August 9, 2023
The river wild
Around Town St. Charles County program targets key locations to combat mosquitos. Pg. 2 MoDOT closes, shift lanes on Interstate 70 at Dardenne Creek for bridge maintenance Energy efficiency upgrades to local businesses provide $1.8 million in savings. Pg. 4
Features
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword. Pg. F-4 Submitted photo The 18th Annual Missouri American Water MR340, the world’s longest nonstop river race, was finished early last week due to unsafe river and weather conditions. With its finish line in St. Charles, the starting point for the race is Kaw Point Park, Mile 367.5 in Kansas City, Kansas and lasts, usually, 85 or 86 hours.
Annual boat race down the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Charles is halted early due to unsafe river conditions By Brett Auten Much like a Major League Baseball game being finished in the eighth inning due to rain, the world’s longest nonstop river race that finishes each year in St. Charles was concluded before the official finish. The18th Annual Missouri American Water MR340 began on Aug. 1, but was stopped a day later due to unsafe weather and river conditions. The race is held annually with participants traveling 340 miles by boat, kayaks, and canoes from Kansas City to St. Charles. Last week’s storm flooded local tributar-
ies and caused the Missouri River to rise and pick up a significant amount of debris, including large trees. A storm with very heavy rain targeting the final 100plus miles of the race, nighttime paddling without moonlight, and the changing river conditions all threatened the safety of race participants. “There were a multitude of factors all at work,” Steve Schnarr, executive director of Missouri Relief, said. “We’re sad to end the race early but protecting our paddlers is our top priority. Anyone of which was not necessarily a game changer, but they all added up. We were closely monitoring the
weather and river conditions and this was the right call for everyone involved.” The starting point for the race is Kaw Point Park, Mile 367.5 in Kansas City, Kansas and lasts, usually, 85 or 86 hours. Trophies and medals were still handed out as the Friday Night Finish Line Party and Special Ceremony at the Lewis and Clark Boathouse did go on without a hitch. “We ended up having quite a few people come out that night,” Schnarr said. “They were able to stick around and check out St. Charles a little more than normally. It was a great turnout. See ‘RIVER’ page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 25 No. 32 | 636-379-1775
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