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Missouri Representative to bring back bill to ban texting while driving

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State Rep. Jim Hansen speaks to Missourinet in his Capitol office on January 25, 2017 (Brian Hauswirth photo)

State Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Frankford, wants to join most U.S. states by enforcing a total ban on texting while driving. Hansen tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in Moberly hopes his proposed ban on texting while driving will get some traction in the next legislative session.

“There’s been a few bills last year along that line,” he says. “I’m going to still try to be involved in that process on my bill or somebody else’s bill to maybe elevate the texting while driving safety issue that we have.”

Hansen says he wants to put a game plan together with other legislators to push the issue forward. He mentions possible media coverage to get the word out and “put some pressure” on House and Senate leadership.

The session begins January 9 in Jefferson City.

Missouri transportation hub gets $20 million federal boost

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The federal government plans to make a big investment at a transportation hub in Missouri.  The Southeast Regional Port Authority in Scott City has been awarded a $19.8 million grant through the Department of Transportation.

According to SEMO Port Executive Director Cary Harbison, the funding will go toward the construction of two 12,000 foot long loops of railroad track near the transportation hub.

Harbison says the new infrastructure makes it easier to transfer tons of product from rail cars to river barges, and vice versa.

“There are loops available in St. Louis and down by Memphis, but in our general area this would be the only public loop track facility available, such that any customer can come to us,” Harbison said.

Farmer Kevin Fennewald manages a grain bin complex in southeast Missouri’s Scott County. He says the proposed railway loop at SEMO Port could lower his cost to transport rice and thinks it would, in turn, boost the region’s economy which is mainly driven by the agriculture industry.

“This is an investment that is going to help the agriculture community here compete on that global stage,” Fennewald said. “Because a buyer, they are looking at buying high-quality products at the lowest possible price. We get to sell all of our products here, therefore there is more money to flow through the rest of the economy here in Southeast Missouri.”

Harbison, says the loop track will give SEMO Port the flexibility to unload unit trains, which can have more than 100 cars of one or two products.

From there he says they could put directly onto a river barge which Harbison says is the cheapest way transport goods.

“One barge tow that is 25 barges will hold 45,000 tons,” Harbison said. “That is 3.6 units trains, that is 1,800 trucks. That is why it is more economical.”

Harbison says the local Port Authority moves up to 1.5 million tons of goods each year with all modes of transportation. He is optimistic they can increase that amount by using the loop track.

“And it might be a one-off train. It may develop into a once a month train,” Harbison said. “We hope those customers would continue to utilize us but you never know. I mean one train is one train, and it’s one more train than we have right now.”

Harbison said the Port can start using the $20 million federal grant after they complete the agreement process, which takes about a year.

But the transportation authority has already started grading work where the first sections of loop track will be built.

Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, both Republicans, announced the grant last week.

Blunt called it an important investment for the state.

“The Semo Port plays a critical role in our state’s economy, especially when it comes to moving our ag products to market,” Blunt said. “This project will help ensure the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority is able to continue building upon the steady growth they’ve achieved over the years.”

Smith said the finished port loop track terminal would provide more efficient transfers between railroad trains and river barge transportation.

“This investment in Southeast Missouri will allow our farmers, ranchers, and workers to move more of their products to market more efficiently and boost the local economy,” said Smith. “I’ve always believed our area is home to the finest farmers and workers in the world, and I’m excited that more businesses will be attracted to southern Missouri as we continue to bring our infrastructure into the 21st century.”

(Missourinet media partner KFVS-TV contributed this report)

Another round of winter weather hits Missouri

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Another round of winter weather hits Missouri

Watch out for slick roadways, bridges and overpasses today in Missouri. A mixture and snow and rain could make a challenging commute.

Some schools, especially in mid-Missouri, have also ended classes early today because of freezing rain and possibly 1 to 2 inches of snow. The St. Louis area is expected to get 1-2 inches of snow, along with a rain and snow mixture. Freezing rain and snow are also possible today across southwest Missouri. Northeast Missouri is expected to get less than one inch of snow. Western and northwest Missouri had a bout of light snow and sleet this morning that is anticipated to taper off by noon.

A winter storm watch is in effect for southern Missouri from Friday night through Saturday night. Three to six inches of snow is possible, along with a glaze of ice.

Southeast Missouri could also get accumulating snow Friday through Sunday, mainly south of Cape Girardeau.

For the latest information on weather and Missouri road conditions, click here.

Kolkmeyer: Missouri transportation talks are happening behind scenes (AUDIO)

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One of the GOP leaders in the Missouri House is disappointed that voters rejected a ten-cent gasoline tax increase in November.

State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa, presides over the Missouri House on March 26, 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, who is the outgoing House Majority Caucus Chair, tells Missourinet talks are happening “behind the scenes.”

“I’ve been talking to some of the people in the (transportation) coalition about what is possible down the road,” Kolkmeyer says. “Some people want to wait, some people want to file something right away.”

Kolkmeyer supported Proposition D, saying it would have provided the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with additional money, and would have provided the Missouri State Highway Patrol with a dedicated funding source.

Despite backing from Governor Mike Parson (R), Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R), the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Teamsters and other labor organizations, Proposition D failed by about 173,000 votes statewide on November 6.

Kolkmeyer, who served for 20 years as chief of the Wellington-Napoleon Fire Protection District in western Missouri, says MoDOT needs additional funding. He says a snow-related crash last week in Bates City highlights how many people drive Interstate 70.

“We had to transport crossways in the middle of I-70 and also blocking an on-ramp of I-70 at Bates City, the 31-mile marker,” says Kolkmeyer. “And traffic was backed up over five miles for that.”

A Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crew plows snow on Highway 59 near northwest Missouri’s Oregon on November 25, 2018 (photo courtesy of MoDOT)

Kolkmeyer notes MoDOT has dealt with several rare November snowstorms.

“MoDOT, they’re doing a great job getting our highways cleaned as fast as they can. In our area we had five inches of snow on top of a thick layer of ice,” Kolkmeyer says.

Missouri’s 17-cent gasoline tax has remained the same since 1996. Proposition D supporters say that because of inflation, Missouri’s 17-cent gasoline tax is worth just seven cents of the value it had 22 years ago.

Kolkmeyer, who represents Jackson, Johnson and Lafayette Counties, was re-elected to his fourth and final House term in November. He received about 69 percent of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Connie Simmons.

While he will return to the House in January, Kolkmeyer will not be part of the House GOP leadership team in 2019. The new Majority Caucus Chair will be State Rep. Sonya Anderson, R-Springfield.

One southwest Missouri lawmaker who’s leaving office at the end of December because of term limits predicts Missouri lawmakers will tackle the transportation issue again in January.

State Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, told Missourinet the day after the November election that lawmakers will have to make a decision about additional funding for road repairs for MoDOT.

“Because the last thing we want to do is have to do a lot of work after an accident happens and a bridge collapses etc.,” Davis said on November 7. “So I think the Legislature this next year is going to do some good things for transportation in Missouri.”

One possibility is a proposal that House Speaker-designee Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, pushed in 2018. His bill would have indexed vehicle user fees to the cost of inflation.

Haahr testified before a House committee in March, saying that his plan to index those fees would generate about $174 million annually for the state’s road fund.

Haahr has noted that Missouri’s current vehicle license and registration fees haven’t changed in more than 30 years.

The 2019 legislative session will begin on Wednesday January 9 in Jefferson City.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer, R-Odessa, which was recorded on November 28, 2018 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri state troopers worked almost 600 crashes during Thanksgiving weekend

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Missouri state troopers say nine people were killed in traffic crashes during the five-day 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend counting period.

The Missouri Highway Patrol Honor Guard presents the flags at the start of the joint session on June 11, 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Troopers say another 108 people suffered injuries. The Highway Patrol worked 587 traffic crashes during the holiday counting period, and made 86 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

They also made 67 drug arrests.

Troopers participated in Operation C.A.R.E. throughout the holiday weekend. That stands for crash awareness and reduction effort.

Missouri state troopers are also asking for your assistance in finding a driver who fled the scene on Saturday, after striking and killing a Richmond teen who was on a moped.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Tahkota Christiansen of Richmond died when an unknown vehicle struck the rear of the moped he was operating on Highway 10 in western Missouri’s Ray County. Troopers say Christiansen’s moped traveled off the road and that he was ejected.

The Patrol’s Troop A in Lee’s Summit tweeted Monday that they are looking for a red Pontiac Grand Am that would have damage to the front passenger side.

Troopers encourage anyone with information on the deadly incident to call Troop A at (816) 622-0800.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Blizzard conditions cripple travel in northern Missouri

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Up to nine inches of snow fell in northern Missouri Sunday from a storm that brought blizzard conditions through the area.  Road closures included I-29 from the Iowa border to Mound City in the northwest portion of the state. An overnight accident in Davies County blocked traffic on I-35 north of Cameron.

Runway at Kansas City International Airport Sunday during snow storm (Image courtesy of KCI)

Roadways across northern Missouri, generally north of I-70 remained covered in snow. Several roads in the northwest corridor of the state remained closed into Monday morning, including a portion of U.S. 59 in Holt County and Missouri Route 46 in Nodaway County.  Travel on I-70 west of Columbia was discouraged by MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) from Sunday evening into Monday morning.

Across the Midwest from Kansas through northern Missouri into Illinois, 14 million people were under a blizzard warning Sunday.  Thousands of flights were canceled or delayed, with the biggest impact being felt at Kansas City International Airport (KCI), which was closed due to low visibility Sunday afternoon.  Fourteen fights, all prior to 6:30 a.m. Monday were canceled at KCI.

The heaviest accumulation of snow in Missouri occurred in St. Joseph in the northwest part of the state, which saw nine inches.  Four to eight inches fell across the Kansas City area.

Meteorologist Spencer Mell with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill said hazardous road conditions were largely the result of wet conditions prior to the snowfall.  “The rain that preceded the snow froze on contact on those roads and created those very icy conditions, and made it unable for MoDOT to treat those roads beforehand,” said Spencer.  “They’re playing a little bit of catchup to try and get those roads clear.”

Mell said the heavy accumulation extended eastward in Missouri.  “We did see those higher snowfall totals ranging anywhere from four-to-eight inches across the northern and northeastern part of the state,” Spencer said.

The National Weather Service in Chicago said the worst of the weather in its region would occur late Sunday night. Nearly 20 million were under a high-wind advisory in an area extending from Kansas into Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Whiteout conditions in northern Missouri Sunday and Sunday night hampered travel for many residents returning home at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  The Sunday after the holiday is typically the busiest travel day of the year in the United States.

Mell said morning drive in the Kansas City area would be treacherous due to lingering ice.  “With the rain starting the system and then changing over to snow, a lot of that rain and the initial snow was liquid on the roadways and then froze, so we are still seeing some very icy conditions across much of the Kansas City area,” said Mell.  High temperatures in Kansas City will remain below freezing until Wednesday.

Five-point-three inches of snow fell Sunday at KCI, the second heaviest snowfall on record in November, behind 7.5 inches on February 2, 2014. The record is 9.1 inches of snow which was set on Nov. 29. 1923.  Most schools in the Kansas City area are closed Monday as well as numerous schools in and near mid-Missouri’s Columbia.

The National Weather Service in Kansas City offered a tweet summing up the Sunday storm and the season so far for snow in the region.

The northeastern Missouri cities of Bowling Green and Quincy received an additional one-to-two inches of snow overnight Monday morning as the last of the storm traveled through the state.

MoDOT closes I-29 near Mound City; officials urge you to avoid traveling in northern Missouri

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Whiteout conditions in far northwest Missouri have forced the state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to close I-29 in Atchison and Holt counties.

A Missouri Department of Transportation snow plow (2018 file photo courtesy of MoDOT)

MoDOT says I-29 is currently closed from the Iowa border down to mile marker 84 in Mound City. The agency is urging you to avoid traveling in northern Missouri today.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill says strong wind gusts up to 50 and possibly 60 miles per hour are impacting motorists, as well as the snow. The NWS tweeted a warning for truckers to keep the wind gusts and slick roads in mind.

I-29 begins in Kansas City and runs through northwest Missouri, as well as Iowa and North and South Dakota. Many truckers use that route to haul goods, including agricultural items.

The NWS says most areas north of I-70 in northern Missouri are now snow-covered, and they’re urging people to stay inside today.

The National Weather Service also urges those who must travel to have a full tank of gasoline, warm clothing, water and snacks on hand, in case they become stranded on the highway.

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

NWS: Near whiteout conditions are possible Sunday across northern Missouri (AUDIO)

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The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pleasant Hill is warning that parts of northern Missouri could see four to eight inches of snow on Sunday. The NWS has issued a winter storm watch for Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill has issued a winter storm watch for much of northwest Missouri on Sunday

Meteorologist Spencer Mell says the watch area includes St. Joseph, Chillicothe, Kirksville, Maryville and Trenton. Kansas City is also included.

“Right now we’re looking for again that transition to happen during the Sunday morning hours,” Mell says. “So basically from late Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon is when we’re going to see the bulk of that accumulation occur.”

He says rain is expected to change to snow in far northwest Missouri by 3 a.m. on Sunday.

Northeast Kansas, southeast Nebraska and southern Iowa are also included in the winter storm watch area.

Mell tells Missourinet wind gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour are possible on Sunday, in the impacted areas.

“So that’s going to cause some big problems with travelers out there, as far as blowing and drifting snow,” says Mell. “And even create perhaps some whiteout conditions out there.”

The NWS winter storm watch will likely turn into a warning by Saturday. They are urging you to check your  vehicle and to pack an emergency supply kit, and to continue to monitor weather forecasts.

“If you can push your travel plans up to Saturday to get back to your locations that would be great. If not, it may be best served to wait it out until Monday,” Mell says.

While Columbia and Jefferson City are not in the watch area, Mell says residents there will see about one to two inches of snow.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and National Weather Service meteorologist Spencer Mell, which was recorded on November 23, 2018:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet

Missouri’s two busiest airports bracing for busiest travel days of the year over Thanksgiving

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Missouri’s two largest airports have geared up for the two busiest air travel days of the year that bookend the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Passenger check-in St. Louis (Photo courtesy of Lambert International Airport)

St. Louis Lambert International which handles the most traffic and is the 32nd busiest airport in the country, has 22,000 passengers checking in Wednesday with 24,000 doing the same on Sunday.

Kansas City International (KCI), which ranks 40th in passenger traffic, reports similar if slightly lower numbers for the same days, noting it’ll have an increased number of late arrivals between midnight-and-1 a.m. Sunday.

Justin Meyer, the KCI Deputy Director of Aviation, says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as well as the airlines, have staffed up for the onslaught of passengers.  “For example, this morning we didn’t have a single line at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter because they had every single possible position open,” said Meyer.

The extended Thanksgiving holiday travel period actually got underway last Friday, November 16.  Lambert International in St. Louis is projecting a four percent increase in departing passengers over a 10-day period that extends through Sunday, with the airport forecasting that approximately 182,000 passengers will check in and go through security checkpoints during that period. That’s an increase of more than 8,000 passengers from the 2017 Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

Jeff Lea, the Public Information Manager at Lambert International, says TSA is using K-9’s at some security checkpoints to help ease the flow of passengers toward their gates.  “This morning we had a K-9 at Terminal 2 which serves Southwest, really to help expedite and push the traffic through,” said Lea.  “The K-9 can eliminate having to take off your shoes, your belt, remove the laptop from your carry-on.  The K-9 will do its check as people walk by.”  TSA has four specially trained K-9’s deployed at Lambert International to help with safety and passenger flow through checkpoints.  The dogs all work different schedules.

KCI’s Meyer points out that movement through airport terminals is slower during peak holiday travel time because those passengers tend to fly less frequently than business people.  Leisure travelers may not be up to speed with TSA’s 3-1-1 security rule for flying with carry-on liquids, which limits bottle size to 3.4 ounces while bags can’t be larger than 1 quart (must be clear, plastic, zip-top bags) and 1 bag is allowed per passenger.  The federal government implemented the 3-1-1 security rule in 2002 in response to the attacks on 9/11 in 2001.

Meyer says the crossover from business to holiday travelers happens quickly at most airports.  “We could go walk through the terminals this afternoon and probably find it impossible to find someone that’s truly on a business trip today,” Meyer said.  “The airplanes are full and they’re full of leisure friends and family travel.”

He says there’s a noticeable pattern among business travelers who change their work schedules after having been holiday passengers.  “Instead of being gone Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and coming home Wednesday, this week I’ll be flying out on Tuesday and be gone Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and coming back Saturday, something like that,” said Meyer.

Lea notes TSA is using Lambert International as part of a pilot program to introduce checkpoint scanner technology.  “We have one of the pilot machines that sort of does a 3-D look at what’s in the carry-on bags versus a static shot,” Lea said.  The new technology scanner is currently operational at one checkpoint in St. Louis.  TSA expects to have 40 units in airports throughout the country by the end of 2018 and more than 145 by October 2019.  The federal agency, which is under the Department of Homeland Security claims the scanner provides critical explosives detection capabilities at the checkpoint.

Both of Missouri’s busiest airports are experiencing sustained growth in passenger traffic.  Lambert International in St. Louis has seen consecutive total passenger growth for the past 37 months while KCI in Kansas City saw its largest volume of passengers for the months of September and October in the airport’s history this year.

Missouri State Highway Patrol to be visible on roads throughout Thanksgiving holiday (AUDIO)

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You’ll see extra Missouri state troopers on the road this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, starting this morning.

The Missouri Highway Patrol Troop F Honor Guard presented the flags at the January 3, 2018 opening session (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

They’re participating in Operation C.A.R.E, which stands for crash awareness and reduction effort. Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz predicts a record travel weekend nationally and in Missouri.

“And the traffic is going to be heavier, it’s going to be even more important to pay attention, to be very vigilant and paying attention to not only to what’s going on in your car but also in all the cars around you,” Hotz says.

17 people were killed and another 555 people were injured in Missouri traffic crashes during the 2017 Thanksgiving holiday.

The 2018 counting period begins tonight at 6 and runs through Sunday night at 11:59.

Hotz says Missouri state troopers are urging you to put your phone down, follow all traffic laws and to stay sober as you drive throughout the holiday weekend.

“We’re kind of giving the troop commanders the ability to evaluate the areas where they’re seeing a higher number of traffic crashes or traffic violations,” says Hotz.

Captain Hotz reminds you to make sure your vehicle is in good condition before your Thanksgiving trip, and to be well rested before driving.

Troopers encourage you to call *55 on your cell phone if you see criminal activity on the highway or experience an emergency.

The Highway Patrol also says mild weather will likely lead to boaters on the water during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Sunny skies and 60-degree temperatures are expected at the popular Lake of the Ozarks on both Thanksgiving Day and again on Saturday. Hotz reminds you to wear your life jacket and to bring extra clothes.

“We also know that body heat escapes the body much faster in the water, so it is critical if you do fall overboard, hypothermia can become a concern very quickly,” Hotz says.

Since there is less daylight in November, Captain Hotz says your vessel’s navigation lights are essential. He recommends checking your lights and to have extra bulbs on board.

There will be troopers on the water during the holiday weekend.

 

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz, which was recorded on November 20, 2018:

Copyright © 2018 · Missourinet