^{Written by}

^{Beth Farrah, SMT Writer}

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Chamber of Commerce will be the May Business After Hours event at Four Oaks Hospice with the theme “May Flowers”. The event will take place tomorrow (Tuesday), May 14^th at 5pm-6:30pm. Four Oaks Hospice is located at 1615 Business 60 West, Suite B in Dexter.

This will be a great event that you will not want to miss!

The upcoming Business After Hours for the summer will be hosted by Productive Staffing (June 11^th), National Title and Escrow (July 9^th), First National Bank (August 13^th), and Select Physical Therapy (September 10^th).

Stoddard County, Missouri - Westbound Route 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance. 

This section of roadway is located between Route F and Route WW.

Weather permitting, work will performed Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.

Jefferson City, Missouri -  Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis be flown at half-staff on Saturday, May 11th to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Specialist Charles P. McClure.

Specialist McClure, age 21, formerly of Missouri, was a soldier in the U.S. Army serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait. He died on May 2 of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in Camp Buehring, Kuwait. His funeral will be held on May 11.

 “Specialist McClure served our country with bravery and dedication, and I ask all Missourians to remember his sacrifice when they see the lowered flags,” Gov. Nixon said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they mourn for him.”

Specialist McClure was assigned to the A Battery, 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar (2 awards).

Since most state building are closed over the weekend, many will fly the flag at half-mast all weekend.  It is not required that any business do the same; however it is voluntary to do so.

PFC Charles P. McClure, 21 of New Bloomfield, MO, a United States Army Private First Class, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013 while serving in Kuwait.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Burial with military honors will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Fort Leonard Wood.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2013 in the funeral home.

PFC McClure is survived by his mother: Karrie Gladden Sandfort of Columbia, MO; father: Andy McClure of Cabool, MO; four siblings: Kayce McClure of New Bloomfield, MO, Kayla McClure of Little Rock, AR, Alton McClure of Columbia, MO and Karissa Sandfort of Columbia, MO; maternal grandparents: Garry and Karen Williams of Plato, MO; maternal grandfather: Jerry D. Gladden of New Bloomfield, MO; paternal grandparents: Jim and Doris McClure of Lynchburg, MO; other relatives and friends.

You paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  Thank you for your service and your dedication to our country.

Sikeston, Missouri - The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety is offering a free AARP Driver Safety class, designed for older, experienced drivers. The class will be held Thursday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a break for lunch. It will be located at the Missouri Department of Transportation's Southeast District Office at 2675 North Main St. in Sikeston. 

The class will consist of video presentations, lecture and discussion. There are no tests and will be a number of breaks. The Southeast Coalition is covering the regular class fees of $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Advanced registration is requested. To register, please contact Regional Coalition Contact Sandra Taurone at (573) 388-1259 or via email at sandra.taurone@modot.mo.gov.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest classroom refresher course.

"It is a very informative class, which could help a driver save his/her life or the life of a loved one. While older drivers have fewer crashes than younger drivers, they are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash," said Jim Stricker, a volunteer instructor for the course.

For older drivers, risks to safe driving may arise from health changes affecting vision, hearing or reaction time.

"Safe driving is a challenge for all drivers. Within the class, we will discuss factors that particularly impact older drivers," said Stricker.

He explained during the class, attendees will discuss driving strategies that take into account the effects of aging, common crash situations and ways to reduce the likelihood of a crash. In addition, today's highway system and traffic laws will be reviewed.

"Besides serving as a great refresher course, many insurance companies give a premium discount to individuals for completing a driver safety course," he said.

For more information, please contact Taurone at (573) 388-1259 or via email at sandra.taurone@modot.mo.gov.