Bloomfield, MO - Sawyer Smith, a local attorney at Mayer Law Office in Dexter, has announced he is campaigning for Stoddard County Prosecutor. The announcement came via social media on Tuesday as Smith released a video expressing who he is and the reasons why he is running. Smith’s address took place at a podium in front of the Stoddard County Justice Center located in Bloomfield.
“The campaign I am announcing to you today is about ‘Justice for All’ and the best public service to everyone,” Smith said in his video release.
Smith states that he has been listening to public demands for a change in the current prosecutor’s office and is now acting on Stoddard County citizens’ desire for a choice in the election.
“Stoddard County deserves a prosecutor that is truly pro-law enforcement. I promise to back up our brave police officers, deputies, and troopers – especially our Sheriff – and show respect and support to them all, as well as other elected officials,” Smith states in his announcement.
“Stoddard County deserves a prosecutor that is 100% committed and dedicated to the job. I promise to have no involvements with any side businesses, political projects, or unnecessary conflicts of interest that distract away from the office that you the taxpayers fund so well. I will never accept full-time pay, only to do part-time work,” Smith states.
Smith further articulates that he would be a passionate, professional, ethical prosecutor who would stand up for victims, victims’ families, the laws of Missouri and the United States.
At the outset of his video Smith communicates he is proud that Stoddard County is his lifelong home and that he and his wife, Leeza, are passionate about serving their communities. Smith tells of his family roots in Dexter, Dudley, Essex, and Puxico and family background in agriculture, as well as the service of one of his grandfathers who was a police officer, criminal justice professor, and city judge.
“Most important to Leeza and I is our personal relationship with Jesus – which is foundational to who I am and what I believe. We attend Liberty Hill Church in Aid, and First Baptist Church in Dexter, where I grew up attending with my parents.”
Smith talks about his legal career citing his work experience with defense attorney Jasper Edmundson, the Missouri State Public Defenders Office, and attorney Dustin Mayer who is a former assistant prosecutor.
“Following the passage of the bar exam and obtaining a law license from the Supreme Court of Missouri, I have handled felony and misdemeanor cases in at least seven different counties within the ‘Bootheel’ region.”
Smith faces twelve-year incumbent, Russ Oliver, who recently announced his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term as Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney.
Smith’s challenge to Oliver in the Republican Primary Election will be decided on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. The contest stands out among many this year in that Oliver has not had an opponent since he first ran against incumbent prosecutor Briney Welborn in 2010.
Smith closes by saying,
“As your next Prosecuting Attorney, I promise to put you, the great people of Stoddard County first, and work for your benefit, not my own. With your help we will begin a new era for justice in Stoddard County and I look forward to being the change that is needed, and that you, the voters, have asked for. I will see you on the campaign trail, and I hope to earn your support. Thank you and God bless you!”
MoDOT Plans Virtual Public Hearing to Discuss Route 67 (Future I-57) in Butler County
MoDOT Accepts Public Input on Planned Improvements
The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss a proposed project to upgrade U.S. Route 67 in Butler County to four lanes in preparation for Future I-57.
The virtual public hearing will be held Tuesday, Aug. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m., with formal presentations beginning at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The same presentation will be delivered at both 4 and 5 p.m. to provide attendees with multiple opportunities to join the discussion. Throughout the online hearing, there will opportunities for attendees to ask questions or share comments. Attendees can join the virtual public meeting on Aug. 3 by visiting www.modot.org/futureI57.
The proposed project includes upgrading Route 67 to interstate standards from the Route 160/158 interchange south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri to the Missouri/Arkansas state line. The entire project limits are broken down into five phases: Phases 1A and 1B, as well as Phases 2-4.
Phases 1A, 1B and 2 are funded and will be the focus of the public hearing. Phase 1A received funding through Governor Mike Parson’s cost share program. Phases 1B and 2 were funded thanks to a cost share between MoDOT and the City of Poplar Bluff. This was made possible after Poplar Bluff voters approved a ballot measure led by the Highway 67 Corporation to help fund the expansion in August 2019.
Improvements will extend from the Route 160/158 interchange to County Road 352 through the currently funded phases. The Route 160/158 interchange will be reconfigured with two roundabouts in place of the current loop ramps in the northwest and southeast quadrants.
Funding is not yet secured for Phases 3 and 4; schedules will be determined as funding becomes available.
Interested persons may review the project in more detail and share their thoughts at www.modot.org/futureI57. Individuals interested in attending the virtual public hearing may visit www.modot.org/futureI57 to join on Aug. 3.
Comments will be accepted through Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
For more information, please contact MoDOT Project Manager Tim Pickett at (573) 472-9003 or Area Engineer David Wyman at (573) 380-2913.
Gov. Parson signs bill to repair and modernize Missouri’s transportation infrastructure
With Gov. Mike Parson’s signature today, Missouri is primed to invest and modernize the state’s transportation infrastructure — supporting our economy of the future.
The legislation signed by Gov. Parson will invest a much-needed $500 million per year in transportation funding for state, county and city projects. The bill would phase in an increase in the gas tax by 2.5 cents each year over five years. It includes a rebate mechanism so that drivers who do not wish to pay the increase can get their money back. The legislation also phases in increased fees on electric vehicles.
The Missouri Chamber led a broad coalition of stakeholders who rallied this session in support of transportation funding. The Missouri Can’t Wait campaign united business and labor, rural and urban interests, Republicans and Democrats behind the need to repair the state’s roads and bridges.
A study released by the Missouri Can’t Wait campaign showed that the legislation will create a $1.8 billion positive impact on Missouri’s economy. This will also create an overall increase of $722 million in earnings across the state and more than 17,000 jobs.
“The investments in this law represent a huge step toward helping our state make the most of our location and truly become a logistics hub for the Midwest and North America. The infusion of funding into our transportation system will create an immediate economic boost. But the long-term effects of this investment will be even more profound as our state modernizes our transportation system to support our future economy,” said Mehan. “We thank Gov. Mike Parson for being a steadfast champion for transportation funding. We also thank Sen. Dave Schatz for his leadership on this issue in the Senate and Rep. Becky Ruth for carrying the legislation in the House.”
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest business association in Missouri. Together with the Missouri Chamber Federation, the Missouri Chamber represents more than 75,000 employers. To learn more, go to www.mochamber.com, or follow us @MissouriChamber on Twitter.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently announced the appointment of Dexter native Grant DeProw as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
In this position, DeProw will help lead Rutledge’s effort to investigate and prosecute violations of Arkansas and federal law involving Medicaid providers and the abuse or neglect of nursing home residents and other Medicaid recipients.
Prior to joining the Attorney General’s office DeProw was the Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas.
DeProw is a 1990 graduate of Dexter High School and the son of Leo and Shirley DeProw of Dexter.
Governor Parson Maintains Commitment to Protect the Health and Safety of Missourians
“The governor has worked non-stop to combat this virus and keep Missourians as safe as possible.”
Jefferson City, MO - Capping the first six months of the Covid-19 global pandemic, Governor Parson maintains his commitment to leading Missouri while protecting the health and safety of every Missourian.
“We are approaching the six-month mark since Covid-19 hit Missouri,” Parson Campaign Manager, Steele Shippy said. “When the first positive case was identified on March 7th, Governor Parson’s administration was fully engaged and immediately on the ground in St. Louis. Since that time the governor has worked non-stop to combat this virus and keep Missourians as safe as possible.”
In March and April of the pandemic in Missouri, Governor Parson successfully:
Pulled together the entire cabinet and every state agency to coordinate Missouri’s response
Convened weekly calls with community leaders, stakeholders, and medical experts
Developed a dashboard with transparent Missouri-specific data
Mobilized the Missouri National Guard to assist with our response efforts, and together built an alternative care site in 11 days to assist hospitals in the St. Louis region.
Waived nearly 600 statutes and regulations to provide more flexibility and safety for Missourians
Partnered with Google to launch an innovative PPE marketplace to assure our first responders were properly equipped to help Missourians
Secured and delivered the anti-viral medication Remdesivir to Missouri hospitals in the middle of the night to help Covid-19 patients and save lives.
Expanded testing capacity to ensure availability for Missourians in both rural and urban areas to receive a Covid-19 test
Announced the “Show-Me Strong Recovery Plan” for Missouri on April 16, with implementation of the plan in May
Encouraged Missourians to wear masks (when unable to socially distance), and enabled local government officials to implement their own mask orders when necessary to protect the health of their local communities.
“While the governor was accomplishing all of this and more, Galloway turned to partisan politics over helping Missourians respond to and recover from the pandemic,” Shippy said. “Sunshine records prove that the auditor worked less in an entire month than most Missourians work in a week. It’s clear that when Missourians need help the most, Nicole Galloway doesn’t show up.”
