POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Butler County Publishing announced Wednesday its purchase of the Dexter Daily Statesman and North Stoddard Countian.

The Poplar Bluff-based newspaper and printing operation will assume production of these publications Jan. 1.

"We are very excited to have the Dexter Statesman and its other entities join Butler County Publishing's family of products," Don Schrieber, president of Butler County Publishing, said.

"Effective Jan. 1, the Dexter Statesman will be published on Wednesday and a weekend edition," Schrieber said. "The content of the newspaper will be solely locally focused, with community-driven news and reporting.

"We are incredibly appreciative of the support of the community and customers this newspaper has served through the years. It is our goal to constantly evaluate and improve local news coverage in Dexter and the areas the Statesman serves."

Customers who have prepaid subscriptions will be credited for those days that no longer will be published, Schrieber said.