Thursday, June 7, 2012

City urges property owners to display address numbers


The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue is conducting their annual business safety inspections, and one of the items they check for is a visible and conspicuous address number to identify the location of each business.
By properly displaying address numerals that contrast with the color of the dwelling, fire, safety and medical responders can more quickly identify a property when responding to an emergency call, or during other safety or medical related matters.
“When lives are at risk, visible property address numbers really count,” said Fire Chief Robert Williams, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. “And emergency services personnel don’t need to be wasting your time guessing at addresses.”
In addition, property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes, or whose address numbers are not visible, need to ensure their street or property address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visible from the street.
A violation of the requirements of this Ordinance shall constitute an offense which could be punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.
This requirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Street numbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.
If you have any questions relating to these requirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

City of Rolla Weekend E-Updates (June 7, 2012)

City urges property
owners to display
address numbers
The City of Rolla Fire and Rescue is conducting their annual business safety inspections, and one of the items they check for is a visible and conspicuous address number to identify the location of each business.
By properly displaying address numerals that contrast with the color of the dwelling, fire, safety and medical responders can more quickly identify a property when responding to an emergency call, or during other safety or medical related matters.
“When lives are at risk, visible property address numbers really count,” said Fire Chief Robert Williams, City of Rolla Fire & Rescue. “And emergency services personnel don’t need to be wasting your time guessing at addresses.”
In addition, property owners who have recently remodeled or re-sided their homes, or whose address numbers are not visible, need to ensure their street or property address is easily identifiable somewhere on the structure and visible from the street.
 A violation of the requirements of this Ordinance shall constitute an offense which could be punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.
This requirement is in keeping with the City’s Ordinance relating to Chapter 6 (Sec. 6-1, Article 1 – In General) “Street numbers required of property owners on dwelling or structure.”
If you have any questions relating to these requirements, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

Rolla Parks and
Recreation offers
Cardio Tennis
Improve your fitness and tennis at the same time by joining the new Cardio Tennis program offered by the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department.
Classes meet Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Ber Juan Tennis Complex starting Monday, June 4. The monthly fee is $40, with Centre members receiving a $5 discount.
Cardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate, full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. It is a very social and fun class for players of all ability levels taught by a tennis teaching professional. If you’ve never played tennis before it is a great way to be introduced to the sport and if you are an experienced high level tennis player it is the best way to train for tennis.
Most classes have mixed ability and some facilities offer classes which are more specific to ability/fitness level. However, regardless of ability or fitness level, the tennis  professional is trained to provide the ultimate workout for each person.
For more information, or to register for this class, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386 or via e-mail at kristy@rollacity.org. 

RPD to crack down
on impaired drivers
during month of June
The Rolla Police Department will be cracking down on impaired drivers by conducting a sobriety checkpoint during the month of June 2012.
Law enforcement efforts will be increased in an endeavor to reduce the deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers. Those caught drinking and driving could lose their license, money, and freedom.
For more Information, please contact Sgt. Tim Mayfield at (573) 308-1213 or visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Relax and cool off
at SplashZone
all summer long
Considered one of the best vacation and summer values in the Ozarks Highlands, SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, will remain open throughout the summer months Monday through Friday (noon-7) and Saturday and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.). Closing day at SplashZone will be on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
Located in beautiful Ber Juan Park at 14th and Holloway Streets, this fun-filled water park includes a leisure pool with beach-like entrance, interactive play structure, lazy river, the “world’s largest” vortex, and two giant water slides.
Admission to SplashZone is $4.50 for individuals age four and above. For children age three and under, there is no charge. Value passes are $75 for 20 visits.
For more information for special events, private rentals, swimming lessons and other information, please call SplashZone at 364-8222 or 341-2FUN.

Rolla Downtown
Farmer’s Market
open every Tuesday
The Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shade structure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-noon each Tuesday throughout the growing season.
The Farmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots are available for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown or made products/produce (Phelps County).
No flea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come, first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to the organizers the day the vendors are there.
For additional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Bingham at 364-5544.

Free Recreation opportunities
on Mark Twain National Forest
June 8-10
Mark Twain National Forest will offer two days of free day use and two free nights of camping at seven campgrounds the weekend of Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, 2012.
Free camping is being offered in unreserved campsites both Friday and Saturday nights, and free day use is being offered at unreserved sites Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 2012.
The free weekend is being offered in conjunction with National
Get Outdoors Day and Missouri’s Free Fishing days, which are celebrated on Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.
The free use is available in these campgrounds and associated recreation areas: Cobb Ridge, Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV area, Christian County; Greer Crossing on Eleven Point River, Oregon County; Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV area, Christian County; Greer Crossing on Eleven Point River, Oregon County; Lane Spring, Phelps County; Loggers Lake, Shannon County; Markham Springs, Wayne County; North Fork along the North Fork of the White River in Ozark County, and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County.
National Get Outdoors Day is an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun and participation in outdoor activities.
Missouri’s Free Fishing Days were established as a way to encourage people to try fishing so they can find out, or rediscover, the enjoyment associated with fishing.
“Offering free camping and day use is a way to show our appreciation and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life,” said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor David Whittekiend. “We hope to inspire individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, instill excitement for the outdoors, or to just plain get out and enjoy being on a trail or in the forest. Fishing allows you to relax, brings about peace of mind and helps you to reconnect with the natural world. When parents bring their children, they start building a generation of conservationists who will protect our resources in future decades, something vital to the future of national forests.”
Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s great outdoors and maintain a healthy, working forest.
For more information about Mark Twain National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf or http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5369766.  

Rolla City Council
Mtg., June 18
The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.
Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday.
To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

Paving of Forum Dr.
from 18th to
Old St. James Rd.
nearly complete
The City of Rolla Public Works Department is nearly finished with the reconstruction and paving of Forum Drive from 18th Street to Old St. James Road. The project should be completed by the end of next week, which is several weeks ahead of the projected construction schedule.  
Detour signs are posted in the construction area, indicating lane closures and alternate routes. During this time the City appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the public.
For more information, please call the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org





Rolla Lions Club
Carnival set for
July 4-7
The 77th annual Rolla Lions Club Carnival will be held Wednesday, July 4 through Saturday, July 7 at beautiful Lions Club Park (located on Hwy. 62 South).
Rolla’s hometown July 4th celebration draws thousands of folks from South Central Missouri who love the carnival rides, outstanding fireworks, and great-tasting burgers, funnel cakes, steak sandwhiches, and cotton candy.
This year’s Carnival will feature wristband nights for rides as well as stunning fireworks displays that light up the sky.
All proceeds from the Carnival benefit Rolla Lions Club Park, vision and hearing programs, area youth activities and scholarships for local students.
For more information, visit http://www.rollalions.org/~lions/carnival


Environmental Services Important Dates

 (clip & save coupon)
July 4, 2012 - Independence Day:  Schedule will not change.
Sept. 3, 2012 - Labor Day:  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Oct. 6, 2012 - Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day (residential only).
Nov. 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving Day:  Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2012 Christmas Day:  Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
.
Holidays NOT affecting trash or recycling collection:
            Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day
            Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 23, 2012 – Day after Thanksgiving

Rolla Channel 16
live streaming
24/7 on the Web
If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning & Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Works meeting, you can now watch them live on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla High School Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s Communications Office.
Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.
Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!

Upcoming Events
JUNE 2012
June 9 – Bluegrass in the Park (6 p.m.); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
June 18 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

JULY 2012
July 2 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
July 4 – City Hall closed for Independence Day holiday
July 4-7 – Lions Club Carnival, Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
July 14 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.); JC Penney Parking Lot, Southside Shoppers World
July 16 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

AUGUST 2012
Aug. 6 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Aug. 11 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.), JC Penney parking lot, South Side Shoppers World
Aug. 18 – Relay for Life (noon-midnight); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
Aug. 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Director
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

Monday, June 4, 2012

City of Rolla Weeky E-Updates (June 4, 2012)

Paving of
Forum Drive
high priority
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
Steady, yet significant progress continues to be made on the excavation and paving of Forum Drive between 18th Street and Old St. James Road. But for anyone who lives along this stretch of Forum or who has to travel it on a regular basis, it probably seems like it is not going fast enough.
That said, you can be assured that a significant portion of Forum Drive has already been milled, excavated and paved from 18th Street to California Drive, and about 1,100 feet of Forum to Old St. James Road remains to be paved.
The Public Works Department Street crew, which has completed the milling portion of Forum and is now excavating and paving,  continues to post detour signs and warning signs for your safety, and asks for your patience and cooperation while the rest of the road is repaved. Depending on the weather in the coming days, Forum Drive should be paved with a five-inch asphalt surface to Old St. James Road sometime in the next two weeks or so.
Now that the regular school year is over for Rolla Public Schools, I thought I would pass along some positive news recently released by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. According to an online article titled Missouri Schools Receive ‘What Parents Want Award’ posted on its Website (http://dese.mo.gov/news/2012/schoolmatch.htm), the Rolla Public School District was among 29 Missouri schools (out of 522) that have received the 2012 ‘What Parents Want Award” from SchoolMatch, an independent school selection consulting firm.
The release further states that based on information gathered through a nationwide survey of parents, schools are chosen for the award based on qualities parents desire for their child’s school. SchoolMatch also provides information to corporations, real estate firms, and economic development offices across the country to help families find schools for their children. Some of the other Missouri schools to receive the award are: Blue Springs, Brentwood, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin R-VIII, Kirkwood R-VII, Springfield R-XII, St. Charles R-VI, Lee’s Summit R-VII, and Webster Groves. Education Commissioner Chris L. Nicastro said “these schools possess many of the characteristics essential to providing a high-quality education to students.”

Rolla City Council
Mtg., June 4
The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.
Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday.
To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

Rolla Parks and
Recreation to offer
Cardio Tennis
Improve your fitness and tennis at the same time by joining the new Cardio Tennis program offered by the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department.
Classes meet Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Ber Juan Tennis Complex starting Monday, June 4. The monthly fee is $40, with Centre members receiving a $5 discount.
Cardio Tennis is a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate, full body, calorie burning aerobic workout. It is a very social and fun class for players of all ability levels taught by a tennis teaching professional. If you’ve never played tennis before it is a great way to be introduced to the sport and if you are an experienced high level tennis player it is the best way to train for tennis.
Most classes have mixed ability and some facilities offer classes which are more specific to ability/fitness level. However, regardless of ability or fitness level, the tennis  professional is trained to provide the ultimate workout for each person.
For more information, or to register for this class, please contact the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386 or via e-mail at kristy@rollacity.org. 

RPD to crack down
on impaired drivers
during month of June
The Rolla Police Department will be cracking down on impaired drivers by conducting a sobriety checkpoint during the month of June 2012.
Law enforcement efforts will be increased in an endeavor to reduce the deaths and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers. Those caught drinking and driving could lose their license, money, and freedom.
For more Information, please contact Sgt. Tim Mayfield at (573) 308-1213 or visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Relax and cool off
at SplashZone
all summer long
Considered one of the best vacation and summer values in the Ozarks Highlands, SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, will remain open throughout the summer months Monday through Friday (noon-7) and Saturday and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.). Closing day at SplashZone will be on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
Located in beautiful Ber Juan Park at 14th and Holloway Streets, this fun-filled water park includes a leisure pool with beach-like entrance, interactive play structure, lazy river, the “world’s largest” vortex, and two giant water slides.
Admission to SplashZone is $4.50 for individuals age four and above. For children age three and under, there is no charge. Value passes are $75 for 20 visits.
For more information for special events, private rentals, swimming lessons and other information, please call SplashZone at 364-8222 or 341-2FUN.

Rolla Downtown
Farmer’s Market
open every Tuesday
The Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shade structure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-noon each Tuesday throughout the growing season.
The Farmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots are available for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown or made products/produce (Phelps County).
No flea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come, first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to the organizers the day the vendors are there.
For additional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Bingham at 364-5544.

Free Recreation opportunities
on Mark Twain National Forest
June 8-10
Mark Twain National Forest will offer two days of free day use and two free nights of camping at seven campgrounds the weekend of Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, 2012.
Free camping is being offered in unreserved campsites both Friday and Saturday nights, and free day use is being offered at unreserved sites Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 2012.
The free weekend is being offered in conjunction with National
Get Outdoors Day and Missouri’s Free Fishing days, which are celebrated on Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.
The free use is available in these campgrounds and associated recreation areas: Cobb Ridge, Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV area, Christian County; Greer Crossing on Eleven Point River, Oregon County; Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV area, Christian County; Greer Crossing on Eleven Point River, Oregon County; Lane Spring, Phelps County; Loggers Lake, Shannon County; Markham Springs, Wayne County; North Fork along the North Fork of the White River in Ozark County, and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County.
National Get Outdoors Day is an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun and participation in outdoor activities.
Missouri’s Free Fishing Days were established as a way to encourage people to try fishing so they can find out, or rediscover, the enjoyment associated with fishing.
“Offering free camping and day use is a way to show our appreciation and encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life,” said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor David Whittekiend. “We hope to inspire individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, instill excitement for the outdoors, or to just plain get out and enjoy being on a trail or in the forest. Fishing allows you to relax, brings about peace of mind and helps you to reconnect with the natural world. When parents bring their children, they start building a generation of conservationists who will protect our resources in future decades, something vital to the future of national forests.”
Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s great outdoors and maintain a healthy, working forest.
For more information about Mark Twain National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf or http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5369766.  

Paving of Forum Dr.
from 18th to
Old St. James Rd.
continues
The City of Rolla Public Works Department is underway with the reconstruction for the eventual paving of Forum Drive from 18th Street to Old St. James Road. The project should be completed sometime this summer.
The first phase of the project includes extensive milling (removing several inches of asphalt), and then excavating materials. After removing the materials, gravel will be placed on the road surface, and the road will be paved with five inches of asphalt.
Detour signs are posted in the construction area, indicating lane closures and alternate routes. During this time the City appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the public.
For more information, please call the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.

Rolla Lions Club
Carnival set for
July 4-7
The 77th annual Rolla Lions Club Carnival will be held Wednesday, July 4 through Saturday, July 7 at beautiful Lions Club Park (located on Hwy. 62 South).
Rolla’s hometown July 4th celebration draws thousands of folks from South Central Missouri who love the carnival rides, outstanding fireworks, and great-tasting burgers, funnel cakes, steak sandwhiches, and cotton candy.
This year’s Carnival will feature wristband nights for rides as well as stunning fireworks displays that light up the sky.
All proceeds from the Carnival benefit Rolla Lions Club Park, vision and hearing programs, area youth activities and scholarships for local students.
For more information, visit http://www.rollalions.org/~lions/carnival.

Environmental Services Important Dates

 (clip & save coupon)
July 4, 2012 - Independence Day:  Schedule will not change.
Sept. 3, 2012 - Labor Day:  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Oct. 6, 2012 - Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day (residential only).
Nov. 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving Day:  Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2012 Christmas Day:  Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
.
Holidays NOT affecting trash or recycling collection:
            Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day
            Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 23, 2012 – Day after Thanksgiving

Rolla Channel 16
live streaming
24/7 on the Web
If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning & Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Works meeting, you can now watch them live on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla High School Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s Communications Office.
Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.
Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!

Upcoming Events
JUNE 2012
June 4 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
June 9 – Bluegrass in the Park (6 p.m.); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
June 18 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

JULY 2012
July 2 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
July 4 – City Hall closed for Independence Day holiday
July 4-7 – Lions Club Carnival, Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
July 14 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.); JC Penney Parking Lot, Southside Shoppers World
July 16 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

AUGUST 2012
Aug. 6 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Aug. 11 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.), JC Penney parking lot, South Side Shoppers World
Aug. 18 – Relay for Life (noon-midnight); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South
Aug. 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Director
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

Paving of Forum Drive high priority


By Bill Jenks, III
Mayor
Steady, yet significant progress continues to be made on the excavation and paving of Forum Drive between 18th Street and Old St. James Road. But for anyone who lives along this stretch of Forum or who has to travel it on a regular basis, it probably seems like it is not going fast enough.
That said, you can be assured that a significant portion of Forum Drive has already been milled, excavated and paved from 18th Street to California Drive, and about 1,100 feet of Forum to Old St. James Road remains to be paved.
The Public Works Department Street crew, which has completed the milling portion of Forum and is now excavating and paving,  continues to post detour signs and warning signs for your safety, and asks for your patience and cooperation while the rest of the road is repaved. Depending on the weather in the coming days, Forum Drive should be paved with a five-inch asphalt surface to Old St. James Road sometime in the next two weeks or so.
Now that the regular school year is over for Rolla Public Schools, I thought I would pass along some positive news recently released by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. According to an online article titled Missouri Schools Receive ‘What Parents Want Award’ posted on its Website (http://dese.mo.gov/news/2012/schoolmatch.htm), the Rolla Public School District was among 29 Missouri schools (out of 522) that have received the 2012 ‘What Parents Want Award” from SchoolMatch, an independent school selection consulting firm.
The release further states that based on information gathered through a nationwide survey of parents, schools are chosen for the award based on qualities parents desire for their child’s school. SchoolMatch also provides information to corporations, real estate firms, and economic development offices across the country to help families find schools for their children. Some of the other Missouri schools to receive the award are: Blue Springs, Brentwood, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin R-VIII, Kirkwood R-VII, Springfield R-XII, St. Charles R-VI, Lee’s Summit R-VII, and Webster Groves. Education Commissioner Chris L. Nicastro said “these schools possess many of the characteristics essential to providing a high-quality education to students.”

Friday, June 1, 2012

Police Chief Chat

Drug watch: Patrick Zaritz was sentenced to 190 months in prison involving his distribution of methamphetamine and possession of firearms between April and December 2010. Zaritz, 42, of St. James, MO, pled guilty in February to one felony count each of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a sawed off shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; unlawful possession of an unregistered sawed off shotgun and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge John A. Ross. This case was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Rolla Police Department, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Bert handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 834 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 18 arrests, 16 alarms, 22 accidents, 27 traffic complaints, 16 check the well being, 178 traffic stops, 26 disturbance (including domestics), 17 suspicious nature, 25 assists of other agencies, 8 narcotic violations, 2 vehicle repossessions, 7 recovered property, 18 field interviews, 9 escorts, 4 leave without pays, 46 security checks, 55 animal control complaints, 1 assault, 18 stealings, 2 fight calls and 29 follow up investigations. This call total is up 29 calls from last week and yes, another busy week!
We learned this week, that we would be losing a member of the Rolla Police Department family with the tendered resignation of Senior Patrol Officer Chris Reeder. Chris has accepted a position with the Phelps County Court Security Division effective next week. Chris began his law enforcement career with the Houston Police Department in Houston, Missouri. In January of 2008 Chris was hired at the Rolla Police Department as an investigator in the Narcotics Unit. In February of 2010 Chris transferred to the Patrol Division where he served till his resignation. We really enjoyed working with Chris and wish him the best in his career change. Chris’ resignation will create an opening in our Patrol Division and we will be going out for an eligibility list in the very near future.
This next entry is from the desk of our Volunteers in Police Services Director Vince Giacolone who writes; As promised, here is the first in the series of brief bio's of our VIPS volunteers. David Reynolds was the second person accepted into the Rolla VIPS program in the fall of 2008. He is also, at this time, one of two commissioned reserve patrol officers in the VIPS program. David retired after 30 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, ending his career as a Lieutenant. David is unique to the VIPS program in that, as a commissioned officer, he is able to participate in all police calls, when needed. David’s hobbies are amateur radio and fishing, but he dedicates so much time to VIPS that there is little time for leisure. David feels strongly about “giving back" to the community, and supporting the values of the VIPS program. At present, there are four marked VIPS cars in service, and you will frequently see David behind the wheel of one of these vehicles. When you see him, please wave or say hello!
In closing, This weekend the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and the Route 66 Summerfest Committee will be hosting the annual Rt. 66 Summerfest event which will include many attractions for the entire family. We encourage all of you to bring your families and take part in the many fun-filled events planned for this year’s summer celebration. There are many activities scheduled Friday evening and Saturday, that are not only enjoyable for the participants, but are also a load of fun for the crowd. The events include sporting events such as bicycle/tricycle rides and races, vendors and exhibits, Segway rides, military displays, food courts, live music, a skateboard park, a tennis tournament, a 5k/10k run, a downhill derby, a feature length movie, car and motorcycle shows, cruises and cruise-ins and many other events. Be sure to have a great time and be safe. Kudos to the Summerfest Committee for bringing us this multi-faceted summer celebration each year.
Have a great week!
Chief Mark Kearse