Dexter, Missouri - A walk in the park is more than just a nice way to spend an afternoon.  It is essential component for great health!  Dexter Parks and Recreation has recently had some challenges at one of their heavily utilized parks and are now taking a stand against disrespectful behavior and profanity.

After receiving complaints of profanity and disrespect with many of the incidents involved groups of congregating teens and young adults on the basketball courts, city leaders got involved.  The park in question is West Park. It is located on Business Highway 60 just across from the Stoddard County Ambulance District. 

West park is very popular, especially with families and young children.  Over the past few months, Dexter Police Dept. has been called due to teenagers or young adults acting disorderly. Things kept getting worse.  More trash was left on the ground and on the tables in the pavilions.  DPR employees were having to go and spend extra time at the park to clean it up so people could enjoy their surroundings without looking at someone's litter.  The pavilion was even vandalized.

More complaints were steadily streaming into the office over the next few months to the point that DPR employees were sitting at the park observing basketball games and people using the park. Local residents began calling and letting the Dexter Parks know they would not be bringing their children back and that's when the Parks Dept. asked the police to step up patrols.

One of the goals of DPR is to try and prohibit conduct in the park before it reaches the level of a fight.  

"Tempers flare, fights start and then some innocent child is going to get hurt," stated Jamie Rowe, Dexter Parks and Recreation Director.  "That's not what we want.  We want a safe environment for everyone to enjoy."

However in August a fight did ensue and a person was injured.  Something had to change!  

On Wednesday, August 9th after a long discussion at their board meeting, the Dexter Parks and Recreation Department decided to take the basketball goals and backboards down at West Park.

This is a temporary solution and the goals will be returned; however their is no date and it won't be anytime soon.  The local Dexter Juvenile Officer also suggested that if the goals were removed this would also send a message that their behavior will not be tolerated at the park.

"We want to keep this park a family oriented place for everyone to use, but it has to be maintained in a safe setting," commented Jamie Rowe, DPR Director.

Simple cursing in front of someone in public is protected speech; however if that cursing incites a fight or is directed at a person or persons then it becomes disrespectful and can be considered as threatening behavior.

"They think it’s their right to freedom of speech," stated Dexter Police Chief, Sammy Stone.  "What they’re doing is harassing a lot of the other people who use this park. A lot of parents who use this park don’t want their children to be exposed to this profanity,"

"The language is atrocious and we’re not going to put up with it, and they were warned multiple times. It didn’t do any good, so we took the basketball goals down." Rowe said.

"We want everyone to come and enjoy the park," commented Rowe.  "That's the purpose of a park to be used for birthday parties, walking, playing basketball and utilize the playground equipment. We even added a tennis court and striped a pickle ball area.  We just want people to feel safe and welcomed at the park."

Some larger cities in Missouri and other states now have "no profanity" ordinances in their city parks.  They give out tickets just like for littering, fighting, or vandalism. 

"This is a sad situation because it costs the community and affects the families who could be enjoying the wonderful playground we have at West Park," commented a local walker who wished to remain anonymous. "I want to thank police for their hard work as well as the people in the community who are letting the parks people know about their behavior."

Puxico, Missouri - The Mingo Job Corps Center will host a Blood Drive at the gym located at 4253 State Highway T in Puxico on Friday, August 18, 2017 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The American Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this summer. While the need for blood and platelets remains constant throughout the summer, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacation plans. Last summer, nearly one-third fewer new blood donors came out to give than during the rest of the year. Many schools where blood drives are held and where new donors give are out of session during the summer months.

Blood and platelet donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand during the summer months, but every day there are thousands of lives to help save. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

*Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

*The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Eligible donors of all blood types are needed to make a donation appointment now and help sustain a sufficient community blood supply.

*Donating blood is a relatively safe and easy process, and only takes about an hour.

*Scheduling an appointment is easy and fast through the Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

*Donors of all blood types are needed to help save lives.

 Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

By order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, statewide, on Saturday August 12 from sunrise until sunset in honor of Police Officer Gary L. Michael, who died in the line of duty on August 6, 2017. 

Also by order of the Governor, all flags at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, in Henry County only from sunrise on Saturday, August 12, 2017 through sunset on Saturday, August 19, 2017.

Your office is responsible for distributing this information throughout your department for compliance with this order statewide on August 12, 2017 and in Henry County through sunset on August 19.  A copy of the Governor’s order is available here.