Connect with us

Missouri

Missouri pumps millions in rail safety in wake of deadly Amtrak crash

Published

on

Missouri pumps millions in rail safety in wake of deadly Amtrak crash


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During the first budgeting cycle since four people died after an Amtrak passenger train collided with a dump truck one year ago near Mendon, Missouri, state leaders pumped millions of dollars into railroad safety.

The state budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins July 1, includes roughly $83.5 million allocated to the Missouri Department of Transportation to improve railroad-crossing safety through a combination of dedicated taxes, a one-time expenditure of general funds and federal dollars.

RELATED | Complete coverage of Amtrak crash in Mendon

In recent years, Missouri has dedicated $7.5 million to such projects.

Advertisement

The bulk of the new money will come from a $50 million allocation from the state’s General Revenue Fund during FY2024.

Gov. Mike Parson had recommended a $35 million allocation — $25 million from general revenues and $10 million in federal money — to partner “with local communities and railroads to improve safety at public railroad crossings” among his budget priorities.

MoDOT — which is responsible for rail-crossing safety, rail construction and railroad-safety inspections in the state — requested $50 million.

“This funding could be used as a match to federal grant programs such as the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program or the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program,” MoDOT said in its FY2024 Appropriations Request. “This investment would allow the department to complete an equivalent of six years of projects.

“The investment will be even greater if the department is successful in obtaining grants from the federal government. The current estimated cost to upgrade all public passive railroad crossings with flashing lights and gates is approximately $700 million and would take 23 years to complete.”

Advertisement

Ultimately, the Missouri legislature approved MoDOT’s request.

Those dollars are in addition to the $1.5 million generated annually for the Grade Crossing Safety Account from a 25¢ tax on all motor-vehicle registrations and renewals.

The tax money is collected and allocated “for protection of the public against hazards existing at railroad crossings” and was designed to fund safety improvements at 25 railroad crossings each year.

Missouri uses an additional $6 million annually from federal highway funds, which are designated for “highway and rail safety projects,” according to MoDOT.

Another $26 million for improvements will come from federal grant money through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

Advertisement

There are 6,564 rail crossings in Missouri — which has approximately 5,300 rail miles, the 11th-most among U.S. states, according to MoDOT — and approximately half are passive crossings with signs but no active-warning devices, like arms and bells or whistles.

More than 3,330 are at-grade public crossings, including 1,422 passive crossings that intersect with the state highway system or with city/county roads.

MoDOT said it costs $400,000 to add new lights and gates at a passive crossing. Rising construction costs mean the typical $7.5-million allocation only funds about 19 projects per year.

MoDOT completed 25 projects in FY2018, 21 in FY2019 and FY2022, 22 in FY2020 and only six in FY2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It hopes to complete 22 in both FY2023 and FY2024.

But it’s unclear where those projects might be or if the Porche Prairie Avenue crossing — where a Chicago-bound Amtrak Southwest Chief crashed into a dump truck and derailed on June 27, 2022 — is on the list.

Advertisement

The crossing has remained closed since the crash, which killed four people and left dozens more injured.

The number of rail collisions has declined during the last four years from a high of 46 in 2018 to roughly 30 during each of the last four years, but the number of fatalities jumped in 2022.

Missouri had eight fatalities at railroad crossings in 2018 but averaged fewer than four per year from 2019 to 2021. There were 12 people killed in collisions with trains during 2022, according to MoDOT.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for May 23, 2025

Published

on


The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at May 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 23 drawing

07-18-40-55-68, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 23 drawing

Midday: 2-9-6

Advertisement

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 4-3-0

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 23 drawing

Midday: 3-5-7-8

Advertisement

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 2-5-5-6

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from May 23 drawing

12-31-37-53-59, Cash Ball: 01

Advertisement

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 23 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 06

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 08

Advertisement

Night Owl: 06

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 23 drawing

06-15-20-27-30

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Advertisement

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Advertisement

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
  • Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
  • Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Missouri

Humane Society of Missouri hands out 4,000+ pounds of pet food, water after STL tornado

Published

on

Humane Society of Missouri hands out 4,000+ pounds of pet food, water after STL tornado


ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – In the aftermath of the deadly tornado that swept through parts of the St. Louis region, one organization is taking a unique approach to recovery, helping both people and their pets.

The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) has deployed a fleet of supply-packed vehicles, delivering pet food, water and offering temporary boarding for animals impacted by the severe weather.

For Damian Webb, a North City resident, the storm was a first for both him and his seven-month-old puppy, Juju.

“She was under the bed shaking,” Webb said. “It was her first storm.”

Advertisement

Webb lives in the Greater Ville neighborhood, one of the areas hardest hit by the storms. His home remains standing, but the storm left busted windows, a leaking ceiling and a roof in need of repair.

“You can never prepare for it until you’re actually going through it,” he said.

With money tight and repairs looming, Webb is doing what he can to keep things together, including feeding Juju. That’s where HSMO comes in.

“This is our home, this is where we’re at, so we’re ready to go above and beyond,” said Ella Frank, HSMO Director of the Animal Cruelty Task Force.

Inside HSMO’s downtown shelter, shelves that were once packed with pet food now sit nearly empty. More than 4,000 pounds of food have already been distributed since the storm seven days ago, all donated by Purina.

Advertisement

“In a disaster, in a crisis, being able to keep your pet near you can be such a comfort,” Frank said.

That comfort is exactly what Juju has been for Webb.

“She did good for her first storm,” he said.

And while the damage is overwhelming, Webb says the community response has been just as powerful.

“Neighborhoods and community came out and started helping, that was a wonderful thing to witness.”

Advertisement

The Humane Society of Missouri is currently at capacity and is strongly encouraging fostering to make room for incoming animals. To learn more, click here.



Source link

Continue Reading

Missouri

Highway Patrol reports 7 arrests in north Missouri May 20–22, 2025

Published

on

Highway Patrol reports 7 arrests in north Missouri May 20–22, 2025


Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a total of seven arrests in north Missouri between May 20 and May 22, 2025. Charges ranged from traffic-related offenses to violent felonies.

It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to a detention center. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically transported to a detention center.

Jon P. Worrell, a 57-year-old man from Maryville, Missouri, was arrested at 10:15 a.m. on May 20 in Nodaway County. Worrell was taken into custody on multiple felony warrants issued by Coffee County, Georgia. The charges include felony murder, malice murder, aggravated battery involving a firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was held at the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department with no bond. These charges are accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt. Legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.

Advertisement

Preston J. Cornelius, age 34, of Country Club, Missouri, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. on May 20 in Daviess County. Cornelius was taken into custody on a misdemeanor warrant related to a traffic violation in Andrew County. He was booked into the Daviess DeKalb Regional Jail and is bondable.

Dewayne M. Taylor, a 55-year-old man from Liberty, Missouri, was arrested at 9:14 p.m. on May 20 in Livingston County. Taylor faced two charges: operating a motor vehicle without a valid operator’s license and failure to register the motor vehicle. He was later released from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

Brandin L. Robinson, 42, of Columbia, Missouri, was arrested at 10:09 a.m. on May 21 in Randolph County. Robinson was charged with felony driving while revoked and also had an active Boone County misdemeanor warrant for the same offense. He was held at the Randolph County Jail and is bondable.

Ezekiel M. Bowen, an 18-year-old man from Monroe City, Missouri, was arrested at 11:32 a.m. on May 21 in Monroe County. Bowen was taken into custody on a felony warrant for failure to register as a sex offender. He was held at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and is eligible for bond.

Brent M. Wilson, 33, of Brashear, Missouri, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. on May 21 in Adair County. Wilson faced multiple charges: driving while intoxicated with alcohol, driving while intoxicated with a person under the age of 17 in the vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance. He was held at the Adair County Jail and was later released.

Advertisement

Mark K. Luntsford, a 53-year-old man from Moberly, Missouri, was arrested at 2:49 p.m. on May 22 in Randolph County. Luntsford was charged with felony DWI involving alcohol and physical injury, as well as driving in the wrong direction on a highway. He was held at the Randolph County Jail and has since been released.

Post Views: 921

Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending