On Tuesday, Aug. 4th, members of Operation Relentless Pursuit, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Salem Police Department Officers conducted a joint operation to locate and apprehend a violent offender wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant. Through investigative efforts, law enforcement developed information regarding the whereabouts of James Vassuer. Officers responded to a business located in the 500 block of North Carty Street, where Vassuer was located and taken into custody without incident. Vassuer was charged with two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree, two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the 2nd Degree; and one count of Child Molestation in the 3rd Degree. Vassuer was taken to the Dent County Jail where he is being held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond warrant for the five charges. This arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between local and state law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending dangerous offenders. The Salem Police Department appreciates the assistance of its partner agencies and remains committed to working to enhance public safety and remove violent offenders from the community. All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Primary Election was held Tuesday in Missouri to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. A total of 3,829 ballots were cast for a voting turnout of 37.41% of a possible 10,234 registered voters within Dent County. Only the contested races are presented in this article. It is important to note results presented are unofficial. Running for US Representative of District 8 on the Republican ballot was Jason Smith, who received 94,468 votes district wide and 2,533 in Dent County and will be on the ballot for the November General Election. Gordon Heslop ran against Smith, receiving 15,367 votes district wide and 501 in Dent County. Running for District 8 on the Democrat ballot was Chris Reichard, who received 15,334 votes district wide and 58 in Dent County, and Frank A. Barnitz, who received 12,999 votes district wide and 476 in Dent County. Reichard will be on the ballot this November and will be running against Jason Smith (R) and Rebecca Sharpe Lombard (L). Running for State Senator of District 16 on the Republican ballot were four candidates, with Bill Hardwick and Hannah Kelly leading the crowd. District wide, Hardwick received 11,030 votes, while in Dent County he received 1,076 votes. Hannah Kelly received 7,865 votes district wide and 1,107 in Dent County. Hardwick will be on the ballot in November and will be running against Virginia Staabs (D). For local elections in Dent County, running for Presiding Commissioner on the Republican ballot were AJ Seay, who received 2,221 votes, and Denver Ellis, who received 798 votes, with Seay winning the race. For Recorder of Deeds, Jessica Dooley won with 1,808 votes. Melissa Piatt received 1,058 votes. Gladden Township Committeeman was determined on Tuesday, with Josh Akers receiving the nomination with 49 votes and Ken Nelson receiving 31. Gladden Township Committeewoman was also determined, with Alicia Watson receiving 49 votes and Cynthia Nelson receiving 32. Meanwhile, Missouri voters decided on four constitutional amendments on Tuesday. For Constitutional Amendment No. 1, a vote of YES received 1,141,865 votes statewide and 2,545 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 245,778 votes statewide and 1,198 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 2, a vote of YES received 1,042,413 votes statewide and 2,553 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 312,713 votes statewide and 1,107 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 4, a vote of YES received 275,040 votes statewide and 970 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 1,122,748 votes statewide and 2,793 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 5, a vote of YES received 233,309 votes statewide and 584 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 1,165,085 votes statewide and 3,190 votes in Dent County. To find out more about results from this election, visit the Secretary of State website at enr.sos.mo.gov.

The American Red Cross declared on July 27th a national blood supply crisis amid critically low blood donations and shortages of type O blood. Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply. Those who may be eligible are urged to book an appointment now at RedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS. Those who donate from Aug. 1st through Aug. 31st will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org. There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive at Bunker R-III School District within the Old Gym of the high school on Aug. 31st from 1:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon. This will be the Bunker High School Student Council’s first blood drive of the upcoming school year. Come out and help donate blood and give a chance at life to those in need, and help seniors earn scholarships. To make an appointment, visit the American Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org/give and type in Bunker’s zip code of 63629.