Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on funds received from a class action lawsuit filed against the government for the underpayment of PILT monies from 2015-2017. The total amount received was $3,653 and that money will be put into the General Revenue Fund. She also stated the CART funds had been received this month and came in at $61,515.22 which is $305.14 more than the county received last year. Year-to-date, the CART fund balance is up $2,812.55 over 2018. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5610 and 5615 while only materials would be added to county road 5680. Purcell added that brush would be cut on county roads 2470, 6090 and 6100, and one man would be doing shop maintenance. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2050 and 2060 while only grading was going to be done on county roads 4030, 6130 and 6160. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2050. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet last Thursday in Waynesville where Judy Apperson was recognized for all her years of volunteer service in the community. Skiles said 16 people attended from Dent County which was the second largest contingent from any county except the host community: Pulaski County. Commissioner Purcell said phone bids would be solicited for diesel fuel, and the commissioners approved advertising for Request for Proposals to perform a financial audit on the county for the fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The RFP’s would be due in by November 21st at 10:00 to be considered. Their next meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a couple of reports from cases heard in the 42nd Judicial Court held in Dent County Wednesday in front of Judge Thompson. In the first case, Lindee Sprong of Licking pled guilty to a DWI and she was a prior misdemeanor DWI offender. She was sentenced to serve 60 days in the Dent County Jail. In the second case, Nicholas Barton of Bunker pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of passing of bad checks. He was sentenced by Judge Thompson to serve one year in the Dent County Jail.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Monday, October 14th, near 1:48 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to a residence in the 700 block of North Warfel in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged two sections in a fence valued at $150.00. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at 4:41, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The traffic stop led to the arrest of a 41-year-old female of Salem for driving while having her license suspended and on an active arrest warrant from Crawford County. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for driving while having her license suspended and incarcerated on the warrant pending extradition. On Tuesday, October 15th at about 12:55 in the afternoon, the School Resource officer observed a 15-year-old male juvenile of Salem using a vaping product in a school bathroom. The student was detained for possession of tobacco/alternative and released to a guardian. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that evening near 8:41, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to shoplifting. The investigation of the report revealed a male and female entered the store, took alcohol valued at $49.98 and left the store without paying for the merchandise. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem has developed a survey to gather public input about nuisances in the City and they would like your input. The survey is on the city’s website at www.salemmo.com. You can also begin the survey by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H76GR52. The City is asking that you pass along the information about the survey to your friends and neighbors so that as much public input can be obtained. If you do not have a computer or prefer to have a paper copy, hardcopies of the survey will also be available at the City Administrative offices building at 4th and Iron Streets in Salem during normal business hours. Please respond as promptly as possible as the city would like to have as much input on this subject for their next board meeting on November 4th.

Ortega National Parks (ONP), a hospitality and retail company operating in parks across the country will manage lodging, dining and retail operations in Montauk State Park for Missouri State Parks beginning November 1st. The park, located just southwest of Salem, is a popular fishing destination and provides a variety of other activities enabling the half million visitors each year to interact with the more than 3,000-acre park through hiking, biking, programs, tours and camping. According to Shane Ortega, founder of Ortega National Parks, Montauk State Park is well-known for its activities, beauty, and respect for wildlife and Missouri does an incredible job with their state parks, so we’re looking forward to working with them. ONP will manage all lodging at Montauk, including guest rooms and family-sized cabins within the park. They will also operate the Montauk restaurant and Montauk Resort Tackle Shop in the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge. Ortega also said that the Montauk Resort Tackle Shop is at the top of our list so we plan to enhance the layout, increase the amount and variety of merchandise, and ultimately ensure guests have everything they need for a fun trip to Montauk State Park. ONP specializes in retail and hospitality industries managing commerce in several national, state and county parks across the United States through retail stores, concessions, restaurants and lodging. In addition to providing services in more than 15 parks, ONP upholds historical preservation at every site with environmental responsibility. ONP works with parks to protect and sustain natural park resources while keeping water preservation and energy reduction in the forefront of its strategies and technologies. For more information about Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at https://mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of September. The Salem Police issued five equipment repair orders, 15 summonses to appear in court, nine warning tickets, and 12 traffic tickets, plus they also served eight fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 17 traffic accidents, two burglaries, made two death investigations, and investigated a lost or stolen license plate. They also wrote one missing person report, one property damage report, eight stealing reports, and one trespassing report. The department investigated one report of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, six possessions of a controlled substance reports, two possessions of drug paraphernalia reports, three domestic violence reports and one domestic assault. They also investigated two leaving the scene of an accident and made a sodomy report. The department was also dispatched for 47 animal calls, made 44 ambulance assist calls, 34 well being checks and performed 55 traffic stops for the month. The department received 1,070 calls during the month of September and had 109 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 6,833 miles during the month of September and spent 12 hours in court testifying and 8 hours as court bailiff. There were 17 males and three females arrested in September.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will be holding a blood drive on Tuesday, November 5th at the First Baptist Church from 1:00 until 6:00. To be eligible to give blood, you must weight at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have a valid photo ID.