Dexter, MO - Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout and the Dexter Police Department are hoping everyone has a wonderful Halloween and will be safe at the various Halloween events in Dexter.

The department has released a list of safety tips for parents and children this halloween:

• Talk to your children about being safe! Always supervise your children while they are trick or treating.

Wear light-colored clothing that’s short enough to prevent tripping and add reflective tape to the sides, front and back of the costume.

• Make sure children can see well through facemasks or use cosmetics to create fun or scary faces.

• Carry a flashlight after dark.

• Trick or Treat in your neighborhood or visit homes you know,

• This is one of the busiest times of the year, so if you are operating a vehicle, be alert, put down your cell phone and pay attention to your surroundings. If you are walking, watch for traffic, check and double check before crossing streets, “pay attention.”

• Only give and accept wrapped or packaged candy.

• Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.

• Keep costumed children away from pets. The pets may not recognize the child and become frightened.

The Trunk or Treat will be held at the Dexter High School on Thursday October 28, from 5 p.m to 6:30 p.m., the Halloween Happening, sponsored by the Dexter Parks and Recreation, held on Friday October 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the East City Park and trick or treating in Dexter Saturday, October 30 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Dunklin County, MO - Multiple law enforcement members are searching for Jerry Ott.

Ott's last known location was near a wooded area on County road 110 and 111 on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

He is 61 years old and was possibly driving an older Yamaha camouflage ATV into the wooded area.

Ott is a white male, gray/white hair, blue eyes, 5'8" tall.

If anyone has any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office at 573-888-2409.

Mr. Ott's is the brother of Kenny Ott of Dexter who reached out to the ShowMe Times for publication.  Prayer would be appreciated.

The Bloomfield Action Team (BAT) met on October 21, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the library of the Stars and Stripes Museum. 

Members present were: Shirley Hanner, Jim and Sue Mayo, Shaaron Geisler, Nelda Warrick, Sheila Brown, Pam and Jerry Elder, Melvin Boyers, Bill Robison, and Laura Dumey. Non-members: Heather Mayo

BAT members discussed applying for a CDBG grant for the restoration of the Christian Church on the corner of Missouri and Viola Streets in Bloomfield. The grant is 100% funded and a $500,000 grant. Kelly Mitchell of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission will help write the grant. The city of Bloomfield must approve this project. 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the library of the Stars & Stripes Museum to discuss what the building will be used for and how this should be presented to the City Council meeting on Thursday, November 4. 

Please plan to attend this meeting. If you would like to be removed from this list. Please let me know.

The Bloomfield Action Team was reorganized at the last meeting. The president of BAT is Sue Mayo, the treasurer is Nelda Warrick, and the secretary is Laura Dumey. 

Dues are $20/year. 

Dexter, MO - The special meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen was held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the Municipal Building on Vine Street at noon.

Mayor Jason Banken called the meeting to order.  Michael Shepard, Terry Battles, Tim Aslin, Frank Killian, Larry Rogers, and Glen Robinson were present.  Also present were City Administrator Trevor Pulley, City Clerk Crystal Bishop, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Tom Espey, Fire Chief Don Seymore, Police Chief Hank Trout, and Chamber Director Alisha Trammell.

Trammell informed the Board that the Chamber Development Group owns 30 acres of land west of Faurecia and is selling the property to Elite Cargo Manufacturing.  The company has also purchased a building adjacent to the property on Arvin Road.  Within the 30 acres is a street that has never been dedicated to the City of Dexter.  The Chamber has already corrected the easement for the City to have access to fire and water services via the street and right-of-way to the railroad tracks.  The proposed street name was discussed and will be brought to the Board at a regular session meeting when the street is deeded to the City in the near future.

The Public Safety Committee met prior to the Special Meeting and the following recommendations were made:

Police Chief Hank Trout presented Roy Reaves to be hired as a full-time communications officer.  Motion by Alderman Aslin, seconded by Alderman Battles and motion was carried 6-0.

Fire Chief Don Seymore presented Zach Midkiff to be hired as a paid-on-call fireman. Motion by Alderman Battles, seconded by Alderman Robinson and motion was carried 6-0.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent Tom Espey presented Troy Martinez to be hired as a full-time water/wastewater employee.  Motion by Alderman Battles, seconded by Alderman Rogers and the motion carried 6-0.

City Administrator Trevor Pulley reminded everyone that Halloween for the City of Dexter and the Fire Department would be held on Saturday, October 30th from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Park Department Halloween Happening will be on Friday, October 29th.  Next year he has plans to have all the City events on the same evening.  the school will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 28th.  He also updated the Board on the following items: roof repairs at the Depot and Library and the grant applications.

Pulley also reported the City had put the mowing and cleaning services and mowing equipment needed out to bid.  His recommendation is for the City to begin mowing all City property (including parks) except the cemetery for the 2022 mowing season.  A discussion was had regarding the mowing season, hiring seasonal employees for each department, and purchasing equipment needed.  he asked the Board to consider purchasing the needed equipment for the next mowing season now. Motion by Alderman Killian, seconded by Alderman Aslin and the motion carried 6-0.

Pulley reported he is still reviewing the cleaning bids for the Park Department.

Pulley asked the Board to consider approving $1,900 in damages to tombstones at the City cemetery that occurred during the tornado earlier this year.  Motion by Alderman Killian, seconded by Alderman Rogers, and motion carried 6-0.