Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax money received in March. For the General Revenues Fund, a total of $101,118.66 was received which is $19,904.33 more than March of 2017, and year to date the sales taxes for general Revenue are up $42,607.39 which is a 20.35% increase over last year. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund echoed that of General Revenue for monies collected. The Road and Bridge Fund received $44,525.15 in March compared to $34,814.99 received in March of 2017. That increase from 2017 to 2018 is $9,710.16 which is a 14.65% increase. The Jail Operating Fund received $87,163.49 while the Jail Building Trust took in $87,163.50. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6420 while only grading will be done on county roads 5400, 5615 and 6040. He said materials would be added to county road 6410 while a crossover pipe and materials are added to Dent County Road 2470. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2360, 4020 and 4410, while materials would be added and brush will be cut on county road 4060. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he attended the MRPC meeting where a lot of discussion was centered on President Trump’s federal Focus on improving infrastructure. Skiles said he and Commissioners Larson and Purcell attended the South Central County Commissioners meeting in Houston last Friday. He said they heard from Mike Pace from the Missouri Highway Commission who discussed funding issues to get road work done. Skiles said the group heard from State Senator Mike Cunningham and State Representatives Robert Ross and Jeff Pogue as well as representatives from 8th District Representative Jason Smith’s office and Senator Clair McCaskill’s office. All three commissioners agreed it was a good meeting. Skiles updated those in attendance on the jail project saying the commission is still working with Shive/Hattery on design work. He also said the county has been working with the city on getting title to Water Street that helps move the footprint of the project to help with parking issues. Skiles said the decision on when to put out bids has been delayed a bit as the county and Shive/Hattery watch to see what is happening with the state legislature on the topic of prevailing wage. He said bids would likely be going out late this summer on the project. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts, and her office also balanced with the collector and assessor on collections, add-ons and abatements. Curley said absentee voting continues at her office and that the last day to mail out an absentee ballot is March 28th. She went on to say her office would be open on Saturday, March 31st from 8:00 until noon for those who want to vote absentee. Curley wants to remind those that you must have a photo ID to vote in the April 3rd election. If you have questions, please call 729-4144. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Friday, March 2nd, deputies took a theft report. It was reported that mail had been stolen from a mailbox on Dent County Road 6580. This report is still under investigation. On Sunday March 4th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Dent County Road 6480 and Route YY. The driver, a 42-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. During the arrest, a metal smoking device with marijuana residue was located on him. He was fingerprinted, issued citations, and released. Later that day deputies responded to Dent County Road 6460 for a report of property damage. It was discovered that a gate and gate post were damaged. This report is still under investigation. After that deputies responded to the 10000 block of Route H for a property damage report. It was discovered that a mailbox had been damaged. On Monday March 5th, deputies took a report of a vehicle being broke into on Highway 119. It was reported that a 2001 Ford Ranger was broke into and a blue mag flashlight, jumper cables, a socket set and miscellaneous wrenches were stolen. Later that day deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 4155 to look for a runaway juvenile. A consent to search the residence was obtained and conducted and the juvenile was not located. What was located inside the residence was a silver metal tray with two pipes with burnt marijuana residue, a metal grinder and four plastic baggies with green leafy plant matter (marijuana). A 27-year old Salem woman was arrested, fingerprinted, issued citations, and released. If anyone has any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) Family Self-Sufficiency program will host a free workshop this Friday in St. James on “Tackling the Tough Skills: Problem Solving.” This workshop is the fourth in a series of five that will cover topics such as attitude, responsibility, communication, problem solving and preparing for the workplace. All workshops are held from 10:00 in the morning until to noon at Phelps County PHA located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James presented by Christy Saylor, the Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA) county projects coordinator. These free training workshops are a part of MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Free training classes are a part of MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Each participant who attends will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card, as long as they meet income qualifications. For information or to RSVP, call Savannah Vandegriffe at 265-4200 ext. 132.

Salem High School Principal Marty Anderson released a statement that Friday night, March 9th, the school received a report of a possible threat to the Salem R-80 School by a high school student. A comment was posted on Snapchat and was forwarded to district officials by students, plus they received messages from parents with concerns. Law enforcement was immediately contacted and an investigation followed. The student was identified as 17-year Manual Lee of Salem. He was arrested Saturday and has been charged with a felony in the 1st Degree for issuing a terrorist threat. The threat came after supposed incidents involving Lee occurred at the school on Friday. Anderson in his statement said that although the school does not believe there is an existing threat, a police presence will be in and around school today for precautionary purposes as student safety is a top priority.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has a report from Wednesday March 7th. Dent County Deputies conducted a search at a residence on West Franklin Street. A small child was located in the residence seated in a “Johnny Jumper” next to a mattress on the floor. A glass-smoking device with a crystalline substance was on a small table next to the bed. The glass-smoking device was approximately 5 feet from the child. A baggie containing a clear crystalline substance (methamphetamine) and cigarette pack with a green leafy plant matter was located on the same table. All within easy reach of the child. The parents to the child were located in a bedroom. Arrested and incarcerated were 35-year old Charles Martin of Salem on a 1st degree Class B felony charge of drug trafficking, 1st degree Class D felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child and a Class D felony possession charge of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). His bond was set at $150,000 cash only. Also arrested was 28-year old April Brawley of Salem on a 1st degree Class D felony charge of endangering the welfare of a child and a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Her bond was set at $20,000 cash only. If anyone has any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, March 1st at 11:51 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident at Highway 32 and Macarthur. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 51-year old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday evening, March 3rd at 6:18, an officer was sent to the Mobil service station located at Missouri Highway 32 and Highway 19, in reference to the theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed an unknown female pumped fuel valued at $30.13 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. Earlier that morning at about 3:10, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 34-year old male of Salem for driving while being drugged, possession of methamphetamine and driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was released pending an application for a warrant. On Sunday afternoon, March 4th at about 3:48, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 28-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $26.55. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

Captain James W. Remillard, commanding officer of Troop I, announces that sometime during the month of March, troopers assigned to Troop I will be conducting a DWI saturation patrol in Phelps County. Troopers assigned to these special enforcement operations will patrol those highways where in the past a higher number of alcohol-related arrests and traffic crashes have occurred. Captain Remillard would like to remind motorists that they can report highway emergencies and serious traffic offenses to the nearest troop headquarters by dialing *55 on a cellular telephone.

Salem High School hosted the SCA Quiz Bowl Tournament on Thursday, March 8th. Salem took Second Place in both Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions. Thayer took first place with 390 points to Salem’s 360 points, a matter of three questions. Meanwhile, Salem JV took on Thayer JV in the JV Finals. Salem took second place with Thayer winning first place by only 20 points. Several Salem players earned Individual Medals. In the Varsity Division, Richard Parks took the Third Place medal, Jacob Stacy took the Fourth Place medal, and Olivia Erway took the Sixth Place medal. In the Junior Varsity Division, Katrina Parks took the First Place Individual medal, Emma Schott took the Third Place medal, and Martin Jones took home the Sixth Place medal. The Varsity Team is comprised of Jacob Stacy, Richard Parks, Olivia Erway, Sam Swindell, Jordan Fulton, and Quin Blankenship. Playing for the Junior Varsity team are Katrina Parks, Emma Schott, Martin Jones, and Kaylee Avery. Salem will next travel to Houston in April for the District Quiz Bowl Tournament.