Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4160 and 5520, while only grading will be done on county roads 4220, 6660 and 6670. Purcell indicated materials would be added to Dent County Road 5490, brush would be cut on county road 6240, and chip and seal repairs would be made to Dent County Road 4180. He asked drivers to use caution when driving that road and be aware of the county workers making those road repairs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 2160, 2165 and 3300, while materials would be added and grading done on county roads 4380 and 5260. Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 4290 while a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. A man will also be replenishing the supply of chips for the chip and seal repair. Another man from District 2 will be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate Chaplain Richard LaBrash and everyone at the American Legion/VFW Post on Highway 32 West for an extremely successful Veteran’s Affairs Day this past Friday. A number of veteran’s were helped by the event. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she attended the South Central County Clerk’s meeting held at West Plains along with Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker. They met with the State Tax Commission and went over the new online formal reporting for clerks and assessors. Curley said it is very important that the numbers are reported properly as the numbers they report can affect what schools and other entities receive in taxes. She said the reporting could also affect CART funds and more. Curley reminded the commission the courthouse would be closed on May 8th for Truman’s Birthday. At 10:00, bids were opened for the sale of a sheriff’s vehicle and three bids were received ranging from $300 to $660 dollars. The county accepted the bid of $660 from Jimmy Whitaker. The commissioners also set the meeting of the Board of Equalization for 1:00 on Monday, July 16th in the Commissioners office at the courthouse. If you have an issue to bring before the board, you must make an appointment by contacting the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144 or stopping by the clerk’s office at the Dent County Courthouse. At the last meeting, Sheriff Bob Wells and Sergeant Lenny Pabin came in to discuss a camera being placed in the Associate Circuit Courtroom and a couple on the outside of the building as well. The commission said Rommel Lock and Key could install one and get an estimate back to the commission on the others. The cameras will be paid for out of the LERF fund. They also discussed a county work program for Drug Court clients under supervision instead of going to jail. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The pedestrian bridge over the Jacks Fork River along Highway 106 at Alley Spring is permanently closed and the Jacks Fork River beneath and adjacent to the bridge is temporarily closed to all visitor use. This includes all activities such as swimming, floating, fishing and gravel bar use within 100 feet of the bridge. This closure does not affect the highway bridge, which is next to the pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge was structurally damaged during the April 2017 flood and was closed to foot traffic at that time while the park sought funding to repair the bridge and the damaged water and sewer utilities beneath. Then in February 2018, additional flooding caused an eight-foot rise of the Jacks Fork River. A recent emergency inspection performed by a Federal Highway Administration bridge engineer determined the stability of the pedestrian bridge has been further compromised and has now created a safety hazard to anyone nearby. The National Park Service has been notified that ongoing movement of two of the bridge piers has increased. Based on field observations and evaluation of the bridge plans, any increase in water volume or wind has the potential to cause the structure to collapse. Closure of the river below it is required to avoid injury to park visitors to avoid personal injury should the bridge collapse. Park visitors who are floating upstream from the bridge must take out at the Alley Spring gravel bar above the bridge (near the campground) and are prohibited from floating underneath the bridge. The Burr Oak day use area just downstream from the bridge will serve as an alternate river access for concession operations and visitors who want to float downstream from Alley Spring. The Burr Oak day use area is located on the north side of the Jacks Fork River, just south of the Alley Mill parking lot. The Alley Spring pedestrian bridge isscheduled for removal as soon as possible, but that will likely occur later in 2018. The pedestrian bridge and adjacent section of the Jacks Fork River will remain closed until demolition is complete and the hazard is removed.

The Dent County Soil and Water District will be holding an Open House and Supervisor election today at their offices at 1012 East Scenic Rivers Blvd in Salem. The polls will be open from 11:30 until 5:30 and refreshments will be served.

An online Community Confidence survey is now available and GRO Salem needs your help. The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of how our community members perceive your community. The goal is to conduct this survey on an annual basis and closely monitor changes from year to year. This is a follow up survey to the one that was done last year and your response will help monitor changes from the previous year. The data collected will be crucial in helping us understand where our Community and Economic Development efforts are driving positive impact and where additional efforts need to be expended. Surveys need to be completed by May 25th, and your response is appreciated. Let your friends, neighbors, co-workers, church family and anyone who lives, has lived or works in Salem know about this survey as the more responses received, the better GRO Salem can assess what needs to be addressed. There are only five questions and the survey should take no more than five minutes of your time to complete. You can find the survey by copying and adding this address to your browser and clicking enter: https://goo.gl/forms/nrTLyHKdRp8qXl4P2.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Sunday, April 22nd, deputies received a report of fraudulent use of a debit/credit device. It was reported that a pre-paid debit card was taken from their mailbox and used. This report is still under investigation. On Monday, April 23rd, deputies went to a residence on Dent County Road 6287 for a report of a stolen utility trailer. It was described as a black 1999 L&D with short side rails. The trailer was 6 foot by 16 foot. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies traveled to a residence on Route U to locate a female with a Phelps County warrant. The female, a 40-year old Salem woman, was located in a camper on the property. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. She was also found to be in possession of a red glass-smoking device with marijuana residue in it. She was later released to Phelps County. On Wednesday, April 25th, deputies responded to a report of a burglary at a residence in the 10,000 block of Highway 19 North. Upon arrival, deputies were told that the homeowner caught two people inside the residence and they fled. A vehicle description was gathered and the vehicle was located a short time later. The driver, a 29-year old Salem woman, was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail. After an investigation, a 21-year old Salem man was arrested the next day. They were both charged with accessory to 2nd degree burglary. If anyone has information about an investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Dent County Fire protection District will hold their next board meeting on Tuesday, May 1st at 6:00 at the Dent County Fire Protection District Fire House. The board will review financial reports, approve bills, review the calendar for upcoming events, and discuss the monthly reimbursement report. After old business will be new business where the board will review and sign a new resolution if approved that reads this way: “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Dent County Fire Protection District approving and authorizing the execution of a series of agreements and documents with the Dent County Emergency Response Association to allow for certain repairs to a fire station and adjoining parking lot; authorizing the Chairman of the District and other district personnel to execute such agreements, instruments and documents, to adopt such other resolutions, and to take such other actions as may be necessary to fully implement and complete said agreements.” After the board hears reports, the directors will set the next meeting date for Tuesday, June 5th. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Salem Police Department responded to a number of calls on Monday, April 23rd. The first call was at 3:27 as an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown entered a residence in the 200 block of West Hunt and took items valued at $1,550.00. The report is under investigation. At about 4:34 that afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the detention of a 16-year old female juvenile of Salem for stealing merchandise
valued at $12.29. The juvenile suspect was released to her mother and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. That evening near 9:39, an officer was sent back to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of this report led to the arrest of a 17-year-old male and a 17-year-old female, both of Salem, for stealing merchandise valued at $6.18. The suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that evening at about 11:27, officers returned to Wal-Mart for another report of a shoplifter. The investigation of the report revealed that a 35-year-old female of Salem had taken merchandise valued at $9.94 and left the store without paying for it. The report is under investigation. At approximately 11:31 that night, a vehicle was stopped for a warrant investigation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 29-year old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Missouri State Probation and Parole. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.