Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. The commission recognized Dwayne McClellan of the Salem News for his long time reporting of the commission meetings and that he will truly be missed. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his district received over two inches of rain Wednesday and crews would be out checking roads for washouts and clearing areas of any downed trees and limbs. He mentioned materials would be added to Dent County Road 2430 and a crew would be doing chip and seal patching on county roads 5013, 5045 and 5083. Purcell also reported that men would be performing maintenance on truck 121 and time permitting, would be doing some edgework repair on Dent County Road 5015 with the ultimate paving material. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated he would have a man grading on Dent County Road 4060 and cutting brush on county road 5240. He said a man would be hauling brown rock if it wasn’t too wet, and crew members would be working on loader #3. Commissioner Skiles attended the TAC meeting Thursday afternoon in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts from the month of July, and she also balanced with the assessor and collector on abatements, collections and add-ons for the month of July. She stated the tax rate hearings for the General Revenues Fund, the Road and Bridge Fund, the SB 40 Board Fund and Senior Citizen Fund would be held at 10:00 Monday morning at the courthouse. The hearing is open to the public. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public

Get ready for the new school year with the Annual Back to School Fair Saturday, August 10th, at the Community Center at The Armory. The event will be held from 10:00 until 2:00 for preschoolers through the 12th grade. The Back to School Fair is a partnership of community organizations, businesses and resources. Missouri Child Identification Program (MoCHIP) representatives will be on hand providing free child ID kits. Children will also receive haircuts, socks, shoes and underwear. Children must be pre-registered with the South Central Community Action Agency before the event and parents can register their child or children by contacting Sarah Richmond-Arnett at the office at 1405 S. Wines Street now through August 10th. If your business or community group would be interested in participating in the fair you should contact the Sarah at 573-739-3500, extension 10, or by email at sgivens@scmcaa.org.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Wednesday morning, July 24th at about 10:05, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Jackson in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that someone took a 22-caliber pistol valued at $500.00. The report is under investigation. On Thursday, July 25th at about 7:59 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East Second in reference to property damage. An investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown broke the glass valued at $768.00 out of the door of a residence. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control arrested 33-year old James C. Hughes of St. Robert, on Wednesday for promoting and possession of child pornography. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit. The St. Robert Police Department and the South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation. On August 7th, investigators executed a search warrant at Hughes’ residence located on Top Drive in St. Robert. As a result of their search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment. Hughes was arrested and transported to the Pulaski County Jail. On Thursday, the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Hughes with one count of promoting child pornography and four counts of possession of child pornography. Hughes’ bond was set at $500,000. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting took place at 6:00 Tuesday evening, August 6th. After the call to order, a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda and minutes from the previous meeting as presented. Bills were reviewed and approved with an ending balance of $181,432.81 as of the end of July. The budget was reviewed and approved. The calendar review made note that on August 8th the Fire Trucks would be at Salem High School for the Band and on August 15th, state training for the District and surrounding departments would take place. In the monthly reimbursement report, the department received a total of 16 calls for the month of July, bringing the total calls year to date to 166 with an average cost per call of $115.39. Chief Brad Nash reported that two of the thermal cameras were failing and that the cost to repair them was $1,400.00. Due to the age of the cameras, he is looking at different options. The Board discussed the tax rate for the fire district and voted to leave the rate at 0.2338 per $100 assessed valuation. The date for the next meeting was set for September 3rd at 6:00 PM at the fire station. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released several reports for July 20th through the 23rd. On Saturday, July 20th, deputies received a report of a fight occurring at the Mobil Gas Station. Deputies traveled to the area and during the course of the investigation, a 24-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Gasconade County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond and was released. On Tuesday the 23rd, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19 South and Dent County Road 5080. During the course of the traffic stop, a 24-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an active warrant through Phelps County. The female was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was later transported to the Phelps County Jail. Later that day, deputies traveled to the Missouri Private Probation Services in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 38-year-old Lenox man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond. Later that day, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the 500 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem woman was arrested for possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less as well as for the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The female was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports for Sunday, July 28th. At approximately 3:15 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of South Water in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 32-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 23-year-old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. Just minutes later at 3:22, an officer was dispatched to a storage unit at Highway 32 and Sligo in reference to a theft. That investigation showed that a person or persons unknown broke into a unit and took a 22-caliber rifle, a safe and jewelry valued at$8,000.00. The report is under investigation. At about 9:10 that night, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of North Pershing in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation of the report revealed that a 33-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 25-year-old male of Salem. During the assault, a 25-year-old male of Jadwin fired a 9mm pistol in the air. A further investigation led to the arrest of the 33-year-old Salem man for assault and the Jadwin male suspect for unlawful use of a firearm. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

Would you recognize signs of youth alcohol and drug use in your home? Learn how to spot warning signs and get tips for talking with kids about the danger of alcohol and drug use. You’ll be able to explore an interactive display of a teenager’s bedroom containing over 70 items that could signal that a young person is involved in risky activities. Stop by the “Hidden In Plain View” today at the Salem High School at 1400 Tiger Pride Drive. The exhibit will be open from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and the presentations will be at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. This event is for adults only.