Local News – Friday, March 26th, 2021
Prosecutor Andrew Curley released the results of a number of cases that were heard in Dent County Monday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. The first case heard involved Herbert Barton of Bunker who had his probation revoked. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. Barton had requested to stay on probation. The second case heard Monday was for Shane Murr of Salem. He pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine and in his sentencing hearing, the state asked for 10 years in the Department of Correction under Section 559.115. The defendant had served 120 days in jail at the time of sentencing. Murr was granted SIS probation for five years. Murr was ordered to complete the Dent County drug court due to his age and the lack of any prior felony criminal history. The next case heard in front of Judge Randazzo was a probation revocation hearing for Heather Stubblefield of Rolla. The state sought the execution of the sentence due to the defendant absconding from probation. Stubblefield requested to remain on probation, but Judge Randazzo ruled in the favor of the state and the defendant was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections. In the next case, Judge Randazzo found Dannie Perkins of Salem guilty of the distribution of methamphetamine. Perkins was sentenced to serve 12 years in the Department of Corrections. The next case found Edward Durham of Salem pleading guilty to charges of burglarizing the property owned by Larry Gray after being held in jail pending his trial. He was sentenced to a period of ten years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. In the last case of the day, Judge Randazzo sentenced Joshua Coffman of Salem to seven years in the Department of Corrections for two felony charges for the distribution of methamphetamine.
One teen was killed and two other Shannon County teens were injured in an accident Wednesday evening at 8:00. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2021 Polaris Ranger being operated by a 15-year old female on Shannon County Road 563 about eight miles east of Winona, started to skid and overturned ejecting the driver along with a 15 and 16-year old female passengers, all of Winona. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by Shannon County Coroner, Sam Murphey at 9:00. Her body was transported to the Yarber Funeral Home in Winona. The other two teens suffered moderate injuries and were transported by Mercy ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Mountain View. The Polaris was removed from the scene by Sartin’s Towing. The report went on to state that none of the teens were wearing any safety devices.
Congratulations to three Salem art students who had their artwork accepted into the 2021 Young Artist Showcase at the St. Louis Artist Guild! There were only 121 pieces accepted out of over 500 from around the St. Louis and surrounding areas. It is an honor and privilege to be accepted into this prestigious art show. The students are Alyssa Russell for her White Charcoal titled “Lifted Up,” Kyra Oby for her Pencil Drawing titled, “What Am I?”, and Isabella Knaack and her Clay Sculpture titled “Sobek.”
Time is running out as USDA officials have indicated a March 31, 2021 application cutoff for producers that have an existing active CSP contract enrolled as a 2017 classic and/or the 2017 renewal contract. To be eligible for the renewal opportunity, the existing contract must expire in 2021. The CSP program helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resource concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. Producers with an existing, active 2017 contract will receive a notification letter about the opportunity to apply for a renewal contract from NRCS. The letter will detail the CSP renewal application process. For more information about conservation planning and programs to help treat natural resource issues on your land, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov or your USDA Service Center in Houston at 417-967-2028.