Rockaway Beach News

The Rockaway Beach, MO Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Third Annual Bikers & Babes at the Beach, a Benefit Weekend for BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE.

Those of you who were around for the last BACA event know what it does for our town. More importantly, you probably learned what this organization does for kids. If you aren't familiar with BACA, I recommend you check out their web site at www.bacausa.com to find many inspirational stories of how these folks make a difference in the lives of children everyday.

With the event being only a month away I thought it would be a great time to review some basic tips for sharing the road with motorcycles.

R O A D S A F E T Y SHARING THE ROAD WITH MOTORCYCLES (as copied from www.icbc.com)

Scan at intersections — look carefully for motorcycleswhen you come to an intersection:

• When turning left, look for oncoming motorcycles. Motorcycles can be hard to see, especially at night, at dusk, in bad weather or in heavy traffic. It is also difficult to judge how fast they are approaching.

• When driving through an intersection, watch for an oncoming motorcycle that may be turning left.

Watch for clues — sometimes a motorcycle’s turn signals are hard to see.

Watch the rider for clues; if the rider shoulder checks or the motorcycle leans, the rider is probably planning to change lanes, adjust lane position or turn.

Communication

Make eye contact — establish eye contact with the rider whenever possible.

Read vehicle language — don’t assume that a rider in the left part of the lane is planning to turn left. Motorcyclists often ride in the left part of the lane to make themselves more visible. Space margins

Allow side margins — never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. A motorcycle needs the whole lane to travel safely.

Allow enough following distance — allow at least three seconds of following distance when you are behind a motorcycle because:

• Motorcycles can stop abruptly

• Motorcyclists can skid and fall because of poor road conditions. You need to leave plenty of room to stop safely.

Allow plenty of space when passing — your vehicle may throw dirt or water in the rider’s face and pose a serious hazard to the rider.

Let's all get ready to give these folks a warm and friendly welcome!

I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the fantastic fireworks display and street fair last week. What a beautiful community event!

In case you missed it, there were numerous activities for kids of all ages including skateboard ramps, face painting and even carnival rides. Musical entertainment was provided by Bridge of Faith Church and a visiting missionary team from Georgia. There was a lot of talent on the stage for all to enjoy, free of charge!

Congratulations to the volunteers for your fantastic fundraising efforts. Rumor has it we just paid for the fireworks. Now we can start planning for next year!

Our town was full of visitors---from neighboring communities to The Galloping Goose Club we were full of folks just wanting to get together, have a good time and celebrate our freedom. Even the police were relaxed and mingling---a welcome change from last year when they spent there time racing up and down the road fighting crime.

In case I didn't see you on the street...Happy Independence Day!

This is an editorial and does not represent the opinions of any other individual or entity.

Rockaway, Mo is definitely a town on the move. Numerous citizens are banding together to clean up the town and rejuvenate it to it's glory days of one of Missouri's best tourist destinations.

Who could ask for a more beautiful spot, directly on Lake Taneycomo? Fishing, boating or just lounging at the City Park directly on the lake are a few things to enjoy.

Staying the weekend? Don't forget to check out the local Farmer's Market! Every Saturday during the summer you will find produce, crafts and often some free entertainment.

Looking for a FANTASTIC meal? Friday night Seafood Buffet at the Beach House is my personal recommendation...mmmm, yummy!

Need a little more activity? We're just 20 minutes from Branson, 30 from Springfield and right next door to the best lakes of Missouri including Table Rock and Bull Shoals.

If you are still here on Sunday there are many local churches. Bridge of Faith on Lake Road in Rockaway offers Christian Fellowhip for all in a relaxed environment---no need to pack dress clothes, Jesus loves you just the way you are.

This article is editorial in nature and is not intended to represent the opinions of any other individuals or entities.

July 2, 2008 Rockaway Beach MO

By TERESA BREWER

While most residents in Rockaway Beach MO, are supportive of getting the drugs out of the small lakes side community, more than 40 residents and business owners showed up at Rockaway Beach emergency call meeting, to address Mayor Larry Cline and the Board of Aldermen who are; Sue Riggs, Ellen Brown, Carl Katschman and Judy Daniels.

Most were present to file their written complaints of misconduct, excessive use of force, harassment and the five time shooting of one resident's chocolate lab in his own driveway during the recent car show on Friday June 13th. According to Bob Cline, Mayor Cline's brother, more than fifty complaints were filed, which he said he has in his posession and will be turned over to the Mayor.

Business owners are fed up. The over zealous police have allegedly been using their parking lots to intimidate, harass and scare off their customers and friends who come into town to vacation and fish. The result has been a 1/3 reduction in revenue.

Several residents said that they are now afraid to live in Rockaway Beach, after witnessing the recent use of excessive force on Scott Dauner and several others.

Dauner rose hanging onto his cane for support as he told his side of how he was assaulted by the police the previous week and said,

“Neither I nor my wife do drugs and we're tired of being profiled by our local cops that we are drug users. When they assaulted me, they kept telling me that I was a no good drug user. I do not use drugs and what they did to me was wrong!”

Many others came forward to tell their own horror stories.

The most compelling story was told by elderly Barbara Blair, who witnessed the officers chase down and shoot her neighbor's dog Buddy, five times. Her horror and fear was evident in her speech and appeal to the city to stop the police misconduct. She told of how gentle the dog was and how horrible it was to witness this abuse from the local police. She said she is now afraid to call them if she should ever need to do so. She is not the only one afraid.

Rockaway Beach Police under investigation By Teresa Brewer June 30, 2008 Rockaway Beach MO. A disabled and physically challenged Rockaway Beach man was allegedly assaulted on June 25th, by several

local police officers, when he was at city hall on court night. According to witnesses, there were approximately 15 additional witnesses to the assault and use of excessive force. Witnesses also claim, that the man was frustrated due to his repeated attempts to clear the matter up, but each time he appeared for court several months in a row, his name is not on the docket.

The physical challenges he faces just to walk combined with the aggravation he has repeatedly been forced to endure triggered his frustration with the local office. He demanded to know why his name was again, not on the docket to the City Clerk Susan Ketelcamp's office assistant, Debbie Carpenter.

Witnesses disclosed that Mrs. Carpenter, who is also the wife of Rockaway Beach Police Chief, Bob Carpenter, became verbally confrontational when the man questioned why his name did not appear on the docket, so that he could clear the matter up in front of the visiting Judge. He was also questioning the amount owed on the ticket. According to witnesses, as soon as Mrs. Carpenter became loud, demanding he "shut up and get out", several police officers allegedly assaulted the physically challenged man, throwing him to the ground, while his wife who witnesses the excessive use of force, pleaded with the officers to leave him alone, desperately telling them that he has severe back injuries and that he has done nothing wrong.

Allegedly the man was arrested and taken to Taney County Jail, by the same officers but was immediately released by Sheriff's Deputies. Witnesses also reported that upon his release, his wife drove him to the emergency room, where he was treated and discharged. The severity of his injuries has not yet been disclosed.

Local business owners and residents are concerned not only about the use of excessive force, but that the same officers who instigated the assault, have also been rampantly harassing visitors and residents by pulling them over when driving through the small lakeside community, claiming that their license plate light was out, and demanding they allow searches of their vehicles. If they do not comply they are threatened with arrest.

A Rockaway Beach man suffered serious injuries Tuesday night in a single-car crash on U.S. 160 near Walnut Shade, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

About 100 motorcycle riders participated in the 'Cruisin' Against Bruisin' High Roller Bike Run on Sunday, a 36-mile ride to raise money for the Family Violence Center in Springfield.

Reduced speed was unheard of today at Rockaway Beach as the buzz of engines echoed along the waterway.

“The Mid-America District has determined - the expansion of the facility is really not in the cards. Option number three makes sense for all of us.”

Walnut Shade and Rockaway Beach residents were taken by surprise by the U.S. Postal Service when a notice was posted that the post office facility would be moved. via Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News

Jonathan Atkins, of Branson, and eleven-year-old Colton Turner, of Rockaway Beach, work together painting around a light fixture, joining nearly 200 volunteers who participated in the downtown clean up.

A good article on the efforts of the Rockaway Beach Citizens Action Group with video.

A Rockaway Beach woman suffered moderate injured early today when the 1994 Ford she was driving overturned after crossing the center line of Taney County F just east of Bull Creek, the Missouri Highway Patrol ...

“I went to work in government jobs for 33 years and got out and worked 14 more as an appraiser. I retired after 44 years, so the war didn't destroy me.”

J.C. Penwell, of Rockaway Beach, poses for a photo with some memorabilia from his time in the U.S. Navy during World War II. via Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News

Two Taney County women were injured Thursday when their vehicles collided on Missouri 76 near Bradleyville, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported. via Springfield News Leader

The only group still proposing to build a casino in Rockaway Beach has said it's no longer interested. via KSHB-TV Kansas City

“If someone walked in and proposed a casino development, we might talk, but at this point gaming in Rockaway is a dead issue”

The Majestic Star Casino LLC notified the mayor and the gaming committee that they would not be pursuing any possible future gaming opportunity in Rockaway Beach. via Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News

“These violations have been happening for a while. All this didn't just happen in the last six months”

Rockaway Beach Mayor Larry Cline said a new manager for the Rockaway Beach wastewater treatment plant has been hired and all 14 of the violations written by the Environmental Protection Agency have been ... via Branson Tri-Lakes Daily News

A Rockaway Beach man was seriously injured this afternoon when his car ran off the road and struck a tree near Forsyth. via News-Leader.com - Top Stories

“Mickey was so weak that he could not walk. Mickey indicated he was burning up”

A Rockaway Beach couple sued Christian, Ozark and Taney counties last week over their son's death in the Christian County Jail. via Springfield News Leader