DPS sponsors St Patty's 5K Run for Special Olympics

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a big supporter of Special Olympics. DPS employees are currently organizing the 2nd Annual St Patty's 5K Run for Special Olympics to be held on 03/14/2015. DPS is seeking sponsors, volunteers, and runners for the event. The deadline for preregistration for runners is 02/28/2015. See http://www.sikeston.org/DPS_St_Patty_s_5K_Run_2015.pdf for more information! 

Too cold to work?

No way! But what does a street or park maintenance worker do when it's in the single digits outside? There's usually not much grass to mow, and patching potholes doesn't work as well in extreme cold, so usually they come inside and catch up on some projects in the shop. They are probably happy not to be plowing snow in the middle of the night! Here's a great story about City of Sikeston crews coming in from the cold to complete maintenance projects they will be too busy for once spring arrives.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/27796355/outside-workers-working-indoors-due-to-extreme-cold. 

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Citizens nationwide are celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Day today, January 9, 2015. In Sikeston, several local businesses as well as the hospital are sponsoring appreciation events for local law enforcement officers. At City Hall, we wore blue to show appreciation for our law enforcement officers, including the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Sikeston DPS employs around 80 police, fire, and dispatch professionals who work odd hours, sacrifice holidays with families, deal with unpleasant situations, and face life threatening danger to protect and serve our community. We are proud of the work they do, and grateful for their dedication, professionalism, bravery, and compassion.   

Sikeston City Hall employees wear blue in appreciation of our law enforcement officers. 

Wakefield Bridge Replacement Starts First Week of January

Starting the first week of January, and lasting approximately 3 months, the Wakefield Bridge will close for demolition and reconstruction. The bridge is located on Wakefield Ave near the power plant, and crosses Richland Drainage District Ditch No. 4. Wakefield Ave will be closed to through traffic from Euclid Ave west to State Route BB/Brown Spur Rd. Access to the power plant and residences along Wakefield Ave will be maintained throughout the project.

Throughout Missouri, bridges are inspected every two years by MoDOT. After the most recent inspection of the Wakefield Bridge, the load limit was reduced from 40 tons to 10 tons due to deteriorating conditions caused by wear and tear on the bridge structure. The total replacement of the bridge is projected to cost $407,000, and 80% of that money is coming from MoDOT/FHWA Surface Transportation Program grants. The remaining $81,400 is coming from City of Sikeston funds.

 

Chief Juden named President of Missouri Police Chiefs Association

Sikeston Public Safety Chief Drew Juden was named President of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association last week. Chief Juden has worked for Sikeston DPS for over 35 years, and now oversees all police and fire operations for the city. Congratulations, Chief Juden, we are privileged to have you protecting our community!
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/27634942/veteran-heartland-officer-to-take-over-as-mos-top-chief?autostart=true

Three Rivers College Set to Open in January

I had the pleasure of touring the new Sikeston Campus of Three Rivers College yesterday. Three Rivers staff has been moving from their old building into the new one over the past couple of weeks, and students will begin attending class at the new building on January 12. Enrollment will be around 500 students this semester, and ultimately is hoped to increase to 1,500 - 1,800 students. The state-of-the-art new facility features a library, 4 computer labs, a FEMA certified safe room and more. One of the most exciting elements is the simulator lab for the nursing program, where students will learn in a simulated hospital environment using modern medical equipment and computerized dummies. See below for some pictures of the new facility.  

Front of building, pre-landcaping

Administrative offices

Atrium at front entrance

Simulator lab for the nursing program

Science lab

Science lab

Library

Overlooking the atrium

Computer lab

Conference room (doubles as FEMA certified safe room)

Leaf Collection Starts November 17

Are you wondering what to do with all those leaves in your yard? The city’s leaf collection program runs from November 17 – December 12. Please visit our Leaf Collection Program webpage to learn where to put your leaves and what dates they will be picked up in your neighborhood. Below are pictures of the Sports Complex and our leaf machines. 

City Hall Service Project

About 30 city staff and family members volunteered an hour of time a couple weekends ago to pick up litter along Stallcup and School St. We picked up 20+ bags of trash and had a great time together. We hope to do this every month or so and make a visible difference in the community. 

Building Trust Through Transparency: The New Sikeston.org

Today the city's new website, www.sikeston.org, went live. It's the same web address as before, but with a new modern look and lots of new information. In my job I try to build trust through transparency - with my employees, with my bosses (the City Council) and with the public. The city website helps me do that. We've been working hard to get as much information as we can up on the website, and will continue to do more. Here are some things you can find at www.sikeston.org: 

• Budgets
• Audits
• City Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes
• Bid and Purchasing Information
• Document Center
• Map Center
• Event Information
• City Calendar
• Complaint Form
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Employment Opportunities
• Community Links including the Chamber of Commerce, Historic Downtown Sikeston, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and more.

Additionally, the new website is optimized for mobile technologies like tablets and smartphones, because more people than ever use their mobile devices as their primary means to access the internet. Please check out the new www.sikeston.org; and I hope you'll find what you are looking for! 

Cotton Carnival

I experienced my first ever Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival last night, and I have to say that it was awesome. My kids rode a bunch of rides, and we ate some deliciously unhealthy food - ribbon fries with cheese, fried Snickers, and fried Twinkies! The carnival is going on at the Jaycee Rodeo Grounds every evening this week starting at 5:00 p.m., and Saturday starting at noon. On Saturday morning the Cotton Carnival Parade starts around 10:00 a.m. and travels west on Malone Ave starting at Pine St.