Archive for 2019

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports on the cases brought before Judge Kelly Parker on Thursday, May 30th in Dent County. At the proceedings, Shawn Alterauge of Salem pled guilty to a Class E felony of resisting a lawful stop creating a subsequent risk of injury or death to a person. Alterauge was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections. Also at the proceedings, Julie Henson of Rolla had her probation revoked and was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections under Revised Missouri State Statute 559.115. That same day, Franklin White of St. Robert had his probation revoked and was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections manufacturing a controlled substance. Also on May 30th, Bobbie Paul of Salem had her probation revoked and was sentenced to fulfill her 10 year sentence in the Department of Corrections. Curley also reported that Lamicia Conaway of Cherryville and Kari Johns of Salem both pled guilty to the felony distribution of a controlled substance. Curley said the State sought 10 years in the Department of Corrections under 559.115 while the defense sought probation. Judge Parker found in favor of the defense motion and granted probation for each defendant for five years over the objection of the state. On Tuesday in Crawford County in front of Judge Megan Seay, Randy Richardson of Boss had his probation revoked for failing to report and was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of April. The Salem Police issued 3 equipment repair orders, 9 summonses to appear in court, 10 warning tickets, and 15 traffic tickets, plus they also served 2 city warrants and 5 fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 17 traffic accidents, one assault, 3 burglaries, and two disorderly conduct reports. They also investigated one dog bite, two domestic assaults and four domestic violence reports. Two driving while intoxicated were investigated along with two driving while revoked or suspended, along with 1 report of fraud and one leaving the scene of an accident. The department investigated three possessions of a controlled substance reports along with 4 possession of drug paraphernalia, six reports of stealing and two unlawful use of a firearm or weapon. The department also reported two 96 hour commitments. The department was also dispatched for 66 animal calls, 32 ambulance assist calls, 26 well being checks, 23 requests for information, and performed 57 traffic stops for the month. The department received 971 calls in April and 65 walk- ins to the station. The department drove 8,377 miles during the month of April and spent 12 hours in court testifying and 8 hours as court Bailiff. There were 15 males and 5 females arrested in April.

The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public hearing in Rolla on Tuesday, June 11th in a natural gas rate case filed by Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri. This local public hearing will be held at the Rolla City Hall Council Chambers at 901 N. Elm Street in Rolla A PSC Staff public information/question and answer session starts at noon with the Commission receiving testimony from the public starting at 12:30 p.m.. This site is ADA compliant. Any person who needs additional accommodations to participate in this hearing should call the Public Service Commission’s hotline at 1-800-392-4211 (voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 before the hearing. If you are unable to attend a local public hearing and wish to make written comments or secure additional information, you may contact the Office of the Public Counsel, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, or call 1-866-922-2959. On December 3rd, of 2018, Ameren Missouri filed a natural gas rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to increase annual natural gas revenues by approximately $4.26 million. According to Ameren Missouri’s filing, the average annual change in natural gas rates for residential customers will be approximately $26 a year. Ameren Missouri provides natural gas service to approximately 131,000 customers in 25 Missouri counties including in Dent, Gasconade and Phelps in our area.

The Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The Board discussed a number of health insurance bids for coverage from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health Care. After some deliberation, the board decided to postpone making a decision on the policies until a special meeting could be held. The board then discussed property and liability insurance coverage and workman’s compensation coverage. The board approved going with their current insurance carrier, MPR’s renewal quote on property insurance for $33,804.04 and liability coverage at $118,923.92. The board decided to change their workman’s compensation coverage to that offered by Memic that reduced the work experience claim factor to 1.00 from the current 1.8 with MPR that provided a reduced cost of $158,796, a savings of over $160,000. After approval of the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden stated that he has followed up with Harold Tubbs on the issues brought up at a previous meeting with explanations to all his questions and concerns. Walden stated that no board is treated differently than any other board as Tubbs had insinuated with his comments as Walden said all the information that he gave Tubbs is available for all to see. Walden set the Capital Improvement Committee meeting for Thursday at 7:00 at a location to be determined, and the Capital Improvement Committee or Budget Committee meeting will be meeting on Tuesday, June 11th at 7:00 at a location to be determined. Walden and City Attorney William Camm Seay discussed a workshop to address the nuisance ordinance. Seay said copies of the new ordinance information need to be available to the public before the workshop. There may be a charge for paper copies from city hall or they could be e-mailed at no cost. Seay will let the city know when the information is ready. Once the information is available, a workshop will be set. The board approved Resolution #13-2019 to allow the city to use the Commons for the annual 4th of July Fireworks display to be held on Independence Day. The maintenance costs went up from $800 to $1,200 for the event and no personal fireworks will be allowed by those attending. The board also approved Bill #3418 which created an ordinance to rezone the property owned by Joshua and Lorie Greenwood at 600 South McArthur to be changed from residential to commercial. The board approved all the standing committees appointed by Mayor Brad Nash before going into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports from May. On Tuesday, May 21st, deputies traveled to the 6000 block of Highway 32 East to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the service, a 34-year-old Salem man was arrested for a warrant through Dent County, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and he was incarcerated. Later that day, deputies traveled to a residence on John Street in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Probation and Parole. He was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. On Wednesday, May 22nd, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the Route H and DD intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting Thursday evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to discuss employee health insurance. The City of Salem Capital Improvement Committee will then hold a special meeting Thursday evening immediately following the special board meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory after 7:00 to review Capital Projects and Purchases as well as requested 2019-2020 projects and purchases. The special board meeting and the Capital Improvements Committee meeting are both open to the public.