Archive for 2019

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Wednesday, February 20th, a female came into the Dent County Sheriff’s Office to report an incident which had occurred on Dent County Road 5180 and Highway B. After speaking to the female, deputies traveled to the 1000 block of Dent County Road 5180. During the course of the investigation, a 24-year old Salem man was arrested for Peace Disturbance, a 1st Offense, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 2nd Degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Saturday, February 23rd, deputies traveled to the 600 block of Dent County Road 6300 in reference to an active domestic disturbance which was occurring. During the course of the investigation, a 40-year old Warrenton man was arrested for Burglary in the 1st degree and for 3rd Degree Assault. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. That same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the 100 block of 4th Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 28-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked, a 2nd or Subsequent Offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley was in court for sentencing with Judge Kelly Parker on Tuesday. Curley reports that Gail Sherfy of St. James pled guilty to a DWI that resulted in an injury in a three car accident. She was sentenced to five years of supervised probation and parole. The State sought seven years in the Department of Corrections, but Judge Parker granted the defendant straight probation with seven year suspended execution of sentence over the states’ objection. In another case, Cody Amsden of Rolla pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine. Amsden was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections. Curley reported on the case against Jamie Hatcher of Salem who pled guilty to 1st degree felony involuntary manslaughter for operating her vehicle carelessly as she drove into the lane of travel of Ron Caraway, resulting in his death. Hatcher had a previous felony conviction for distribution of marijuana and was on probation at the time of the new offense. Marijuana was found on her person at the time of the offense, plus THC and an opioid were found in her blood system in unspecified amounts. The defendant had a prescription for the opioid. Judge Parker followed the states recommendation and sentenced the defendant to 10 years in the Department of Corrections. Family members and friends of the decedent were present for the sentencing. Curley also reported that Dylan Burke of Steelville pled guilty to delivery of a controlled substance for fentanyl. Curley said the Burke was granted supervision of executed sentence probation over objection of the state. Finally, Curley reports Harvey Pewitt of Salem pled guilty to the charge of failing to register as a sex offender. Judge Parker granted Pewitt seven years supervision of executed sentence probation over the objection of the state.

New data from the Missouri Hospital Association reveals that in 2017, the state’s hospitals provided more than $1.4 billion in uncompensated care and exceeded $3.3 billion in total community benefit — record totals for both categories. In Dent County, the Salem Memorial District Hospital in 2017 provided 1.9 million dollars of uncompensated care and over 2 million dollars that benifited the community. As far as other community benefits provided in 2017, the Salem Memorial Distrcit Hospital employed 221 people and provided a total payroll in the community of $10,367,650 while showing a net income of $859,000.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of January. The Salem Police issued 9 equipment repair orders, 12 summons to appear in court, 15 warning tickets, and 13 traffic tickets, plus they also served 1 city warrant and six fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 15 traffic accidents, 2 assaults, one burglary, made one death investigation, a leaving the scene of an accident and a lost or stolen license plate. They also wrote two reports on domestic violence reports, one fraud report, a missing person report, a property damage report, seven stealing reports and 1 trespassing report. The department investigated one rape and one sex offense, plus had four reports of driving while having a license revoked and suspended, three possession of a controlled substance reports, five possession of drug paraphernalia reports and had one vehicle towed. The department was also dispatched for 41 animal calls, 34 ambulance assist calls, 26 well being checks, 16 requests for information, and performed 77 traffic stops for the month. The department received 987 calls during the month of January and 87 walk ins to the station. The department drove 7,364 miles during the month of January and spent 10 hours in court testifying and 12 hours as court bailiff. There were 17 males and six females arrested in January.