News

POPLAR BLUFF — A suspect was arrested Wednesday following tips from the public after a Dexter woman reported being sexually assaulted. Austin Davis, 30, of Poplar Bluff is being held in Butler County jail pending the filing of formal charges, according to a press release from the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

American Legion Post 59 would like to thank Officer Grainger for hosting the animal shelter event. We would also like to thank the following for their donations; Animal Health Center of Dexter, Walgreens employees, Brem Insurance, Busy - B Lumber and First Church of God...

Friday, Dec. 6 Pictures with Santa Santa Claus will be at Dexter Branch of Ozark Federal Credit Union from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Light It Up Dexter Parks and Recreation invites residents to enjoy Christmas light displays set up by area businesses and churches for the holiday season. The displays will be set up by Dec. 6 in East Park and will remain up through Jan. 3...

WAPPAPELLO LAKE — The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will begin annual winter drawdown from recreation pool to conservation pool starting Dec. 16. “In accordance with our water control plan, the pool is drawn down five feet, from 359.74 feet to 354.74 feet,” the Corps reported in a press release. “Conservation pool lasts until late March, which allows for additional storage of winter and spring precipitation.”...

From Staff Reports VAN BUREN — An alleged poacher was recently arrested in Van Buren for “road hunting” rare, all-white deer. This one of two incidents that resulted in arrests recently in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, officials report. “Road hunting” involves shooting wildlife from a public roadway. This illegal practice can ruin legitimate hunting for others, and it is particularly dangerous during fall in the Ozarks, according to a press release from the ONSR...

Now that we are in the throws of the Holy Day Season, let’s talk about the big fat fellow dressed in red. Yes, I want to talk about Santa Claus, St. Nicholas. The real St. Nicholas was born March 15, 270 A.D. and died on Dec. 6, 343 A.D. His feast day in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church is Dec. 6. He was a real person who was the Bishop of Myra. He is also a person who has many legends surrounding him...

The 23rd Psalm is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Part of what makes the ancient psalm so moving is that it was written by David, who had been a shepherd before he became a king. It beautifully pictures God caring for us like shepherds care for their sheep. Here is the psalm:...

DEXTER — The hulking building that sits at 1207 Arvin Road in Dexter is not so busy with activity right now — at least not inside the building — as workers for the first time ever in the history of that location have taken to the picket line. Previously known as Faurecia (and before that, Arvin Meritor), the Forvia plant in Dexter currently employs fewer than 100 laborers — all of whom are members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) local Post 1930. ...

The community gathered up and gathered around the fire to spread holiday cheer Sunday at Dexter’s Christmas Reading. The evening began with Crowley Ridge Mennonite Church’s choir performing “Joy to the World.” The crowd sipped on hot chocolate and Lulu’s fermented cider while enjoying homemade cookies by Phyllis Menley...

Members of United Autoworkers Post 1930 went on strike this morning in Dexter at the Faurecia auto parts factory. Members of the group have said the strike is over issues related to safety. Officials with Faurecia have not returned messages seeking comment...

Local deer harvested during the November portion of the firearms season were down by nearly a third compared to last year, according to data from the Missouri Department of Conservation. As of Dec. 3, the seven-county region had seen a total of 6,713 deer harvested in 2024 compared to 9,903 in 2023...

VAN BUREN — An alleged poacher was recently arrested in Van Buren for “road hunting” rare, all-white deer. This one of two incidents that resulted in arrests recently in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, officials report. “Road hunting” involves shooting wildlife from a public roadway. This illegal practice can ruin legitimate hunting for others, and it is particularly dangerous during fall in the Ozarks, according to a press release from the ONSR...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports three people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period — from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27-11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. There were no boating crashes or drownings. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2024 (preliminary): Crashes, 362; injuries, 120; fatalities, 3; and DWI arrests, 106...

Understanding the importance of estate planning From Staff Reports The University of Missouri Extension of Stoddard County is set to host an estate planning course from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, 105 E. N. Main St. This free course aims to educate participants on the critical aspects of estate planning and requires advance registration, according to organizers...

By ALYSSA LUNSFORD STEVENS Southeast Missourian Seger Ruiz doesn’t remember getting rear-ended, but that moment changed his life. On the night of Sept. 14, 2023, 19-year-old Ruiz and his girlfriend were on their way back to Chaffee driving on Nash Road. The two were heading back from the SEMO District Fair after a night of fun, but that is where the fun ended...

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’” — John 7:37-38 For a couple of years my family and I lived in Arizona, essentially right in the middle of the desert. ...

As we step into the Advent season, I’m reflecting on the wisdom of grief counselor Megan Devine, “There are some things in life that cannot be fixed, they can only be carried.” This sentiment really strikes a chord, especially during this time of year when we are shouldering heavy burdens and don’t feel much like celebrating...

The Stoddard County Ambulance District is set to conduct its 39th annual Home for the Holidays project on Thanksgiving Day. This initiative offers non-ambulatory patients from nursing homes across Stoddard County the opportunity to spend time with their families at home during the holiday season...

The Bernie Chamber of Commerce is set to host its annual Christmas event at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in Bernie City Park. This festive gathering will feature music, mingling, and photos with Santa, culminating in a tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Miss Bernie 2024, Tatum Anthony, will have the honor of lighting the tree...

BLOOMFIELD — A Stoddard County jury deliberated for 38 minutes following a two-day trial before reaching a guilty verdict on Tuesday, Nov. 19 for a Bloomfield man charged with child molestation. Timothy C. Allbritton was found guilty of third-degree child molestation during a trial held Monday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Stoddard County Justice Center in Bloomfield...

BLOOMFIELD — The Bloomfield R-XIV school board members toured the campus Monday, Nov. 11, to explore future renovation and improvement. To kick the tour off, Superintendent Jason Karnes led the group from the administration building to the middle school. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade student restrooms and faculty break room were topics for upgrades or renovations...

BLOOMFIELD — Associate Commissioner C.D. Stewart made a move to renew HealthEZ’s employee medical health care plan Tuesday, Nov. 12, following Arch Brokerage’s John McCarty market analysis presentation to the commission. “We shopped everybody under the sun,” said McCarty while handing out medical benefits versus cost analysis from HealthEZ, Gravie, Fusion Health, Blue Anthem and Optimyl...

DUNKLIN COUNTY — The Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Campbell Police Department, is providing an update on the missing person investigation involving 16-year-old Kaytln Arnold. After a thorough investigation, authorities were able to identify a possible location and person of interest. ...

Route ZZ in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace several culverts under the roadway. This section of roadway is located between County Road 642 and County Road 648. Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Friday, Dec. 20...

The Stoddard County Democrat Club will not meet in December. Meetings will resume Jan. 16, at El Cabrito. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m.