Archive for 2018

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released three reports from cases in the Circuit Court held Wednesday in Dent County with Judge Kelly Parker. David Manning of Salem requested a bond modification after arraignment in circuit court. The State of Missouri opposed the modification due to his criminal history and potential evidence at trial. The State argued against the bond modification for protection of the community. After hearing both arguments, the motion was denied by Judge Parker due to the Manning’s criminal history and a statement he made saying he was the biggest dealer in Salem. Another case heard on Wednesday saw Perry Odom of Salem plead guilty to the possession of methamphetamine as a prior and persistent offender. He was sentenced to 10 years with the execution of the sentence suspended and five years probation and parole. Also on Wednesday, Laura McElfresh of Salem pled guilty to burglary in the 2nd degree. McElfresh was given a seven year suspended sentence with five years probation and parole. This decision was made over objection of the state who sought seven years in accordance with Missouri State Statute Section 559.115.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch with a report on Board of Education Candidate filings, Facilities update and Health Insurance update. The Board will review and approve all previous minutes and bills, approve the attendance report, approve the Food Service report, approve the substitute list, and approve Program Evaluations for Vocational and Community Education. After the Principals’ Building Reports the board is expecting to select the MSBA Belcher Scholarship recipient and address MUSIC renewal. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn and move into an executive session. The regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for December 7th through December 10th. On Friday night, December 7th at approximately 8:33, an officer was sent to a residence in the 900 block of South Carty in reference to a domestic assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 38-year old male of Salem had assaulted a 66-year old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. The next morning at approximately 10:51, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 48-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $31.71. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on the afternoon of Monday, December 10th at about 12:32, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to shoplifting. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of two females of Rolla, ages 36 and 38, for stealing merchandise. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and were released. Later that afternoon at about 3:35, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Thomas in reference to a stolen license plate. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took a license plate off the rear of a blue 1992 Lincoln that was parked near the residence. The report is under investigation. Still later on Monday evening at approximately 6:36, an officer located a 37-year old male of Bunker at the Wal-Mart parking lot who had an active arrest warrant from the State of Missouri. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants and on the active arrest warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks motorists to make safety a priority this holiday season. Last year, there were 1,618 traffic crashes during the Christmas counting period. In those crashes, seven people were killed and another 541 were injured. During the 2017 Christmas holiday, troopers arrested 92 people for driving while impaired. So, what can you do to improve traffic safety this holiday season? Check your vehicle before you travel to ensure that it is in good working condition. Make sure you are well rested before driving to your destination, no matter how short the distance. Keep an eye on the weather. Above all, please, please obey all traffic laws, be a courteous driver, and drive sober. Remember: Holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Road Condition Report number is 1-888-275-6636. Allow extra time to reach your destination and obey all traffic laws. The 2018 Christmas holiday counting period begins at 6:00 this Friday night and ends at 11:59 Christmas night. Motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or observe a stranded motorist in need of assistance, or other traffic emergencies. The only 100% survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.

There’s magic in these Ozark hills at Christmas time as there will be an Ozark Mountain Christmas Art Party Friday night from 6:30 until 9:00. Put on some cozy clothes, grab a warm beverage of your choice, and head on over to the Creative Arts Center!! Danielle Norris will lead you from start to finish on a winter scene just in time for the holidays! No prior art experience is needed, just your enthusiasm! The cost is $25 per person and all supplies are provided. Please sign up by stopping by ONCRC at 202 South Main Street or call Libby at 573-247-0279 to reserve your spot!!

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden stated the City Administrative offices would be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as well as New Year’s Day. The board approved Bill #3406 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement between the city of Salem and RFB Construction Company for tree clearing and removal at the Salem Memorial Airport for $179,345.00. The city’s portion will be 10% of the cost. The board approved the destruction of old police records from seven years ago that includes logs, non criminal incident reports and other non-essential records. There was also a discussion on the cancellation of a Board of Alderman meeting. Mayor Nash was under the assumption he could do so if there was nothing on the agenda. He said he could not reach the city attorney before the agenda needed to be released and made the decision before he could get back with him. He apologized for overstepping his authority. The State Statutes indicate that only the Board of Aldermen could cancel a meeting. So basically the aldermen have to hold a meeting to cancel a meeting. City Attorney William Camm Seay said that meeting could consist of a physical meeting or a conference call where all or a majority of the aldermen can be a part of what would constitute a meeting. He will check into that to make sure that a telephone call qualifies and will report that at the next meeting. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday, December 6th, deputies traveled to the 24000 block of Route C for a report of a burglary. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that the back door of the business was forced open. The door frame was pushed in and no longer latched, however they were unable to gain entry inside the business. This case is still under investigation. On Sunday, December 9th, deputies responded to the 3500 block of Dent County Road 4110 for a report of a verbal domestic disturbance. It was discovered that the verbal domestic disturbance had occurred over a child custody dispute and a Salem male had trespassed on the property. Suspect information was given and the case is still under investigation. The next day Monday, December 10th, deputies responded to the lobby of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 33-year old female of Salem, was the reported victim of threatening the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. As a result of this investigation, a 33-year old Salem male was arrested. The Salem male was charged that same day with a bond of $7,000.00 cash only. On Wednesday, December 12th, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 19 North and West Eighth Street. During the course of the traffic stop, an 18-year old Salem male was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended-1st offense. The man was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the 3200 block of Highway 19 South. During the course of the traffic stop, an 18-year old Salem woman and a 17-year old Salem woman were arrested for possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Both females were taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where they were fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday, December 15th, deputies traveled to the 38000 block of Highway 72 for a report of a male breaking into a vehicle. During the course of the investigation, a 23-year old Florissant, MO male was arrested with a felony charge for tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree, and for resisting or interfering with an arrest. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. If anyone has any information regarding and investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning at 6:35 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 1220 about six miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Ford F-150, driven by 16-year old Madison Starr of St. James, was westbound when the truck traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a fence and a utility pole. Starr suffered minor injuries and was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. According to the report, Starr was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford had moderate damage and was towed by Spurgeon’s Towing.

Healthy Dent County wants to have some fun on December 21st by holding a Community Wide National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Let them know if your business or group wants to participate so they can get a picture to capture the holiday cheer. Dress to impress in your holiday “worst.” Just call Healthy Dent County and let them know you want to participate in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at 729-8163 or e-mail taylor@salemcommunitycenter.org.

An accident happened in Texas County Sunday evening at 10:15 on Highway 32 about five miles east of Licking. According to a report released by the Highway Patrol, a 2012 Nissan truck driven by 52-year old David Brown of Salem, was westbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a fence and a tree. Brown was transported by Texas County EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. According to the report, Brown was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew M. Curley reported that on December 11th, Fridtjov Severud pled guilty to Murder in the 2nd Degrees in the shooting death of Michael Gehm that occurred in Dent County on December 1st, 2016. Depositions were held in anticipation of a trial and they confirmed that Severud and Gehm were arguing prior to the shooting at opposite ends of a six-foot dinner table. The argument was over a comment Severud had made about a woman Gehm was romantically involved with. Severud told Gehm to leave his residence and Gehm refused until he apologized. Firearms and ammunition were located on the table at the time of the argument. Severud admitted to pointing a gun at Gehm and said the gun accidentally went off. Gehm was found sitting in a chair with a gunshot would that entered his chin. According to court documents, the defendant claimed self-defense due to the firearms being on the table, but the investigation established that the weapons were not within reasonable reach of the victim and he was found to be unarmed the night of the incident. Severud was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the prosecutor that included a charge of Armed Criminal Action being dropped with the plea of guilty.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his district received three inches of rain from Thursday night, through Friday into Saturday. He said crews would be out checking roads in the chronic areas where the water damages roads and make repairs as necessary.Purcell also reported the Dent County Sheriff’s Department called with the report of a downed tree Sunday night on Dent County Road 2440 that blocked the road. Crews will be removing that tree. He went on to report grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5220, 5680 and 6280 while materials would be added to county road 5630. Purcell also stated brush would be cut on county road 5680. He also attended a Dent County Tourism Tax Committee meeting Monday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews would also be out checking roads for water damage before grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2330, 3030, 3040 and 4040. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2330 and service on the backhoe would be finished. Larson said he attended the Dent County Extension meeting Monday night. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation Board meeting he attended last Thursday. He said the MCEC would be acting as the 501 C 3 not-for-profit administrator to help Dr. Seibert in Crawford County search for grants to help him with the program that helps inmates get their Work Ready Certificates to find employment after they serve their time. The MCEC also agreed to be the 501 C 3 not-for-profit administrator for Dr Stratman and his program called PACT which stands for Premium Advanced Courses and Teachers that would help rural school students have access to more advanced courses that are not currently being held at smaller schools due to the small student size with a specialized instructor. He also is seeking additional funding through grants for his project. Skiles said the Gladden Bridge on Highway 19 South came in 3rd in the Transportation Advisory Committee priority meeting held last Thursday. This helps MoDOT in determining their budget to see what projects are in most demand to be addressed if funds are available. At the MRPC Board meeting, Skiles said three state legislators were in attendance and the Number 1 topic was on getting better rural broadband coverage in the area. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to get requests from office holders for the 2019 county budget. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance came in and told the commissioners that they could save about $2,217 savings on their vehicle fleet if they increased their deductible from $500 to $1,000 per vehicle. This is through the MOPERM program. He said there could be further savings if the county reviews the value of some of their vehicles to determine if they want both comprehensive and collision on every vehicle, but it is up to the commission. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.