Update provided on 171/43 roundabout construction

(From MODOT)

Route 43/Route 171 Roundabout Construction

Update for Week of July 7, 2014

No Work Scheduled July 4 Weekend. Work Resumes 9 a.m., Monday, July 7. Work scheduled: Installing road signs Setting poles for street lights Grading shoulders Building entrances Traffic Impacts: Daytime work only expected this week At least one lane of traffic open in each direction at all times Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule. Coming the week of July 14 Work is scheduled to begin shifting traffic to the roundabout configuration the week of July 14. Crews will work around the clock for the next several days. During that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to find alternate routes during the work. Project Background: Build two-lane roundabout at Route 171/Route 43 intersection in Airport Drive Widen Route 171 to five-lanes (two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane) between Route 43 to just east of Fir Road Prime Contractor: APAC, Springfield Completion Date: August 28, 2014 Construction Cost: $2.6 million

Carthage man, Greenfield woman injured in deer-motorcycle collision

Two people were injured in a deer-motorcycle collision 9:50 p.m. Wednesday on MO 97, five miles north of Pierce City.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1999 Yamaha Road Star motorcycle driven by Mark A. Gideon, 50, Carthage, struck a deer. Gideon and a passenger, Carla M. Willoughby, 39, Greenfield, were ejected from the motorcycle.

Gideon suffered minor injuries, while Willoughby had moderate injuries. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital in Aurora.

Neosho man injured in crash near Granby

A Neosho man was injured in a one-vehicle crash 1:45 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 60 one mile east of Granby.

According to the Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Blazer driven by Dale E. Moore, 49, ran off the road and overturned several times, ejecting Moore.

Moore was taken to Freeman West Hospital, Joplin, with serious injuries.

Joplin Police Department DWI Arrests, July 2-3

The Joplin Police Department arrested the following people for driving while intoxicated:

Michelle Lynn Rodenbaugh, 44, Joplin
Norman E. Gingerich, 21, Lamar
Jessica R. Jensen, 35, Joplin (DUI, drugs)
Randell Devon Maxson-Chrisman, 22, Joplin

Joplin Police to hold DWI checkpoint

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The sobering fact is that impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities. In 2011, 218 people were killed and 867 were seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. That’s why Joplin Police Department, along with the Southwest Missouri DWI taskforce, will conduct a DWI checkpoint this upcoming weekend.

Consequences of impaired driving include jail time, loss of driver licenses, and being required to have an ignition interlock installed. Insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

Joplin Police Department wants all drivers to realize that driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences.

Video- Joplin High School construction update

A Jet 14 production that was shown at the June 23 Joplin R-8 Board of Education meeting

Bright Futures Joplin, Bright Futures USA team for fundraiser