By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
They were all there: professionals and young people; friends and family; leaders and fire chiefs from throughout the Bootheel.
The crowd gathered Sunday afternoon to say thanks and good wishes to Dexter Fire Chief Al Banken, who retired Sunday after 48 years of service to Dexter and the region. The reception hosted by the City of Dexter was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Hall.
A trio of fire engines were parked outside the church hall, and inside was a sea of blue-shirted Dexter firemen. Guests made their way through a receiving line to offering best wishes, trade stories and offer hand shakes and hugs to Banken and his wife, Betty.
Throughout the afternoon Banken was recognized and honored for his commitment, dedication and loyalty to the city and to fire safety in the state. Banken received commendations from the City of Dexter, the State Fire Marshall, and State Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, and State Rep. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville, presented Banken with resolutions from the Missouri State House of Representatives and the Missouri State Senate.
Banken regaled the gathering with some tails of days gone by – and paid tribute to wife Betty and his family. All three sons – James, Joey and Greg – were on hand as was Banken’s grandchildren from Cape Girardeau.
“I want to thank my family,” an emotional Banken said, surrounded by his family, with wife Betty right by his side. “I want to recognize Betty.”
The “largest’ recognition of the afternoon came from Banken’s ‘second family’ – the members of the Dexter Fire Department.
“Al, we know you’ve always wanted on, so everyone chipped in,” said Assistant Chief Don Seymore, as the wrapping was lifted to spotlight a deluxe barbecue grill, complete with a plaque from the department.
“Chief: We Appreciate all you knowledge and leadership you have shared with us in the past 48 years. Dexter Fire Chief All Banken. Service Years 1964 – 2012. Thank you – your firefighters.”
Photo Above: High School senior Garrett Wray was one of the hundreds who recognized Dexter Fire Chief Al Banken on his retirement Sunday. Wray is a COE student, working parttime at DFD. (SMT photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Photo Gallery
Reception Honor Fire Chief Al Banken
The deadline for candidates to file for April’s municipal and school board elections is just around the corner.
The deadline for both elections is at 5 p.m, Tuesday, Jan. 17. The deadline has been extended one day throughout the ShowMe State due to the Monday, Jan. 16 observance of Martin Luther King Day.
City Election
Dexter city voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, April 3 to elect a mayor, city collector and aldermen in each ward. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, the following candidates have filed:
- Mayor: Joe E. Weber (incumbent)
- City Collector: Crystal Allstun (incumbent)
- Ward One Alderman: Jerry D. Corder (incumbent)
- Ward Two: Kent Essner (incumbent)
- Ward Three: Ray Pixley (incumbent)
- Ward Two – Unexpired term; One-year: Tim Aslin (incumbent); Billy McClain
School Board
The Dexter R-XI School District will hold an election on April 3 for elect two board members. Candidates who have filed by 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13 include:
- Kenny Pope (incumbent)
- Rick Williams (incumbent)
- Ken Rinehart
- Allen L. Massey
Candidate filing for both elections will continue through the end of business on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Candidates filing for city office may do so at the Dexter City Administration Building on Stoddard Street. Candidates filing for school board may do so at the Dexter R-XI Administration Office on Brown Pilot Road.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
With festivities fitting a special evening, the Dexter Bearcats celebrated Winter Homecoming Friday night at the Bearcat Event Center.
From the lobby with the Bearcat Booster Club and students meeting and greeting fans, the BEC was full of homecoming excitement. A tremendous crowd of Dexter fans and fans from neighboring Bernie, it was a great night for fun, friendships and basketball action.
The Winter Homecoming celebrated five DHS winter activities: Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Basketball Cheerleaders and the DHS Dance Team.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the 2012 Homecoming Queen court prior to the varsity matchup between the Bearcats and the Bernie Mules. Queen candidates and the escorts included:
- Amanda Cooper: Amanda was nominated by the Dance Team. Amanda was escorted by Stevie Payne.
- Stephanie Gee: Stephanie is a senior at DHS, was nominated by the Wrestling Team and she was by Cody Stevens.
- Rilee Jones: Riley was nominated the Cheerleaders, is a senior at DHS, and was escorted Friday evening by Chase Young.
- Taylor Martin: Taylor was nominated by the Boys’ Basketball team and was escorted by Jordan Fitts.
- Chelsey Massey: Chelsey was nominated by the Wrestling team and was escorted by Dylan Hefling.
- Hannah Noe: Hannah was nominated by the Lady Bearcat Basketball team. She is a sophomore at DHS and was escorted Friday evening by Blake Horton.
- Sydnie Rinehart: Sydnie was nominated by the Cheerleaders and was escorted Friday by DJ Dowdy.
- Megan Twewatha: Megan was nominated by the DHS Dance Team was escorted by Brad Potts.
- Miranda Warner: Miranda was nominated by the Boys’ Basketball team and was escorted by Tyler Miller.
- Mollie Whitehead: Mollie was nominated by the Lady Bearcat basketball squad and was escorted by Cody Neldon.
Chosen as the 2012 Winter Homecoming Queen was Stephanie Gee. Stephanie is the daughter of Kim and Brenda Hart and is a member of the DHS Chamber Choir, Student Council, and Rotary Interact, Dexter Show Choir, the Light House Church and TeenAge Republicans.
Her attendants were Mollie Whitehead, daughter of Kristi and Jonathan Whitehead, and Taylor Martin, daughter of Amber and Mike Martin.
The varsity Bearcat basketball team won a thrilling game against the Mule, with a final score of 68 – 61.
The Homecoming festivities continued following the game with the Homecoming Dance for the DHS Student Body.
Photo Above: Stephanie Gee (center) was crowned the 2012 Winter Homecoming Queen at Dexter High School Friday evening. Her alternates were Mollie Whitehead (left) and Taylor Martin (right).
ShowMe Photo Gallery
Winter Homecoming 2012
By Annabeth Miller,SMT Editor
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri is recovering Friday after undergoing surgery to have a coronary stent implanted at a Washington-area medical center.
The procedure took place at George Washington University Hospital after doctors located a blockage in the front of the Senator’s heart as a result of a physical examination earlier this week.
Senator Blunt plans to resume his normal schedule next week.
"I continue to be a strong believer in the life-saving importance of early detection, and I encourage everyone to be proactive about their preventive screenings," Blunt said in a statement.
Blunt won election to the Senate in 2010 and recently was chosen by his Republican colleagues as vice chairman of the Senate GOP conference, the fifth-most senior position in the party's caucus.
Blunt visited Stoddard County this fall. The history buff spent time at the Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield and participated in a roundtable discuss at the Three Rivers College Center in Dexter.
Link Of Interest
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt
Dexter’s Animal Shelter is needing some help this weekend.
The Shelter has some wonderful pets ready for adoption. In fact, they have so many dogs, puppies, and kittens and cats that the facility is at full capacity. Full capacity; ‘no room at the inn’ so to speak.
The Shelter will be hosting a pet Adoption Event beginning at 10 this Saturday (Jan. 14) to help pair puppies, kittens, dogs and cats with new, loving owners.
You will make a pet happy. By adopting from the animal shelter you'll help a homeless pet find a new home. Every dog and cat deserves a home. When you adopt from a shelter, you provide a pet with another chance at finding love and a forever home.
During this time of year adoptions are low but the pet population continues to grow, animal shelter officials said.
What’s Happening
- What: Animal Adoption Event
- Where: Dexter Animal Shelter
- When: Saturday, Jan. 14
- Time: Begins at 10 a.m.
- Address: 601 East Grant Street, Dexter
