Thomas said changes can end up costing more money, so any adjustments must be more cost efficient and save taxpayers money. Christopher Jay Hagler, 41, was last seen at his home in rural Franklin County east of West Frankfort around 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1. The former deputy has continued to deny wrongdoing. He can be reached at mpolhamus@vtdigger.org. Alerts /QuickLinks.aspx. Most recently during the offseason when they weren't mowing grass, they have begun to walk county roads and pick up trash and debris along the roadways.. Education:Ozark High School. I appreciate everyones support. To keep certified seasoned trained officer and keep them from leaving for surrounding counties for more money we must pay them to keep them, he said. "The Franklin County Democrats encourage voters to write-in Mark Lauer for Sheriff," Scheffler said by email. Though both parties have expressed a desire to support a single write-in candidate to challenge Grismore in what is likely to be an uphill battle, reaching consensus on an alternative is proving difficult. Sheriff-elect John Grismore is facing another criminal inquiry, this time into the finances of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. Signup today! Success! Andrews said the improvements he would implement include more training and pay for deputies and detention officers, inmate programs like work release and more long-term planning for the office to get the most out of the money allocated to the office. Published January 26, 2023 at 2:47 PM EST. Grismore, who is under criminal investigation after he was caught on video last month kicking a suspect in police custody, is set to be the only candidate on the general election ballot for sheriff this November. Okay. After a lengthy investigation, then a review by outside officials, a candidate to lead the Franklin County Sheriff's Office was formally charged Monday with simple assault a . He also pointed to the knowledge he's received by being from Franklin County and Ozark. I need people to see what's going on and to tell me what's going on," he said. Residency:Ozark. Occupation:Patrol sergeant, Franklin County Sheriffs Office; active military police member, Arkansas Army National Guard. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced Boen to four years in prison followed by two years of supervised release March 10. The man kicked by Capt. Another potential candidate, Paul Morits, had also put his hat in the ring for a write-in bid, and as of Wednesday evening he had campaign signs up around St. Albans. "You have to have a sheriff that is accessible to the public, and that's part of my plan," said Grant Nicely. He needs to be a leader. Prior to moving to Vermont, he reported from Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Colorado. Those members plan to report back at a future meeting, at which point the committee may hold another vote. You have permission to edit this article. Signup today! I am truly dedicated to serving the people of Franklin County and believe each individual person should be, and has been, treated with respect, he said. Sign up for Final Reading for a rundown on the day's news in the Legislature. Editor's Note: "Meet the Candidates" will be a regular feature informing you about our local candidates leading up to the November general election. For information about our guidelines, and access to the letter form, please Grismore said that he thinks that the vast majority of those in his department will be very excited that hes coming back. Elizabeth Hewitt covers the criminal justice system for VTDigger. In addition, his past experience would allow him to help carry out additional responsibilities as needed. Lauer added he would absolutely be committed to unbiased policing should he get elected. things or you could be banned: Do these Integrity - Integrity is defined by the qualities of an individual that involve being honest and having strong moral . Housing inmates in other counties is not free, the sheriff said. Boen was indicted on three counts in November 2019. "You have to have a sheriff that is accessible to the public, and that's part of my plan," said Grant Nicely.Nicely told 40/29 News hes spent the past 26 years working in law enforcement. The media applied its focus on a lot of negative cases, Grismore said at the time. You have to train someone else and after the police academy, there is an eight-week field training within the Sheriffs Office.. The Quorum Court voted Sept. 9 to appoint Rickey Denton to serve the remainder of former sheriff Anthony Boen's four-year term, which expires Dec. 31, according to the county judge's office. He explained Franklin County has two county seats, Ozark to the north of the Arkansas River and Charleston to the south. As you know, as a building ages, the maintenance to keep it running effectively increases. At Tuesdays Democratic meeting, member Reier Erickson described seeing a post that called out peaceful protestors. In a later interview, member Hadley Priebe who also spoke at the meeting pointed to a post on Lauers Facebook page from 2018 in which the candidate appears to have written several paragraphs describing my protest to the protestors., Lauers post went on: Instead of bowing down and taking a knee to the problem, why don't you stand up and work towards correcting the problem?. Thank you for taking part in our commenting section. County Democrats decided to have two members meet with Lauer Thursday to ask him follow-up questions. As your sheriff, I have taken to heart your concerns and issues that are important to you. She can be reached at ehewitt@vtdigger.org. Just keep it clean. While front line officers were challenged with direct contact with the public, the Detention Center was challenged with inmate intakes and past contact history. He has since been removed from his position with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Franklin County Board of Elections. Candidate Bruce Baker Larry McKeithan Kevin White Incumbency information for this election was not available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact NTN Candidate support at 855-821-3761. There are no Democrat candidates running for sheriff in Franklin County. Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm excluding holidays Phone Number: (919)-496-3898 Fax Number: (919)-496-7418 Contact Email: Elections@franklincountync.gov MY VOTER INFO Click the My Voter Info button to: Congratulations to Sheriff Kevin White. If I'm biased or had a problem, why would I post pictures of that, rather than just buy the product from them and walk away? Lauer said. I will be a full-time, working sheriff for the people of Franklin County, he said. Additional ballots also misspelled his name. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I have made every effort and used every possible resource to protect our children, not only at their homes, but at our schools. Franklin County sheriff candidates prioritize public interaction by Thomas Saccente | April 24, 2022 at 1:00 a.m. Johnny Crocker (from left), Kevin Hutchison and Grant Nicely FORT SMITH --. <> "what the sheriff needs to be is a manager. Scott Andrews (left) is challenging incumbent Stevie Thomas (right) for Franklin County sheriff. Johnny Crocker (from left), Kevin Hutchison and Grant Nicely. Also, more budget awareness and to make sure the sheriffs office is accountable to the citizens of Franklin County for its expenditures, he said. One of the names is Gale Messier, a former Chittenden County Sheriff's office employee. Grismore said Friday that the video was taken out of context and that voters see through all that and recognized the person that I really am and the contributions Ive made in law enforcement.. Whoever wins the race will win the position due to a lack of Democratic candidates who filed to run, according to the Franklin County Clerk's Office. He coached football at Franklin County High School for 16 years. But if we endorse him, it means we're signing on to a liability.. Preliminary election results repeatedly alternated after polls closed Tuesday night, leaving the outcome of the race unclear for days. VTDigger is now accepting letters to the editor. Franklin County was formed in 1883, and is named after Benjamin Franklin. He also has a resume of community leadership posts and a family history of service as well. He cant get elected to that office it would be just disastrous for Franklin County.. The two write-in candidates face a tough battle over the next months as they need to get their name out to be able to win enough votes over former deputy sheriff John Grismore, whos name is to be printed on the ballot. He argued these go hand-in-hand, with many repeat offenders stealing things to pawn off to acquire the money to get drugs. This doesnt cover anything but a bed and meals. I'm currently working in law enforcement and the way the laws change and the changing dynamic of law enforcement, I believe you have to have somebody who's current with the times when it comes to enforcing the law," he said. The parties backed Lauers write-in campaign instead. = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. He can be reached at jcraven@vtdigger.org. Lauer is one of two write-in candidates currently running for sheriff. That means grand juries have recommended improvements 36 times, the sheriff said. Franklin County Sheriff 2024 (1-5-2025) (D) Dallas Baldwin 3697 Juniper St; Grove City, 43123: Franklin County Recorder . The candidate also advocates for a work-release facility for inmates. He urged members to consider not endorsing anyone for sheriff at all. The sheriff said he wants to continue to improve protocols that benefit enforcement of child abuse, violent crimes, crimes against senior citizens, domestic violence and white collar crime. However, he was surprised that his son . Prior to moving to Vermont, he reported from Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio and Colorado. Our beat reporters are on the ground covering local government, schools, sports, business and culture. The officers are currently some of the lowest paid in the area, he said. w. NICELY SAYS HE'S SPENT 26 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IS A FORR ME INVESTIGATOR WITH THE OZARK POLICE DEPARTMT EN AND NOW SERVES AS A SHIFT SUPERVISOR IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. VTDigger publishes a wide range of stories about Vermonts educational system from early childhood education issues to public and private K-12 schools to higher education. I need people to see what's going on and to tell me what's going on." With this increase, there will be expectations for professionalism and a strong work ethic.. News of his actions emerged statewide after he won both primary elections, and both Republicans and Democrats pulled their support from Grismore after the incident. View Map. This is just for housing. This in itself creates more problems. Now the inmate work detail consists of approximately 16-20 inmates working at different venues within the county. Hutchison, a retiree from the Arkansas Army National Guard, said he has almost 18 years of experience in law enforcement. Grismores candidacy faces controversy after news broke that he was under investigation for kicking a man near the groin while the man was handcuffed and in custody. Social Media. Lauer was hired at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in 2017 and currently works with the Northwest Unit for Special Investigations, which is responsible for investigating crimes such as sexual assualt and child abuse. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. John Grismore, a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, won both party primaries. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) - The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of a man last seen at his home in rural Franklin County. FORT SMITH -- Accessibility and visibility are high priorities for the three men competing to become Franklin County's next sheriff. Nicely said he believes access to the sheriff is a major desire for county residents. Democrat Roger Langevin of the St. Albans Police Dept. Josh Ellerbrock covers the western side of Franklin County and specializes in state government, politics and community news. John Grismore, the embattled former Franklin County sheriff's deputy who is facing an assault charge kicking a man in custody, was elected this week to lead the department from which he was. From correctional officer, deputy sheriff and a long career as a Georgia State Trooper.. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. VTDigger publishes daily stories on health care. VTDigger publishes stories about Vermont environmental issues, including water quality, toxic waste, climate change and biodiversity. He wants to ensure the Sheriff's Office has enough deputies to sufficiently patrol both areas. Crocker said he believes the sheriff needs to get out and interact with residents in the community and always have an open door policy. <> "SINCE THERE'S NO DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE, THE WINNER OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY WILL BE THE NEXT FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF UNLESS NO ONE GETS MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTES, THEN THEY'LL BE A RUNOFF ELECTION. or attack others wont be allowed. Get a selection of the Messenger's best reporting direct to your inbox each and every morning. ALL THREE CANDIDATES WE SPOKE TO SAY RESTORING TRUST IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS KEY." It is located in beautiful Eastern Washington. He is due back in court in early January, about a month before he is slated to take office. Franklin County voters will choose a Republican candidate for sheriff in the June 28 primary. Stories written from the answers provided have been published over the past few weeks. In light of the video that has surfaced depicting Grismore violently kicking a handcuffed suspect, he cannot continue to credibly campaign for this office. She can be reached at emansfield@vtdigger.org. The County Sheriff position is the only elected law enforcement . JOHNNY CROCKER SAYS HE SPENT 22 YEARS IN THE AR MY WITH 20 OF THAT AS A GRE EN BERET. That number does not include more than 650 ballots on which voters misspelled Lauers name. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Many state and federal websites end in .gov, a domain only used by government entities in the U.S. ROSTER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, Franklin County Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas, JUDGE OF THE 10TH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS, JUDGE OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS, JUDGE OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT, VACANT - Pending Appt. Nobody covers Johnson County and the surrounding areas like the Daily Journal. VTDigger publishes a wide range of stories about Vermonts educational system from early childhood education issues to public and private K-12 schools to higher education. Candidates are highly encouraged to send current test scores to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, as the office has generously offered to cover the fee for candidates to transfer their NTN scores. "I feel that I'm the one with the most experience, my record shows that. ST. ALBANS Write-in sheriff candidate Mark Lauer has received the support of the Franklin County Democratic Party. St Albans Messenger is a twice-weekly newspaper established in 1861 covering Franklin County, Vermont. Franklin County Board of . He said that if more people had voted at the polls in person Tuesday he wouldve had a better chance.. There was an error processing your request. Education:Bachelors of arts, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith; pursuing masters of arts through American Military University. Dec 06, 2021 - Dec 06, 2021. He won the Republican nomination in an unopposed primary on Tuesday and also . Mark Lauer gets Democrat nod as write-in candidate for Franklin County Sheriff; Gale Messier continues race. Print Headline: Franklin County sheriff candidates prioritize public interaction. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. - Primary Elections in Washington are tomorrow, with two candidates running for Franklin County Sheriff. The maintenance issues are hard to keep up with due to the age of the building, he said. Immediate Full Time Openings Available Bobwhites top South Burlington in overtime; punch ticket to first semi-final since 1996! It's more than being in the sheriff's office, it's about being out in the public," he said. Johnny Crocker told 40/29 News he spent 22 years in the Army, mostly as a Green Beret. Immediate Full Time Openings Available Bobwhites top South Burlington in overtime; punch ticket to first semi-final since 1996! Crocker said he started working at the Ozark Police Department about a year and a half ago, becoming a part-time patrolman and member of its SWAT Team. "I want to know where our problems are and wt ha you need from us." We Franklin County Democrats join our neighbors in the Republican Party leadership in demanding that Grismore end his run for Franklin County Sheriff, Scheffler said in a statement. Samessenger.com publishes new content daily. If he leaves the race, the two political parties could each choose different candidates to create a contested race in November. I'm currently working in law enforcement and the way the laws change and the changing dynamic of law enforcement, I believe you have to have somebody who's current with the times when it comes to enforcing the law," he said. Dont attack our journalists. Erickson said he would feel unsafe protesting in Franklin County knowing that the sheriff had made a post questioning the utility of speaking out against injustices. Our environmental reporter is Mike Polhamus. I am praying for the health and safety of all Franklin County residents and that you continue to take care of each other. click here. Franklin Countys Republican committee voted unanimously at a meeting Wednesday evening at St. Albans City Hall to endorse a write-in campaign for Mark Lauer, a lieutenant in the Franklin County Sheriffs Office who identifies as an independent. Franklin County Sheriff candidate asked to step down; Video of candidate kicking man prompts questions of eligibility. All three candidates told 40/29 News it's key to regain public confidence in the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. At the outset of the Franklin County Democrats meeting on Tuesday night, Rep. Mike McCarthy, D-St. Albans, proposed endorsing Lauer. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. J.D. In 2005, my first year elected as Sheriff I promised all citizens that I would be accessible to them. ST. ALBANS Weeks after two major political parties called on John Grismore to pull out of the race for Franklin County sheriff, the local Republican committee has voted to back another candidates write-in bid, though Democrats have yet to do the same. This appointment prevents Denton from running for re-election. Error! Our education reporter is Tiffany Pache. /. "It's very important that they (the public) can go on with their lives and say, hey, our community sheriff's department has our back and we can rely on that. Franklin County Sheriff's Office Announcements: New Sheriff Elected! Grismore has made no announcement concerning his candidacy at this time, but he has a narrow window to do so since he officially won both primary races this past Tuesday. John Grismore won Tuesday's election with 8,900 votes, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State's office that were posted Friday afternoon. Franklin County. Calendar. Hes also a reserve officer for the Ozark Police Department and is a member of the SWAT Team. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for the county. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Public Records. Those deputies later told a state police investigator that they felt the situation was already under control, disputing Grismores accounts to police and to the press. Samessenger.com publishes new content daily. Other members, including McCarthy, argued that it was more important for the party to back a write-in candidate who was palatable to the GOP such as Lauer with a goal of giving county voters a single, write-in alternative to Grismore this fall. I have a proven leadership record and 40 years of law enforcement experience.. Hutchison said he believes his knowledge of the workings of the Sheriff's Office as a law enforcement agency, as well as the operator of the county jail and a part of the court system, make him the best candidate. Shelley.dickerson@gmail.com (919) 497-7599 . He also spoke of the importance of the sheriff leading by example, working with other law enforcement agencies in the county and ensuring regular training for deputies in multiple fields. = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Nonpartisan primary for Franklin County Sheriff. Committee Chair Joe Luneau said anyone whos seen the video would have a hard time thinking that Grismores reaction was a reasonable one. Candidates that apply will receive an email from FCSOHR@franklincountyohio.gov with instructions regarding the pre-employment corrections test. Hes also a reserve officer for the Ozark Police Department and is a member of the SWAT Team. click here. All three candidates told 40/29 News it's key to regain public confidence in the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. platform to be a safe and inclusive community where you can freely We need the community to be part of the sheriff's office. He said he couldnt recall the post about protesters well enough to comment on it, and hoped meeting with committee members Thursday would clear up any concerns. VTDigger covers criminal justice issues including Vermont legal issues, Vermont courts and the Vermont Department of Corrections. Grismore also faces an assault charge for kicking a man who was handcuffed and shackled. Grismore, a captain in the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, is the lone candidate for the county sheriff's seat. Andrews is seeking the office of sheriff after retiring from the Georgia State Patrol. Most recently, she has worked for MassLive covering abortion and the environment, among other topics. It has become a two-part process in which inmates can complete their community service as well as a cost effective program benefitting the citizens of Franklin County, he said. Dont name-call and attack other commenters. Using This Site. In March, Boen was sentenced to four years in federal prison after he was convicted of using excessive force on two county inmates. Let us know what's going on! Site Links. Franklin County Sheriff. The Correction Division's operating philosophy is . With Mark Lauer as the Franklin County Sheriff, all Deputies will maintain and uphold these core values: Courtesy - Every employee of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office will treat all persons in a courteous & respectful manner, regardless of race, sex and religious beliefs.. Three Republican candidates hope to be the next Franklin County sheriff, REPORTS FROM OZARK WHERE THE CANDIDATES WILL DEBATE EACH OTHER TONIGHT. Andrews is currently president of the Franklin County Cattlemans Association, region vice president for the Georgia Cattlemans Association and vice president of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia. We also specialize in coverage of state finances and the impact of tax and budget policy on Vermonters. Our environmental reporter is Mike Polhamus. We cover the states hospitals, the states psychiatric care system, the Green Mountain Care Board, insurers, state health care policy, Medicaid and Medicare. Franklin County Sheriff Candidates. "I would like to expand that program throughout the whole county, not just martial arts, but kayaking, hiking, just get kids to see what right looks like to keep them from doing drugs at an early age.". I'll never break the law for you. Since the video was released, Jen Williamson, the chair of the Town of St. Albans Police Advisory Committee, reached out to residents via social media to remind people that they can report any concerns or comments about the Franklin County Sheriffs Office to the committee. This leads to officer retention problems. P.O. Grismore, however, won the nominations of both major political parties. You have permission to edit this article. This would not be limited to the Sheriff's Office itself, but include public settings throughout the county, such as city council meetings and school functions, to give residents the opportunity to ask him questions or voice concerns. We also specialize in coverage of state finances and the impact of tax and budget policy on Vermonters. Thomas said that he has spent his 16 years as sheriff obtaining firsthand knowledge of the needs and concerns of the many diverse areas of Franklin County. As the man stood up again, Grismore kicked him. Officials have said that whether or not he is found guilty, Grismore could be removed from office only via impeachment by the Legislature. Jasper Craven covers politics for VTDigger. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is reminding the community of the free Vessel Safety Inspections offered to anyone in Franklin County, as Spring . Jay Cook - Sheriff (Jay.Cook@franklincountyny.gov) Phone: 518-483-3304 Bruce Barney . He previously worked at the Vermont State Police for 27 years, according to his campaign website. Republican county chair Joe Luneau told his members at their meeting that he fears unless a joint endorsement with Democrats comes together soon, any write-in campaign would be doomed to fail, particularly because voters will start getting ballots in the mail soon. He currently is a supervisor with the sheriffs department. Missing out on the latest scoop? Troy Wheless. During my law enforcement career, I have worked in many facets of the job, he said. ; Harrisburg, 43126, VACANT - Pending Appt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Shaun Robinson is a Report for America corps member with a special focus on issues of importance to Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Besides his decades of service in law enforcement in Franklin County, Kevin's conservative values are just one more reason he'll make an excellent Sheriff. I want to know where our problems are and what you need from us. Published on Aug 29, 2018. Lauer currently holds the rank of lieutenant support services commander with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. I don't think Mark Lauer is the ideal candidate for sheriff, McCarthy said. "Kevin Hutchison told 40/29 News he served approximately 17 years in the Arkansas National Guard and spent 12 years at the sheriffs department as a dispatcher, jailer, investigator and court bailiff. For payment via cash or check, please call 509-545-3501 to schedule an appointment. troywhelessforsheriff@gmail.com (984) 297-4384 website Facebook. Thomas said his 16 years of experience in the job Is a big plus for me. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hutchison said many residents he's talked to want to be able to respect the Sheriff's Office and actually see deputies out in the community doing their job. Even though Grismore won the Democratic and Republican primaries earlier this year, both parties had disavowed his campaign and urged him, to no avail, to drop out of the race after video of the incident surfaced. "You have to have a sheriff that is accessible to the public, and that's part . He kicked me three times..