Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

State of Missouri - The Missouri State Highway Patrol, a premiere law enforcement agency, is testing for new troopers. The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, and will offer testing at nine different locations in Missouri. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 99th Recruit Class, scheduled to begin training on July 1, 2014. The application deadline is August 23, 2013.

To be eligible candidates must possess a minimum of 60 college credits, or two years of federal active duty military service with an honorable discharge, or two years of POST-certified, full-time law enforcement experience at the time recruit training begins.

Test locations and dates include:

Troop G (Willow Springs) -- July 20, 2013 
Troop E (Poplar Bluff) -- July 27, 2013 
Troop D (Springfield) -- August 3, 2013 
Troop I (Waynesville) -- August 3, 2013 
Troop A (Lee’s Summit) -- August 24, 2013 
Troop B (Macon) -- August 24, 2013 
Troop C (Weldon Spring) -- August 31, 2013 
Troop H (St. Joseph) -- September 7, 2013
General Headquarters (Jefferson City) -- September 9, 11, 13, and 14, 2013

The starting salary for trooper is $3,095 per month while in training; $3,281 per month after six months; and $3,578 per month at two years of service. Other benefits include group health insurance, contributory retirement, career advancement, and more.

The selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure including: written examination, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation, and oral interview board. After a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination (to include vision and hearing), psychological examination, a psychological interview, drug screening, and final applicant review. 

Interested persons can find out more about the qualifications by contacting a Patrol recruiter at telephone number 1-800-796-7000, or may apply online at www.motrooper.com. 

The number of successful candidates being extended an offer of employment is contingent upon factors such as budget constraints and the number of vacant positions statewide.

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri - Every year Americans empty their wallets buying fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday. According to the American Pyrotechnic Association, in the year 2010 alone Americans spent more than $600 million on fireworks. But how exactly do these creations work?

According to Dr. Nikolay Gerasimchuk, associate professor of chemistry at Missouri State University, fireworks are a type of inorganic chemistry that contains two very important classes of compounds: propellants and explosives.

The colors visible when a firework explodes are caused by a large volume of gases mixing with heat, which creates the ignition of certain particles within the firework:

Magnesium and pieces of burning foil create the look of a shower of white stars falling from the sky.

Barium nitrate and copper creates a bright green color.

Potassium mixed with lithium creates a soft lilac color in the sky.

Together with the mixing of certain gases we get many beautiful colors.  Silver is the burning of aluminum, titanium, or magnesium powder or flakes.  Yellow is the burning of sodium compounds and orange is created when calcium salts are burned.

Though the origins of fireworks was not associated with the 4th of July, but with New Year's Eve; however It has now become an annual tradition that everyone enjoys.

The Dexter Fireworks Display will be held at dusk on Wednesday, July 3rd.  Bloomfield Fireworks Display will be held on July 4th.

Submitted by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

This has been another landmark year for Three Rivers College, as our efforts have resulted in continued unprecedented growth and major achievements in serving students and the region. The end of the 2013 fiscal year seemed a per­fect time to review college accomplishments.

In April, Three Rivers was named one of the fastest growing community colleges in America by Community College Week, the nation’s leading periodical for community, technical, and junior colleges. Record enrollment last fall topped 4,600 students, marking a 50 percent increase over the past five years.

These enrollment numbers included a record number of dual credit students. The college is providing dual credit courses to more than 400 students at 40 high schools. Our dual credit pro­gram helps area high schools provide challenging coursework for high-achieving students and helps their parents save money.

Corresponding to record enrollment, Three Rivers set a record in May for the number of graduates. The Three Rivers Class of 2013 was awarded more than 700 degrees and certificates, up 14 percent over 2012.

Three Rivers continues to build toward the fu­ture. We are nearing completion of a $2.2 million transformation of the Academic Resource Com­mons (ARC) into a one-stop hub for all academic support services on the Poplar Bluff campus. This was done debt-free using state funds and college resources.

Inside the ARC will be a center for the college’s Transitional Math and English courses. These courses are the result of a faculty-led project to redesign developmental courses to more effec­tively and more quickly prepare students for col­lege level work. The college received a $2 million U.S. Department of Education Strengthening In­stitutions grant for this innovative project.

In July 2012, Three Rivers signed transfer agree­ments with the University of Missouri to expand accessibility to higher education. The agreement allows several Three Rivers associate degrees to transfer directly into corresponding University of Missouri bachelor’s degree programs at MU and online. Programs include nursing, teaching, for­estry, occupational and physical therapy assistant, and more.

We began administering Licensed Practical Nurse programs in Kennett and Hayti which will see its first graduates this summer.

In response to our efforts to better assist our growing veteran population, Three Rivers was accepted as a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium and earned a spot on the G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools List, putting the college among the top 15 percent of institutions nationwide noted for offering high-value education and a welcoming environment for veterans.

For the second consecutive year, Three Rivers was ranked among the top 10 safest college and university campuses in Missouri by StateUniver­sity.com.

Three Rivers has enhanced our efforts at serv­ing high-performing students and experienced a large increase in membership in the Sigma Rho chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for two-year colleges. We inducted 70 new members this spring, almost doubling our chapter’s membership.

For the 2012-13 academic year, the Three Rivers Endowment Trust awarded more than $32,000 in scholarships to Three Rivers students. The Endowment Trust, the 501(c)(3) not-for-prof­it organization designated by Three Rivers College to receive and manage gifts on behalf of the Col­lege, continues to work to support Three Rivers and its students.

Three Rivers continued efforts to strengthen the area workforce by securing grants and part­nering with employers. Funds secured included:

• $1.1 million from Department of Labor for healthcare workforce training to offer Certi­fied Nursing Assistant classes at no or little cost to participants.

• $250,000 from Missouri Foundation for Health for increasing retention of nursing students.

• $200,000 from Delta Regional Authority for mobile skills training lab.

• $265,000 in state money for firefighting and public safety training.

• $275,000 from the Missouri New Jobs Train­ing Program to provide training for Invensys Controls in West Plains.

• $800,000 from the Missouri Job Retention Training Program to provide training for SRG Global in Portageville.

In October, Three Rivers College and Clearwater High School opened a Public Computing Center in Piedmont.

In November, Three Rivers College was se­lected as a stop on the 2012 Freshman Legislator Tour. About 80 new Missouri legislators heard the story of what Three Rivers is doing for our stu­dents and our region.

There have been numerous donations includ­ing 32.9 acres of land donated by Scott Mat­thews, valued at approximately $2 million. The land adjoins Matthews’ previous donation where the college is building our Eastern Campus.

We are continuing to build our staffing to meet needs, increasing payroll about 28 percent in the past three years.

And in June 2013, the Three Rivers Board of Trustees approved the largest budget in the his­tory of the college, with $23.9 million in the op­erating budget plus $10.5 million in the capital budget. Combined, this $34.4 million budget will create a $206 million economic impact on the re­gion as these dollars are spent in the area. Also contributing to the area economy is the more than $25 million in financial aid that Three Rivers awards to students each year.

Three Rivers is nearing completion of a $2.2 million transformation of the Academic Resource Commons into a one-stop hub for all academic support services on the Poplar Bluff campus.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri - Using consumer fireworks on New Years is a tradition.  And it can be safe if a few common sense rules are followed, says Ralph Apel, the spokesperson for the National Council on Fireworks Safety. Consumer fireworks go through vigorous third party testing in China before being shipped to the United States.  But he notes, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), there were an estimated 9,600 fireworks related injuries during the Fourth of July season in 2011.  Most of these injuries would not have occurred if the fireworks had been used under close adult supervision and if some basic safety steps had been taken.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these common sense safety tips for using consumer fireworks in hopes that injuries to consumers can be greatly reduced this season:

• Know your fireworks; Read the warning labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• Have a designated shooter to organize and shoot your family show.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens if they are using fireworks.
• Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Wear safety glasses whenever using fireworks.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.
• Never attempt to alter or modify consumer fireworks and use them only in the manner in which they were intended.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges Americans to follow common sense safety rules in their holiday celebrations.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks.  For a full list of consumer fireworks safety tips and a safety video, please visit www.FireworksSafety.org.

The Dexter Fireworks Display will be held at dusk on Wednesday, July 3rd.  Happy 4th of July!

Submitted by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Jason Smith announced his appointment to the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees in the 113^th Congress. Smith was welcomed to both committees today during regularly scheduled hearings.

“The Judiciary Committee will be tackling some of the biggest issues facing our country. From immigration reform to recent reports of government surveillance, the Judiciary Committee will play a key role in crafting national policy. I look forward to working with Chairman Goodlatte and other members of the Committee during this important time,” said Smith. “The Natural Resources Committee is of great importance to families living in South East and South Central Missouri. As the operator of my family farm, I know firsthand the challenges farm families face from Washington regulations. Our district is also home to the Mark Twain National Forest, National Scenic Riverways and mining and timber interests. I look forward to working with Chairman Hastings and other members of the Natural Resources Committee to protect private property rights and bring a little common sense to the national debate.”

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Bob Goodlatte, (R-VA) welcomed Smith to the Committee.

“I am pleased to welcome Jason Smith to the House Judiciary Committee.  His background as an attorney and a small business owner make him particularly well suited to the work of our Committee. I look forward to working with Jason on the many important issues that will be debated before the Judiciary Committee.” 

Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Doc Hastings, (R-WA) welcomed Smith to the Committee.

“I’m pleased to welcome the newest Member of Congress, Rep. Jason Smith, to the Committee on Natural Resources.  Having grown up on a family farm, Jason understands the importance of responsibly harvesting our natural resources and how crucial it is for jobs and economic growth. I look forward to having Jason’s expertise on the Committee and am confident he’ll be a strong advocate for the people of Missouri.”