Local News – Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
Sheriff Steve Pelton of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department has reported that 24-year old Wesley Tatom of Salem has been charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree in the shooting death of Darrell L. Johnson that occurred on Friday, January 12th, 2018 at about 9:00. He reported that Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Detectives as well as detectives with the Multi-County Narcotics and Violent Crime Unit worked through the weekend following leads that led to the arrest of Wesley Tatom in the 300 block of Morrison Ave in Waterloo, Illinois. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Wesley Tatom went to Darrell Johnson's address in the 1200 block of Wardfield Road in Robertsville, Missouri, where an altercation occurred. During this altercation, Darrell Johnson was fatally shot. Sheriff Pelton would like to thank the Franklin County citizens that contributed information, the Waterloo Illinois Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police for their assistance. The bond for Tatom was set at $250,000 cash. The charges are mere accusations and a court of competent jurisdiction will determine the guilt or innocence based on the evidence collected.
An accident happened in St. Francois County Saturday afternoon at about 2:20 on Route N at Lake Avalon Road. According to the highway patrol report, 67-year old Mary Hutchison of Salem was driving a 2013 Nissan Juke westbound and was stopped at a stop sign. Hutchison then failed to yield to a 2000 Chevrolet Express that was being driven northbound by 66-year old Judy Renshaw of Doe Run. The Juke proceeded across Route N and the front of the Chevrolet Express struck the driver’s side of the Juke. Suffering moderate injuries was a passenger in the Juke, 6-year old Alexa Fisk of Salem. Suffering minor injuries from the Juke were one-year old Jell Heath, 32-year old Megan Heath and the driver, Mary Hutchison, all from Salem. Suffering injuries from the Chevrolet Express was Judy Renshaw of Doe Run. Everyone injured in the accident was wearing seat restraints and all were taken by the St. Francois County Ambulance to the Parkland Health Center in Farmington. The Juke sustained extensive damage and the Chevrolet has moderate damage. Both were removed from the scene by Buckley’s Towing.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding 24-year old Cody Martin of Salem. The sheriff’s office is currently investigating Martin and 23-year old Tanner Devereaux of Salem for burglaries and thefts in the Dent County area. On January 5th, deputies received information that a stolen trailer was at a residence in the 1000 block of Private Lane 335. Deputies located a 16-foot trailer, which was found to have been stolen from a farm inthe 3000 block of County Road 2240. Deputies also located several other items that were stolen from Intercounty Electric trucks parked on Highway JJ on December 29th. Deputies conducted a week long investigation and suspect information was obtained. Deputies were notified that Devereaux and Martin were arrested in St. Clair County for resisting arrest earlier in the week. Devereaux has been sent to prison for violating his parole and Martin is currently out on bond. It was discovered that several of the items in the vehicle with Martin and Devereaux at the time of their arrest were stolen from a barn on Dent County Road 2240 on Christmas Day. Those items have been recovered by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the course of this investigation, deputies were able to recover approximately $5,000 worth of items stolen from three different locations in Dent County. If you have information on Cody Martin’s whereabouts, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Tod Kinerk will present information about Timber Fun Day and Beverly Atchison will discuss trash collection. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report, which will include information concerning a Use Tax. Mayor Brad Nash will give his report followed by the introduction and the reading of ordinance #3358, an ordinance of the City of Salem imposing a use tax for general revenue purposes at the rate of one and seven-eighths percent (1.875%) for the privilege of storing, using or consuming within the City any article of tangible personal property pursuant to the authority granted by and subject to the provisions of Sections 144.600 through 144.761 RSMO; providing for the use tax to be repealed, reduced or raised in the same amount as any City sales tax is repealed, reduced or raised; and providing for submission of the proposal to the qualified voters of the City for their approval April 3, 2018. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will approve invoices over $3,000. The Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting tonight at 6:00 at the hospital library. In the administrator’s report, the board will receive information on the summary of operations for the month of December followed by the Chief of Nursing report. There will also be a report on the Hospital Foundation followed by the auxiliary report and the Chief of Staff report. In old business, the board will discuss the election filings. In new business the board will go over Finance Committee meeting dates, review the Conflict of Interest Policy, and go over purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session if needed. The meeting tonight is open to the public.