Police chief resigns in protest
ERIE The Erie police chief resigned earlier this month following a series of city council meetings and the rehiring of a fired officer, according to The Parsons Sun. Few details were released but the former police chief, Tyeler Riggs, said he resigned because of the decision to reinstate the officer, who was fired for insubordination. A police sergeant also resigned, saying he wouldnt work for anyone but Riggs. The city council hired three part-time police officers and another officer on an as-needed basis; the Neosho County Sheriffs Department is helping police Erie in light of the vacancies.
Petition could force commissioner vote
GARNETT Opponents of a plan to expand the Garnett city commission to five will be challenged by a petition led by the husband of a current city commissioner, The Anderson County Review reported. Craig Cole, whose wife, Commissioner Jody Cole, started the opposition effort, said he collected about 170 valid signatures in a petition drive; about 100 signatures were needed to bring the measure to the ballot. Commissioners can call a special election, schedule a vote during a regular election or leave the three-member system the way it is, the citys attorney said.
County recovers stolen tractor
FREDONIA A John Deere tractor and boom mower stolen from the Wilson County road and bridge department has been found but damaged, The Wilson County Citizen reported. A theft report was filed with the sheriffs department.
Parsons contends with repeat crime
PARSONS A report from the Parsons Police Department shows 27 percent of all arrests are of the same 50 people, according to The Parsons Sun. If those 50 criminals were sent to prison, relocated to another city or somehow deterred from committing more crimes, the citys crime rate would drop from the top third of comparable cities to the bottom third, the report said. Police Chief Robert Spinks blamed an overloaded justice system and drug abuse as part of the reasons criminals receive a slap on the wrist and go back to committing crimes.
Thief steals cookie dough truck
CHANUTE A Kansas City thief tried to steal Chanutes cookie dough, The Chanute Tribune reported earlier this month. Chanute High School softball players expected to have cookie dough delivered as part of a fundraiser, but instead a thief drove off with a semi-trailer transporting the cookie dough to Chanute, Prairie View and Fort Scott. The driver led police on a chase, which ended when the Missouri State Highway Patrol deployed stop sticks to flatten the semis tires. The Chanute softball players sold $3,000 worth of cookie dough to purchase a pitching machine.
Motocross track proposed
