A ShowMe Times Report

An accident early Monday morning has claimed the life of a Catron man.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that Jonithan L. Dodson, 37, of Catron was in a 1995 Jeep heading north on Highway 153, five miles east of Bernie at about 6:30 a.m. A 2007 Pontiac eastbound and driven by Holly L. Pruitt, 19, of Lilbourn pulled out in front of the Dodson vehicle near the Route Z intersection.

Both vehicles ran off the roadway, and the Dodson vehicle overturned in a nearby ditch.

Pruitt suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Southeast Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Dodson was pronounced dead at the scene by Stoddard County Coroner Aaron Mathis.

The Highway Patrol reports Dodson was not wearing a seat belt.

By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

Southeast Missourians may think we have seen some turbulent weather already this spring – but the bad news is that “it ain’t over yet.”

A weather expert with the University of Missouri says that this spring could be stormer than normal. Tony Lupo with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in Columbia, says that our spring weather will be affected by La Nina, the same phenomenon that spawned this winter’s snows and ice.

The Midwest found out just how forceful La Nina can be this last weekend. Friday afternoon brought tornado watches, hail and heavy storms throughout Southeast Missouri. Throughout the weekend a deadly swarm of twisters left devastation in up to 15 states.

Storms threatened most of Friday afternoon in the Deter area, and pea-size hail fell at approximately 4:30 p.m. The entire region was under a Tornado Watch until 9 p.m. Friday

The storms storms battered their way from Oklahoma to North Carolina, claiming at least 44 lives, almost half of those in North Carolina. It was the deadliest since Feb. 5, 2008, when 57 died in the "Super Tuesday" election day tornadoes in the Southeast. And that was the highest tornado death toll since 76 died in 1985.

La Niña occurs when cooler than normal water temperatures develop in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Lupo thinks La Niña will lead to increased spring and summer thunderstorm activity in states north of Tornado Alley, including Nebraska, Iowa, northern Illinois and Indiana.

Tornado Alley is defined as North Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Lupo says that La Niña tends to shift the jet stream patterns northward over the U.S.

In a La Niña season, the jet streams pick up warm Pacific moisture and direct warm and unstable air to Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Storm systems and fronts tend to follow these streams.

Overall, from Thursday through Saturday, there were reports of funnel clouds in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“For a thunderstorm to develop, there must be moisture and warm air,” Lupo says. “When the jet stream is farther north, as it is in a La Niña event, you have a better chance of achieving these kinds of temperatures and dew points in these parts of the country.”

In Tornado Alley, Lupo forecasts a relatively calm year. Atmospheric models predict a dryer than normal spring and summer, taking away the fuel for supercell storms, which often spawn tornadoes.

A ShowMe Times Report

SIKESTON- Workers will begin replacing a Castor River bridge in Stoddard County this week.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that work will begin today on the Route BB bridge over the Castor River. The roadway will remain closed from Route K to Route M as construction is underway. Completion is anticipated in mid July.

Improvements to the Route BB bridge will be completed through the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. The program will improve more than 800 of the state's lowest-rated bridges by winter 2013.

Signs and warning devices will be in place as improvements are underway. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

It's was a night for dreams, making memories and friendships.

Dexter High School students celebrated the friendships and the winding down or another school year Saturday with the annual Junior-Senior Prom. Presented annual by the DHS Junior Class, it is a gift from the juniors to the graduating senior class at DHS.

The theme Saturday evening was "Rendezvous in Paris." There was the Arc de Triomphe, sidewalk cafes, the Eiffel Tower - all "transported" from Paris to make the evening complete.

Students filed in and out of the high school throughout Saturday afternoon to pose for their portraits with Dexter master photographer Joe Craig. After portraits were done, they headed out in their shiny trucks, cars and even a limousine for dinner before the Grand March. Many students went to Dexter's First Baptist Church for a formal prom-night dinner by candlelight.

Parents, family and friends gathered Saturday evening in the DHS Auditorium long before the 7:30 Grand March. Students filed in to find a place in line for the Grand March, to mingle with friends, and pose for photographs.

During the Grand March each couple was introduced by Junior Class President,Jenny Blatman. Blatman also recognized school counselor Judy Patterson for her hard work and dedication in helping the Junior Class with this year's Prom. Blatman also noted that this year's event was the 10th prom that Patterson has advised at DHS.

Couples walked onto a stage that featured a large replica of the Arc de Triomphe and through the magnificent archway off in the distance with the Eiffel Tower light with small white lights. Music for the Grand March was provided on the piano by DHS choral music teacher MaryRuth Boone.

As students left Grand March, they followed into the gymnasium, that had been transformed for the evening into an evening in Paris. Refreshments for the students were set up by parents in the school cafeteria, complete with small table umbrellas and decorations.

The prom continued until 11:30 Saturday night, followed by Project Prom, also hosted by the First Baptist Church.

Photos: Photo #1: Kaitlyn Jarrell and Kendra Stevenson smile for the camera!
Sam Ward and Lauren Powers finish the Grand March and are ready to enjoy the 2011 Junior-Senior Prom!

Editor's Note: The ShowMe Times has prepared three photo galleries of photos from Saturday evening's Prom at Dexter High School. We invite you to visit the galleries; prints and other photo products are available for purchase!

ShowMe Times Prom Gallery #1

ShowMe Times Prom Gallery #2

ShowMe Times Prom Gallery #3

BREAKING NEWS.

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Stoddard and surrounding counties in Southeast Missouri. The Tornado Watch will be in effect 9 p.m., Friday, April 15.

Missouri counties included include Stoddard, Bollinger, Cutler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, New Madrid, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, and Wayne. .

The weather server report that as the line of storms moves close east closer to the Mississippi River they are expected to increase in intensity and coverage. The storms should reach the river by 5 p.m., and several of the storms will likely be severe. .

A Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. .

During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.