Lady Wildcat Kasey Kinder spikes a ball over the head of a Bunker Eagle player. The Wildcats defeated the Eagles 25-15, 25-8 in the first game of the season. Looking on are Tabby House, #8, and Emily Pummill, # 5.

85 year old Loyd Mitchell, bailiff, of Summersville, was chosen as a regional winner in the State of Missouri’s outstanding older worker contest. He is now eligible to go to Jefferson City later in September to be recognized and to compete with 14 others for the State title.

The Sheriff’s Dept will have a local reception on September 10, 2010 from 2 – 4 P.M. in the Community Room at the Texas County Justice Center. He will be recognized and honored for his many accomplishments during the years he has been in law enforcement.

Please mark your calendar and attend this event to be held in Loyd’s honor. He is a most deserving winner.

Residents who live near the Route 60 bridge over Simms Valley in Howell County, the Route E bridge over Pine Hollow, the Route 60 bridge over Jam Up Creek, both in Shannon County, or the Route 137 bridge over the North Fork of the Jacks Fork River in Texas County, are encouraged to attend a Safe and Sound Community briefing hosted by MoDot at Summersville City Hall, 195 Rogers St., Summersville on September 14 from 4 to 6 PM.

The bridge over Simms Valley on Route 60, Howell County: Weather permitting, work will begin in May, 2011; the contractor will have 47 days to complete the work.

The bridge over Pine Hollow on Route E, Shannon County: Weather permitting, work will begin in March, 2011. The contractor will have 44 days to complete the work.

The bridge over Jam Up Creek on Route 60, Shannon County: Weather permitting, work will begin in April, 2011. The contractor will have 48 days to complete the work.

The bridge over the north fork of the Jacks Fork River on Route 137, Texas County: Weather permitting, work will begin in June, 2011. The contractor will have 44 days to complete the work.

These bridges have been identified among 802 across the state with critical improvement needs. The 802 bridges will be repaired or replaced through the MoDot Safe and Sound bridge improvement program by the end of 2013. To date, 196 new or improved bridges have been completed as part of the program.

According to MoDot Bridge Engineer, Ed Hess, the community briefing is being held to educate the public regarding the Safe and Sound program and what they can expect once these bridges are under construction. "These bridges will be closed during construction to replace each bridge," Hess said. "MoDot is sensitive to the impact that will be felt by those who travel these routes during the closures. We have already been in touch with key stakeholders to discuss school bus routes, emergency response and more. We look forward to the community briefings as an opportunity to share the results of those discussions and inform the public of what they can expect," said Hess.

A web page has been developed to house the latest information regarding the Safe and Sound program. To view this information, visit ww.modot.org/south central and click on Safe and Sound in the Quick Links list. A statewide list of all bridges included in the program, as well as a map that can help traffic navigate around closures are among the resources available statewide at www.modot.org/safeandsound.