Historic Downtown Dexter was all a-buzz Friday evening as shoppers enjoyed a wonderful fall evening of bargains and shopping fun, and seeing old friends in new in the Downtown district.
The Historic Downtown Dexter Association (HDDA) sponsored by Moonlight Madness event, with most of the merchants in the district open with bargains and specials, Christmas gift ideas and holiday decorations. Santa and his helpers even were around for a time to greet young and old on Friday evening before heading back to his ever-busy headquarters at the North Pole.
Folks enjoyed a casual pace of shopping, meandering from shop to shops, chatting with friends along the sidewalks, and enjoying some of the refreshments on hand at several merchants.
Photo Above: Kim Norman greeting shoppers at Locust Street Flowers during the Moonlight Madness eventing Friday in Historic Downtown Dexter. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Times Gallery
Richland Salutes Veterans
The students, faculty and staff at Richland Schools pause on Veterans Day to pay tribute to some special people - veterans. An assembly in veterans' honor as held at the school. LTC Jason Sherman was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included RHS Student Council President Mallory Hillis, Vice President Brandon DeJournett, RHS Principal Casey Rost, and Supt. Frank Killiams. The American colors were presented at the assembly the the members of the New Madrid County Central Jr. ROTC and taps was played by Tristan Wamble, a junior. Participating the Veterans Day assembly were (front row, left to right) David Hunsaker, Doyle Condict, James Barber; (second row) Mick Jones, Curtis Blunt, Bill Carroll, Garry Hux; (third row) Zach Petty, Dalton Gean, Dalton Griffin, Tim Mason; (top row) Dennis Carmack, LTC Jason "Tank" Sherman, Tomi Mason, and Frank Killian. (Photo submitted by SMT reader and RHS faculty member Karen Lane)
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Speaker of the House Steve Tilley has decided he will not be a candidate for lieutenant governor
A Republican from Perryville Tilley cited the desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for withdrawing from the race.
"Being a part-time legislator turned into a full-time job when I became Speaker of the Missouri House," Tilley said in a statement released on Thursday. "As Speaker, I have given up weekends and traveled night after night meeting around the state fulfilling my duties. Running statewide would require me to spend even a greater amount of time apart from my daughters, something I am just not willing to do."
Tilley had send messages to followers on Twitter over the weekend from the Miss Missouri Teen pageant, where daughter Korrin was a contestant.
Tilley was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004 and the 2012 session will mark his final year in the state legislature with no plans to seek reelection. Tilley's campaign was first announced in July. At his campaign announcement this summer he said he would have a “Blue Print for Missouri” address the issues of job creation, education, seniors and veterans afrairs.
Tilley had sought to replace current Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. Kinder has giving consideration to a run for the Governor’s Mansion in 2012, even though he has yet to formally announce his campaign.
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) to introduce two bills that will address the needs of America’s National Guard.
The “National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2011” (S. 1823), which Blunt introduced and Gillibrand cosponsored, would authorize the U.S. Secretary of Defense to include full-time National Guard duty for possible exemption from the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) five-year limit on service.
“The needs of today have left our Guardsmen and women performing duties which are not covered under the USERRA, forcing Guard units to return to duty much sooner than usual. This, in turn, keeps service members away for longer periods of time, often beyond the five-year limit,” Blunt wrote in a statement submitted for the Senate record. “When National Guardsmen and women are working side by side with their Active Duty counterparts supporting critical active duty missions, they should not be forced to decide between keeping their civilian jobs or supporting critical national security missions.”
Blunt also joined Gillibrand in introducing the “National Guard Outreach Act of 2011” (S. 1820), which would help to provide National Guardsmen and women with secure health services, marriage and financial counseling, substance abuse treatment and other services necessary to aid in a smooth transition for those returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Undiagnosed illnesses, left untreated, have long-lasting social, emotional, and financial impacts long after service members are re-integrated into a community. Many Guardsmen and women today lack health insurance and go without heath care as well as behavioral health care,” Blunt wrote. “At no time in America’s history has the National Guard played such a critical role in the defense and security of our homeland. We must make sure all of our nation’s heroes can fulfill their missions without worrying about supporting their families when returning home.”
The bill – Senate Bill 1823 - was introduced on Nov. 8 and was referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Links of Interest
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
It’s that time of year again! Time to roll your clocks back an hour and welcome back dark winter evenings.
Daylight Saving Times officially ends at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, so before going to bed Saturday night set those clocks back an hour so you will be on time to church on Sunday.
Yes, this means you get to sleep in an extra hour. You're welcome.
State Fire Marshal Randy Cole is advising Missourians to also use the opportunity to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms this weekend as they set their clocks back to Standard Time.
“Studies show that more than 60 percent of deadly U.S. fires happen in homes that do not have smoke alarms installed or working properly,” said Cole. “Taking the time to change the batteries in your smoke alarm is the simplest way to protect your family from the threat of a deadly fire.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 40 percent of U.S. residential fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, while 23 percent occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Additionally, the National Safety Council reports that across the U.S., nearly 300 people die each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless poison that can be detected by a carbon monoxide alarm.
National statistics show:
- On average, home fires kill 540 children ages 14 and under each year.
- Eighty percent of the children who die in home fires are killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- From 11 p.m. – 7 a.m.— when people tend to be asleep and the home is dark— is the peak time period for home fire deaths.
- Only 23 percent of U.S. families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
Cole recommends that Missourians regularly check smoke detectors by pushing the test button, plan two escape routes from their homes and practice those escape routes with the entire family.
Link of Interest
US Naval Observatory Master Clock
