A local woman has been arrested on several drug related charges.

According to Sheriff Tim Catron, Tonya D. Bell, of Monticello, was arrested on Thursday, January 31 and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance first degree (methamphetamine), trafficking in a controlled substance first degree (heroin), trafficking in marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, promoting contraband first degree and tampering with physical evidence.

Bell was also arrested on two district court warrants for violation of bond conditions.

The arrest came after Deputy Derek Dennis noticed an individual sitting in a pickup truck in the parking lot of a local restaurant. Dennis identified the individual as someone he needed to interview in connection with a case he was investigating.

When he approached the vehicle, Dennis identified two passengers in the vehicle as having outstanding bench warrants. While making an arrest of one of the individuals, Catron stated that Dennis noticed a set of scales and several items of drug paraphernalia in plain site in a purse belonging to that person.

Catron said several other drug related items were found inside the purse, including methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. After being transported to the Wayne County Detention Center, a female guard at the facility located an unknown substance inside a body cavity.

Bell was taken to the Wayne County Emergency Room for an x-ray search. After leaving the ER, employees at the hospital found a plastic baggie containing over five grams of suspected methamphetamine located under a pillow in the x-ray room.

Catron said the investigation is continuing in this case, with lab results pending.

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Memorial Park will grow soon, as it will include an additional 19 acres that have been purchased by the Parks and Recreation Committee. The committee met on Tuesday, January 29 and approved the purchase of the property which is adjacent to the park.

According to a purchase agreement between Parks and Recreation and the property owner, the land will be purchased at a cost of $15,000. Parks and Recreation will be responsible for any costs associated with the property survey, which is being conducted now.

They will also pay for preparation of the deed.

County Judge/Executive Mike Anderson recommended that the committee move ahead with the purchase, since the organization has money available to pay for the property.

No specific plans have been made regarding use of the additional land for the park.

Anderson did present the committee with a list of grants that could be available for projects at the park. He indicated that he would discuss these options with the Lake Cumberland Area Development District at an upcoming meeting.