Local News – March 24th, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART sales tax receipt for March in the amount of $51,738.43. According to Williams, the CART receipts are up year-to-date by $5,384.33, which is a 3.39% increase. Williams went on to say that the amount of CART taxes for March of 2016 was $52,091.79. Guthrie Skaggs was in to discuss planned driveway improvements at his home on Dent County Road 5013. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County roads 5480, 5440, 6410, 6303 and 6350, while materials would be hauled to county roads 5460, 6435 and 6400. He went on to say that a man was stockpiling three-eighths inch chips for Durapatcher use and brush was being cut on county road 5680. Purcell added that he attended a Tourism Committee meeting Monday where two applications and one reimbursement request were approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2010, 3250, 3190, 5320 and 5325, while materials would be added to county roads 4480, 3250 and 3190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported he attended the GRO Steering Committee meeting Tuesday evening. He said that the group had various projects planned including some downtown landscaping and also the possibility of street lighting upgrades. Skiles said the Internship Program has ten students enrolled for the 1 to 2 hour experience this year. He noted that for next year around 50 students are interested and have signed up. Skiles said that any business with an interest in participating in the program should contact Principal Marty Anderson at the High School or City Administrator Ray Walden. He added that Sherman Odom attended the GRO meeting and explained he has developed a small business incubator with 10 office spaces for rent in the Crossroads Shopping Center. The spaces will provide a desk, high-speed internet as well as file cabinets and should be of benefit for small scale entrepreneurs needing an operational base. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting was continuing in her office. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The deck replacement of the bridge over Crooked Creek south of Cherryville on Highway 19 is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 27th. The bridge and road will be closed until early June. Signs will placed that will guide motorists along a detour through the area. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists while the work takes place. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving assault, shoplifting, property damage and theft. On Tuesday, March 14th at 1:51 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Salem High School in reference to an assault. The report revealed a 14-year old male juvenile of Salem had assaulted a 14- year old male juvenile also of Salem. He was detained for assault and released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the juvenile office. That same afternoon at 3:21, an officer was contacted by a Casey’s General Store employee in reference to shoplifting. The report led to the arrest of a 35-year old Salem male for stealing merchandise valued at $6.79. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 7:18, an officer was sent to the Mobil Convenience Store located on Highway 19 in reference to a shoplifter. The report led to the arrest of a 35-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $1.59. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday, March 15th at 1:12 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Salem High School in reference to property damage. The report revealed an 18-year old male of Salem had slammed a door knocking a hole in the wall while in the office for a conduct issue. The valued of the damage is estimated at approximately $200. He was taken into custody for property damage, issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same afternoon at 1:18, an officer was sent to Classic Joyride on Craig Drive in reference to a theft. The report revealed that someone unknown stole a U-haul two wheel car dolly valued $1,500. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation ongoing.

The Dent County Extension Council will be conducting a meeting on Monday, March 27th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road beginning at 5:30 pm. They will be discussing the quorum as well as other topics.