Pitch In and Pick Up During

fort to ensure a litter-free nation.

Volunteers sought to help clean up Missouri roadways

JEFFERSON CITY –The clocks have sprung forward and that means it’s time to spring into seasonal cleaning on Missouri’s roadways. In this transition between winter and spring, the Missouri Department of Transportation turns its attention to the trash on Missouri’s roadsides. No MOre Trash! Bash is an annual outreach of MoDOT’s year-round litter control efforts that encourages all Missourians to “pitch in and pick up” during the month of April. The campaign is designed to help curb the costs of litter control and is timed to clear the roads of trash and debris before the start of mowing season.

In 2022, MoDOT spent $7.7 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of right of way along nearly 34,000 state highway miles. For 2023, the work of MoDOT crews and additional litter pickup contracts in Kansas City and St. Louis are expected to bring that total to more than $9 million.

“We’re hoping all Missourians will pitch in and pick up trash this April to help us clean Missouri’s roadsides during our annual No MOre Trash! Bash,” said Becky Allmeroth, MoDOT chief safety and operations officer. “You don’t have to be part of a regular Adopt-A-Highway volunteer group to organize a one-time volunteer effort.”

According to a 2020 study by Keep America Beautiful, there were close to 24 billion pieces of litter on the nation’s roadways. That study concluded that if littering were to stop today and waste was properly managed, every American would only need to pick up 152 pieces of litter in a single unified ef-

MoDOT will provide trash bags and safety vests to anyone who volunteers to take part in the No MOre Trash! Bash. Regionally, events will be announced to encourage community groups, clubs or individuals to join in the litter pickup.

“Missouri was one of the first states in the country to implement the Adopt-A-Highway program,” Allmeroth said. “This innovative volunteer program has recruited volunteers who perform about $1 million a year in litter cleanup. Every section served by adopters allows MoDOT to devote resources to other much-needed tasks.”

Currently, there are more than 5,300 groups and 50,000 volunteers who have adopted more than 6,200 miles of roadway. Adopt-AHighway groups include commercial and private enterprises; civic and non-profit organizations; families and individuals.

While MoDOT encourages all Missourians to participate in the No

MOre Trash! Bash, there are other simple ways to help eliminate trash along the state’s roadways:

*Don’t litter. Keep a bag for trash in your car or truck and wait to dispose of it properly. Littering is a class A misdemeanor in Missouri. Anyone convicted of littering may be imprisoned in the county jail for up to one year and fined up to $1,000 per incident. Illegal disposal of solid waste may be punishable as a Class D felony with fines of $20,000 or higher.

*Secure your load. Make sure nothing blows out or gets bumped into the roadway. In addition to creating litter, unsecured loads can be a safety hazard to the vehicles behind you. Missouri statutes (Missouri Revised Statutes 307.010) and various city ordinances require all loads in transport must be secured. Trailers without sides must be completely covered by tarps, truck tailgates must be up and the disposal items cannot be hanging off the vehicle in any way. Any vehicle without its load completely covered will be assessed a $25 unsecured load fee.

To learn more about how you can safely participate, visit www.modot.org/adopt-highway or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

How to Prepare for Tornado Season

By Riley Anderson, ServiceMaster Restore

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tornado season in the United States lasts from March through July. In southern states, peak tornado occurrence is March through May, while peak months in northern states are during the summer. Tornadoes are most likely between 3 and 9 p.m. but have occurred at all hours.

The U.S. sees roughly 1,200 tornadoes per year and Missouri is one of the states that see the most tornadoes, averaging 56 tornados a year.

ServiceMaster Restore, a global leader in natural disaster response and restoration services for both residential and commercial clients is an expert in early preparedness and offers the following insight to help U.S. residents understand the telltale signs of an impending storm and Top 3 “to do’s” to prepare in advance.

>> UNDERSTAND these warning signs:

Dark skies, possibly tinted green

-- A long, rotating cloud, known as a funnel

-- Roaring noises

-- Hail Debris >>DO this:

-- Designate a shelter – Establish shelter zones at home and work. If your home has a safe room, you already have a designated emergency shelter, otherwise look for a secure place underground, like a basement or cellar. If these options aren’t available, choose a small room without windows, such as a closet, on the lowest level of the structure.

-- Create an emergency kit — Kits should include canned food, bottled water, essential medications, blankets, a radio, flashlights, batteries and spare clothes.

-- Charge all cell phones and have back-up batteries – Your electricity may go out and having a phone to call for emergency services or check up on loved ones will be key. A portable backup battery charger can be used to recharge your phone or other devices needed during the storm, such as a radio or flashlight.

“Make the world a better place one person at a time. Start with yourself.”

Vote C.L. Vestal for Putnam Co. RI School Board

If elected, candidate Vestal assures the community he will focus on the following:

1. SAFE learning environment for all students

2. Academic achievement

3. Emphasis on community engagement

4. The reinforcement of moral values in the school system

5. Being more conservative with finances

6. Support for teachers, aids and assistants

7. More support for the arts and athletics

Now it is your turn! I ask the community to carefully regard each candidate that has presented themselves. Weigh each with consideration they deserve, and if you agree with even one point on the focus list; vote C.L. Vestal on April 4, 2023 Faith based Understanding. Together we can make a difference!!!