By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
While flowers and trees showed the slightest sign of budding into an early spring last week, winter has returned to the Bootheel this weekend with an Arctic blast.
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Special Weather Statement concerning its forecast of cold temperatures and possible snow in the region.
The NWS is predicting that winter weather will move into the region by Sunday night with wintry precipitation to develop of Southeast Missouri. Most of the wintry precipitation is expected to be snow, with a mixed bag of wintery precipitation also to be possible.
“Preliminary indication suggest no less than 1 to 2 inches may accumulate most areas,” the NWS statement reported.
Saturday night’s low temperature should reach the mid-teens, with the high on Sunday to only reach 34 degrees. Increasing clouds are expected by Sunday event with the snow and possible sleet to arrive by Monday morning.
With a winter storm forecast to move into the state from the west beginning late Sunday evening, the Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to check its Traveler Information Map to get the latest road conditions before heading out.
Motorists can also call MoDOT's customer service center for road conditions at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636). The toll-free phone line is answered 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
MoDOT crews are prepared and ready to treat Missouri highways as needed. During winter weather events, MoDOT places the highest priority on roads with the highest traffic volumes, such as interstates, U.S. highways, and other high volume state routes. Lower volume lettered or numbered routes will be treated as necessary.
Motorists should be aware that bridges and overpasses generally experience freezing conditions first. Motorists should drive cautiously, pay extra attention, and drive defensively in winter weather.
One of the biggest travel issues when winter weather strikes is black ice. Motorists need to be especially cautious as falling drizzle freezes or melted snow refreezes making black ice a concern, especially on bridges and overpasses.
MoDOT encourages drivers to remember the following tips when driving in inclement weather:
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Use common sense, and adjust your speed to suit driving conditions.
- If weather conditions warrant windshield wipers, turn your headlights on. They help you see and help other drivers see you. Plus, it's the law.
- Double the distance you normally leave between you and the next car.
- Use gentle pressure on your accelerator pedal when starting on wet or slick surfaces.
- Give snowplows plenty of room, and try not to pass them when conditions are poor.
- Remember that driving is most hazardous when temperatures are near 32 degrees.
- Watch for other vehicles having problems with road conditions.
- Don't pass other vehicles on or near bridges.
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full.
Links of Interest
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Lesson plans were put on the back burner Tuesday morning, as the students in Cherie Smith’s Family and Consumer Sciences class had a pair of very special visitors.
The guests at Dexter High School were Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon, who visited DHS to commended the school for participating in the A+ scholarship program and to encourage the students in their studies.
Mrs. Nixon is a former schoolteacher, so the classroom was familiar territory for her. She used the classroom visit to encourage the high school students to consider teaching as a career.
“It’s one of the greatest jobs that there is,” the First Lady told the high school students. “So anyone who thinks that they might like to do this someday, maybe you’ll be standing here some day helping other people.”
The Governor used his classroom time to encourage the students to participate in A+, a scholarship program offered by the state. To qualify, students in participating schools must meet the requirements established for the program, including minimum grade point average (GPA), attendance, tutoring, and good citizenship standards. In return the A+ Program provides two years of free tuition and academic fees at Missouri’s community colleges.
Nixon told the students that A+ has two main values.
“Number one, you have to go to school and you have to keep your grades up. And if you do that we make a promise on our side as a state that you qualify for two years tuition at community colleges across the state. It is a great way to avoid what so many young folks are finding these days, which is the weight of debt because of a college education,” he said.
He told the students that a recent study by the Federal Reserve reported that there is more student loan debt in America today than all the credit card debt in America.
“Think of all the people with credit cards,” he commented. “What we’re doing here in Missouri is to provide students with an opportunity. It’s a great pathway to make sure you have a chance to move forward.”
Nixon opened the floor to the students to ask questions, joking that he was next to the door in case the questions were too touch. Senior Megan Robert asked the governor about citizenship, and his definition of a good citizen.
Focus On Duties Of Citizen
The state’s chief executive advised the students to not be distracted by “mudslinging” and political argument, but to stay focused on the duties of a citizen.
“We live in the most open democracy in the world. Everybody can have an effect. Everyone in this room is going to be eligible to vote. Every one of you has as much voice as Warren Buffet has on who the next President of the United States is once you turn 18 and can vote. Voting is a responsibility,” he said.
Other responsibilities include informed, being involved, following the laws, and being a good citizen.
“There are a lot of responsibilities (in being a good citizen), but they present you with the opportunity to do and be whatever you want,” he concluded.
Jessica Snider asked the state’s top elected official about today’s primary election.
“I believe in primary elections,” he replied. “I’m a believer that we should have elections to choose candidates instead of party caucus. I thought we should have a presidential primary, which we are having today.”
However, Nixon explained to Jessica and the parties determine way the convention delegates are chosen. One party – the Democrats – chose by the primary, the other – the Republicans – choose by caucus. Unfortunately, he explained, the two parties could not agree on timing and other factors that created the situation that required today’s election, which will not chose the delegates to the GOP convention.
“This is one of the reasons you need to be informed,” Nixon said after his explanation. “People will give you snippets of information that only affect their side of a questions. And that’s dangerous in a democracy. Being informed as a citizenry is really important.”
Nixon’s answer to her really complex question impressed Snider.
“Right before I left the house (today) I heard on the news that he vetoed to have the Missouri primary in March, and it actually kind of got me fired up,” Snider said after class. “I then got to school and found out he'd be in my class and I could ask him a question. I wasn't sure how he'd respond to my question, but I thought he responded very well, and it made more sense to me after hearing him explain it.”
Classmate Shyann Jines agreed that she appreciated the Nixons’ visit.
“I enjoyed it,” Jines said. She is a freshman at DHS. “It was something new and it was enjoyable thought.”
She did, indeed, listen to the governor in class and during his remarks later in the morning when he addressed the DHS Student Body in the Bearcat Event Center.
“I think A+ is a very good thing because some parents and kids may not be able to afford to go off and pay for college. But with this you can. I am really thinking about attending Mizzou! but I'm really not sure yet.”
By taking advantage of A+ tuition, she might be able to start her college career at a community college and finish her degree at University of Missouri, she said.
“I thought his speech in the BEC was nice. Very glad he came,” said Snider.
Teacher Cherie Smith was impressed by the Nixons' interaction with the students and proud the students had a chance to visit with the governor.
"We were so excited and were honored to have the Governor visit our classroom," Smith said. "The kids couldn’t believe how down to earth he was. The impact was huge. This was a chance of a lifetime. How many kids (and adults) will ever have the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with any governor? When the Governor, his wife, and I were talking during the drill, we spoke a bout the best state parks to camp and hike in within the state of Missouri. It was such an exciting experience."
Photo above: Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon chat with DHS teacher Cherie Smith on Tuesday. The Nixon's spent some time in Smith's Family and Conuber Science class. (ShowMe Times Photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Times Photo Gallery
Gov. and Mrs. Nixon at DHS
ShowMe Times Photos by Annabeth Miller
Many residents of Dexter can get a prescription dose of reality when they begin to look back on an annual event called Disciple Now. Once again, the tradition continues this weekend as over 140 area students, leaders and host families sink themselves knee deep into a “lock in” weekend of incredible proportion.
A creative vision of the late Reverend Duke Tolbert , the concept of DNOW was introduced in 1981 when Duke (as he was affectionately known by most) arrived to his new position at First Baptist Church of Dexter. Duke had actually piloted the program in Florida in his previous church.
As a new and exciting idea, this event was challenging in the beginning, as it required the involvement and participation of the entire congregation of the church. Even though the idea was the epiphany of Duke Tolbert, the execution of the plan was left to the youth pastor, Wayne Dismuke. A monumental task, every DNOW weekend since the beginning has proven to be exhausting to everyone involved, yet rewarding on so many different levels.
The event crossed denominational lines, as everyone was invited to enjoy a great weekend of fun and spiritual growth. To date, an estimated 4,000 students alone have been involved and influenced by the Disciple Now weekend. And the numbers involved won’t begin to count the memories made every year by students, group leaders, host families and the many others that assist to make the weekend a success.
With the passing of time, there have been many changing of people involved in the weekends. Countless numbers of students have become leaders and leaders have become host families.
Traditionally scheduled for Super Bowl weekend each year, Disciple Now is a tough weekend for the host families. The brave volunteers offering up their home are treated to eight and even twelve high-energy students for late nights and early mornings filled with activity.
As many veteran hosts will share, the weekend is a drain on energy but a life changing time for the spirit. Host families are given opportunities to get to know each student of their group on a personal level.
Many great memories are held in the incredible leaders that have graced the weekends at each Disciple Now weekend. Some leaders are here for a year or two, and others have made it an annual commitment. Recognizable names of Randy Curless, Ted Burden, Grant Medford and Jake Gulledge are just a few of those great people that have given their own time away from their homes, families and their own church to simply bring impact to the weekend. From college students to youth pastors, these leaders put in hours of preparation time to make sure the weekend is enjoyable and impactful to their groups.
Now, thirty-one years since the dream of DNOW began, a face in the crowd looks familiar to others. Coach Aaron Pixley made that connection at Friday nights DHS basketball game as he noticed long time veteran Ted Burden. Being quite recognizable, Aaron recalled his time at the Rahm house with Ted.
"It was so great so see Ted last night," commented Brett Dorton. "I looked up at the concession stand and there he was."
These relationship run deeper and last for years as Brett recounted some of his memories and experience with Disciple Now. Brett is one that has filled all three roles with DNOW as a student, leader and a host home with his wife, Christy.
"My funniest moment had to be at the home of Steve and Joyce Kinder." remembered Dorton. "Late on Saturday night with Ted as our leader, we were having a hard time going to sleep and being pretty loud (in order to keep him up). It came a huge snow that night and Burden threatened us that we would have to run around the block in the snow if we woke him up one more time. To say the least, he lived up to his promise."
By all estimations, Ted Burden is one of the longest member of the leadership group. Ted is has a great musical talent and often will lead the praise music for the group, as well as deliver the sermon.
"But as far as my favorite memory, it was last year's celebrating the 30th anniversary of Disciple Now with Wayne Dismuke attending and leading The Unit." Brett added. "I was so proud when he received the standing ovation for his part as an originator of Disciple Now in Dexter."
One of the top memories is often the Saturday afternoon Wild Goose Chase. An event filled with hysteria, car loads of kids and adults acting like kids would travel throughout the town to fulfill a preset list of group To-Do's.
The competitive spirit was always running at the highest level among the teams while strategies bordered on the edge of devilish. Stolen keys, rocks behind vehicles and locked doors could often time be discovered during two-hour mad dash through the streets of Dexter. You may even recall times when a group of students would stop at the local Wal-Mart to serenade a shopper with a Christmas song (in February).
Then there was always a chance to prove the strength of your stomach by eating baby food squash at the Wallace and Owens parking lot. It was always a riddle and a great time.
There are far more great memories that many of you have, and we hope your will share these on our Faecbook Page.
As it's important to remember the contribution of Duke Tolbert and Wayne Dismuke, it is equally as important to acknowledgement those leaders that have continued the tradition of DNOW over the years.
A special thanks for their hard work and dedication to Greg McGhee, Travis Miller and Mark "Bubba" Threadgill. Thank you for making certain this tradition has continued to impact the youth of our community for generations.
By Annbeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
JEFFERSON CITY - Without taking single vote, the Missouri Senate on Thursday took the initiative in denying several gubernatorial appointments, forcing Gov. Jay Nixon’s choice for director of the Department of Economic Development to resign.
The unprecedented action was actually a lack of action on the State Senate. By not voting on appointments, the governor was forced to retract nominations a number appointments to boards and commissions
Friday is the last day for action by state Senators to act on the nominations of the governor to boards, commissions and state departments over which the body has the powers of advise and consent. Since the state Senate adjourned for the week on Thursday, that was the last effective date it could take up and confirm the governor’s appointments.
Traditionally, some gubernatorial appointments run into controversy and do not make it through the Senate’s committee process. If the Senate fails to take action on a nomination, the governor can retract the nomination, or the nomination can die at the end of the allotted time for Senate action.
Thursday was the first time any one can remember the clock running out on three nominees, let alone another several nominees who’s nominations were retracted by the governor.
“I think a lot of it stems from a lack of communication coming from the second floor,” said Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter. Mayer “second floor” comment referred to the governor’s office, on the second floor of the state capitol. “A lot of the senators were trying to work with the governor’s office, and somewhere along the line, some communication broke down.”
Under the state constitution, if a nominee is rejected by the Senate or does not have his nomination rescinded by the governor and time runs out, that nominee is barred for life from being nominated for the position again.
The break in communications between the Senate and Nixon’s office could not, however, be blamed for the withdrawal of the governor’s pick for the Department of Economic Development.
Nixon pick, Jason Hall, 36, resigned on Thursday morning rather than have the Senate not act on his nomination.
“The gubernatorial appointments committee vetted his background and his experience very well,” said Mayer. “The committee…felt like this was not the time to place someone that lacking of experience in that important of a position.”
Renewable energy sources are the wave of the future, and now is the time to jump on the bandwagon, according to experts at a conference in Dexter.
The conference, held Tuesday at the Dexter Chamber of Commerce building, was co-hosted by university of Missouri Extension, Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority, and Three Rivers College Center in Dexter.
Speakers for the morning covered a variety of topics that included funding sources and tax credits for purchase and installation of alternative energy sources, and photovoltaics (solar electric panels).
Dr. Van Ayers of UM Extension told the group that renewable energy is “the wave of the future.’
“There are government moneys available,” Ayers stressed, focused on projects that are good for the whole – not for an individual. Ayers told those gathered about government projects and incentives that help to attract business and individuals begin to utilize alernative energy.
Ayers also explained other pathways to funding, including Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) for individuals and rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG) for businesses. The latter is for feasibility studies and training for larger businesses. Ayers discussed a number of energy options, including wind turbines and photo panels (known as photovolataics).
Ayers explained the difference between using renewable energy "on or off the grid." In Missouri, Ameren is required to buy excess power from those that produce electricity from an alternate source.
Both Dr. Wes Payne of Three Rivers College and Julian Steiner of the Stoddard County IDA talked of training opportunities to prepare workers to enter this emerging field. Payne stressed that the college can work to develop a training program to fit a need, as long as there is a need and a network can support such a program.
