Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon tonight declared a state of emergency in Missouri after a system of strong storms and tornadoes caused damage in the St. Louis region and other areas of the state.
Tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the St. Louis area on Wednesday night. Strong thunderstorms and straight line winds also caused damage and power outages in southern Missouri.
The Governor plans to visit affected areas to survey the damage and meet with local officials on Thursday (April 11).
“This was a strong system of storms that caused damage to communities in several areas of our state,” Gov. Nixon said. “We will continue to work closely with local officials to assess damages and provide any needed assistance.”
The State Emergency Operations Center has been actively monitoring the storm throughout the day. Gov. Nixon has also activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency services.
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – There’s a new BEARCAT in town! The TS Hill Middle School has purchased a new Bearcat Mascot to be used for school functions and sports.
Scott Kruse, Principal of the TS Hill Middle School stated, “The students really enjoy supporting the Middle School sports and all of our events and the Bearcat just adds to our school spirit.”
The Bearcat made his grand appearance at the 7th and 8th Grade Volleyball Team game against Bloomfield on Thursday.
On Friday, the students gathered for an assembly to receive a check from Harry Blackwell Motors for the Harlem Shake Contest. The TS Hill Middle School students won $600 and according to Mr. Kruse, the money will go towards an end of the year party for all the students. The Bearcat was on hand leading the students in another Harlem Shake encore performance.
“Now we need your help,” stated Scott Kruse. “We want a really cool name for our Bearcat Mascot and the ShowMe Times is going to help us advertise this contest.”
The ShowMe Times is assisting the Middle School by getting the word out to as many folks as possible in our community, just like we did when they had their Harlem Shake Contest.
The "Name That Bearcat Contest" will run from now until Friday, April 19th.
Principal Kruse will put together a panel of teachers and students from TS Hill Middle School to choose the from the list of potential names.
For now just put your choice of the Bearcat Mascot’s name under the photo on our Facebook page or inform Scott Kruse at the TS Hill Middle School by emailing him at skruse@dexter.k12.mo.us. We can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with! Let’s get this Bearcat Nation involved!! Go Dexter Bearcats!
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Malden, Missouri - Three Rivers College will host the General Education Development (GED) Test in Malden this April. The exam will be offered at the Three Rivers Center at Malden on Saturday, April 20, from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The registration period for this test closes on April 17.
"Three Rivers main campus in Poplar Bluff normally offers the GED test one Saturday each month," said Diane Patterson, coordinator of the Testing Center at Three Rivers College. "We're offering this so that people in surrounding areas can have a chance to take the GED closer to home."
Those interested in taking the test should contact the Testing Center for an information packet, which includes the testing application and step-by-step instructions. The Testing Center can be reached by phone at 573-840-9667, or by email atdpatterson@trcc.edu.
Students must be at least 17 years of age to apply for the test, and must submit their application with a $20 application fee to the state. Upon receipt of the application, the state GED office will send the student an authorization form and candidate's responsibility sheet. Students must also complete the eight-page demographics form, available at the Poplar Bluff Adult Education and Literacy Center, and where other GED classes are offered, such as the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center in Malden.
Students must submit their state authorization form, candidate's responsibility sheet, completed demographics form, and a $20 testing fee to the Three Rivers Testing Office prior to the test registration deadline on April 17, making the total cost of taking the GED $40. No paperwork or walk-ins are accepted the day of testing. Mailed paperwork must be in an envelope large enough not to bend or fold the forms.
Those interested in taking GED classes before the test should call the Poplar Bluff Adult Education and Literacy Center at 573-686-2011, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The center is located next to the Crisp Technology Center on the Three Rivers main campus.
"Students are not required to take classes before taking the test, but it could be beneficial in passing the test the first time around," said Patterson. For more information on registering to take the GED, contact the Three Rivers Testing Center.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today encouraged young Missourians looking for summer employment to apply online with the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) program, which will return once again in 2013. SPYC - a nationally recognized jobs initiative started by Gov. Nixon in 2010 to enhance Missouri's 87 state parks and historical sites - is a cooperative partnership between the Division of Workforce Development and Missouri State Parks.
The Governor said the 2013 State Parks Youth Corps will employ Missourians between ages 17 and 23 who meet eligibility requirements at state parks and historic sites across Missouri, with the program running from May 1 through Oct. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online on the state of Missouri website, MO.gov.
"Through their hard work, the State Parks Youth Corps has helped create a better experience for the millions of people who visit Missouri State Parks each year," Gov. Nixon said. "As a result, we again saw attendance grow, reaching more than 18 million visitors in 2012. I encourage young Missourians who want a summer job that is interesting and challenging to go online and apply."
During 2012, SPYC workers put in more than 119,223 hours at 69 parks and historic sites, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and social media efforts.
Examples included rebuilding a wood picket fence at the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City; painting 42 historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pin Oak group camp at Lake of the Ozarks State Park; assisting with photo documentation and transcription of exhibit text at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City; participating in wildfire response training at St. Francois State Park in east-central Missouri; and completing a study of trees at Weston Bend State Park in Platte County and making the study into a book.
The State Parks Youth Corps and Gov. Nixon were recognized in 2010 with the President's Award from the National Association of State Parks Directors for the innovative program.
Written by
Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – The Stoddard County Gospel Mission received a wonderful donation today from AgXplore.
AgXplore donated $5,000 to the Mission to help them continue to serve the Stoddard County. The Mission helps over 1,500 families each month with food, clothing and household items.
AgXplore is located at 7035 State Hwy D in Parma, Missouri and manufactures and markets nitrogen management aids, specialty fertilizers, micronutrients, and premium adjuvant for enhancing farming applications. They have been around since 1999 and are meeting the farmer’s needs by listening and developing products to meet the day-to-day challenges the growers face in the fields.
If you would like more information about AgXplore, contact them at 573-357-4506 or find them on the web http://www.agxplore.com.
Shown in the picture is Lorraine Gee (Receptionist), Director of the Mission Kim Slavings, Michelle Aycock (Owner), Glyneise Green (Shipping Manager), and Ron Gisi (Shipping Specialist).
The Stoddard County Gospel Mission would like to thank AgXplore for their generous donation.
If you would like to make donations to the Mission, contact Kim Slavings at 573-624-8979 or make a donation directly to 207 North One Mile Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
They appreciate the community's support and generous donations.
Picture submitted by Misty McBride, Director of Marketing, AgXplore.
