Dexter, Missouri - City offices of Dexter will be closed on Monday, January 21st in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Trash will be one day late and there will be no yard waste pick-up on Friday.
The Dexter Public Schools will also be closed on Monday, January 21st in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
This holiday was established a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15th. The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, though the act predated the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by 15 years.
This Federal Holiday was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in the year 2000. Typically all banks, state and federal offices, schools, city and county offices are closed on this day. Check your local businesses and offices before heading out to make sure they are open.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Puxico, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Duck Creek Conservation Area will host the popular “Eagle Days” event for the public on Saturday, February 2nd from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both areas are located on highway 51, just north of Puxico, Missouri. All activities begin at Mingo’s Maintenance Shop.
Peter Rea of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, “This “Eagle Days” event is a great way of celebrating the successful recovery of our National Symbol and we hope that many people can come out to enjoy the day.”
Rea said, “The majestic bald eagle is one of our country’s greatest conservation success stories because as recently as the early 1960s, they were an extremely uncommon site in Missouri and the rest of the lower 48 states.”
Pat Holloway, Missouri Department of Conservation Education Consultant said, “Many area schools have signed up to bring 1,160 students to the area on Friday to view the symbolic bird in its natural habitat.”
“We allow schools to bring classes a day early, so school children have the opportunity and also to lessen the crowd on Saturday,” continued Holloway.
The Eagle Days event is packed with learning opportunities such as exhibits at Mingo’s Visitor Center, live eagle presentations and chances to view bald eagles in the wild. The event is held every other year and jointly coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Missouri Department of Conservation.
Due to the cold weather and frozen conditions in more northern areas, bald eagles return to Southeast Missouri in January and February to fish and hunt.
The bald eagle is considered native to Missouri and thanks to restoration efforts, is now observed nearly statewide. Missouri now has more than 120 active eagle’s nests and the birds were removed from the federal government’s endangered species list with over 7,000 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states.
For more information on bald eagles in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov. for more information about the Eagle Days event, contact Mingo National Wildlife Refuge at 573-222-3589.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Southeast Missouri’s own talent show is making a comeback this spring, as “Show Me Whatcha Got” returns to Poplar Bluff for a second season. The show, which sold out the Tinnin Center last February, is promising to have an even bigger run this year, with more contestants, more shows, and a $1,000 grand prize on the line.
“Show Me Whatcha Got” will hold its first round of online-based auditions from Jan. 21 to Feb. 21. All types of acts are welcomed. Contestants who cannot submit online will also be able to attend recorded audition sessions on Jan. 26 and Feb. 9, held 9 am to 3 pm at the Tinnin Center in Poplar Bluff.
Selected acts will then perform in front of a four-judge panel in two live shows on Apr. 6. The top 12 acts will move on to compete in the final show on June 1, with the $1,000 grand prize winner selected by audience text message vote.
“I’m incredibly excited to see this year’s shows,” said Mitch Davis, the show’s creator and a member of the “Show Me Whatcha Got” judging panel. “We had a great turnout last year, and I’m anticipating a talented, diverse set of contestants this season. We haven’t even opened auditions yet, but we’ve already gotten dozens of people showing interest in competing.’
Davis created the show in late 2011, as a response to the popularity of national TV shows like “America’s Got Talent.” The first competition, which ended in February of 2012, exceeded even Davis’ best expectations, attracting 50 competitors and selling out the Tinnin Center.
Tanisha Jones, a singer, wowed the judges and audience for the grand prize, and is scheduled to return as a guest performer at this season’s final show. Also returning from 2012’s show is judge Tabitha Pierce, who is being joined this year by newcomers Leeza Edmundson and Adam Davis.
“As a musician myself, I noticed that there were all of these talented people around me with nowhere to show off their skills,” Davis said. “There was this void, waiting to be filled. Now, performers from all over Southeast Missouri have a professional, high-quality venue to perform in. We’re also going to be spending the two months between auditions and the live show coaching performers, to help them be at their best for the audience.”
While “Show Me Whatcha Got” is Davis’ brainchild, he said that the secret to the show’s success is its roots in the local community. Both seasons of the contest have been sponsored by local businesses, as well as Three Rivers College. The show is held at the Tinnin Center in Poplar Bluff, and both the judging panel and production staff are made up of local volunteers.
“The community has been really enthusiastic about showing its support for the show,” said Abby Eaker, one of the show’s executive producers. “It helps that they know that it’s produced by people like them, for people like them. With all the help we've been getting, it’s been no problem to get season two off the ground.”
Potential contestants are encouraged to submit audition videos online at smwgtalent@gmail.com, or attend one of the recorded audition sessions.
Online submissions should include name, age, city of residence, and what the contestant would use the prize money for. For more information, go to facebook.com/showmewhatchagot, twitter.com/showmewhatchagot, or call 573-300-1412.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Joseph will be entertaining on keyboard at Dhafer's Mediterranean Steakhouse, Friday evening between the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Joseph is quite the talented high school student who is building a reputation as a local musician.
A senior now at Dexter Senior High School and preparing for graduation, Joseph is not only talented on the keyboard, but plays the saxophone as well. He jams with the Dexter Jazz Cats and he has consistently received accolades at the district and state levels for his ability to play saxophone as well as the piano.
He recently auditioned for the Missouri State Band and Jazz Band in Columbia, Missouri where he was named the All State Jazz Piano Player. He will be performing at Tan-Tar-A, in the Lake of the Ozarks with the All State Jazz Band at the MMEA Conference. This conference is attended by thousands of music educators from across Missouri. The performance will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2013.
This is a must see performance at Dhafer's Mediterranean Steakhouse, which is located at 117 S. Locust in Dexter. They have a wonderful selection of fine foods and wines. This is the perfect restaurant to bring your family and friends and you will enjoy an evening of memorable music.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - KFVS12 Heartland Blood Drive is under way and the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Old Hwy 25 is having a Blood Drive January 10th and 11th from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. and January 12th from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This year’s drive is sponsored by Subway.
“The annual KFVS12 Heartland Blood Drive follows a critical shortage of blood products, “ says Scott L. Caswell, CEO of the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. “We applaud KFVS12 and their viewers for answering the call to help patients in need.”
Call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org, sponsor-code KFVS12, to schedule an appointment to donate blood, and help save lives at the blood drive nearest you.
Potential donors must be 17 years old (16 with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form); meet weight requirements and be in good health. Donors should remember to bring a picture ID.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Blood donations typically decline during the winter months, due to factors such as holiday travels, inclement weather, and seasonal illnesses.
