Storm recovery, your August ballot, and gearing back up for the lake

Interested in reaching Lake of the Ozarks readers first? Reply to this email.

The Lake is mostly back to normal after the July 4th storms knocked out power to roughly 30,000 homes and businesses and did real damage — downed trees, a dock that broke loose at the 3.5 Mile Marker, and roof and siding damage across the area. Most of the cleanup is done, but if you're still dealing with a damaged roof, siding, or dock, you don't have to guess who to call.

Local, vetted roofing and cleaning pros around the Lake are listed at localto.co/loz/roofing and localto.co/loz/cleaning — a free local directory, not a lead-sale service, so you're calling the business directly. If you'd rather read up first, RenovateGuide.com has plain-language guides on what to look for in storm damage before you sign anything. (Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission if you use it, at no extra cost to you.)

With storm cleanup mostly behind us and the rest of the summer still ahead, it's a good time to check your boat, dock, and gear before the next busy weekend. RuggedDiscovery.com has straightforward buyer's guides for lake and outdoor gear — worth a look if a storm took out anything of yours, or if you're just restocking for the season. (Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission if you use it, at no extra cost to you.)

Local business owners: this spot gets read. Reply to claim it.

Missouri voters decide four constitutional amendments in the August 4 primary. Here are three that matter statewide — no spin, just the mechanics. Full official ballot language, including all four amendments, is available from the Missouri Secretary of State's office at sos.mo.gov.

Amendment 1 renews the Parks, Soil, and Water Sales Tax, a small statewide sales tax that's funded free admission to Missouri's state parks and soil/water conservation programs for over 40 years. It comes up for renewal on a set schedule. A yes vote continues the tax; a no vote lets it expire.

Amendment 4 changes what it takes for a future citizen initiative petition to become law. Right now, an initiative needs a simple majority of the total statewide vote. This amendment would additionally require a majority in each of Missouri's eight congressional districts. A yes vote adds that district-by-district requirement for future initiatives; a no vote keeps the current simple statewide-majority rule.

Amendment 5 would let the state legislature expand sales tax to cover additional kinds of transactions, with lawmakers given five years to redefine what's taxed — part of a broader plan to eventually reduce or replace the personal income tax. A yes vote grants the legislature that authority; a no vote keeps current sales tax law as-is.

Classifieds are free to list while we build out our Lake of the Ozarks readership. Got something to sell, rent, hire for, or announce? Email your listing to [email protected] and we'll run it in the next issue.

This slot is open for Issue No. 5. If you run a business at the Lake and want to be featured — not as an ad, but as a real 3–4 sentence write-up in our voice — reply to this email.

We're still building our community submissions queue. That's where you come in. Got a photo, a milestone, a "looking for," or something worth sharing with the Lake community? Send it to [email protected] and we'll run it next time.

Advertise with us: [email protected]

The Ozark Signal is published every Tuesday and Friday. To submit classifieds, events, or community items: [email protected]