By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Spring has “sprung” and the winter cobwebs are being shaken free, and that means that crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation are heading out to roadways with work projects.
A number of prjects are planned in Stoddard County in the coming weeks. From the replacement of the deck on a railroad bridge on a major highway to work on smaller highway and byways, the crews will be busy this spring.
Route 60
Work to replace the deck of the Route 60 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad will continue throughout the spring and summer. Westbound traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound lanes from County Road 517 to County Road 531. In addition to reducing traffic to one lane in each direction, a 16-foot width restriction will be in place. Completion is anticipated in late August, weather permitting.
Route 91
The roadway in Bollinger and Stoddard counties will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction as contractor crews overlay the roadway. This project is set to begin Friday, April 20 and MoDOT anticipates it will be completed May 11. This section of roadway is located from Rt. 51 in Bollinger Co. to Rt. C in Stoddard Co.
Route HH
Route HH in the county will be closed as contractor crews perform bridge maintenance. This section of roadway is located between Route CC and Route 153. Weather permitting, work will begin Monday, April 16 at 7 a.m. and will reopen by 5 p.m. Monday, April 30.
Route PP
Route PP will be closed as crews replace the culvert pipe under the roadway. This section of roadway is located between County Road 279 and County Road 271.Work set to begin Wednesday, April 18.
Highway 60
Eastbound US 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs from One Mile Road to Route 25. This project is scheduled to begin Monday, April 16 at 6 a.m. and ending Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Route 51
Route 51 will be closed as crews replace the culvert pipe under the roadway between County Road 291 and Click Ave. (at south city limits of Puxico). Project work will begin Monday, April 23.
As always, work zones will be marked with signs and motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
ShowMe Times Editor
"In My Easter Bonnet"
ShowMe Times Photos by Annabeth Miller
ShowMe Times Editor
Dexter High School is painted green today.
More specifically, lime green.
Friday is “Lime Green for Luke” Day at DHS, all in an effort by students, friends, Faculty and Staff to support Luke Lewis.
Luke is a sophomore at DHS and was diagnosed earlier this year with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Luke was been receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Lime green is the color of the day Friday, with lime green ribbons being sported throughout the school.
Lime green? It just happens that the “color” for lymphoma is lime green. And it also happens to be the sophomore’s favorite color.
The DHS Student Council has been sponsoring events all semester to help and support Luke. STUCO Advisor Jennifer Miller said one of the first events was “Levi’s for Luke, where teachers paid to wear jeans one day to school.
“We are doing it now for the whole district. We are going to challenge the other schools in the district to do it. We raised $400 just our (DHS) teachers,” Miller said.
STUCO members are also selling “Lollies for Luke.” The lollipops are flavorful suckers with sometimes unique flavor for candy – like raspberry lemonade and mint chocolate chip.
Students in their Advisory Classes Friday also crafted cards and sent letters to their classmate.
“Everybody has been participating, especially with the sucker,” said STUCO member Stephanie Gee. She said many students are paying more than the asked price to help the cause.
Miller said Luke’s mother, Michelle Quentin, is a nurse, and has not been able to work since January. Luke has been in the hospital almost non-stop since January and has needed care. Last week, she said, he had five straight days of chemotherapy.
“He’s getting some pretty powerful stuff,” Miller commented. He’s had chemotherapy and blood transfusions, and medical treatments a young sophomore in high school shouldn’t have to worry about.
The students are rallying around their friend and classmate, lending support and friendship.
“A lot of kids are on Facebook with Luke and talk to him there,” Gee said.
“And we are also selling lime green bracelets,” said STUCO member Tate Midkiff. Olivia Parker and Midkiff were busy Thursday getting the lime green ribbons ready for Friday.
Miller is also struck by the generosity of the community and willingness to help Luke.
“I received a check for $100 from the parents of a student – they just wanted to help, she said. In addition, local businessman Greg Banken has made a contribution.
Miller said another project they are excited about is a concert featuring the band The Buzz on Saturday, May 5. The Buzz, featuring middle school principal Scott Kruse, will headline the concert to be held in the high school gym. But some high school musicians and bands, and high school talent Joseph Greer will join The Buzz. Admission will be $5 per person
“We have ordered t-shirts and will be selling them before and at the concert,” Miller said.
The black shirt will feature – of course – lime green.
Photo Above: Members of the DHS Student Council and the Student Body have joined together to help a fellow student - Luke Lewis - who is battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. STUCO member (from left) Olivia Parker, Stephanie Gee, Jenny Blattman and Tate Midkiff are among the students selling "Lollies for Luke" at DHS. (ShowMe Times Photo by Annabeth Miller)
By Annabeth Miller,[be]ShowMe Times Editor
Bare pantry shelves are a serious problem for a family.
But bare pantry shelves at the mission in town are a serious problem for a community.
The shelves at the Stoddard County Rescue Mission are running spare these days, and the food is not on hand to meet an ever-growing need.
So a group of folks in the Dexter community have decided to take action and a difference for the Mission and the community. In response to the plea for food donations, a community food drive to benefit the mission is being planned.
“Local churches and groups will be collecting canned good and non-perishable items now until the end of March,” said Loretta Reid of the First United Methodist Church.
The goal – to bring together the community’s donations and “stuff” four trucks with food for the mission on Saturday, March 31. Donations received that day will all be given to the Stoddard County Rescue Mission, Reid said
Trucks will be at four difference locations on March 31 to collect canned goods:
- Harp’s Food Store, 4 South Catalpa
- Town and Country Super Market, 707 Specialty Drive
- USA Drive Store, Business Highway 60 and One Mile Road
- Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2025 West Business 60
A number of churches and groups have joined in the effort to fill the trucks with items for the Mission’s pantry;
- Sweet Prospect Baptist Church
- Quick Cash Loans
- First Christian Church, D.O.C.
- First Baptist Church (Sunday School class)
- First United Methodist Church
Other churches or groups that would like to join the effort may contact Reid at 62-5769 or FUMC at 624-3344 or additional information.
