By Annabeth Miller ,
ShowMe Times Editor

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – Things are gradually beginning to return to normal around Lake Wappapello.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a set of three community meetings around Wappapello on Tuesday to update residents on the status of work and to allow them to ask questions and voice concerns.

The biggest news of the day was delivered by Lindell Huskey with the Missouri Deprtment of Transportation – welcome news for those who live, work and visit the lake area.

“The T Highway bypass will be completed this evening,”Huskey said to the applause of the large crowd at Crabb’s Fisherman’s Net restaurant Tuesday afternoon. “In fact, the folks who come to the meeting this evening (the second Corps meeting) should be able to go home on the new road.”

Officials with the Corps, the Missouri Department of Transportation, and a representative of State Sen. Rob Mayer’s office , Brad Jarrell, were all in attendance at the earl afternoon gathering.

The new road was built in less than two weeks, and is located along the Southside Spillway Access Road, which runs through the Blue Hole area. The roadway will be used until a decision is made about rebuilding the section of T Highway that was destroyed when the water overtook the spillway.

Wappapello Lake Operations Manager Cindy Jackson said the Corps of Engineers will work with the Missouri Department of Transportation and federal and state officials to develop ideas for how Highway T roadway will be rebuilt.

Open For Summer

This coming weekend is the traditional start of the summer season at Wappapello, and Jackson wants folks to realize that the lake is still “open”.

“I will open the campground at Redman on Thursday morning, and the upper campground at People’s Creek is already open,” she said. The Bill Emerson Visitor Center has reopened

A new road leading to the Redman Creek boat ramp is being constructed and should be open by Memorial Day weekend, Jackson said. The road will lead down the hillside from the Bill Emerson Visitor Center to the Redman launch area. The road will be gravel for now, until arrangements can be made for asphalting.

“The lake level is dropping 8 to 10 inches a day, she said, and as the water drops repairs and cleanup at recreational areas will begin. She stressed, however that visitors are indeed welcome during the upcoming holiday weekend. She said businesses have been readying for the holiday weekend and the summer season.

“I think this (the high water) has probably helped the crappie spawn,” Jackson said. “Nature takes care of things.”

“We’ve had floods before and we’ve done cleanup before – we’ll be business as usual with that,” she said. “I’ve got a resourceful staff.”

Summer pool at the lake is anticipated by early July at Wappapello.

Lake Wappapello

T Highway Bypass: Open

Redman Campground: Open

Upper People’s Creek Campground: Open

Lower People’s Creek Campgroud: Closed

Sundowner Launch: Open (parking limited)

Lake Hotline

573.222.81139

1.877.LAKE. INFO

573.222.8562

A SMT News Report

POPLAR BLUFF, M0. – The men and women who graduated from Three Rivers College on Sunday afternoon received praise for their tenacity and determination in completing a degree at the region’s community college.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was the guest speaker at Sunday’s commencement, held in front of a crowd of more than 1,200 people at the Black River Coliseum.

“You know this was the path to a better job and a better future,” Huckabee told the graduates. Until last week, Huckabee was considered one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination for president in 2012. "Your presence on this stage, receiving this diploma in an indication you are capable of doing what you wanted to do. Keep doing it.”

Huckabee praised Three Rivers and America’s community colleges in his Poplar Bluff address.

“The real builder of the workforce in America’s future is in community college,” Huckabee said. The former presidential candidate said that community colleges have the ability to meet changing needs of a workforce.

Friend and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson introduced Huckabee at the commencement ceremony. Emerson said Huckabee “understands our way of life” and appreciates the work ethic represented in the Three Rivers graduates.



Photos Above: Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was the guest speaker at commencement at Three Rivers College on Sunday afternoon. Huckabee shared the stage with U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and TRC President Dr. Devin Stephenson (top photo). Huckabee (bottom photo) praised the college graduates for their hard work and dedication. (ShowMe Times photos by Andrew Cato)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Stoddard Countians may now be eligible for assistance in recovering from the spring’s severe storms and floods.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced late on Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended disaster assistance to individuals and households in Stoddard and several additional counties in the state. The counties in the additional coverage are Cape Girardeau, Howell, McDonald, Pulaski, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Stone.

Under this declaration, individuals can be eligible for federal assistance to cover uninsured losses or expenses, such as temporary housing, home repair and replacement of household items.

On May 9, President Barack Obama granted a request by Nixon for a major disaster declaration for areas across Missouri hit in April and May by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. That declaration provided individual assistance for Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis and Taney counties.

"This additional assistance for Missouri families will help expedite our recovery and rebuilding," Gov. Nixon said. "State and local agencies are coordinating closely with the federal government to ensure that every possible tool and resource is available to help Missourians affected by these storms get moving again."

Working with local and federal partners, the State Emergency Management Agency continues to conduct damage assessments for public assistance.

Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call 211. The 211 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626. Weather and emergency information also are available on the state of Missouri's website, MO.gov.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The top two students in Dexter High School’s Class of 2011 are two young ladies who are have been neck-and-neck academically throughout their senior year, been involved in a wide variety of activities, received top honors in the school district and state, and just happen to be close friends.

Catherine Kinchen is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, graduating Friday evening with a 4.32000 grade point average. Right behind Catherine is Salutatorian Kaycee Dukes with a grade point average of 4.28205.

Catherine is the daughter of Scott Kinchen and Elizabeth Cabel. Her academic honors include Top Ten Percent, Dexter Honor Society, she participated in the Missouri Top 100 and Missouri Scholars Academic. She has been a member of the DHS Tennis Team, Dance Team, attending Missouri Girls State, and was a member of Foreign Language Club, DHS Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Catherine plans to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and major in engineering.

Kaycee is the daughter of Jeff and Sherry Dukes. Her academic honors include Dexter Honor Society, Top Ten Percent and she received the I Dare You Award. She was a member of the Southeast Missouri All-District Choir all four years in high school, and is one of the only Dexter students to ever be selected for Missouri All-State Choir both years of eligibility (junior and senior years). She was a member of the DHS Dance Team, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Chamber Choir and the Dexter Show Choir.

Kaycee plans to attend Maryville University and pursue a doctorate degree in physical therapy.

Three Quick Questions

Catherine Kinchen

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: An Engineer

Favorite Word: Stradivarious

Favorite Sound: Caroline Goessling’s laugh

Kaycee Dukes

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: A famous singing physical therapist

Favorite Word: Loquacious or “any word Mrs. Steuver taught us

Favorite Sound: “The sound of MaryRuth Boone’s voice”

Photo Above: The valedictorian and salutatorian for the DHS Class of 2011 was announced Friday morning. Valedictorian is Catherine Kinchen (right); and Salutatorian is Kaycee Dukes. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Editor's Note:Commencement for the Dexter High School Class of 2011 begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 20 at the Bearcat Event Center on Grant Street in Dexter.

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

School bells will, indeed, ring this summer in the Dexter schools as the district proceeds with summer school plans.

Questions concerning the funding of the summer school program were resolved when the Missouri General Assembly recessed last week and did not reduce funding for in the district for summer school programs.

Supt. Dr. Thomas Sharp informed members of the Dexter Board of Education that students participating in summer school will report for classes on June 2 and classes will continue until Jun 29. Core subjects will be the focus o the district’s summer school program as well as credit recovery for high school students.

In addition, Sharp reported that Driver’s Education would be offered this summer as it has traditionally been in the Dexter district. Students will not need to pay for enrolling in Drivers Ed this summer. Students and parents interested in the program should contact the high school office.

At its monthly meeting recently the board considered and gave its approval to a new plan for budgets for the high school activities. Each activity group – athletics, choir, band and others – will now have a set balance of funding instead of being clumped together in an “activities” account.

“Right now it’s just in a big hodge-podge and it’s not a good way to budget,” said Sharp. “It really needs to be broken down individually. Starting off on next year’s budget we’ll have a budgeted amount for them to spend and then we’ll keep track of it. We want to keep it realistic but also give them something to shoot for.”

Sharp said the activities budgeting needed to be “more itemized and less catch-all.” He added they he would consult coaches and staff members on setting a realistic budget.

“I think it’s a good idea to do,” said board member Betty Keirsey. Keirsey is the “dean” of the school board, having served the longest of all the current members. “Everyone has to start watching what we’re spending.”

Sharp said he felt the new budgeting system will help reduce costs and allow administrators to have a better handle on spending.

“We can’t just keep on having negative balances in the activities budget,” Sharp commented. “We need a chance to set some guidestones and make it work. It’s the right thing to do.”

Sharp and Assistant Supt. Dr. Kim Flowers also explained a restructuring of the district’s Professional Development Committee to help facilitate better planning for district in-service programs for the teaching staff.

The new system for PDC will incorporate each of the building representatives who are also certified teachers in the development of the professional development programs. The adjustment will not cost the district, but instead will improve the professional programs to better fit the needs of the classroom teachers.

Sharp announced the district will receive two $700 Summer Asthma Grants through the efforts of the nursing staff. The first grant will fund opportunities to educate middle school coaches about asthma education and training. The second grant will fund opportunities for education high school students and parents on asthma management.

Both projects are to be completed by Sept. 30 and are funded by the Missouri Department of Health.

Executive Session

During Executive Session the board accepted the retirement of a high school English instructor and the high school head custodian.

English teacher Julia Galloway submitted her retirement resignation and it was accepted by the board. Galloway taught a total of 27 years, 15 at DHS. She previously taught 12 years in Chillicothe. “Mrs. Galloway has been an asset to the high school, teaching freshmen and senior upper level classes,” said Matthews. Matthews said Galloway was involved in a number of student activities and “provided meaningful guidance to the English Department.”

High school head custodian Robert Rushing also submitted his retirement resignation. Rushing began working as a night custodian in 1998.

In other business the board:

• Approved Melissa Whitaker and Peggy Potts as co-sponsors of freshman football and basketball cheerleading and middle school cheerleading.
• Hired Don Goodwin as a bus driver. Goodwin is a former DHS teacher.
• Renewed the assignments of coaches and activity sponsors wishing to continue their extra-duty assignments.
• Tapped Chris Bolin for cross country and assistant girls basketball; Leonard Morse as head girls softball; Marc Thrower as freshman football assistant coach and middle school wrestling coach.
• Approved an amendment to the district’s sick leave policy.
• Approved a change of the district’s life insurance carrier and subsequent coverage.


Photo Above: Dextr superintendent Dr. Thomas Sharp (right) discusses with board members a change in budgeting high school activities. At left is board present Herman Morse.