Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Many Dexter folks looked out their window to find snow falling this afternoon. The white stuff came down so quickly that in less than a couple of hours Dexter schools were letting out and the roads were rather slick.
Winter weather calls for drivers to make adjustments! The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages motorists to plan ahead and drive safely or not at all during inclement weather.
Drivers: Take the time to clean snow and ice completely from your vehicle. Allow extra driving time for you to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed. Make sure the windows are completely cleared to ensure visibility. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.
Keep in mind that Section 307.020 RSMo. states that lighted lamps are required "from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead."
Have you winterized your vehicle? Have a mechanic check the battery, heater, defroster, lights, hoses, belts, brakes, oil, tires, wipers, and fluid levels. Before you travel, gather an ice scraper, tire chains, battery booster cables, blankets, flashlight, and a bag of sand to place in your trunk. Emergencies cannot be predicted, but planning for them can help you if one should arise. Missouri’s Road Condition Report (1-800-222-6400) can help you plan your route--before you leave. This number gives an automated listing of road conditions throughout the state. You may also view MoDOT’s Road Condition Map by going to the Patrol’s web site www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and clicking on the Road Condition icon.
When inclement weather hits, please adjust how you drive so that you continue to "exercise the highest degree of care". For instance: Stopping quickly in the winter on snow-covered or icy roads is next to impossible. Use care by increasing your following distance as you drive. Increase your following distance to five seconds or more. Section 304.012 RSMo. directs motorists to exercise the highest degree of care on Missouri's roadways. This part of Missouri law states, "Every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care."
Ask yourself if the speed you're traveling is safe for the weather conditions. Slow down when driving in snow or on ice. Driving the speed limit may not be "exercising the highest degree of care" during inclement weather; driving over the speed limit never is.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is here to serve and protect. If you become stranded or see another vehicle stranded on the side of the road with passengers, please call the Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number at 1-800-525-5555 or dial *55 on a cellular phone. These numbers ring at the nearest troop headquarters.
Planning ahead and being a courteous driver are important every day. In winter driving conditions, this becomes crucial. Please slow down, pay attention, and wear your seat belt.
Of course, no matter how safely you drive, you can’t control other drivers. Thus, the Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Click It 4 Life.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri – Two very good friends came together for a worthwhile cause and have created what they hope will be a new “movement” in Stoddard County!
Alexis Smith, a sophomore and her best friend, Jacob Robinson, a junior, both attending Dexter High School are just “Two People With One Goal!” They are on a mission to stomp out poverty in Stoddard County.
These two very special students decided to take a stand to end the impoverished conditions that many people in our community live in.
According to their website, www.endpovertystoddardcounty.com the poverty rate in Stoddard County is around 16.9%, being one of the highest counties in the state of Missouri. That means one out of six people in Stoddard County live below the poverty line.
“When I looked around me, and I saw all the people hurting and I knew that it was time for me to stand up and try to make a difference,” Alexis stated. Her goal is for this organization to reach out to as many folks as possible and decrease the number of those living in poverty.
“We realize how lucky we are and we feel like it is time to speak up and give back to the people in need, “ continued Alexis.
Jacob too has realized that there are so many with so little. As a student he should be focused on school, sports and having fun, but when a fellow classmate made a comment, it went straight to his heart. “ When I heard a student at my local high school talk about how the school food is their only meal during the day, I found this unacceptable. People should not be going hungry in America, not this day in age.” stated Jacob.
“It’s time for the community to unite and fight against poverty,” continued Robinson, "That's our mission!"
Both students are very active in their school and community. Alexis is planning to major in Biology and further her education by going to medical school. She is involved in student council, FBLA, FLC, TARS, FCA, and attends the Bernie Church of Christ.
Jacob is also very active in school. He will attend college and eventually follow his dream of attending medical school and hopes to be a dermatologist. He is involved in FBLA, FLC, TARS, FTA, STUCO, and is a Dexter Honor Society Member. He is active in high school tennis as well.
So now you have two students who have their first goal of how to rid poverty in Stoddard County. They have endeavored to start a Coat Drive and it has already been successful with a several donations.
Beginning now until January 31st they have a goal of collecting 100 coats. Exceeding their goal would enrich the lives of even more kids and adults who need coats during these very cold days of January.
Drop off locations in Dexter are Dexter Medical Center, located next to Sonic, and if you have a student at T.S. Middle School, you can simply take the coats to the library and give to Mrs. Robinson.
Drop off location in Essex is the 1 Stop located next to First Commercial Bank.
Pick-ups are available as well and you may contact one of the following:
Jacob Robinson (573)-552-2108
Alexis Smith (573) 820-5699
Joe Foster (573) 421-5228 in the Essex area
They hope to have more drop-off locations throughout the county very soon so check out their website or their newly created Facebook page for continuing updates. The Facebook page is EndPovertyInStoddardCounty.
Alexis and Jacob plan to deliver the coats to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. Any children-sized coat will be distributed to the elementary schools throughout the county, so the school faculty can give the coats directly to the children that need them the most.
With the public’s help, they plan to host coat, food, shoes, clothes, and school supplies drives throughout 2013. They wish to host a 5k run, provide sack lunches in parks to impoverished children, adopt families, and continue to raise awareness about the conditions of the people in our own community.
They are asking for your commitment and your ideas. Together they can help make poverty and the suffering it causes a thing of the past.
If you wish to help financially, they have online donating available on their website and every dollar donated will go directly to hosting events and buying items for the needy of our community.
So please however you can, help these students accomplish their goals it will truly be rewarding.
This is truly a worthwhile cause and for two high school students to step up and take on such a huge challenge is remarkable. The ShowMe Times will be reporting on their continued success and keep you up-to-date as they are simply "Two People With One Goal" and a whole lot of heart!
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.
