Local News – Thursday, October 29, 2020

Captain Eddie A. Blaylock, the commanding officer of Troop I, announced that on Thursday, October 28th, a coordinated effort in Dent County led to several narcotics-related arrests. This effort is a result of a lengthy narcotics investigation conducted by the South-Central Drug Task Force. The arrest teams assisting in these arrests consisted of Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, officers from the Salem Police Department, and deputies from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. A total of 15 people were arrested during this operation. They are 35-year old Brandon Terrill of Salem who was arrested on warrants for two counts for the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and is being held on a $100,000 bond; 31-year old Levi Cardwell of Salem who was arrested on warrants for two counts of the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and is being held on an $80,000 bond; 37-year old Sheena Hodge of St. Robert who was arrested on warrants for three counts of the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and is being held on a $60,000 bond; 29-year old Mersadie Mansfield of Salem who was arrested on warrants for two counts of the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and is being held on a $50,000 bond; 39-year old Brian L. Weber of Salem and 31-year old Dennis E. Loughridge of Salem who were arrested on warrants for the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and are being held on $50,000 bond each. More arrests included 51-year old Tabitha Freeman of Salem, 58-year old Ronald D. Breeding of Salem, 34-year old Stephan S. Mock of Salem, 32-year old Brooke L. Bergen of Salem, 41-year old Scott E. Mayberry of Salem, 32-year old Stephanie R. Culberson of Salem and 31-year old Todd W. Harget of Waynesville who were all arrested on warrants for the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and they are all being held on a bond of $30,000. Also arrested were 46-year old Craig Carter of Salem and 54-year old John Frederick of Salem on a warrant for the delivery of a controlled substance except for 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid and each being held on a $20,000 bond. The South-Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The task force specializes in narcotics-related investigations and is composed of narcotics officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. The charges for which these individuals were arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it will be to determine guilt or innocence.

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages young hunters to get outdoors and discover nature this weekend for the early portion of youth firearms deer season starting Saturday, October 31st through Sunday, November 1st. Shooting hours run one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. To participate, hunters must be at least 6-years-old and no older than 15-years old on opening day. Valid permits include the Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permit and the Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit. Only one deer of either sex may be taken during the early youth portion in accordance with permits held. If a hunter possesses more than one permit, they must use them in another portion. Only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season (all portions combined). The Department of Conservation notes the the antler-point restriction does not apply to youth hunters using a firearms deer hunting permit during the youth portion. Hunters may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined. Each county limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the entire firearms season. During the youth portions of firearms deer season, adults who accompany youth hunters do not need a deer hunting permit. The adult must be 18 or older and hunter-education certified or born before January 1st, 1967. At all other times, hunters must have a filled or unfilled deer hunting permit to assist others in taking deer. The Department of Conservation reminds hunters the use of bait is illegal while hunting. Bait includes grain or feed placed or scattered to attract deer or turkeys. However, doe urine and other scents may be used to attract deer while hunting, as long as the scents are not used on or with grain or other food products. During the 2019 early youth portion, young hunters harvested 18,158 deer. The late youth portion of firearms deer season will run from Friday, November 27th through Sunday, November 29th. Permits are available at participating locations throughout the state, or online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits.

Echo Bluff State Park off Highway 19 south will be holding a Halloween Festival all day Saturday starting with a Harvest Bazaar from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. At 2:00, a Wonder of Wildlife presentation will be held at the amphitheater. From 3:30 to 4:30, you can craft a pumpkin with kits available at the Timbuktu check-in station. Starting at 6:00 will be the Kids Trick or Treat Parade followed by the camper and cabin decorating contest judging. From 7:00 until 9:00, venture down the haunted trails at Echo Bluff if you dare before listening to stories around the fire pit at 8:30 where the awards for the contests will be presented. For more information, check out the Echo Bluff State Park Facebook page or call 855-999-6980.