The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) declared February 15th as  “National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day” and encourages schools and communities across the nation to recognize the accomplishments of their school resource officers (SROs) that day.

We would like to thank local police officers Dwain Forshee and Jacob Garcia for all they do for Dexter Public Schools and for the lasting relationships they create with the students and staff.

Forshee and Garcia are invaluable to all of our community.  Keep up the good work and prayers go out to all of the officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect us each and every day!

The Stoddard County ARC held its annual Valentine's party and crowned its Valentine's King and Queen.

Whitney White and William Stewart were crowned 2022 Valentine's Queen and King at the Stoddard County ARC.

Central Gardens held its annual Valentine's Day party for its residents.

2022 Valentine’s Day Queen and King are Mrs Mary Collier and Mr Lowell Harper.

Photo provided.

Stoddard County, MO - Brent Stidham, Stoddard County Coroner, presented his 2021 Annual Report of deaths in the county.

"First of all I can't thank our first responders, public safety personnel and funeral homes enough for all of their assistance in 2021," stated Stidham.

"With the promise of transparency and for the benefit of public health I am releasing this report of statistics to the residents of Stoddard County," continued Stidham.  "The Stoddard County Coroner’s office consists of myself and Deputy Coroner Ashley West. It is our office's mission to investigate every death in the County and provide accurate death information for death certificates and family members. Our office would like to thank our local Stoddard County funeral homes and first responders for their assistance and guidance during 2021."

Total Case Information for 2021

Total cases investigated and certified by the Coroner’s office: 108

Deaths of Stoddard County residents occurring at an out of county hospital: 21

Scene responses: 80

Natural Causes: 79

Homicide: 4

Suicide: 10

Motor vehicle accident: 4

Overdose: 2

Accidental (fall): 1

Pending autopsy results: 1

Covid 19 deaths investigated by the Coroner’s office: 8 

For further information regarding Covid-19 deaths please contact the Stoddard County Health Department. The Covid-19 deaths in this report are only those with post-mortem testing completed, or those occurring in hospital emergency rooms. All other Covid-19 deaths have been reported and certified by the attending physician.

Age groups

0-18: 3

19-45: 13

46-70: 50

70 and over: 42

The above information is in regards to Coroner’s Office cases only and does not include deaths occurring under the care of a physician. 

"My goal for 2022 for not only the coroner's office, but all of Stoddard County should be to increase mental health awareness and provide resources for both children and adults and come together as a community to lower our suicide rate," Stidham said due to the high number in the county.

Dexter, MO - The Dexter Fire Department held their annual Awards and Christmas Banquet at Hickory Log

Eugene McConnell was named the 2022 Dexter Firefighter of the Year.

McConnell (middle) was presented with the award by last year's recipients Landon Miller (left) and Josh Craft (right)

Photo provided.