Five people died in traffic crashes during the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, last year, there were 11 fatalities, the patrol investigated 313 crashes and there were 142 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

The 2018 counting period for the Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m., Friday, August 31, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 3, 2018.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the following:

2018 Labor Day Holiday Traffic Statistics

Crashes ─ 258

Injuries ─ 92

Fatalities ─ 5

DWI ─ 97

 

2018 Labor Day Holiday Boating Statistics

Crashes ─ 9

Injuries ─ 3

Fatalities ─ 0

Drownings ─ 0

BWI ─ 15

Of the four traffic crash fatalities troopers investigated, three occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area, and one occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area. The Springfield Police Department investigated one fatality over the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend.

Two fatalities occurred during the counting period on Friday, August 31, 2018. Trae J. Rollhause, 25, of House Springs, MO, and Shyann T. Bellagamba, 24, of Pevely, MO, died when the motorcycle Rollhause was operating eastbound on Missouri Highway 30 at a high rate of speed hit the back of a vehicle attempting to make a left turn from the westbound lanes. The crash occurred in Jefferson County on Missouri Highway 30 at Carol Park Drive. Both Rollhause and Bellagamba were wearing helmets. The driver of the vehicle turning left was not injured; she was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. North Jefferson County EMS personnel pronounced both Rollhause and Bellagamba dead at the scene of the crash.

Two people died in traffic crashes on Saturday, September 1, 2018. John W. Plummer, 53, of Godfrey, IL, died when the vehicle in front of the motorcycle he was driving slowed for traffic. Plummer was following too close and struck the back of the vehicle. A motorcycle behind Plummer also was following too close and struck Plummer’s motorcycle. The crash occurred in St. Charles County on Missouri Highway 94 east of Sanders Road. Both motorcycle operators were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The operator of the second motorcycle sustained serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle Plummer struck was wearing a seat belt; he was not injured in the crash. St. Charles EMS pronounced Plummer dead at the scene.

Gary Jones, 65, of Springfield died when a vehicle attempting to make a left turn pulled into the path of the motorcycle he was operating. He was ejected from the motorcycle. The crash occurred in Greene County at the intersection of West Bypass and College in Springfield. Jones was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Jones was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The vehicle driver was wearing a seat belt; she was not injured. The Springfield Police Department investigated.

There were no traffic fatalities reported on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

One fatality was discovered on Monday, September 3, 2018. The date of the actual crash is unknown. Richard C. Clemmons, 52, Wyandotte, OK, died when the motorcycle he was operating failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the right side of the roadway. He was ejected from the motorcycle. Clemmons was not wearing a helmet. The crash occurred in Newton County on Mulberry Road west of Neosho, MO. Newton County Coroner Dale Owens pronounced Clemmons deceased at the scene.

NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic/boating crashes after this news release was published, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than traffic/boating incident.

CAMERON, Mo. – A resurfacing project through Cameron has been underway since late July and the second stage is scheduled to begin this week.

According to a press release, the Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Herzog Contracting Corporation to complete the U.S. Route 36 resurfacing project. The first stage of the project stretching from Grindstone Creek to just past the U.S. Route 69 ramps is nearing completion.

The second stage will begin Tuesday, September 4, where the first stage ended and continue east to just past the county line. The work will be conducted as nighttime operations from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and will require the closure of the I-35 ramps. Each ramp will be closed multiple nights to complete milling and resurfacing. This portion of the work is scheduled to be completed by Sunday morning September 9.

During the project, traffic control and message boards will be in place alerting motorists of the work and planned ramp closures. All work is weather permitting and could be rescheduled.

For more information on this or other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Sept. 3 – 9 from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

MoDOT will halt temporary lanes closures throughout the state to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Labor Day holiday. Most temporary lane closures will stop at noon on Friday, Aug. 31 and resume Tuesday morning, Sept. 4. Some long-term closures, ramp closures and head-to-head traffic may remain in place.

In addition to the work listed below, there may be other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. All scheduled maintenance and construction projects are subject to change.

MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones and in changing weather conditions.

For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest. You can also follow MoDOT’s Northwest Missouri District on Twitter @ModotNorthwest and on Facebook.

Andrew County

• Route D – Resurfacing project from Route 46 to U.S. Route 169, Sept. 4 – 8
• Route Z – Culvert replacement at County Road 296, Sept. 5. Motorists will not have access to or from County Road 296 from Route Z

Atchison County

• U.S. Route 59 – Concrete replacement at Route C, Sept. 4 – 5. Motorists will not be able to access the turn lane from U.S. Route 59 to Route C.
• I-29 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to Route 111, Sept. 4 – 8
• U.S. Route 59 – Concrete replacement at the Iowa state line, Sept. 6

Buchanan County

• Route M – CLOSED for pothole patching from Nichols Road to 66th Road, Sept. 4 – 5, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance at the 33rd Street bridge overpass, Sept. 4 – 6
• U.S. Route 169 (Belt Highway) – Pedestrian crossing improvement project at U.S. Route 36, Sept. 4 – 9

Caldwell County                                               

• U.S. Route 36 – Guardrail work from just east of the DeKalb County line to just east of U.S. Route 69 (DeKalb County), Sept. 4 – 8

Clinton County

• Route PP – CLOSED for shoulder work from SE Watkins Road to SE Troxler Road, Sept. 3 – 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• I-35 – Pavement repair southbound from mile marker 50 south of Cameron to mile marker 48 near Route 121, Sept 4 – 7.  This will include overnight lane closures.
• Route C – Object marker installation from Route 116 to Route CC, Sept. 4 – 8

Chariton County

• Route 129 – Pavement repair from Route P to Route W, Sept. 4 – 7

Daviess County

• Route 13 – Bridge maintenance at the Honey Creek Bridge, Sept. 4 – 8
• U.S. Route 69 – Resurfacing project from I-35 to Route 6, Sept. 4 – 8. This includes a 10-foot width restriction. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct traffic through the work zone.

DeKalb County

• U.S. Route 36 – Guardrail work just east of U.S. Route 69 to just east of the Caldwell County line during daylight hours. Nighttime paving will begin from Route 69 to the Caldwell County Line from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. This will include nighttime closures of the I-35 ramps as needed, Sept. 4 – 9.

Gentry County

• Route A – Milling and pothole patching, Sept. 4 – 7

Grundy County

• Route C – Pothole patching, Sept. 4 – 5

Harrison County

• Route U – Pothole patching from Route 246 to the Iowa state line, Sept. 6 – 7

Holt County

• Route P – CLOSED for a chip seal from Route 118 to U.S. Route 159, Sept. 4, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Route E – Chip seal from the city limits of Mound City to U.S. Route 159, Sept. 5
• Route F – CLOSED for a chip seal from U.S. Route 159 to Route E, Sept. 5, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Linn County

• U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance at Higgins Ditch west of Laclede, Aug. 3 – 7. This includes a 14-foot width restriction.
• Route M – Pothole patching, Sept. 4 – 7

Nodaway County

• Route 246 – Pothole patching from Route H (Worth) to Route E, Sept. 4 – 5
• Route A – Pothole patching, Sept. 4 – 7

Putnam County

• U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the West Locust Creek Bridge. The road will be closed through September. A signed detour is in place.
• U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Elm Branch Bridge. The road will be closed through September. A signed detour is in place.

Worth County

• Route 246 – Pothole patching from Route H to Route E (Nodaway County), Sept. 4 – 5

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University music faculty will kick off a season of performances with their annual Labor Day trumpet recital.

According to a news release, Professor of Music Dr. William Richardson and accompanist Dr. Jiwon Choi will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building on the Northwest campus. The recital is free and open to the public.

A group of Northwest trumpeters and select high school musicians will share the stage with Richardson and Choi.

“We are really excited for this performance,” Richardson said. “This concert features a wide variety of styles and musical moods. We have a substantial number of university and high school trumpeters who will perform two trumpet ensemble pieces, and I am confident that audiences will enjoy the concert experience.”

Richardson and Choi will perform two pieces, “Maza balade” by Maija Einfelde and “Sesas Latviesu Tautas Dziesme Apdares Trompetei” by Romualds Kalsons, in honor of the Republic of Latvia’s centenary this year. Richardson and his family spent the spring 2010 semester in Riga, Latvia, where he taught trumpet as visiting professor and Fulbright Scholar at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music.

In addition, Kaila Stigler, a Northwest senior dietetics major from Kansas City, Missouri, and Richardson will perform “Concerto for Two Trumpets” by Vivaldi.

A member of the St. Joseph Symphony and the St. Joseph Big Band, Dr. Richardson serves as professor of music and assistant chair in Northwest’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts, where he teaches trumpet and various music courses in addition to directing the jazz ensembles.

Choi joined the Northwest music faculty in 2016 after completing a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Kansas. She consistently garners high marks in international competitions, and her performances as a soloist and a collaborative pianist have spanned venues throughout the world.