texting

Texting Can Wait - Collinsville Woman, St. Louis Co. Police Working Together To Save Lives

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:07:46 +0000

It’s not unusual to see people driving who are talking on the phone, texting, eating or putting on makeup.

Multiple studies show that such activity is as distracting as consuming alcohol and impedes a driver’s ability to drive safely. In 2010, 3,331 people were killed in distracted driving accidents.

Mo. State Fair opens, offers severe weather text message service

Marshall Griffin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:49:14 +0000

The 2012 Missouri State Fair is underway in Sedalia.

Attendees this year will have access to a new warning system in the event of severe weather. Fair officials and the State Highway Patrol are offering the service, which will provide text messages to fairgoers if there’s a severe weather warning or other emergency situation. Marketing Director Tammie Nichols says it’s being provided, in part, because of last year’s severe storm that knocked out power and forced the fair to shut down for several hours.

Mo. AG Koster warns of 'smishing' scam targeting smart phones

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:21:02 +0000

The Missouri Attorney General’s office is warning the public of a new scam that’s targeting smartphone and cellphone users.

The scam is known as "smishing," and it involves text messages telling recipients that they’ve won prizes or gift cards from big-name retailers such as Wal-Mart or Costco and instructs them to claim them by clicking on a link. Attorney General Chris Koster (D) says clicking the link will infect phones with malware that gives identity thieves access to personal information.

Lawmaker will again attempt to ban texting while driving

Rachel Lippmann — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:50:44 +0000

In December, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that states ban drivers from using their cell phones in any way while operating a car.

In its report, the NTSB cited an Aug. 2010 accident that killed two people and injured at least 50 others. The crash took place on Interstate 44 near Gray Summit, Mo.

911 hearings conclude at Mo. Capitol

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:17:47 +0000

A Missouri House committee has wrapped up a series of hearings on improving 911 communications systems used by emergency responders. Supporters of proposed upgrades admit, though, that they have a hard case to sell to both politicians and the public.

Lawmakers and local-level officials at today's meeting stressed the need to use 911 systems that can integrate text messaging and even video communications. “Doc” Kritzer is a county commissioner from Callaway County.