Stories from Wednesday, December 31, 2014

As 2014 comes to a close and 2015 approaches, many people in the area have plans to ring in the new year. And, while there is nothing wrong with celebrating, local law enforcement wants you to celebrate responsibly. Dexter Police Chief Sammy Stone said he is prepared for the holiday; but, he hopes things are peaceful...

County recovering from recession

Through a cost-share agreement with the City of Dexter, MoDOT crews have been busy for the past few weeks placing riprap in the ditch on the south side of Business 60 across from West City Park extending east to Catalpa Street. According to MoDOT Engineer Dave Wyman and City Administrator Mark Stidham, the project will greatly improve the general appearance of the roadside and will provide for significantly less maintenance during the mowing season. ...

Editor's note: Following is the fourth and final entry recapping the year 2014.

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - A trip back to the championship with a more appealing outcome became a high objective for the Bernie Mules as soon as they laid eyes on the 2014 Bloomfield Christmas Tournament bracket. "We worked really hard and we thought we could win this tournament coming in," Bernie senior Caleb Ellenburg said. ...

SUBMITTED photo The Student of the Month for the month of December at Bell City High School is Michelle Surface. She is a sophomore at Bell City and is the daughter of Nathan Surface and Denise Bailey. The student of the month is nominated by teachers and then the Student Council members vote for the winner from three nominees. Each student is presented with a plaque and then is eligible for Student of the Year...

Dexter Police Dec. 30, 2014 Brandon L. Younger, 24, of Advance was arrested on a Probation and Parole warrant. He was transported to the Stoddard County Jail. Police are investigating a report of counterfeit having been received at a local bank Monday afternoon...

Walter B. Guilliams, of Jackson, Mo. and formerly of Dexter, Mo., was born on Dec. 12, 1933, and died Dec. 31, 2014, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. at the age 81. Visitation will take place on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 from 2 until 7 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, Mo. and on Sunday, Jan. 4, from 11 a.m. until service time...

June Ward, daughter of the late Riley Franklin Link and Wilma Aslin Link was born on June 7, 1936, in Bloomfield and died on Dec. 30, 2014, at her residence in Dexter at the age of 78. Mrs. Ward had worked as a secretary for Smith Realty and was a resident of Dexter...