Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Missouri - If you were to pick the Missouri city where you are most likely to strike a deer with your car, would you pick Kansas City? Maybe Lee's Summit? They ranked first and second in 2011 for deer-vehicle collisions in Missouri. 



Deer-vehicle collisions on Missouri highways increase each fall when bucks become more active and weather turns colder. A recent insurance survey now places Missouri among the highest states in deer-vehicle crashes. 

Some 3,980 collisions with deer occurred last year on Missouri's highways, resulting in five fatalities and 411 injuries. Although some accidents with deer are unavoidable, motorists can take extra precautions to reduce the chance of striking these agile but unpredictable animals.



First, be aware that deer are coming out of the wooded areas to reach clearings now. Bucks are seeking mates and aggressively establishing their territories, challenging other bucks. Does are leaving their maturing fawns, beginning the process of separation. And farmers are harvesting corn and beans, which drives deer from natural cover into open areas like highways.



Be prepared for deer to cross or dart into a road at any time, particularly around dusk and dawn. Most (85%) of deer strike crashes occur from 5 p.m. to 6:49 a.m. To increase your long-distance visibility, use your high beams if other cars aren't approaching. 

If you encounter a deer, don't sound your horn but slow down or stop until the animal passes. If you see one, others may be right behind. Swerving may only place you in the path of the veering animal or another deer or two coming right behind the first. You may also lose control and cause more harm and damage than colliding with the deer.



Finally, remember to stay alert, slow down and buckle up. Most people injured in deer-vehicle collisions weren't wearing a seat belt.

Deer crossing signs are posted in areas where collisions or sightings occur frequently, but deer are unpredictable.

If you should hit a deer, report the accident to your local sheriff's office, the Missouri Highway Patrol or municipal police. Don't approach an injured or frightened deer because their sharp, hard hooves can seriously injure or kill you. MoDOT's maintenance crews will remove dead animals as quickly as they can get to them.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

United States - Attention all MEN!  It's your turn!  Each year on the first Thursday in November,  men take charge in the kitchen as it is National Men Make Dinner Day.

There are some men that like to cook and do so on a regular basis and to those men, kuddos to you and you can submit your favorite recipe on the National Men Make Dinner website. menmakedinnerday.com.

This day was created for the men who do not know their way around the kitchen and are not familiar with the stove and oven and for the women in their lives who need a break.

Men need to be aware that there are a list of rules that must be followed, some of which include:

The main meal must include a minimum of 4 ingredients and require at least one cooking utensil other than a fork.  No Mac&Cheese, no tv dinners and peanut butter, jelly and bread are only three ingredients!

- Man must go shopping for ‘all’ necessary ingredients.

- Must clean up as you go.

- Aprons are optional, but greatly appreciated.

For a list of complete rules, see the above mentioned website.

TOP TEN REASONS TO 
PARTICIPATE IN 
‘NATIONAL MEN MAKE DINNER DAY’

10. While cooking, you can still wear your tool belt, simply replace the hammer with a whisk.
9. Several recipes include beer as a legitimate ingredient.
8. The blender, the electric mixer and the food processor are loud enough to drown out anyone in the house who is learning a musical instrument.
7. Whoever is cooking always gets the most attention from the dog.
6. Whatever recipe you choose, you can name it after yourself. Example: tonight’s dinner is called ‘Doug’s Surprise’.
5. Discovering that ‘250 ml’ is the same as ‘8 ounces’ AND ‘1 cup’ is half the fun.
4. Since YOU choose the recipe, it can be a turnip-free night.
3. Some desserts, such as crème brulee, require the use of a propane torch. How much fun is that?!
2. Since other husbands in your neighborhood are also cooking dinner, ironically this could be the ultimate male bonding experience.
1. Participating in ‘National Men Make Dinner Day’ gives you optimum points with your wife. Use those points wisely!

Missouri – Gov. Jay Nixon was at the Cherith Brook Food Pantry in Moberly to encourage Missouri deer hunters to donate their deer to families in need through the Share the Harvest program this year.

Share the Harvest is a partnership between the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation, regional food banks, local food pantries and meat processors to provide venison donated by hunters and processors to Missouri families in need.

“Hunting is a time-honored tradition here in Missouri, as is helping our neighbors in need,” Gov. Nixon said. “Each year, hunters throughout the Show-Me State help tens of thousands of struggling families put food on the table through the Share the Harvest program. I’m proud to be part of this tradition, and I encourage all Missouri hunters to join me in donating a deer to help feed Missouri families in need.”

The Governor said the upcoming youth deer hunt is an ideal time for Missouri hunters to contribute to Share the Harvest. Missouri’s 2013 youth deer hunt is this weekend, Nov. 2-3, and an additional youth deer hunt is scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 4-5.

“The young men and women who are hunting this weekend are learning respect for the land, for wildlife, for firearm safety, for property owners, and for other hunters. These are lifelong lessons that are starting at an early age,” Gov. Nixon said. “This weekend’s youth season also presents a perfect opportunity for parents and grandparents to teach young people about Missouri’s legacy of generosity by donating to Share the Harvest.”

Throughout the archery and firearms deer seasons, the Share the Harvest program subsidizes a portion of the cost of butchering and packaging whole deer donated by Missouri hunters; in many communities, local partners cover the remainder of the processing costs. To participate, hunters simply take their deer to an approved processor and indicate how much venison they wish to contribute, ranging from a few pounds to a whole deer.

“Share the Harvest demonstrates a proud legacy of Missouri hunters giving back to our communities,” said Bob Ziehmer, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation. “Thanks to Gov. Nixon’s continued leadership and the generous support of our private sponsors, we will be able to get more healthy, nutritious venison to Missouri families this year.”

Now in its 22nd season, the Share the Harvest program is continuing to provide donated venison to families in need. With the active support of the Governor, participation in the program has increased every year since 2009 and total pounds donated have increased by more than 100,000 pounds from 2009 to 2012. During each of the past four hunting seasons, Gov. Nixon has donated a whole deer he successfully hunted to Share the Harvest.

During the 2012 hunting season, more than 6,200 hunters donated 318,115 pounds of venison through Share the Harvest. That was an increase over the 317,882 pounds of venison donated in 2011, the 305,643 pounds of venison donated in 2010, and the 206,701 pounds of venison donated in 2009 according to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

The 2013 Missouri firearms deer season opens Nov. 16, and runs through Nov. 26. Archery season for deer began Sept. 15 and runs through Nov. 15, and then will resume on Nov. 27 through Jan. 15. There also are hunting seasons for youth, for hunters using muzzleloaders and other approved alternative hunting methods, and for harvesting antlerless deer.

In addition to the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Department of Conservation, statewide sponsors of the cost-reduction program include Bass Pro Shops, Shelter Insurance, Missouri Chapter Whitetails Unlimited, Missouri Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Drury Hotels, Enterprise Holdings Inc., Midway USA Inc., the Missouri Deer Hunters Association, Pyramid Home Health Services and Wells Fargo Bank.

To learn more about the Share the Harvest Program and to find a complete list of participating meat processors, please visit MO.gov.

Bonne Terre, Missouri - EMPHASIS:  Endangered Person Advisory

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help.

The St Francois County Sheriff's Department has issued an Endangered Person Advisory for a missing person incident that occurred at 7900 Richardson Rd, Bonne Terre, MO 63628 at 6:00 P.M. on 11/02/2013.

Missing Is:
Jesus Gevonie Mendoza a white, male, age 7
Juliana Feliza Mendoza a white, female, age 5
Jaysnia Hayzel Gabrela Mendoza a white, female, age 3

Vehicle Information:
Gold 4 door passenger last seen southbound on Richardson Road toward Route K in Bonne Terre, MO

Possible suspects or associates are believed to be:
Julie Marie Mendoza, a white, female, age 28, hgt 5'04", 160 lbs, black hair, hazel eyes, medium complexion.

The endangered missing person:
Jesus Gevonie Mendoza, is a white, male, age 7, hgt 4'00", 62 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes, medium complexion, wearing skull sweatshirt, blue jeans, tan boots.
Juliana Feliza Mendoza, is a white, female, age 5, hgt 3'05", 32 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes, medium complexion, wearing pink shirt, pink skirt, pink boots.
Jaysnia Hayzel Gabrela Mendoza, is a white, female, age 3, hgt 3'06", 34 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes, medium complexion, wearing pink shirt, pink skirt, pink boots.

Brief circumstances regarding the Endangered Missing Person incident (Include pertinent medical, mental, or other well being information)
Non-custodial biological mother, Julie Mendoza, was allowed visitation with her children on November 02, 2013 at 6:00 P.M. and was suppose to return the children November 03, 2013 at 12:00 P.M.  Mendoza has failed to return the children and advised she would not bring them back.  In the past Mendoza has resided in California, North Carolina, and Saint Louis, Missouri.  Mendoza has a history of narcotic use.

Anyone seeing the missing person, suspect, associate, or vehicle, or anyone having any information related to the endangered missing person should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the St Francois County Sheriff's Department at 573-431-3131.

For further information please contact:
St Francois County Sheriff's Department
573-431-3131
573-756-3252
11/04/2013

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – History will be made in Stoddard County as the American Legion Post 59 hosts a visit this Saturday from the National American Legion Commander Dan Dellinger of Vienna, Virginia.  This may be the first time a sitting Commander has ever visited our area and Darryl LaPierre, local Commander, couldn’t be more proud.

“It’s big for us!  He will tour Tom Love’s place at Gobbler Ridge, then visit the Veterans Cemetery and Stars and Stripes Museum before sitting down with us for lunch.”  Commented LaPierre.  “He will be traveling to Festus, Sikeston, Perryville, Poplar Bluff and St. Louis over four days and for him to spend Saturday with us is just monumental!  We are all very honored.”

The morning will begin early at 8:00 a.m. when Dellinger travels to the Disabled Veterans Hunting Facility – Gobbler Ridge Farms in Bloomfield, Missouri.   As a part of his tour he will stop and visit with Tom Love and see the beautiful land set aside for disabled veterans.

Then at 9:30 he will visit with Ken Swearengin, Director of the Missouri Veteran Cemetery and will have a personal tour the grounds.  It wouldn’t be a complete visit of the area without spending some time with Sue Mayo at the Stars and Stripes Museum. 

A luncheon will follow at the Kenady-Hanks Post 59 building with our local Commander, Mr. Darryl LaPierre officiating. 

Traveling with the Commander will be Department Commander Tom Goodin, Alt. National Committeeman Kenny Goth, Senior Vice Commander Dennis Woeltje, Department Historian Paul Bennett, Auxiliary President Barbara Sheets, National Commanders’ Aide Bob Renner, National Executive Committeeman Charley  Goodin, Department Adjutant Lowry Finley-Jackson, Zone 4 vice Commander Betty Gonzales, and Sons of the American Legion Commander Jay Marsden.

Dellinger is the not only the national commander, but the chief executive officer and official spokesman of The American Legion.  He has full power to enforce provisions of the organization’s constitution, by-laws, and resolutions.  He was elected on August 29, 2013 in Houston, Texas during the 95^th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.

The ShowMe Times will tour with the National Commander on Saturday and will share his experience with the Stoddard County community.  We are honored to have him in our area visiting some of our most beautiful resources.