Joplin Metro
Man accused of driving mower while intoxicated — on lawn mower
By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
CARTERVILLE, Mo. — A rural Carterville man has learned that hopping on a riding lawn mower and heading down the road is not a way to skirt Missouri’s drunken-driving laws.
Police Chief William Cline said Monday that one of his officers arrested James K. Dennis, 47. He is charged with riding a lawn mower while intoxicated on the overpass of Missouri Highway 171 at Carterville. The officer spotted the slow rider northbound on the overpass about 1 p.m. Friday, Cline said.
Dennis was stopped and asked to take a field sobriety test, the police chief said. Dennis did not do well on the test, Cline said. His license was revoked, and he had some outstanding warrants from Joplin, the police chief said.
The officer took Dennis to the Joplin police station on the warrants and had a Breathalyzer test administered about an hour and a half later, Cline said.
Dennis was charged with a misdemeanor offense of driving while intoxicated, driving with a revoked license and driving an off-road vehicle on a highway.
The police chief said it is not the first time he has heard of someone being arrested for allegedly driving a lawn mower while intoxicated.
“It’s fairly common for people who have been revoked or have a DWI (on their record),” he said. “If they have to run to the store, they’ll hop on a mower thinking that’s all right.”
It’s not, the police chief said. It is illegal to operate any vehicle on a public thoroughfare while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he said.
Test results
The Breathalyzer test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.094 percent, said Carterville police Chief William Cline. The legal limit for driving in Missouri is 0.08 percent.
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
A fix for Joplin’s tax-stacking exposure has not materialized in this session of state legislative action, as city leaders had hoped.
And, with only four days left before the session ends, not much chance is seen for the rescue of a bill that would protect Joplin, and other cities, from potential lawsuits such as one filed last year over the city’s multiple sales taxes. -
Sex offender sentenced for failure to register
A former Texan was assessed two three-year prison terms Monday for failing to register in Jasper County as a sex offender and for receiving stolen property.
Clay E. Herring, 53, pleaded guilty Feb. 22 to the charges in Jasper County Circuit Court. -
Drunken driver assessed suspended sentence in crash
A Webb City man was assessed a suspended sentence Monday on an assault conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in an accident two years ago that caused serious injuries to another man.
Justin M. Allen, 32, pleaded guilty March 22 in Jasper County Circuit Court to second-degree assault in connection with a two-vehicle accident May 13, 2008, on Highway 43 north of Joplin. -
Salary schedule to come before Board of Education
A proposal that would institute a pay freeze next year and slightly reduce starting pay for new teachers is to be taken up tonight by the Joplin School Board.
Superintendent C.J. Huff said the salary schedule that will come before the board will include changes that would reduce the annual starting pay for new teachers with no experience next year from $33,372 to $33,122. -
Brad Belk: May tornadoes struck Joplin twice in 1970s
Two incredibly destructive and deadly tornadoes touched down in Joplin during the early 1970s.
Both occurred during the month of May and were separated by just a little over two years of time. -
Mothers, daughters experience pioneer life at nature center
Mothers and daughters got an early Mother’s Day treat last week when they stepped back in time to learn how nature played a role in the life of a pioneer woman.
-
Students brave cold, wind for Fun Run
Sixth-grader Lexie Vaught found a burst of energy as she ran down the final stretch of her mile-long run Saturday morning, well ahead of the other girls in her race.
“I was pacing myself until I got to the end,” she said. “It was amazing (to cross the finish line).” -
Summer school programs facing financial pressure
When Jessica Stahl sent her daughter to summer school last year, it was as much about easing mom’s kindergarten jitters as her daughter’s.
“I’ve never been a school parent,” Stahl said Wednesday while waiting to pick up her six-year-old daughter from Columbia Elementary School. -
VPAA search looms large in MSSU faculty relations
The filling of the position of vice president for academic affairs is emerging as a key issue for faculty relations at Missouri Southern State University and could determine whether any trust can be rebuilt with President Bruce Speck, several faculty said.
-
Fuel prices could be peaking
For a while there, it looked like gasoline would reach $3 for a gallon of regular, and it still might, but the chance of that happening is less likely today than it was even a few days ago.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
Lobbyist: Bill on tax-stacking appears stalled
