CAMDENTON, Mo. — As Labor Day weekend kicks off, residents of Camden County are celebrating the early completion of the Willow Creek Road bridge, which has reopened to traffic after a swift replacement project. The announcement, made by Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton just days ago, highlights a collaborative effort that wrapped up a month ahead of the anticipated schedule.

The bridge replacement was part of Camden County’s ongoing infrastructure improvements, addressing safety concerns on the crossing over the South Fork of Linn Creek. Bids for the project were solicited in February 2025, with Wayne Brenneke Construction securing the contract as the lowest bidder.

Engineering support came from the Howe Company, ensuring the new 24-foot-wide single-span structure meets modern standards for load capacity and durability.

Road closure began on May 18, 2025, with contractors allotted up to 150 days for completion. However, efficient work allowed the bridge to reopen by late August, providing a welcome boost for holiday travelers heading to Lake of the Ozarks.

“The construction of the Willow Creek bridge has been completed a month ahead of schedule. The road is now open to through traffic,” noted a recent update from the Camden County Road and Bridge Department.

This project fits into a broader slate of 2025 roadwork in the county. Earlier in the year, resurfacing began on Capstone Drive in Linn Creek, marking the first of several planned overlays.

Additional initiatives include pavement improvements on Routes D and E, extending through Camden, Laclede, and Dallas counties, with some work impacting Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

MoDOT has also scheduled bridge maintenance and resurfacing on U.S. Route 54, with overnight closures wrapping up by late summer.

Local feedback has been positive, with drivers appreciating the smoother gravel approaches and reduced detours. Commissioner Skelton’s post emphasized gratitude toward the teams involved, echoing sentiments from the county’s March 27 commission minutes, where the project timeline was outlined to start in May and end by October.

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — As the summer season winds down, a new high-stakes event is injecting fresh energy into the Lake of the Ozarks community. Captain Ron’s Cannonball Run, a weeklong festival blending competition, entertainment, and local commerce, kicked off on August 16 and is now in full swing, with participants vying for a share of up to $50,000 in cash prizes.

The event, hosted by Captain Ron’s Lakefront Restaurant & Resort, runs through August 23, with a wrap-up on August 24, and has drawn crowds for its mix of family-friendly activities and adrenaline-pumping challenges. Launched this year as a community-driven bash, the Cannonball Run encourages participants to support local businesses while competing in a poker run-style contest.

For a $250 registration fee, entrants receive one poker hand, entry into prize drawings, and a raffle ticket. The twist? Every $500 spent at Lake-area businesses from August 16 to 23 earns an additional poker hand—up to 20 total—with purchases at sponsor locations counting double.

Poker drawings are set for August 22 and 23, each awarding $25,000, culminating in a grand prize presentation on August 23.

All proceeds beyond prizes will benefit local charities, emphasizing the event’s focus on giving back.

Today, August 21, marks a pivotal day in the schedule, with the Vendor Village and Car Show setting up from 8 a.m. to noon at Captain Ron’s, followed by the Ozarks International Speedway Challenge from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Registration remains open from noon to 4 p.m. at Captain Ron’s and Camden on the Lake Resort. The afternoon features a registration party with free appetizers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for sponsors, vendors, and participants, leading into the kick-off concert with country artist Blake Redferrin from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Attendees have praised the event’s vibrant atmosphere, combining live music, a scavenger hunt, and speedway thrills for all ages.

Looking ahead, Friday, August 22, promises even more action: The Vendor Village opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., alongside breakfast at Captain Ron’s, the ongoing scavenger hunt, and live entertainment throughout the day. Receipt collection for poker hands runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the first $25,000 winner announced at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 23, includes the Shawnee Bend Sand’s Sandcastle Building Contest from noon to 3 p.m., more live music, and the second $25,000 drawing at 6 p.m., with the combined grand prizes presented at 8 p.m. during the Supercat Fest 4 Kids Auction at Camden on the Lake.

The event wraps Sunday with the Vendor Village open until 2 p.m. and a presentation of a Surdyke Yamaha WaveRunner at 1 p.m.

Organizers at Captain Ron’s, a staple Lake of the Ozarks venue known for its beachside fun and events, describe the Cannonball Run as a way to celebrate the community while boosting local economy.

The event overlaps with the tail end of the summer boating season, including the nearby Lake of the Ozarks Shootout powerboat races on August 23-24, creating a packed weekend for visitors.Those interested can register on-site or learn more at captainronsatthelake.com. With free parking available at Scallywags RV Park and a slate of activities for families, boating enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers, the Cannonball Run is positioning itself as a must-attend tradition at the Lake.

Jefferson City, MO – Missouri has taken a bold step toward tax reform by eliminating its capital gains tax for individuals, a move proponents say will attract businesses and investors while critics warn it could drain state coffers and widen inequality. Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill 594 into law on July 10, 2025, during a ceremony at the State Capitol, marking the culmination of a legislative push that began earlier in the year.

The legislation, which passed the Missouri General Assembly in May, allows individuals to deduct 100% of both short- and long-term capital gains from their state taxable income starting for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

This effectively exempts profits from the sale of assets like stocks, real estate, or businesses from Missouri’s income tax, which currently tops out at around 4.95%. For corporations, the deduction is phased in and becomes available only once the state’s top individual income tax rate drops to 4.5% or lower, a threshold tied to future revenue triggers that could reduce rates incrementally.

Governor Kehoe, a Republican who assumed office following the resignation of his predecessor, hailed the bill as a victory for economic freedom. “Conservative leadership is about keeping more money in the hands of Missouri families, and less in government coffers,” Kehoe said in a statement. “Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work—families, job creators, and small business owners—by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates.”

Supporters argue the change will make Missouri more competitive with states like Texas and Florida, which have no state income tax and thus no capital gains levy at the state level. Real estate groups and investors have particularly praised the move, suggesting it could “unstick” the housing market by encouraging property sales.

The bill’s path to enactment was swift but not without debate. Introduced as part of a broader tax overhaul, it cleared the legislature on May 7, 2025, amid a session focused on pro-business reforms.

Lawmakers framed the elimination as a way to stimulate growth in a state that has lagged behind neighbors in attracting high-tech firms and venture capital. Missouri joins a handful of states experimenting with capital gains relief, though it stands out for fully exempting such income while maintaining a general income tax—unlike no-income-tax states that inherently forgo taxing gains. However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from fiscal watchdogs and progressive groups, who say it disproportionately benefits the wealthy and could jeopardize funding for essential services. The Missouri Budget Project estimates the exemption will cost the state at least $341 million in general revenue annually, with potential losses exceeding $600 million as high earners maximize the deduction.

This figure represents about 25% of state funding for local schools, according to the group. “The exemption is expensive and will reduce state general revenue significantly,” the organization noted in a June analysis, adding that it will primarily aid the top 1% of earners, cutting their state and local taxes by 14% while leaving lower-income Missourians paying a higher share of their income in taxes overall.

Critics argue this makes Missouri’s tax system more regressive, prioritizing affluent investors over working families.Despite the backlash, the bill’s signing reflects a broader trend of tax cuts in Republican-led states amid post-pandemic budget surpluses. As Missouri implements the change, economists will watch closely for its impact on investment inflows, housing activity, and state revenues. For now, the state positions itself as a tax haven for capital, betting that growth will offset the costs.