Oliver First Area State Prosecutor to Receive DEA Award
What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you hear the words "Bath Salts"? If you are like many that are simply naive or unaware of the drug culture that is in our society, your first thought is possibly the "Lose Yourself In Luxury" or the "Ancient Chinese Secret" of "Calgon" water softening minerals. If that is your level of understanding, we are all dangerously uninformed of the pitfalls and problems found in the world of manufactured synthetic drugs.
Bath Salts are drugs. These are drugs just like any mind altering, habit forming dangerous illegal drug. These are synthetic stimulants that are marketed as "bath salts" and are often found in a number of retail products. Technically, these synthetic stimulants are chemicals. The chemicals are synthetic derivatives of cathinone, a central nervous system stimulant, which is an active chemical found naturally in the khat plant. Mephedrone and MDPV (3-4 methylene-dioxypyrovalerone) are two of the designers cathinones most commonly found in these "bath salt" products. Many of these products are sold over the Internet, in convenience stores and in "head shops".
Realizing the dangers and the exposures that our children have to these synthetic drugs, Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver took a bold and unpopular stand to have these items removed from the shelves of retail stores in our area. He called them what they were, "Drugs".
“It was the snowball that got it all started for DEA,” that’s how Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Regional Supervisory Special Agent Michael Scalise described Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver’s work on the synthetic drug epidemic.
“Mr. Oliver is the first state prosecutor in this area to receive this award because his leadership and work on the frontlines of this new battle in the war on drugs has been instrumental in law enforcement’s advancements against the growing threat of synthetics,” Scalise explained at an award ceremony on Monday at the Federal Courthouse in Cape Girardeau.“Russ’ work was one of the catalysts that initially got DEA’s attention and eventually lead to ‘Operation Log Jam’ in which a nationwide sweep of convenience stores and ‘head-shops’ netted hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal property seizures and thousands of pounds of synthetic drug product,” continued Scalise.
"I'm honored to be recognized by DEA, however this award is an accomplishment for all of Stoddard county's law enforcement community," humbly stated Oliver. "Sheriff Carl Hefner and the municipal agencies of the county all had a hand in this success. They all can be truly proud of this accomplishment."
Also present at the awards ceremony was Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, Emerson, who sponsored the “Bath Salt Ban” legislation that recently was introduced in the US Congress, and State Senator Rob Mayer, who also passed multiple synthetic drug bans while in the Missouri legislature.
Emerson said of Oliver’s work, “we’re all proud of the work that Russ has done. These drugs have truly scary consequences. While working on the Bath Salt Ban legislation, we learned so much about the effects that these substances have on individuals. It is vital that the families of this area become aware of these dangers in their backyard. Russ’ work no doubt has saved lives and informed thousands of these dangers.”
Also on hand was State Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer. “These drugs are a menace to our communities. We passed multiple pieces of legislation to give law enforcement the tools they needed to fight this epidemic. It’s great to see the efforts of our local law enforcement recognized on a national level” said Mayer.
During media interviews Oliver was asked if because of this award he considered this a good day, Oliver responded “any day that the media talks about synthetic drugs it raises awareness of the dangers of these substances. Awareness of these dangers saves lives. Any day that lives are saved is a good day.”
For a good source of additional information related to "Bath Salt", visit the website for "Just Think Twice". This site boasts the slogan of "YOU HAVE HEARD THE FICTION, NOW LEARN THE FACTS". A little better understanding of what we are dealing with could help us all.Without research or experience, we many times loose touch with the dangers that surround us in our society. These manufactured drugs are sneaking into our world under the disguise of energy stimulants that we have been excepting of for years, such as "No Dose" or Monster Energy Drinks. However the long term effects and dangers of Bath Salt exceeds the acceptable level of a safe stimulant.
Compliments and kudos to Russ Oliver for his award, but most of all for his willingness to step forward on his beliefs that our families and children deserve to be protected from the ravages of a drug such as Bath Salts.
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
Amongst many things going on at Dexter High School during the fall season, a large number of family and friends showed up to the DHS Auditorium this afternoon to listen to the Dexter Choirs perform in their Fall Concert.
Every year to begin the Fall Concert, the seniors are announced. Choir Director Mrs. Jamie Sepulvado took the microphone and introduced the eighteen seniors who are currently enrolled in at least one of her choir classes. Each senior was announced one by one as they walked down the aisle holding a candle and met to form a senior group on the risers.
Mrs. Sepulvado commented on this year’s seniors, “I’m truly going to miss this class of incredible seniors. I only wish them the very best in the next chapter of their lives. I know their future is bright. My advice to them is to keep their music close. There will be days of rejoicing and days of sorrow but through everything, the music they have inside them will help them through it all. It was an honor to be your director for two years.”
After the recognition of the seniors, the Concert Choir and Women’s Ensemble joined each other on stage as they performed four songs together. Soloists including: Paula Hagy, Jason Killian, Linda love, and Oliver Warren.
Following the Concert Choir and Women’s Ensemble was Chamber Choir. Chamber Choir performed four different songs with soloists including: Rachel Putnam, Jacob Murdock, Shayna Bess, and JT Putnam. Mrs. Sepulvado noted that the Chamber Choir consisted of eighty-one members, who for the most part, are very young but talented members.
Closing the concert, Honors Choir came onto the stage to perform four songs. Their first song was a familiar song to everyone in the crowd as they sang The Star-Spangled Banner. Soloists among the Honors Choir included: Jon Rodgers, Logan Quertermous, Christin Sitzes, Reale Cook, Noah Raines, Noah Kronk, Emily Long, and Brooks Propst.
Despite how beautiful of a Sunday afternoon it has been outside, there was hardly an empty seat in the Dexter High School Auditorium as these talented choirs took the stage under the direction and accompanist of Mrs. Jamie Sepulvado for the 2012 Fall Choir Concert.
Pictured in the above photo is a number of girl members in the Dexter Choir. In the photo below is the group of seniors enrolled in a choir class this year at Dexter High School.
On October 13th, many local middle schools and high schools participated in a large marching band competition in Charleston, Missouri. Charleston is one of the largest band competitions in this area that hosts a marching competition and a field competition every year. Multiple bands from Southeast Missouri compete against each other for various awards in each division.
Stoddard County had many bands that entered the competition, including: Dexter, T.S. Hill Middle School, Richland Junior High, Richland, Puxico, Bloomfield, Bell City, and Advance. Each Class, or division, was dependent on the size of the band, so many of the schools from Stoddard County did not compete against each other.
T.S. Hill won first place in the junior high division, defeating five other middle school bands. They played the song ‘Banda Excellante’ and won five out of the six trophies available to win, including highest music score, outstanding percussion, outstanding color guard, and outstanding drum major.
Puxico High School won first place in the Gold Class division, while playing ‘Thriller’. Their majorettes placed first in the Gold Class division and the band was rewarded with the outstanding marching and outstanding music. Puxico also took home the first place trophy for their field show division.
Richland High School won the Blue Class division, while playing ‘Proud Mary’. They were also rewarded with outstanding marching, outstanding music, and outstanding guard. Their three majorettes won first over all the other bands that competed.
Dexter High School played the song ‘Bird Land’ and got second place in their division. They received the highest music score, outstanding marching, outstanding guard, and outstanding drum major. They were awarded third place in their field show division.
The Charleston Parade is the final competition of the marching season for many bands, but a few of them plan to return and finish the season next month at the Dexter Holiday Parade on November 9th, playing Christmas-themed songs and bringing Holiday cheer.
The local marching bands earned numerous trophies and won many victories and the Charleston Parade gave them a great way to end the competition season. We would like to say congratulations to all the bands that competed and good luck for next season.
Jessica Snider SMT Writer
On March 22, 1915, thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Anna Brosius Korn, the 48th General Assembly set aside the third Wednesday in October as “Missouri Day.”
Missouri Day was originally set as a time for schools to honor the state and also for the people of the state of Missouri to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of Missourians.
Many teachers all across the state of Missouri squeeze some Missouri-related history into their lesson plans every year on this day.
People of the state of Missouri including: educational, commercial, political, civic, religious, and fraternal organizations are requested to devote some of their day to the consideration of the products of mines, fields, and even forests throughout the state.
It is also a day to take into consideration all the achievements of the sons and daughters of Missouri in commerce, literature, statesmanship, science and art, and in any other departments in which the state does service to mankind.
For those who weren’t aware of today being Missouri Day, maybe now you will set plans to research some of the achievements of Missourians or even go deeper and visit some of Missouri’s beautiful mines, fields, or forests. How will you celebrate Missouri Day?
Today is a day that we should all feel extra special about living in the Show-Me State. We should all take pride in the accomplishments that many Missourians have achieved, and maybe even hope to get recognized for achieving something ourselves one day.
Happy Missouri Day to all Missourians!
Richland High School is hosting a dinner theater on Friday, October 26th at 6:00pm, serving a classic country dinner while performing “The Glue of Gopher Gulch”. The actors and actresses are excited and are rearing to go for Richland’s first dinner theater performance.
“The Glue of Gopher Gulch” was written by T.S. Hill’s English teacher, John Stephens. The story includes the classic damsel in distress, played by eleventh grader Kayla Uhles, and the big, bad villain, played by eleventh grader Kannon Qualls. They are accompanied by several other witty characters that will have the crowd laughing. There are thirteen actors that will contribute to the play and they have been working and practicing very hard to make it a wonderful performance.
The story takes place in old west, so the waiters and waitresses will be dressed in costumes so that the guests feel like they are part of the event. Some of the servers will perform small and comedic acts between scenes for the guests’ entertainment. The dinner will be catered by Judy Ackman, serving “country classics” like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a tasty dessert, and much more.
Many of the students quickly got involved with the play and fell in love with acting and performing. There are twenty-two students that are performing in the play and a few staff members will too. A lot of the students are contributing to this event, whether they are acting, creating props, gathering costumes, waitressing, or helping back stage.
Amber Duley, the school’s music and band director, is coordinating the performance and is proud of the students for working so hard in this short amount of time.
“We’re having a great time,” says Duley, “They’re doing such a good job. We’re having so much fun together and the play is just hilarious.”
All proceeds from the dinner theater will go towards Richland’s Backpack Program, a program put together by the school nurse that gives food to the less fortunate families of the community. The school’s music department is proud to represent and support such a great and fulfilling program.
Hurry and get your tickets because the last day to make a reservation for this divine performance is Thursday, October 18th. Tickets are now on sale for $15 and a reservation is required, there will be no tickets for sale at the gates. The doors will open at 5:30pm and the play will begin at 6:00pm. You can order your tickets at 573-283-5332, ask for Mrs. Sherman to place an order.
The cast is hoping for a great turnout for this important event, so be sure to stop in and get a big plate of fried chicken while laughing and enjoying a great show.
