MoDOT News Release: Spring is coming; potholes are blooming

JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Department of Transportation crews are focusing on pothole repair through April. Motorists should watch out for MoDOT crews making the repairs, slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. 

Crews started working to address the pesky potholes as soon as there was a break in the weather. MoDOT will have about 300 pothole patching crews statewide working to make roadways safer. In 2019 MoDOT patched approximately 730,000 potholes spending $17 million on pothole patching. 

 “We are working as hard as we can to fill the potholes,” said Natalie Roark, MoDOT state maintenance director. “Some potholes have to be repaired multiple times because of the additional rain or snow.  We ask motorists to please be patient with us as the repairs are being done.”

MoDOT maintains 34,000 miles of road including interstates, U.S. and Missouri routes and lettered routes.

Potholes form when temperatures warm up during the day but continue to be cold at night. The rain and snow from winter leave moisture that seeps into cracks and joints in the pavement. Frozen water in cracks and under the surface of the roadway causes the pavement to bulge and bend. Then when ice melts, the pavement contracts and leaves gaps or voids in the surface under the pavement. When cars and trucks drive over the bulging pavement, it weakens the roadway eventually causing chunks of pavement or asphalt to pop out, creating potholes.

Short-term repairs are made using a cold asphalt mix with a priority to fill the deepest potholes first. The long-term fix, a hot asphalt mix, isn’t effective until temperatures remain warm for a prolonged period.

Potholes are also a sign of an aging transportation system. Missouri’s budget for road repairs is largely financed by a 17-cent per gallon gas tax that has remained the same since 1996. Many roadways that would benefit from resurfacing can only be patched due to limited resources.

If you can't avoid a pothole, try to slow down before you hit it. Here are some other safety tips:

• Don't brake directly over a pothole as this can cause more damage.

• When driving over the pothole, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.

• Use caution when driving over a puddle of water because it might be a pothole in hiding.

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated ties hold up better against potholes than tires that have too much or too little air.

Motorists can report the location of potholes on state-maintained roads using the following tools: Call the 24/7 Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636).

Use the Report a Road Concern form on the web at modot.org.
Use a smart phone/tablet with a mobile friendly form at modot.org/roadconcern.

Potholes on city streets or subdivisions should be reported to local city or county maintenance.

Coming soon to a radio near you...

Your Butler Lions Club Merchandise donations are appreciated as the annual Butler Lions Club Radio Auction raises funds for the needs in our community.

The auction airs Monday, March 30th at 5 pm for 4 big nights on FM 92.1 live from Community First Bank.

The bidding starts at 5 pm NIGHTLY. The call in number is 660-679-3135. We'll hear you there!

Can you spell WINNERS?

Congratulations to the Miami students who competed in the GVVC Spelling Bee on Tuesday. 18 elementary students participated in the GVVC Conference Spelling Bee in Sheldon, MO. Three Miami students placed in the top three.

Pictured above: (Front Row) 1st grade: Parker Black, Lilly Bass, Elly Downs, 2nd grade: Lawon Nieder, Ella Vaughn, (not pictured Lilli Smith), 3rd grade: Annie Downs, Audrey Beaver, Lilly Ford
(Back Row) 4th grade: Niko Warren, Mikey Kenagy, Audrey Clayton, 5th grade: Myra Pitts, Paige Fairbairn, Charli Beard, 6th grade: Milee Hragyil, Ethan Vaughn, Brock Kelly

Parker Black (1st grade) received first place. Audrey Clayton (4th grade) received first place. Charli Beard (5th grade) received 2nd place.

Drexel Bobcats earn post season awards

 
L to R: Emily Wheeler-1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-District; MaKenna Finley- Honorable Mention All-District;   Adam Gilbert-1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All District; Ethan Irvin- Honorable Mention All-District

 

Adrian Optimist Students of the Month

The Adrian Optimist Club is pleased to honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools. Criteria for this honor center on outstanding academic and civic achievement and school spirit. Staff at each of the schools make the selection, and their decision is based on expansion of these criteria. Selection is based on the criteria, but a student stepping up to a particular task will come to play in it. Each student is honored with a certificate of recognition from the Adrian Optimist Club and $20.00 in Adrian Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Bucks”.

The Miami Student of the Month for February is Senior, Kayla Gabel, daughter of Daniel and Aimee Harnden. Miami staff state, “Kayla is planning on a career as a dental hygienist. She has managed to maintain on the A/B Honor Roll while working part time in in Kansas City. She is very caring to others and a responsible person.” Kayla states, “I thank my parents for always pushing me in school and believing in me.” She plans to further her education at Johnson County Community College.

Pictured: Adrian Optimist Member Jerry Ferguson, Kayla Gabel, Miami Superintendent Daniel Johnson

The Adrian Student of the Month is Senior, Jessi Baker, daughter of Rex and Patti Baker. In school, Jessi is in Volleyball, Cheer Leading, Track, FFA, and NHS. Outside of school she is into Swim Team, volunteer at House of Hound, and works as a waitress. Jessi is inspired by this statement by Vincent Van Gogh, “I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God’s help I shall succeed.” Jessi plans to further her education at College of the Ozarks majoring in Art Education K-12.

Pictured: Adrian Principal Abe Lewis, Jessi Baker, and Adrian Optimist Member Josh Nieder

The Ballard Student of the Month is Freshman, Lexi Ward, daughter of Bev and Mike Ward. Lexi is active in Basketball, Volleyball, and Art Club. She is in 4H outside of school. Ms Bergen states, “Lexi has a positive attitude, is almost always smiling, always willing to help when needed, has great sportsmanship, and is a great role model for others.” Mr Dunkin states, “She is self motivated. She askes relevant questions in class. She is highly disciplined and a joy to have in class.” Lexi plans to go to college to become a nurse.

Pictured: Ballard Principal Dustin Bridges, Lexi Ward, and Adrian Optimist Member Terry Rice

WIC services in Bates County

Bates County Health Center

660-679-6108

Renaye Still WIC Coordinator

WIC Services

The Bates County Health Center is pleased to announce the continuation of WIC services for the Federal Fiscal Year 2020.

Under the terms of the contract through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bates County will be able to serve 352 participants per month. Standards for eligibility and participation for Women, Infants & Children are the same for everyone regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

Participants must meet financial guidelines and receive a health screening consisting of height, weight, hemoglobin and diet history. A certified professional determines eligibility.

Eligible participants receive WIC food instruments that are redeemable at authorized retail stores. WIC foods are chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamins A&C. For infants who are not breastfed, WIC does provide iron fortified formula. Infants 6-11 months receive baby foods of fruits and vegetables. For those infants that are breastfed, they also receive baby food meats. The nursing mothers receive the maximum food package.

The WIC program also makes referrals to other community resources.

WIC clinics are held at the Bates County Health Center, 501 N. Orange St. Butler, MO 64730. Persons interested in applying or wanting more information can contact the office at 660-679-6108.

Current Missouri WIC Income Guidelines are in effect as of May 01, 2019.

Family Size       Annual Income       Monthly Income        Weekly Income

3                        $39,461                 $3,289                          $759

4                        $47,638                 $3,970                          $917

5                        $55,815                 $4,652                          $1,074

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

BCMH prepares for Coronovirus

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization, Bates County Memorial Hospital has taken all appropriate and necessary precautions for the safety and well-being of our community. In compliance with our infectious disease protocols, we will remain vigilant and continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Missouri Department of Health guidelines.

Our infection prevention team has

- put screening procedures in place in the emergency department and Family Care Clinics, and at every registration point
- trained staff to screen every patient and family member
- reviewed recommended personal protective equipment use with frontline staff
- continued following hospital procedure for an event at this level which includes regular tactical meetings, ensuring supplies are adequate for potential scenarios and conservation methods when needed
- regular contact and coordination with federal, state and local authorities including the Bates County Health Department and Bates County Emergency Management
- made masks available to patients presenting with respiratory illness – please ask for a mask at registration

A new disease can be a little frightening. It is important to remain informed of the facts and to guide your family in the best infection prevention practices for respiratory illness, including influenza, which is still circulating in our area:

§ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
§ Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth).
§ Stay home and away from others when you are sick, except to seek medical attention.
§ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue in the trash.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a reliable source of information for learning about this outbreak as well as how to protect yourself. The hospital has supplied fact sheets from the CDC about COVID-19 in all waiting areas at the hospital and clinics as well as their website at www.bcmhospital.com.

From the Bates County Clerk's Office

The Bates County Clerk’s office will conduct a public test of the electronic tabulating equipment on Thursday, March 26th at 9:00 a.m. in the Bates County Administration Building.

The Bates County Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, April 4 from 8:00 a.m. to noon for the purpose of absentee voting.