Missouri - Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 97,171 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of fall firearms deer season, Nov. 14 and 15. Of the 97,171 deer harvested, 53,359 were antlered bucks, 10,320 were button bucks, and 33,492 were does.

Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Texas County with 2,184 deer checked, Howell County with 1,959 and Franklin County with 1,899.   

Last year, hunters checked 91,460 deer during the opening weekend of the 2014 November Portion of Firearms Deer Season.

The November portion of the fall firearms deer season continues through Nov. 24. Archery deer hunting opens again from Nov. 25 through Jan. 15, 2016. The firearms antlerless portion will run Nov. 25 through Dec. 6. The firearms alternative methods portion will run Dec. 19-29 followed by the firearms late youth portion Jan. 2-3, 2016. Missouri's early youth weekend ran Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The firearms deer urban zone portion ran Oct. 9 – 12.

Missouri offers some of the best deer hunting in the country and deer hunting is an important part of many Missourians' lives and family traditions. Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri and gives a $1 billion annual boost to the state and local economies.

Shown in the photo are Ben and Melissa Stevens of Dexter, Missouri.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Sen. Doug and Elaine Libla and David and Mary Libla received the Missouri Community College Association Award of Distinction at the organization’s annual conference in November.

Three Rivers College nominated the Liblas for the statewide award, noting the family’s long-standing support for the college, including a seven-figure donation through the Three Rivers Endowment Trust in May 2015 for what will be known as the Libla Family Sports Complex to be built on the college’s campus in Poplar Bluff.

“The Liblas have supported our college in many ways, both seen and unseen,” said Dr. Wesley Payne, President of Three Rivers College. Sen. Doug Libla serves as a member of the board of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, the college’s fundraising partner. He also is a strong advocate for community colleges in the state legislature. He and his wife, Elaine, are active supporters of many college programs. David’s wife, Mary, chairs the Three Rivers Patrons of the Arts, which supports performing arts programs at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, and the couple donates time and funds to many Three Rivers projects.

Doug and David Libla started as small business owners in the 1960s and spent the next 40 years working together on business start-ups in industries including manufacturing, interstate trucking, construction, retail, wholesale and commercial real estate.

The family’s flagship company, Mid Continent Nail Corporation, gained recognition throughout the nation as the premier quality nail manufacture. Doug Libla retired from the company in 2012 and David retired in 2014.

Sen. Libla, who was elected to represent Southeast Missouri in the Missouri legislature in 2012, said the Libla family supports Three Rivers because the college is so vital to the future of Southeast Missouri.

“Three Rivers is a shining example of what a community college can do for an area,” said Libla, who is a Three Rivers alumnus. “Through its college courses, career-technical programs, and workforce development training, Three Rivers has made a difference in countless lives in our area, including mine.”

The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri’s community colleges work together to advance common agendas.  MCCA provides advocacy, education, information, and networking opportunities in service of the state’s 5,700 community college faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees.

Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region.

Shown in the photo: The Libla family – including David Libla (from left), Mary Libla, Elaine Libla, and Sen. Doug Libla –received the Missouri Community College Association Award of Distinction in recognition of their support of Three Rivers College.

Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter High School held their annual Fall Sports Recognition Program Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the high school auditorium.

Athletes competing in Football, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Girls Tennis, and Volleyball were recognized during the event.

Tyler Stevenson received the Charles Bland Award presented by Jason Comfort.   He also received the Lineman of the Year Award.  He had 54 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, one fumble recovery, two sacks, and two pass breakups.  He was also the only senior that started on the young offensive line.

Ethan Stevens received the Most Valuable Back Award and the MPV Award for football.  He tallied 1,285 yards passing and 1,968 yards rushing for a total of 3,253 yards of offense this season.  He threw 10 touchdowns passes and rushed for 31 touchdowns.  Stevens set the single season school record for most points scored in a season, most total yards in a season and most rushing yards in a season at Dexter High School.

Jake Adams received the Defensive MVP Award.  He had 67 tackles and 8 tackles for a loss as the middle linebacker position this season.

In volleyball, Brittany Brown received the Defensive Player of the Year Award.  She tallied a team-high 250 digs.

Krysten Garrison received the Most Kills Award.  She recorded a team-high 295 kills.

Hannah Thurmon received the Most Block Kill Award.

Bailee Williams received the Most Assists Award tallying 353 assists.

In Girls Tennis, Rachel Singh received the Most Singles Wins Award.  She finished the season with a singles record of 9-5.

Lexi May received the Most Doubles Wins Award.  She completed the season with a doubles record of 10-4.

Macy Urhahn received the MVP Award for girls tennis.  She finished with 17 total wins and a doubles record of 12-5.

In Cross Country Emily Ladd received the Most outstanding Female Runner Award. 

Jordan Wood was selected as the Most Outstanding Male Runner in cross country.

Shown in the photo from left to right front row are: Macy Urhahn, Krysten Garrison, Tyler Stevenson, Bailee Williams, and Brittany Brown.  Back row from left to right: Lexi May, Jordan Wood, Ethan Stevens, and Rachel Singh.  Not pictured were Hannah Thurmon, Emily Ladd, and Jake Adams.

Puxico, Missouri - The 7th and 8th grade boys basketball schedule has been released for the Puxico Junior High Tournament.

The eight-team tournaments take place November 14th - 17th at Puxico.  Teams playing in the tournament are Dexter, Richland, Advance Bernie, Bloomfield, Woodland, Bell City and Puxico.

Dexter has earned the #1 seed in both the 7th grade bracket and 8th grade bracket and have a bye on Saturday, November 14th.

In 8th grade action #4 Richland will play #5 Advance at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday.  #2 Bernie will play #7 Bloomfield at 9:00 a.m. and #3 Woodland will play #6 Puxico at 11:30 a.m.  Games will be played at both the Puxico Activity Center and the Arnold Ryan Gym.

In 7th grade action #4 Bloomfield will play #5 Bell City at 10:15 a.m..  #2 Puxico will play #7 Woodland at 9:00 a.m. and #3 Bernie will play #6 Advance at 11:30 a.m.

Dexter 8th grade team will play the winner of the Richland vs Advance game on Monday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m. 

Dexter 7th grade team will play the winner of the Bloomfield vs bell City game at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16th.

Championship games are slated for 6:30 p.m. (7th grade) and 7:45 p.m. (8th grade) on Tuesday, November 17th.