By Annabeth Miller
ShowMe Times Editor

Parking. A business district has to have parking available for shoppers and visitors. But what happens when vehicles stay in the same parking spot for hours on end – limiting the parking available for more shoppers and visitors.

It’s like a circle with no end.

Parking in the downtown district was a topic of conversation Monday evening at meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen. City Administrator Mark Stidham explained that some merchants have in the past made complaints about long-term parking in the downtown district, and that he and Police Chief Sammy Stone were studying the issue.

“It’s an ongoing issues – we know that,” Stidham said. One suggestion Stidham offered to aldermen was to make a stretch of Stoddard Street limited to two hours parking in a spot. The proposed area could possible stretch on Stoddard Street from Catalpa to Poplar.

“I think we should do something,” said Ward 2 Alderman Dr. Rick Hux. Also was presiding at Monday’s meeting as the President of the Board of Aldermen in the absence of Mayor Joe Weber. “I would like to have input from the citizens and see how they feel. I definitely feel it is something we need to consider.”

During Committee Reports, Ward 1 Alderman Jerry Corder suggested that additional signs are needed for the new Dexter Welcome Center at the Depot in the downtown district.

“The sign that is there in front is wonderful, but I think there needs to be something there on Walnut Street,” Corder commented. He suggested smaller signs visible on Walnut directing visitors to the new center.

The city will be hosting an Open House at the New Dexter Welcome Center from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. The public is invited to visit the newly renovated Depot.

The Public Safety Committee met prior to the Board, and recommended the appointment of Stephanie Credille as a fulltime dispatcher for the Police Department.

Hux, as the president of the board, agreed with the committee and appointed Credile to the position. The board unanimously confirmed her appointment.

Also on the recommendation of the committee, Hux appointed Jeff Hueckel as a paid on-call member of the Dexter Fire Department. His appointment was also unanimously confirmed by the board.

Parks and Recreation Department Lawson Metcalf reported that the Dexter Aquatic Center has been filled with water and it has been chemically treated in preparation for the summer season. In fact, Metcalf reported a lifeguarding class had its first lesson Monday evening at the complex.

“The water is 58 degrees tonight,” he reported, bringing many to shivers in the room.

In other business Monday, the board:

• Received a report from Water superintendent Tom Espy that work was underway on the construction of the new lift station on Fairground Road;

• Was informed by Library Director Pam Trammell that Dexter will host the Southeast Missouri Library Directors meeting on April 26;

• Confirmed the reappointment of Greg Mathis to a new four-year term on the Cemetery Board; and Pat Miller, Tracey Elfrink and Ben Worley to new two-year terms on the Parks and Recreation Board.

The next regular meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen is scheduled for Monday, May 2.

Photo Above: Ward 1 Alderman Jerry Corder discussed signs directing travelers to the Dexter Welcome Center at Monday's meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.

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