​For the tenth year in a row, the East Central College Athletic Department has received the prestigious Harold Oetting All-Academic Award by the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference (MCCAC).
 
“This is unprecedented by any community college in Missouri,” said Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, athletic director. “Our student athletes in women’s volleyball and softball, as well as men’s soccer, had a combined 3.099 GPA last academic year. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication.”
 
The award was first established in 1995 as an All-Sports Award - with academics as one component. In 2003-04, the award was renamed to honor longtime conference president Harold Oetting, who retired as athletic director at Jefferson College in 2003. The award is now based on overall athletic department academic achievement.
 
“Many of the student athletes continue their athletic careers at the four-year level. While many receive athletic scholarship money, a much higher percentage receive academic scholarships. The formula for success starts with recruiting quality student athletes,” added Dr. Mehrhoff.
 
Dr. Mehrhoff believes the key is setting the tone early. From the beginning, his staff and coaches emphasize the importance of academic performance and give the students the resources they need to thrive.
 

​On June 20th, 2019, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Multi-County Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit and surrounding agencies worked together to arrest subjects wanted for burglary, stealing, possession of illegal drugs and other outstanding warrants.  The efforts led to the following arrests:  
 
Joseph Nester a 22 year old from the St. Clair area for an outstanding warrant for Felony Burglary 1st with a bond of $10,000.00.
Mark Ligue a 31 year old from the Union area for Felony Domestic Assault 3rd with a bond of $50,000.00.
Kenneth Willard a 44 year old from St. Clair for two (2) Felony Domestic Assault 3rd with a total bond of $10,500.00, Domestic Assault 4th with a bond of $500.00, Driving while revoked with a bond of $500.00, 2 counts of Possession of
controlled substance with a bond of $10,000.00 each, 2 additional warrants for possession of a controlled substance with a bond of $1,000.00 for a total bond at $32,500.00.
Brandon Ryan a 30 year old from the Sullivan area for Probation Violation warrant for possession of controlled substance and a weapon related offense with a no bond warrant.
 
There were also 4 persons arrested for misdemeanor charges that were at located during the operation and who happened to be present at targeted locations.  This investigation also led to seizure of illegal substances and additional charges for resisting arrest which are still under investigation at this time. 
 
This operation is part of an aggressive stance our office is taking on drugs,  violent crime, property crime and those individuals in Franklin County that are fostering an unsafe environment for citizens.
 
All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.  
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

Andrew Michael Pointer, 33, of Union, MO, passed away Friday, June 14, 2019 at his home. 
Andrew was born in Washington, Missouri on November 6, 1985, a son of the Michael & Cynthia K. (Unger) Pointer, who both survive in New Haven.
Andrew is also survived by his wife, Starleena (Elfrink) Pointer, of Union, Missouri, his two children, Ava Marie & Mason Andrew Pointer, both of the home; by two uncles, Lowell & Loren Unger; by two aunts, Sheila Martin & Mona Unger; and by his grandmother, Hope Unger.  He is preceded in death by his sister, Kayla Ann Pointer, by his grandparents, Maurice Unger, and Marvin & Nellie Pointer, and by three uncles, Dan, Michael, and Timothy Unger.
Andrew enjoyed deer & turkey hunting.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 20th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, New Haven.
Memorials may be given to families choice.   C/O Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home.

On 6-12-2019, deputies responded to Mercy Hospital in Washington in reference to an assault victim located in the emergency room.  Upon arrival, deputies met with the female victim who explained she had been assaulted by her boyfriend.  The victim stated she had been choked, hit in the back of her head, hit in the shoulder with brass knuckles, burnt with a cigarette, and dragged back into the house by her hair while trying to flee.  The victim had injuries which were consistent with her statement.  Deputies made contact with the suspect on 6-13-2019 and questioned him about the allegations.  The suspect was taken into custody.  Charges were applied for with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued.  Preston C. Forbus, a 24 year old male from Lonedell, MO, was charges with 2 counts of Domestic Assault 2nd Degree.  His bond was set at $4900, cash or surety. 
 
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

Front Row:  Lindsey Stienbeck, Isabelle Hale, Julia Faris, Grace Faris, Lucy Hoener, Peyton Sumpter, and Casey Baker, 
Second Row:  Jane Pendleton, Abby Seitter, Maria Vedder, Meagan Holtmeyer, Mikayla McFerrin, Natalie Covington, Mackenzie Wilson, and Brenna Langenberg
Back Row:  McKenzie Pecaut, Liz Luecke, Aubri Meyer, Tressa Carver, Hannah Rethemeyer, Ellie Westermeyer, Madison Langenberg, and McKenzie Overschmidt.

Take a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Beginning July 1, deer hunters can apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) website for a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state for archery, muzzleloading, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at conservation areas, state and other parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed hunts are held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities.
The managed deer hunt application period is July 1 - 31. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available Aug. 15 through Jan. 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail.
Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt.
Details about managed hunts can also be found in MDC's "2019 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information" booklet available starting in early July at MDC offices and nature centers, from permit vendors around the state, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

​Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is a member of ICAC, (Internet Crimes against Children), and participated in the nationwide operation “Broken Heart”. During the two month operation Franklin County Sheriff’s detectives reported that there were a total of 27 cases generated during the reporting period. The breakdown is as follows;

• Child enticement cases
• Obscenity directed towards a minor cases
• Distribution of Child Pornography cases
• Possession of Child Pornography cases
• case referrals (victims identified in other jurisdictions)
• Identification of a child victim

 
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has and will continue to take an aggressive stance to ensure the safety of our children. If you suspect someone may be exploiting a child or if a neighborhood watch group is interested in a social media presentation on ways to safe guard your children  please contact the Sheriff’s Office 636-583-2560.
 
 
Steve Pelton
Franklin County Sheriff

​On 6-10-2019, deputies responded to the area of Fawn Lake Subdivision in reference to an unlawful use of a weapon with shots fired.  Upon arrival, the reporting party stated she was swimming in the lake with her children when a white SUV pulled up.  The victim stated she observed the driver, who she was able to identify, step out of the vehicle and fire three rounds from a handgun.  The victim yelled for the subject to leave and he got back into his vehicle and left the area.  Deputies responded to the suspect’s residence and were met by the suspect’s mother who confirmed the suspect was not home.  While deputies were on the scene, the suspect called his mother and ultimately spoke with a deputy on the phone.  The suspect refused to meet with deputies and stated he was not ready to go to jail and abruptly hung up.  A search of the area where the gun was fired was conducted and deputies located three spent 9mm shell casings.
On 6-11-2019, deputies tried making contact with the suspect at his place of employment but were informed he had not shown up for work the past two days.  Deputies responded to the suspect’s residence and made contact with the suspect’s mother.  Consent was given to search her residence and they located the suspect hiding in the bathroom.  The suspect was taken into custody at this time.  Charges were applied for with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued, charging Joel S. Christensen, a 22 year old male from Union, with Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Harassment 1st Degree, and Tampering with Physical Evidence in Felony Prosecuting.  His bond was set at $15,000.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The Missouri State High School Activities Association has recognized the following spring sports teams (listed below) from New haven High School for having qualified for their Scholastic Achievement Award.  Note that there are two levels of achievement for this award.  Teams who achieve a combined grade point average of 3.00 to 3.49 are recognized as Distinguished.  Those teams who have a grade point average between 3.50 and 4.00 are recognized as Outstanding. These grade point averages are based on 2nd semester grades.


It should be noted that New Haven High School fielded 18 teams this school year and all 18 qualified for this award, with 7 teams being recognized at the Distinguished level and the other 11 at the Outstanding level.  The varsity girls basketball team had the highest team grade point average at 3.79.


Distinguished
Junior Varsity Baseball     3.17
Junior Varsity Boys Track & Field    3.25
Varsity Boys Track & Field      3.31
Varsity Baseball     3.32
Jr. Varsity Girls Track & Field    3.33

Outstanding
Varsity Girls Track & Field      3.75

​He graduated from the East Central College Culinary Program in 2018, and Nathan Yount is already making a name for himself. Yount spends his days working under award-winning chef Paul Kampff at the St. Louis Country Club. Outside of work, he is an active competitor in culinary competitions.
 
“I love the pressure of the kitchen,” Yount said, “especially a competition kitchen.”
 
When he was selected to participate in the 2019 National Jeune Commis Competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in June, he was taken aback.
 
“It was like nothing I had ever done before. You have to do a three-course meal from a mystery basket that can consist of anything,” he explained, “but every competitor gets the same basket and you get thirty minutes to write out a menu you want to prepare. You then have three and a half hours to cook it.”
 
“The competition is organized by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs organization, which is the oldest food and wine society in the world. It’s a great honor to be selected to compete,” said Chef Mike Palazzola, East Central College culinary program coordinator. “Competitions of this magnitude require the highest standards of culinary skill and execution of dishes.”
 
Yount said he understood what was at stake and used his knowledge from East Central College and his real-world experience to create something impressive and unique. When he got his basket at the competition, he got to work.
 
“I got parsnips, hickory maple syrup, trout, a two pound strip steak, granny smith apples, and hog jowl,” he said. “For my first course I did a hickory glazed trout with celery leaf and apple slaw, sautéed Bok Choy and a lemon buerre blanc.”
 
It only got better from there.
 
“For my second course, I did a roasted strip loin with parsnip puree, glazed carrots and parsnips, a braised potato with a hog jowl ragout and a red wine reduction,” he said. “My dessert was a glazed chocolate Bavarian with an orange sponge cake, a marinated fruit salad, raspberry sauce and strawberry sorbet.”
 
The judges were impressed. He took home first place.
 
“When they called my name, I had a huge feeling of relief,” Yount said. “It was a feeling like ‘this is why you cannot ever give up on yourself. You always have to push through.’ All of my hard work had paid off. When I walked across the stage to accept my award, I felt like a new person.”
 
He’s not done competing yet. Yount will now represent the United States in the International Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition in Calgary, Canada in September. According to its website, it is “a challenging competition that helps the development of the young chefs by showcasing their talents and creativity in an international arena.”
 
“This will be my first time out of the country,” explained Yount. “I’m going to practice every second I get. It is truly the biggest competition of my life.”
 
“Getting to compete in this competition is an incredible accomplishment itself,” said Palazzola. “No one can ever take from you what you learn on a journey like this one. It sticks with you for life.”

Front row - Emmeliah Bates, Taylor Carver, Lydia Payne, Emma Watson, Sammy Fleer, Julie Liggett, and Savana Hudson.  Second row - Allison Brown, Jazmin Weiser, Tori Stringer, Chloe Overschmidt, Avery Langenberg and Lizzy Veal.  3rd row - Madyson Yates, Addison Pehle, Taylor Scheer, Rihanna Bates, Alex Fortner, Lexi Yochim, Alessia Michiosy, and Chloe Cronin.  4th row - Isabella Groner, Sophia Long, Maya Sheible, Claire Hellmann, Bailey Fleer, Katie Holtmeyer, Tatum Scheer, and Lillie Barker