MOTORCYCLE GANG FACES CHARGES

Federal authorities have charged 18 members and associates of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club with multiple crimes, including armed assaults targeting rival motorcycle gangs.

The operation, involving more than a dozen law enforcement agencies in Kansas and Missouri, yielded a haul of illegal items: more than 40 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor, and a marijuana grow operation.

They face a range of charges related to violent criminal acts, including assault with dangerous weapons and the discharge of firearms during violent crimes.

The accusations stem from several incidents between 2022 and 2023.

The indictment alleges that Pagans members used violence and intimidation to protect their territory and eliminate competition.

ADAIR COUNTY SHERIFF RACE

The requested recount was heard in court yesterday for the Adair County Sheriff race. Judge Frederick Tucker presiding.

Candidates Jason Lene and Jason Underwood and Adair County Clerk Sandy were summoned to attend the hearing.

Jason Underwood asked for a special election but was denied.

Underwood’s attorney Patrick Nolan said they had concern about the absentee ballots how they were gathered and stored.

The judge said he did not feel there was enough evidence presented to substantiate that claim.

A full recount was decided and it would consist of two Republicans and two Democrats in a manual recount.

POWER OUTAGES

Hundreds of electric cooperative members lost power as storms moved through parts of mid-Missouri on Thursday night.

According to the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives outage map, nearly 1,700 members across Missouri were affected as of 10 p.m.

Of those members, 205 were in Phelps County. Maries County reported 65 customers without power. Another 75 customers were affected in Gasconade County.

Other counties south of Mid-Missouri reported larger outages. Cooperatives in Wright County reported more than 500 customers affected by power outages

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Missouri voters will decide whether to guarantee a right to abortion with a constitutional amendment that would reverse the state’s near-total ban.

The secretary of state’s office certified Tuesday that an initiative petition received more than enough signatures from registered voters to qualify for the general election. It will need approval from a majority of voters to become enshrined in the state constitution.

ADAIR COUNTY SHERIFF’S RACE

Jason Underwood and Jasone Lene Adair County Sheriff’s race is still not decided. There are 13 ballots that have not been cast. 12 are provisional ballots that were essentially flagged for verification. There is also one curbside ballot that has to be counted. It may take up until Friday to be decided.

STATE BUYS LICENSE PLATE READERS

Gov. Mike Parson’s administration will spend $243,750 to purchase 21 additional license plate readers, to supplement law enforcement during a personnel shortage. A contract with Atlanta-based Flock Safety took effect Aug. 1.

INTERNET ACCESS FUNDING

the Missouri Department of Economic Development announced Thursday its initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The approval allows the state access to more than $1.7 billion in program funding.

MISS MISSOURI TEEN COMPETITION

Teens from across the state recently competed and earned scholarships in the 19th Miss Missouri’s Teen competition, including students from the Webster Groves and Kirkwood areas.

The Miss Missouri’s Teen class of 2024 includes Miss Heart of the Ozarks’ Teen Autumn Grace Daras, a student at North Kirkwood Middle School, and Miss Central Missouri’s Teen Celia Madeiros, a student at Nerinx Hall High School. Both students received $300 non-finalist scholarships.

ADAIR COUNTY SHERRIFF RACE

The Adair County sheriff’s race officially came down to five votes on Saturday.
Jason Lene beat Jason Underwood, unless a recount is requested, 1,826 to 1,821.