Missouri lawmakers gave final approval to legislation Thursday that would eliminate renewals on small, unsecured loans and would reduce the amount of fees and interest lenders can charge.
The Senate voted 26-4 to send Gov. Jay Nixon the changes to the payday loan industry.
Borrowers in Missouri can renew a payday loan up to six times under current law and can face interest rates as high as 75 percent of the loan’s original amount. Payday loans can be up to $500 and last four to 31 days.
The new legislation would end renewals and cap the amount of fees and interest rates at 35 percent.
Supporters contend the measure would protect consumers from getting into a debt trap. It would require lenders to post in their lobby the amount of fees and interest charged per $100 loaned, and the option for an extended payment plan authorized under the bill. Borrowers who take advantage of that option before the loan’s maturity would not face additional fees or interest.
Many lawmakers had mixed feelings about the legislation. Some said it was a good first step but more needs to be done to keep borrowers from taking out loans they cannot repay.
“I don’t see it as necessarily solving all the problems that can arise with one borrower going to multiple vendors,” said Sen. Scott Sifton, a Democrat from St. Louis.
Others had a stronger view. Sen. John Lamping, a Ladue Republican, said the bill wasn’t reform and was driven by the payday loan industry.
The Missouri Division of Finance estimates that in 2012, 2.34 million loans were issued with an average value of $306 at an average annualized interest rate of 455 percent.
Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 17-23, 2014. As the weather starts to warm up, we’re all anxious to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Families and friends gather together to enjoy the outdoors, travel on vacation, and spend time on the water – boating, fishing, sailing, and more. It’s important to include safety when planning recreational water activities.
It’s no coincidence that National Safe Boating Week is the week prior to the Memorial Day weekend. The majority of boaters most likely have not had their boats in the water yet this year. Thus, boaters are encouraged to inspect their vessel to make sure all equipment is in good, serviceable condition. One great way to ensure all your boat’s equipment is in good working order is to have a courtesy equipment inspection performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the U.S. Power Squadron. Troopers will perform a courtesy inspection on the water if you wave them over and request one.
Nationwide, approximately 500 people drown each year from recreational boating crashes. Of those, nearly 88 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
It is imperative that everyone wear a life jacket at all times in and around the water. Missouri law requires children under seven to wear a life jacket at all times while on board a boat unless in an enclosed cabin area. The Missouri State Highway Patrol joins the National Safe Boating Council, U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and Canadian Safe Boating Council in encouraging safe and responsible boating, including wearing a life jacket, and being alert and aware in and on the water.
“Boating crashes occur too quickly for you to reach for a life jacket,” said Colonel Replogle. “Missouri experienced 97 boating crashes in 2013, in which 87 people were injured and 17 people were killed. Please pay attention when enjoying Missouri’s waters, and make sure you have a life jacket for each person in your boat. Take time to choose a life jacket that fits properly and is approved for your activity and body weight.”
Life jackets are now lighter, less obtrusive, and more comfortable than ever before. The new inflatable life jackets allow the mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing or paddling, and are much cooler in the warmer weather. There are many different varieties of inflatable jackets ranging from those that inflate instantly when submerged in the water to those that are manually inflated. All are designed to be more comfortable and wearable than the traditional life jacket.
In addition to your life jacket, remember these boating safety tips:
1) Don’t drink alcohol while you're boating.
2) Know Missouri’s boating laws before you get onto the water.
3) Check the weather. Know the forecast prior to going out, and check for changing conditions regularly.
4) Make sure you can keep in touch. In an emergency situation, cell phones and having a good float plan, which includes someone on shore knowing when you are leaving and when you should return, is important.
“The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like the 2014 boating season to be fun for everyone,” said Col. Replogle.
Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol using *55 if they need assistance, or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.
In support of “The Drive To ZERO Highway Deaths,” the Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life and Wear It!!
The Butler Senior Center will host a computer class on Monday, May 5th. This is a free class hosted by Cynthia and Galina Strelkoff beginning at 1:00pm.
Please let the Butler Senior know if you plan to attend by calling 660-679-5830.
The 2nd Annual Montrose VFW Poker Run will be held on May 3rd honoring those who served and those that are serving. The poker run funds will be used to pay for Grave Markers for Veterans and their Wives and the National Home. The run will begin at the Montrose VFW Post, and registration will be from 10:30am – 1:00pm. There is a $20 registration fee which will include a t-shirt and a meal. If you pre-register you will entered into a drawing to win your choice of $1,000 or a trip for two to Las Vegas. For more information or to pre-register you can contact Charles at 816-739-2991 or Chuck 660-723-5373.
On Monday April 28th, the Butler Junior High Track Team competed in the ElDo Middle School Relays. This meet the 7th Grade got to compete separately from the 8th Grade division and there were some very large schools such as Bolivar, Nevada, and Stockton, but we held our own and competed well! There were 13 schools and the 7th Grade Girls took 7th overall and the 7th Grade Boys took 8th. These were the point winners for the 7th Grade:
6th Place: Alicen Beckley—200 m Dash
5th Place: Clayton Johnson—Shot Put, Peyten Heckadon—1600 m Run
4th Place: 4×400 m Relay—Peyten Heckadon, Madison Tippie, Margo Miller, Claire Sutton
3rd Place: 4×100 m Relay—Jayde Eidson, Bella Oltremere, Alicen Beckley, Reayn Hill—1:04.41
4×100 m Relay—Jake Koehn, Andres Heiman, Cody Gabriel, Derrick Shobe—1:00.1
4×200 m Relay—Madison Tippie, Jayde Eidson, Margo Miller, Claire Sutton—2:09.79
4×200 m Relay—Jonathan Coatney, Hunter Dickerson, Cody Gabriel, Jake Koehn—2:02.3
4×400 m Relay—Jake Koehn, Jonathan Coatney, Hunter Dickerson, Cody Gabriel—4:42.33
2nd Place:Claire Sutton—75 m Hurdles—13.76
In the 8th Grade Division, we placed 4th in the Girls Division and 3rd place in the Boys Division. The following contributed points:
6th Place: Cole Kuda—High Jump
Seth Stump—Triple Jump
Metta Wakeland—200 m Dash
5th Place: Seth Stump—100 m Hurdles
Tevin Taylor—400 m Run—1:05.85
Hally Dalbow—100 m Hurdles—14.90
4th Place: Matthew Coleman—Long Jump—15’
Kenton Taylor—800 m Run—2:34.02
4×100 m Relay—Hally Dalbow, Sierra Reynolds, Allie Chandler, Riley Mareth—58.76
4×100 m Relay—Stephen Foote, Seth Stump, Ethan Gardner, Connor Sparks—53.50
3rd Place: Cole Kuda—100 m Dash—12.71
Alexis Lewis—Discus—74’2”
4×200 m Relay—Riley Mareth, McKenzie Wheatley, Allie Chandler, Sierra Reynolds—2:05.24
2nd Place: McKenzie Wheatley—75 m Hurdles—13.86
4×400 m Relay—Sierra Reynolds, McKenzie Wheatley, Hally Dalbow, Allie Chandler—4:53.98
4×200 m Relay—Matthew Coleman, Eli Brockman, Connor Sparks, Cole Kuda—1:48.34
1st Place Alexis Lewis—Shot Put—35’9”
Ethan Gardner—Pole Vault—9’6”
Matthew Coleman—100 m Hurdles—17.25
4×400 m Relay—Eli Brockman. Ethan Gardner, Matthew
Coleman, Cole Kuda—4:09.07
The end of the work week is here, and the weather looks to be improving significantly for the weekend. Warmer Spring (and maybe Summer) like temperatures will flood back into the region as the cold low that has been kicking around over the center of the nation finally releases its grip. Expect conditions to warm through the weekend. Our next chance at rain is currently projected for next Thursday. So, what are you going to do with all this beautiful weather?
Aaron Joseph Abney 18 of Butler, Missouri was arrested Wednesday 4/30/14 around 4pm at the probation and parole office on West Jefferson Street in Clinton,Missouri. Mr. Abney was arrested for a felony warrant from another jurisdiction.
A Cadillac Escalade and a trailer that was reported as stolen from the 600 block of W. Main in Sheldon, Missouri has been found.
Vernon County sheriff Jason Mosher says both the Escalade and the trailer were recovered from a pond in Barton County and Vernon County officers are continuing their investigation of the theft.
