Archive for 2019

Starting next year, the Missouri Department of Conservation will increase the minimum acreage requirement from five to 20 acres for resident landowners and members of their immediate households to receive free permits for deer and turkey hunting. Resident landowners with five or more acres and members of their immediate households will continue to be allowed to hunt small game, fish on waters of the state, and trap on their qualifying properties without the need of a permit. Also starting in 2020, MDC will offer discounted deer and turkey hunting permits for nonresident landowners with 75 acres or more in a contiguous tract. According to MDC, many nonresident landowners provide wildlife habitat work on their properties and those efforts can provide benefits to state wildlife resources. MDC is also implementing a landowner registry starting in 2020 for resident landowners to obtain free landowner deer and turkey permits and for nonresident landowners to obtain discounted landowner permits. The registry is needed by both MDC and permit vendors to help eliminate misuse of landowner permits and privileges. According to MDC, conservation agents around the state find several hundred related violations each year. A review by conservation agents in 2017 found 35% misuse of deer and turkey hunting landowner privileges. Prior to 2004, landowners wanting no cost landowner deer and turkey hunting privileges were required to provide proof by mailing the appropriate information to MDC. The landowner registry will be available starting in January 2020. MDC conducted an online landowner survey in March to get feedback on acreage preferences. The changes were given initial approval by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 23 meeting. As part of the rulemaking process, MDC asked for public comments during July and early August. The Commission considered input received and approved the changes at its August 23rd meeting. The changes will become effective January 15th, 2020.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Friday, August 16th, deputies observed a man walking south on Highway 72. Deputies went to check on the man and during the course of the incident, a 29-year-old man was arrested for warrants through Salem Police Department and Probation and Parole. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Then on Saturday, August 17th, deputies received a report from Jadwin Canoe Rental of a man that had threatened people on one of their transportation buses. After investigating the incident, deputies traveled to the 700 block of East Hunt Street and arrested a 33-year-old Salem man for peace disturbance, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on Sunday, August 18th, deputies traveled to the 100 block of Route F for a report of a burglary that had occurred. During the course of the investigation, a man and woman were seen exiting the woods surrounding the residence. The man and woman were identified and a stop and hold was issued for the subjects. Later that day, the man and woman were located by the Salem Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Wal-Mart. The man and woman were arrested for Burglary in the 2nd degree and Stealing in the 1st degree. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and were incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred in Dent County Monday evening at 7:50 on Highway 72 about nine miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2017 Subaru Forester, driven by 49-year-old Calvin Owens of High Ridge, struck a deer attempting to cross the road. Owens suffered minor injuries and sought his own medical treatment. The Subaru sustained moderate damage and the disposition of the vehicle is unknown. The report stated that Owens was wearing his safety device at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department released reports for August 13th and 14th. On Tuesday morning the 13th at approximately 10:25 an officer located a 22-year-old male of Salem in the 600 block of West Fourth who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That night at approximately 10:19 a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. Investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 31-year-old male of Salem for driving while revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Wednesday afternoon the 14th at approximately 1:25 an officer was investigating a crash at Missouri Highways 32 & 19. Investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 45-year-old male of Salem for driving while suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at approximately 10:42 an officer located a 30-year-old male of Salem near Ray and Key Lanes who had two active arrest warrants from Crawford County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation previously mentioned.

The American Volunteers will be holding an Off-Road Swap Meet at the Flat Nasty off-road park in Jadwin. The meet will be held starting at 8:00 Saturday morning, August 31st at 1775 Route ZZ. You will find all types of new and used equipment. You can reserve your spot for $10 all day by calling 729-1394. Great food and drinks will be available. If you got it, bring it, trade it or sell it!

An accident occurred Sunday evening at 8:26 in Texas County on Highway 137 about four miles south of Licking that took the life of a Licking man. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Dodge 3500 truck driven by 19-year old William Grammar of Summersville, was attempting to turn left from a private drive onto Highway 137 northbound when a southbound 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 57-year old Frank Davy of Licking struck the side of the towed unit in the southbound lane. The body of Frank Davy was taken to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking. He was wearing his safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive of Houston. The Dodge truck sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell was appointed as the temporary Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. In the road report for district 1, Commissioner Purcell stated that grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5160, 5170 and 6220. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4253, 4255, 5070, 5190 and 5410. Purcell went on to say that a grader is not in operation and in need of maintenance. A technician from John Deere will need to repair the problem. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 2500 while materials will be added and patch grading will be done on county roads 4280, 4290 and 5260. Larson said brush will be cut on county road 2240, materials will be added to county road 2380 and patch grading will be done on county road 2540. Larson also said chip and seal overlay will begin later this week and the county apologizes in advance for any delays due to the work being done. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would be attending the annual County Clerks Election Authority Conference at the Lodge of the Four Seasons and will not be at the meeting Thursday. At the last meeting, Commissioner Purcell contacted Matt Lloyd with Fabick and Company regarding the two new Cat graders. Even after some adjustments, the commissioners and grader operators are still not satisfied with the performance and safety of the graders. The commissioners decided they did not want the new graders and asked for their old John Deere graders back. They will be talking with Lloyd again about the problem, but plan on re-bidding to get new graders. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance was in to discuss the water damage in the Judicial Building from a toilet. The commissioners also heard from Dennis Hayman about setting a date to celebrate the 150th year celebration of the Dent County Courthouse. No date has been discussed or decided at this time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A three vehicle accident occurred Wednesday evening on August 14th around 6:10 that left a woman from Rolla with minor injuries. The report from the Salem Police Department states that a 2019 Toyota Corolla driven by Ruth Ridenhour of Licking had just exited a private drive and was preparing to turn left onto northbound Highway 72. The Corolla turned into the side of a 2007 F-250 being driven by Bret Bailey of Salem. The Ford was pushed into the entry lane of Highway 72 where it collided with a 2003 Buick Century being driven by Brenda Vasic of Rolla. Vasic was transported by EMS to the Salem Memorial District hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Toyota sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene. The Ford and Buick were both driven from the scene with minor to moderate damage.

The Dent County follow-up community conversation on the opioid epidemic will be held tonight starting at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. Join in the discussion along with the panel of experts as they listen and educate on how the opioid epidemic impacts our community and what local leaders are doing in response to the crisis. The town hall meeting, which is hosted by Your Community Cares Rural Health Coalition, will include professionals from local law enforcement, the medical community and recovery advocates. The event is free.

An accident happened Sunday evening at approximately 8:22 in Franklin County on westbound Interstate 44 around the 235 mile marker that resulting in injuries to a teenager from Steelville. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2019 Freightliner being driven by 32-year old Tracy Manuel of Norfolk, Virginia, was traveling in westbound in the left lane as a 2008 Pontiac G-6 driven by 18-year old Elizabeth Ruth of Steelville, was entering the interstate from the rest area and traveled into the path of the Freightliner. The right front bumper of the Pontiac struck the towed unit of the Freightliner. Ruth was taken to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital in a personal vehicle for treatment of minor injuries. The report states both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Frieghtliner sustained no damage in the accident and was driven from the scene while the Pontiac sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by personal conveyance.

An accident occurred Sunday morning around 12:35 in Crawford County on Oak Hill Road about five miles north of Cuba. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Dodge Ram driven by 14-year old Lane Bridgeman of Cuba was traveling southbound when pickup began to skid. The Dodge traveled off the left side of the road before overturning. The vehicle then struck a tree before finally coming to rest. Lane was pronounced deceased at the scene by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake. Lane’s body was transported to the Hudson Funeral Home. The other three occupants of the vehicle all suffered serious injuries. They were 14- year old Luke Bridgeman of Cuba who was flown to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis by Air Evac, 12-year old Thomas Drew of Steelville who was flown by Arch Air to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and 12-year old Devon Watring was flown to Children’s Hospital in St Louis by Phelps Air. The driver and all occupants of the vehicle wear wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris & Son’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, North Crawford County Ambulance, Cuba Fire Department and the Bourbon Fire Department.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Sunday, August 11th, just after midnight, an officer located a 35-year-old female of Rolla near Macarthur and Acuff who had two active arrest warrants from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and for resisting arrest. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. The next afternoon, Monday August 12th, near 1:17, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed the victim lost a wallet containing identification and cash valued at $170.20 near the Salem Public Library. By use of security surveillance video, the officer was able to locate a 67-year-old male of Salem who found the wallet and took it. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for stealing and recovery of the wallet and cash. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that afternoon at approximately 3:17, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The onvestigation of the report led to the arrest of a 29-year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $44.74. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same evening at 6:58, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft from a storage unit. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown forcibly entered a storage unit and took a bicycle valued at $100.00. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation previously mentioned.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 6:06 in Phelps County on Route CC about three miles west of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro driven by 21-year old Caleb Gentry of Rolla, was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed. The Camaro traveled off the left side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned several times. Gentry suffered moderate inquires and was transported to Phelps Health Hospital by Phelps Health Ambulance. Gentry was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Camaro was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Sunday, August 11th, deputies traveled to the 4000 block of County Road 3220 to investigate a report of a non-injury traffic crash. Deputies arrived on the scene and during the course of the incident investigation the driver, a 56-year-old Salem man, fled the scene. Deputies began to pursue the vehicle and observed the man had wrecked in the 3000 block of County Road 3220. The man was observed running from the wreck into the nearby woods. Deputies gave chase after the subject and the man was apprehended. The man was arrested for a DWI, habitual driving while having his license revoked or suspended – a felony, and two counts of resisting arrest for a felony. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Then on Thursday, August 15th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 800 Block of East 3rd Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having is license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and was released. Also on the 15th, deputies traveled to the 2000 block of Highway 119 to assist with a medical call. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about an investigation.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon shortly before 5:00 in Phelps County on highway O approximately 4 miles south of Rolla. The highway patrol reports states that a 2009 Volkswagen Routan driven by Amy Hyatt of Rolla was traveling southbound on O when she pulled onto the shoulder in an attempt to make a U-turn. While making the turn, the vehicle traveled into the path of a 1996 Dodge D150 also being driven south by Gary Longgrear of Rolla. Hyatt was transported to Phelps Health by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. The Dodge was driven from the scene and the Volkswagen was removed from the scene by C & C Towing. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident according to the report.