(Missourinet) – A new state law has created a position in the state government to lobby for the military in Missouri.

Co-sponsor, Representative Steven Lynch, said the advocate will push for maintaining or strengthening the military presence in the state. He said the needs of military personnel, bases and defense contractors in Missouri, will also be voiced to Congress and the Pentagon.

“At Fort Leonard Wood for example, which falls in my district, it fights its own battles. Whiteman Air Force Base fights its own battles. Everyone else has been fighting on their own. By doing this, we speak with a single voice for the state,” said Lynch.

He said military budget restraints make the position critical for Missouri.

“At a time when the military is downsizing from the two wars that we’ve been in, but even more critical has been the sequestration and budget downsizing by Congress,” said Lynch. “As a result of that downsizing, the competition for our military bases has really gotten extreme. Half the battle is not only the downsizing, but the battle is we need to remain strong. The U.S. needs to have a strong military so we can fight the conflicts we need to fight.”

Missouri’s military includes 275,000 direct and indirect jobs and is a $40 billion industry. The advocate will be appointed by the Governor.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Smallmouth bass and rock bass — also called goggle eye — are very popular with anglers on Missouri’s Ozark streams. However, research by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that both species grow slowly and that many do not reach a quality size before dying from natural causes or being caught by anglers.

As a result, many anglers surveyed by MDC have reported that fishing quality for rock bass has declined over the past decade. Many anglers also have responded that the minimum-length limits and daily limits for smallmouth on rivers and creeks varies and can be complicated.

According to MDC fishing regulations, there is no existing statewide minimum length limit for rock bass, but some rivers and creeks in MDC Special Management Areas have an eight-inch minimum. Smallmouth bass have a statewide minimum length limit of 12 inches with a six-fish daily limit, while MDC Special Management Areas have a minimum length limit of 15 or 18 inches with a daily limit of one or two fish.

As a result of research and angler feedback, the Conservation Department is proposing changes to fishing regulations for these two popular game fish that would help grow smallmouth and rock bass while simplifying regulations for smallmouth in MDC Special Management Areas.

For rock bass, MDC research shows that a majority of anglers favor a single, statewide minimum length limit. MDC is proposing setting it at seven inches.

For smallmouth bass, the proposed changes would maintain the current statewide length limit of 12-inches with a daily limit of six fish, but change all Special Management Areas to a 15-inch minimum length limit with a daily limit of one smallmouth bass.

Proposed regulations would also create a new Special Management Area on the Current River and expand the Special Management Areas on the Big Piney, Big River, Jacks Fork, and Meramec rivers.

MDC is seeking public input on these potential regulations changes and will host a series of open houses around the state to provide more information, answer questions, and get public comments. The Department invites anglers and others to stop by the following open houses between 6 and 8 p.m.:

Sept. 29 in Van Buren at The River Centre at The Landing, 110 E. Carter St.;
Oct. 1 in Blue Springs at the MDC Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road;
Oct. 5 in St. Robert at the St. Robert Community Center, 114 J.H. Williamson Drive;
Oct. 6 in Farmington at the Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 North St.;
Oct. 8 in Kirkwood at the MDC Powder Valley Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road;
Oct. 13 in Springfield at the MDC Springfield Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way;
Oct. 15 in Neosho at the National Fish Hatchery, 520 Park St.; and
Oct. 19 in Columbia at the MDC Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Road.
MDC is also accepting public comments online at mdc.mo.gov/node/9092 or through U.S. mail to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn: Policy Coordination, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is looking for qualified candidates to apply to work for the law enforcement agency.

The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, and will offer testing at nine different locations in Missouri. Initial testing will occur during the months of September, and October 2015. The application deadline is October 6, 2015. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 103rd Recruit Class, scheduled to begin training on July 5, 2016.

To be eligible, candidates must possess a minimum of 30 college credits, or two years of federal active duty military service with an honorable discharge, or two years of full-time POST certified experience as a law enforcement officer with arrest authority at the time recruit training begins.

The starting salary for trooper is $3,356 per month while in training; $3,440 per month after six months; and $3,656 per month at two years of service. Other benefits include group health insurance, contributory retirement, career advancement, and more.

The selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure including: written examination, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation, and oral interview board. After a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination (to include vision and hearing), psychological examination, a psychological interview, drug screening, and final applicant review.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has announced that applications are being accepted through Oct. 30 for the 2016 Volunteer Fire Assistance Matching Grant Program.

In order to qualify, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or fewer and match every dollar they’re granted. The maximum amount available is $3,000. If the fire department has a complete, MDC-approved Community Wildfire Protection Plan, it can access an additional $1,000 in matching funds.

“This grant program is designed to help fire departments purchase wildfire suppression equipment that they would not otherwise be able to afford,” said MDC Forest Field Programs Supervisor Ben Webster. “It means increased safety for the firefighters and better protection in forested areas.”

For those who have been involved in the grant program before, Webster says the application timeline has been changed from previous years.

“Due to some changes in how we process the applications, our deadline has been moved up to the end of October,” said Webster. “If you’ve applied in the past, keep this in mind and don’t miss your opportunity.”

Grant funds can be used on everything from radios and other communication equipment to chainsaws, hoses, and hand tools. While applicants can also apply for equipment to fight structure fires, preference will be given to those applying for wildfire equipment. Grant funds will be released to fire departments in summer 2016.

Over the last 30 years, MDC has distributed more than $7.5 million to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with better firefighting equipment. Funding for the program is provided by MDC and the US Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.

The application form and other details can be found online on MDC’s website at http://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/wildfire/fire-department-assistance-programs.

(Missourinet)- State Senate Republican leaders plan to attempt to override Governor Nixon’s veto of a bill to reduce unemployment benefits, but there are those who say they can’t.

The state House voted to override the veto of the unemployment bill before the end of the regular legislative session, but in the Senate, Republicans used a procedural move to force a vote on

“Right to Work” legislation. That led to the chamber’s Democrats blocking debate in the final three days.

Governor Jay Nixon (D) argues an attempt to override that veto had to be made before the end of the regular session. Senator Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City) handled that bill in his chamber. He disagrees with Nixon.

“We believe the unemployment benefits bill is eligible for an override,” Kehoe told Missourinet. “‘B,’ we believe we have the votes. Our members have voted on that bill or very similar versions of that bill for two years in a row … we look forward to debating on that bill just a little bit and trying to get it up for a vote.”

Michael Wolff is the Dean of the Saint Louis University School of Law and a former Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. He thinks the state Constitution clearly does not allow for that override to happen in this month’s veto session.

“I think that the Senate missed its opportunity when it didn’t vote on it during the regular session,” said Wolff.

Wolff said two sections of the Constitution establish that a bill vetoed before the final six days of the regular session must be acted on during that session. The governor vetoed the bill on May 5, ten days before the end of the regular session.

“I think it’s an interesting situation, and of course the question is whether a majority of the Supreme Court reads it the way I do. I can’t predict that,” said Wolff.

The issue could, indeed, eventually reach the Supreme Court. Kehoe acknowledged that if the Senate succeeds in overriding the veto, the override is likely to be challenged in the courts.

“I’ve seen opinions from very good attorneys on both sides of that issue,” said Kehoe. “If the courts or somebody wants to take it up there, I’m sure that’s what the courts are for and they’ll decide, if it goes to that step,” said Kehoe.

The bill would reduce the length of time a person could receive unemployment benefits to as few as 13 weeks depending on the state’s unemployment rate. The current length is 20 weeks.
Democrats opposed the legislations saying it would only harm Missourians who are already struggling. Governor Nixon, in his veto message in May, said there was no sound fiscal argument for the bill.

“Missouri’s unemployment insurance trust fund remains, and is projected to remain, financially sound,” said Nixon. “Therefore the changes sought by House Bill 150 are not needed, and their impact on both individuals and our economy are unfair and ill-advised.”

Republicans offering the bill said the state has had to borrow federal money when that fund has run dry, and said that has hurt Missouri businesses.

During House debate in May, Sponsor Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) said that has hurt Missouri businesses.

“It makes employers less competitive across state lines to states that have better unemployment trust funds that work right,” said Fitzpatrick. “It just makes sense to make this thing solvent. It makes no sense to leave it the way it is right now.”

The veto session is September 16.

A Republic, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for stealing 23 firearms during a burglary at an Ozark, Mo., pawn shop.

Michael Cameron Heston, 26, of Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to five years and six months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Heston to pay $5,900 in restitution for damages related to the theft of firearms and the breaking and entering of the business.

On March 31, 2015, Heston pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the theft of firearms from a licensed firearm dealer. Co-defendants Daryl Bradley Maples, 28, Corey Lee Downard, 33, and Matthew James Oakley, 24, all of Springfield, have pleaded guilty to the same charge. Maples was sentenced on April 16, 2015, to six years in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $5,900 in restitution (for which he is jointly and severally liable with Heston).

Heston, Maples, Downard and Oakley each admitted that they broke into Sutton Gun and Pawn, 3994 N. 20th St., Ozark, at 2:16 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2012. Maples (who was previously employed at the store) admitted that he smashed out the glass from the front door. Then Heston, Maples and Downard went inside and took firearms from the display cases. Oakley admitted that he was the getaway driver during the robbery.

They stole 23 firearms and various amounts of ammunition. After the burglary, Oakley sped off with Maples, Heston and Downard to Maples’ residence, where they divided the spoils of the burglary and set up plans to exchange or barter the stolen firearms for cash or drugs.

When Maples was arrested on Dec. 26, 2012, he had in his possession two of the firearms that were stolen in the pawn shop burglary, an F.N. 9mm pistol and a Colt .38-caliber revolver, as well as assorted ammunition.

PEARL HARBOR – The commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II was held Wednesday aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial on historic Ford Island with more than 400 service members, veterans, government employees, foreign leaders and civilians in attendance.

The surrender took place on the wooden decks of the battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) also known as the “Mighty Mo” on Sept. 2, 1945. Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and other world leaders signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender marking the end of the war.

Adm. Scott H. Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet served as a distinguished guest speaker during today’s ceremony and offered remarks to those in attendance.

“Spin the calendar ahead 70 years and we gather here only a ship’s length away from the USS Arizona, perhaps the most famous icon representing the beginning of the War in the Pacific for so many Americans,” Swift said. “Many Arizona Sailors remain entombed within the ship they served, a reminder to all of us who serve our nation do so without regard for reward or destiny.”

Swift also expressed his gratitude to the veterans for their sacrifices, their strength and for the future they secured for the new generations.

“We remain indebted to these veterans whose service demonstrated the selfless actions of the ‘greatest generation’,” he said. “May those who lost their lives to bring us peace be honored here today and into the future.”

During the keynote address, Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii commended the collaboration between the United States and Japan in their efforts to rebuild the world around them and improve mutual understanding and respect after the war.

“Despite the exhaustion from years of war America recognized it could not simply retreat from the world. So instead of turning our backs on the world, we turned our enemies into the allies that they are today,” Schatz said.

More than 2,000 Sailors and Marines attended the original surrender ceremony, which lasted less than 30 minutes. Among them was Radioman Second Seaman Donald Fosburg. A former crew member of the Missouri, Fosburg celebrated his 89th birthday and was honored with the national ensign during the ceremony. He recalled what he felt returning to the ship more than seven decades later.

“It was a day you would never forget, we squeezed in every nook and cranny,” Fosburg said. “I stood here on the deck of this great ship and witnessed the signing of the formal surrender of the Japanese empire to the allied forces. What a great day that was.”

“We haven’t increased the amount of funding that we as Missourians are putting into the transportation system at the state level for over twenty years,” said Blair. “We are sort of stuck. We are not getting enough money and we are barely scraping by to take care of what we have.”

Blair said there are some innovative ideas coming forward. Two that stand out involve solar roadway technology and advertising on right of ways.

“Many of these things have not been done in the United States because most of them will take some change in federal and state philosophy and law,” said Blair. “We are getting a lot of ideas from a lot of different avenues and educational backgrounds that I never would have thought of. It reinforces to me that there’s a lot of great innovators out there in the world with great thoughts. Everybody has an opinion on transportation. It’s important to them.”

Blair offered an update at the Highway Commission’s meeting Wednesday on the ideas submitted so far.