JANUARY
* 17 Stoddard County comes to a standstill as over six inches of unexpected snow blanket the area. The forecast called for 1-2 inches of snow.
* Authorities locate the body of a missing Bloomfield man.
* 24 Discussions continued to determine the fate of the Sheltered Workshop in Dexter as the current workshop will not receive funding from the SB40 Board and the proposed new facility will not receive funding from DESE.
* 31 The Stoddard County Commission discusses the expansion of the Stoddard County Jail. Sheriff Carl Hefner presented a rough draft of two Stoddard County Sheriff operations tax propositions to potentially go on the ballot.
FEBRUARY
* 7 All Detainment Solutions Senior Vice President Tom Carter presented county commissioners and sheriff's department personnel with another option while continuing to move forward to address the overcrowding jail issue. The county commission and sheriff's department explored the possibility of adding Great Dane semi-trailers to house inmates.
*Students from Richland High School in Essex joined four other schools in St. Louis to build a website for the U.S. Women's Sled Hockey team.
* 28 Cleanup efforts are underway in Malden after an EF-2 tornado touched down cutting a mile long path through the south side of town.
MARCH
* 7 SoutheastHealth of Stoddard County dedicated its new Harty Pavilion. The new addition houses a new emergency room and Adult Voluntary Behavioral health unit. A large crow turned out for the dedication and open house.
* Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis announced he will not run for re-election.
* Two Bloomfield Middle School students were placed in custody by Bloomfield authorities after the city's Public Safety Department received a phone call March 4 concerning threats of violence toward the school.
* 14 A Poplar Bluff man lost his life when he pulled into the path of a southbound Union Pacific train just south of Bernie. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kenneth L. Simpson, 50, of Poplar Bluff was westbound on Zimmerman Lane just east of Highway 25 shortly before 8 a.m. and failed to yield to the train. Simpson was driving a trash truck for Republic Services out of Dexter. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck.
* The Stoddard County Courthouse will soon see cupola repairs thanks to a partial grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and State Historic Preservation Office. The county was awarded a grant for $60,000 while putting in $40,000 for cupola repairs including sheet metal cladding restoration and application of an elastomeric finish coating, sealant replacement and painting.
* 21 A 21-year-old Dexter man was southbound on Highway 25, about one mile south of Bloomfield Friday afternoon when he lost control of his 2001 Dodge truck and ran off the right side of the roadway. According to the Highway Patrol, he then overcorrected, ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned, catching fire and coming to rest in the median. Layton was left with serious injuries.
* Stoddard County Courthouse cupola improvements and jail expansion discussion continued during the commission meeting. Dale Rogers, Robert Stearns and Associates, Inc. president, updated the commissioners on dates for the changed pre-bid and bid meetings for the cupola project.
APRIL
* 4 Plans are well underway for the 2018 Stoddard County Relay for Life event May 4. A host of activities are on the agenda for the relay, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research and education.
* Dexter native Katelynn Frazier has become one of the youngest college basketball coaches in the country. Only a year removed from her playing days at the Moberly school, Frazier was named the head coach for women's basketball at Central Christian College of the Bible, according to an CCCB press release.
* 11 Bids for Phase II of the Stoddard County Courthouse cupola repair project were accepted during the meeting of the commissioners Monday morning. One bid was received from R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff, but the bid was substantially over the grant amount awarded to the county.
* 18 Stoddard County Commissioners decided to reject the one bid received from R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff for Phase II of the courthouse cupola repair project, which was substantially over the grant amount awarded to the county.
* 25 A Malden, Mo., man has been sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison in connection to the 2015 shooting death of Dustin Greer of Bloomfield. Accompanied by his attorney, Charles Moreland with the Capital Public Defender's Office, Floyd Mantel Young Jr., 25, appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Robert Mayer for sentencing after having pleaded guilty in February to the Class B felony of voluntary manslaughter and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action (ACA), according to Casenet.
MAY
* 2 There seems to be no better fit for Tammy Smith than to serve as director of the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Prior to being named to the top post at the cemetery Smith served for 15 years under the former director, Ken Swearengin.
* 9 Nearly $70,000 was raised for cancer research through 15th Annual Stoddard County Relay for Life event. Although clouds threatened the outdoor activity, the skies cleared and near perfect conditions prevailed for the evening as hundreds of guests converged on the park area to celebrate life and to honor the memory of those whose lives have been claimed by cancer.
* A Puxico father and son are to stand trial in February 2019 in connection with an apparent high- speed crash that left a pedestrian dead. Wesley Faries is charged with the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. According to earlier reports, the pedestrian was in the roadway when he allegedly was struck by a 2009 Cadillac XLR being driven south- bound on Highway 51, one mile south of Puxico. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The elder Faries is charged with the Class E felony of hindering prosecution. At the time of the crash, Garey Faries, 78, told Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers he had been driving the vehicle, which struck the pedestrian.
*Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis reached out to Karla Jacques with USDA Rural Development to discuss grant opportunities involving opioid abuse within Stoddard County.
* 16 In a special meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen May 14, Trevor Pulley was named as Dexter's new Chief of Police. Pulley, who prior to his appointment on April 6 to acting chief, most recently carried the rank of Detective Captain with the Dexter Police Department. That appointment followed the resignation of Larry Patterson who had served in the position for just days when he resigned. Patterson was serving in the interim post following the resignation of longtime chief, Sammy Stone in late March.
*Members of the Bloomfield Board of Education approved a raise for their certified staff and an increase in the salaries of non-certified staff members. Board members also approved of hiring the firm of McKinstry out of Chesterfield, Mo. as they proceed with their updating project at the high school gymnasium.
*A 20-year-old Bernie man is in the county jail under a cash only bond of $250,000, charged with the March 29, burglary of H&R Block on Business 60, and according to authorities, further charges are pending.
* A Bernie man will make his first appearance in court after he recently was charged with raping and sodomizing a teenager, who told authorities the relationship was consensual. Garrette Dewayne Mason, 32, is to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield for arraignment on the Class D felonies of second-degree statutory rape and second- degree statutory sodomy (two counts).
*30 Richland Elementary was one of eight schools across the state to be named a 2018 Missouri Gold Star School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Richland R-1 School Superintendent Frank Killian credits to the district's elementary school to receiving one of the highest hon- ors in the state to staff members who think outside the box.
* Beginning in June, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department personnel will be paid monthly for any overtime hours worked and no comp time will be accumulated. Sheriff Carl Hefner reported to county commissioners Tuesday morning he had three deputies who tracked their comp time, which was validated through radio logs. June
* 6 Every year since 2000, the 18 FORE Life organization has worked to raise money for cancer patients to relieve some of the financial burden of their disease. The charity provides love offerings in $1,000 increments to individuals facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Although efforts throughout the year contribute to the charity -- memorials, ball games across the county, other charities whose funds are donated annually, and even lemonade stands -- the most significant fundraiser on the first weekend of June each year is the Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Banquet and Charity Golf Tournament.
* The investigation is continuing into a weekend boat collision on Black River that left a Poplar Bluff teenager dead and five others injured. The crash happened at about 7:25 p.m. Sunday on a "straighter stretch" of the river about one mile upstream from the Hendrickson boat ramp, said Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. J.T. Wilson, who indicated the river is "pretty wide" at that location and about 4 to 5 feet deep, with shallow water and moderate current.
* 13 Stoddard County 911 has become the first agency in Missouri set to roll out new public safety software from Zuercher Technologies to integrate many agencies within the county to one system. Stoddard County 911 Administrator Carol Moreland credited the passing of a 2016 tax behind the upgrade.
* A fire destroyed one of two buildings at Pallet Recovery LLC, County Road 708, Dexter but the business opened Monday morning with a full crew working.
* 20 Four out-of-state residents may face charges after local authorities stopped a truck and U-Haul trailer allegedly wanted in connection with a theft at a Dexter car dealership. On Sunday night, the Dexter Police Department responded to a theft report at Harry Blackwell Dodge.
JULY
* 4 No new information has been released in the ongoing investigation of a Dexter man whose death is believed to be a homicide. A Dexter man was found dead inside his home when his home-health nurse called 911,
* 11 Stoddard County officials have said a Dexter homicide victim was stabbed, but no other new information has been released.
* Stoddard County Corrections Officer Roy Jones was arrested in Bollinger County on allegations of incest and rape in the second degree, according to the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department.
* 18 Charges were filed against three Dexter men for preventing the apprehension of another man who authorities had been searching for in connection with a June stabbing death. Joshua James Koonce had been developed through investigative leads as a person of interest in the death of a Dexter man.
* With temperatures in the mid 90s, area firefighters were closely watched as they battled a fuel tank fire for four hours.
* 25 Cindy Duckworth was appointed new public administrator for Stoddard County by Gov. Mike Parson effective Aug. 1 after Public Administrator Pamela Lape's resignation.
AUGUST
* 1 Stoddard County citizens will be presented with two propositions relating to the sheriff's department when stepping into the voting booth. Proposition 1 is estimated to generate $1.4 million per year for the sheriff's office to maintain general operational expenses, equipment, vehicles and salaries.
* 8 Stoddard County commissioners rejected a revised bid of $173,000 from R.L. Persons Construction of Poplar Bluff, Mo., for the courthouse cupola project.
* As the final precincts were tallied for propositions to support the efforts of law enforcement, Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner congratulated a room full of people watching election results roll in at the county government building. He announced it as a win not only for the sheriff's department, but also for the citizens of Stoddard County. Danny Talkington was effectively elected the new Stoddard County presiding commissioner during the primary election.
* 22 Stoddard County Commissioners addressed requests from a group of concerned taxpayers advocating for the developmentally disabled of the county regarding Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop financial documents over the last decade.
* A 25-year-old Puxico man was killed in a three vehicle crash on Highway 25, three and one-half miles north of Advance in Cape Girardeau County.
* 29 Three Dexter men were ordered to stand trial Thursday afternoon for their alleged roles in preventing the apprehension of another man who authorities had been searching for in connection with a June stabbing death.
* Concerned Stoddard County taxpayers once again packed the commission chambers to revise a request of 10 years of Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop financial documents.
* The Dexter Board of Alderman voted to raise the city's property tax rate by what officials describe as a minute percentage. The board unanimously voted to set the tax levy at $.7385 per $100 assessed valuation for 2018. That rate is up from $.7169 in 2017.
SEPTEMBER
* 5 A Dexter farmer was one of eight appointments Missouri Gov. Parson made to various boards and commissions. Allen Rowland of Dexter was appointed to the Clean Water Commission.
* An event drew hundreds to honor the 75th anniversary of the Malden Army Airfield and Malden's contribution to World War II. The Malden Army Airfield Preservation Society organized the event, which also recognized veterans, both those who have passed and those still serving. * 12 Members of the Concerned Citizens of Stoddard County group returned to the commission meeting to rehash the struggles between the Senate Bill 40 and Sheltered Workshop boards, as well as dive deeper into comments made during the pervious week's meeting regarding "omitted" information.
* 19 The Missouri Supreme Court will hear an appeal today from a Van Buren man who is seeking to set aside his 2009 conviction and death sentence for gunning down a Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant.
* The Stoddard County Fair Parade kicked off fair week. Puxico would win the band competition for the eighth straight year.
* The Stoddard County Sheriff's Department will soon see a new jailer and deputy after Monday's county commission meeting. Sheriff Carl Hefner asked commissioners for permission to hire another jailer and road deputy to help alleviate overtime pay being accumulated and add safety to the jail.
* 26 Stoddard County Commissioners appointed a new member to the Senate Bill 40 Board Monday morning, following the resignation of Larry McGonigal during the board's July meeting. Rev. Dale Holman was appointed to the board by a roll call vote of the commissioners.
OCTOBER
* 3 A Dexter man reported missing by his family Sunday afternoon was found dead later that night, having apparently earlier crashed his dirt bike.
* A Dexter man was ordered to stand trial on five counts of boating while intoxicated in connection with a June boat collision on Black River that left a local teenager dead and four others injured. A
* Members of the Senate Bill 40 board that oversees programs for the developmentally disabled in Stoddard County voted Sept. 25 to make approximately $60,000 in payments to an existing sheltered workshop, while stripping money for other new programs from their 2019 budget.
* 10 Eight hundred sixty- eight thousand, nine hundred seventy. That is how many meals Tyson Foods Inc. Meals That Matter provided to victims of Hurricane Florence. Over a nine-day span Meals That Matter cook teams from Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia descended on ravaged North Carolina and provided hot meals to those who had been impacted by the deadly storm and to those who were volunteering to help.
* 17 Richland Elementary has received the highest honor an educational institution can earn by being named one of eight schools in Missouri as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School.
* Stoddard County commissioners will soon go out for bids regarding financing options for the voter approved jail expansion. With the help of county attorney Ivan Schrader, the request for bids finance language was reviewed during Monday morning's meeting.
* The Advance Hornets used an electric start to end Dexter's five-year reign as SCAA Volleyball Tournament champion. The top-seeded Hornets beat second-seeded Dexter 25-12, 12-25, 25-11 to be-come the first team in six years other than the Bearcats to win the tournament title.
* 24 Twenty-one years after it opened, Dexter city officials gathered at Keller Public Library to break ground on a new addition to the building - an addition made possible by a donation from Bud Keller.
* A clarification issued last week by a Missouri judge regarding photo identification regulations leaves area courthouses with less than two weeks to update election judges. It could still have little impact on local voters, according to Stoddard County Clerk Joe Watson. November
* 7 Republican Herman Morse will continue to serve as the state representative for Stoddard County's District 151. Morse beat his Demo- cratic challenger J.T. (Jerry) Howard 8,600 to 2,001 on Tuesday. Libertarian Rick Vandeven received 193 votes.
* 28 Stoddard County authorities will have to wait for toxicology results to determine how a Bernie woman, whose body was found in the trunk of her car, died. "The preliminary (findings) came back unsuccessful," said Stoddard County Coroner Kenny Pope.
* Stoddard County commissioners unanimously approved to hire Dale Rogers of Robert Stearns and Associates, Inc., to prepare request for bids for the demolition of the old Methodist Church in Bloomfield.
* 5 A neighbor of a Bernie woman found dead in the trunk of her car has been charged with abandoning her body. Corey Gill, 49, of Bernie was charged Nov. 28 with the Class E felony of abandonment of a corpse by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver.
* Plans for the Highway Y expansion in Stoddard County near Nestle Purina have been completed and are expected to be advertised for bid Jan. 11. With an award date predicted for March 6, Missouri Department of Transportation Area Engineer Dave Wyman and commissioners discussed when Stoddard County's portion of the cost share project would be paid.
* A Bernie teenager was ordered to stand trial last week for his alleged role in the death of another teen, who authorities say was beaten over a dispute involving money and drugs.
* 12 County commissioners opened jail expansion financial bids during the meeting from nine different institutions. While the commission did not award a bid Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said someone will review the documents for the county and he expects a decision to be made "quickly."
* 19 First Midwest Bank of Dexter was awarded financing of the jail expansion by Stoddard County commissioners Monday following the opening of bids.
* Wreaths placed at every headstone at The Missouri Veterans Cemetery during the Wreaths Across America Ceremony. More than 2,500 wreaths were placed by family and friends of service members of the Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marines and service men and women who are POW/MIA.