A Better REGION 8

Sobriety Checkpoints

The Labor Day Holiday Weekend is sneaking up fast. Another thing that will be sneaking up on you in Region 8...Sobriety Checkpoints. Now some may rail against this arguing that it is inconvenient or an unneccesary violation of your rights. There are lots of folks who buy into that argument. But let me tell you this.

If stopping someone at a checkpoint for five minutes saves lives...I'll take the inconvenience every time. Here are some pointers if you plan on celebrating this weekend. First, designate a sober driver and give them the keys

If you don't have a driver, call someone to pick you up. Use those cell phones to report drunken drivers. And if you know someone who has been drinking too much and plans to drive, take their keys and help get them home.

Finally, if you are sober and are stopped at a checkpoint, thank the officers for their effort. They are working hard out there to make this a safer and a Better Region 8.

A BETTER REGION 8: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS

Structurally Deficient

With the recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis, A lot of us turned our attention to the Highway 63 Bridge at Black Rock. While it remains in service and we are assured by the state highway department that its sound, that bridge has been determined to be structurally deficient. Sort of reminds me of the entire highway 412 corridor across the northern part of Arkansas. Structurally deficient. On a recent trip to Cherokee Village I was reminded of that as I was stuck travelling 40 miles an hour on a hilly two lane road behind a Fifth Wheel, A ski boat, and several 18-wheelers. Now I know a lot of you have encountered the same problem. In this day and age to have no four-lane access across the top of our state is ludicrous.  While the state has made some strides in the last few years improving 412, we need to move much faster on this project. The future of industry, tourism, and economic development in Region 8 depend on it. There is a group called Four-lane 412 Now that has been very active in getting our state legislators attention. But they can't do it alone. Please write to your representatives and ask that they lend their support to the project. Even if Hwy 412 doesn't come close to your hometown, It's completion will make this a better Region 8!

A better Region 8: Structurally Deficient