NAYLOR MAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
A Naylor man is in custody in connection to the death of a subject Monday morning in Ripley County.
According to Missouri Case Net, 57 year old James Dempsey has been charged with felony 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident - accident resulting in a death, and operating a vehicle on a highway without valid license.
According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, shortly after 3 am Monday morning, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was notified of a deceased person on a bike on Route H, near County Road H-7.
Dempsey initially told police that he and the victim had been fighting when the victim left the house. He and another person left to find them. They then drove up on the victim, found them to be dead, and then called the police.
During a later interview, Dempsey told an investigator that he was driving side by side with the victim and talking to them through the passenger window and he may have bumped into them or something. Dempsey then stated that after he ran the victim over, he stopped to check on them. He then panicked and drove back home. There he told a witness that he had hit the victim and they needed to go get them.
The identity of the deceased has not been released. Dempsey is being held on a $250,000 bond.
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN TENNESSEE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
Police in Tennessee have arrested the man wanted for the killings of an infant’s parents, grandmother and uncle.
Authorities say 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond is now in custody and that his arrest occurred Tuesday, shortly after police warned residents to stay indoors following a sighting in a neighborhood.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has already charged Tanaka Brown and Giovonte Thomas with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Investigators allege both men assisted Drummond in the killings.
Drummond is expected in court in Tiptonville for an arraignment later this week. He faces four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping and weapons offenses, officials have said.
CHANGES COMING FOR MISSOURI MOTOR VEHICLE BUYERS
Buying a vehicle in Missouri will look different come late next year or early 2027.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Senate Bill 28 was passed earlier this year and will go into effect on August 28th, but the change to paying vehicle sales tax will only be implemented once the second phase of the DOR’s new FUSION system is operational.
Once the system is in place, motor vehicle buyers - when purchasing through a dealership, will be required to pay sales tax at the point of sale. If purchasing from a private party, buyers will continue to take their bill of sale to any Missouri license office to pay sales tax. In both scenarios, buyers will get a paper copy of their new license plate.
The permanent metal plate, with the same number configuration, will be mailed to the buyer. Receiving a temporary tag will no longer be an option.
Officials say that until FUSION is fully operational, the current sales tax collection process will remain in effect for both dealerships and private vehicle purchases.
THREE RIVERS COLLEGE TO HOST BATTLE OF THE BULLS NEXT MONTH
Rodeo action will be returning to Poplar Bluff next month.
The Three Rivers College Rodeo Team is hosting the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bulls on September 6th at Ray Clinton Park.
The event will begin at 7 pm featuring bull riding and barrel racing.
There will also be activities for kids and food trucks available at the park.
The cost to attend is $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages eight and under.
More information is available at trcc.edu/events.
STODDARD COUNTY ROAD TO BE REDUCED TODAY FOR MODOT PROJECT
Route 114 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane today as MoDOT crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from Route KK to Route FF near Essex.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through 4 p.m.
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR BRIDGE REHABILITATION PROJECT IN WAYNE COUNTY
Missouri Department of Transportation officials have announced plans for a bridge project in Wayne County.
According to officials, MoDOT plans to rehabilitate the Route 34 bridge over Clark Creek, which is located between County Road 312 and County Road 313, east of Patterson.
Work could begin as early as February 2026 and officials say that construction will be staged to allow the roadway to remain open.
The rehabilitation work will be underway for approximately four months.
For more information, contact MoDOT Project Manager Seiji Shimbo at (573) 472-5389.
