Local News – Friday, April 23rd, 2021
The Missouri State Highway Patrol have arrested a man and woman who were found walking in the Highway 63 and Highway 28 area in Maries County and they have now been charged in Phelps County in connection with the stabbing death of Donald Wethy at the Economy Inn Motel in St James. Arrested were 20-year-old Josue Martinez from Pennsylvania and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kimberly Riston from California. Martinez is accused of stabbing Wethy twice while they were in the parking lot of Economy Inn Wednesday. Once Wethy fell to the ground, Martinez reportedly stabbed him at least 12 more times. After killing him, Martinez reportedly rummaged through Wethy’s pockets apparently for car keys to take the car. While this was going on, Riston is seen on video trying to get her dog into Wethy’s car. Martinez did not find the keys, so the couple left the area on foot, leaving Wethy dead in the parking lot. Martinez and Riston are both being charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, robbery, and tampering with a motor vehicle. They are both being held without bond in the Phelps County Jail.
The Dent County Commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday where they went into closed session pursuant to the Revised Statutes of Missouri Section 610.021 at 1:20. The commissioners emerged from closed session at 2:20 and approved the bills and then signed the agreement with Anderson and Associates Engineers LLC for $8,980. This contract is for the assessment for the scope of work needed on the exterior of the courthouse. At the last regular meeting, Skiles signed the Missouri Department of Public Safety LESO Program agreement. Sheriff Bob Wells came in and they discussed the new jail elevator and the maintenance agreement. The Commission agreed 3-0 to sign the maintenance agreement with the vendor Kone, Inc. The meeting was then adjourned.
“Take Back Day” for unused and expired medications will be this Saturday at the Country Mart and Walmart parking lots. The event will be from 10:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. “Take Back Day” is sponsored by a partnership with the DEA, Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department, and Health Dent County Prevention Coalition.
The Doe Run Company is offering two scholarships to Mineral Area College for the Fall 2021-Spring 2022 academic year. The scholarships cover $500 per semester, totaling $1,000 for each of two students annually at MAC. Local high school students should apply for the Doe Run scholarships by May 15th. Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors from the following districts: Potosi R-III District; Iron County C-IV District; Bunker R-III District; Arcadia Valley R-II District; Valley R-VI District; Southern Reynolds Co. R-II District; Lesterville R-IV District; Mineral Area College Districts – North County R-I, Central R-III, Farmington R-VII, Bismarck R-V, West County R-IV, and Fredericktown R-I. Interested students can obtain a scholarship application from the financial aid office at MAC. Eligible students must meet the following scholarship criteria: Be planning to enroll in at least six credit hours per semester at Mineral Area College. Rank in the upper half of his or her senior class. Possess a genuine interest in preparing for a specific occupation. Express a desire to be employed locally. Scholarships are one of a number of ways Doe Run supports STEM education in the region. In addition to sponsoring scholarships for students attending MAC, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Southwest Baptist University Salem Campus, the company has funded technology and other projects that support elementary, middle and high school STEM curriculum for local school districts.