BREAKING NEWS
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
A line of severe thunderstorms – with high winds and much-needed rain – blew through the Dexter area Monday afternoon, leaving behind downed trees and debris in its path.
The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kent., reports strong winds , damage to trees and downed power lines throughout the Stoddard County area, including several lines reported down south of Bernie.
Several reportings of limbs and damage to trees were reported in Dexter. ShowMe Times reader John Stephens sent in photos of tree damage he witness on One Mile Road near Grant Street in Dexter.
As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, Ameren reported 2968 customers, or 40 percent of is customers were without power in Stoddard County, with over 2,500 out of power in the 63841 zip code area.
The forecast for Dexter and vicinity calls for scatter showers and thundershowers Monday evening, mainly before 7 p.m., with a low around 67.
Photo Above: Trees took a beating Monday afternoon, as a strong line of stroms swept through the Dexter area. This tree was spotted by ShowMe Times reader John Stephens on One Mile Road near Grant Street on Monday afternoon! Thanks, John!
Governor Jay Nixon signed legislation this week that aims to ease the transfer process betweem Missouri colleges and universities for the state’s college students.
The legislation, House Bill 1042, requires the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to set 25 core courses that will be transferable between any college – both two-year and four year institutions - in the ShowMe State.
“House Bill 1042 will remove many of the obstacles that block the route to degree attainment for hundreds of thousands of Missourians,” Nixon said. “It will improve remediation, align curriculum from high school to college, improve course transfer across higher education institutions, and help additional students who have received enough credits for an associate’s degree get that credential.”
State Rep. Mike Thompson, R – Maryville, sponsored the legislation. Thompson said easing the transfer process will help more Missourians graduate from college.
“I think that it nudges higher education across the two and four year institutions to collaborate more and start to look at the classes that they offer and get together with those and decide what actually should be offered within these things,” he said.
Additionally, the bill allows students who take courses at four year universities to transfer them to two year colleges if needed to qualify for a two year degree.
Photo Above: Missouri Gov. Jay and First Lady Georgeanne Nixon pause at the Bearcat mural at Dexter High School during a visit earlier this year. (ShowMe Times archive photo by Annabeth Miller)
ShowMe Times Editor
The Loft at #8 Stoddard Street in Historic Downtown Dexter marked its opening with a traditional Dexter Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting celebration. With Mayor Joe Weber and young Tres and Gracen Hampton handling the over-sized scissors, the ribbon was cut marking the arrival of the new Downtown Dexter business.
The Loft is owned by Brian Crawford and features a wide variety of items for the home - including candles and home scents, furniture, antiques, rugs and floor coverings, accent items and market finds. There is an entire room devoted to Christmas items for the home, as well as a line of home style books, antiques from England, and accents for the home.
In addition, Crawford has included a line of vintage and estate jewelry, as well as unique bedding and framed art.
"I love Dexter, and invite people to come join us at The Loft," Crawford said. "I hope this will be a welcoming place - where you can find just the special something for your home or a gift, you can meet friends, and enjoy a conversation with friends."
Crawford and staff held the drawing late Thursday afternoon for a number of Grand Opening Day door prizes. Winning prizes were:
- Jason Banken - Lavender scent set
- Pauline Nelson - Moon Flower set
- Tina Fields - vintage ring
- Marcelene Cravens - pendent
- Sam Sturgess - Smokey Topaz pendent
- Diana Orr - $50 gift card
- Elvena Martin - $100 gift card
- Gloria Hampton - Christmas basket
- Darryl Orr - Home wall mirror
Photo Above: The Loft in Historic Downtown Dxter celebrated its Grand Opening Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting celebrations hosted by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. On hand were (fron row, from left) Bill Hampton of Three Rivers College, Dexter Mayor Joe Weber, Tres and Gracen Hampton, store owner Brian Crawford, Chamber President Kenny Pope and Chamber Director Janet Coleman; (second row, from left) Kay Stevenson, James Hampton, Sue Sturgess, Afton Boone, Jeri Morgan-Pierce, Chamber Director Mindy Bell, Betsy Taylor; (third row, from left) Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham, Andrew Boone, Chamber Vice President Jackie McKuin, Alderman Kirby Taylor, Alderman Terry Battles, and Chamber Director Scott Nelson. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Two ladies with more than 25 years of service to the Keller Public Library were recognized at Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
After 17 years of service, Connie Hutchcraft is retiring from the library at the end of this year.
“We appreciate the many years you’ve given,” said Mayor Joe Weber in making a presentation of a plaque from the City to Hutchcraft.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with everybody and being a part of the City and part of the library and I’ve enjoyed meeting some wonderful people. I won’t forget you,” Hutchraft said.
Blanche Dinsmore was also recognized Monday evening for 10 years of service to the library.
“Best job I’ve ever had,” Dinsmore said cheerfully.
Library Director Pam Trammell said both ladies have been a part of the library in some important days.
“They’ve both seen the library through a lot of transitions, and it is certainly the better for it,” Trammell said. “Connie certainly has a following at the library and she’s going to be missed by a lot of people.”
The ladies received a standing ovation from the aldermen in appreciation for the years of service to the community.
Trammell said that Wednesday, June 6 will be “Connie’s Day” at the library with a drop-in reception from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Library patrons and area residents are invited to visit the library and wish Hutchcraft well as she begins retirement.
Later in the aldermanic meeting, Trammell said that she has made some personnel moves in light of Hutchcraft’s retirement. Assistant Librarian Rita LeBeau has gone from two days a weeks to four, and former Dexter High School Librarian Pam Horton will be joining the librarian staff and will be at the library three days each week.
Alderman Jerry Corder, who is chairman of the city Tourism Committee, reported during Monday’s meeting that the River Heritage Association will meet in Dexter Wednesday. The tourism group will have the opportunity to tour Dexter’s Heritage House, the Welcome Center/Old Depot, and have the opportunity to see Pete Parysek’s model train collection. A dinner meeting will also be held while the group is in Dexter.
Corder also had great praise for the Rib City Shootout, and how it brings families to Dexter for four weekends each summer.
“To me, this is really a boost to tourism,” Corder said. The basketball extravaganza involves more than 250 teams of young people from throughout the mid-south region. Corder praised organizer and Dexter schools coach Chad Allen.
The department chiefs offered updates on projects and programs in the city:
- Water Superintendent Tom Espey report his department would be working on a fire hydrant at Castor and West Elk streets on Wednesday
- Police Chief Sammy Stone report that the parking lot at the newly renovated Police Station has been complete, the lot striped and completed. Stone said this is the final step in the project at the police headquarters and he appreciates the public’s patience during the remodeling and construction.
- The work on the downtown rainwater sewer is nearing a completion, said department chief Jeff Myers. Mayor Weber commended the Street Department for its work on the program.
- Parks and Recreation Supt. Lawson Metcalf reported the pool has experienced good attendance since it opened for the season Memorial Day weekend. The average daily attendance thus far is 184.
- Fire Chief Don Seymore report that the department is nearing completion on its annual testing of the City’s fire hydrants, and should complete testing of fire hoses this week.
- Aldermen unanimously approved an ordinance approving a bid of $30,000 from Jethero Gater Construction for the closing of the West Lagoon cell.
