Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dutchtown, Missouri -The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to close Routes A and 74 in Dutchtown, Mo., at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4. Route 25 will close at noon the same day for rising flood waters. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution near the area and plan alternate routes.

For more information, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit the Traveler Information Map at: http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/index.html?district=SOUTHEAST.

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Cape Girardeau, Missouri -  June 3, 2013 - The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, initiated Phase I floodfighting activities at 7 a.m. today (June 3) due to high Upper Mississippi River stages. The area of flooding is located in the northern portion of the Memphis District near Cape Girardeau and Dutchtown, Mo.

Significant rainfall over the last week across portions of Missouri, Iowa and Illinois has caused the river to rise again after a period of falling levels.

Based on current National Weather Service forecasts, the Corps of Engineers expects to move to a Phase II floodfight tomorrow (June 4).

"Although we expect this rise in the river to be of short duration - maybe a week or so - we are taking these steps ensure our flood works are performing as designed," Corps Emergency Management Chief Steve Barry said in Memphis. "Because this flooding is located only on the Upper Mississippi River we do not believe it will have any impact on the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway area."

As part of their Phase II response efforts, the Memphis District is establishing a field office in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with seven field personnel assigned there.

At Corps District Headquarters in Memphis, the Corps' Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has gone to Activation Level III with elevated staffing to provide Command and Control support for the response effort. The EOC is staffed 12 hours per day, with personnel on call 24 hours per day.

Through the State of Missouri, local officials in Dutchtown, Mo., have requested assistance from the Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection to their community. Corps leaders are currently assessing these needs and are working with community leaders there to provide them with this help. 

Phase I floodfight activities begin when the river gage at Cape Girardeau reaches 38 feet with a sustained rise forecasted. As of 9 a.m. on June 3, the river stage at Cape Girardeau is 39.78 feet with a forecasted crest of 45.5 feet expected. 

Phase II floodfighting begins when the river gage at Cape Girardeau reaches 43 feet.

Phase I is an initial monitoring phase when personnel from the Corps' Caruthersville (Missouri) Area Office begin monitoring the levees and other flood control structures for any problem areas and coordinate with local officials including levee associations.

During Phase II larger teams including geotechnical engineers deploy from District Headquarters in Memphis to provide technical support and monitor flood control structures for problems such as sand boils and levee wave wash.

The Corps' Division Headquarters in Vicksburg, Miss., coordinates all floodfight activities in the Mississippi Valley. The Corps' Emergency Operations Center in Memphis is directing these floodfight activities in conjunction with the affected states, levee districts and other local interest groups.

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Missouri Police Chiefs Association is the founding law enforcement organization for Missouri’s Torch Run for Special Olympics.  What began in 1986, as a 30-mile run is now a four-day relay covering more than 950 miles with over 1,000 runners.  This year represents the 28^th running of the torch for Special Olympics in Missouri.

Each year local law enforcement do their part to carry “The Flame of Hope” as they make their way down Business 60 to Highway 25.  Participating  in this year's event from the Dexter Police Department were Officer Stephanie Credille, Detective Trevor Pulley, and Major Charles Sanders.

It’s more than just a run through the streets of Dexter.  It is a campaign to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics.  Nearly 200 agencies and almost 7,000 officers work year-round to accomplish this goal.  Their generosity lends to more than 16,000 athletes across the state.

Today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is held in all 50 states and 48 countries around the world.  The event raises over $40 million annually.

For more information about the Special Olympics Missouri Law Enforcement Torch Run please contact Susan Stegeman, Vice President at 1-800-846-2682 or to help locally contact Major Charles Sanders of the Dexter Police Department.

The final leg of the torch run was held in Columbia, Missouri on Missouri Avenue at the University of Missouri campus. 

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri - Chad Gaylord will always be an amazing friend to Ben Kruse.  He and his wife, Nikki road their bicycles about 200 miles from Jefferson City, Missouri to Dexter to pay tribute and honor the memory of Ben.

This isn't something new to Chad, three years ago he and a friend canoed down the Missouri River and the Mississippi River to attend the event.  "They epitomize the spirit of what we are trying to do," stated Scott Kruse, Ben's brother.  "How cool is that?"

This year he offered an incredible heartfelt toast to his best friend at the Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life banquet held Friday night at the Dexter Elk’s Lodge.  Each year Chad travels back home to attend the charity event and his special sacrifice is the least he can do for his ole buddy.

He and Ben will always be great friends and the memories Chad has will always sustain his love for Ben.  The stories he can tell you about growing up in the Kruse household and the many hours spent on the golf course or just hanging out with their friends could last for hours, perhaps days. 

Chad did an extraordinary job paying homage to his longtime friend; he brought tears of joy and sadness to everyone who raised their glasses to a dear departed member of this community.  Many loved Ben, a friend to everyone he met, a devoted husband, loving uncle, doting brother, and caring son.  He will always be missed, but he left with a special place in the hearts of all who knew him.

Thank you Chad and Nikki for all the sacrifices you have made to make this a memorable occasion and a bittersweet reunion in Ben’s honor.

Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Governor of Missouri issued a Writ of Election to fill the vacancy in the office of US Representative, District 8.  This vacancy was created by the resignation of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson.

The SPECIAL ELECTION is to be held Tuesday, June 4, 2013.  The 8^th Congressional District includes Stoddard County.

The party candidates are Representative Jason Smith (Republican – District 120) of Salem, Missouri and Representative Steve Hodges (Democrat-District 149) of East Prairie.  Other candidates who will be on the ballot are Bill Slantz, Libertarian and Dough Enyart of the Constitution Party.  Four people have filed as write-in candidates, Thomas Brown, Robert George, Wayne Byinton and Ted Brown, Sr.

Polls open in Stoddard County at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.  Polling places will be Dexter Ward One – Risen Church; Dexter Ward Two – Keller Public Library; Dexter Ward Three – Municipal Court Building; Dexter rural – Sacred Heart Catholic Activity Hall.

When the polls open on Tuesday, every citizen in the 8^th Congressional District over the age of 18 will be able to cast a vote.  It is a right we take for granted, one that defines our nation as a democracy. 

All registered voters are encouraged to participate, as this is a privilege granted in the United States and we have the freedom to elect whomever we so choose.