DOR also has tax assistance centers across the state, including here in St. Louis, located at 9652 Olive Blvd., or by phone at (314) 692-8222. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here to locate a center.

While there are still several months until the tax filing deadline on April 15, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) suggests filing your taxes before the deadline. DOR says waiting until the April 15 deadline will result in a delay in getting a refund. Other tips Missouri taxpayers should keep in mind include:

• File electronically. It is a secure way to avoid errors. E-filing is a service provided by almost all tax preparation agencies, or individuals can purchase tax preparation software. Many may qualify for free electronic filing through the Federal Free File Alliance.
• Nearly 80 percent of Missourians now file electronically, forms are filled out securely and it usually guarantees a quicker turnaround.
• Use electronic forms. Even Missourians choosing not to E-file can still save time and reduce errors by using electronic forms, which can then be printed out and mailed. Missouri tax forms for tax year 2013 and other years are available on DOR's website. The forms, which can be completed in one or more sittings, include a barcode that helps speed up the processing of the forms after they are mailed to the department. Saving drafts of confidential returns is not recommended for people using public computers.
• DOR answers many frequently asked questions about filing tax returns at www.dor.mo.gov. Missourians can also call (573) 751-3505 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also email the department at income@dor.mo.gov with questions about filing tax returns.

ElderLink St. Louis is offering to help senior citizens locate free tax help. Elderlink St. Louis can be reached at (314) 812-9300.

The St. Louis Tax Assistance Program has locations throughout St. Louis. Click here for more information on its assistance guidelines and locations.

LIHEAP and other agencies help thousands of Missourians with their heating and cooling bills each year.

Do you need help with your heating bill? Missouri LIHEAP may be able to help. Missouri LIHEAP helps the most vulnerable who are eligible with incomes below 135 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2012 the federally funded program provided 147,003 homes with financial assistance for heating and 31,242 with cooling assistance. LIHEAP program dates for heating assistance runs through the end of this month and cooling assistance runs June 1 - Sept. 30. Crisis help is available year-round. To find out if you meet the criteria, call (573) 751-6789.

The Missouri Division of Energy has tips for winterizing your home and keeping heating bills at a minimum.

• Turn down your thermostat when you are not home or sleeping.
• Make sure windows and doors seal, or cover them, to keep the cold out and heat inside.
• Install gasket cover outlets, make sure the weather stripping around doors and windows is in place and not torn or defective.
• Install a weather heater jacket on your water heater, especially if your water heater is near doors or windows.

For a list of community services and agencies, take a look at this Community Services Directory, tailored for citizens of the Fourth Senatorial District.

Since opening day of trout season falls on a weekend, MDC staff expects this to be a very busy opening day.

The catch-and-release trout season in Missouri officially ended at the four trout parks located in this state on March 1. Anglers may now catch or have possession of four trout per day. Each year, more than $1 million is spent by anglers who travel to and within our state to catch rainbow or brown trout. Trout season ends Oct. 31.

From March 1 to October 31 the parks will collectively sell approximately 400,000 tags and stock 900,000 fish.  These fish will average around 12 inches long. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) also stocks dozens of “lunkers,” surplus hatchery brood fish weighing upwards of three pounds. A few tip the scales at more than 10 pounds.

Map & Compass
Location: Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Low Tech? Don’t trust a GPS? In today’s world of electronic gadgets, many people do not know this easy skill which requires no batteries or satellite signals. This is a skill set to know if you become lost or are looking for a particular location in the outdoors. This is a great opportunity to learn how to read maps and use a compass. Participants will start in the classroom at the August A. Busch Conservation Area and then proceed outside to see if they can find marked locations without the use of today’s modern conveniences. Reservations begin March 24 by calling (636) 441-4554.

Sunset Hike- Timberdoodles and Spring Peepers
Location: August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2014, 5 - 8:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2014, 6 - 9:30 p.m.
(Adults) Experience the sounds of nature in early spring. Walk, listen, and watch for “timberdoodles” performing their spectacular aerial courtship displays as the sun sets over the prairie. Hike past woodland ponds and listen for small, but powerful, spring peeper frogs calling to hopeful partners. Please dress for the weather. Please make reservations begriming Feb. 21, by calling (636) 441-4554.

Outdoor Explorer - Archery
Location: Educational Fishing Lakes and Hatchery in Forest Park
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Archery teaches individuals discipline, concentration and resilience. Not to mention, it's a great sport either in or outdoors. Once participants become familiar with the bow and can shoot the arrow, an archery skills challenge will begin. Remember a sack lunch and water bottle, and dress to be outside all day.