ShowMe Times Editor
In what has become an on-going problem in the city, vandals have once again struck a Dexter city park.
Parks and Recreation Supt. Lawson Metcalf reported to the Board of Aldermen on Monday evening that vandals were caught on surveillance cameras actually detaching and taking off with the cameras from the public restrooms at East City Park. The incident occurred around midday on Sunday.
Metcalf reported the video recordings showed the vandals detaching the cameras from the building. Three cameras were taken in this latest round of vandalism, valued at approximately $500. The video has been delivered to the Dexter Police Department for investigation.
“They looked to me that they were in their 20’s” Metcalf said when asked about the vandals’ age. He reported the suspects were white males. “The downside of it is that we got a decent picture of a vehicle, and it appears that it didn’t have a front license plate.”
“I can’t believe that mid-day on Sunday somebody didn’t see something,” said City Administrator Mark Stidham. “In broad daylight!”
Metcalf said the video shows a motorcycle and a car drove by while the vandals were taking the camera down from the restroom.
“Seems like the restrooms have been a target here this year,” Metcalf said. Reports of vandalism at the public restrooms were reported at both East and West parks earlier this year.
Mischief at the Park
Metcalf also reported patrons at the West City Park have complained lately about rowdy young people.
“There has been an on-going problem this year in the West Park with a lot of mischief going on, a lot of young people up there, a lot of cursing, a lot of vulgarity, a lot of indecent gestures. I’ve had numerous complaints from people that enjoy using the walking trail in the evening. Some people have even told me they are going to quit going up there because of the activity going on,” Metcalf said.
The police have been notified of the situation, Metcalf reported and several arrests have been made and citations issued at the park.
‘They are trying to get a grip on the situation,” he said. “It’s out of control.”
Metcalf said they do not want the actions of the young people to discourage walkers from using the walking track at the park.
Stidham said the recent arrests were older teens, from age 16 through 19.
Police Chief Sammy Stone said that teens age 16 and younger would be referred to country juvenile authorities; those 17 and older would come under City jurisdiction.
“We’ve got two real nice parks that are being taken over by ruffians,” said Alderman Kirby Taylor. “Can’t let them take over these parks. They’re too good.”
Police officers – including officers in plain clothes – will be stationed at the park to hopefully put a stop to the activities. Stidham said the officers would be able to issue citations and make arrests.
Link Of Interest
Photo Above: City Department chiefs discuss with aldermen problems with vandalism in city parks. Department heads include (from left) Tom Espy, Lawson Metcalf, and Jeff Myers (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMeTimesEditor
Back before a hometown crowd after his work in the Missouri State Senate, State Senator Rob Mayer officially declared his plans to leave the world of legislative politics in Missouri’s capitol to seek a seat on the judicial bench in the Bootheel.
On Monday, Mayer kicked-off his campaign for the 35th Circuit Judge, serving Stoddard and Dunklin counties. He officially announced his candidacy back in February at the Stoddard County Republican Lincoln Day banquet.
Mayer, a Republican, has served 12 years in the legislative branch of state government, in the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate; Mayer was “term-limited” by the state’s constitution, and unable to seek another legislative term in Jefferson City. During his last two years in the state Senate, Mayer served as the Senate President Pro Tem, one of the most powerful leadership positions in state government.
The 35th Circuit has been served by Judge Stephen Sharp of Kennett for a number of years. Sharp announced last year his plans to retire and not seek another term on the bench.
“It’s always nice to see friends,” Mayer said to a room full of supporters at the luncheon at the Hickory Log in Dexter. Many in the room have been loyal Mayer supporters since his first campaign for the state House of Representatives in 2000. “It’s good to be back home. You all have been gracious and supportive for my 12 years in the legislature; you have been so good and gone the extra mile.”
Mayer spoke about the many races on this November’s General Election ballot, with everything from U.S. President, to Missouri’s statewide officials and U.S. Senator to be decided by voters.
“I believe this circuit judge race is very important,” he commented. “You all know that a judge plays a very important part in our democratic system of government. A circuit judge will rule on cases dealing with family law, criminal cases, and various other civic cases that will involve a wide range of legal issues.”
Missouri’s circuit courts are courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction. The state is organized into 45 judicial circuits. Circuit judges are elected by popular vote for six-year terms.
“Most Americans want a judge who is respectful, who is fair and impartial, who has the highest degree of honestly. And that’s the type of judge I’ll strive to be,” Mayer told the crowd.
His wife, Nancy, introduced Mayer to the hometown crowd.
Mayer is a Dexter native, and graduated in 1975 from Dexter High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He was first elected in 2000 to the House of Representatives and in 2004 was elected to the State Senate. He and his wife Nancy have three sons, Justin, Dustin and Daniel.
Mayer has no opponent on the GOP ballot in the August primary election. He will face Democrat Stephen Mitchell of Dexter, who currently serves as Associate Judge in Stoddard County.
Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor,contributed to this report.
Photo Above: Rob Mayer, candidate for the Circuit Judge in the 35th judicial circuit that includes Stoddard and Dunklin counties, speaks to supporters at a campaign kick-off luncheon on Monday. (ShowMe Times Photo by Andrew Cato)
ShowMe Times Editor
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 3.3 magnitude earthquake at 8:40 a.m. Sunday, centered around the Mississippi River about two miles west of Tiptonville, Tenn.
The quake was large enough to be felt locally. USGS had reports of the tremor being felt in Portageville and other Southeast Missouri and western Tennessee communities.
The epicenter of the quake was at 36.411°N, 89.529°W, 4 miles from Tiptonville, Tenn., 14 miles from Marston, and 149 miles from Memphis, Tenn.
The earthquake was one of the tremors that shake the New Madrid Seismic Zone from Illinois to Arkansas along the Mississippi River. It is one of the most active earthquake zones in the United States. The area felt two of the most powerful earthquakes in our nation's history when a series of 8.0+ magnitude quakes hit in 1811 and 1812.
No reports of damage from the quake were reported to USGS.
As the welcome rain passed through the area early in the
week, the weather has been more than cooperative during the carnival nights. With only one night remaining, the promise of another great night seems to be good to wrap up the weeks activities.
The Millers Extravaganza Show filled this date at the last minute. moving locations from the fair grounds to the open land on Business Highway 60 next to Dexter BBQ and Ozark Fitness. Getting into the traffic of the summer was the goal and it has appeared to pay off for the group.
"We really wanted to come back to Dexter to do our show as we really like the people around here", commented carnival owner, Freddy Miller of Greenbrier, Arkansas. "... and teaming with the 18 Fore Life Foundation has been a great chance for us to give back to the community."
Montgomery Bank, County Wide Insurance Agency and the ShowMe Times all coordinated the event at the last minute to bring a little fun to the summer months.
"We feel we can do so much more with this event next year", commented Dana Adams, Branch Manager of Montgomery Bank. "We simply didn't have time to get the extra events planned this year but are already making plans for 2013." The Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation has become a strong local charity that is favored by many in the community. With only a quick call to Scott Kruse, the event was quickly planned over a weekend and has been a success for both 18 Fore Life and the community of Dexter.
"What do I always say ... 'YES'", explained Scott Kruse. "I always say 'Yes' to people that are wanting to give of themselves to help move our charity forward.
Kruse went on to explain that after the record setting event three weeks prior, the 18 Fore Life request list continues to have individuals and families that have needs. The list is just longer than the amount of money that can be raised.
The slogan of "More Than Just A Golf Tournament" is held true with the activities surrounding the 18 Fore Life events. From Crappie Tournaments to Volleyball Games to Santa Clause pictures, the list continues to grow in diversity and fun.
"You get into the idea of raising money for a good cause and that is basically a great part of helping 18 Fore Life", commented Alan Hedrick of County Wide Insurance Agency. "But reality happens when you get a chance to see firsthand the impact that this charity brings to our community and the surrounding area."Hedrick went on to tell the story of a young lady that stopped by the County Wide office to inquire about the 18 Fore Life charity. Her father had been diagnosed this week with cancer and her family was facing some difficult times ahead.
"I was able to help her make a connection to the 18 Fore Life Foundation to request assistance." beamed Hedrick. "I was also able to point her to Pastor Tim Russell of Lighthouse Christian Center and Lighthouse member, Kay Davison, to assist with the spiritual needs of the family."
The 18 Fore Life Foundation is far reaching in what it delivers to our community. We all agree that the events bring a great time and good fun to our lives. On a much grander scale, this charity touches lives in our community at the times it is needed the most.
That story alone is motivating to help motivate a person to attend the Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Carnival. Your purchase of tickets for the Miller Extravaganza Show rides earns a large donation to support 18 Fore Life.
Have fun at the Carnival!!
Editors Note: It was also noted how these events do not just happen without the cooperation and help of the entire community. Special thanks to goes out from the sponsors to the neighbors surrounding the carnival grounds for tolerating a little extra traffic, some minor trash issues and just the congestion in the area. Those are Dexter BBQ, Ozark Fitness, B A Promotions, Sherm Smith Jr., Dr. Bobby Jibben, American Steakhouse, Bank of Advance as well as many others. Thanks for being great neighbors for this event.The sponsors also would like to offer a huge debt of gratitude to Scott Rankin, owner of SEMO Land Design and Tim Holden, owner of Holden Pallet Company. Both of these gentlemen jumped in after the rain last Monday to make certain the grounds were ready for the event. Scott Rankin in particular took his professional skills and charitable heart to make a contribution to making this event successful. Thanks to Everyone!
By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Thursday is Flag Day throughout America - a day that commemorates the adoption of the original 13 Stars and Stripes, which occurred June 14 in 1777.
The young men in Dexter’s Boys Scout Troop 200 were out early to place American flags in the Historic Downtown district, as well as on Business Highway 60 in town.
Although President Wilson officially proclaimed it as "Flag Day" in summer of 1949, it is not what is known as an official federal holiday.
According to the Defense Department, ten Navy ships, including USS Fort McHenry, are commemorating Flag Day today at the site of the historic War of 1812 battle 200 years ago that inspired the National Anthem.
Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will take part in Flag Day events at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, the star-shaped fortress that endured what’s become one of the most remembered engagements of the war.
On the night of Sept. 13, 1814, British ships in Baltimore harbor bombarded the outgunned U.S. resistance at the fort for 25 solid hours. Francis Scott Key, a civilian lawyer who was sent to Baltimore to negotiate an American hostage’s release, found himself in a front-row seat to the battle aboard a British ship.
As dawn broke the following morning, Key stood on the ship’s deck, amazed to see the U.S. flag still flapping in the breezes over the battered fort. He was so moved that he penned the poem that became the lyrics of the National Anthem.
The Navy ships in Baltimore are part of a flotilla making its way up the Eastern Seaboard to mark the bicentennial of the war that historians say marked the dawn of U.S. naval power.
Eighteen tall ships, including the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, and navy vessels from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Norway are accompanying the Navy gray hulls in the “Star Spangled Sailabration.”
The flotilla spent 12 days in Norfolk before arriving today in Baltimore for a week of activities including a tall ship parade, an air show by the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, fireworks and a parachute jump into Camden Yards.
Flag Etiquette
Federal law stipulates much of flag etiquette, which is often called the Flag Code. Some of the general guidelines to properly display the American flat are listed below
- The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
- The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
- The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
- The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
- When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
- The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
- When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Photo above: The American Flag flags in the early orning sunlight along Stoddard Street in Historic Downtown Dexter. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
