Stories from Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The Arkansas State Police issued a statement June 26, that they had been asked to conduct an investigation involving the use of deadly force by several law enforcement officers during an altercation near Hardy. The incident occurred June 24 after officers responded to a call at approximately 6:45 p.m...

Former Fulton County Chief Deputy John Cawvey was the subject of a recent investigation completed by 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hance’s office. Hance said the facts developed throughout the case were “not as strongly suggestive of theft as the allegations in the original report.” No charges were filed on Cawvey, as a result of the investigation...

The Spring River Innovation Hub Board of Directors and the Sharp County Community Foundation Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Hazelle Whited has been named Executive Director for both organizations. Whited, who lives in Sharp County, is a marketing and business management professional with more than twenty years of experience in small business development...

Spring River Adult and Child Services (SACS) in partnership with Comfort Keepers Ministry Inc., the Spring River Innovation Hub and the Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the first in a series of produce distributions June 27. According to Brinda Israel, executive director for SACS, each Saturday morning for the next several weeks, 10 produce boxes will be given out on a first come first served basis at the Spring River Farmers Market at Town Center in Cherokee Village...

Amy Rodola, an independent TK for Matilda Jane Clothing and Gateway Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) have partnered to provide new pajamas, socks and underwear for abused/neglected children in the Third Judicial District. According to Rodola, the Pajamas for a Purpose Drive, will provide children in the district with items which will not only bring comfort, but are also in short supply at times for children in the foster system...

Managing Withdrawals Carefully Can Protect Retirement Income Throughout much of your working life, you contribute to your 401(k), IRA and other investment accounts to help ensure a comfortable retirement. However, once you do retire, you’ll need to shift your focus somewhat from building these investments to using them – in other words, you’ll have to start withdrawing from your portfolio to meet the costs of living. ...

The SACS Thrift Store located at 1638B Hwy 62/412 across from the Highland School District's central office, is holding a bag sale June 29 though July 11. All proceeds are used to help fund domestic violence relief efforts and other missions of Spring River Adult and Child Services...

The state will hire 350 more contact tracers to help control the spread of the coronavirus. After the funding is allocated to pay them, it will bring the state’s total to 900. Contact tracing is a vital part of the public health strategy to control the spread of communicable diseases. When people come down with the disease, a tracer contacts them to help them remember everyone with whom they were in close contact during the period of time when they were infectious...

As a member of the Missouri Legislature, I normally focus my attention on matters before our state’s General Assembly, but I’m also a citizen and try to stay informed about legislation being considered in Washington, D.C. I’m especially interested in measures that directly impact us here at home. Lately, I’ve been paying particular attention to U.S. Senate Bill S.3422, otherwise known as the Great American Outdoors Act...

Mark Twain National Forest is seeking comments on proposed changes to its developed recreation sites. Thechanges are needed to provide a sustainable recreation program for the public to enjoy. After an internal review of all 159 developed recreation siteson the Forest, along with initial public input, the Forest developed the proposed strategy, which includes:...

District 15 Oregon County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program District 15, Oregon County has been chosen to receive $13,059 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for Phase 37/CARES...

Oregon County Sheriff’s Office and the community mourned the passing of retired Oregon County Chief Deputy Lucas Leroy “Lee” Simmons, who passed away on Friday, June 19 with his family by his side. From 2002 until his retirement in 2019, Simmons served the citizens of Oregon County. Throughout those years he served as dispatcher, reserve deputy sheriff, bailiff, jail administrator, deputy sheriff, emergency management director during the Thomasville flood in May 2017 and chief deputy sheriff...

On Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile, of Thayer, was westbound on County Road 326 – three miles north of Thayer when it failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the left side of the road and overturned striking a tree. ...

A three-day training was held on the Alton School Campus for K9s and their handlers. The training included building and vehicle searches and protection work as well as track work at a local farm. K9 units in attendance included Oregon County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County and Montgomery County...

Even though area senior centers have not yet reopened, staff and volunteers miss area seniors and will offer lunch to go as well as an opportunity to meet new administrator Meghan Haenel. The first event, “Burgers on the Run!” will be held at the Alton Senior Center located at 204 S. Main Street in Alton on Thursday, July 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m...

The morning of Friday, June 26, an accident occurred involving an Amish buggy on Highway 160 resulting in the vehicle being ran off the highway. Horse drawn vehicles, bicycles, farm tractors, agriculture equipment, ATV, funerals and parades are all slow-moving vehicles to be aware of...

If you have questions about Medicare, Ozark Action, Inc. can help answer those questions. Ozark Action, Inc. has certified CLAIM counselors that can: Screen your for Medicare savings programs, assist with your Medicare billing questions, provide free unbiased information so that you can make informed decisions...

By Lori Garrison Another week with residents at Shady Oaks has been a pleasant one. Staff is still doing what they can to keep the residents involved in activities allowed at the facility. Staff is still encouraging family and friends to partake in virtual visits with the residents or to come see them through the window and talk to them on the phone. It might not be the way you want to visit but you just might make someone’s day...

Frank Schunek, of Thayer, has claimed a $50,000 top prize on a Missouri Lottery “Treasure Hunt” Scratchers ticket. He purchased his winning ticket at Casey’s General Store, 130 State Route 19, in Thayer. “Treasure Hunt” is a $3 Scratchers game with more than $6.6 million in remaining prizes, including four additional top prizes of $50,000...

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will offer a new scholarship to high school graduates who participated in the university’s dual credit program. The Advantage Scholarship is a one-time scholarship that rewards the academic achievement of dual credit seniors who graduated this past May or June. It is designed to help them transition to college in these challenging times, officials said...

The Hutton Valley School will a host a Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Social July 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be live music, hotdogs, hamburgers, brats and homemade desserts. There will be games and activities for children. Food is free; donations accepted. All proceeds benefit Neighborhood Christian Schools...

Raising a child that is not biologically your own comes with unique challenges, especially amidst the current world crisis, but a collaborative effort was formed by ParentLink by partnering with MU Extension professionals and the New Madrid County Family Resource Center to create a Kinship Caregiver Virtual Support Group. This support group is being held virtually via Zoom, weekly on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m...

Route 142 in Oregon and Ripley Counties will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction as contractor crews widen the shoulders and overlay the roadway. This section of roadway is located from Route EE in Oregon County to Route 21 in Ripley County...

U.S. Route 160 in Oregon County will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction as contractor crews perform bridge work. The bridges are located over Piney Creek between County Road 403 and County Road 123 in Alton, Missouri. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, July 13 through Monday, Oct. 12. The work zone will be set-up for 24-hours a day. Work will be completed under one-lane traffic across bridge using temporary signals...

By Shelby Ledgerwood, Alton FFA Reporter Covid 19 has caused many events to be postponed or canceled completely, such a thing happened when the Heart of the Ozarks Fair and Livestock Show announced that they would not be having a show or auction during the summer. ...

The returners and first group of recruits for the Grizzly Basketball program at Missouri State University-West Plains possess a lot of versatility on the floor, according to head coach Jared Phay. “I like our group, so far. We have guys who can play multiple positions,” said Phay, who is beginning his first season at the helm of the Grizzlies...

Find MDC Places to Go and Things to Do online and through the MDC MO Outdoors app. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With the Fourth-of-July weekend coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to look for some red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities...

By Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters Norfork Lake is still in a state of transition. The stripers have not migrated down towards the dam. Limits of stripers are being caught at the 62 bridge, Float Creek, Panther Bay and Fall Creek. The lake temperature is still around 83 degrees and the thermocline is only at 17’. ...

People interested in chasing an Arkansas alligator on public land and water this fall have until midnight June 30 to put their name in the hat. Applications for the 2020 Arkansas alligator season are available online at http://www.agfc.comwww.agfc.com. ...

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and researchers at the University of Missouri – Columbia are collaborating on a statewide project to test domestic wastewater for genetic markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The project is funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant through the DHSS...

Grace A. Johnson, of Thayer, has been awarded the Chancellor’s Scholarship from Missouri State University-West Plains. Johnson, a 2020 graduate of Thayer High School in Thayer, is a freshman at Missouri State-West Plains, who plans to pursue a degree in education. She is the daughter of Bobby and Jennifer Johnson, of Thayer...

Meaghan Cavallero, of Thayer, has been named to Quincy University Dean’s List for the Spring 2020 semester. Honorees must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be included in the biannual Dean’s List. In total, 439 students received the honor during the Spring 2020 semester...

After the death of George Floyd, Americans across the country were united in their calls for justice. Now, over a month later, the responsible calls for justice have been drowned out by violent mobs. Local leaders in major U.S. cities have demeaned their law enforcement officers so harshly over recent weeks that it’s harder than ever for them to respond to the chaos. ...