Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Memphis, Tennessee - Oct. 15, 2013 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District today announced it will close its Regulatory offices due to the absence of available federal funding. Regulatory offices will be unable to evaluate individual permit applications, pre-construction notifications (PCNs) for nationwide permit (NWP) or regional general permit authorizations, or requests for jurisdictional determinations until after current year funding is received and the offices reopen.
During this time, should an emergency activity need to be conducted in waters or wetlands that requires a Department of the Army authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, please call Tonya Acuff, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Program Manager, Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) at 601-634-5821.
Those applying for NWP authorizations are reminded that proposed NWP activities that require PCNs must wait 45 days before beginning the activity (see 33 CFR 330.1(e)). Please note that certain NWP PCNs require a written response from USACE before beginning the NWP activity. More NWP information can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/RegulatoryProgramandPermits/NationwidePermits.aspx.
Prospective applicants should ensure proposed activities comply with all NWP terms and conditions, including regional conditions. They must also obtain other required authorizations, such as Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification or waiver if the proposed activity involves a discharge into waters of the United States, or Coastal Zone Management Act consistency concurrence or waiver if the proposed activity occurs in the coastal zone, prior to conducting NWP activities.
Regional conditions that have been imposed on the 2012 NWPs are provided online at each Regulatory office Web site.
For more information on Memphis District's Regulatory Program, please visit http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil/About/Offices/Regulatory.aspx.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
We published an article earlier this year of how "Two People With One Goal" were able to create a beautiful collaboration between a community and those that needed their help. They established "End Poverty in Stoddard County" and decided, as their first commitment to the community was to host a Coat Drive.
"End Poverty in Stoddard County" has started a new project in our area. They will be collecting items needed by the Stoddard County Children's Home.
These items include canned goods and other non-perishable food items, boys and girls clothing sizes 4-8, boys and girls shoes sizes 2-3, and children size coats, jackets, gloves, hats and scarves. These items are what they need, however they will collect other items you would like to donate.
You may drop these items off at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Dexter, the T.S. Hill Middle School Library or contact Alexis Smith at 573-820-5699 or Jacob Robinson at 573-552-2108. These two amazing students will even pick up your donations.
They will be collecting from now until November 1st and then deliver to the children's home on November 2nd.
It's truly amazing how two Dexter High School Students can do so much in such a short period of time. The Stoddard County community is very proud of Alexis Smith and Jacob Robinson. They proved that they are truly "two people with one goal".
Join the fight to end poverty in Stoddard County. Any donations are appreciated. To find out what their next community project will be or for more information about this new organization, "End Poverty in Stoddard County", they have established a website, www.endpovertystoddardcounty.com and a Facebook page.
Article Written by
SMT Writing Staff
Dr. Barry Aycock Asked To Serve As Missouri Director of Agriculture
Parma, MO - Lifelong Southeast Missouri resident and agri-businessman, Dr. Barry Aycock made it official today that he will not accept the invitation to become Missouri's next Director of Agriculture. Aycock spoke with Governor Jay Nixon's Chief of Staff John Watson earlier this morning explaining that "while I am honored and humbled that the Governor has the confidence in me to lead this department, the timing is not right for myself or my family."
Barry’s strong advocacies for agricultural issues and expanded technologies, coupled with his strong business sense delivers the political light upon Aycock. Very similar to January of 2013, Aycock carefully considered running for the democratic nomination for the 8th district. He opted not to pursue that position at that time.
His qualification and broad background make him an ideal future candidate to represent our region, yet his dedication to AgXplore along with family commitments ultimately remain his priority at this time.
Aycock's passion for agriculture became very evident when he started his first business – Aycock Agricultural Services -- as a cotton consultant in 1989. Later, Barry was asked by the Bolivian Ambassador to come to Bolivia to assist eight farm businesses as a cotton crop consultant.
AgXplore International, LLC was founded in 1999 following Barry’s consulting trip to Bolivia. The company is involved with fertilizer, research and agricultural consulting, providing places like Bolivia, along with the United States and other countries, with high-quality fertilizers and additive products.
Barry is a 1991 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Agronomy. Aycock also holds a Master of Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a doctorate from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
In 1996, he was named National Cotton Consultant of the Year by Cotton Farming Magazine, the youngest and the only person from Missouri to ever win the award.
Barry and his wife Michelle have two children, Joel and Jonathan.
Congratulations to Barry!!
Rainey-Mathis Displays Community Fanfare for the St. Louis Cardinals
Submitted by
SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - With an incredible bottom of the 13th inning win by the St. Louis Cardinals, local Dexter fans continue their excitement in the playoff fever and are prepared for the afternoon 3:07 opening pitch. Many Cardinal faithful lost their battle with their heavy eyelids, but the Redbirds didn't let them down defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 3 to 2.
Local Cardinal fans, Greg and Lisa Mathis, have been busy helping to raise the excitement locally for St. Louis. Greg was able to acquire street banners from the past championships for the Cardinals and worked with the City of Dexter to show the community's spirit for the playoffs.
Shown above, Greg Mathis and Doug Cox display one of the two banners that are displayed on the light poles in front of the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Stoddard Street in Downtown Dexter.
When was the last time that a playoff team won two games in one day? Stay tuned and we can all hope that today holds another win for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
The annual regional meeting, hosted by Barton Mutual Insurance of Liberal, Missouri, brought together independent agents for instruction in sales, product offerings, and industry endeavors.
Barton Mutual is a property-casualty insurer that writes approximately $25 million in premium in Homeowners, Farm Owners, Commercial, Rental, and Vacant Dwelling Lines of insurance throughout Missouri utilizing approximately 300 agencies.
Shown in the picture is Dave Ellinghouse of County Wide Insurance. If you are interested in purchasing insurance or would like a quote please contact them at 573-624-5540 or visit their website County Wide Insurance. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook. County Wide Insurance is located at 140 S. Walnut in Dexter.
