By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMeTimes Editor
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has burned a lot of roadway in the ShowMe State in the last year.
From Atchison County in the far northwest corner to Pemiscot County in the Bootheel, Blunt has visited every one of Missouri 114 counties and the City of St. Louis since being sworn into the U.S. Senate in January 2011.
In September 2011, Blunt visited Stoddard County, touring the Star and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield as well as the Three Rivers College Center in Dexter. At Three Rivers, Blunt joined in a “round table” discussion with college president Dr. Devin Stephenson, Dexter Mayor Joe Weber and other community and college leaders on the education and economic needs of the Dexter area.
“Missouri truly reflects a snapshot of America,” said Blunt. “Over the last 15 months, I’ve been honored to visit each of our 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.”
And Blunt’s journeys across the state have been documented, and a new video of the senator’s travels produced. The video shows Blunt in schools, factories, and at community events around the state.
“From skyrocketing gas prices to lagging job growth and disaster recovery efforts, families and job creators are facing real problems in our state today,” Blunt continued. “I’m very thankful for the chance to represent Missourians in the U.S. Senate, and I’ll continue to do all that I can to ensure that our state’s needs are met.”
Senator Blunt Visits Every Missouri County
Photo Above: U.S. Senator Roy Blunt visited the Three Rivers College Center in Dexter in September 2011, one of his many visits throughout the state. Blunt spoke with (from left) college president Dr. Devin Stephenson, Blunt, State Rep. Billy Pat Wright of Dexter, and Center Coordinator Bill Hampton. (ShowMe Times archive photo by Annbeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Area seniors currently have the opportunity to become involved in a statewide program to promote Missouri's older adults.
The Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) is a formally elected body of citizens 60 years of age or older that promote conscientious legislative advocacy for Missouri’s older adults.
According to Ruth Dockins, the SHL Coordintor for Southeast Missouri, members are volunteers who serve without pay.
"Currently there are no term limits so a delegate may be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms. The elected delegates participate in a mock legislative session patterned after the Missouri General Assembly. The session is held in Jefferson City in the fall of each year. Many of the activities take place in the Senate and House chambers of the Capitol building." she explained.
Dockins said SHL delegates work all year as advocates for senior issues. They are kept abreast of proposed legislation and stay in touch with the legislators. Many of the legislators contact the SHL delegates asking for their input on proposed legislation.
There are 10 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Missouri and SHL delegates are elected from each AAA area. This brings about 150 seniors together in Jefferson City to present bills, debate issues, and choose the top five for which they will advocate during the year.
Dockins said persons interested in becoming a SHL delegate should file a Declaration of Candidacy with the SEMO Area Agency on Aging office.
"This statement must arrive in the office by close of business on April 23," she said A declaration may be obtained by contacting the SEMO AAA office at 1-800-392-8771 or locally at 335-3331 or pick one up at your local senior center.
The counties of Southeast Missouri are divided into three regions for purposes of SHL representation. The Bootheel region is made up of the counties of Stoddard, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Dunklin. This region has only one seat open this year. This is for one Representative.
The May 8 election will be held at the area senior centers during regular business hours.
Donna Caldwell of Wappapello said her life won’t change following a $100,000 Missouri Lottery win. The regular Lottery player is going to keep on doing what she does, which hopefully includes uncovering another top prize like the one she found on a “10X The Money” Scratchers ticket.
“I just always seem to do good on it,” she began. “I win $50, $100, $300, $500, so it’s just my favorite. Yesterday, I won $100,000 on it, so it’s really my favorite now.”
“I still have to go to work every day,” admitted the home healthcare professional and part-time bartender.
It was a winning streak that led Caldwell, 54, to Calhoun’s Foods, 505 Sycamore, in Poplar Bluff.
“I had a $10 ticket, and I had won $10 on it,” she explained. “I went to Casey’s and got me two lucky 7’s (tickets). I won $5 on the first one and $100 on the next one. So I went over to Food-Rite, because my sister had called me; she’s disabled and lives with me, and she wanted some fried chicken. Well, they didn’t have their deli going, so I just stuck $20 in the machine.”
Caldwell said she bought two “10X The Money” tickets and five “Triple Winning 7’s” tickets. She won $17 before uncovering the $100,000 top prize.
“I sat there and shook,” she recalled. “I counted it like 20 times with my hands shaking and my knees knocking.”
Caldwell wasn’t too flustered to go show the store clerk.
“I said, ‘You’re not going to believe this.’ I gave the girl the $17,” said Caldwell.
Plans for the windfall include fixing up one of her houses.
“One house needs some work done on it, and I’m going to help my children,” she declared.
Aside from that, Caldwell said it was just another day.
“Just have fun. That’s what I do it for,” she offered.
“10X The Money” is a $5 game that officially began April 30, 2011. Caldwell claimed the seventh of nine top prizes available in the game. Track prizes remaining for any Missouri Lottery Scratchers game here at Molottery.com.
SIKESTON - For Missouri Department of Transportation crews, spring marks the beginning of striping season. Work to re-stripe various state routes in Poplar Bluff, Dexter, Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, Kennett and Jackson will begin Monday, April 9, weather permitting.
Striping work will be underway from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, April 13.
"Our striping caravan is a continuous, moving operation," said District Traffic Engineer Craig Compas. "Due to the fact that the operation is always moving, no stationary signs will be posted. Proper safety measures will be in place during each operation, including warning signs on MoDOT striping vehicles. We urge motorists to use extreme caution and allow the machinery the space needed to properly apply the reflective paint."
Motorists are advised to stay back 500 feet and follow all safety signage.
"For the safety of area motorists and our MoDOT crews, motorists should not pass any of the equipment while it is operational," said Compas. "In addition to safety issues, we also suggest that motorists do not pass the equipment, to avoid getting paint on their vehicles."
The reflective paint used to stripe roadways is a unique type of paint chosen for its reflective and adhering qualities.
"The paint is designed to ‘stick' to the roadway, which means it will stick to other surfaces that it comes in contact with too. If you pass the striping equipment, you may be taking the chance of getting paint on your personal vehicle," he said.
For additional information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Voters in Stoddard County headed to the polls Tuesday to decide municipal and school board issues throughout the county.
It only took Stoddard County Clerk Joe Watson and his staff only 40 minutes to count all the ballots and issue a unofficial “grand total” report Tuesday event. According to Watson only 1,596 ballots were cast in total in the county.
Few surprises evolved from Tuesday’s election, especially in the City of Dexter, where there was only one contested race.
Ward II Alderman Tim Aslin, who was appointed earlier last year to fill the unexpired term in the ward, handily won election to a one year-term on the Board of Aldermen. Aslin defeated opponent Billy McClain 140 to 21. All other officials on the ballot, including mayor Joe Weber, City Collector Chrystal Allstun, and Aldermen Jerry Corder, Kent Essner and Ray Pixley were unopposed in Tuesday’s election.
The incumbents were victorious in the Dexter R-XI Board of Education election. Kenny Pope garnered 367 votes and fellow board member Rick Williams 274 votes to both be reelected to the board.
Newcomer Ken Rinehart received 220 votes, and Allen Massey 55 in the school board race.
The Dexter Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 17 to reorganize and swear the newly reelected member in for a new term.
The Dexter Board of aldermen will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, April 16 for its reorganization meeting and two swear in newly elected officials.
Countywide Election Results (Unofficial)
Photo Above: Dexter Board of Eduction incumbents Rick Williams (left) and Kenny Pope were reelected in Tuesday's election. (ShowMe Time File Photo by Annabeth Miller)
