By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is cracking down on drunken drivers, but this time it's those driving boats on the state's waterways.
The Water Patrol Division announced Monday it will participate in Operation Dry Water, a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols during the last weekend in June to achieve a high visibility of boating under the influence enforcement. Troopers will focus their efforts over the weekend of June 22-24, 2012, to detect and apprehend intoxicated operators.
Missouri boat operators found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% will be arrested for boating while intoxicated, the patrol reports.
“A vessel operator with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit runs a significantly increased risk of being involved in a boating crash,” said Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Last year in Missouri, just over half of the fatal boating crashes had alcohol as a contributing factor.
Missouri's legal limit blood-alcohol limit for boaters is 0.08, the same as for those driving motor vehicles. That limit was changed in 2008.
“Boating in Missouri is a fun and enjoyable experience for the vast majority of the boating public. To ensure the safety for all people on the water, boaters should designate a sober operator for their vessel anytime their plans include alcohol.,” said Replogle.
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)
