Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
With the schools out for summer, many children go without food. Hundreds of families seek help at the Stoddard County Gospel Mission each month.
We can help these families and their children by donating non-perishable foods such as can goods, canned vegetables, box drinks, dry goods, crackers, peanut butter, can tuna, and fruit snacks.
The Stoddard County Gospel Mission's store is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Food Bank is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. and they ask that you call 624-8979 to schedule a time as they have so many families needing food.
"The food collected at Allen Christian will stay local and be donated to our Mission," stated Kim Slavings, Director of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission.
Hunger is a problem right here in our community. Please help a fellow neighbor and donate to those who are suffering.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Stoddard County
June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Tree Inn, 1608 U.S. 60 Business West in Dexter, Mo. Sponsored by the employees of Union Pacific Railroad.
June 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mingo Job Corps Center, 4253 State Highway T in Puxico, Mo.
June 10 from 3-7 p.m. at Advance Eagles Lodge, 19095 State Highway C in Advance, Mo.
June 18 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Stoddard County Ambulance District, 501 W. Business Highway 60 in Dexter, Mo.
All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative. Platelets are also in great need as they have a shelf life of just five days and must be replenished regularly.
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, is pleased to announce the promotion of Trooper Clark D. Parrott to the rank of corporal. Corporal Parrott will remain in his current assignment as the Troop E Public Information and Education Officer, which serves 13 counties in Southeast Missouri.
Corporal Parrott joined the Patrol on October 20, 2002, as a member of the 80th Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, he was assigned to Troop H, Zone 4. In 2008, Corporal Parrott transferred to Troop E, Zone 8. In 2011, he was named the Troop E Public Information and Education Officer.
Corporal Parrott is a graduate of West Plains High School and Missouri State University-West Plains. Corporal Parrott and his wife Michele (Bowles), have three children, Jordan, Natalie, and Hunter.
Troop E Headquarters are located at 4947 Highway 67 North in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Troop E is one of the original six troops within the Highway Patrol and was first located in Sikeston in 1931 and later moved to Poplar Bluff in 1937. Troop E is authorized 92 uniformed officers, 60 uniformed civilians, and 12 civilian employees assigned to 13 counties in Southeast Missouri. The following counties are served by Troop E: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard, and Wayne.
Congratulations Officer Parrot! The Dexter community is proud of you and your accomplishments. Thank you for your dedication to keeping us safe.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Jefferson City, Missouri - MoDOT Director Dave Nichols today named Jefferson City, Missouri - Ed Hassinger, St. Louis District Engineer for the past 12 years, the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Chief Engineer.
Hassinger, 51, fills the position that has been vacant since March, when Nichols moved up from chief engineer to director. Hassinger has 29 years of experience with MoDOT in a variety of roles.
"Ed has done an excellent job directing MoDOT's efforts in St. Louis," Nichols said. "Everywhere he's worked, he's built solid relationships that have enabled us to partner with others to achieve our goals. He's the right man to lead our districts, engineering divisions and maintenance efforts going forward."
Hassinger, a native of Columbia and a 1983 graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, began his MoDOT career as a design engineer in the Bridge Division. He's also worked as a traffic engineer, bridge maintenance engineer, assistant district engineer in the St. Louis District, and spent one year as the District Engineer in the Northeast District in Hannibal.
"I'm excited to accept the chief engineer position," Hassinger said. "We have significant challenges ahead of us with the funding situation we face to keep our system in the best condition possible while looking for opportunities to make the kind of improvements that our customers desire. It will take a total team effort to be successful and I feel honored to be able to lead that team."
Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Joe Carmichael said, "Ed Hassinger has been a most-valued member of the MoDOT family for many years and the Commission has tremendous respect for what he has accomplished in St. Louis. We look forward to working even closer with him to develop Missouri's transportation priorities for the future."
In the St. Louis District, Hassinger has led nearly 800 employees in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of 6,000 miles of roads in Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis Counties and the City of St. Louis. He is a registered professional engineer (P.E.) in the state of Missouri.
Hassinger's photo may be found at http://www.modot.org/newsroom/index.htm
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.
