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ESSEX - Ron Ledbetter, a district representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was agent of the month in the Missouri East Agency for December.

Ledbetter joined Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Agency, located in Farmington, in July 1991.

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Ill. Modern Woodmen provides life insurance and annuity products to more than 760,000 members nationwide.

For more information contact Ledbetter at 573-283-5925 or call 1-800

-580-7393.

SIKESTON - Mayor Mike Marshal recently presented Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Bryan Dover with a cash award and plaque recognizing him as the Sikeston DPS Employee of the First Quarter.

Dover has been with the DPS since March 1999 and is currently assigned to the Power Squad and Special Operations Group. Over the last year, Dover has made over 150 arrests, the majority of which have been self-initiated.

MINNEAPOLIS- The board of directors of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) has approved a 10 percent increase in the dividend rate on U.S. Bancorp common stock to $1.32 on an annualized basis, or $0.33 on a quarterly basis.

The quarterly common stock dividend of $0.33 per common share is payable on Jan. 16, 2006 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 30.

U.S. Bancorp, with $207 billion in assets, is the 6th largest financial holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,411 banking offices and 4,999 ATMs in 24 states. In Sikeston, U.S. Bank has facilities located at 625 N.Main St. and 105 E. Center St.