Stories from Wednesday, March 12, 2014

The crime rate in Stoddard County declined slightly in 2013 from the previous year, according to statistics compiled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The overall crime rates for the state also saw a decrease from 2012 to 2013. Under the Missouri Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, the total crime index is based on the FBI's classification of major offenses into violent crimes and property crimes...

A local woman sustained moderate injuries in a Tuesday morning accident at One Mile Road and Rt. AF, one mile south of Dexter's city limits. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 35-year-old Jennifer M. Sadler of Dexter was southbound on One Mile Road when the 2003 Ford Taurus she was driving ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a culvert. The accident occurred just before 8:30 a.m...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Bloomfield School Board approved a two-week summer school schedule for 2014 at their regular meeting Monday night in the Administration Building. Summer school will be held June 2-13. Superintendent Toni Hill recommended the two-week session saying there were several construction projects that would be underway over the summer which would make a four-week session difficult. ...

Richland R-1 Schools Sophomore Makala "Skie" Pinkley displays the plaque she received after winning second place in the National Beta Club Convention State Acrylic Painting Contest in Branson on Saturday., March 8. Pinkley will be representing Richland R-1 and the state of Missouri as she competes in the national Beta competition in June in Richmond, Va...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Arguments began Tuesday in the case against a Dexter man accused of facilitating a murder last year outside a restaurant in Advance. Glen Scott Evans faces two counts of armed criminal action and one count each of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in connection with the shooting death of Sean Crow, 34, whose body was found Feb. 20, 2013, in a truck outside a McDonald's in Advance...

The Dexter High School held its annual Winter Sports Recognition Program Monday night at the high school cafeteria. Athletes participating in boys and girls basketball, wrestling, dance and cheerleading were honored at the event. 13 athletes received letters at the program...

Donald Lee Smith, 75, was born Aug. 10, 1938, at Cline's Island, Mo. to the late Carl William & Lenora Gooch Smith, and died on Saturday March 8, 2014, at the Bertrand Retirement Home. Don lived in Dogwood most of his life and was a retired farmer. He attended the Full Gospel Church in East Prairie and was a veteran of the United States Army...