Neil Colley talks with DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton and Special Victims Advocate Carmen Bechel about creating a new Special Victims Unit funded by the Board of Supervisors, with support led by Mark Gardner. The SVU will focus primarily on children who are victims of sex crimes, and also vulnerable adults, adding a dedicated ADA Jamie Young, investigator Chad Gatewood, and a victim assistance coordinator/advocate role for Carmen as she transitions out of asset forfeiture. They explain that increased predator cases reflect better technology, training, and proactive policing, not a new surge in crime, and describe how early DA involvement can improve investigations, victim support, and reduce recantation. Barton discusses why plea deals sometimes best protect victims, outlines case volumes and resource limits, and urges parents to stay engaged with children’s phones, relationships, and boundaries.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

Neil Colley from the Local Yokel’s podcast welcomes April Veale and Heather Stricklen to discuss Jeepers for St. Jude, a volunteer-run fundraiser supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where donations go directly to St. Jude with no overhead. They share how the effort began in 2016, paused during COVID, and returned with renewed momentum, raising $65,000 in 2019, then $12,000 in 2024 and $15,000 the following year. They promote the Jeeps & Broncos Show on October 24 at the DeSoto County Agri-Ed Center on Starlanding Rd, open 10:00–2:00, with $10 admission, VIP packages, T-shirts, raffle items, and food trucks. Neil also reminds listeners about the Fancy Nancy Foundation’s October 17 car show in Walls, MS, raising funds for House of Grace and giving away a Jeep.

Donate to Jeepers for St. Jude - https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=4688714&fr_id=162728&pg=personal

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Duck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting

The Local Yokel’s Podcast welcomes Calie Moore and LaJuanna Beasley to discuss the Feed My Lambs Backpack Weekend Meal Ministry, a volunteer-run program started by Calie’s mother, Jennifer, with help from Ms. Billie Wilhite at Minor Memorial Methodist Church in Walls, Mississippi. The ministry provides weekend breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for students at Walls Elementary and Lake Cormorant Elementary, with schools identifying recipients anonymously, and it has grown to around 150 kids per weekend while needs are rising due to higher costs. Neil promotes upcoming fundraisers: the Oct. 17 event at 6120 Goodman Rd (car show, BBQ Boston butts, vendors/crafts, swap meet, kids activities) benefiting Feed My Lambs, plus a Jeep raffle for House of Grace with $20 tickets via fancynancyfoundation.com. They also mention the church Fall Festival on Oct. 3 and ways to volunteer or donate.

A reminder to buy Jeep giveaway tickets at fancynancyfoundation.com to benefit House of Grace and domestic violence survivors, and thanks sponsors including MSJ Off Road, Roof Works, Spider Off Road, Rough Country, and Stuck Worthy Inc.

This podcast is Sponsored by Roofworks

http://RoofworksMidsouth.com

You can reach us at TheLocalYokelsPodcast@gmail.com

You can find the Local Yokel’s Podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Produced by Derrick Michaud and SRP Studios Podcasting