Camping Season Begins at Carlyle Lake

The 2012 camping season has began at Carlyle Lake. Dam West and McNair Campgrounds opened on April 1st. Boulder Campground will open on April 15th, and the Coles Creek and Lotus Group area on May 1st. The Dam East Spillway Campground and the Eldon Hazlet State Park are open year-round.

The following is a list of campgrounds available at Carlyle Lake and other recreation areas.

Dam West Campground -Open April 1st - October 31st -$18-$26/night -Full Hookup, electric, extended stay, ABA accessible, and buddy sites available -Playground, basketball court, and an outdoor amphitheater -Laundry facilities, shower buildings, comfort stations, and a dump station
Coles Creek Campground -Open May 1 - Sept 31 -$16-$24/night -Full hookup, electric only, ABA accessible, buddy sites -Group camping available
( Area A (loop2), Area B (loop 3) and Lotus Group Area, ) -Swimming beach, basketball court, playground, Frisbee golf course, and an outdoor amphitheater -Laundry facilities, shower buildings, comfort stations, and a dump station
Boulder Campground -Open April 15 - Oct 15 -$16-$24/night -Full hookup, electric only, ABA accessible, and buddy sites available -Laundry facilities, shower building, comfort stations, and a dump station -Playground and an outdoor amphitheater McNair Campground -Open April 1 - Oct 31 -$16/night -Electric sites -Group camping available
(Area C) $50/night -Laundry facilities, shower buildings, comfort stations, and a dump station -Playground, swimming beach, and the Chipmunk Nature Trail
Dam East Spillway Campground -Open year-round -$12/night -Electric sites -Comfort stations
Eldon Hazlet State Park -Open year-round -$8-$20/site -Cabins and Cottages available -Laundry facilities, shower house, comfort station, and a dump station -Archery range, basketball court, playground, and hiking trails Reservations for group camping and individual sites at Dam West,
McNair, Coles Creek, and Boulder Campgrounds can be made through the National Reservation and Recreation Services (NRRS) at www.recreation.gov,or by calling toll free at 1-877-444-6777or TDD at 1-877-833-6777.
Reservations for individual campsites in Eldon Hazlet State Park can be made by calling toll free (800) 246-5082 or online at www.reserveamerica.com.
For more information, contact the Carlyle Lake Project office at (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil. - full story

1,500 veterans hired through new Missouri program

The unemployment rate for veterans who served in active duty after the 2001 terrorist attacks was 12.1 percent as of last year, about one-third higher than the overall jobless rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And for male veterans ages 18 to 24, the unemployment rate was 29.1 percent, compared to 17.6 percent for young male nonveterans.

One difficulty some veterans encounter is that their military training doesn't always translate to civilian life, said Ed Bagby, veterans representative at the Missouri Career Center. Even a military mechanic or truck driver still must go to school to get civilian certification.

"The ones who really have a difficult time are those in the infantry training program," Bagby said. "Those skills don't convert into anything that can be used in civilian life."

Show-Me Heroes helped Justin Stuhr find a job at Ole Hickory Pits, a Cape Girardeau welding shop. The heat in the shop is no problem for Stuhr, who said he developed a tolerance while spending 15 months with the Army in Iraq.

Once back home and out of the military, he didn't want to go to school.

"I worked a few jobs here and there, but they couldn't offer me what I needed - benefits and decent pay," Stuhr said.

Ole Hickory Pits has hired eight veterans since the program began, and three currently work there, said Daniel Welker, production manager.

"Most veterans are very skilled, qualified individuals. They make good employees and they have done so much for us. It's just our way of giving back," Welker said.

Tammy Baremore, owner of Missouri Plastics near Jackson, said the program has paid off for her firm, too.

"We understand the value they bring to our company in experience and skills and years of knowledge," Baremore said. - http://goo.gl/mz7qm

Council to hear results of housing study

MT. VERNON - The city will hear the results of a housing needs study which was completed last week during a workshop session scheduled for today.

The council commissioned the study in November 2011 in order to address the housing needs in the city.

"We have had a lot of success creating jobs over the last year," City Manager Ron Neibert said at the time the study was approved for completion. "What we have found is there are not a lot of houses available in Mt. Vernon and the Jefferson County area in certain price ranges."

Neibert went on to explain with the jobs is the opportunity to bring new residents to Mt. Vernon, and having housing available for new residents is a critical need which was discovered while looking through 2010 Census material.

In addition, Neibert said the council is working to increase the population, and thus increase the state per capita payments of taxes and grants.

The study was completed at a cost of $24,500 by Zanola Company LLC of St. Louis. The company specializes in "real-world market research, data and guidance."

"As a trusted market research and business consultant, Zanola Company analyzes home building market data and demographic trends to cultivate out-of-the box, cost-effective strategies to positively impact the bottom line," information from the company states.

Neibert said with the salary ranges expected with the jobs associated with the expansion of Continental Tire the Americas alone, there would be an additional 400 people, but only 40 homes for the expected salary demographic.

"This study will find the sectors of the housing market where there is a need," Neibert said. "This study will determine what's available in the market ... what we need and the opportunity we will have to develop housing in Mt. Vernon."

In addition to a presentation on the housing needs study, the council will also hear a presentation on electrical aggregation during the workshop session.

The council will meet at 3 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall for its workshop session. - http://bit.ly/HQZQhG

Edwardsville cop accused of secretly recording women at tanning salon

Glen Carbon Police referred the investigation to Illinois State Police and the FBI. Collins' phone was seized as part of the investigation.

"At this time, three victims have been identififed," Gibbons said. "ISP is continuing to work closely with the FBI in the ongoing investigation to determine if there are other victims. Additional charges may be forthcoming."

The tanning center and its staff "have been cooperating with police in determining when Collins was at the salon in order to identify any other victims," Gibbons said. Collins has been a customer of the salon.

Collins, 46, has been suspended by the Edwardsville Police Department. He is charged with three counts of unauthorized video recording, a class 4 felony.

His bail was set at $10,000, but was released on a recognizance bond, which is a promise to appear in court later.

Gibbons said the investigation of Collins "has not uncovered any innappropriate or illegal actions related to his official duties at this time."

City administrator Ben Dickman said Collins' suspension is with pay, for legal reasons. Collins' salary as of 2010 was about $62,800.

Dickman said Collins has been with the department since 1997. Dickman was the chief of police at that time.

"I'm shocked and upset," Dickman said. - http://goo.gl/C4WKr