The sixth – and final – children’s program in the Summer Reading Program at Dexter’s Keller Public Library will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 20.

As the finale for the six-week program, “One World, Many Stories”, the Zoofari program will feature live animals from six continents. Animal Tales, based in Mayfield, Ken., will bring its ZooFari Earth program to the local library. The program and fun and interactive learning experience with live animals.

Library Director Pam Trammell stressed the different starting time for Wednesday’s program. The Zoofari day will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The Summer Library Program is free and open to all children. The Friends of the Library organization underwrite the cost of the summer young people's reading program.

I>Cameron, Marie and Eli were among the many youngsters who traveled the world this summer during the "One World, Many Stories" summer reading program at Keller Public Library in Dexter. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Southeast Missouri is sweltering under a punishing sun and smothering humidity, and the forecast doesn’t provide much hope for relief in the near future.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Dexter and Stoddard County region through 7 p.m. Saturday. In addition, an Excessive Heat Watch is issued for today through 6 p.m. this evening.

Technically, the NWS says we are under a “heat dome” and it has us under a huge mass of hot air that simply is not moving.

The heat index is expected to reach between 105 and 115 degrees in the afternoon and early evening hours. The weather service issues an excessive heating warning because of the dangerous combination of heat and humidity.

The NWS warning states that heat index values will remain dangerously high through Saturday. These heat index values will lead to dangerous conditions for anyone planning outdoor work or play, as well as those without air conditioning. The conditions will be especially dangerous for the very young and old, as well as those with chronic health conditions. The effects of high heat are cumulative, meaning the risk of heat-related illness increases each day as the heat wave continues.

Health care officials and the weather service advise individuals drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned environment and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

In Dexter, there is a cooling center open at the Dexter Senior Center on West Stoddard Street. The center is open until 3 p.m. daily.

If it’s any consolation, we are not alone with our heat wave. Forecasters say heat warnings and advisories are in place in 17 states, from Texas to Michigan.

Technically, the term is a “heat dome” and it has us under a huge mass of hot air that simply is not moving. Those who must work or spend extended time outside are reminded to take precautions to prevent heat-induced illness. They should:

* Reschedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening hours.
* Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
* Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
* Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
* Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun.
* Those without air conditioning should keep their home well-ventilated with fans and try to spend some time in an air-conditioned environment to give their bodies a break from the heat.
* Take frequent rest breaks if you work outside.

Photo Above: This sunflower will have plenty of time to follow the sun today and the rest of this week, as a "Heat Dome" hovers over the region, bringing excessive and dangerous heat and humidity. (Annabeth Miller file photo)

Motorists in Southeast Missouri should prepare for another week of road repairs on Highway 25.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that in Stoddard County, Highway 25 will be reduced to one lane while crews patch the roadway. The section of roadway is located from Route E (Bloomfield) to Route M.[br>
Work in Stoddard County is scheduled to continue through Wednesday.

In Dunklin County, roadwork is scheduled on Highway 25 from County Road 426 to White Oak. This work is scheduled to take place Monday and Tuesday.

MoDOT officials report the work zone will be marked with signs and motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Photo Above: MoDOT crews work in the southbound lanes of Highway 25 just north of the intersection with Business Highway 114 Monday morning. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

The trio of candidates who have thrown their hat into the political ring for the Bootheel’s seat in the state senate have been busy this spring and summer on the campaign fundraising trail.

Republicans Billy Pat Wright of Dexter and Jeff Shawan of Poplar Bluff and Democrat Terry Swinger of Caruthersville have all announced they will seek the seat vacated by State Senator Rob Mayer of Dexter in the 2012 election. Mayer is unable to run for another term in the Missouri General Assembly because of term limits.

All three candidates filed quarterly reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission for the second quarter of the year. The reports were due to the MEC by midnight, July 15.

While Swinger, who currently serves District 162 in the Missouri House of Representatives, did the least amount of fundraising during the quarter, he still has the largest campaign chest.

Swinger reported only three donations in the quarter, the largest from the Missouri Optometric PAC in Jefferson City for $5,000. In total, Swinger ended the quarter with a balance of cash on hand of $73,238.64.

Swinger is the only Democrat who has, to date, expressed an intention to run for the Bootheel state senate seat.

Republican Billy Pat Wright, who serves District 154 in the Missouri House, received $13,720 in cash donations and $1,050 in-kind donations during the quarter for a total of $14,760. Wright reported ending the quarter with $14,480.83 cash on hand.

Wright had several large contributors who gave his campaigning committee $1,000 or more during the quarter. Those donors were Bill Perkins, Dexter, $1,000; James Lincoln and Associates, Sikeston, $2,000; Heartland Furniture and Appliance, Poplar Bluff, $1,000; Autry Morlan Chevrolet, Cadillac, Dexter, $1,000; and Bill Foster, Jefferson City, $1,000.

Shawan, who is a newcomer to regional politics, reported receiving a total of $29,329, 40 in donations during the quarter. Unlike Swinger and Wright, Shawan had a hefty balance of in-kind donations. Of his total fundraising efforts in the quarter, Shawan reported $13,266 in in-kind gifts.

In-kind gifts Shawan received included $4,498 in three donations from Ben Adkins of Poplar Bluff; and Tom Peluso of Peluso Photography, Poplar Bluff, $1,755.

Other large contributors for Shawan include Daniel Coffman, Poplar Bluff, $1,000; Gary Simmons, Poplar Bluff, $500; James Seawright, Gardner, Kans., $500; Betty Pruitt, Poplar Bluff, $500; John Greer, Poplar Bluff, $500; Paul and Liz Shawan, $500; Larry Hillis, Poplar Bluff, $500.

Shawan had a balance at the end of the quarter of $28,738.11 including a loan of $10,000 from Shawan to his campaign that was reported to the Ethics Commission earlier in the month.

District 25 covers seven counties -- Butler, Ripley, Wayne, Stoddard, Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot. The legislative redistricting process may include some boundary changes before the 2012 election.

Photo Above: Top: State Rep Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville; Middle: State Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter; Bottom: Businessman Jeff Shawan, Poplar Bluff. (SMT File Photos)

JEFFERSON CITY – Legislation carried through the General Assembly by Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, will ensure that babies capable of sustaining life outside the womb are not subject to late-term abortions.

Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Mayer, and House Bill 213, handled by the Senate leader in the upper chamber, will change provisions relating to abortions in Missouri with respect to viability by preventing the abortion of unborn babies of the gestational age of 20 weeks or more who are determined by a physician to be viable outside of the mother’s womb.

“This legislation continues lawmakers’ work to protect those who have yet to have a voice,” said Mayer. “At 20 weeks, the mother is half-way through her pregnancy. Her baby’s organs are developing and moving to their proper places, the brain continues to form and grow, and the baby can even swallow. Some mothers can even begin to feel their baby’s movements and many parents around this time find out if they are having a girl or a boy. Protections found in this legislation needed to be put into place to prevent unnecessary and horrific ends to these lives.”

The legislation will, with the exception of a medical emergency, require the physician to determine the gestational age of the unborn child before performing an abortion. If the doctor determines the baby is 20 weeks or more, the physician would test for viability. If viable, no abortion could be performed unless it is necessary to preserve the life of the woman. If the unborn child is 20 weeks or more, not determined viable, and an abortion is performed, SB 65 and HB 213 requires the doctor to submit a report to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Penalties for violating the provisions of this bill include a Class C felony, and a physician who pleads guilty to or is convicted of performing or inducting an abortion in violation of this act would be subject to having his or her license to practice medicine in Missouri suspended for three years. In addition, any hospital or ambulatory surgical center that knowingly violates this act will be subject to suspension or revocation of its license.

“Missouri law already requires mothers to receive information about alternatives to abortion,” said Mayer. “This legislation goes further by preventing late-term abortions in our state, allowing those babies capable of sustaining life outside the womb a chance to life. I’m proud of our work in the Legislature and I will continue to fight for those who need representation.”