Local News – Friday, August 25th, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at 9:00 for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. James Sapaugh was in to discuss the potholes on the chip and seal at the end of Route ZZ on the way to Cedar Grove. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell noted that FEMA has classified the flooding in the area as a 500-year flood event and it has prevented his crews from getting to work on that roadway. Purcell said the road would be fixed this fall. In the road report, Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2470 and 2480. He asked drivers on Dent County Roads 4110, 4120, 4210 and 4180 to be exceptionally cautious since grader operators are sloping the shoulders to improve drainage before chip and seal upgrades start on these roadways. He noted that this is a very slow process so caution is advised. Purcell went on to say that brush was being cut on Dent County Roads 5160 and 5170, plus a man was stockpiling base rock at the road and bridge shed. He noted that Monday evening he attended the Tourism Committee meeting where they approved proposals for the Rose Holland Trout Derby and the Blue Oval Club Rally, plus two reimbursement requests. Purcell wanted to encourage those involved with events that would be of economic benefit to Salem and Dent County businesses to apply for Tourism Tax dollars. Applicants need to obtain the guidelines and then follow them to the letter. Purcell noted that the events making application must be of community benefit in order to be considered. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that he was working with a very short crew and that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6160 and 5240. He noted that his brush cutter would be finishing up on county road 3030 and starting on county road 3020. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that on Tuesday he and Commissioner Larson attended the Guys Night Out Committee meeting in preparation for the event, which will be the evening of September 26th from 5:00 to 7:00. He added that later Tuesday he attended the GRO meeting and that group have a variety of projects in the works, but right now they were concentrating on improvements to 4th Street. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that on Tuesday she was in Jefferson City attending an election reform meeting with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, his office staff and a number of legislators. The group is working to identify outdated election laws, looking at updated technology, and changes that can be made to improve the election process. Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley was in to discuss a railroad right of way request in Crawford County and some other issues. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and it is open to the public.

 

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a semi-pro rodeo, sanctioned by MRCA/URA and produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions this Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd beginning at 7:30 each night at The Commons on Highway 72 North, you can watch the spirit of the Old West come alive with events such as team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and the all-time crowd favorite, bull riding! Advanced tickets are available at The Bank of Salem, Town and Country Bank, Riverways Federal Credit Union, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Salem Chamber office at 200 S Main. Prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11. If you have any questions, or would like to become a vendor, contact Tabatha at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at (573) 729-6900.

 

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Tuesday, August 15th, deputies were notified that a 19-year old Salem man with a warrant was at Missouri Private Probation Services (MPPS) office. He was arrested and incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. That same day, deputies responded to the Corinth Baptist Church for a report of property damage. Deputies discovered several windows broken on the rear of the building and several light bulbs had been busted. This report is still under investigation. On Wednesday, August 16th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 4120 near Highway 19. As a result, a 39-year old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license suspended. She was fingerprinted and released with a summons to appear in court. On Thursday, August 17th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on McArthur Street near Franklin Street. As a result, a 23-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was fingerprinted and released with a summons to appear in court. On August 18th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 19 and 32. As a result, a 39-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having their license revoked. He was fingerprinted and released with a summons to appear in court. On Saturday, deputies were conducting a follow up investigation in reference to a theft. Deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 5015 and conducted a consent search. Deputies located several items that tested positive for methamphetamine. As a result, a 54-year old Salem woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. She was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.