SIKESTON -- Probation and Parole Officer Denise Wheeler has been recognized as the Region V Employee of the Quarter for Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole.

Wheeler began employment with Department of Corrections in September 1997 and initially worked at the District #23 Kennett Probation and Parole Office. She transferred to the #14 Sikeston in December 2000 and since then she has worked in the Scott County area.

As Probation and Parole Officer, her duties include supervision of adults currently on probation and/or parole, conducting various investigations, and also facilitating offender groups. Currently, Wheeler co-facilitates the District #14 Impact of Crime on Victims classes.

In addition to her regular duties, she also volunteers her time as a mentor for Big Brother/Big Sisters, a Missouri Mentoring Initiative administered through the Lieutenant Governor's Office. This past spring she also helped to coordinate the District #14 annual Crime Victim Memory Walk, an activity that helped to raise money for local organizations.

This recognition is well deserved and demonstrates Officer Wheeler's dedication to Probation and Parole and to the community.

Local farmers appointed to state board of directors

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council's board of directors met recently to seat new members. Amongst those appointed to the 13-member board were two from the area.

The two from this region appointed to three-year terms are Gary Branum of New Madrid and Lewis Rone of Portageville.

"We are excited to work with our newly formed leadership team and new board members," said Dale R. Ludwig, MSMC executive director/CEO. "We certainly appreciate these individuals' willingness to volunteer their time and efforts on behalf of Missouri's soybean farmers.

The soybean checkoff program began in Missouri in 1979 as a way for soybean producers to pool resources to promote their product. It is a producer-run organization, with 13 farmer-directors overseeing the investment of 50 percent of Missouri's checkoff dollars.

Bootheel Counseling Services employee is honored

SIKESTON -- Michelle Glaus was chosen by her co-workers at Bootheel Counseling Services as the employee of the quarter, for the third quarter 2008.

Glaus was chosen for this award for her devotion to her job and clients, having great organizational skills, professionalism, hardworking, being a great friend and co-worker, and upholding the values of Bootheel Counseling Services.

She has been with the agency for 13 years and currently serves as the PSR coordinator.

Glaus resides in Sikeston with her husband, Mike and two children, Josh and Michaela.

Ledbetter is named representative of the month

ESSEX -- Ron Ledbetter of Essex, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was representative of the month in the Missouri East Region for the month of July.

Ledbetter joined Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Region, located in Farmington, in February 1992.

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Ill. It provides life insurance and annuity products to more than 765,000 members nationwide.

For more information, contact Ledbetter at 573-283-5925, toll-free at 1-800-580-7393, or at the regional office at 573-701-0163.

Dirty jobs sought to feature for Labor Day holiday

SIKESTON -- Do you have a "dirty job?" Or know someone who does?

To mark Labor Day, the Standard Democrat will feature some of the dirtiest jobs in the area in its business section.

Suggestions can be made to Business Editor Michelle Felter by calling 471-6980 or e-mailing them to michellef@standard-democrat.com. Deadline is Aug. 20.