Archive for 2017

An accident occurred at 11:20 Tuesday night in Dent County on Dent County Road 6490 about a mile north of Jadwin. According to the highway patrol report, 26-year old Richard Hutchings of Salem driving a 2017 Chevy Impala swerved to miss a deer in the road and went off the right side of the roadway and struck two trees. Hutchings suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle. Hutchings was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Impala was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

According to a report from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, 40-year old Michael Garrison was arrested Tuesday afternoon in St. Clair and was charged with the abandonment of a corpse. Garrison’s charges came from a Phelps County Sheriff’s Department investigation from the discovery of a female body on January 17th, in a ditch at the intersection of Phelps County Roads 3000 and 3220 that was called in to Central Communications by a citizen. The woman was later identified as 25-year old Kayla Wilson of Cuba, formerly of Salem. After an autopsy it was determined that the cause of death was due to an accidental overdose. The investigation later revealed Garrison and another male subject were responsible for abandoning the body in the ditch on January 17. He was transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department where he later posted a $15,000.00 bond. The charge is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted Missouri an extension through October 10th, 2018, to satisfy requirements of the REAL ID Act and its regulations. During this extension, federal agencies may accept Missouri-issued driver licenses and identification cards for official purposes, including air travel. Joel Walters, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, the state agency that oversees the issuance of driver licenses stated he was pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has recognized the State’s efforts on this issue. With this extension, Missourians will not be inconvenienced while they continue their work to improve state-issued identification.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 3,056 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2017 deer hunting season, which ran November 24th through 26th. Top counties for the late youth portion were Franklin with 72, Douglas with 71, and Howell with 69 deer checked. During the late November portion of the youth season Dent County totaled 60 deer, while Crawford County checked 39, Iron County recorded 9, Phelps County checked 46 and the number for Shannon County was 27. Last year’s harvest total for the late youth portion was 2,944. For the latest deer harvest totals by county and portion, visit MDC’s website. Archery deer hunting continues through Jan. 15, 2018. Up next for deer hunting in Missouri is the antlerless portion of firearms deer season which runs December 1st through 3rd. Lastly, the alternative methods portion will run December 23rd through January 2nd, 2018. Get more information on deer hunting in Missouri through MDC’s free 2017 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available where permits are sold, from MDC regional offices and nature centers, and online at MDC’s website.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, deputies took a report of a red 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe stolen from a residence in the 2000 block of County Road 3300. The owner stated that inside the vehicle was a Browning Automatic .22 Rifle and misc. tools. The vehicle was recovered in Franklin County Monday, the 27th. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, November 24th, deputies received a report of property damage on Dent County Road 2050. The victim showed deputies their mailbox, which appeared to have been blown up. This report is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

An accident occurred at 6:08 in the evening on Wednesday, November 15th. According to the Salem Police Report, a 2010 Ford F-150 driven by David Ard of Salem was stopped at a red light on Highway 32 when a 2001 Buick Laser driven by Rita Miller of Salem stopped behind him. At that time, a 1999 GMC 1500 driven by Ryan Purcell was traveling south on Highway 19 toward the Ford and the Buick and failed to slow. The GMC collided with the Buick, which caused the Buick to collide with the Ford. Purcell suffered no injuries, and the GMC sustained minor damage. Miller and a passenger suffered minor injuries and were transported by Ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Buick sustained minor damage. Ard suffered no injuries, and the Ford sustained no damage.

An accident occurred last Wednesday afternoon at 2:38 in Phelps County about two miles east of Rolla on Phelps County Road 3060. According to the highway patrol report, a 1983 Buick Regal, driven by 42-year old Eric Ours of Rolla, was traveling eastbound when the vehicle struck 30-year old Roger Beer who was crossing the roadway. Beer suffered moderate injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The Buick sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem welcome all to participate in this year’s “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” Parade of Lights that will be held this Saturday at 5:30, December 2nd. The parade route will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin Street to the Dent County Courthouse. You can pick up your entry forms at the Chamber office at 200 South Main. Entry forms must be retuned by this Friday to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. You can drop them off, fax them in at 573-729-6741 or scan them and send them by e-mail to chamber@salemmo.com. ATV’s are NOT allowed to participate in the parade. If you have questions, call 729-6900.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kaleb D. Martin graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Martin is the son of Amy and Douglas Martin. He is a 2015 graduate of the Bunker High School.

The Sons of the American Legion Post 99 are conducting the fourth annual adopt a vet program to provide resources for 150 American Veterans so they can enjoy Christmas. While the Veterans at the St. James Veterans Home receive the finest medical care and attention they do not have money for the things that we all take for granted at Christmas time. Money raised goes to provide a banquet that each Veteran can invite their loved ones to for Christmas dinner, complete with all the trimmings. Each Veteran will also receive gifts that they may enjoy their Christmas. As in the past, local representatives collect donations on behalf of the 150 Veterans residing at the Veterans home. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens of Dent County each veteran has been sponsored for the last three years. The cost to sponsor a Veteran is $50.00. The Veterans will also receive a small gift of a custom “United States Veteran” hat, letter of honor, and a pair of camouflage jersey gloves. All are provided with soft candies as well. Saturday evening, December 23rd at 2:00, there will be live music by Second Time Around and everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the company of these fine Veterans. Kids are needed to serve as Santa’s helpers. To donate to the Adopt a Vet Program, contact Richard LaBrash at 573-729-1394 or call John at 573-729-3710.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock announced the Collector’s Office will have extended hours on December 27th, 28th and 29th from 8:00 until 5:30 for those who want to pay their taxes in person. Berniece Lea was in asking the commission to look into a tax issue she has where she is being charged a well tax but she is on county water and says she doesn’t have a well. She said she has discussed this with the Assessor’s office but has not gotten anywhere. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would look into it and get back with her. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5610 which is part of the Title 2 Project that will be completed soon. Purcell said a man would be cutting brush on Dent County 5600 better know as the Turtle Loop and another man would be replacing road signs that have been vandalized or stolen. District 2 Commission Gary Larson indicated that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2020 while only grading would be done on county road 5240. Larson said brush would be cut on county road 2130 while another man would be going to Springfield for oil for chip and seal repair. Commissioner Skiles reported that he along with the other commissioners, treasurer, recorder and county clerk attended the Missouri Association of Countries Conference from Sunday through Tuesday of last week. Skiles said 104 of 114 counties were represented at the conference. Discussions were held on medical marijuana, prevailing wage, prescription monitoring program and more. Skiles did say a resolution was adopted by MAC for the repeal of the Prevailing Wage Law in Missouri. Skiles stated he and Commissioner Larson would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Awards Dinner and meeting tonight at the MRPC offices where they recognize those people who are moving forward with waste reduction and recycling efforts. After payroll was approved, Commissioner Skiles signed the renewal for 2018 Health Insurance, MAGIC, which is a Cox Health Plan. Bids were then opened for the Road and Bridge Department sale of surplus property. After some discussion on the bids, the commission agreed 3-0 to accept the bid from Schwartz Sales, LLC for the 1998 Ford Dump Truck $3,500. He also won the bid for the 2001 Dodge 1500 Truck for $550.00. Other bid winners included JasonTuttle who won the bid for the 1995 Ford Dump Truck for $5,000.00, Ron Anderson who won the 16-foot Utility Trailer for $333.33, and Rusty Chamberlain who won the small lot of Owners Manuals for $9.50 and the small lot of N.O.S. Miscellaneous Filters for $10.50. Prosecutor, Andrew Curley came in to discuss a Burlington Railroad Right-of-Way. The property owners are Pete Kraus, Jr and Kathleen Kraus and they requested the county do a quit claim deed to a portion of the property. Property is in the Cook Station area. The Commission agreed 3-0 to sign the Quit-Claim Deed. The commission also agreed to sign the 2018 contract for Healthy Dent County, Rural Addressing for $12,000. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The Salem Police have released a number of reports. On Thursday morning, November 16th at approximately 7:52, an officer was sent to the Salem High School in reference an assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 14-year old male juvenile of Salem had punched a 13-year old male juvenile of Salem. The suspect was detained and later released to his parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. The early morning Friday, November 17th at 2:51, officers were conducting a narcotics investigation at a residence in the 300 block of North Park. The investigation revealed a 33- year old female of Salem and a 23-year old male of Rolla were in possession of numerous controlled substances. The investigation is ongoing. On Monday, November 20th at 9:22 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That stop led to the arrest of a 71-year old female of Salem for failing to maintain financial responsibility. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Thanksgiving Day at about 12:33 in the early morning, an officer was contacted in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown stole 50 gallons of fuel from a semi truck parked near Missouri Highway 19 and Rolla Road. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.