Archive for 2018

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released these reports from cases heard Friday before Judge Sid Pearson. Stephen Cochran plead guilty to two separate cases for possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years in Department of Corrections with the court retaining jurisdiction under statute 559.115. This was the sentence recommended by Prosecutor Andrew Curley. Also at those proceedings, William Haines plead guilty to possession of heroin and had his probation revoked for felony possession of a controlled substance. Haines was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by statute. Also at the court proceedings, Robbie Smith had his probation revoked and was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections.

A one vehicle accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at 5:45 in Dent County on Highway 19 about five miles South of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier being driven by 25-year old Cory Nichols of Salem, was southbound on Highway 19 when he lost control of the vehicle after rounding a curve, causing the vehicle to travel off the right side of the road then striking a fence and overturning. The Chevrolet was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Nichols received minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. Nichols was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for Friday, November 30th through Tuesday December 3rd. According to the report, on Friday November 30th at approximately 7:09 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to Country Mart parking lot on Highway 32 East in reference to an accident. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 30-year old female of Salem for driving while being drugged. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. A little over an hour later at approximately 8:37, the School Resource Officer was dispatched to the Salem Upper Elementary in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 10-year-old male juvenile had struck a teacher. Further investigation led to the detention of the juvenile who was later released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. On Monday morning, the 3rd of December at about 3:47, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of East Ninth in reference to a possible prowler. That investigation led to the arrest of a 37-year old male of Dixon on a fugitive warrant from Phelps County and a 25- year old male of Ava on a fugitive warrant from Douglass County. The two suspects were incarcerated pending extradition. That same afternoon at approximately 2:06, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Parkview in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a small rock had broken a window valued at $312.12 under unknown circumstances. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Max Butler, a retired Federal Reserve employee of 40 years will be the guest speaker at the Dent County Historical Society Dinner Speaker
Series that will be held Tuesday, December 11th at the Pizza Inn meeting Room at starting at 6:00. The meeting room will be available for dinner at 5:00 and it is a “pay for your own” dinner. The Dent County Historical Society is sponsoring a tree at the Trees & Trains Exhibit at ONCRC in December. For more information call Deloris Gray Wood, Historical Society president, at 729-2545.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors next regular meeting will be held Tuesday afternoon, December 11th, at 12:00 noon in the hospital library. The meeting was moved up due to other events scheduled that evening that involved the board. The minutes of the November 13th regular meeting will be reviewed for approval. Administrator Kasey Lucas will give a summary of operations and statistics for the month of November, Debbie Hines will present the Chief Nursing Officer report, and Chris Strickland will give a report on the hospital foundation and auxiliary, along with a report on the hospital marketing and community perception. Patient satisfaction survey results will be reviewed and discussed for the 3rd quarter. In old business, the election filing begins December 11th and continues through January 15th, 2019 for an unexpired two (2) year term in District #2 and a six (6) year term for District #6. In new business, purchases will be reviewed. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The December regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital is open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his crews were grading and adding materials to Dent County Roads 4124 and 5550, plus grading only would be done on county road 6110. He also noted that brush was being cut on county roads 5390 and 5400. Purcell also reported that his crew was preparing for the forecasted storm and all snow removal equipment was being checked over. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading was being done and materials were being added to Dent County Road 4280 and that grading only would be done on county road 4290. He also reported that brush was being cut on county road 2500 and that truck #124 was being serviced. Larson noted that his crew was also preparing to push snow if needed and that low hanging tree limbs were being removed from Dent County Roads 2370 and 3020. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to thank all those ringing the bells for the Salvation Army and all the contributors. The Commissioners will be ringing bells today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of November and that the Commissioners had reviewed her reports. She noted that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and that her office continues to work on the 2019 budget. Phone bids were taken for 2,000 gallons of gasoline and MFA Oil was the low bidder at $1.7114 per gallon. Purcell and Larson noted that they had been informed that steel prices were going to increase 15% as of the first of the year. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to take bids for grader blades. The bids will be opened December 20th at 10:00. The Commissioners also voted 3-0 to renew the contract with Healthy Dent County for rural addressing services for 2019 with no changes from the 2018 contract. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams will send the last budgeted transfer from Senior Citizens Fund. She then discussed the previous open bank bids for county deposits. She recommended the commission reject both previous depository bids that were from January 1st through December 2019 from both banks. Williams and Skiles both talked to representatives with the bank of Salem and Progressive Ozark Bank. Both banks understood the circumstances of a short term bid and the challenges and concerns. In lieu of the bid rejection, Williams has requested an extension of the depository agreement with Progressive Ozark Bank from January 1st through June 30th, 2019. Williams recommends that the depository bids be taken in accordance with Missouri Revised Statute RSMO 110.130, that bids will be taken in the spring of 2019 for a four-year term that would begin on July 1st, 2019 and last through June 30th, 2023. Williams visited with all five banking institutions in Salem and they all indicated they would like to bid in 2019. The Commission approved Williams’ recommendation of the bid rejection and the extension of the current depository agreement with Progressive Ozark Bank until June 30th as well as soliciting of bids in the spring of 2019. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Insurance reminds consumers that the enrollment period for individual health insurance plans sold on the federal Marketplace or directly by an insurance company ends on December 15, 2018. Individuals who haven’t shopped for insurance plans are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Consumers can access the department’s coverage map for more information on companies in their respective county. If you purchase health insurance through the federal marketplace, your cost may be reduced if you are eligible for an advanced premium tax credit (APTC). The credits are only available if you buy insurance on the marketplace and not on policies purchased through your employer. Missourians who have questions regarding association health plans (AHPs) or short-term limited-duration insurance should contact an insurance agent for more information. For more information or to utilize the department’s shopping tool, visit the department’s website at insurance.mo.gov or call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390

The local Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army still needs your help to reach our goal this year. The famous red kettles and volunteer bell ringers will be located at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart every Friday and Saturday until Christmas Eve. People will also find numerous counter kettles that are located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community. This year’s goal is $30,000 which will be used throughout the year for those in need. The Salvation Army will continue its dedication to doing the most good not only during the holiday season, but year round. The work done by the Salvation Army could not be accomplished without the generosity of the citizens of Dent County. In addition to the red kettles, the Salvation Army is again partnering with Wal-Mart to host the Angel Tree. Dent County residents can now adopt an angel off the tree and purchase Christmas gifts for the angel. The Angel tree will be up until Monday, December 17th. If you have any questions about the Angel tree or the Salvation Army, call 729-8163.