Daren Todd announced his candidacy for Judge of the 35th Judicial Circuit.  The 35th Judicial Circuit comprises Dunklin and Stoddard Counties.

Todd is a 1991 graduate of Holcomb High School, a 1996 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and a 1999 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law.

He has practiced as a Trial Attorney for the 23 years.  Todd is the managing partner of Todd and Atwill LLP.

"I am proud and excited to announce my candidacy for Presiding Judge of the 35th Judicial Circuit.  I will represent the people of the 35th Judicial Circuit with patience, open-mindedness, compassion, understanding and firmness.

Stoddard County from your sheriff, Carl Hefner, I am announcing that I will be running for re-election this year.

As Sheriff I have always made sure that Stoddard County is the safest County in the area. 

While nearly all law enforcement agencies receive their share of criticism, the one thing that cannot be denied is that we remain a county of law and order.

While much of our area faces gun and gang violence, Stoddard County continues to set the standard of keeping our streets safe. There is not a street in this County that I would be afraid to let my grandchildren walk down. As I've done before I will be running a campaign based on my record, integrity, and passion for the safety of our children and grandchildren for years to come.

I am a Republican that is pro-life, and a strong supporter of the second amendment. I believe Jesus Christ is our lord and savior, and that all men are created equal. It is an honor to be a Sheriff who is of the people, by the people, and for the people of Stoddard County. I'm asking for your support in this election to maintain law and order and continue to provide a safe and secure environment for all citizens.

God bless you

Carl Hefner

Dear Residents of Stoddard County, for more than 30 years I have been proud to call Stoddard County my home. Which is why I have great enthusiasm in announcing that I am running as a Republican candidate for the Stoddard County Commission in the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey attended a roundtable discussion at the office of Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith on Thursday afternoon.

Bailey met privately with local law enforcement, judges and the staff of Smith’s office to discuss their concerns and needs.

A meeting was then held in Smith’s office in front of the local law enforcement, media, attorneys and others. Smith sat at a table in front of the gathering with Bailey, Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner and Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder.

The quartet at the table fielded questions from the audience gathered in Smith’s office. Bailey said he likes to hold these types of meetings as often as he can. He said he trys to hold them them circuit by circuit. Bailey said his office has traveled all over the state which included stops in Henry County, Cape Girardeau County, Taney County, Green County and Stoddard County.

Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith appointed William Rance Butler as Special Assistant Prosecutor in Division I Court on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.  Honorable Circuit Judge Rob Mayer administered the oath to Attorney Butler during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Stoddard County Justice Center.

SAPA Butler will begin assisting in the prosecution of criminal cases right away; his position will initially be funded pursuant to an agreement between PA Smith and the Board Members of the Stoddard County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund.

Rance Butler has practiced criminal law in Southeast Missouri for 24 years.  He previously served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Stoddard County from 2008-2011.  He served with the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office as an Assistant Public Defender from 2019-2021 and as a District Defender from 2021-2023.  Butler will maintain a private civil practice part-time in addition to his duties as SAPA.

“The hiring of Rance Butler is more positive news coming from this Office.  Foremost, I believe in his commitment to ‘Justice For All.’  His contributions will be great.  APA Ryan and I look forward to his assistance in trying more cases before juries.  This would not be a possible achievement without the support of Stoddard County LERF Board Members, I do appreciate them working with me on this, and I also want to thank Sheriff Carl Hefner and Coroner Brent Stidham for their support.  This is actually another historic milestone in that it will be the first time three attorneys prosecute crime at the Stoddard County Prosecutor’s Office.  The time has finally come for this to happen, the SCPA office staff is more robust than ever before, filings are going up and crime is going down.  All of this is to increase benefit to the law-abiding People of Stoddard County.  Welcome aboard to Rance, and Congratulations, I am so proud for him to join the team.”  stated Sawyer Smith, PA-1