Fall and winter at Lake of the Ozarks usually means a lull in activity and a break on the roads. That's not so this year. In the next few weeks, new roads will open to traffic, detours will reroute vehicles and fresh projects will get underway. Combined, more than $200 million has been spent by the Missouri Department of Transportation in the lake area. The projects have transformed the landscaped, redefined how residents and tourists get from one destination to another and even made it a little safer to travel.

(AP) — Missouri's environmental director announced Monday that he was resigning to take a job to help oversee a $20 billion fund for people harmed by the Gulf oil spill.
Mark Templeton, the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources since 2009, said he was resigning effective Wednesday to become the executive director of the Office of the Independent Trustees of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust. The fund was established by BP PLC and is administered by two trustees — John Martin, a former federal judge in New York; and Kent Syverd, the dean of the Washington University law school in St. Louis.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred several cases to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for allegations of violating the state’s Clean Water Law.

Banking officials warn area residents that the lake area is experiencing a type of employment fraud involving “secret” or “mystery” shoppers.

The scam preys upon the individuals whose desire to secure a job blinds them to the scam.  Victims are promised an easy-to-perform part-time job that works within their schedule and pays well.

Scammers lure their victims in with job postings advertising secret shopper positions. Such ads tout the ease of the work, the short hours and the money to be made from merely visiting stores each day to make purchases, and they stress that no special training or educational background is required.

A suspected meth-maker is off the streets and behind bars after authorities arrested him at his Stover residence on Tuesday.

Farmers in the Lake of the Ozarks area became eligible for federal emergency loans after a designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The USDA initially designated 55 Missouri counties as natural disaster areas because of heavy rains, flooding, flash flooding and damaging winds that occurred between Feb. 1 and July 15.
Laclede, Moniteau, Benton, Maries and Cooper counties are included in the initial grouping of 55. Farmers and ranchers in Camden, Morgan, Miller and Pulaski counties are also eligible for emergency loans because their counties are adjacent to the disaster area.

With Camdenton and School of the Osage students heading back to class this week, all public schools are now in session for the 2010-2011 academic year.

We want to see your pictures, too. If you took pictures of your child, grandchild, niece and/or nephew, etc., as they headed back to school, share them with us!

A 24-year-old Ohio man drowned Saturday night in Morgan County.

Road construction outlook from the Missouri Department of Transportation: Aug. 16

Back-to-school serves as a time for kids to reunite with friends after summer vacation, get excited for the upcoming year of learning and compete in fall sports. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, this time of year also makes kids more likely to be involved in an auto accident.

In Osage Beach, police officers will watch for risky behavior from drivers of all ages, especially in the area of School of the Osage High School and middle school in the afternoon.

In Lake Ozark, the police department takes a proactive approach in the school zone surrounding Mills Elementary.

Troopers remind school zone travelers that all drivers must stop on a two lane road when a school bus displays stop signs and flashing lights. On a four lane road, drivers behind the bus may not pass when stop signs and flashing lights are displayed.

Two locals were given accolades by the U.S. Census Bureau after a surge in responses in Camden and Morgan counties.
The awards recognized Roger Corbin’s and Rick Bias’ efforts this past year to achieve a complete and accurate census count. Both men served as chairmen for Complete Count Committees in their respective counties.
Only 20 awards across the state of Missouri were issued.

The Friends of Morgan County Library elected Karen Mayer of Stover and Stanley Field of Laurie as new members of the Friends board, and reelected Roger Elliott. All will serve for a three-year term. The election was held at the group’s annual meeting.

A two vehicle accident in Morgan county has sent three teens to the hospital with serious injuries.

The accident occurred at about 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

Take a look at Tuesday's election results.

As voters across the nation head to the polls today, here is a list of tips to ensure a smooth process at your polling place.

August primary election info
Polls open 6 a.m.
Polls close 7 p.m.
What to bring to the polls A valid form of I.D.
Acceptable forms of I.D. include Driver’s license, non-driver identification card, passport, military I.D., Missouri institute of higher education (college/university) I.D., a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or a voter identification card
After you show I.D. A poll worker will offer a choice of four primary ballots. Each voter chooses one ballot corresponding with their party of choice for this primary.
The majority of polling places in the tri-county area do not allow electioneering. Campaign materials, including signs and buttons, may not be distributed or displayed within 25 feet of the outer door of a polling place.

Focusing on the principles used to create the Sharing & Caring Foundation, the board of Sharing & Caring has committed to a community-wide summer fund raiser scheduled for the first week of August this year.

“We Will” week is set for Aug. 2-8 and is designed to provide capital funds to support the charitable service organizations that provide services to people in Camden County that have specific needs. The Sharing & Caring Foundation (S&C) has been providing needed funds to a variety of local organizations since 2005. The express goal of S&C is to support local non-profit organizations and provide a convenient means by which businesses and individuals can give back to the local community.

John Boone, Russell Sharp and Jay Fisher are candidates for the Morgan County Collector's spot.