Local News – January 31st, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in with a number of budgeted transfers that need to be made. The first transfer was from the General Revenue Fund to the Assessment Fund in the amount of $39,000, and the second was from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Bad Check Fund to the General Revenue Fund in the amount of $5,000. Three more transfers were made to the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund. The first was from the 9-1-1 fund for $40,574.22; the second transfer was from the Sheriff’s Revolving Fund for $20,000 and the third was from the Inmate Security Fund for $55,000. Williams also reported quarterly payments will be made from the Senior Citizens Fund to the Salem Nutrition Site that come to $50,000 for the year 2017, and another $25,000 will go to the SMTS for busses. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 5440, 5490, 6470, 6570 and 6575. He went on to report brush would be cut on county road 2470 and a two-man crew would be replacing damaged or missing county road signs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4370 and 5260, while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2240. Larson did say materials would also be added to county road 3200. He said two men went to Springfield for warranty work on the Mack truck. Brown rock was also being screened in duties shared by both districts. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee meeting last week and was named the alternative representative for the county commissioners. He said he would be presiding over a public housing authority hearing today at the MRPC building in St. James. At the last meeting, Genie Zakrzewski from the Jail Committee and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells came in to discuss public relations and information on the proposed new jail that will be on the April 4th ballot. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving theft, a bad check, traffic violation and theft of fuel. On Wednesday, January 18th at 8:10 at night, an officer was detailed to Phil-Mart in reference to a theft. The report revealed a 27-year old male of Salem had taken a bottle of liquor valued at $19.99. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Thursday, January 19th at 3:10 in the early morning, an officer transported a 32-year old female of Salem from the Phelps County Jail to Dent County Jail in lieu of an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. She was incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Friday morning, January 20th at 9:40, an officer located a 31-year old male of Salem who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County at a residence in the 800 block of South Oak. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 2:05, an officer was detailed to Country Mart in reference to a bad check. The report revealed a 25-year old female of Sullivan had cashed a bad check for $188.39. The report is under investigation. On Saturday, January 21st at 8:20 at night, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 22-year old male of Arnold for possession of oxycodone, a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. On Sunday, January 22nd at 12:52 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The report revealed the driver of a white 2007 GMC truck pumped $2.11 in fuel and left without paying. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

MoDOT reminds motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow posted signs and drive safely through work areas. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). In Crawford County, roadside maintenance will take place through Friday, February 3rd on Highway 19 between Route P and the Gasconade County line and Route MM between Route H and the Nixon School Road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Roadside maintenance will also take place through Friday, February 10th on Highway 8 between Highway 19 and Route BB; Highway 49 between Highway 19 and Route Y in Iron County; Route V between Highway 49 and Route Y; and Route AA between Highway 19 and Cherryville Road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Bridge maintenance will take place Monday, February 6th through Friday, February 10th on Route CC over Brush Creek. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement will take place through Friday, February 3rd on Route KK between Route ZZ and I-44 the south outer road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement is complete on I-44 North Outer Road (Frontage Road) between Route H and the Franklin County line. Some work remains. Minimal traffic delays are expected. In Dent County, Roadside maintenance will take place through Friday, February 10th on Highway 19 between Highway 68 and Route TT. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement in various locations will take place through Friday, February 10th on Route F between Highway 32 and Route E. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area.

The University of Missouri Extension will conduct a three-night Beef Profit Series in Dent County in February. The first session will be held on February 2nd about livestock risk protection and reducing winter cow costs. The second session will be held February 9th and cover farm lease agreements and should you consider Novel Endophyte Fescue? And the third and final session will be held on February 21st with the subjects of beef record keeping and finances as well as adding value to feeder cattle. The three night sessions will be held at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room located at 100 West Fourth Street in Salem from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Speakers will include Rachel Hopkins MU Extension Ag Business Specialist, and Ted Cunningham MU Extension Livestock Specialist. The cost is $20 per person or farm couple for one night or $50 per person or farm couple for all three nights. Space is limited to about 35 people so please RSVP by January 31st at the Dent County Extension Office 729-3196.