State auditor announces petition audit of Stotts City

(From State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick)

The people of Stotts City, located in Lawrence County, successfully petitioned the Missouri State Auditor's Office to conduct a performance audit of their municipality, and today State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced the review of the city's finances and operations is underway. The petition audit officially commenced when audit staff met with city officials on Friday, March 21.

"It has been 25 years since Stotts City has had a thorough review of its operations and the fine folks who took the time and effort to gather signatures deserve to have a closer look taken at the effectiveness and efficiency of their city government," said Auditor Fitzpatrick. 

"The audit process is extensive so I encourage residents to be patient as we work to give them a more detailed understanding of how their city government operates. I also encourage anyone with information that may be helpful to our audit to reach out through our Whistleblower Hotline."

This marks the first time the State Auditor's Office has audited Stotts City since 2000. That audit, which was also petitioned by residents, found the city did not adequately segregate accounting and bookkeeping duties, did not prepare or adopt annual budgets, and did not have a formal bidding process. The report also found the City Clerk was only depositing a portion of the utility payments, and routinely cashed personal checks for herself and friends from utility receipts.

 

Residents of Stotts City gathered 34 signatures, which were verified by the Lawrence County Clerk, to trigger the petition audit.

Individuals may provide confidential information for consideration during the audit of Stotts City to the State Auditor's Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597, by email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov or by visiting www.auditor.mo.gov/hotline.

 

Ramp to be closed at Route 39 and I-44 in Lawrence County

(From MoDOT)

TRAFFIC ALERT: Ramp CLOSED at Route 39 & I-44 in Lawrence Co. for Guardrail Repair March 12

Where: Missouri Route 39-to-eastbound I-44 on ramp (Exit 46) in Mt. Vernon

When: 10 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 through 2 a.m., Thursday, March 13

What: Contractor crews will make repairs to guardrail

Traffic Impacts

Missouri Route 39-to-eastbound I-44 on ramp (Exit 46) CLOSED to traffic

No signed detour

Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching closure

Drivers should find alternate routes

Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or construction delays will alter the work schedule

Springfield man sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking conspiracy, weapons offenses

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

Bryce A. LaNear, 27, Springfield, Mo., was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Brian C. Wimes today to 15 years in federal court following his guilty plea and convictions for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as distribution of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of $7,950 seized from LaNear that were proceeds of LaNear’s drug distribution activity.

As LaNear admitted in his plea agreement, from April of 2017 to October of 2019, he conspired with others to distribute cocaine and more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine as well as possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. 

On April 19, 2017, LaNear was arrested in possession of cocaine and methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to other persons as well as five firearms which he possessed in furtherance of his drug distribution activity. 

LaNear also sold cocaine to undercover Springfield, Missouri, police officers in August, September and December of 2017. On April 11, 2018, members of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield Police Department executed a search warrant on LaNear’s residence and discovered additional amounts of methamphetamine and another firearm. 

In May of 2018, Springfield Police Officers seized additional amounts of methamphetamine and another firearm from LaNear. The investigation concluded with the seizure on October 2, 2019, of over 5 kilograms of methamphetamine from one of LaNear’s codefendants. In total, LaNear was responsible for the distribution of over 9 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 3 kilograms of cocaine in the Springfield, Missouri, area.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant United States Attorney Cameron Beaver. It was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department.