Local News – Friday, June 2nd, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5630, 5650, 6370, and 6400, plus the backhoe would be removing debris and repairing rip rap on county road 5670. He went on to say that crews were cleaning culverts on county roads 5680 and 5550. Purcell noted that his district experienced very few downed trees from Saturday’s storm. He also stated that his crew continues rebuilding and repairing flood damaged roadways. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5280 and 2150, plus patch grading would be done on county roads 3220, 4010, and 2083. He noted that materials would be added to county roads 2083, 2150, and 3220, while brush would be cut on county road 4050. Larson said that his crew was out Saturday evening and all day Sunday opening up closed roadways and all roads are now open, but they do have to go back and complete some of the openings. Larson noted that the debris is not the county’s property since the trees blew down off of private property. Larson went on to say that it is very, very difficult to determine who the property owners or lessees are in order to notify them of downed fences. He said that when possible his crews will notify people, but it is difficult and time consuming when public safety is the priority. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to compliment City of Salem utility crews and Intercounty Electric crews for their dedication and commitment to getting power restored. He added that on Wednesday he attended the business and economic round table with Congressman Jason Smith. Skiles said that the primary topics were the rural need for broadband, frustration with the lack of cell phone service, and health care availability and costs. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington noted that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in to report CART receipts for May at $59,008.06. She noted that year-to-date receipts are up $6,358.63, which is a 2.34% increase. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

There will be an informational meeting held at Montauk State Park on Saturday June 3rd. The meeting will be held at the campground amphitheater from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Input from the public is important to the department. These informational meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Staff from the park will be on hand to provide information about the park and answer questions. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving counterfeit money, assault, property damage, and a fight in progress. On Monday, May 22nd at 1:52 in the early morning, an officer located a 37-year old Salem male in the 800 block of South Water who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That same morning at 4:30, an officer located a 28-year old Salem male in the 600 block of South Jackson who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant an incarcerated pending a court appearance. At 5:20 that same morning, an officer located a 39-year old Salem male in the 700 block of South Orchard who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Then at 11:46 that same morning, an officer was detailed to the Mobil convenience store located at the junction of Highways 32 & 19 in reference to counterfeit money. The report revealed an unknown male passed a counterfeit fifty-dollar bill when paying for merchandise. The report is under investigation and will be forwarded to the United States Secret Service. On Tuesday, May 23rd at 3:38 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to the Misdemeanor Probation Services in reference to a 40-year old Salem male who had violated the terms of his probation. He was taken into custody and incarcerated for 5 days shock time. On Wednesday, May 24th at 11:29 in the morning, an officer responded to the 300 block of East Fourth in reference to an assault. The report revealed a 71-year old Salem male had assaulted a 33-year old Salem male. Later that afternoon at 5:21, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to property damage to a vehicle. The report revealed an 18-year old Salem male had punched a 1994 Ford truck several times causing damage totaling $934.40. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 10:44, an officer was detailed to the McDonald’s restaurant in reference to a fight in progress. The report led to the arrest of three males of Salem for disorderly conduct. The 19, 20 and 22 year-old suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation ongoing.