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Poplar Bluff lab ordered to repay $13.6M in false Medicare charges (3/28/24)The owners of a Poplar Bluff lab have agreed to pay $13.6 million for allegedly billing Medicare for lab tests that were not ordered or medically necessary. Officials report Gamma Healthcare was regularly turning $11 urinalysis tests into a $584 payday by not allowing physicians to opt out of the second, more expensive test...
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Clerical error leaves Stoddard County man both guilty, not guilty of murder (3/27/24)KENNETT — A jury simultaneously found a Stoddard County man both guilty and not guilty of murder due to a clerical error during a 2023 trial, according to a judgment entered Wednesday with Dunklin County courts. The error was not immediately discovered by the prosecution or defense until nearly a year later, and Melvin D. Anderson will now receive a new trial. In the judgment, Judge Mark Preyer noted that the matter has “traveled a difficult, unexpected, and tragically unique road.” The Stoddard County case was adjudicated in a Dunklin County court on a change of venue.
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Candidates for the Stoddard County Health Board discuss priorities (3/27/24)There are four candidates for two positions on the Stoddard County Health Board. Winning candidates will serve three-year terms. Candidates Frank Killian, Cale Williams, Matthew Harris and Jeff Riddle were asked the same series of questions. Information is presented in ballot order. Responses have been edited for clarity and length. No response was received from Williams...
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Candidates for Puxico School Board share concerns (3/26/24)Three individuals are seeking election April 2 to the Puxico R-VIII Board of Education. With numerous potential issues facing school districts throughout the state of Missouri, school boards have been attracting much attention for issues such as curriculum and budget constraints. The candidates in this race are: John Davis, Joe Hodges and April Burchard...
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Puxico man dies in single-vehicle crash (3/26/24)PUXICO, Mo. — A Puxico man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday, March 25 in Stoddard County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 8:55 a.m. on Highway J, two miles west of Puxico, as the westbound vehicle driven by Vaden S. Woolard, 41, of Puxico traveled off the road and struck a culvert then overturned, ejecting him...
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Stoddard County man convicted of murder gets a new trial (3/26/24)KENNETT — In what appears to be a result of miscommunication and various unfortunate circumstances, Melvin D. Anderson — who was already convicted of murder — will be receiving a new trial. According to the judgment entered on Wednesday, March 20, Judge Mark Preyer notes that the matter has “traveled a difficult, unexpected, and tragically unique road.”...
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Street department thanked for clean up efforts (3/26/24)Reader Doug Cox submitted this photo of the Dexter Street Department picking up trash along Highway 60. ‘It looks really good for out-of-towners to see our city clean,’ said Cox, who thanked the street department for their work.
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Mingo announces spring visitor center hours (3/26/24)PUXICO — The Mingo National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will expand hours to include Saturdays. From March 16 through May 11, the visitor center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The expanded hours will enhance access during the spring bird migration and for foraging. Events and displays are planned for select Saturdays - visit www.fws.gov/refuge/mingo for updates and event pages...
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Deadline to register for Parks & Rec. programs (3/26/24)Thursday is the deadline to register for softball and baseball programs hosted by the Dexter Parks & Recreation Department. Softball teams for girls and baseball for boys, both ages 7-12, are available. Co-ed baseball for youth ages 5-6 is also available...
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Wekenborg wins best holiday quilt for Easter theme (3/26/24)Crystal Wekenborg showed off her hand quilting skills March 15 at Faith Lutheran Church. Wekenborg’s Easter theme was voted best “holiday” quilt. Several heirloom quilts were on display for enjoyment. The top three hand quilters were awarded gift certificates to Patchwork Fabric Shop, 223 N. Walnut St., Dexter...
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Community calendar, March 26 (3/26/24)Friday, March 29 Easter pageant The Bernie Community Center will host an Easter Fantasy Pageant at 6 p.m. Friday, March 29. The community center is located at 503 S. Walnut St. Saturday, March 30 Parsley Mini Farm will host Easter Eggs and Fluffy Cows starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30. It will include an Easter egg hunt and more. The farm is located at 21348 County Road 279...
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Chamber recognizes community leaders, honors Mathis with Lifetime Achievement Award (3/25/24)A fun time was had by all attending the Dexter Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet. The chamber celebrated its 80-year anniversary. Executive Director Alisha Trammell coordinated with 80’s themed decorations, attire and music throughout the evening...
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MDC offers locations, tips for eclipse viewing (3/25/24)The Missouri Department of Conservation has put together a guide for viewing the April 8 eclipse at area MDC locations. They ask that visitors remember to respect nature’s natural beauty, and to always practice safe habits while traveling. “The public will be allowed to access our conservation areas as they normally do and are welcome to utilize parking available to enjoy the eclipse if they want,” said MDC Regional Administrator Matt Bowyer. ...
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Route 60 reduced for concrete repairs (3/24/24)Eastbound Route 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform concrete repairs. This section of roadway is located from Route 114 to County Road 789 near Morehouse. Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, through Friday, March 29...
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Stewart makes Dean's List (3/23/24)MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jake Stewart of Kennett was named to Rhodes College’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 16 credits of academic work and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.70 or better...
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Dox joins PBRMC (3/22/24)Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Hector Dox, M.D. has joined the medical staff of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and the Cardiovascular Institute of Southern Missouri as part of Regional Physician Services. With an extensive cardiovascular background, Dox’s areas of expertise include open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass. He also performs aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve replacement and repair as well as aortic arch interventions...
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Missouri treasurer presents MO ABLE (3/21/24)Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek visited the Stoddard County Workshop in Dexter on Wednesday. He toured the facility and presented the MO ABLE plan being offered through his office. The MO ABLE plan provides Missourians with disabilities access to STABLE checking accounts, offers tax free savings on disability-related expenses and the ability to save without losing government benefits, according to the information shared...
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Area native opens new practice in Dexter (3/20/24)For those searching for back and joint pain relief, a new option exists in Dexter. Justin Bell, a Poplar Bluff native, who has 19 years’ experience, recently opened his new chiropractic office — Chiropractic Associates of SEMO — and is taking new patients...
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R-XI school board approves soccer, with contingencies (3/20/24)The Dexter R-XI Board of Education approved adding fall high school soccer during a special meeting held Tuesday. The approval was not unanimous and contains contingencies. Funding for this soccer program is contingent upon passage of the April 2025 bond issue...
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Community Calendar, March 20 (3/20/24)Friday, March 22 Grand Opening Mama & Me Boutique will host its grand opening at 5 p.m. Friday. They are located at 100 N. Prairie St. in Bloomfield. Chamber banquet The Dexter Chamber Annual Awards Banquet will take place Friday at the Dexter Elks Lodge. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a social hour with the program starting at 7 p.m...
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Easter services planned at New Bethel General Baptist Church (3/20/24)NEW BETHEL GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH, 15626 State Highway AF, Dexter, will host Easter morning church services at 11 a.m. March 31, with Sunday school at 10 a.m. An Easter egg hunt will follow church services. All are welcome. Pastor Rob Roberts. Contact 248-342-7790...
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Richland recognizes third quarter honor roll (3/20/24)Richland Elementary has announced its Honor Roll for the third quarter. First Grade - Taylor Decker, Jude Foster, Brett Frazier, Mary Claire Huck, Moira Jones, Jaxton Kidd, James Malloy, Fletcher Orton, Lydia Phillips, Kmare Redwood, Memphis Sherbourne, Codielee Smith, Jonah Williamson...
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Dexter branch manager promoted (3/18/24)A Dexter branch manager is being promoted to executive vice president and chief credit officer for Farm Credit Southeast Missouri. Mark Zabelin joined Farm Credit Southeast Missouri as a loan officer in 2003 at the Dexter branch, and was promoted to senior loan officer in 2012. Since 2017, he has served as vice president and branch manager at the Dexter office...
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Bucks welcome daughter (3/18/24)Kaitlyn Mae (Seiberlich) Buck and Dennis Lee Buck of Dexter welcomed an 8-pound, 2-ounce daughter Feb. 14, 2024. Blair Anna Buck was born at 12:16 a.m. and was 20 inches long. Her mother works for the Bank of Advance and father is employed at Nestle Purina Petcare...
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More than 400 acres of wildfires reported in one week (3/18/24)More than 400 acres of wildfires were reported in the last week of February, which forest service employees helped extinguish. They worked alongside firefighters from Texas County, Phelps County, Douglas County and Reynolds County to catch wildfires in a race against incoming winds, according to a press release from Mark Twain National Forest...
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