LEWIS COUNTY, Mo.- The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department says that a Lewis County resident was recently scammed by telephone. The resident was contacted and informed that her Social Security number had been hacked. Several different scammers spoke to her by telephone. The last scammer, posing as a DEA Agent, informed her she was being investigated for drug trafficking and money laundering, and that she needed to go to her local bank to withdraw funds. The scammer then advised her they needed to "legalize" the cash by going to local Dollar Generals and purchasing Apple Gift Cards. The scammer then had her read the number off the back of the cards. The resident then contacted a family member who alerted officials to the scam.

Always remember these scamming operations are very good at what they do. They are very convincing and will use many different formats to confuse and even scare you. Federal, state and local agencies will never ask for any of your banking information and will never ask you for money.

If you receive this type of call just hang up and contact your local law enforcement agency.

LANCASTER, Mo.- In a follow-up to our earlier story regarding a card skimmer device that was found on a gas pump at the Memphis Casey’s location, KMEM News has now learned that a similar device has been found on a gas pump at the Lancaster Casey’s location.

Officials with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department say that they were notified Friday afternoon of a possible card skimmer on pump #3.  The device appears to be the same type of skimmer that was found at the Memphis location.  This second device also appeared to be Bluetooth equipped.

Law enforcement authorities believe the device was inserted into the Lancaster pump sometime between late Wednesday night to Friday afternoon.  Officials say that this type of device is not something you can spot by looking at the outside of the pump itself.  These devices have been attached to circuits inside the pump.

Officers with the department say that most gas pumps have a security seal on them to prevent tampering.  They are asking the public to always look for that seal and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with.  If you spot a broken seal, they advise you to not use the pump and instead alert the store management. 

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department is working with Casey’s corporate, as well as state and federal law enforcement officials to determine who is responsible for placing these devices and what information the devices may have obtained or stored.  They further state that if you used pump #3 at the Lancaster Casey’s between Wednesday and Friday and paid at the pump using a debit or credit card you should monitor those accounts closely for fraudulent activity.  If you have been the victim of this crime, you should contact your banking institution and local law enforcement immediately. 

MEMPHIS, Mo.-  A local convenience store was the recent victim of an identity theft scam.

Captain Bill Holland of the Memphis Police Department told KMEM News that the Casey’s Convenience Store in Memphis notified his department Friday morning of a gas pump that had been tampered with.  Holland said that an employee of the store was notified Thursday morning by a customer that the locking mechanism on pump #2, situated at the extreme southeast end of the fueling island, appeared to be damaged.

Store management checked the pump and found the damaged lock as well as a voided pump seal sticker that had been placed on the pump door after the actual seal had been damaged and removed by the perpetrator.  Upon this discovery, the store shut down the affected pump and notified their corporate office.

When maintenance staff from Casey’s corporate arrived on Friday morning to check the pump, they discovered an identity theft device that had been wired into the pump’s card reader system.  It was at this point that Holland’s department was notified of the incident and an official investigation launched.

Captain Holland later followed up on his original statement to KMEM News to say that the device was determined to be Bluetooth equipped, meaning it could send the information to someone remotely.

Captain Holland said that any customer who pumped gas from pump #2 at the Memphis Casey’s location between 10 am on Wednesday the 13^th and 10 am on Thursday the 14^th should closely monitor their debit or credit card accounts for fraudulent activity.  He also reminded the public to be extremely vigilant in situations such as this.  If a customer observes signs of tampering such as damaged locks, broken or removed seals, equipment that seems out of place or other abnormal signs, they should immediately notify store management or law enforcement.  These types of scams are becoming more common across the United States.

Captain Holland commended the Memphis Casey’s store management for being very proactive and transparent with law enforcement in order to help protect their customers to the fullest extent possible.  If you believe you have been the victim of this identity theft or have information that can help lead to the arrest and prosecution of the persons involved, please contact the Memphis Police Department at 660-465-2612.

MEMPHIS, Mo.- A local Rotary club recently hosted an organizational dignitary as part of its regular weekly meeting.

The Scotland County Rotary Club was privileged to be visited by Mr. Randy Steinman during the club’s weekly meeting, held each Wednesday at noon at Keith’s Café and Steakhouse in Memphis.  Steinman serves as the District 6040 Governor.  The Scotland County Rotary Club is part of Steinman’s district.  He explains what the Rotary organization is all about.

As part of his visit on Wednesday, Steinman addressed the club’s members.  His message centered on how clubs and their members can be a part of the solution to various issues in their communities.

A current member and past President of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club, Steinman explains his role as the District 6040 Governor.

Steinman stated that his goal is for the public to see the Rotary organization as a means to an end, with that end being service to the community.

Scotland County Rotary President Corey Stott said that it was a privilege for the club to have the opportunity to host Governor Steinman.  Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million members uniting to take action to create lasting change worldwide and in our local communities.  If you’d like more information about Rotary you can go their website at www.Rotary.org.

Scotland County Rotary President Corey Stott (L) with District 6040 Governor Randy Steinman (R)

(Photo courtesy Alisa Kigar)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the National Deer Association (NDA) invite landowners and others interested in managing deer on their properties to join their free 2024 Missouri Deer Management Webinar Series via Zoom.

Join MDC and NDA staff online on March 26 at 6 p.m. for the first Zoom webinar on Deer Management in the Presence of CWD. Staff will discuss the current status of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Missouri white-tailed deer, what steps are being taken to manage the disease, and how hunters and landowners can help limit its impacts on local deer herds. This live Zoom webinar will begin with a presentation from an MDC deer biologist, followed by questions and answers with MDC and NDA staff.

Save this link and click on it March 26 at 6 p.m. to join the free, live Zoom webinar on Deer Management in the Presence of CWD: short.mdc.mo.gov/4XU.

For those who have not previously used Zoom on their selected device, click the link ahead of time and follow the prompts to install the free Zoom software.

MDC and NDA will also offer additional free, live Zoom webinars as part of their Missouri Deer Management Webinar Series. All are welcome to participate. Save these links and click on them at the scheduled time to join:

• May 28 at 6 p.m. -- Reducing Deer Damage to Crops at mdc.mo.gov/4Xi.
• July 30 at 6 p.m. -- Invasive Plant Control for Deer Management at mdc.mo.gov/4XS.
• 10 at 6 p.m. -- Hemorrhagic Disease in Deer at short.mdc.mo.gov/4Xq.

Learn more about deer management at https://mdc.mo.gov/your-property/improve-your-property/wildlife-management/deer-management.

MEMPHIS, Mo.- In a month that comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb, it’s important to verify that municipal storm warning systems are in proper working order and functioning as intended.

Scotland County Sheriff Bryan Whitney reported to KMEM News on Wednesday that both outdoor warning sirens in the City of Memphis had been tested and performed perfectly.  That includes the siren that sits just off the west side of the Memphis square that was replaced in fall of 2022 after being damaged by a lightning strike.  The test was conducted shortly after 11 am Wednesday morning. 

GRANGER, Mo.- Fire crews from the Scotland County, Clark County and Gorin Fire Departments all responded to a call just after 10 am Monday morning. 

Officials confirmed to KMEM News that the crews responded to a call of a brush fire that had gotten out of control in Granger.  Crews responded and battled the blaze.  Before the fire could be brought under control, an abandoned house in the path of the blaze took significant fire damage.

A Gorin fireman was hurt while battling the fire.  Officials reported that 39-year old Kenneth Hoover was injured when a telephone pole fell on top of him while he was fighting the fire.  Hoover was airlifted by Air Evac helicopter to University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia for treatment of serious injuries.