Stoddard County, MO - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has named Michael Collins as the new conservation agent for Stoddard County. Collins replaces Mark Reed, who recently promoted to district supervisor with MDC.

“Stoddard County has wonderful outdoor opportunities, caring communities and much to offer,” Collins said. “I look forward to working with the public to help protect and manage fish, forests and wildlife.”

Originally from Rockford, Ill., Collins relocated to Southeast Missouri in 2006. He later graduated high school in Naylor and received an Associate of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. He then transferred to Southeast Missouri State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology, which is where he says his true passion lies.

Collins began work with the Conservation Department in March of 2014 as the Angler Education Assistant with Fisheries Division after becoming a volunteer in 2013. He graduated from the Conservation Agent Training Academy in 2015 and was assigned to Scotland County. Collins recently relocated to Stoddard County with his new assignment.

Conservation agents are licensed peace officers of the State of Missouri who are charged with enforcing the rules of the Wildlife Code of Missouri and other state and federal laws. The duties of a conservation agent vary with the season. During warmer months an agent may check fishing permits and creel limits or catch someone fishing through illegal methods. Duties related to hunting generally occur in the colder months, with patrol and stakeouts as a normal part of the job. Agents also have many duties in the areas of wildlife, fisheries and forestry management, as well as working with schools and libraries to teach conservation-related skills and ethics.

Agent Collins can be reached at (573)421-3240 or by email at michael.collins@mdc.mo.gov.

Dexter, Missouri - Mark your calendar for the biggest sporting event of the summer at the Bearcat Event Center and surrounding school gyms!  The Rib City Shootout is just a few months away and you will see some of the best boys and girls high school basketball talent from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The Bearcat Event Center's southeast Missouri location allows them to offer a quality competition and a valuable experience for teams in the five-state area.

Their goal is for teams to have a rewarding experience capped off by a solid level of competition, appropriate to fit the level of talent.

2017 Rib City Shootout Dates:

JUNE 2-3 BOYS BASKETBALL

JUNE 8-9 GIRLS BASKETBALL

JUNE 12-13 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

JUNE 16-17 BOYS BASKETBALL

JUNE 22-23 GIRLS BASKETBALL

JULY 10-11 BOYS BASKETBALL

JULY 12-13 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

JULY 14-15 GIRLS BASKETBALL

Jackson, Missouri - On Saturday, April 8, 2017 the Dexter High School Track team competed in the Jackson Invitational Meet.

Emily Ladd earned a 1st Place finish in the 800 meter.   She also broke the Dexter High School record with a time of 2:30.25.

Zach Cartwright placed 2nd in the 300 meter hurdles.

Hannah Moore finished 1st in the 300 meter hurdles and 2nd in the 200 meter run.

Blair Rogers, Hannah Moore, Paige Moore, and Rhylan Hillis won first place in the 4x100 Relay.

The Dexter High School boys and girls track teams will compete at the Sikeston Twilight Relays on Wednesday, April 12th beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Perryville, Missouri - On Tuesday, April 4, 2017 the Dexter High School Track Team traveled to the Perryville Invitational Track Meet.  Nine athletes earned medals.

Zack Cartright received second in the High Jump and 5th in the 300 meter hurdles. 

Emily Ladd, Margo Nea, Keaira Craft and Jadyn Northcutt finished in 3rd place in the 4x800 relay.

Blair Rogers, Hannah Moore, Paige Moore, and Rhylan Hillis earned a 2nd place finish in the 4x100 relay.

Hannah Moore placed 5th in the 300 meter hurdles and earned a 1st place finish in the 200 meter run. She also finished 2nd in the Long Jump.

Emily Ladd got top honors with a first place finish in the 2 mile run.

Madelyn Webb finished 5th place in both the Disc and the Shot Put.

Rhylan Hillis finished 5th in the High Jump.

Shown in the photo front row from left to right: Emily Ladd, Margo Nea, Keaira Caft and Jaydyn Northcutt.  Back row from left to right: Blair Rogers, Hannah Moore, Rhylan Hillis, and Madelyn Webb. Not available for photo: Zach Cartright.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Poplar Bluff High School freshman Savannah Hicks was Missouri’s nomination for the National High School Spirit of Sport Award for returning to the basketball court just six short weeks after open-heart surgery.

The executive director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association nominated the 15-year-old for the award because she exceeded expectations, overcame challenging circumstances and displayed exemplary sportsmanship.

“I visited with Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, executive director of MSHSAA, about Savannah Hicks and the obstacles she has overcome to return to the court/field,” R-I Athletic Director Kent Keith announced. “I then forwarded (reporter) Ben Striker’s DAR article about Savannah for him to read. Dr. Urhahn was touched by what he heard and read.”

Over the summer, medics discovered a heart murmur or an irregular heartbeat during sports physicals provided by volunteers for student athletes. Upon further testing, Savannah was diagnosed with atrial septal defect, which is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart.

Savannah postponed treatment until completing the varsity softball season. On Nov. 22, she received successful open-heart surgery at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. A week later, she attended a home basketball game to cheer on her junior varsity teammates. She proceeded to help keep a stat book until she received clearance from doctors to return to the court at the end of the year. On Jan. 2, she participated in practice. Four days later, she played in her first game of the season.

In addition to basketball and softball, Savannah has just learned that she made the girls soccer team. She is a member of the Mule Barn, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, active in her church youth group and in the top 10 percent of her class, according to her nomination form.

The national recipient of the award was a student athlete in Minnesota who, despite being born a paraplegic, plays football, sled hockey, wheelchair softball and track, according to a press release issued by the National Federation of State High School Associations. All 50 state associations, plus Washington, D.C., have the ability to submit a nominee to the selection committee each year, according to MSHSAA Communications Director Jason West.