Overheard

Missouri Department of Transportation has launched a Web site where people can request a MoDOT speaker to address a group, organization, business or school. At www.modot.org/requestaspeaker, individuals can fill out a request form, see a list of speakers by region and review transportation topics including dedicated truck lanes, job openings, work zones, snow removal and project delivery. “We want Missourians to be informed so they can help us make good decisions on transportation issues,” said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn.

Greene County: Presidential Battleground

Missouri’s pick for president in the upcoming election could ride on Greene County, The Kansas City Star reports. With the rest of the state presumably sewed up, the Springfield area is the wild card for presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. They will need to focus their efforts here if they want to secure the state’s 11 electoral votes, according to the report. “Kansas City and St. Louis are assumed to be firmly in the Democrats column. Rural areas vote overwhelmingly Republican. Greene County – growing, increasingly urban, but still conservative – may be the best place for Barack Obama and John McCain to plant their battle flags in the ground,” the paper said.

L&P Dividend

Carthage-based Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) has declared a third-quarter dividend of 25 cents per share. The dividend will be paid Oct. 15 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15. Leggett has increased its annual dividend for 37 consecutive years, at a compound annual growth rate of about 14 percent, according to the company. Shares set a new 52-week high Aug. 12 and closed Aug. 13 at $21.03.

Flying High

Just before the $155 million Branson Airport LLC opens for commercial service May 11, the private airport will host the renowned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show. Civil and military flying performers will be on display during the May 8–10 grand opening. Paving for the 22-inch thick runway began in April and is nearly complete. Construction on the 58,000-square-foot terminal began in July. Construction updates, including live images, are available at www.flybranson.com.

Slice of Nice

The Victim Center, a United Way agency, is accepting applications from community volunteers to assist victims of violent crime and their families. The next training is 5–8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct. 11. Victim advocates are on call about twice a month to respond to 864-SAFE hotline phone calls from crime victims or calls from local health-care and law enforcement agencies.

Although most calls require only telephone response, advocates also are summoned to hospitals and crime scenes to assist victims.

Training applications are available by calling (417) 863-0827, ext. 106.