Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
The annual regional meeting, hosted by Barton Mutual Insurance of Liberal, Missouri, brought together independent agents for instruction in sales, product offerings, and industry endeavors.
Barton Mutual is a property-casualty insurer that writes approximately $25 million in premium in Homeowners, Farm Owners, Commercial, Rental, and Vacant Dwelling Lines of insurance throughout Missouri utilizing approximately 300 agencies.
Shown in the picture is Dave Ellinghouse of County Wide Insurance. If you are interested in purchasing insurance or would like a quote please contact them at 573-624-5540 or visit their website County Wide Insurance. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook. County Wide Insurance is located at 140 S. Walnut in Dexter.
Dexter, Missouri - Welcome Home Kyle Cox, Welcome Home! It was an emotional homecoming for Kyle and his family. Wrapped in his girlfriend's arms, Taylor Fuwell, tears of joy and relief rolled down their cheeks. His family cheering in the background waiving posters and signs.
Kyle became an EMT and works for the Stoddard County Ambulance Service, but more than anything he wanted to serve his country. A Dexter High School graduate of the class of 2007, Kyle has served proudly and has been deployed with the OEF 12-13 2nd Platoon 2nd squad 704th En Co.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
The Buzz energizes familiar classic rock favorites that will cause your toe to tap and your body to move. Their music includes classic rock from the 70's, 80's and 90's with songs from bands such as Bon Jovi, Guns 'N Roses, KISS, Poison, and Prettyboy Floyd.
Band members include Mr. Scott Kruse on drums, Kip Musgrave on the bass and tamborine, John E. Law with the guitar and BobbiKay Parker on vocals, keyboard, rhythm guitar and KAZOO!
The band is driven by their passion to help others and share their love of life. As primary organizers and supporters of The Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation (www.18forelife.com), they always have music built into their own events.
Their personal desire to bring a great time to people marks the spirit of the band. Each set is specifically designed to deliver a positive message and allow others to catch their contagious spirit of fun.
Bring your family and friends and warm up by the fire while you listen to the
Color Burst Fun For Walkers and Runners of All Ages
Article Submitted by
SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Life is always a little brighter when you add color!!! And that was certainly true as over 200 participants in the first D-Unit Bearcat ColorBurst Run approached the starting line in the drizzling rain on Saturday morning.
For many years, 5K runs have brought a lot of excitement to events but they have taken on a whole new dimension in the FUN category with the addition of corn starch and powdered food coloring.
The ColorBurst ideas quickly grabbed the attention of young and old as well as runners and walkers. Dana Adams of First National Bank conceived the idea after her daughter, Kendall attended a similar event in Sikeston, Missouri. She immediately knew this was the perfect to coordinate for the 2013 DHS Homecoming weekend.
From the beginning, the Regional Healthcare Foundation organizers encouraged local businesses to work closely with groups and organizations at Dexter Senior High School in their sponsored activities for Homecoming. The newly formed D-Unit Pep Club at Dexter High School was the perfect partner for Dana and First National Bank. 
With considerable help from the Dexter High School administration and High School counselor, Judy Patterson, the event began to reach participant numbers that guaranteed a good time for all.The rain did not dampen the spirits as runners and walkers began to arrive prior to the 8:00 a.m. start. Dexter High School principal Dan Pollock was on hand to welcome the group and get the race started.
Organizers have not completed a final tally of the benefit to the D-Unit Pep Club, but all indications are that this event will be a great starting place for the group.
"I've heard nothing but good things about the event," commented high school counselor, Judy Patterson. "Everyone had a great time and is already looking forward to the event next year."
Discovering the fun had by participants is just a click away on Facebook. Many local participants' Facebook pages exploded with pictures and exciting quotes. Runners and walkers came from a broad range of both the community and others returning for reunion activities. Kindergartener Klaire Essner, daughter of Kent and Kim Essner, was probably the youngest runner and Tom Love of Dexter was the most senior runner in the group.
"We are really proud to have been a part of a great team from both the school and the community to pull this off," noted Dana Adams of First National Bank in Dexter. "Mark Stidham, the Dexter Police Department and the Stoddard County Ambulance District were vital to making this event work for us."For great photos go to the ShowMe Times Facebook page by clicking below and don't forget to hashtag #bearcatcolorburst on Instagram and Twitter so that everyone can enjoy all the absolutely colorful photos!
 50x.png)
Additional Pictures of Event Located Here:
Submitted by Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
State’s highest public safety award is reserved for officers who bravely risk their own lives to protect their fellow Missourians
Jefferson City, Missouri - In a ceremony today at the State Capitol, Gov. Jay Nixon awarded the Missouri Medal of Valor to nine public safety officers from across the state for their exceptional bravery and heroism in efforts to save lives and protect the public during 2012. The officers represent Missouri’s fire service, a rural sheriff’s department, urban and suburban police agencies, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. They responded to a variety of challenges and threats: rescuing people from burning buildings and vehicles, and stopping deadly threats posed to others by armed criminals.
“These nine brave men and women represent the highest ideal of the commitment of Missouri’s public safety officers to public service,” Gov. Nixon said. “The circumstances of each heroic, life-saving act were different, but in every instance the officers had to take swift, decisive and courageous action that was focused entirely on protecting the public. They faced dangerous gunmen, went into burning buildings and vehicles, and in one instance even mustered the herculean strength to raise an SUV off a motorist who was perilously close to dying.”
Family members and the officers’ colleagues were on hand for the presentation of Missouri’s highest public safety award during a ceremony in the Governor’s office in the Capitol. Gov. Nixon was joined at the ceremony by Department of Public Safety Director Jerry Lee.
David W. Crank, Missouri State Highway Patrol – On the night of March 10, 2012, Trooper Crank initiated a traffic stop of an SUV on I-55 in New Madrid County. There was a strong odor of raw marijuana in the SUV, which had four occupants. The driver was cooperative and exited the vehicle and accompanied Crank to his patrol car.
Crank returned to the SUV to obtain IDs from the three passengers, but they denied having IDs. Crank then requested backup. When Corporal Jeremy Stewart arrived, he and Crank approached the SUV and requested the passengers exit the vehicle one at a time. One did so. The passenger in the front passenger seat refused to comply and immediately locked the door. Crank saw the front seat passenger reach between the seat and center console. Crank alerted Stewart and drew his service weapon. Stewart opened the driver’s side door and the passenger fired a single shot, striking Stewart in the neck. To protect Corporal Stewart and himself, Trooper Crank fired repeatedly at the passenger, killing the gunman. On a dark highway, in a perilous situation, Trooper Crank acted swiftly to eliminate a deadly threat and protect his wounded colleague. Corporal Stewart underwent surgery, made a full recovery and returned to duty.
“Each of these exceptional public safety officers represents the highest ideal of dedicated public service and courage under life-or-death conditions,” Gov. Nixon said. “They not only proved their willingness to put their own lives in jeopardy to protect and save others, they considered it part of their duty. I am pleased to present them with this high honor on behalf of the people of Missouri.”
About the Medal of Valor
The Medal of Valor was first awarded in 2008 and is bestowed annually based on recommendations submitted by the Medal of Valor Review Board. Recipients must serve a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency personnel. The nominating form states the Medal of Valor is awarded "to a public safety officer who has exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her own personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life."
Nominations are now open for acts performed during 2013 and must be received by March 31, 2014. The nominating form is available on the Missouri Department of Public Safety Web site at http://www.dps.mo.gov/documents/MedalofValorForm.pdf.
