Tuesday, March 31, 2026
FELONY THEFT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO CHARGES FOR DEXTER WOMAN
A Dexter woman is facing multiple charges in connection to a theft investigation in Carter County.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Tonya Wethington has been charged with two counts of stealing $25,000 or more and two counts of stealing $750 or more.
Officials say that the investigation began after reports surfaced of discrepancies within a local association’s accounts. Evidence gathered during the multi-week probe established probable cause to believe that over $50,000 had been misappropriated.
Wethington is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
WOMAN FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER ALLEGEDLY KICKING A JAILER IN THE HEAD AND THROAT
A woman is facing numerous charges after an incident over the weekend in Northeast Arkansas.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, on Saturday, a 911 call came in about a woman trying to start a fight at the Tourist Information Center near Corning.
A deputy responded to the scene and made contact with 28 year old Ashley Allred, of Rector. Cole says that Allred appeared to be highly intoxicated.
She was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Detention Center, where she attacked a jailer and deputy, including kicking a female jailer in the head and throat. Allred was then placed in a restraint chair until she was not a threat to herself or the jail staff.
The jailer was taken to Piggott Hospital where she was checked out and released.
Allred has been charged with public intoxication, impairing the operation of a vital public facility, battery 2nd degree, terroristic threatening 1st degree, and disorderly conduct, among other charges.
DUNKLIN COUNTY ELECTION PREVIEW
We are beginning our week-long preview of next week’s Municipal Election in Southeast Missouri with a look at competitive races in Dunklin County.
Voters in the Malden School District will be deciding if school officials can borrow four million dollars to provide funds to complete HVAC upgrades at Malden High School.
In Campbell, residents are being asked if they want to impose a sales tax of three percent on marijuana sales as well as if they want to implement a one-half of one percent sales tax to provide law enforcement funding.
Campbell voters are also deciding who will serve as Aldermen for the city. Tammy Clark, Austin Henderson, and Brian Wicker are all running to be Campbell’s Ward One Alderman. The race for Ward Two is between Cary M. Whorton, Dylan Perkins, and Bryan McClendon.
In Arbyrd, Richard Kelley and David McCoy are running for Mayor. Greg Hulett and Katherine Carver are on the ballot for the Arbyrd South Ward Alderman position.
Holcomb voters will choose between Cindy Wamble, Jason Champlin, and Ricky Peters for Mayor.
Jeremy White and Lewis “Ronnie” Lyons are running to be the Malden Council Member for Ward Four.
STATE OFFICIALS WARNING RESIDENTS TO WATCH FOR TAX SCAMS
We are getting to the final part of tax season and Missouri state officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against a surge in tax-related scams designed to steal personal and financial information.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway says that tax scams commonly appear in the form of emails, text messages, phone calls, or fake websites posing as legitimate government agencies, tax preparation services, or financial institutions.
These messages may claim that a taxpayer is owed a refund, has an urgent problem with their return, or must verify information immediately to avoid penalties.
Consumers are encouraged to protect themselves by never clicking on suspicious links or downloading unexpected attachments, verifying communications directly through official websites or phone numbers, using trusted, reputable tax preparation services, and filing as quickly as possible.
If you encounter a suspected scam, report it immediately to the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission. Hanaway says that taxpayers who believe they may have been targeted or victimized should act quickly by reporting the incident and monitoring their financial accounts and credit reports.
MODOT TO HOST PUBLIC HEARING THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
A public hearing has been scheduled for today to discuss an environmental study for U.S. Route 412 in Dunklin County.
The Missouri Department of Transportation will hold the public hearing from 4 to 6 p.m. at the gym of Senath-Hornersville High School in Senath.
The environmental study examined options for increasing capacity, as well as the impact of those options, for the 20-mile section of U.S. 412 extending from Route AC near the Arkansas border to just east of Route Y near Kennett.
Two alternatives for increasing capacity were identified. During the public hearing, the preferred alternative of a four-lane undivided highway with a flush median will be shared. The preferred alternative includes an additional lane for turning traffic at intersections.
The public hearing will be open house style, and visitors can stop by anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. to discuss the details of the project with the project team.
For more information, please contact MoDOT Project Manager Seiji Shimbo at 573-472-5389.
ROAD REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK IN PEMISCOT COUNTY
Route B in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction lane this week so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform edge rut repairs.
The section of roadway involved in the repairs is located between Route 412 and Route A.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Thursday.