City of Rolla, Missouri: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Rolla Firefighters to "Fill-The-Boot" for MDA Sept. 2-4

The City of Rolla Fire & Rescue and IAFF Local #3905 will hold their annual “Fill-the-Boot” drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning Friday, Sept. 2 in front of the Rolla Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The Firefighters will be collecting donations from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, then again from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4. They will also have concession on Saturday, Sept. 3. Firefighters will be grilling brats, burgers and hotdogs as well as serving snow cones.

Residents are encouraged to have a dollar or two handy to help the firefighter’s “Fill-the-Boot for MDA. Through the firefighters and their boots, the citizens of Phelps County have stepped forward each year to fill those boots and contribute more each time. In addition to “Fill the Boot,” MDA Coin Canisters have been placed at several local businesses.

The “Fill-the-Boot” has been a tradition for firefighters across the country. In fact, firefighters continue to be the Association’s largest sponsor nationwide and MDA counts on their unwavering support to continue its research and patient care programs.

The Greater Area Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association benefits over 750 families in the Ozarks affected by one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases covered under the Association’s programs. Services include assistance with the repair of wheelchairs and braces, a free summer camp for kids age 6-17, free medical clinics at St. John’s Regional Health Center, and research being conducted at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri in Columbia. All MDA’s services are provided free of charge.

Dollars raised through the Rolla firefighters’ Fill-the-Boot drive will be recognized on the MDA Labor Day Telethon, which airs on KOLR 10 from 6 p.m. to midnight, Sunday, Sept. 4.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Rolla Public Schools partner with RPD on new VIPS vehicle

Building on an already strong partnership to ensure the safety of students and the Rolla Public School system, Captain Jason Smith, with the Rolla Police Department, recently partnered with District Superintendent Dr. Aaron Zalis on an innovative project that will result in a ‘win-win’ scenario for the RPS System, the RPD and Rolla community.

This ‘win-win’ project is the result of a lot of talent, expertise, creativity and effort on the part of several students and instructors at Rolla Technical Institute (RTI) who transformed a badly damaged 2010 Crown Victoria police car into a completely refurbished, newly painted and designed VIPS (Volunteer in Police Service) police vehicle that will complement the VIPS fleet and existing road operations.

Every school day, VIPS personnel regularly patrol a 2-3 block radius around each school, helping to ensure student safety. In addition, VIPS volunteers monitor traffic speed around the schools, assist the crossing guards, manage summer school traffic, participate in safety presentations and functions at the schools, and generally assist the School Resource Officer when needed.

According to VIPS Director Vince Giacolone, who worked closely with Captain Smith and Dr. Zalis on identifying a vehicle that would be appropriate for a VIPS vehicle, the damaged car was purchased by the district from St. James Auto Salvage in February 2011 and moved to the RTI body shop for repairs. RTI Collision Repair Instructor Mike Hoffstetter, and RTI Graphic Design Instructor Angi Yowell both liked the idea of providing their students with ‘real word’ collision repair and graphic design experience. Once the design was selected, final body work was completed on the vehicle, and the graphic design package was given to Sign Dimensions of Rolla for the exterior wrap to be applied. After several attempts at color matching were made the new VIPS car was accepted by RTI and RPD on Aug. 18. Emergency lights, siren and radios are being installed at the present time.

“Budget challenges and the need for additional resources sometimes result in some of the best outcomes when organizations such as Rolla Public Schools and the Rolla Police Department work together,” said Police Chief Mark Kearse. “The Rolla Police Department and the City are very appreciative of Dr. Zalis, Mike Hoffstetter, RTI Collision Repair Instructor, Angi Yowell, RTI Graphic Design Instructor, and the dedicated students at Rolla Technical Institute for all their generosity, efforts, hard work, and creativity.”

The RPS District plans on rolling out and showcasing the new VIPS car at a “Cruise-In” on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at Rolla Technical Institute where other show cars and motorcycles will be displayed. In addition, the new VIPS car will be introduced to the Rolla City Council and on display outside of City Hall at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

(Pictured left: Students enrolled in the Collision Repair course at Rolla Technical Institute refurbish a badly damaged 2010 Crown Victoria that will be used as a new VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) car with the Rolla Police Department.)

Monday, August 29, 2011

The Smithsonian to make stop in Rolla with The Way We Worked Exhibit (Nov. 19-Dec. 17, 2011)

The Way We Worked, the newest Smithsonian Institution exhibit to travel through Missouri with the Missouri Humanities Council’s Museum on Main Street program, will make its next stop in Rolla, Missouri at the The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street) from Nov. 19 through Dec. 17, sharing the stories of how work became a central element in American culture and the many changes affecting the workforce and work environments over the past 100 years.

The exhibition focuses on why we work and the needs that our jobs fulfill, featuring multiple interpretive opportunities for visitors through large graphics, audio components, relevant objects and work clothing.

"Our work takes places everywhere—on the land, on the streets of our communities, in offices and factories, in our home and even in space,” said Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III. “The Way We Worked will allow us to tell that evolving story on a national level and relate it to our own community.”

“The Missouri Humanities Council hopes Phelps County residents and those in the surrounding areas will enjoy the exhibition and think a little deeper about the journey of American workers and how that it is reflected in the world today, both locally and nationally,” said Geoff Giglierano, Executive Director of the Missouri Humanities Council.

The exhibition explores the tools and technologies that enabled and assisted workers, which led to a faster, more complex and often more stressful work environment, the diversity of the American workforce, and how individuals and communities identify themselves with work.

Visitors are free to travel through the exhibit on their own or with a guide. Guides help visitors personally connect to the exhibit through conversations and observations on the exhibit themes.

The Way We Worked will begin in Ste. Genevieve at The Bolduc House Museum (Oct. 8 - Nov. 5, 2011) and will continue the tour in Rolla from Nov. 19 - Dec. 17. Rolla's Local Organizing Committee for The Way We Worked exhibit still needs additional volunteers so we can keep the exhibit open as many hours as possible. Volunteers are needed to welcome our guests, maintain our guestbook and answer questions that our guests may have about the exhibit. Training will be provided. Whether you have a little time to share or a lot of time to help, your assistance is appreciated. For information on volunteering, please contact Arts Rolla at 573 364 5539 or e-mail Linda Giger at lgiger@fidnet.com

Additional stops will include the following cities throughout 2011 and 2012:

Poplar Bluff—Jan. 3- Jan. 31, 2012, Wheatley Historic Preservation
Fulton—Feb. 11- March 10, 2012 The National Churchill Museum
Lawson—March 24- April 21, 2012, Watkins Wollen Mill State Park & State Historic Site
Savannah—May 5- June 2, 2012, Andrew County Museum & Historical Society

About The City of Rolla and Arts Rolla

The City of Rolla is a vibrant University town (Missouri S&T), rich in history, culture and outdoor recreation. Home to the Mark Twain National Forest Headquarters, Stonehenge, Ozark Actors Theatre, and the Castleman Hall Performing Arts Center, Rolla has some of the best restaurants, shopping and lodging in South Central Missouri. We're located at the juncture of I-44 and U.S. 63, halfway between St. Louis and Springfield. For more info, please visit www.rollacity.org or www.rollachamber.org.

Arts Rolla is a regional not-for-profit organization founded in 1985. Arts Rolla brings art and communities together by supporting and growing visual, literary and performing arts. Arts Rolla receives support from the Missouri Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the members of Arts Rolla. To learn more about Arts Rolla, please visit www.artsrolla.org.

About the Missouri Humanities Council

The Missouri Humanities Council is a 510 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was created in 1971 under authorizing legislation from the U.S. Congress to serve as one of the 56 state and territorial humanities councils that are affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

MHC is committed to helping build a thoughtful, informed and engaged society through programs associated with encouraging family reading, supporting local museums, libraries and other organizations promoting humanities education, facilitating the sharing of our stories and generating public conversation on topics including history, religion, archaeology, anthropology, philosophy, literature, law and languages. We help Missourians experience the connection between ideas and participatory democracy, and to expand understanding of ourselves and the world beyond our boundaries. More information about the many projects of MHC can be found on the Council website at www.mohumanities.org or by calling 1-800-357-0909.

City Hall to close Sept. 5 for Labor Day Holiday

Rolla City Hall will be closed Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The Rolla City Council meeting, which is usually held the first Monday of the month, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 North Elm Street).

The Environmental Services Department will also be closed on Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Monday’s trash on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday. There will be no special pick ups on Wednesday. For more information, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.

The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed Friday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 5 for facility’s annual preventative maintenance, and will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 a.m.

This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 5 from 12-noon to 5 p.m.

The popular Canine Plunge (end of the season swim for pets), where you may bring your dog to the SplashZone, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 12-noon to 3 p.m. Registration to this popular event is required, and there is a cost of $5 per dog. All dogs must be vaccinated, accompanied by their owners and be socialized. This event is limited to 30 canines. For more information please call SplashZone at (573) 364-8222.

City of Rolla Weekly Updates (Aug. 29, 2011)

City Hall to close

Sept. 5 for

Labor Day Holiday

This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 5 from 12-noon to 5 p.m.

Rolla City Council

Mtg. set for Sept. 6

The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street.

Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday. To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtm. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.

City Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16 (RC16). To check to see when the City Council meetings are rebroadcast, please check the RC16 Program Guide online at http://rollachannel16.pegcentral.com.

Rolla PD to crack down

on impaired drivers

Aug. 19-Sept. 5

The sobering fact is that impaired driving contributes to nearly 30% of all Missouri traffic fatalities. In 2010 alone 234 people were killed and 957 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. That’s why the Rolla Police Department will join other Missouri law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk driving Aug. 19 – Sept. 5, 2011.

The Rolla Police Department will participate in statewide sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols enforcing Missouri’s DWI laws and keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, loss of driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

“Driving drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” said Corporal Tim Mayfield, Rolla Police Department Traffic Division Traffic Supervisor. “Our message is simple and unwavering: You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”

For more information, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Celebration of

Nations must

attend event

By Bill Jenks, III
Mayor
If you haven’t already seen the colorful and vibrant Celebration of Nations banners displayed along 10^th Street, Pine Street and downtown Rolla, I’d like to remind everyone that the 2^nd Annual Celebration of Nations will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) in downtown Rolla.

Celebration of Nations was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Ozarks. Area residents and Missouri S&T students, with the help of great sponsors and full support of the City of Rolla, got together for the first Celebration of Nations on Oct. 9, 2010. This event was a huge success and this year’s “Celebration” promises to be even bigger and better.

With more than 800 international students from 80 countries attending Missouri S&T, Rolla’s international make-up has never been as evident as during this event that celebrates the diverse and rich cultures of our community’s international students, faculty and residents.

Celebration of Nations is as festive as it is unique, and if you didn’t get a chance to attend the event last year, you won’t want to miss it. It all starts with the Parade of Nations (over 80 countries represented) at the Havener Center on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus at 11 a.m. The parade winds through downtown Rolla, and concludes on 9^th Street at the downtown festival lot and bandshell where parade goers will be recognized much like the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Downtown will be filled with floats, bands, camels, horses, and more flags from more countries you may ever see in once place. If you like festivals, culture, diversity, travel, great food, entertainment, education, and fun, you are sure to enjoy Celebration of Nations.

After the parade, a Celebration of Nations festival will be held in the downtown festival park that will include a variety authentic crafts and international foods from around the world, calligraphy, face painting, children’s activities, a petting zoo, inflatable games, horse rides, a mock Eifel tower, a genuine tent from Saudi Arabia, complete with sand, camels, dates, and tea served by Missouri S&T students. Children will be given passports that they can have stamped by international students who are hosting booths that reflect the cultures and customs of their native countries. Children will also have an opportunity to put their hand prints on a large 6-foot paper Mache ‘earth globe’ to reflect the Celebration of Nations theme of “One Campus. One Community. One World.”

International Idol, which includes a wide spectrum of performances representing an international flair much like the American Idol completion seen on TV, is also a highlight of the festival. This event alone is worth attending the Celebration of Nations as it attracts some of the best talent and entertainment in the Ozarks.

If you are interested in joining in the festivities by having a float in the parade, being a vendor/crafter at the festival or competing in the “International Idol” contest, please contact Stephane Menand in the Office of International Affairs at Missouri S&T at stephane@menand.mst.edu or visit www.nations.mst.edu.

Have a safe week. And a safe school year!

Phelps County Bank

donates computers

to City of Rolla

Phelps County Bank recently made a generous donation to the City of Rolla of two Dell servers that will be used by the City’s Information Technology Division to enhance the City’s overall computer network. The servers estimated value is about $3,000.

Rob Hribar with the City’s Information Technology Division, said the servers will be used to run anti-virus software, and other important network functions that will benefit the City and free up space on the City’s existing servers.

The City greatly appreciates this generous donation from Phelps County Bank that will not only improve the City’s network capacity, but also will save significant tax dollars. We especially would like to thank Bill Marshall, President of Phelps County Bank, and Anthony Perona with the IT Department, for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

I-44 ramp closures in Rolla

for Kingshighway

interchange

Motorists who want to access eastbound Interstate 44 at mile marker 184 in Rolla will need to find alternate routes beginning Aug. 22, 2011, weather permitting.

H.D. Quadri Contractors, contractor for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), will close the eastbound on-ramp to I-44 as part of a project to construct roundabouts at the interchange.

The ramp will be closed for approximately two weeks. Motorists can access eastbound I-44 by using the I-44 Business Loop (Kingshighway) to U.S. 63 north (Bishop Ave.) to the interchanges at mile markers 185 and 186.

The contractor will have various types of traffic control in place to secure the safety of the motoring public as well as their employees. MoDOT encourages motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow work zone signing and drive safely through the area.

Motorists should expect additional ramp closures at the 184 mile marker interchange as construction continues. Closures are scheduled every two weeks, and construction is staged so only one ramp will be closed at a time. Weather permitting, the on-ramp to westbound I-44 is scheduled to close on Sept. 5. The off-ramp from westbound I-44 is scheduled to close on Sept. 19, and the off-ramp from eastbound I-44 is scheduled to close Oct. 3.

MoDOT appreciates the patience and cooperation of motorists during the closures, which are necessary to accelerate construction. Work on the roundabouts should be complete by late 2011.

A roundabout is an intersection which accommodates traffic flow in one direction around a central circular island. As drivers approach a roundabout, they slow down and yield to traffic already circulating through the area. When a gap in traffic appears on the left, drivers enter the roundabout by turning right and following the circle until reaching their exits.

Roundabouts reduce driver delay by allowing motorists to yield until they can safely enter the circle, rather than waiting at a traditional traffic signal. They can also handle higher traffic volumes than signalized intersection and reduce traffic crashes by lowering the speed of vehicles moving through them and eliminating many of the conflict points where vehicles can collide.

For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook for project updates.

Caution urged during

round-about construction

on Kingshighway

Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling through the construction zone where two new round-abouts are being built at the Kingshighway, Interstate-44 bypass by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). And while no detours are posted in this area, the City recommends local motorist and customers use Bridge School Road to St. Johns Parkway as an alternate route.

Construction of the two round-abouts, referred to as a ‘dogbone’ configuration, is Phase 3 of the ‘Rolla West’ project that began two years ago with the extension of Ridgeview Road at the State Route 63/Highway 72 Intersection, and then the new Bryant Drive Extension and intersection on Kingshighway next to Fairground Chevrolet and the new McDonalds restaurant.

Also included in Phase III of the Rolla West project will be the eventual widening of Kingshighway from three to five lanes, from the Bryant Drive intersection to the I-44/Kingshighway overpass. This project is tentatively schedule in 2012/ 2013. Phase 4 will involve the extension of Ridgeview Road (Hwy. 72) to Bridge School Road. Phase 5 of Rolla West would involve the construction of a fifth Rolla interchange on I-44 west of the Kingshighway overpass at some point in the distant future.

The Rolla West project was presented as part of the Rolla 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update adopted by the Rolla City Council in January 2006. One of the keys to the success of the Rolla West project is the partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Highway Commission, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Phelps County, and the Rolla Regional Economic Commission (RREC).

“Through mutual cooperation we hope to achieve improvements and growth that will propel Rolla and Phelps County into a bright and prosperous future,” said John Butz, Rolla City Administrator.

For more information, or to view a detailed version of the Rolla West Master Plan, please visit http://www.rollawest.com/index.shtm or contact the City of Rolla Public Works Department at 364-8659.

Rolla Channel 16

now live streaming

24/7 on the Web

If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting or Planning & Zoning meeting, you can now watch them online on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.

Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, all future episodes of “City Minutes”, all Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and Rolla High School Review.

Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.

For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.

Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!

Rolla Sesquicentennial T-shirts

and posters available

at City Hall

Rolla Sesquicentennial commemorative T-shirts and posters are still available to the public for purchase at Rolla City Hall, (901 N. Elm Street).

The vintage Heather grey T-shirts that showcase the Sesquicentennial logo designed by Angi Yowell, Graphic Design Instructor at Rolla Technical Institute, are selling for $5 a piece in the following sizes: Large (4).

The 4-color, 11x17 glossy Sesquicentennial commemorative posters are selling for $2 each. In addition to the T-shirts and posters, a limited number of newly designed and printed Rolla City flags are available for purchase as well. City flags may be purchased in the Community Development Department (2^nd Floor) at Rolla City Hall for $40 each.

Proceeds from the sales of Sesquicentennial T-shirts and posters will be used to offset costs and expenses incurred for Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration held on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

The City of Rolla, which was incorporated 150 years ago on Jan. 25, 1861, continues to celebrate its Sesquicentennial Anniversary, which began on Jan. 25, 2011. For more information, please call Scott Grahl, Communications Officer, at 426-6943 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org and click on the Rolla’s 150^th tab.

2011 Environmental Services Dept.

List of Important Dates:

(Clip & save for easy reference!)

Sept. 5, 2011 - Labor Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

Oct. 1, 2011 - City-wide Fall Clean-Up: Saturday (residential only)

Nov. 24, 2011 – Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

Dec. 25, 2011 – Christmas Day (Observed Dec. 26): Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

Holidays NOT affecting trash

or recycling collection:

Oct. 10, 2011 – Columbus Day

Nov. 11, 2011 – Veterans Day

Nov. 25, 2011 – Day after Thanksgiving

Hotline number: 341-1168

Upcoming Events

AUGUST 2011

31 – City Council Budget Workshop (5:30 p.m.); City Hall – Council Chambers

30 – Development Review Committee Mtg. (1:30 p.m.)

SEPTEMBER 2011

5 - City Hall closed for Labor Day Holiday

5 - Environmental Service closed for Labor Day; Monday’s trash picked up Tues.; Tuesday’s trash picked up Wed.

6 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

10 - Canine Plunge at SplashZone (noon-3 p.m.); early registration required

(364-8222)

19 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

24 - Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.-5 p.m.); Downtown Festival Park

OCTOBER 2011

1 - City-wide Fall Clean Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.); residential only

3 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

8 - Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); downtown Rolla

17 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

31 – Have a Safe Trick or Treat Night (downtown Rolla)

Scott A. Grahl

Communications Officer

City of Rolla, Missouri

(573) 426-6943

& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

Celebration of Nations must attend event Sept. 24

If you haven’t already seen the colorful and vibrant Celebration of Nations banners displayed along 10^th Street, Pine Street and downtown Rolla, I’d like to remind everyone that the 2^nd Annual Celebration of Nations will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) in downtown Rolla.

Celebration of Nations is as festive as it is unique, and if you didn’t get a chance to attend the event last year, you won’t want to miss it. It all starts with the Parade of Nations (over 80 countries represented) at the Havener Center on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus at 11 a.m. The parade winds through downtown Rolla, and concludes on 9th Street at the downtown festival lot and bandshell where parade goers will be recognized much like the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Downtown will be filled with floats, bands, camels, horses, and more flags from more countries you may ever see in once place. If you like festivals, culture, diversity, travel, great food, entertainment, education, and fun, you are sure to enjoy Celebration of Nations.

Have a safe week. And a safe school year!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Police Chief Chat

Drug Watch :
On Thursday, August 25, 2011 at approximately 6:00 a.m. members of the South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, St. James Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol gathered at the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and formulated a plan of attack on the execution of over 25 grand jury indictments handed down in relation to illegal drug activity here in Phelps County. Arrest teams comprised of officers from the aforementioned agencies were provided with defendant arrest packets the included the grand jury indictment, location information and photos of the arrestees. Within minutes teams were returning to the Sheriff’s Department with the arrestees in custody. The defendants were forwarded through the booking process that includes photos, fingerprints, an interview and then incarceration. pending bond

This operation stems from the conclusion of a long term narcotics investigation conducted in Phelps County. Over the course of approximately 18 months officers with the South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Rolla Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, were able to conduct a series of narcotics investigations involving the distribution/sales/possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin and prescription medications. The investigation involved loosely affiliated individuals in and around the Phelps County area. This investigation was aided by the 25th Judicial Circuit and the Phelps County Grand Jury that was convened by their authority. Grand Jury Indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prior to the mass operation initiated this morning.
The following individuals were arrested:

Romero C. Miller, 28, Rolla, Missouri, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance;
Melissa D. Parks, 28, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance (three counts);
Sheila D. Quigley, 23, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance;
Daniel A. Jones, 33, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance (three counts);
Donald J. Colvin, 52, Rolla, Phelps County Warrants for distribution deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance and felony possession of a controlled substance;
Ashlee Smith, 24, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance;
Sean R. Barber, 38, St. James, Missouri, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance;
Joyce D. Glenn, 45, St. James, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance;
Tabitha A. Lewis, 23, St. James, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance (two counts);
Jamieann E. Heidbreder, 20, St. James, Phelps County Warrant for possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine;
Terrell O. Luster, 38, St. Louis, Missouri, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance;
Clark S. Watson Jr., 40, Rolla, Phelps County Warrants for possession of a controlled substance and distribution or deliver of not more than 5 grams of marijuana;
Denise M. Ward, 29, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance (three counts);
Brandi L. Dvorak, 28, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance (two counts);
Dwan L. Estep, 28, St. James, Phelps County Warrants for possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance;
Travis D. Mathews, 23, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance;
Larry T. Nason, 31, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance;
Larry G. Forester, 62, Newburg, Missouri, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance;
Charles E. Faulkner Jr., 52, Rolla, Phelps County Warrants for possession of a controlled substance (three counts) and manufacture of a controlled substance;
Dennis Elms Jr., 31, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine;
Dixie Faulkner, 22, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for possession of a controlled substance;
Dennis R. Neese, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance (three counts) and
Jerry L. Bonebrake II, 24, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for distribution, deliver, manufacture, produce a controlled substance.

Also arrested during the round-up, for non drug related charges, were:

Virgil V. Gargus III, 31, St. James, Phelps County Warrant for Child Molestation, first degree and
Heather Steffe, 25, Rolla, Phelps County Warrant for stealing (eight counts).
Gargus was arrested as a result of an investigation conducted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. The arrest of Steffe was a result of an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. The charges for which these individuals have been arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The South Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The task force specializes in narcotics related investigations and is composed of narcotics officers by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and Rolla Police Department, as well as directly employed specialists. As you can imagine, those that abuse and deal in illegal drugs are determined to keep their operation strong and secretive and will go to great lengths to do so. Just the fact that our combined law enforcement efforts are able to consistently infiltrate these operations and bring the perpetrators to justice says a lot. Here in Phelps County the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Rolla and St. James Police Department, South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the 25th Judicial Circuit Court work hand in hand to reach one common goal and that is to keep the citizens in our community safe and those that deal in illegal drug activity wondering when they are next!

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 848 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 32 arrests, 22 alarms, 19 accidents, 60 traffic complaints, 11 check the well being, 147 traffic stops, 31 disturbance (including domestics), 15 suspicious nature, 19 assists of other agencies, 6 narcotics violations, 28 security checks, 15 escorts, 23 follow up investigations, 3 fights, 3 fingerprint requests and 3 trespassing complaints. This call total is up 136 calls from last week and yes, another busy week!

Unbelievable! One more person and we have 7000 loyal FaceBook fans. We started our FaceBook page in December of 2009 as a tool to keep the public better informed and to open communication between the Police Department and the community we serve. We are so proud of how it’s turned out. Our page is employee controlled, so whoever wants to post does so on their own. Some believed that this practice would not work, and said, “you cannot let employees do that, it will cause problems”. Well, those folks were wrong, it has worked and we have not had any problems. We are constantly trying to come up with ways to improve our FaceBook page such as the addition of crime mapping and the media log links and will continue to work toward this goal. We continually feature stories and situations from our many in-house divisions such as Patrol, VIPS, Behind the Badge, Street Crimes, Housing Officer, Criminal Investigations, Call Stats and new employee introductions. Thank you to all the employees and to our fans who continue to make our Facebook site a success.

In closing, I learned this week of the passing of Phelps County Assessor Kevin Rasmussen. Kevin was always pleasant and showed a true compassion for his position and for the community he served. He will be truly missed. We will keep his family in our prayers.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse