The Wayne County Rescue Squad needs financial help to finish this year and the county has agreed to provide up to $9,000 to help the group of volunteers. Magistrates agreed to the financial support during a meeting of fiscal court held on Thursday, April 12.

Vincent Decker and Jason Hancock, with the Wayne County Rescue Squad, attended the meeting and provided the squad’s financial records to the court. Decker said that at this point the squad is still financially solvent, but expects to end the year in the red. He cited large insurance premiums and increases in everyday costs like utilities and gasoline.

One big expense coming up for the squad is the balance of their annual insurance premium, which is about $5,000.

The current economy has made it difficult for the Rescue Squad to continue to operate, particularly since much of their operating money comes from donations and fundraising events. Decker noted that the picture drive this past year raised about $10,000 less than average.

County Judge/Executive Greg Rankin said that he had met with Decker and reviewed their financial picture and they had come up with a couple of ways to help the squad raise money. Decker said a fax line has been eliminated at the squad building. Also, Rankin noted that any repairs that need to be made to squad equipment can probably be done at the county garage, which would save money.

Several magistrates voiced their support of the squad, and the hours of work the volunteers give in a number of different situations. The additional funding will be paid by the county as needed.

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The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department received a burglary complaint on Friday, April 13 at Zollicoffer Estates that resulted in a meth lab discovery and two arrests.

When law enforcement officials arrived on the scene they found the meth lab and two individuals, Tracy Hurt and Tracy Barnett inside the residence.

Operation UNITE was called to neutralize the meth lab and Monticello Police also assisted at the scene.

Hurt and Barnett were each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance first degree and possession of a controlled substance third degree.

Bond was set at $50,000 cash. They were both lodged in Wayne County Detention Center.

An investigation on Thursday, April 12 led to a couple of meth related arrests.

According to Wayne County Sheriff Charlie Boston, Derek Smith, 28, and Whitney Hoover, 23, both of Monticello were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and three counts of controlled substance endangerment to a child.

Officials indicated that items consistent with the manufacturing of meth were found inside the residence.

Smith and Hoover were also lodged in Wayne County Detention Center.

On Wednesday, April 11, Anthony L. Thomas, 39, was arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine on Bertram Street. He was lodged in Wayne County Detention Center.