Local News – Friday, July 21st, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that he had a crew that would be installing a new culvert, repairs would be performed on an existing culvert and materials would also be hauled to Dent County Road 5680. He said that patch grading would be done on county roads 5015 and 5220 while materials would be hauled to county road 5615. He went on to say that the patching of chip and seal would take place on Dent County Roads 4120, 4210 and 4243. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that although he has a skeleton crew, brush would be cut on county road 3230 while materials would be hauled to Dent County Roads 3220 and 2115. Larson reported that Dent County Road 4060 is now open and any missing road signs would be replaced. Patching was also going to be done at the intersection of chip and seal road 6150 and gravel road 6160 as the apron where they meet has holes. He said that repairs would be done on truck #116 as it appears to be over charging. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a meeting Tuesday with the staff from the MRPC, the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, City Administrator Ray Walden and the caterer in planning the awards banquet that will be held October 26th in Salem. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the 2017 Dent County assessment valuation came in at $167,383,430 and was up about 5.4% which is $9,098,331 over the 2016 assessment valuation of $158,285,099. She stated that representatives from SEMA and FEMA stopped by her office and dropped off applications for individual persons still needing to apply for assistance from the flooding late in April and early May or from the storm damage. For more information you call 1-800-621-3362 or go online to www.disasterassistance.gov. Commissioner Larson wanted to go on record as to clarify any misconceptions regarding the jail project. There were 2 propositions on the April ballot and both needed to pass in order for the county to proceed forward with the jail project. Proposition 1 stated, “Shall the County of Dent, Missouri impose a county wide sales tax at the rate of one-half of one percent for a period of twenty-one years from the date on which such tax is first imposed for the purpose of paying for the construction of a new jail for detention facilities and to the extent funds are available, construction of law enforcement administrative space and an additional courtroom? Collections for this Proposition are not to begin until the one-half of one percent sales tax of Proposition 2 is also approved.” Proposition 2 read the same as Proposition 1 and was contingent on Proposition 1 passing. The only difference between the two is that Prop 1 is for 21-years and Prop 2 is perpetual for the operation of the jail, with no sunset. Both propositions were passed by the voters of Dent County back in April. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open the public.

The Salem Police Department released their reports. On Thursday, July 13th at 10:37 pm, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to the arrest of a 30-year old Bunker female for driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana as well as a 27-year old Bunker male for possession of marijuana. Both suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Friday, July 14th at 2:29 am, an officer located a 32-year old Salem male in the 600 block of West Fourth who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. At 3:00 that afternoon, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a theft investigation. The report revealed a 46-year old male of Steelville took money to do a tree trimming job and did not return to do the work. On Saturday, July 15th at 2:48 pm, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 800 block of East Hunt in reference to a theft. The report revealed someone unknown took a gold, 20-inch boys bicycle valued $100.00 from the yard of a residence. On Sunday, July 16th at 6:30 am, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference ti damage to vehicle tires. The report revealed someone unknown cut four wheel valve stems on a vehicle. At 2:37 that afternoon, an officer was contacted in reference to a theft. The report revealed someone unknown took a metal dog kennel from the carport of a residence in the 500 block of East Roosevelt. That evening at 5:09, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 1200 block of Jennifer in reference to a runaway juvenile. The report revealed a 12-year old Salem male juvenile had run away from home. Further investigation led to the detention of the juvenile who was later released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Then at 7:43, officers were conducting a narcotics investigation at a residence in the 1500 block of South Highway 19 that led to the arrest of a 31-year old Salem male for possession of methamphetamine. He was incarcerated pending an application for a warrant. On Tuesday, July 18th at 9:33 pm, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to the arrest of an 18-year old Salem male on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was later released after paying fines and court cost associated with the warrant. Late that night at 11:53, an officer responded to a residence in the 300 block of East Truman in reference to a theft. The report revealed a 30-year old Salem male had stolen a 32 inch Vizio television valued $200.00. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.