en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/757343 Comments by littlerebel http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Analysis-Mo-school-bus-seat-belt-debate-returns-100771499.html#IDComment93780230 Schools are already having enough problems with transportation funding, leave the seat belts alone/out of busses. School busses are built different than a passenger/greyhound type bus. Compartmental seating, they are close together, high back seats, very padded seats & seat backs. If the students are MADE to set correctly, meaning facing the front, feet on the floor, their book bags on their laps being held & the isle kept clear, then a school bus is one of the safest ways of transportation their is. With seat belts added, you are going to cut your seating in half, (therefore doubling the number of busses/drivers/gas/insurance needed), PLUS your going to need to add an aide to each bus to make sure they get fastened & stay fastened. (Now you have an additional driver & 2 additional aide's.) A driver with a bus full of kids just can't do that. We can't be stopping every 2 minutes to make little Johnny get back in his seat & buckle him, keep him from wrapping his seat belt around the others kids necks or hitting them with the buckle. Every bus has a few little Johnnies too. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:54:42 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Analysis-Mo-school-bus-seat-belt-debate-returns-100771499.html#IDComment93780230 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Republic-school-bus-policy-change-creates-quandry-for-2-parents-who-work-early-100939069.html#IDComment93776463 Seems like Republic school district just wants to make more money in before/after school day care they themselves are in charge of. I drive for another district & as long as the child actually lives inside the district, they can be dropped off/picked up anywhere in the district on any bus. We have students who might ride to one grandma 2 days a week, the other grandma 2 days a week & home 1 day & get on at a baby sitter in the AM. They are all mixed up & all we ask is for the school/admin/teachers have a days notice to set up a new stop if it is permanent or a quick note if a different stop is only for a day or so. Something is definitly wrong with this situation at Republic, as no way should younger children have to be alone before or after school or parents made to miss work only because a bus can't drop off or pick up at a baby sitters. I think admin's need to get their heads out of the clouds long enough to see the problem. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:23:17 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Republic-school-bus-policy-change-creates-quandry-for-2-parents-who-work-early-100939069.html#IDComment93776463 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Mugging-arrest-in-downtown-Springfield-MO-could-be-related-to-similar-crimes-100446114.html#IDComment92572933 Missouri residents can get an out of state CCW from Maine at 18 years old. Check the Maine state web site for the application & how to do it. Yes their are Maine certified instructors in the Springfield area, you just have to ask. I would recommend anyone going out of state & younger than 18 pick up a copy of this, "Highway Patrol's pamphlet SHP-863A" at the local HP headquarters. I personally know 3 people under age 21 who have Maine permits & do CCW 24/7. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:44:40 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Mugging-arrest-in-downtown-Springfield-MO-could-be-related-to-similar-crimes-100446114.html#IDComment92572933 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/NTSB-investigates-the-I-44-school-bus-accident-100128604.html#IDComment91273510 St James in on I-44 east of Rolla, guessing without a map in front of me probably.............. oh 30-35 miles east, not close to Ft. Wood. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 21:17:39 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/NTSB-investigates-the-I-44-school-bus-accident-100128604.html#IDComment91273510 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Robbers-target-3-elderly-woman-in-Springfield-MO-100125199.html#IDComment91272915 I'm a grandma & I plan on going shopping later this evening when it cools off a bit. Jabby & Valley I agree with you......... Thumbs up. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 21:15:28 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/Robbers-target-3-elderly-woman-in-Springfield-MO-100125199.html#IDComment91272915 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91224360 Check your facts before you speak moslowhand. I have driven a bus since 1986, way back then yes a chauffers liscense & you were good to go. Things have changed, we now get fingerprinted, (since 9-11), ran through FBI, the most complete criminal background check you ever seen is ran, driving history checked, must have A CDL liscense, with at least a class B rating at the minimun, (this class B pertains to the size & weight, not the old class B liscense, class A is tractor trailer & the additional weight),we have our DOT physicals, every year, we also have to have the additional endorsements to haul the most precious cargo anyone has ever hauled. Must have yearly verified training to keep our permits to haul children. We are held to the most strict liscense, endorsements, criminal & driving history. Approx 60% of the population could not hold up to the driving & criminal historys we have to go through. If anyone doubts my fact please go to Missouri DMV website & verify my facts for a school bus endorsement on a CDL lisense. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 16:43:00 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91224360 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91115074 Even if it were not highway patrol, but construction signs, things such as these could be prevented. See my post directly above about yesterday, no signs I could see at all back where traffic was stopped then. I was within inches of hitting the car in front of me & the guy behind me did take the shoulder to avoid hitting me & we were watching & not speeding. My heart just goes out to the 2 kids familes that were killed, I can't imagine the pain they are feeling right now. Other kids scared beyond belief even though their injuries are not life threathening, they need our prayers also. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 03:12:02 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91115074 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106830 Waynesville, I started there in 1986 & drove there for 4 years. Yes we must pray for the students & families, this is horrible. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 02:04:12 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106830 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106614 Until a full investigation is made on this accident, myself I could not make any judgements as to whom was at fault. All we can do is say God Bless the families of the 2 lives that were lost. Kiss your kids each morning & love them to the fullest as we never know what each day might bring. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 02:02:24 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106614 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106606 Also just yesterday I drove this exact stretch of road coming back from St. Louis in my car. I believe this is where I hit the shoulder at. Crest of a hill, no construction signs out at all, (the actual construction was about 5-6 miles ahead), but I topped the hill at about 69 MPH & both lanes were completely stopped right on front of me. I got stopped in time but I left marks on the road & was ready to take the shoulder & ditch if necessary to keep from hitting anyone or getting rear ended myself. We ended up driving about 10-15 MPH the next about 6 miles, after we got to moving again. I feel if I had have been in a fully loaded bus at that time & not my car, I would have been looking for a way out as that much weight just won't stop as fast as a car does, even with the best of brakes. As far as traffic was backed up yesterday they should have had signs miles before they did, their was no mention of construction anywhere. I even made comment to my step daughter with me that "this is an accident waiting to happen if they don't get some signs back here". Fri, 6 Aug 2010 02:02:20 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106606 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106569 I also drive a school bus & yes would be our worst nightmare. I have 2 senerio's running through my head right now. All bus drivers I know are highly trained & obey the law to the letter. I also notice & I think you will also, the 18 wheeler cab's that are non trailered at the time alot of the time do not have their rear lights working, (being a trailer is usually there) & you could run up on one of these trucks in a blink slowing down. I know I try to watch these very closely as they don't appear to be going any slower until you are to close. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 02:01:59 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/St-James-School-Bus-crash-injures-up-to-50-people-near-Gray-Summit-MO-100041614.html#IDComment91106569 http://www.kspr.com/news/local/82757557.html#IDComment54097502 When a father is abusive enough to have had 2 orders of protection against him issued by a judge, he is to violent to have contact with children. The important issue is the safety of Emily. Keep her in Costa Rica where she is loved, happy & well cared for & most of all safe with Trina. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:58:29 +0000 http://www.kspr.com/news/local/82757557.html#IDComment54097502 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/82301432.html#IDComment53520328 How did this truck driver not see the motorcycle? You can't convince me he did not see the motorcycle after he stopped "behind" the bike at a red light, waited till the light turned green to to start moving. Correct me if I am wrong, but if your behind another vehicle at a red light, aren't you supposed to wait to move until the vehicle in front of you moves? Judge Mountjoy just lost alot of respect people might have had for him on this case. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:16:17 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/82301432.html#IDComment53520328 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/82444772.html#IDComment53519190 If you are given a ticket for a red light, it is a "charge" in a court of law. Guilty or not guilty, the accused deserves a trial by his/her peers if they so desire, that is his constitutional right. No city administrators can impose a 100 bucks, discussion over, that is illegal. Added note, how accurate are the camera's? From the angle of them & just my opinion they are not worth their weight in salt. If the city needs money that bad to grab a few legit speeders or other violations, but do it is person with a "real cop". Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:01:18 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/82444772.html#IDComment53519190 http://www.kspr.com/news/local/81377867.html#IDComment53176550 I wondered why only 6 were charged when at least 12 men were arrested on Halloween. What happened to the other 6 arrests that no charges were ever filed on? (Might have been more, but 12 is what I could verify.) Of the 6 charged, 3 of those 6 had already pled guilty before the supreme court ruled in their favor on Jan. 12th, paid their fines & court costs. When the judge over turns these convictions is the county going to refund them their court cost & fine? It is only just that they do so since they were convicted under an unconstitutional law. I am glad the supreme court finally stood up for what is right as a citizen. For the parents it is your job as a parent to know where your child is going on Halloween, be there with them to keep them safe. After a person has paid their dues to society, done their jail time, finished probation or parole, their obligations are over. They are a free person & should be treated as such. I wish the entire sex offender registry was abolished as it is a waste of time & tax payers money & violated constitutional rights of all those on it. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:25:25 +0000 http://www.kspr.com/news/local/81377867.html#IDComment53176550 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81586042.html#IDComment52152523 The legal system is wrong, he can be out in 6-7 years probably on good behavior just to do it again. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:49:23 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81586042.html#IDComment52152523 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81478932.html#IDComment52152172 I don't see why pot is illegal to begin with. We are a free country, my body, my choice what I chose to put in it. Pot has so many beneficial effects & is even so much safer than alcohol. Studies show it is not addicting at all, not a narcotic at all. If it were addicting back in the late 70's early 80's I would have known it, but is was only an occasional weekend thing to have a good relaxing night once in a while. Legalize it, tax it, sell it at Brown Derby & if I want to buy a couple doobies in a weekend it should be my choice, not some pencil pushing corrupt politician's decision. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:45:37 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81478932.html#IDComment52152172 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81256312.html#IDComment51786990 Thank goodness they over turned an unconstitional law. Seems most of you have no idea of the "how or why" most of these people, (not all men), landed on a sex offender registry. It is a parents job to know where their kids are on Halloween & be responsible for them. It is not an offenders responsibility to post signs, lock themselves indoors at their own home, this was not part of their original punishment so thus should not be now. You want to keep your kids safe, go with them trick or treating. Yes, their are "real sex offenders" listed on the registry, but most are not pedophiles under any definition & do not hurt children. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:10:18 +0000 http://www.ky3.com/news/local/81256312.html#IDComment51786990