Day: February 1, 2021

(Columbia, MO February 1, 2021) 2021 marks the 50th anniversary for OATS Transit, a nationwide leader in rural public transportation systems. The company is headquartered in Columbia MO and serves 87 counties in the state of Missouri.

 

What started in 1971 with three vehicles and five drivers serving eight counties, quickly grew to encompass much of the state of Missouri. Today, OATS Transit has more than 650 employees and a large fleet of vehicles providing more than a million trips each year.

 

The last 50 years have brought many successes and even a few challenges.  OATS Transit survived lean times in the 1970’s, economic fluctuations, gas shortages and price hikes, government shutdowns, and even a global pandemic brought on in 2020 that forever changed the way the company does business.

With the help of several funding agencies and businesses, OATS Transit continues to ensure thousands of Missourians have a ride. Over the last 50 years, the company has seen a shift in trip purpose. In 1971, service was largely seniors going to the grocery store and other places that allowed them to remain independent in their own homes.  Fast-forward 50 years, the focus has changed to employment transportation, which makes up nearly 50% of the trips provided.  Senior transportation is still very much an important part of the service provided, but as seniors are driving longer, priorities have shifted.

 

The company is planning an official celebration in late September 2021.  OATS Transit is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors; it is the largest rural transportation provider in the entire United States. If you would like to find out about riding OATS Transit, please visit their website at www.oatstransit.org and click on Bus Schedules for service in your county. You can also follow them on facebook.com/oatstransit.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of phone scammers claiming to be Officer Carl Hayden with the Linn County Sheriff’s agency.  Scammers are using technology to spoof their main number 913-795-2665, and tell you that there is a warrant for your arrest.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office would like the community to know that this is a scam.  While law enforcement may contact you regarding a warrant or investigation, they will never demand payment in exchange for dropping a warrant or stopping an investigation. Additionally, no government agency will ask you to mail large sums of cash or pay with gift cards or pre-paid money cards.

 For the second consecutive year, Missouri’s very own Kansas City Chiefs are Tampa bound for Super Bowl LV.

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7, there will be a lot of game day socializing that may include drinking. That’s why the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is urging football fans to call the play now: drinking OR driving. If you plan on drinking on Super Bowl Sunday, designate a sober driver to get you home safely.

During the 2020 Super Bowl weekend (Friday night at 6:00 pm until 11:59 Super Bowl Sunday, there were 35 major crashes which resulted in 11 fatalities and 40 serious injuries.

              “One careless act can impact so many others,” said Jon Nelson, executive chair to the committee. “Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s MVP – a sober designated driver.”

The coalition offers these useful tips for Super Bowl game night:

• Designate your sober driver or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a ride share or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.
• Never let friends drive if they’ve been drinking.
• If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take the keys and help them make safe travel arrangements.

Make this year’s bowl party SUPER. Whether you have had just a few, or are way over the limit, impaired driving is not worth causing a traffic crash, serious injury or even death.

              For more information on highway safety, go to www.saveMOlives.com or follow them on social media at Save MO Lives.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, FEB. 1, 2021 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is offering weatherization assistance to increase energy efficiency and improve the health of your home. As families spend more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they tend to use more energy, and energy efficiency benefits become even more critical.

The department’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program is essential to meeting heating and cooling needs of those with low incomes, especially as many seniors and other vulnerable households shelter at home due to COVID-19.  The program provides assistance to make homes more energy efficient, safer and healthier.

Properly insulating and sealing air leaks can help many homes save as much as 30% in winter heating costs. Home weatherization not only saves homeowners money and leaves them with a more comfortable living space, it also reduces the pollution associated with generating energy used for heating. Weatherization also leads to significant health benefits, returning on average $2.78 in health-and-safety related benefits for every $1 invested.

For more information visit the department’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program webpage at energy.mo.gov/assistance-programs/liwap or contact the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy at 855-522-2796.