The Stoddard County Development Foundation donated $7,000 for scholarships to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust.  The scholarships will be divided into seven total scholarships of $1,000 each.

Peter Coutavas, Director of the Industrial Development Authority of Stoddard County presented the check to Michelle Reynolds, Director of Development from Three Rivers College.

The 2024 Stoddard County Fair Parade Winners have been announced.

Band Competition

1st Place Puxico High School

2nd Place Bloomfield High School

3rd Place Richland High School

Churches and Other Float Competition

1st Place The Assembly Kids

2nd Place Stoddard County Girl Scouts

3rd Place Lighthouse Church

School Category

1st Place Bloomfield FFA

2nd Place Dexter Middle School Cheerleaders

3rd Place Dexter FFA

The Industrial Development Authority of Stoddard County donated $1,000 to Ezekiel's Closet in Dexter, Missouri from their Special Allocation Fund.

Ezekiel's Closet is a charitable organization empowered to improve the lives of foster families and their foster children. "The sad reality is most kids are taken from their homes with only a trash bag," stated founder Carrie Mosbey. "We are changing that.  We believe every kid deserves access to basic necessities such as toiletries, clothing and a toy (or maybe two!)"

If you would like to donate or help financially click HERE.

Taken from their website: Ezekiel’s Closet serves foster and kinship families in Stoddard, Dunklin, Butler, Scott, and all surrounding counties. We offer 24/7 access to essential items to Missouri licensed foster parents, Missouri DSS caseworkers, CASA volunteers, School Resource Officers, and kinship providers. We are so blessed to be able to serve and will do our best to provide the items you need to support your kids. Everything we have is donated by our community and given to families caring for foster kids for free. Our prayer is that your family will feel seen , supported, and valued by our community.

Pictured are Peter Coutavas, IDA and Crystal Chamberlain, volunteer at Ezekiel's Closet.

Stoddard County Industrial Development Foundation donated $1,000 to the Stars and Stripes Museum today.

This is an annual donation by the foundation.

Pictured are Laura Dumey, Stars & Stripes Museum and Peter Coutavas, IDA.

Marlie Hatton and Cameron Bell spoke at the Rotary Club about their time at Missouri Girls and Boys State which is held each year for students entering their senior year.  The event is held at Lindenwood University - St. Charles and is in its 84th year.

The Rotary Club sends one girl and one boy to State.  Cameron Bell had the opportunity to attend Boys State.  He had the privilege to be on the City Council and voted on several city ordinances. He also attended a commerce class where he learned about business in America and how the economy works together as a whole.

"This opportunity given to me by the Rotary Club was amazing and I can't thank them enough," stated Bell.  "I learned a lot about government and how it works."

Marlie Hatton attended Missouri Girls State also held at Lindenwood University this past summer. 

She discussed her time at Girls State with the Rotary Club as they sponsored her to attend.

"I mentioned how I was in the school of Journalism and media because I plan to minor in journalism in college," stated Hatton.  "I was in Covington City in the county of Price.  I was the city's treasurer and I also ran all the finances for MGS Journalism team. I was on my county's council where I voted on different laws and such."

She got to meet Governor Mike Parson which she felt was pretty amazing and got to hear so many great speakers throughout the week.

Her city actually had three state officials speak by the end of the week, the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer.  They also had some senators.

"This experience was truly life changing and I will forever recommend everyone going into their senior year to do this," commented Hatton. "I also got to meet some people that I know will be lifelong best friends.  I just will forever be grateful that I got to go and experience everything there.  There was a lot to offer and I took full advantage of experiencing everything there.  I only got 4 - 5 hours of sleep each night, but it was truly rewarding."

"The experience that the Rotary Club gave me was amazing and I can't thank them enough," concluded Hatton..