Police chief warns of package delivery concerns

By Murray Bishoff Special to the Cassville Democrat

Routine business and crime reports were the order of the day for the Purdy City Council’s Dec. 10 meeting. 

Kevin Cook, public works foreman, received authorization to buy two 10-ply tires for the city’s backhoe from Friendly Tire in Monett for $460 each plus installation. Cook said if the backhoe worked in brush frequently, he’d prefer the more expensive 12-ply tires, but his jobs are “almost always on pavement.” 

The city purchased new tires for the backhoe earlier in the year. 

Water efficiency had risen to 77% in November. 

Police Chief Jackie Lowe reported several incidents answered by the Barry County Sheriff’s office in November, as well as mental health calls. Deputies took possession of a counterfeit $100 bill that a customer tried to pass at the Dollar General store. Lowe said the owner claimed to have acquired it at a yard sale. 

“There are no more reports [of counterfeit bills] in the county,” Lowe said. “It’s that time of year. People are stealing packages around the area. I’m keeping an eye on all deliveries.” 

On Nov. 12, Lowe and a firefighter helped douse a car fire in the Country Corner mart, believed to have been started by an electrical arc. Lowe wrote a police report on a fraudulent check passed at the Purdy Farm Center, where a Carthage business purchased a large amount of feed with a check, only to close the bank account immediately thereafter. The case remains a civil matter, he said, but the Farm Center wanted a police report. 

Mayor Brian Bowers reported the Doty Trash Service reported plans to raise its rates by $1.60 per month, up to $14.10 per household, due to increased tipping fees. Doty has Purdy under contract for trash collection through July 2027. 

Clerk Sasha Gomez reported the city office received two new tower computers from Dell that the council authorized in November after the old models no longer updated. 

Bills were paid totaling $32,654.02. 

The next council meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 14.