Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312


Boone County Week In Review

May 27, 2011

For the week ending May 27, 2011

Things you may have missed...

Red Cross blood drive in Government Center

The annual spring Red Cross blood drive was held on Friday, May 27, from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m., at the Boone County Government Center in the County Commission Chambers. The Red Cross's spring blood drive is held in memory of John Patton, former County Counselor. Patton was the County's Legal Counselor for approximately 20 years until his death in a motorcycle accident in March 2007.

Kara Coustry, Human Resources

Sheriff's Department cracking down on seatbelt violations

The Boone County Sheriff's Department joined with law enforcement around the state beginning Monday, May 23 for an aggressive "Click-It or Ticket" mobilization to crack down on Missouri's seatbelt violations. The operation will run through Sunday, June 5.

Missouri's seatbelt use rate, which has remained relatively unchanged in the last six years, is currently at 76 percent. This is well below the national average of 85 percent. Missourians least likely to buckle up include teens and pick-up truck drivers, whose respective seat belt usage rates are at 66 and 61 percent.

Every day, someone dies in a crash in Missouri because he or she wasn't buckled up. Seatbelt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

Buckle up and arrive alive. For more information on Missouri seatbelt use, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Brian Leer, Sheriff's Department

Helping Joplin after the Tornado

Links to resources and activities to assist victim's of last Sunday's tornado in Joplin can be found on the Boone County website. Please note that the some of the events or deadlines listed may have already passed.

Lamar Henderson, Public Information Officer

Sheriff's Department conducts drivers license checkpoint

In an effort to address the suspended, revoked and unlicensed drivers operating motor vehicles on the public roadways of Boone County, the Boone County Sheriff's Department began conducting a drivers license checkpoint in Boone County on Monday, May 23. The operation will continue through Sunday, May 29. It is funded by a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation Division of Highway Safety.

The driver's license checkpoint will be conducted during daylight hours. The drivers license checkpoint location is not random and has been chosen based on the number of suspended, revoked or unlicensed drivers cited for these violations in the area.

Suspended, revoked and unlicensed drivers operating motor vehicles on the public roadways of Boone County continues to be a problem. From May 1, 2010 through May 1, 2011, the Boone County Sheriff's Department cited 351 people for operating a motor vehicle on roadways in Boone County while their drivers license was suspended or revoked. Often the person's drivers license was suspended or revoked for repeated hazardous moving violations or for not maintaining financial responsibility (motor vehicle insurance). A large number of these suspended and revoked drivers have demonstrated a lack of discipline and safety behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and their privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been taken from them.

During that same time period, the Boone County Sheriff's Department also cited 134 people for operating a motor vehicle on the roadways of Boone County without having a valid drivers license and issued 500 citations for not having proof of financial responsibility while operating a motor vehicle.

Motorists encountering the drivers license checkpoint will be asked to present their drivers license and proof of financial responsibility (motor vehicle insurance). Law-abiding motorists encountering the drivers license checkpoint should expect minimal delay.

Nikki Antimi, Sheriff's Department

Week in preview

Work on Old Highway 63 S. near Ashland begins

Public Works will begin work on Old Highway 63 S. from the city limits of Ashland south to North Mount Pleasant Road on Tuesday, May 31, or as soon thereafter as weather permits. The work will involve reworking and reshaping the shoulders and ditches to improve drainage and safety. Although the road will not be closed during this project, motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to find an alternate route if possible. Several days will be required for completion of this project.

Please use caution in all construction/work zones, and find an alternate route when necessary.

Jane Telander, Public Works

Roemer Road closed for crossroad pipe replacement

Beginning Tuesday, May 31, sections of Roemer Road in Columbia will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow work for crossroad pipe replacement.

  • Tuesday, May 31: Closed From 4430 Roemer Road to 4480 Roemer Road
  • Wednesday, June 1: Closed from 4600 Roemer Rd. to 4620 Roemer Road
  • Thursday, June 2: Closed from 4776 Roemer Road to 4805 Roemer Road

Justin Skouby, Resource Management

Boone County in the news

It's "heart-wrenching" work for tornado rescuers

At least one crew -- the Missouri Task Force 1 urban rescue team, based in Boone County, MO -- drilled 2-inch holes through concrete to drop small cameras into the space beneath to find victims. | Los Angeles Times

Missouri Task Force 1 searches for Joplin survivors

Eighty-five members of Missouri Task Force 1 are in Joplin searching for survivors of Sunday's tornado. | KRCG-TV

Local search-and-rescue unit joins effort

Columbia-based Missouri Task Force 1 members arrived in tornado-ravaged Joplin early Monday to join recovery efforts and search for survivors. | Columbia Daily Tribune

Missouri Task Force 1 searches for Joplin tornado survivors

Members of Boone County's Missouri Task Force 1 helped search for survivors in Joplin Tuesday morning. The entire team was on the scene by 3 a.m. Monday. The 85 team members hauled in more than 100,000 pounds of equipment. | Columbia Missourian

Circuit fares well in study of recidivism

Participants of a three-year pilot program aimed at reducing inmate recidivism by providing resources and additional structure for inmates on probation were less likely to commit a new crime or violate terms of release than non-participants. Boone, Jackson and St. Charles counties participated in the reintegration program. | Columbia Daily Tribune

County officials to codify rules

Boone County government's list of mostly unofficial financial policies eventually would be codified under a process initiated yesterday by County Auditor June Pitchford. | Columbia Daily Tribune

Boone County recycling volume increases, could cost more

Recycling volume from bins throughout Boone County from the first quarter of this year far exceeds the volume from the first three months of 2010. | Columbia Daily Tribune

Can you hear your tornado sirens?

Schwartze said Boone County has a little more than 80 sirens, and when severe weather strikes, the county now turns on all sirens at once, regardless of where the storm actually is. | KRCG-TV

Job opportunities

Human Resources is currently accepting applications for: Office Specialist-Warrants Division; Office Specialist-Civil Process; Corrections Officer; and Deputy Sheriff-Roster Eligibility. For details about these positions or to apply, visit www.showmeboone.com/hr.

Kara Coustry, Human Resources

Random resources

Columbia Coffee Express open in Columbia City Center

Columbia Coffee Express is now open in the lobby of the Columbia City Center, just around the corner from the Boone County Government Center. The kiosk serves coffee, espresso drinks, hot chai, hot chocolate, green tea, iced tea, juices and a variety of snacks, including fresh fruit, vegetables, mini-muffins and pastries from Upper Crust.

Columbia Coffee Express is located just inside the corner door of the Columbia City Center at Eighth St. and Broadway, and is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., with extended hours for special events. Their telephone number is 573-356-9555. Catering services are available.

Lamar Henderson, Public Information Officer

Have an item for Week in Review?

Do you have something coming up that you want to share? Send it in! Let us know what's coming up in your week that your colleagues may be interested in, or what happened in the previous week that everyone should know. Contact Lamar Henderson, Boone County Public Information Officer, at 886-4312 or lhenderson@boonecountymo.org; the deadline for next week's Week in Review is 5 p.m., Thursday, June 2.



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