Local News – Wednesday, June 13th, 2018
Two Bunker residents, 39-year old Rickey Brunelle Holt, Jr. and 40-year old Brenda Michelle Holt, have been charged with voluntary manslaughter after beating a man to death on Saturday, June 9th at Brick's Off Road Park in southeast Missouri after he was accused of physically hitting their 12-year old son. According to Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs, bystanders began to beat on 41-year-old Joe Girard before the boy's parents joined in. He said the boy is okay and he had no visible injuries. An autopsy for Girard took place on Monday morning in Farmington and according to the Butler County Coroner Andy Moore, the autopsy showed Girard died from asphyxiation due to blunt force trauma to his neck that broke a neck bone and fractured his larynx. These injuries left him unable to breathe. According to the court documents, Rickey Holt struck Girard several times in the face and head. It was also reported by a witness that Holt jumped into the air and landed with both feet on top of Girard. Brenda Holt told investigators she saw the victim bloodied and on the ground and asked him why he hit her child. Girard told her he had not hit the child. That's when she allegedly kicked him the head. Rickey Holt will have an initial arraignment on Thursday morning, June 28th at 9:00 and Brenda Holt will have a counsel status hearing on Thursday, June 14th at 9:00. The Butler County Sheriff's Department and Butler County Coroner's Office are investigating the incident.
Today is the last day to make comments on the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is available for review on Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s website at www.meramecregion.org and click on publications. The plan is located under the Hazard Mitigation Plans for Dent County. A hard copy of the plan is also available at the Dent County Courthouse. The purpose of the plan is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards. It is required the county have a plan in place in order to be eligible for several Federal Emergency Management Agency grant programs. Following the public comment period, a final draft will be created and sent to FEMA and SEMA for review and approval. If you need assistance locating the plan or have questions, please contact Ryan Dunwoody at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at rdunwoody@meramecregion.org.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will host a special meeting this evening at 6:30 in the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss medical plan options for city employees and select an option for the next fiscal year effective July 1st, 2018. The meeting, called by Mayor Brad Nash, is open to the public. THIS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND RESCHEDULED FOR 9:00 FRIDAY MORNING.
Summer school has come to an end. If you are looking for your child to participate in fun and educational activities, check out the Outdoor Adventure Camp at the Salem City Park sponsored by the Salem Park and Recreation Department. This is an activity camp for children six years of age and above that starts at 8:00 in the morning weekdays and concludes at noon. A healthy lunch will be served to the children following the days’ activities at 11:30 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Scheduled this week, children can learn about bees from Sally Haines today and Janet Price will present a program on animals on Thursday. The daily cost of the program is $6.00 and parents can also pay by the week of $25.00. This is a great chance for children to have fun and learn at the same time! Children meet at the Arnold Pavilion (Pavilion #1) at 8:00 weekday mornings. For more information about the camp, call Salem Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon at 729-6290 or e-mail him salemparks@salemmo.com.
An accident occurred Monday night at 9:37 in Texas County on Route B five miles south of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2001 Ford Explorer, driven by 26 year-old Daryl Stinston of Edgar Springs, failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the roadway. The Explorer then returned to the roadway and overturned in the road. Stinston, along with a passenger, 25 year-old Victoria Pugh of Licking, suffered minor injuries and were transported by private vehicle to Texas County Memorial Hospital. According to the report, neither Stinston nor Pugh were wearing safety restraints. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay's Towing of Houston.