Area Business Owner Donates Funds For UTV, Dare Education:

-

Stone County Chief Deputy Tim Gideon, Captain Chris Hayes and Sheriff Doug Rader

A $10,000 donation by a Stone County businessman has allowed the sheriff's office to purchase a new Utility Task Vehicle.

Sheriff Doug Rader says the owner of Summer Winds Resort and Stormy Point Village contacted him to ask if the department was in need of any equipment.

"I told him we could use a UTV," said Rader.  The new vehicle, which has been outfitted with lights, sirens and radio's, can seat two deputies and been used at some big events lately like the recent concerts by Tim McGraw and Lynard Skynard at Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Fireburst in Kimberling City and a saturation enforcement checkpoint.

It will be used in search and recovery efforts, major catastrophes and the Broiler Fest in Crane next month, according to Rader.

Rader says $2,000 of the donated money was put into DARE education coffers.