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City and LOPD Named Non-Profit of the Year: Last month, the City of Lake Ozark and Lake Ozark Police Department were honored to be named the 2025 Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year.Over 200 lake area business owners and community members were present to vote on this award and others, and we are grateful for the recognition given by the community we serve. Of this award, City Administrator Harrison Fry stated, "This is the result of years' worth of intentional effort to continue finding ways to better serve our community and the folks who come visit every year. Through the summer, the men and women of LOPD have a tough task in front of them but they are supported every step of the way by our mayor and aldermen, and the members of this community we call home."

TEST TW WEATHER

Posted on by dan

Alderman steps forward to address speeding issues

Speeding on City of Lake Ozark streets – as it is around most of the Lake of the Ozarks — is a constant problem. Posted speed limits are often ignored, posing potentially dangerous situations.

But a Lake Ozark alderman is doing something about it.

Matt Wright, voted into office in April, noticed several cars speeding on Valley Road during the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals car show in early May. Valley Drive is often used as an alternate route when Bagnell Dam Blvd. is closed for special events. Wright is also a resident on School Road where he’s developing a cluster of tiny homes. Again, he observed motorists speeding, especially when they realize the street is a dead-end street – even though it’s posted as such.

Wright approached Police Chief Gary Launderville about a portable speed trailer that monitors the speed of approaching vehicles and is used as a deterrent to speeding. The chief said buying a unit – which costs between $7,000 and $15,000 – was well beyond the LOPD’s budget. 

“Wright took it upon himself to begin a fundraising campaign,” Launderville said.

It’s the intent at this point to buy the speed trailer because of Wright’s fundraising efforts.

After contacts with a speed trailer company, the LOPD discovered a demonstator unit was available for use with the possibility of buying it after a month. 

To date, Wright has raised more than $5,000 toward a discounted price of just shy of $10,000. The trailer collects various data including speeds, traffic counts, and more.

The speed trailer was set up on Welsh Road on The North Shore the first week and recorded more than 5,000 vehicles. As of Monday, July 9, the trailer was on Oak Ridge Road. It will be moved to various locations as needed.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the neighborhoods,” Launderville noted. 

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so to the Lake Ozark Police Benevolent Association and drop a check off at the LOPD, 3162 Bagnell Dam Blvd.; or through PayPal, Venmo, check or cash. For PayPal, visit paypal.me/lopbal; for Venmo, search @LakeOzarkPolice-Benevolent.