Law and Order in the Ozarks (Part XXXII): Another meth lab seized

The July 23, 2009, issue of the Newton County Times arrived while I was away this week, so I am catching up. The only front page story about crime is headlined, "Four arrested after raid of meth lab." The "working meth lab" was in near Mt. Judea, which is not even a census designated places, but is the location of one of four county schools. Four men, three of whom were aged 19 to 21 (the age of the fourth was not given) were arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and simultaneous posession of firearms and drugs.

Other headlines in this week's paper include:

• VISTA workers committeed to helping the community. This reports on three AmeriCorp VISTA team members who are based in neighboring Boone County but who have been assigned to Newton County projects. One is a retiree who has worked with the sheriff's office in dispatch and emergency clean up. One is a native of a neighboring county, and she has been a VISTA workers for two years, working on education issues. The third is working onthe "successful Prescription Drug Assistance Program" of the Community Health Resource Center. Currently, 18-month openings with Americorp VISTA are funded through the federal stimulus bill. While those in the positions do not receive a salary, they do receive a stipend and benefits. They also benefit from preferential hiring for future federal government jobs.
  

• Errors made in school board election filings. This story reports that two who filed to vie for the same seat on the Jasper School board have been disqualified. One was disqualified because he lives in a different zone than the one from which he seeks to run. The other filed a petition with too few signatures.

• Names being taken for school supplies. This brief story reports how residents can make donations to benefit students whose families are unable to afford school supplies for the impending school year.