Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Stoddard County, Missouri - Route AC and route N in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews pavement repairs. 

The route AC section of roadway is located from Route AA to County Road 237.  Weather permitting; work will take place Monday, July 22 through Thursday, July 25 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

Route N in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. 

This section of roadway is located from Route 60 to Route E.

Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Southeast District - The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety has awarded Law Enforcement Grants for 2014 to 19 agencies, in an effort to improve roadway safety in Southeast Missouri. Congratulations to the Bernie Police Department and Police Chief Justin Allen.

Executive members of the SE Coalition, which includes personnel from law enforcement agencies, health care advocates, state government agencies and private businesses, reviewed grants.

Awards were based on greatest need and the proposed impact on reducing fatalities and injuries on Missouri's highways. Verification of a departmental seat belt policy was required and agency involvement with the Coalition was also considered.

Law Enforcement Grants can be used to help cover the cost of overtime and equipment for DWI checkpoints, saturation patrols, and law enforcement. By partnering with local law enforcement, the SE Coalition hopes to decrease the number of fatal and disabling accidents in Southeast Missouri.

Agencies awarded funding include:  

•                Bell City Police Department

•                Bernie Police Department

•                Bloomfield Police Department

•                Cape Girardeau Police Department

•                Fredericktown Police Department

•                Hayti Heights Police Department

•                Houston Police Department

•                Iron County Sheriff's Office

•                Kennett Police Department

•                Licking Police Department

•                Miner Police Department

•                Mountain Grove Police Department

•                Mountain View Police Department

•                Perry County Sheriff's

•                Piedmont Police Department

•                Pilot Knob Police Department

•                Scott County Sheriff's Office

•                Summersville Police Department

•                West Plains Police Department

 Applications are due each year by May 31st.  If you would like more information about these grants here is the contact information:

Grants are carefully reviewed and awarded based on greatest need and the proposed impact on reducing fatalities and injuries. Verification of a departmental seat belt policy and agency involvement with the Coalition will also be considered.

Applications are available at www.savemolives.com/southeast/resources.html or by request. For more information please contact:

Sandy Taurone - Regional Contact for the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety

MoDOT, Southeast Region, 2675 N. Main, P.O. Box 160, Sikeston, MO 63801

Phone:  573-472-5388, Fax: 573-472-5265,  E-Mail: Sandra.Taurone@modot.mo.gov  

Lt. John R. Davis - Chairman for the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety

Cape Girardeau Police Department, 40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Phone:  573-335-6621 x1095 E-Mail:  JDavis@cityofcapegirardeau.org         

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is a partnership of safety advocates including law enforcement agencies, health care providers, state and federal government agencies, planning organizations and advocacy groups that work to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes in Missouri.

For additional information, please visit www.savemolives.com/southeast/index.html.

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri - The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post #59 has begun a new tradition of recognizing a local veteran for their military service.  Veterans will be honored on a quarterly basis.  The first presentation was held on Thursday evening at Post #59 with Lt. Col. Clifford T. Manlove (Ret.) receiving the Legionnaire of the Quarter honor.

The Kenady-Hanks American Legion Post in recognition of Manlove’s service submitted the following dialogue:

 “D-Day at 20,000 feet, the sky was clear across the English Channel that fateful day. And in all of it was Dexter’s own, (then Pilot) Clifford T. Manlove.

Growing up in Dexter, Mo., Manlove was inspired by the great pilot of the day, Charles A. Lindbergh. Enrolling at Purdue University in 1936, he obtained two years of college credit to begin his aviation dream.

Clifford Manlove enlisted in the U.S. Army Corp on Aug. 15, 1941, as an Aviation Cadet. Continuing to chase the dream, he graduated from Advance Pilot training on March 16, 1942, as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Our hometown hero went on to fly a myriad of different aircraft in his career from a B-17 bomber to a P-51 fighter in World War Two and then flew transport aircraft in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, which is a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

Retiring from the military on May 31, 1969, after 28 years, Manlove returned home to his beloved wife June, and their five sons and one daughter. Throughout the years, Cliff Manlove has fulfilled many tasks, including Chairman of the Dexter Airport’s governing board and Grand Marshall of all Veteran’s Day parades since 1969.

And for this, to this hometown hero, we of the Dexter American Legion Post 59, do award him our Legionnaire of the Quarter Award.”

The above document was written by Scott Harding who is the Adjutant and Public Relations Officer for Post #59.  Not only did it take a great amount of time to research the information, but his dedication and devotion to the American Legion is honorable.

Standing in the photo are Commander Darryl LaPierre, Col. Cliff Manlove (Ret.), and Scott Harding.

Congratulations to Clifford T. Manlove! 

HISTORY OF MISSOURI GIRLS STATE:

"Missouri Girls State (MGS) was first established in 1940 as one of 11 Girls State programs in the nation. The first session was held at William Woods University (then College), Fulton, in the summer of 1940 under the direction of Lutie Long Smith. There were 213 citizens in attendance the first year and Juanita Curry was elected Governor.

The citizens were divided into 3 counties -- Scott, Price, and Barton; and there were six cities -- Pershing, Koontz, Boone, Crowder, Lewis, and Clark. MGS was located at William Woods for 17 sessions, with no sessions held in 1943 and 1945 due to war. Following a fire at the college in 1959, MGS transferred to Christian College, Columbia, in 1960.

In 1961, the program moved to Stephens College, Columbia, due to the need for a larger facility. The program returned again to William Woods University in 1976, where it remained until 1998 when it moved to Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg (now University of Central Missouri).

Currently, MGS has 760 citizens in 7 counties and 21 cities. Our cities and counties are named after famous or important people to the American Legion Auxiliary and the State of Missouri or those individuals who have contributed in some way to the success of the Missouri Girls State program."

Dexter, Missouri - Six young ladies had a once in a lifetime chance to attend Missouri Girls State 2013 held on the University of Central Missouri's Campus in Warrensburg, Missouri.  Attending this year were Sara Mouser, Alison Jarrell, Riley Rickman, Mollie Whitehead, Kendra Stevenson, and Reale Cook.

Each summer local organizations contribute to make it financially feasible for select girls who have completed their junior year in high school to attend Girls State.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the event where the girls live together as a self-governing citizens and may run for public offices at the city, county and state levels.  They are also involved in fundraising, running for office, election processes, sponsoring bills and follow the process of guiding a bill into law.

"They have a greater understanding and appreciation of their roles as American citizens," stated Dee Wamble, American Legion Auxillary Unit #59 Girls State Coordinator.  "Also this endeavor could not be made possible without the contributions of local service organizations."

Kendra Stevenson is the daughter of Kay Stevenson of Dexter.  She is ranked in the Top 10% of her class and is a member of both the tennis and softball Bearcat teams.  She is a member of Rotary Interact, Future Teachers of America, Children of the American Revolution and the Bernie Church of Christ.  Kendra is in the Dexter Honor Society as well and plans to pursue a degree in forensic science and later a law degree.

At Girls State Kendra served on the City Central Committee and was appointed Clark City Attorney.  She was later elected as Davidson County Prosecuting Attorney.  The Dexter Rotary Club was the civic organization who contributed to her attendance.

Mollie Whitehead is the daughter of Jonathan and Kristi Whitehad of Dexter and she plans to attend college and pursue a degree in nursing.

She is an avid basketball player performing with the Lady Bearcat Basketball team and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Mollie is also a member of Future Teacher of American an attends Liberty Hill General Baptist Church. 

While at Girls State she served as a delegate and served on the State Central Committee.  "I made friendship that will last a lifetimes.  Girls State taught me how to be a leader, have confidence in myself, and realize that my opinion and my voice are very important."  Her attendance was made possible through the Dexter Lions Club.

Judge Miller quoted at the inauguration, "There are two ways to spread light; to be the flame, or to be the mirror that reflect it."  "That quote will be one I will never forget." stated Miss Whitehead.

Alison Jarrell is the daughter of Dennis and Paula Jarrell and attends First United Methodist Church.  She carries several sports awards including having been named to the All Conference Basketball team as well as All Region and All District teams.  She was also named the Best 3-Point Shooter by the Sikeston Standard Democrat.

Miss Jarrell is a Dexter Honor Society Member, FCA and FBLA student member.  Her plans after high school are to obtain a degree in athletic training then attend a physical therapy program and earn her doctorate.

At Girls State she served on the County Council Committee as well as the State Council Committee.  Her attendance was made possible by the Dexter Kiwanis Club.

Riley Rickman is the daughter of Tony and Robin Rickman of Dexter.  She is a member of the Dexter Lady 'Cats Softball team where she has earned the 2013 Softball MVP and held the highest batting average on her team.  She also received the I Dare You Leadership Award.  She is a member of STUCO, Dexter Honor Society, FTA and Top 10%. 

She plans to attend Murray State University following high school.

Riley served on the City Council at Girls State for the city of Adreon.  She was sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary of Dexter.

Sarah Mouser is the daughter of Eric and Pam Mouser of Dexter.  She is a member of the South Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church.

She is also a member of FCA, FBLA and Dexter Honor Society.  She plans to attend Missouri State University and hopes to teach elementary students.

Sarah served on the State Committee as a Girls State attendee and her contributor was the Dexter Elks Lodge #2439.

Reale Cook is the daughter of Shannon and Karen Cook.  She is a member of Honors Choir and Dexter Show Choir.  She is also a member of FHA, FCCLA, Cheerleading, Dance Team, and Cadet Teaching.

At Girls State she became an election official and resided int he city of Cockrill.  Her attendance was made possible through the Stoddard County Real Estate Board.

Congratulations to all of these ladies as they further their education as seniors at DHS this year.  We look forward to your latest accomplishments.

If you would like to read more about Missouri Girls State just follow the link at www.misourigirlsstate.org.