News

Poplar Bluff man remains in the Butler County jail after his Tuesday arrest on charges of sexual trafficking of a child. The arrest of Chester Scott Burress, 61, was the result of an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center...

The City of Dexter Parks and Recreation Dog Park Committee received a $10,000 donation from Nestlé Purina PetCare Company. The grant money was used to help purchase the fencing for Lucy’s Dog Park. The Dexter Dog Park Committee is continuing to raise funds for Lucy’s Dog Park. ...

The Dexter Knights of Columbus will hold a drive-thru fish fish fry event Friday, April 16 at the Sacred Heart Parish Center. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will consist of catfish, hush puppies, potato, slaw onion and pickle. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the event...

The annual Larry and Kathy Jones H.O.P.E. Campaign fish fry will be held April 23 at Bloomfield City Park from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Meal includes fish, sides and homemade desserts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets can be acquired from the Jones family, Kyle Jones (573) 820-7033, Rachel Jones (573) 421-0134 , Lora Jones Galati (314) 402-7777, Joe Galati (314) 952-9127 or at http:/ /mkt.com/larrybjoneshopecampaign. Proceeds go to 18 Fore Life...

The Bernie School Board reorganized Monday evening as two members were sworn in to begin additional terms. A nonelection was declared in the Bernie School Board race when incumbents Judy Zoll and Gary Eaton ran unopposed in last week’s municipal election...

BLOOMFIELD — Loyd Rice, manager of fiber services for SEMO Electric Cooperative, addressed the Stoddard County Commission on Monday morning concerning the process used by the Federal Communications Commission to distribute money for rural internet access...

Dexter's Ryder Boles and Riley Slusher were named to the Class 4 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State team. The award is Individuals must meet the following criteria to qualify for academic all-state: Player must be a senior in good standing with the team and possess outstanding moral character, according to the MBCA website. ...

The Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency received multiple reports of damage following the Friday evening storms. Director Andrew Bohnert said both residents and activated storm spotters reported on conditions. In a social media release Bohnert said pea sized hail was reported across the western part of Stoddard County with hail up to quarter size reported in the Puxico area. ...

The Iron County Sheriff's office has issued an endangered silver advisory for Chester Bradley, 88 of Ironton. Authorities say Bradley left his residence on Killarney Drive in Ironton between 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on April 9. Bradley is described as 5 foot 8 inches, weighing 160 pounds. He bald with a white stubble in his beard and has blue eyes. Authorities are unsure what clothing he may be wearing. Bradley has been diagnosed with dementia...

A Dexter author will hold her first book signing on April 15 at the Gallery in Dexter. Belinda Worley will be on hand to sign her book “An Autism Journey of Hope” from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served during the event. The Gallery is located at 31 E. Stoddard...

Stoddard County Relay For Life Luminary Shirts are available for pre-order through BA Promotions by going to https://bapromotions.com/.../stoddard-county-relay-for.../. Orders will be taken until April 9 at 4 p.m. The shirts are a fundraiser for the Stoddard County Relay For Life...

Cesar Garcia Marcelo has been located and is safe. Authorities said Marcelo, 46, left his residence on Friday, March 26, in a black 2011 Honda four-door hatchback with an Illinois license plate of AX32496. According to authorities he was traveling to St. Louis to visit a family member but never arrived at his destination. He was reported missing officially on Saturday...

“The money, obviously, was a big draw,” Jacob Williams of Dexter laughs good-naturedly, “but seriously, I had the benefit of having some great teachers in high school—Melba Walker, John Wade, Linda Dowdy, and Larry Louder—who set a high standard for their students and served as a great example to me.”...

Voters in Advance and Puxico decided the fate of two school bond issues Tuesday evening. In Advance voters passed the $1.5 million bond by a unofficial count of 207 votes yes to 46 no. This bond will allow the district to make several improvements, including a new roof coating on the elementary and high school buildings, security upgrades and a new bus garage...

The Dexter Board of Aldermen passed two ordinances at its April meeting. The first ordinance authorized the city to execute a block grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for a sum not exceeding $774,258. The city will match funds in the approximate amount of $55,528. This grant will allow the construction of two box hangars at the Dexter Municipal Airport...

The Dexter Statesman will be switching from carrier delivery to mail beginning April 21st. Papers will be delivered to the post office early Wednesday and customers formerly on carrier delivery can expect their copy of the Dexter Statesman in their Wednesday mail. Customers already receiving the newspaper by mail will see no change in their service. Thank you for your continued readership of the Dexter Statesman!...

The Dexter Police Department is seeking the help of area residents in finding a man who was reported missing last weekend. Cesar Garcia Marcelo, 46, left his residence on Friday, March 26, in a black 2011 Honda 4-door hatchback with Illinois license plate of AX32496, according to authorities. He was traveling to St. Louis to visit a family member, but never arrived at his destination. He was reported missing officially on Saturday, April 3...

Poplar Bluff police are seeking a man considered armed and dangerous following a shooting death Tuesday night on Clare Avenue. Caleb Scowden is currently being sought for questioning in reference to this investigation. Scowden is described as a white male in his 30’s who is approximately 6’2”, 180 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes...

Dexter area residents are voting in the Municipal Election at the Bearcat Event Center today. Curbside voting is available at the Bearcat Event Center by pulling up to the curb and calling 573-625-2519. Polling officials will come outside and assist those using curbside voting. Voters across the county will decide several township, city and school races. Polls will close at 7 p.m. this evening. Go to www.dexterstatesman.com this evening for election results...

An inmate has reported an alleged assault in a holding cell at the Stoddard County Justice Center. According to a release from Sheriff Carl Hefner, the inmate reported he was assaulted on March 22 by a Stoddard County deputy while in a holding cell. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, Hefner said...

The Dexter Board of Aldermen have formed a special committee to review the resumes submitted for the city administrator position. City attorney Yewell “Bud” Lawrence Jr. said no date has been set for a final decision on the position. Lawrence went on to say that when the committee completes its work a recommendation will be given to the board of aldermen and Dexter Mayor Jason Banken. The final decision on the position will be made by the Dexter Board of Aldermen and Mayor Banken...

Voters in Stoddard County will have a number of township and road district board members to elect on April 6. Essex Special Road District, Liberty Township, Duck Creek Township, New Lisbon Township and Road District, Castor Township and Public Water Supply District No. 6 all have board elections on the ballot...

Ben Godwin, Director of the Stoddard County Health Center, has confirmed the 63rd COVOD-19 related death in Stoddard County. This is the first confirmed COVID-19 related death since early February. The county now sits at 3,118 confirmed cases with 8 active, 3,047 recoveries and 63 deaths...

Three Dexter High School students were elected as FCCLA Region 8 Officers for the 2021-2022 school year. They are left to right: Maci Comfort (Region 8 Social Media Coordinator), Jerra Malone (Region 8 Historian)and Julianna Rivera (Region 8 Secretary)...