aroundCarthage

Local News, History, and Info from around Carthage, Missouri

aroundCarthage

Missouri Historical Society preps for Route 66’s Centennial

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Though it’s a few years out, the State Historical Society of Missouri is prepping for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

To prepare for the iconic “Mother Road’s” Centennial, officials began collecting the following items for a grand display:

  • photographs
  • postcards
  • film and home videos along the route
  • records of roadside businesses
  • oral histories of people who traveled or worked along the road
  • small souvenirs or artifacts
  • artwork
  • architectural drawings of iconic structures and places

“We’re very interested in stories and materials ranging from the road’s origins to its peak period in Missouri (circa 1926-1960) to its decline following the rise of the Interstation Highway system,” said Kathleen Seale, coordinator of the State Historical Society’s Rolla and Springfield Research Centers.

According to the media release, Missouri is where Route 66’s name became official, as the highway received its number assignment via a telegram sent on April 30, 1926, to Springfield.

Route 66 played a significant role in the nation’s transportation history as the main artery connecting Chicago to Los Angeles by the late 1920s. In Missouri, the highway followed earlier trails, dirt tracks and gravel roads from the Mississippi River at St. Louis to the Kansas border west of Joplin.

Motels, restaurants, gas stations, and roadside attractions thrived on the steady commerce from travelers along Route 66, and now the SHSMO wants to hear about these experiences from you!

Click here to view the donation form.

Motorcycle Cross Country Chase stops by Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. – The 2022 Cross Country Chase presented by the Motorcycle Cannonball today stopped by Joplin Missouri for a bite to eat.

The City hosted around 100 motorcyclists sporting bikes from the ’30s-’60s.

The group is traveling together on a 10-day-journey on Route 66 and officials say the event grows each year with the number of riders taking the trip.

Cross Country Chase invited the public to come out and take a look at some of the historic bikes on display.

Officials say their trek began in Springfield, Illinois, and the group plans to travel 2,330 miles to Santa Monica.

Click here to learn more.

Last Call: Dodge to discontinue V8 Challenger & Charger after 2023

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, in current form, are coming to an end, and the Dodge brand is seizing the opportunity to celebrate in true, over-the-top Dodge style, officials said.

Parent company Stellantis said on Monday it will stop the production of Chargers and Challengers in December of next year.

To commemorate the iconic car, the company said next year’s lineup will feature seven different special-edition models, all featuring a ‘Last Call’ plaque under the hood.

The Netherlands-based auto company says they are switching its focus toward electric vehicles.

“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright new electrified future — by staying true to our brand,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “At Dodge, we never lift, and the brand will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in their current form in the same way that got us here, with a passion both for our products and our enthusiasts that drives us to create as much uniqueness in the muscle car community and marketplace as possible.”

Customers will be able to choose among the following for 2023 models:

  • the Demon
  • Hellcat
  • Redeye
  • Scat Pack
  • Shaker
  • Jailbreak
  • a 7th unannounced model (It will be announced at an auto show this November)

To learn more, click here.

Autocross event kicks off at Crowder College

NEOSHO, Mo. – 4StateVettes today hosted its Autocross racing event for all members of the community.

The event featured different makes and models of racing at Crowder College’s Truck Driving School.

Karting was also available for younger drivers.

Officials say helmets and required, but there are no limitations when it comes to what 4-wheeled vehicle you race in.

For more information, click here.

 

August means tax season for some truckers – what you need to know

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service this week reminded truckers who have registered, or are required to register, large trucks and buses that it’s time to file Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Returns.

The IRS strongly encourages using e-file and filing before the payment deadline of Aug. 31, 2022, for vehicles first used in July 2022.

Officials say truckers that have a highway motor vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more registered in their name must file Form 2290 and pay the tax.  However, on vehicles they expect to use for 5,000 miles or less (7,500 for farm vehicles), they’re required to file a return, but pay no tax.

The IRS provides the following tips:

Get the facts
• Visit the Trucking Tax Center on IRS.gov/trucker.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions for Truckers who e-file (also available in Spanish).
• Use “Do I Need to Pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax?” online tool if unsure about filing.

Gather the required information
• Vehicle Identification Number(s).
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) – not a Social Security number. It can take about four weeks to establish a new EIN. See How to Apply for an EIN.
• Taxable gross weight of each vehicle.

Filing options
• All Form 2290 filers are encouraged to e-file, a list of IRS-approved e-file providers is on IRS.gov.
• E-file is required when reporting 25 or more vehicles on Form 2290.
• A watermarked Schedule 1 is sent within minutes after acceptance of an e-filed return.
• If filing by mail, ensure that the correct mailing address is used.
• Mail filers will receive their stamped Schedule 1 within 6 weeks after the IRS receives the form.

Payment options
• Credit or debit card or digital wallet is an option.
• E-filing makes paying with electronic funds withdrawal an easy part of the process.
• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System requires advanced enrollment.
• Mailed in check or money order payments using Form 2290-V, Payment Voucher, mailed to: Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 932500, Louisville, KY 40293-2500.

More information
• IRS YouTube Video: Truckers: Mark Your Calendars To File Form 2290.
• “Understanding Form 2290 – Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax”.
• Frequently Asked Questions for Indian Tribal Governments Regarding Highway Use Tax.
• IRS Form 2290 call center, available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time. From within the U.S., 866-699-4096 (toll-free), from Canada or Mexico, 859-320-3581 (not toll-free).

 

Study shows Americans drive less while gas prices continue to fall

CHEROKEE/JASPER COUNTIES – As gas prices fall in the 4-States, national data suggests that fewer drivers are filling up and hitting the road.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand dropped from 9.25 million b/d to 8.54 million b/d last week.

The rate is 1.24 million b/d lower than last year and is in line with the need at the end of July 2020.

“Oil is the primary ingredient in gasoline, so less expensive oil is helpful in taming pump prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Couple that with fewer drivers fueling up, and you have a recipe for gas prices to keep easing. It’s possible that the national average will fall below $4 this week.”

>>AAA: Gas prices, outlook and tips

AAAconducted a survey that found almost two-thirds of U.S. adults have changed their driving habits or lifestyle since prices rose in March. Drivers’ top two changes to offset high gas prices are driving less and combining errands.

Today’s national average of $4.05 is 67 cents less than a month ago and 87 cents more than a year ago.

>>Gas prices see a steady decline across the 4-States

Quick Stats

  • The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Washington, D.C. (−28 cents), Colorado (−23 cents), Arizona (−21 cents), Illinois (−21 cents), Indiana (−21 cents), Iowa (−20 cents), Ohio (−20 cents), Michigan (−19 cents), Missouri (−18 cents) and Minnesota (−18 cents).
  • The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($3.55), South Carolina ($3.59), Oklahoma ($3.60), Arkansas ($3.60), Georgia ($3.61), Tennessee ($3.62), Mississippi ($3.62), Alabama ($3.64), Kansas ($3.66) and Iowa ($3.66).

>>$2,245.62 a second: Enormous profit for oil companies on record gas prices

4-state gas

  • Jasper Co: $3.42
  • Cherokee Co.: $3.51
  • Ottawa Co.: $3.49

 

Carthage unveils new park design concept for Carter Park

CARTHAGE, Mo. – Carter Park in Carthage today celebrated its unveiling of a new park concept for the future.

Participants had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of what the park will look like in five years.

After the unveiling, seven soccer teams gathered to play a tournament that collected money for the park renovations.

Watch Fox 14 news at 9:00 p.m. for more.

The Grand River Dam Authority raises energy service prices for many Oklahoma residents

MIAMI, Okla. – Officials say an energy price hike from the Grand River Dam Authority will result in increased utility bills for many Oklahoma residents.

The increase comes due to the City of Miami’s power supply source, the Grand River Dam Authority’s (GRDA) rising charges per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity.

“We wanted to give our utility customers notice to help them be prepared when they open their bills,” Miami City Manager Bo Reese said. “It’s frustrating and not the news we want to give, especially now.”

The GRDA is now charging the City 42.72 mills per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for July 2022, compared to last month’s 39.33 mills per kWh.

GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dan Sullivan says fluctuating natural gas prices are the primary driver for higher energy prices within the Southwest Power Pool.

To read more, click here.

Governor Parson signs off on gas tax increase

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law the state’s first gasoline tax increase in decades.

Longtime transportation funding advocate Parson signed the bill late Monday, spokesperson Kelli Jones said. He planned to attend ceremonial bill signings near Kansas City’s John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Memorial Bridge and at other infrastructure projects in the state on Tuesday.

The law will gradually raise the state’s 17-cent-a-gallon gas tax to 29.5 cents over five years, with the option for buyers to get a refund if they keep track of their receipts.

The first 2.5-cent increase is slated to take effect in October, which will bring the gas tax to 19.5 cents.

The money will be used for Missouri’s roads and bridges.

Once fully implemented, the gas tax hike could generate more than $500 million annually for state, county and city roads. But it’s unclear how much of that money governments will get to keep after some people request refunds.

The Missouri Department of Transportation estimated that the state faces a $745 million annual funding gap for roads and bridges.

A conservative advocacy group’s Missouri chapter launched an effort to put the gas tax hike to a public vote just days after lawmakers passed it.

If Americans for Prosperity-Missouri collects enough voter signatures, the law will go before voters next year.

Tax increases are widely unpopular among Missouri voters. Since voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1996 requiring all tax increases over a certain amount to go to a statewide vote, not a single general tax increase has passed.

Most recently, voters in 2018 shot down a 10 cents per gallon tax increase that the Legislature put on the ballot.