Names in the news

CENTURY 21 PRESENTS AWARDS

Real estate agents from Century 21 Key and Ashland were recently recognized at an awards ceremony in St. Louis. The Jane Clark Team, including Jane Clark, Sue Britton, Kyle Owens, Kenneth Foreman, Joan Drury, Ken Merriman, Rodney Stovall and Sonny Deimund, received the Centurion Team Award. Other awards went to Liz Lockhart, Centurion Producer, Dolores Baker, Master Ruby, qualified for Summit Level; Ladonna Dalton, Award of Excellence; Cheryl Parker, Award of Excellence; Darren Ellis, Million Dollar Club; and Howard Alexander, Million Dollar Club.

BROWN ATTENDS CIC INSTITUTE

KENNETT, Mo. -- Charlie Brown, CIC, LUTCF, president of Baker Welman Brown Insurance & Financial Services, completed the annual continuing education requirement of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. He attended the Commercial Casualty Institute, where topics included general liability, business auto, workers' compensation, additional insureds and excess liability coverages. The National Alliance requires annual attendance in the program to maintain the designation of certified insurance counselor; Brown has been a CIC since 1992.

YOUNG FARMERS ATTEND CONFERENCE

Delores Baker

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Young farmers Jeffery Hunter, Daniel Eddy and Blake Davis, all of New Madrid County, attended the Missouri Farm Bureau Young Famers and Ranchers Leadership Conference with more than 530 of their peers from across the state. The group met Feb. 12 to 14 at Lake of the Ozarks to learn about industry trends, share ideas and hear guest speakers. It is the largest Farm Bureau YF&R conference in the nation.

Jesse and Joanna Branson, Amy and Marcus Steeter and Heath and Karen Burger also attended the conference, representing Scott County.

HOLDER EARNS BRONZE AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Anna Holder, owner/operator of A to Z Advertising, received the Bronze Award for outstanding sales and service with Vitronic Promotional Group. She has been in the advertising business for more than 30 years and is the former owner of Advertising Associates.

GIAMBELLUCA TOPS COLDWELL

Sue Britton

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Paul Arnold with Coldwell Banker Realty announced Judy Giambelluca as Top Producer for February.

MOSSY OAKS NAMES TOP AGENTS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Mossy Oak Properties Turn-Key Investments announced Lucas Edington as Top Lister and Top Producer in February and Top Lister in January. Matt Stahl was Top Producer in January.

TAYLOR EARNS FARM BUREAU AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Tim Taylor accepted an award for being Top District in Brokerage P&C Commissions from Mike Boiles, manager of Life Company and Brokerage for Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. The district encompasses Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne County Farm Bureaus.

Jane Clark

HOLLAND ATTENDS CONFERENCE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Teresa Holland of Ozark Marketing Supplies attended the New Products Showcase in Springfield, Mo., and St. Louis. Hundreds of vendors presented new promotional ideas on the market. By attending the shows, Ozark can get lower pricing and find marketing solutions and ideas to help promote businesses and special events.

SUTTON JOINS FOOD BANK BOARD

Jeff Sutton

Jeff Sutton, Montgomery Bank community bank president for the Sikeston, Mo., market, was elected chairman of the Southeast Missouri Food Bank at the January board meeting. Sutton, a resident of Sikeston, is a longtime supporter of the food bank and has served on the board since 2007.

SOUTHERN BANK HONORS WORKERS

Sonny Deimund

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Southern Bank recently announced recipients of its 2009 Employee Awards. Receiving Teller of the Year Awards were Brooke Green, Sikeston branch; Lesa Aslin, Dexter; Courtney Littrell, Poplar Bluff PP Highway; and April Wamble, Dexter. Perfect attendance awards went to Kim Capps, Poplar Bluff Vine Street branch; Roger Geringer, Poplar Bluff PP Highway; Lora Daves, Poplar Bluff Vine Street; Lorey Gholson, Poplar Bluff Highland; Greg Steffens, Poplar Bluff Vine Street; Stacie Carlisle, Poplar Bluff Vine Street; Jenny Finney, Kennett; and Sheryl Ridens, Poplar Bluff PP Highway. Southern Missouri Bank's 2009 Chairman's Award went to Bill Hribovsek, Poplar Bluff Vine Street. Outstanding achievement awards went to Kevin Quaite, Poplar Bluff Vine Street; Littrell; Bob Martin, Dexter; Terry Williams, Sikeston; Michelle Shelton, Kennett; Mary Anne Adams, Poplar Bluff Vine Street; Ashley Turner, Doniphan; Misty Berger, Qulin; Heather Ward, Paragould; and Linda Cozort, Poplar Bluff Vine Street. The Traveling Trophy went to the Highland Branch in Poplar Bluff.

DAVIS RECEIVES AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Steve Davis was chosen as dealer of the year out of approximately 54 dealers in Missouri and Arkansas for Cooks Portable Warehouses.

LEPOLD JOINS BLACKWELL BALDWIN CHEVROLET

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Rob Lepold joined the sales staff of Blackwell-Baldwin Chevrolet. He has more than 12 years of experience in automotive sales and is familiar with all makes and models.

Darren Ellis

VFW NAMES TEACHER OF THE YEAR

KENNETT, Mo. -- Jackie Blankenship was named VFW Teacher of the Year at a student rally at Delta C-7 School District. Bill Becker, VFW Post 4680 commander, presented the award, which recognizes Blankenship as a teacher who advances patriotic themes in her classroom.

BOOTHEEL FARMER WINS RECOGNITION

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- In January, Donny DeLine received the Top Producer 2010 Farmer of the Year award at a conference in Chicago. AgriGold Hybrids nominated DeLine for the national award. The winner is chosen based on finances, growth, family and relationships with the community and landlords, among other criteria. DeLine took home a plaque, laptop and monetary prizes and gets to use a Caterpillar Challenger tractor for six months free of charge. In preparation for the conference, U.S. Ag Report did video interviews with the three finalists and Top Producer magazine interviewed the finalists for its spring issue. As the winner, DeLine's interview will be the featured cover story in the magazine. DeLine, a fifth-generation farmer, has acreage in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Illinois, with headquarters in Charleston. The farms grow corn, soybean and small grains, with some cotton and rice.

MARBERRY JOINS OFFICES UNLIMITED

Robin Marberry

Robin Marberry joined Offices Unlimited as an account executive providing sales and customer service for the company.

QULIN NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Twin Rivers School District hired C.A. Counts of Dexter, Mo., as principal for Qulin Elementary and Middle School. Counts will take over when principal Danny Rowland retires this summer after 22 years with the district. Counts is currently principal of Advance High School and has worked in education for 19 years.

WALLINGFORD CHOSEN FOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Wayne Wallingford, chief people officer, McDonald's, is one of 32 Missouri business and state leaders chosen to participate in Leadership Missouri, sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The seven-month program is designed to enhance leadership skills of current and emerging leaders through an in-depth exploration of the state's economic, political and social issues. Gov. Jay Nixon serves as the honorary chairman of Leadership Missouri. This year's program begins in April and ends in October, meeting in a different city each month.

BUSSE JOINS BLACKWELL BALDWIN

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Kent Busse, Poplar Bluff, joined the team of professional salesmen at Blackwell-Baldwin Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Toyota, Scion, 801 S. Westwood Blvd.

BLATTEL RECEIVES FARM HONOR

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Larry Blattel received the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award from the Scott County Soil Conservation District. The award was presented by Ken Westrich, district board chairman, at the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation Annual meeting Feb. 18 in Sikeston, Mo.

CENTURY 21 HONORS TWO

Bruce Hill

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Melba Jean McCoy was Top Producer and Top Lister at Century 21 American Realty for 2009. Additionally, Tiffany Steen was Top Lister and Top Producer for January.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS HONORED

The Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors recently elected officers and presented honors. Jeff Martin and Sheila King were named board and Multiple Listing Service president, respectively. Those named as board officers were Terri Penrod, Sharon Gill, Wendy Marberry, Paul Kitchen and Dave Soto. Thomas M. Meyer received the Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to the community and profession. The Realtor of the Year award was presented to Tina McMahon, Missouri Association of Realtors director and past president of the Multiple Listing Service.

FIVE NAMED TO COTTON LEADERSHIP POSTS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Five Missouri cotton industry members were elected to leadership positions in the National Cotton Council for 2010, including Charles Parker, a Senath, Mo., producer who will serve as NCC vice chairman. Steve Droke, a Sikeston, Mo., producer, was re-elected as Missouri's chairman of the NCC's American Cotton Producers. A.C. Riley James, ginner with A.C. Riley Cotton Co. in New Madrid, Mo., was elected as the NCC's Missouri/Illinois unit chairman. Jeffrey J. Hux, a Sikeston producer, was elected as unit vice chairman and Stephen Harris, Farmers Union Gin Company of Senath, was re-elected unit secretary. Leaders were named to their posts during the 2010 NCC annual meeting in Memphis, Tenn.

Russell Rice

P.B. REALTY ANNOUNCES JANUARY LEADERS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Kurt Knodell was Top Lister and Rhenda Hutchison was Top Producer for January at Poplar Bluff Realty Inc.

NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES

Amber Finger, Perryville, Mo., was employee of the month for March at NORDENIA USA Inc. Finger, a cost accountant, has been with the company since February 2009. NORDENIA also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Zachery Johnston and Ronald Yates, 20 years of service; Melody Hamm and Michael Aufdenberg, 10 years; and Bronica Stephens, Alice Huff, Brandon Lesch, Steven Petersen and Joshua Schultz, five years.

SMTS PRESENTS AWARDS

Larry Swilley

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Raymond Skaggs, president of the Southeast Missouri Transportation Service Board of Directors, recently presented awards to Dr. Doug Ross, Ralph Turley, Missouri Sen. Kevin Engler and Bill Bunch, director of East Missouri Action Agency, in recognition of their help developing and supporting public transit service in St. Francois and surrounding counties. Ross was honored for leading the first organization efforts in 1973. Turley received an award for donating the first van used for passenger service. Engler was recognized for helping Missouri legislators recognize the need for public transit. Bunch received an award for loaning vehicles in the 1970s to help riders.

SWINGLE REAPPOINTED TO SUPREME COURT COMMITTEE

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle was reappointed March 2 to a 13-member Missouri Supreme Court Committee assigned to write jury procedure used in criminal cases in Missouri. He is one of two prosecutors in Missouri appointed to the committee, which also makes amendments to the Missouri Rules of Criminal Procedure. Swingle was first appointed to the committee in 1999; his new term ends Dec. 31, 2012.

LEADINGTON HIRES POLICE OFFICERS

LEADINGTON, Mo. -- Seth Meyers and Richard Morrison joined the Leadington Police Department Feb. 25 as full-time police officers. According to chief Rick Pogue, Morrison has prior experience with the Washington County Sheriff's Department and Meyers previously served as a reserve officer.

Ronnie Faries

EDWARD JONES HOLDING NAMES PRINCIPAL

Cheryl Mothes was named a principal with Edward Jones' holding company, Jones Financial Co. A financial adviser with Edward Jones in Jackson for 10 years, Mothes was one of 34 from more than 40,000 associates chosen for the distinction.

BARNHILL JOINS BIRDSONG

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Travis Birdsong, owner/broker of United Country -- Birdsong Auction & Real Estate Group LLC, announced March 12 that Becky Barnhill, licensed real estate agent since 1996, joined the sales team. Barnhill was previously affiliated with and owned a United Country office in Ellsinore, Mo., for eight years.

POWER PLANT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE AWARDS

Kenneth Foreman

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Associated Electric Cooperative presented three New Madrid Power Plant employees with Excel Awards at its 17th annual recognition awards ceremony March 10. Bruce W. Hill, Russell A. "Rusty" Rice and Larry D. Swilley were nominated by their peers for excelling in their work at the plant, which is owned by Associated. Hill, boiler maintenance specialist, Dexter, Mo., received the 2009 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Technical Field. Rice, environmental coordinator, Sikeston, Mo., received the 2009 Excel Innovative Action Team Award for his role on a team that also included employees from Associated's headquarters and Thomas Hill Energy Center. Swilley, yard operations superintendent, Portageville, Mo., received a 2009 Excel Innovative Action Team Award for his role on a New Madrid and Associated headquarters team that responded to the January 2009 ice storm in Southeast Missouri.

ROBINS ELECTED TO MFA OIL BOARD

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Michael Robins, Oran, Mo., was elected to the board of directors of MFA Oil Co. Robins, who will represent MFA Oil's Southeast district on the eight-member board, was nominated at the company's recent delegate meeting in Dexter, Mo. He has been an MFA Oil delegate for more than 30 years and is a row crop farmer of corn, wheat, soybeans and rice.

FARIES NAMED SAFETY PERSON OF THE YEAR

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. recognized Joseph "Ronnie" Faries, instrumentation technician specialist, Lilbourn, Mo., as New Madrid Power Plant Safety Person of the Year for 2009. He was honored for 31 years without a safety incident.

LaDonna Dalton

CAPE NATIVE TAKES NEW POSITION AT LCMS

ST. LOUIS -- Cape Girardeau native and Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Blake Tilley was named senior vice president for marketing and communications at The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Foundation, effective July 1. He has been serving as the foundation's director of Internet and planned giving.

HICKS RETIRES FROM FIRST MIDWEST

DEXTER, Mo. -- Mary Hicks, who joined First Midwest Bank in 1975, retired after 35 years of service. She most recently served as senior vice president. CEO Joseph McLane presented her with a proclamation recognizing her work.

ZOELLNER NAMED MANAGING PARTNER

Kyle Owens

Wayne J. Zoellner was promoted to managing partner for Modern Woodmen of America. His office is at 1427 Thomas Drive, Suite A, Cape Girardeau. Zoellner has been with Modern Woodmen since 2003, specializing in life and health insurance as well as financial planning and investment services.

SHARP JOINS STYLE SHOP

Erynne Sharp is the newest stylist at Style Stop Lifestyles, Jackson. She offers color, waving, pedicures, manicures, facials, body wraps and waxing.

GARNER NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Timothy Garner, biology teacher at Notre Dame Regional High School, Jackson, received the American Legion Teacher of the Year 2010 award and was honored at an awards banquet March 17. Garner coaches baseball, basketball and softball at Notre Dame, is a team member for the annual Religious Retreat for High School Teenagers, and is active in school planning and student support.

Joan Drury

BAKER RETIRES FROM SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN

On March 19, Joy Baker retired after 13 years working in the Jackson office of the Southeast Missourian.

DISCOVERY PLAYHOUSE NAMES INTERIM DIRECTOR

Janet Livingston, consultant with Hendrickson Business Advisors, was named interim executive director of the Discovery Playhouse, Cape Girardeau. Livingston volunteered to help develop a marketing plan for the new museum, said Kevin Priester, president of the Discovery Playhouse board of directors. A search for a permanent director will take place in the months after the playhouse opens, Livingston said. The board wants someone with museum experience, she said, but she hopes to remain and coordinate marketing.

THREE HONORED AT BOARD MEETING

Ken Merriman

KENNETT, Mo. -- At its March 16 meeting, the Kennett Board of Education honored three individuals for their service. Aaron Bidewell received a commendation recognizing his "exemplary character while coaching a basketball game at South Pemiscot," while Laura Ort received a commendation for being named Bootheel Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year. Board member Linda S. Kelley received a plaque recognizing of six years of service on the board of education.

CITY CLERK EARNS DESIGNATION

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Paula Cartee, Farmington city clerk, received state certification through the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association, a governing body that provides standards and certification of municipal professionals. She received the designation of Missouri Registered City Clerk while attending the Missouri Registered City Clerks annual conference. Mayor Stuart "Mit" Landrum presented the designation to Cartee during the March 11 city council work session. She has been city clerk since 2003.

JARRELL TO RETIRE FROM DEXTER SCHOOLS

DEXTER, Mo. -- On March 16, administrator Dr. Denny Jarrell announced he will retire from the Dexter school district at the end of the school year. Jarrell has served the district for 21 years, with the past seven as assistant superintendent under Dr. Ken Jackson. The notification comes on the heels of February's news that Jackson will also retire in June.

Liz Lockhart

BUCHANAN NAMED VICE PRESIDENT

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Andy Buchanan was named vice president and loan officer at First State Community Bank in downtown Farmington. He has more than eight years of experience, focusing mostly on commercial lending. He is familiar with commercial real estate, small business lending and helping businesses with other banking products and services.

DESLOGE HIRES ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Board of Aldermen hired Bill Helms as animal control officer. According to city administrator Greg Camp, Helms is from Desloge and has previous experience as a heavy equipment operator. Half the duties of Desloge's animal control officer involve general labor. Camp said Helms was selected from about 100 applicants and began his new duties March 19. He replaces Mark Banks, who died in December 2009.

CLIFTON COMPLETES ENERGY TRAINING

Rodney Stovall

Jeff Clifton completed a renewable energy training course offered by "Boots on the Roof," a 50-hour "boot camp" on how to install and design solar electricity systems, in Silicon Valley, Calif. The course included training on industrial, commercial and residential solar electrical systems. Clifton works at TEX Electrical, Gordonville.

CHIPMAN EARNS GREEN DESIGNATION

Rebecca Chipman, Exit Realty -- Thomas Meyer Associates, received the National Association of Realtors' Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by the NAR. Chipman completed 18 hours of coursework on green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

CHAMBER DIRECTOR RESIGNS

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Christina Mattingly, executive director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, resigned and accepted another position in Springfield, Mo. Board member Sandy Francis will be interim chamber director while the board of directors decides how to proceed.

Cheryl Parker

WEISS, VITOUX RECEIVE ADVOCACY AWARDS

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- A former child abuse investigator for the Children's Division received a Career Excellence Award from Comtrea's Children's Advocacy Center of Eastern Missouri. Nancy Weiss, who worked for Children's Division for 12 years, was nominated by Pilot Knob police chief Darren Kelley. Additionally, Dina Vitoux, therapist with Counseling Concepts, received the Robert G. Wilkins Child Advocate of the Year Award. Both women were recognized at the center's annual dinner/dance in Washington, Mo.

BROCKMIRE ATTENDS TRAINING on ira's

Bill Brockmire, registered Investment Advisor representative with Lexington Financial, attended IRA specialist training in Phoenix, sponsored by the Annexus Group. Training included IRA tax code changes, IRAs, multigenerational IRAs and Roth IRAs.

P.B. HIRES NEW OFFICIAL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Rod Priest will take over July 1 as associate superintendent of business for Poplar Bluff R-1 School District. Priest, a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, is currently superintendent of Thayer School District. The current associate superintendent Clint Johnson is leaving to become superintendent of Jefferson School District in Festus, Mo. Additionally, Chris Hon, assistant superintendent in Poplar Bluff, will become R-1 superintendent in July, and superintendent Ernie Lawson will retire.

ARTS COUNCIL NAMES INTERIM DIRECTOR

Tammy Maddock was installed as interim director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. She stepped into the temporary role March 1 and has a contract to stay through May, though she and arts council board members said the position could stretch through the summer, when the board will interview for a permanent replacement for Melissa Miller, the former executive director who left the arts council to return to journalism with a job at the Southeast Missourian.

DANIELS PROMOTED TO VP

Shannon Daniels was promoted to vice president at Commerce Brokerage Services Inc. She has been with Commerce since April 2004.

LANE JOINS MOVIE TIME SALON

Kristin Lane is the newest stylist and the only nail technician on staff at Movie Time Tanning and Salon, Fruitland. She completed her training at Trendsetters Cosmetology School in Cape Girardeau.

BERGHOFF RECEIVES CERTIFICATION

Susan Berghoff is now a Gold Certified Sandals Specialist. She is in her 14th year as a travel consultant with 1st Class Travel, Cape Girardeau. Sandals operates all-inclusive beach vacation resorts across the Caribbean.

BOARD SELECTS NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett School Board chose Richard Leeker as assistant principal at Kennett High School. Leeker is currently a fifth-grade teacher at South Elementary.

STAPLETON TO ATTEND TEACHERS ACADEMY

Stacy Stapleton will attend the 2010 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy July 18 through 23 at Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, N.J. Stapleton is a third-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary, Cape Girardeau. The academy helps third- through fifth-grade teachers discover new ways to teach math and science to their students. Of the 1,300 teachers who applied for the program, only 100 were selected to attend.

NIXON MAKES APPOINTMENTS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- On March 29, Gov. Jay Nixon announced appointments to 14 boards and commissions, including four Southeast Missouri residents.

Angeline D. Jacobsen, Poplar Bluff, was appointed to the Governor's Council on Disability, which promotes participation and inclusion of Missourians with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Jacobsen is a research analyst at the Independent Living Center of Southeast Missouri. The Governor appointed her for a term ending Oct. 1, 2013.

Jerry F. Bagby, Dexter, was appointed to the Missouri Alternative Fuels Commission, which promotes development, sale, distribution and consumption of alternative fuels and development and use of alternative fuel vehicles and technology. Bagby is co-owner of Global Fuels LLC, a biodiesel refinery in Stoddard County, and has also farmed for many years in Southeast Missouri. The Governor appointed him for a term ending March 25, 2012.

Brian P. Kelly, Brentwood, was appointed student representative to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. He is a political science major at the university who has served as a resident assistant for group housing and works at the Writing Center. The Governor appointed Kelly for a term ending Jan. 1, 2012.

Dr. Joel P. Rhodes, Cape Girardeau, was appointed to the State Historical Records Advisory Board, which promotes and supports identification, preservation and access to historical records in Missouri. Rhodes is an associate professor of history at Southeast Missouri State University and assistant director of its Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage. The Governor appointed him for a term ending Nov. 1, 2010.

EMPLOYEES HONORED FOR SERVICE

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Two Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America employees were honored for 30 years of service at the Farmington retirement community. Larry Hastings, director of environmental services, and Jane Hull, executive director of the manor, were congratulated by Craig Reinmuth and Doug Yoder, director of operations and vice president of operations for Presbyterian Manors.

DEXTER NAMES NEW SUPERINTENDENT

DEXTER, Mo. -- Dr. Thomas Sharp, a Nebraska native currently serving as superintendent at Crawford County R-1 in Bourbon, Mo., will be the new superintendent of Dexter Schools, replacing Dr. Ken Jackson, who is retiring at the end of the school year. Sharp comes to the district with 33 years of experience in education. His new duties begin July 1.

BLOOMFIELD CHAMBER ANNOUNCES AWARDS

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce will present the following awards at an April 22 awards banquet: Organization of the Year, Bloomfield Masonic Lodge; Business of the Year, Valeria's Floral and Gifts; Woman of the Year, Trish Vandeven; Man of the Year, Kenny Johnson; and Lifetime Achievement Award, Larry Walpole.

WATSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Farmington's interim superintendent, Jerome Watson, announced his retirement at a special meeting March 25 with the school board. He has been with the district for almost 27 years and took over for Dr. W. L. Sanders in September as interim superintendent.

TRCC TRUSTEES RENEW CONTRACTS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Administrators at Three Rivers Community College have received renewals of their contracts. Dr. Devin Stephenson, president, was re-employed until June 2013, and Dr. Wes Payne, vice president for learning, and Jason Hoseney, vice president for student success, were granted another two years. The decisions were made unanimously at the March 24 board meeting.

BARTON NAMED PR DIRECTOR

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Crystal Barton was named public relations and horizons director at First State Community Bank in downtown Farmington. She has more than eight years of experience in corporate marketing and customer service, with a background in graphic design, advertising campaign management, event planning and customer relations. She lives in Farmington.