Archive for 2017

According to Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, the Dent County Commission on Monday went into closed session. The results of the closed session indicated the Commission voted 3-0 to accept the Temporary Emergency Order from Associate Circuit Judge Brandi Baird, and accept upon her recommendation to hire Christy Chamberlain as full time employee to serve in the Public Administrator’s office until the Governor’s appointment takes office or she resigns. The minutes of the meeting will not become official until the Commission approves them at their next meeting which will be on Monday, August 7th.

If you would like to apply for the Public Administrator position for the County of Dent, just go to this website: https://boards.mo.gov. Go to “Apply for Boards” (a red button), then create an account for the online application by giving your e-mail and creating a password. At this time, view vacant positions (a blue button) and choose Dent County. Fill out the application and you may attach a resume. If you have any questions about applying for the Public Administrator position, call Alissa at 573-522-2645.

The Salem Police Department has submitted a number of reports. On Monday, July 24th an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of South Warfel. The investigation showed that a 2008 Pontiac G5 had been shot with a shotgun striking the door, mirror and glass, plus three tires had been cut by a person or persons unknown. The value of the damage to the Pontiac was approximately $1,500.00. Tuesday morning, July 25th, at 8:10, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a theft from a vehicle. The investigation revealed that someone took an Ipod valued at $100.00 from a silver 2004 Chevrolet Impala that was parked in the 400 block of West Seventh. That afternoon at 4:22, an officer was sent to a residence in the 100 block of South Carty in reference to a disturbance. That investigation revealed that a 37-year old Salem male had started fighting with a 17-year old Salem male. While the 37-year old suspect attempted to fight, a 21-year old Salem female took property belonging to the 37-year old man. Further investigation led to the arrest of the 37-year old suspect for disorderly contact and the 21-year old female for stealing. Both were issued summonses to appear in court and released. That same afternoon at 5:44, an officer was dispatched to the area of East Roosevelt in reference to an intoxicated driver driving on the sidewalk. Upon investigation, the officer located the vehicle near the Salem Care Center parked upon the stop curb in the parking lot. After further investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 44-year old female of Salem, was taken into custody for driving while being intoxicated, issued a summons to appear in court, and was released. That night at 9:35, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 34-year old of Salem for driving while having his license suspended and having an open beer container. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. On Wednesday, July 26th, there were several reports. At 10:05 that morning, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis in reference to a theft. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took items from the yard of a residence valued at approximately at $3,000. Then at 4:40 that afternoon, an officer was detailed to Casey’s General Store on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The investigation revealed that the driver of a gold sport utility vehicle pumped fuel valued at $26.00 and left without paying. Later, at 5:20, an officer was detailed to the 100 block of Amber Trail in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed that a 50cc mini bike valued at $100.00 was taken from the porch of a residence. Finally at 9:58 that night, an officer located a 31-year old Salem male in the 400 block of South Askins who had active arrest warrants from the city of Salem, Dent County and Crawford County. He was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Stop by the Van Buren Visitor Center this Sunday, August 6th, from 1:00-4:00 pm, for a program on one room schoolhouses in the Ozarks. A Park Ranger will share the history of one room schools that were found along the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Hear stories about local Ozark schools and learn what a day in a one room school was like. Participants will get to experience fun educational activities from a simpler time, like ciphering matches, spelling bees and practicing cursive penmanship on slates. We might even play some traditional outdoor recess games like “Wolf over the Ridge”! Visit our one room schoolhouse exhibit celebrating a legacy of learning, at the Van Buren Visitor Center, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One room schoolhouses across the United States served not only as places to teach children reading, writing and arithmetic; but as a community gathering place for social events. From bravely reciting passages out of a speller, belting out “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, and lunches in tin buckets, rural educations and one room schoolhouses provided a foundation for the future. For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. At the meeting, Dent County resident George Green was there to discuss problems with Dent County Road 2130 and where it intersects county road 2120. He said the ditches need to be pulled which has not been done for over a year and the road needs to be crowned. He said the culvert underneath the intersection of roads 2130 and 2120 needs to be replaced as the one end has been crushed and the water no longer drains properly. He went on to report that on county road 2120, there has been a washout of about three feet deep that the residents keep filling with gravel and dirt to make it passable, and the weeds need to be cut. He brought several photographs to District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson for his review. Green understands about the getting the road back in shape after the flood and the training of a new guy, but he asking for something to be done. Larson said those roads were to be addressed this week. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5100, 5103, 5105, 5450, 5480 and 6350 while brush is going to be cut on county roads 5010, 5015, 5080, 6490, 6500 and 6510. Purcell also said a man would be going to Springfield to retrieve oil for the Durapatcher to do chip and seal repair. Larson gave the report for District 2 and he said grading was going to be done and materials added on Dent County Roads 2120 and 2130, while only grading would be done on county roads 3350 and 4290. He went on to report brush would be cut on county road 3260. Larson did say that a new radiator is being put in truck #72 and new tires are being put on truck #75. He also reported a man would be patching chip and seal with the ultimate paving material on Dent County Road 2300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated there would not be a commissioner meeting on Thursday. He will be attending a County Commission Association of Missouri summer board meeting to plan the annual training for February and Commissioner Larson has a prior commitment. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley suggested August 14th at 10:00 for the county tax rate hearing and the commissioner approved her request. She also said the county offices would need a new long distance carrier as Sprint no longer offers those services and shut off services Friday to about 13 offices. She was able to get a 30 day extension. Curley was told to get the CenturyLink and Fidelity Long Distance charges so that could be compared before a decision is reached. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, August 7th at 9:00 at the courthouse.

The Salem Police Department submitted the following reports. On Wednesday, July 19th at 5:57 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 1400 block of South Hickory in reference to property damage. The report revealed a person or persons unknown broke a window of the residence value at $40.00. On Friday morning, July 21st at 2:52 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to the arrest of a 68-year old male of Salem for driving while being drugged. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same morning at 8:01 an officer transported a 22-year old male of Salem to Royal Oaks Treatment Center in Windsor in regards to a commitment order. Later that night at 9:04, an officer located a 30-year old male of Salem in the 100 block of North Park 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. On Saturday, July 22nd at 1:15 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to Sears in reference to a shoplifter. The report led to the arrest of a 51-year old Salem male for stealing merchandise valued at $127.00. He was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. Later that afternoon at 2:39, an officer was contacted in reference to a forgery. That investigation revealed that a female suspect forged and cashed a check for $100.00. On Sunday, July 23rd at 5:17 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to Babb Lane in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The investigation revealed a male and a female removing and repacking items from the vehicle. Further investigation revealed a number of stolen license plates, stolen property, and the vehicle had been stolen. The suspects, a 25-year old male and a 36-year old female, both of Springfield, were charged with 1st degree tampering with a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and stealing a motor vehicle. Both suspects were incarcerated pending an application for warrants. Later that morning at 11:05, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 800 block of East Hunt in reference to a theft. The investigation revealed two bicycles valued at $100.00 had been taken. Then at 10:16 that night, an officer was sent to a residence in the 700 block of South Carty in reference to a domestic disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of an 18-year old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. She was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new court date after posting a $1,000.00 bond. Please contact the Salem Police Department 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.