News

BENTON, Mo. — An investigation by a Scott County special prosecutor has resulted in the federal indictment of a Sikeston man for the murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless. Lawless, 19, was murdered around 1 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 1992, in the vicinity of the 80-mile marker, northbound exit ramp of Interstate 55 and Missouri Highway 77 in Benton/Scott County...

DEXTER – On an early August morning in 2023, Shawn Hinkle received a call from one of his technicians at Tyson Foods who, through tears, told him the company’s plant in Dexter was shutting down. Hundreds of jobs at the poultry slaughterhouse would be lost and farmers like Hinkle, who contracted with Tyson to raise egg-laying hens, would be out of business...

The Dexter Board of Aldermen met in a special meeting Dec. 9 to discuss the minimum wage increase and disaster damage to be turned into FEMA. The damage is a result of the storm damage to the Dexter area earlier in the year. Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Rowe said she has been looking a ways to offset the minimum wage increase. Rowe suggested increasing the entry fee at the pool from $8.50 to $9.00 per person or adjusting hours...

The Dexter Board of Education purchased a bus, approved ballot language and approved MCE updates at its monthly meeting. The meeting opened with Travis Gibson and Kim Waldner addressing the board. There is ongoing litigation between the district and Waldner. ...

Laborers at Faurecia/Forvia in Dexter did something Dec. 3, that they had never done before: they went on strike. And, though there is communication between the union and the plant management, there is no end in sight at this time. According to local 1930 UAW President Jack Bess, the situation is currently being discussed electronically with a mediator through email...

More than 80 residents from Stoddard County nursing homes have received gifts as part of a Golden Angel Tree program. The effort was undertaken by Mercy of Stoddard County. The tree is displayed with wish lists for caregivers to select from and purchase. Residents are nominated for the tree by nursing home staff...

All month 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...

y REBECCA RIVAS Missouri Independent Every time Missouri lawmakers have proposed legislation to essentially ban intoxicating-hemp products in the last few years, the hemp industry has mounted a united opposition to stop them. Products like Delta-8 THC drinks can currently be bought everywhere from bars to coffee shops statewide...

Southeast Missourian The Southeast Missourian has been chosen as a host newsroom for a nationwide program aimed at strengthening local journalism. Report for America announced its newest hosts Tuesday, Dec. 17. The not-for-profit media organization has placed about 250 journalists in newsrooms across the country to highlight under-covered issues and communities...

A Route O bridge in Stoddard County is scheduled to be replaced in 2025. The bridge is over Drainage Ditch 287, located between County Road 349 and County Road 371, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Work to replace the bridge could begin as early as May 2025...

The Stoddard County Ambulance District will conduct Home for the Holidays for Christmas. 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...

Saint Francis Healthcare System has welcomed Claire Grisham, FNP-C, to Saint Francis Clinic — Dexter. Grisham completed her medical education in 2023 at Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program. She specializes in primary care and urgent care...

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” — Titus 1:9 Desiderius Erasmus, born in 1466 in the Netherlands, was a contemporary of Martin Luther and a renowned scholar. He has become especially known for publishing a new edition of the New Testament in Greek based on his rigorous work to find the oldest and most faithful manuscripts of New Testament books...

“Do not be afraid, for I am bringing you good news of great joy!” Never in all my life have I ever been greeted like that. Usually greetings start with a hello, or introduction, or even a question. Never have I ever heard anyone start off with, “Do not be afraid for I have some good news.”...

Officers from the Dexter Police Department responded Sunday to a series of vehicle tampering reports beginning at 5:05 a.m. The incidents were reported across several locations, including the 700 block of Saddle Spur Road, the 500 and 600 blocks of Boucher Street, the 900 block of Cottonwood Lane, the 1000 block of North Woodlawn Drive, and the 900 block of West Grant...

The Mule Ditch Bridge, located on County Road 436 has been closed due to unsafe conditions as a result of water damage.

The 2024 Charles Bland Award winner is player 56, Caden Lee. Since 1994, the Charles Bland Award has been awarded to the most well rounded senior Bearcat football player who excels on and off the field. Lee is pictured “guarding the quarterback” during the Class 3 Mo. State Semifinal game in Mehlville, Missouri...

The Bloomfield Board of Education convened for its regular monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 9, addressing a range of matters impacting the district’s operations and future planning. Community engagement, service projects Middle school house leaders showcased their recent community and school service projects. ...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers a meaningful way to dispose of used Christmas tree and provide fish and wildlife habitat at the same time. The Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake will accept Christmas trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 17 at the Redman Creek boat ramp...

All month 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...

Food drives are being held in Bernie, Bloomfield, Dexter and Essex to provide shelf stable emergency food packs to seniors served by Meals on Wheels. These provide for the residence in case of inclement weather, and when the meal program may be unable to make deliveries...

BLOOMFIELD — Townships, water districts, sheriff and fire departments, internet companies, and others in Stoddard County have been keeping close tabs on the remaining $112,028.04 in ARPA funds to be committed by Dec. 31, 2024. Since 2021, Stoddard County commissioners have approved spending $5,786,747.61 from the American Rescue Plan Act federal aid funds allocated to Stoddard County...

This year will mark the first Christmas in over 50 years that I will not be behind the pulpit for proclaiming the birth of Jesus. This has been a year of transition as I prepared to retire from ministry but not retire from being a minister. It will seem odd sitting in the pew as someone else reads the story from Isaiah, Micah and then the gospels from Matthew, Mark, and Luke about Jesus’s birth...