Thursday, December 4, 2025
REMAINS FOUND IN RIPLEY COUNTY IDENTIFIED AS MISSING MAN
Remains found last month in Ripley County have been identified as a missing man.
Sergeant Clark Parrott with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells KWOC News that human remains were found November 4th on private property in rural Ripley County.
An autopsy was performed which led to the remains being identified as 53 year old Jerry B. Hale, who was reported missing in August of 2019.
Parrott says that an investigation into the death is active and on-going. The investigation is being conducted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, the Ripley County Coroner’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol - Division of Drug and Crime Control.
Anyone who has any information related to the case, is asked to contact the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office at 573-996-2719 or Missouri State Highway Patrol at 573-840-9500.
MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING AT A STODDARD COUNTY DEPUTY
A man has been sentenced for shooting at a Stoddard County Sheriff’s Deputy last Christmas.
According to Missouri Case Net, Steven Parks, of Dexter, pled guilty in October to charges of assault 1st degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action.
Parks had shot at an officer on Christmas Day in 2024 after calling 911 and saying he wanted to die by suicide by cop. He surrendered to officers a short time later.
Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith says that Parks received a 20-year sentence for the assault charge, a concurrent 15-year sentence for the weapon charge, and a consecutive 5-year sentence for the armed criminal action charge, amounting to a 25-year period of incarceration.
MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT FOR ALLEGEDLY GROPING VICTIM
A man has been charged with sexual assault for allegedly groping a victim.
According to a warrant affidavit, 34 year old Thomas Huffman, of Paragould, is accused of forcibly groping the breast of the victim twice in October. During a later interview, Huffman corroborated the victim’s statement.
Huffman was booked into the Greene County Jail on Monday on a charge of sexual assault 2nd degree. His bond was set at $25,000.
MODOT ANNOUNCES BRIDGE PROJECTS IN WAYNE COUNTY
The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced plans for multiple bridge projects in Wayne County.
MoDOT plans to rehabilitate the Route A bridge over Otter Creek, located south of County Road 430 as well as replace the Route A bridge over Small Creek, between County Roads 371 and 400.
Officials say that work could begin as early as Winter 2026-27.
During construction, the roadway will be closed in the vicinity of each bridge for approximately two months, weather permitting. Construction schedules will be coordinated to avoid closing the bridges simultaneously.
For more information, contact MoDOT Project Manager Seiji Shimbo at 573-472-5389.
DONIPHAN WOMAN ARRESTED ON DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WARRANT
A Doniphan woman was arrested this week on a drug warrant.
According to a probable cause affidavit, an informant allegedly purchased three and a half grams of methamphetamine from 60 year old Mary Yount in connection to an undercover narcotics investigation from earlier this year.
According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Yount was arrested on Tuesday at her residence on a warrant for delivery of a controlled substance.
She was held at the Ripley County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
CULVERT REPLACEMENT SET FOR TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route V in Stoddard County will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being closed is located between County Roads 234 and 232 near Sturdivant.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.