Local News – April 21, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that he had a man out sick with pneumonia. He said that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 5080, while the patching of chip and seal would take place on county roads 6380 and 4210. Purcell noted brush would possibly be cut on county road 5610 if the exhaust regeneration problems with the tractor could be resolved. He added that Monday evening he attended the Tourism Committee meeting where three reimbursement requests were approved and one project proposal was denied. Purcell went on to say that on Tuesday he attended the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency meeting in Winona where he learned that Dent County has preschool openings for the 2017-2018 year and that those interested should contact Sarah Givens at (573) 729-3500 extension 10. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Road 4280, while materials would be added to and was cleaning limbs from the bridge on county road 2500. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Thursday of last week he presided over a HUD hearing and again reminded participants to read their contracts carefully and make sure they are in compliance. He noted that if a participant in the program has a question they should call the Public Housing Authority at (573) 265-2993. Skiles stated that there will be a Community Emergency Response Team Training Saturday June 3rd and Sunday June 4th for anyone interested in assisting with local emergencies. Skiles noted that bills were being approved. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington had nothing to report. City of Salem Administrator Ray Walden and Marybeth Cook were by to inform the Commissioners about the grant from Community Foundation of the Ozarks for a part-time Dent County Foundation Coordinator. Cook has been named to the position and will be working 20 hours per week. At 9:55 Commissioner Larson left to go by a funeral home to pay his respects. Special Investigator Wayne Becker was in for the opening of bids for a new copier for the Sheriff’s Department. The Commissioners approved the bid 2-0 from Advanced Business Products for a Xerox copier at $226.05 per month on a 60 month lease. The other bid submitted was from ABS was for $635.08 per month for a Kyocera machine. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred at 4:43 Wednesday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway BB about two miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Apache Field Sprayer driven by 36-year old Travis Bahr of Rolla was traveling eastbound. Bahr applied the brakes, crossed the center of the roadway and traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic. A 2013 Toyota Tacoma driven by 27-year old Mark Meirink of Maryland Heights was traveling westbound when he saw the Field Sprayer traveling towards him. Meirink attempted to go in reverse to avoid impact but was struck by the Field Sprayer. Bahr suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. Meirink suffered moderate injuries while a passenger, 49-year old Richard Hendershot of Rolla suffered serious injuries and both were transported by the Phelps County ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Hendershot was the only one wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota Tacoma was totaled and removed by Ron Dishman Towing. The Field Sprayer sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred at 10:40 Thursday morning in Dent County on Highway 32 about two miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1994 Ford Ranger driven by 71-year old John Connell of Salem was traveling eastbound on Highway 32. The Ford Ranger was stopped to make a left turn and was struck from behind by a 2004 Dodge Ram driven by 16-year old Samuel Ball of Salem. A passenger in the Ford Ranger, 55-year old Tania Connell of Salem suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge Ram and the Ford Ranger sustained minor damage and both were driven from the scene.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Friday, April 7th, a subject walked into the sheriff’s office to report a chainsaw stolen. After a short investigation, the chainsaw was located at a residence on East Fourth Street. As a result, 33-year old Albert Terrill of Salem was arrested and charged with misdemeanor stealing. He was also found to have two City of Salem warrants. He was issued a summons for the stealing and incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on the warrants. On Sunday, April 9th, deputies responded to the 600 block of Private lane 601 for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival at the residence, deputies made contact with 30-year old Joseph Duff of Licking. It was discovered that Duff had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Duff was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated with a bond of $7,000 cash only. If you have any information on ongoing investigations, feel free to call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.