Bell City, Missouri - Six Stoddard County schools are now participating in the D.A.R.E. program instructed by Stoddard County Deputies, Lori O'Dell and Cpl. Andrew Johnson.
Children in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms in six Stoddard County schools today face a multitude of high risk circumstances including the temptation to use drugs and alcohol, violence, bullying and internet safety, not to mention the fear of school violence.
Recently adding Bell City and Advance Schools for the 2019-2020 school year.
In response to these challenges and the long term welfare of our community, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office is launching the D.A.R.E. education curriculum.
For more than three decade, the D.A.R.E. program has been a constant and present fixture throughout many schools in Missouri helping thousands of students understand the risk and exercise good decision making. This science and evidence-based substance abuse prevention education curriculum teaches students good decision making skills that help enable them to lead safe and healthy lives.
Today, every law enforcement agency in America is seeking ways to build positive community-police relations. Clearly, the issues and challenges are complex. While there is no single solution, D.A.R.E. has incorporated features in its education programs which build trust and create positive relationships with students and parents, thereby developing and reinforcing community-based prevention and community-oriented policing with children and families.
About D.A.R.E.
Launched in 1983, D.A.R.E. is a comprehensive K-12 education program taught in thousands of schools throughout America, as well as in 52 other countries. D.A.R.E.'s official mission today is teaching students good decision-making skills to help them to lead safe and healthy lives.
D.A.R.E. education programs are a collaborative effort of the essential components of a community-students, parents, schools, law enforcement, and community leaders. D.A.R.E. places specially trained law enforcement officers in classrooms who deliver science and evidence-based curricula that teach students good decision-making skills that will help lead safe and healthy lives. While D.A.R.E. curricula address drugs, it also focuses on violence, bullying, internet safety, and other high risk circumstances that could be a part of the daily life of students.
For more information on D.A.R.E. education programs, visit www.dare.org/education
Six Stoddard County schools are now participating in the D.A.R.E. program instructed by Stoddard County Deputies, Lori O'Dell and Cpl. Andrew Johnson.
Children in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms in six Stoddard County schools today face a multitude of high risk circumstances including the temptation to use drugs and alcohol, violence, bullying and internet safety, not to mention the fear of school violence. Recently adding Bell City and Advance Schools for the 2019-2020 school year.
In response to these challenges and the long term welfare of our community, Stoddard County Sheriff's Office is launching the D.A.R.E. education curriculum.
For more than three decade, the D.A.R.E. program has been a constant and present fixture throughout many schools in Missouri helping thousands of students understand the risk and exercise good decision making. This science and evidence-based substance abuse prevention education curriculum teaches students good decision making skills that help enable them to lead safe and healthy lives.
Today, every law enforcement agency in America is seeking ways to build positive community-police relations. Clearly, the issues and challenges are complex. While there is no single solution, D.A.R.E. has incorporated features in its education programs which build trust and create positive relationships with students and parents, thereby developing and reinforcing community-based prevention and community-oriented policing with children and families.
About D.A.R.E.
Launched in 1983, D.A.R.E. is a comprehensive K-12 education program taught in thousands of schools throughout America, as well as in 52 other countries. D.A.R.E.'s official mission today is teaching students good decision-making skills to help them to lead safe and healthy lives.
D.A.R.E. education programs are a collaborative effort of the essential components of a community-students, parents, schools, law enforcement, and community leaders. D.A.R.E. places specially trained law enforcement officers in classrooms who deliver science and evidence-based curricula that teach students good decision-making skills that will help lead safe and healthy lives. While D.A.R.E. curricula address drugs, it also focuses on violence, bullying, internet safety, and other high risk circumstances that could be a part of the daily life of students.
For more information on D.A.R.E. education programs, visit www.dare.org/education
Puxico, Missouri - On August 29, 2019, Stoddard County Sheriff's deputies, faculty and students of Mingo Job Corp, as well as agents of Missouri Fish and Wildlife participated in an active shooter drill at Mingo Job Corp.
This drill will be done periodically at Mingo Job Corp to prepare students and faculty in the event of an active shooter situation.
Stoddard County Sheriff's Office has done several Active shooter trainings throughout the county at different schools and churches.
Dennis Smelser Inducted Into The Missouri Bankers Association’s 50 Year Club
J. Dennis Smelser, executive vice president of Midwest Bancorporation Inc. in Poplar Bluff, was inducted into the Missouri Bankers Association’s 50 Year Club on Thursday, June 13, during MBA’s 129th Annual Convention at the Hilton Branson Convention Center.
This recognition from MBA honors bankers who have dedicated 50 years of service to the banking community. Smelser is one of eight bankers who were inducted into the 50 Year Club this year.
Smelser began his banking career in 1969 in the bookkeeping department of Security Bank in
Paragould, Arkansas, while attending Arkansas State University. After graduation, Smelser served as manager of the customer service department and later as the bank’s internal auditor.
In 1975, Smelser joined the audit department at Citizens Bank in Jonesboro, Arkansas, which led to an opportunity with his current employer. In 1976, Smelser moved to Dexter where he was employed as vice president and cashier of Dexter National Bank (later First Midwest Bank of Dexter). He transferred to the bank’s parent company, Midwest Bancshares Inc. (later Midwest Bancorporation Inc.) in 1981. Dennis has served in several capacities throughout the last 38 years and currently serves as executive vice president and trustee of the company’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
A native of the Lafe community in Arkansas, Smelser is a graduate of Paragould High School, Arkansas State University (BS 1973), Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU (1976) in Dallas, Texas, and Professional Master of Banking in Austin, Texas in 1997.
Mr. Smelser is a past member of the Paragould Exchange Club, Center Hill Jaycees, Paragould Parks and Recreation Board, Dexter Kiwanis Club, Dexter Zoning Commission, and the Dexter Airport Board. Dennis was also active in the First Baptist Church of Dexter for over 30 years.
Smelser married Janie Morrow of the Stanford community in Arkansas and they have two sons, Brian (deceased) and Shaun, and three grandchildren; Lillianne, Emmett, and Laurel. After living in Dexter, Missouri, for 40 years they recently moved to Jackson, Missouri, to be near their grandchildren. Smelser is the son of the late Faye Smelser Partlow of Paragould, Arkansas.
The Missouri Bankers Association is a statewide trade and professional organization in Jefferson City that represents the interests of more than 250 banks and savings and loans in Missouri. MBA serves as the principal advocate for the Missouri banking community and provides educational opportunities, products and services that assist bankers with enhancing their banking operations.
Dexter, Missouri - Through the Walmart Community Grant Program, Dexter Walmart recently awarded the Bernie Parents as Teachers program with a $500 grant.
A large portion of these funds will go towards purchasing children’s books that will be given away during each home visit.
The Bernie PAT program strives to help build home libraries and encourage a love for reading between parents and their children.
Matt Looney, Dexter Walmart manager, is shown presenting the check to Bernie’s Parent Educators, Courtney McGarity and Casey Arnold.
