Archive for 2019

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported on a couple of cases that went before Judge Kelly Parker Tuesday in Dent County. The first case involved Austin Carter of Salem. His probation was revoked when he was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. Carter was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections. In another case determined in Dent County Tuesday in court, Owen B. White of Salem pled guilty to the stealing of a firearm and for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. White has a previous criminal history and was sentenced to seven years incarceration in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each count.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for April 14th though the 17th. On Sunday morning, the 14th, at approximately 8:28, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Pershing in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown entered a residence and took a Fender amplifier, a flat screen television and a microwave with a total value of $720.00. The report is under investigation. That night at approximately 10:20, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of South Warfel in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown entered a residence, took $275.00 cash and prescription medications. The report is under investigation. About an hour later at about 11:32, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 37-year-old male of Edgar Springs on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Tuesday afternoon, April 16th, at about 5:53 an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to an assault and property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a 21-year old male of Salem had assaulted an 18-year old female of Salem and broke the windshield valued at $300.00 out of her vehicle. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for domestic assault, property damage and on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application of warrants and on the active arrest warrant. Then Wednesday night, the 17th, at about 9:30, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 34-year-old male of Salem for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

An accident happened Tuesday morning at 6:29 in Washington County on Route C just east of Route Y. According to the highway patrol report, A 2007 Jeep Liberty driven eastbound by 39-year old Kevin Hewkin of Davisville, traveled off the south side of the roadway and struck a tree. Hewkin suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Iron County Ambulance to the Parkland Health Center in Farmington. Hewkin was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Monday evening, April 15th. Health Center Director Kendra Mobray reported that the new Helmer pharmaceutical refrigerator had been installed and was working well. She also reported that lab services were provided to 88 clients during the month of March and that a site visit of the Health Center is scheduled with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for today. Mobray went on to report that Chrysta Hinderliter attended Grow and Glow in April and will have additional WIC training May 2nd. Roma Jones reported that lodging inspections will begin soon. Mobray said that the “Choosing the Best” Program is complete at all schools and Ashley Payton attended the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Conference in St. Louis. One case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and one case of Campylobacteriosis was investigated in March, plus four animal bites. With warmer weather and increased outdoor activities, the Health Center encourages residents to keep their pets current on rabies vaccines and to avoid contact with stray animals. Influenza activity is winding down, but for this flu season there have been 210 confirmed cases of influenza reported for Dent County and one influenza related death. A closed session was conducted with no votes being taken. After the closed session, the board approval of the Dent County Health Center expenses for March was tabled due to a delay in reports from the accountant. The next regular meeting of the Health Center Board of Trustees will be Monday, May 20th at the Health Center at McArthur and Franklin.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of March. The Salem Police performed 78 traffic stops for the month and issued 13 equipment repair orders, 9 summons to appear in court, 16 warning tickets, and 10 traffic tickets, plus they also served two city warrants and 9 fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated nine traffic accidents, two assaults, made one death investigation, and investigated two disorderly conduct reports. They also wrote one report on domestic violence, had two driving while being intoxicated charges, and issued four driving while having a license revoked or suspended charges. The police received two lost or stolen license plates reports, and two unlawful use of a firearm or weapon charges. The department investigated a rape, four possessions of a controlled substance charges along with two possession of drug paraphernalia charges, four reports of stealing, three property damage reports and a report of a peace disturbance. The department redirected 40 animal calls while responding to 27 ambulance assist calls, 27 well being checks and 18 requests for information for the month. The department received 971 calls during the month of March and had 76 walk- ins to the station. The department drove 7,827 miles during the month of March and spent 39 hours in court testifying and 14 hours as court Bailiff. There were 20 males and 7 females arrested in March.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Monday night at the Salem Community Center @The Armory. At the meeting, Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported about 350 children have signed up so far for the softball, baseball and T-ball program this summer with the last day to sign up a child being Friday at 4:30 at the Salem Community Center. He reported the splash pad by Billie’s Playground will be activated on May 15th and the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool will officially open on May 25th. He said the pool will be prepped next week as Westport Pools will come in to prepare the pool after the water is pumped out this week. Lydon said new loungers and chairs have been purchased and the seating has been increased by three times the amount that was available last year. Lydon said the summer camp would be available this year starting June 3rd and lasting until July 19th with special events taking place on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. Lydon said the camp will include the Summer Food Service Program at the Salem Community Center@The Armory which is available to anyone 18 years of age and under in Dent County. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate before coming back into open session. The Park Board approved the job description and the hiring of an Assistant Park and Recreation Director to be included in the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. They also approved acquiring and installing a flag pole for the American flag at the Al Brown Field complex. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the hearing of persons, Travis Richards was in to talk to the Commission. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 5390 and materials would be added to county roads 6245, 4210, 6370 and 5600. He went on to report that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 5100, 5103, 5105 and 5380. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2590, 2600, 4400 and 4405, while materials would be added to county roads 2590 and 2600, plus brush would be cut on county road 3180. Both Larson and Purcell reported that they had a grader operator out. Larson said that Fabick and Co. may get the grader that’s been gone for repairs back today. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the CART receipts for Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams. April’s receipts were $52,310.88, which was down from April 2018’s receipts of $55,438.98. He said that the April to April drop of $3,128.10 left the year-to-date down by $3,989.35 or 1.8%. Dent Count Clerk Angie Curley reported that there were a few bills to be approved by the Commissioners and that the meeting of the Board of Equalization date needed to be set. The Commissioners set the date for July 15th. Three bids were received for culverts from Advanced Drainage Systems, Metal Culverts and Viebrock Sales and Service. Viebrock had the low bid of $15,111.00 and it was approved by the commission by a 3–0 vote. Sheriff Bob Wells was in for the opening of the financing bids for the new vehicle. Bids were submitted by Bank of Salem, Town and Country Bank, and US Bank. The low bid of 2.84% for 3 years by Town and Country Bank was approved by the Commissioners 3-0. At last Thursday’s meeting Nick Smith and Dwight Ramsburg with Septagon along with Steve Davis with Shive-Hattery were in to update the Commission on the jail project. Sheriff Wells brought in a contract to provide inmate phone/video visitation at no cost to the county in the new jail. The Commissioners approved the contract 3-0. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A drowning occurred Sunday morning at Snow Hollow Lake in Iron County that took the life of a De Soto man. According to the water patrol report, 39-year old Zachary Daugherty was fishing from a stern pedestal seat when he suffered a seizure causing him to fall overboard and he did not resurface. Daugherty was pronounced dead at the scene by Iron County Coroner Tim Harbison. The body was taken to the Iron County Coroners office. Assisting the water patrol at the scene were MDC agents, the Pilot Knob Fire Department, Doe Run Fire Department, and Metro West Dive Team. This was the first boating fatality for Troop E in 2019.

Reservations are now being accepted for the City of Salem two Pavilions that can be rented at the Salem City Park for an entire day. The cost of the Fireplace Pavilion on the circle drive is $45 per day and the large pavilion on the west side of the creek is $35 for the entire day. This includes electric and lights. Other pavilions at the park are free and cannot be reserved. You can also book your pool party for this summer as well as purchase your family pass for the Alice Lou Craig Swimming Pool. For more information on reserving a pavilion, booking a pool party or purchasing a family pass for the pool, call Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon at 729-6290. Reservations dates on the pavilions and pool parties are made on a first come, first served basis.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released the following reports for April 12th through the 14th. On Friday, April 12th, deputies traveled to 1007 East Center Street for a warrant check. During the course of the investigation a 22-year-old Salem male was arrested for active warrants through Dent County and possession of a controlled substance. Also arrested was a 27-year-old Salem female for active warrants and possession of a controlled substance. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office jail and incarcerated. Then on Sunday, April 14th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Route W. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem male was arrested for three active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear on traffic offenses and operating a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 2nd offense. The male was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.