Jefferson City, MO - Governor Mike Parson appointed Mark Stidham of Dexter to the Missouri 911 Service Board.

Mr. Stidham has served the City of Dexter since 1997. In his role as City Administrator, he oversees the Police, Fire, Street, Water, Waste Water, Sanitation, and Parks and Recreation Departments. He also advises the Airport and Library Boards. Previously, he served four years on the Board of Aldermen.

Mr. Stidham has also served on several other state and local organizations, including the Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee, the Missouri Municipal League, the Transportation Advisory Council, the City Managers Association, the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri Transportation Needs, and the Endowment Trust for Three Rivers College.

Mr. Stidham received a formal education in forestry and industrial relations from the National Hardwood Lumber Association in Memphis, Tennessee.

"It's a real privilege to serve on the 911 Service Board," commented Stidham.  "I want to help ensure that all Missourians have access to 911 services.  There are still many rural areas that do not have adequate service. We are quite fortunate in Stoddard County to have the equipment and ability to offer 911 service."

The 911 Service Board only meets four times per year, but there are committees that may meet more often.  This isn't a paid position, but a worthwhile service to the community.

Achieving a college degree has been a goal of Amber Hornbeck for nearly 30 years.

She graduated this month from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of General Studies.

“I remain hopeful about the future and grateful to have had the opportunity to complete a degree program at a University so close to home,” she said.

Amber celebrated graduating from Southeast with her son Cooper; brother-in-law, Larry Duncan; and her sister Janice Duncan.

After earning an Associate of Arts in middle school education from Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff in 2018, Hornbeck decided to complete her higher education journey with classes at Southeast’s Poplar Bluff delivery site.

Being able to earn her degree in her hometown of Poplar Bluff allowed her to continue her work as a news clerk at the Daily American Republic while also fulfilling her responsibilities as a single mother to her 16-year-old son, Cooper.

“I wanted to lead by example to show him that anything is possible if you simply dedicate yourself and maintain focus on your goals,” she said.

The support she received from her professors and advisors was instrumental.

Amber decorated her Southeast mortarboard with an image of her parents, in honor of her promise to them to earn her four-year degree.

“A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all my fellow Redhawks, instructors and staff who played a role in guiding me through my degree program,” she said.

The help she received from Pauletta Burns, coordinator of academic and student services at Southeast’s Poplar Bluff Delivery Site, guided her towards success both personally and academically.

“Had it not been for the due diligent advising of Pauletta, I would have abandoned my dreams” after several academic and financial challenges, Hornbeck said.  “She is the consummate encourager and champion to all those she counsels.”

As she contemplates the future, Hornbeck hopes to be an example for and help advise other non-traditional students navigate their return to college.

“Graduation with a college degree was the fulfillment of a promise I had made years earlier to my late parents — their image adorns my Southeast mortarboard,” she said. “I am proud to call myself a Southeast alumna!”

Dexter, MO - The valedictorian for the Dexter High School Class of 2020 is Blair Rogers and the salutatorian is Audrey Marie Lutmer.

Rogers is the daughter of Robin and Scott Northern and the late Aaron Rogers.

During her high school career she was in the top 10% of her class all four years.

Rogers earned the Bearcat Scholar Award her junior and senior years, the Perryville Character Athlete Award her junior year, first-team all-conference volleyball award during her junior and senior years, first-team all-district volleyball award during her junior and senior years, all-county cheerleader award all four years, Dexter High School Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year for her senior year, Dexter High School Cheerleading Award for her junior and senior years and the social studies faculty award.

She was named Missouri volleyball academic all-state the past four years. Rogers was a member of the Dexter High School varsity volleyball team, the Dexter High School varsity cheerleading squad, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Student Council and National Beta Club all four years.

She played USAV club volleyball for three years and was a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for three years. She competed on the Dexter High School varsity track and field and was a member of the Foreign Language Club (FLC) and National Honor Society for two years. She was a member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), athletic council and Future Teachers of America (FTA) for one year. She attended the Fulton Leadership Workshop and Missouri Girls State.

Rogers finished her high school career with a 4.337 GPA and plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia and major in political science. She then plans to attend law school and become a criminal defense attorney.

The salutatorian for the Dexter Class of 2020 is Audrey Marie Lutmer and is the daughter of Angela Lutmer and Brian Lutmer.

Lutmer is the president of Dexter’s FFA chapter, a service coordinator in the National Honor Society, a captain of the Drama, Speech and Debate team, captain of the Scholar Bowl team, a member of the Senior Beta Club and plays bassoon in the varsity band. She has been in the top 10 percent of her class in all four years of high school and received the faculty award for mathematics, English, scholar bowl and agriculture.

Lutmer finished her high school career with a 4.322 GPA and plans to attend Missouri State University where she will plans to major in sociology.

A graduation parade will be held for the Dexter Class of 2020 Friday evening.

Dexter, MO - Central Gardens held their annual Valentine's Day party on Friday, February 14, 2020.  Residents dress in red and enjoyed an afternoon of sweet treats and fun.

A king and queen were chosen along with an alternate for each.

Charles Fulong was crowned 2020 Valentine's King and Jean Jackson was the queen.  Alternates were Wes Eskew and Wanda Roberts.

Residents also created cards with Valentine's Day Advice.  Maxine Hedrick's advice, "Show Your Love!"  What a wonderful idea to do not just on February 14th, but year round! 

Central Gardens is a an assisted living facility in Dexter. Central Gardens offers activities at their location for residents. These activities generally allow residents to maintain healthy lifestyles by encouraging movement and socializing with their peers.

Pictured from left to right are Wes Eskew, Charles Fulong, Jean Jackson, and Wanda Roberts.

Cape Girardeau, MO - Dexter native and “regular small town girl” Chantelle Becking is setting records. Her newly released book Unapologetically You: Freedom to Be is for all people. Just officially released to the public yesterday it is moving through the Amazon ranks. She wants to be clear on this success. It is for 2 reasons. God is moving hearts and small towns are rallying around this author and adoptive mom to five.

“God just has something for this book. It is not me. I am just a regular girl with a load of mess ups. Most of them I have written about in the book….Maybe that is why it has taken me over 2 years to finish it! We are so dang hard on ourselves as women. We have so much we hold inside that no one knows. Meanwhile all of the perfectly filtered photos are much easier to share than real life. Sometimes we get lost. We just need someone to see us.”

The book is about Becking’s life and it is certain to make you laugh out loud in one minute and drop a tear in another.
She has been blown away by the love and support since the release. Because of the support of small towns, friends, clients and friends of friends the book is ranking top 10 on Amazon in her category Christian Women’s Issues New Releases.

“I would so love to see it hit #1. This is the mission God has put in my heart. I want as many people as possible to get the chance to know about the book and I believe there is a word in there for every person. I am completely blown away by the support and I believe in the underdog…which in this case is certainly me! The book is competing with very well known authors with large publishing companies. This book is doing what it is doing because people have stepped up to share it because it has meant something to them.”

Check out Becking’s book on Amazon. The download is just $3 for the next 3 days! Paperback available too. Let’s help this Dexter native in her mission and dream! Share away!
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetically-You-Freedom-Chantelle-Becking/dp/194727967X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=chantelle+becking&qid=1581529335&sr=8-1