Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated Dent County received between seven and eight inches of rain in the last six days. Crews were out over the weekend to work on making sure roads were passable and open. He said they will be adding materials, patching and grading on Dent County Road 4160 while county road 5525 will get materials and be graded. Other roads to get attention will be county road 6670 that will be graded while county roads 5520, 6250 and 6255 as well as many other roads will receive patch grading. Crews will be out checking on other roads as well to make sure they are drivable. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said his crews were also out over the weekend checking roads for damage. He said materials will be added to Dent County Roads 4010, 4030, 5200 and 5270 and many others as work will be done on those roads to put them back in shape. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles will be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today at St. James, and will also be attending the “Meramec Morning” Wednesday morning starting at 9:00 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Interested citizens, local officials, non-profits, businesses, schools and community leaders are encouraged to attend. The MRPC will share some information about the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and ask those attending to share what is happening in your city and county, especially as it relates to economic development. Skiles also wanted to remind everyone to get their 2018 County Assessment forms in by Thursday or be faced with penalties. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting for the April 3rd election is continuing in her office and you must have a reason why you are voting early. Also, you must bring in a picture ID to vote. At the last meeting, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley came in to discuss a Burlington Northern easement request and will get back with the commission after he reviews it. He also discussed the county’s health insurance and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. 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 report for Friday, February 23rd, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 4170 for a report of stealing. The victim reported that her vehicle was broken into and items were taken from inside. The items taken included checks and $80 worth of coins. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding this investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday afternoon, February 16th at approximately 5:45, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of East Fourth Street in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took two bicycles valued at $151.49 from the yard of a residence. The report is under investigation. That evening at 6:06, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of West Franklin in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke out a bedroom window of the residence that was valued at $80.00. The report is under investigation. On Saturday morning, February 17th at 12:37, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year old female of Salem for failing to comply with ignition interlock device requirements. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at 11:19, an officer transported a 76-year old female of Salem to the New Hope Psychiatric Facility in Sullivan on a mental commitment order. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:45 in Dent County on Highway 68 at Route U. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire driven eastbound by 16-year old Hailey Corkell of Salem pulled into the path of a 2014 Ford Escape driven southbound by 75-year old Shirley Lyons of Cook Station. Lyons suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both Corkell and Lyons were wearing seat restraints. The Pontiac was driven from the scene while Ford was towed by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

Time is running out if you want to help the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History reach their required goal in their quest to get an endowment match. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks selected the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation to participate in this program that will reward them with $5,000 for their perpetual endowment fund provided the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation Board could raise $10,000 by February 28th. According to Libby Sanders, the board has been able to raise $6,000 of the $10,000 that is required, but they only have until Wednesday to raise the money needed. Sanders said she feels confident the Salem Community will come through, but knows the time is getting close. If you would like to make a contribution or donation so they can reach their goal, please contact the Bonebrake Center. You can drop by 601 North Hickory Street, call 729-3400, or e-mail them at bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com. You can also contact any member of the Board of Trustees. Members of the Board are Carilee Ball, Jamin Bray, Mike Godi, Bonnie Gray, David Massengale, Austin Mitchell, Nancy Moenster, Libby Sanders, Jason Stotler and Stephanie Strader. This opportunity is one that shouldn’t be missed! If you have questions or need more information, contact Libby Sanders at 573-247-0279.

Remember, the Salem Vision 2040 second meeting will be held this evening, February 26th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. At this meeting, the students from the Center for Community Studies will present a variety of vision sketches based on the information gathered from the first meeting that dealt with community visioning as well as the discussion with those interested in the community that were present. These “What If” ideas are intended to create discussions and broaden the community’s awareness of potential improvements. Come and bring your friends as people of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the visioning process for your city.

An accident occurred on Thursday at 5:50 in the evening in Texas County on Highway 32 about 5 miles west of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Mitzubishi Fuso Truck driven by Ryan Nash of Salem traveled off the roadway into a ditch and overcorrected, coming to rest on its side in the roadway. The Mitzubishi sustained moderate damage and was towed by Whitaker’s of Salem. Nash suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by private vehicle. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

Teacher candidates from the Southwest Baptist University campus at Salem recently began their student teaching this semester in area elementary, middle school and high school classrooms. Those student-teachers are: Samantha Callahan, Sara Anderson, Ashlyn Cook, Diana Welch, Meagan Stuckmyer, Megan Hammonds, Mary Ellen Arts, Kayla Hemken, Micheal Fleetwood and Chris James. The SBU Salem campus provides quality higher education close to home for residents of Dent counties and the surrounding areas. Classes are taught in the afternoon and evening, making a degree at SBU-Salem attainable for people who are in the workforce but pursuing higher education to open new employment opportunities. For more information about the SBU-Salem campus, contact Chris Welch at (573) 729-7071 or salem@SBUniv.edu.