the next River Radio Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.
The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm on Friday, July 8th at the Greater Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
St. Louis Cardinals T-shirts will be available while supplies last.
Call 1-800-Red-Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code RiverRadio to schedule an appointment.
