Cedar County Republican

Cedar County Republican The best source for local news, sports and more in Cedar County, Missouri. Find us online at www.cedarrepublican.com.

07/23/2025

It's going to be a fantastic year! Go Tigers!
❤️🐅🏈

07/22/2025

UPDATE 4:47 p.m. Tuesday, July 22

First responders determined the two items were non-functional M72 LAWs, or non-functional military memorabilia that contain no live ordnance. The items were safe and did not have any dangerous components.

They were located by employees of a nearby business, who called 9-1-1 to alert emergency personnel.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Bolivar City Fire Department called the Springfield, MO Fire Department's bomb squad to secure the items. The bomb squad took possession of the memorabilia for disposal.

The scene is now clear and open to the public.

_______________________________________________

UPDATE 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 22

Crews from the Springfield Fire Department bomb squad have arrived on scene to assist responders.

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3:35 p.m. Tuesday, July 22

The Bolivar Police Department and Bolivar City Fire Department responded to the 1900 block of West Broadway Street at around 3 p.m. for suspicious items located on a commercial property.

Specialized responders are en route from Springfield to assist with an investigation.

We're asking for drivers and citizens to avoid the area of West Broadway Street, Killingsworth Avenue, and North Sunset Avenue while first responders continue to work on scene.

We'll post updates as they become available.

07/22/2025

Cedar County Sheriff's Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 22, 2025

Location of Incident: 1301 South Highway 39, Stockton, Missouri 65785

On July 19, 2025, deputies with the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a male subject walking southbound near Highway 39, bleeding from the head and reportedly involved in a recent altercation. The male was identified as Jayson Lee Brightwell.

Upon contact at the scene, deputies observed multiple abrasions and minor injuries on Brightwell, along with fresh blood, though it was not excessive. Brightwell declined medical assistance and refused to file a report. A bottle of intoxicating beverage was located nearby, and a moderate odor of alcohol was present, though Brightwell did not appear highly intoxicated.

As the deputy ended the encounter and attempted to part ways, Brightwell spit a mouthful of saliva directly into the face, eyes, and mouth of Sergeant Elder.

Sergeant Elder advised Brightwell that he was under arrest. Deputy Lukenbill and Deputy Little assisted with the arrest. Brightwell actively resisted arrest.

While Deputy Lukenbill attempted to secure Brightwell with a seatbelt, Brightwell spit again, striking Deputy Lukenbill in the arm.

Brightwell was transported to the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, where he continued to spit inside the vehicle, prompting the use of a spit mask. Once inside the jail, Brightwell failed to comply with commands, repeatedly stood up, spit into the mask, and continued provoking deputies and jail staff. As his behavior escalated, he was placed in a restraint chair, during which he bit Deputy Lukenbill on the hand.

Based on this incident, on July 19, 2025, the Honorable Judge Jacob Dawson issued a warrant for Jason Brightwell on the following charges:

•(2) Counts of RSMo 565.050-001Y20201312.0
Assault 1st Degree or Attempt – Serious Physical Injury or Special Victim

Bond: NO BOND

Jason Brightwell remains in custody at the Cedar County Jail.

As always, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chief Deputy Clay Jeffries

07/16/2025

According to a probable cause statement filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court, a Neosho woman was found passed out in her car while her three children, ages 2, 3 and 5 were running around the parking lot at the 7th Street Walmart.

Her blood alcohol content was two times the legal limit.

The story is on the Turner Report. The link is in the comments.

07/13/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 13, 2025

On July 12, 2025, a vehicle repossession south of El Dorado Springs escalated into a 2nd-degree assault and a multi-agency pursuit.

A tow company was at a property south of El Dorado Springs attempting to repossess a vehicle when the situation turned violent. The vehicle owner attempted to run over the tow truck driver and then fled the scene southbound on Highway 32.

A Cedar County Deputy, traveling north on Highway 97 just south of Highway 32, met both the suspect vehicle and the tow truck. The deputy turned around and initiated a pursuit. The deputy lost sight of the suspect vehicle near Highway 97 and CC Highway, prompting additional Cedar County deputies to be dispatched to the area.

The Stockton Police Department was also alerted. Stockton Police Officer Marshall later located the suspect vehicle entering Stockton and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle refused to stop, and a second pursuit began.

The suspect vehicle fled from Highway 32 to Highway 39, then northbound to Highway N, reaching speeds of up to 99 MPH, passing on the wrong side of the road, and running other vehicles off the roadway.

Officer Marshall maintained excellent communication throughout the pursuit, providing accurate updates on location and speed. This allowed Deputies Cedar County, Polk County Deputies, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol to respond and coordinate effectively.

The pursuit continued into Polk County, through Humansville, and south on Business 13, where the suspect ultimately pulled into TZ Automotive. The driver was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Cedar County Jail, where she awaited formal charges.

On July 13, 2025, the Honorable Judge Jacob Dawson issued a warrant for:

Lonnia Sue Baker, charged with the following:

1. RSMo 575.151-002Y202440902.0 Resisting Arrest by Fleeing (Felony)
2. RSMo 565.052-001Y20201399.0 Assault 2nd Degree (Felony)
3. RSMo 304.015-014N20205405.0 Careless and Imprudent Driving (Misdemeanor)

Bond: $75,000 Cash Only

A huge thank you to the Stockton Police Department, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their outstanding teamwork, quick response, and continued support during this incident. This successful resolution would not have been possible without their partnership.

As always, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Chief Deputy Clay Jeffries

07/04/2025

The Cedar County Health Department is announcing a second lab-confirmed case of measles, likely connected to the first. Public health investigations are ongoing with support from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Anyone who believes they may have measles or has been exposed should stay home, isolate, and call their healthcare provider before going in for care.

--To schedule a vaccination appointment, or if you have questions, please call us during business hours at 417-876-5477.
--While we will post updates here, we won’t be monitoring Facebook messages or responding to comments on social media.
--For the fastest and most accurate help, please call our office directly.

Your support is vital in helping us prevent the spread of illness.

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Stockton, MO

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About Us

The Cedar County Republican was established in 1886 and has a proud heritage of reporting on the news and events that affect the communities it serves.

Over the years, the Republican has been honored with hundreds of awards but the greatest recognition they receive is the trust of their readership. The Cedar County Republican is committed to making a difference in their community by bringing coverage of local news about local people and events — a professional newspaper for all of Cedar County

The Cedar Republican is proud to offer the news in many different formats so that no matter what your reading preference or device, you have local news at your fingertips. In addition to the weekly print publication, CedarRepublican.com has a digital version of the newspaper, a mobile site accessible from all tablets and smart phones and up-to-date news daily.

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