Archive for 2020

On Friday, the Dent County Health Center announced that the 10th & 11th people in Dent County have tested positive for COVID-19. The individuals are in isolation in their home. The cases are unrelated and are not contacts of each other. Anyone who has been in close contact with these people are being identified. One location of possible exposure was identified during case investigation which was the Dent County Fire Protection District polling location on Tuesday, August 4th sometime between 9:45-10:30. Individuals at this location are at low risk for contracting COVID-19 but should monitor for symptoms. It is important to remember that every activity that involves contact with others has some degree of risk so please remember to do your part in not spreading the disease. Please continue to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, wear a mask when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained, stay home if you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. If you suspect that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and are experiencing symptoms, call your healthcare provider to let them know before seeking care. It is critical that your provider is aware that you may have COVID-19 prior to your arrival at a healthcare facility, and that you follow all instructions for arriving at a healthcare facility. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Health Center at 729-3106.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Tuesday, July 28th, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 and Highway UU. During the course of the traffic stop, a 44-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while revoked or suspended, a 1st offense and exceeding posted speed limit by 16-19 mph. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Wednesday, July 29th, a Deputy observed a 36-year-old Salem man in the 400 block of West Rolla road the Deputy knew to have an active warrant through Phelps County. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. Then on Thursday, July 30th, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of County Road 2370. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while revoked or suspended, a 2nd or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Finally on Friday, July 31st, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Sunday evening July 23rd at approximately 10:23 an officer was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at the intersection of Missouri Highway 19 and 32. It was reported that there was a physical disturbance between two subjects. Officers observed minor bruising to the victim and the suspect had already left the scene. As a result of the investigation a 23-year-old Salem male was later arrested and issued summons to appear in court. On the evening July 24th at approximately 8:30 an officer was traveling on Missouri Highway 19 when he noticed a male subject urinating at the gas pumps. The male subject, a 41-year-old from Salem was contacted and arrested for City Indecent Exposure. He was later released on a summons. On the afternoon of July 25th around 3:30 an officer transported a 53-year-old Salem Male to Mexico Missouri for a 96-hour mental health evaluation. The male was transported without incident. Later that same night around 9:30 an officer noticed a female operating a motor vehicle that had an active warrant for her arrest. A traffic stop was conducted, and contact was made with a 40-year-old woman from Steelville. The female was found to have active warrants out of Texas County Missouri. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. On July 28th at approximately 9:22 in the evening an officer conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations at the intersection of Fourth and Pershing Streets. As a result of the stop it was found the driver had a revoked drivers license. The driver, a 51-year-old Salem male was arrested and later released on a summons for driving while revoked. During the afternoon of July 30th shortly after 1:00 an officer was conducting a routine traffic patrol when they noticed a male subject who they knew not to have a valid driver’s license driving on Babb Lane. Contact was made with the driver and as a result, the 38-year-old Salem male was arrested and later released on a summons for driving while revoked. Finally during the morning of July 31st around 11:30 an officer responded to the 300 block of north Russell Street to attempt to locate a male subject who had an active arrest warrant. Once at the residence and during the investigation the male with a warrant ran out the back door. The man was told numerous times to stop running as he had an active arrest warrant. The male, a 25-year-old from Salem was later caught and arrested and was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Tuesday, July 28th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 and Route UU. During the course of the traffic stop, a 44-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense, and for exceeding posted speed limit by 16-19 mph. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Wednesday, July 29th, a deputy observed a 36-year-old Salem man in the 400 block of West Rolla Road the deputy knew to have an active warrant through Phelps County. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. On Thursday, July 30th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Dent County Road 2370. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on Friday, July 31st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be working along Interstate 44 next week to improve the driving surface. The pavement repairs will require single lane closures along Interstate 44 in both directions through the city of Rolla. Work will take place between from 7:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon each day, the week of August 10th. Motorists are advised to slow down, stay focused, and obey all traffic signs through the work zone. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit modot.org/modot-central-district. You can follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.

As part of a recent study on property taxes, SmartAsset, a financial technology company, has ranked the places where home values have risen the most throughout a five-year period. The rankings were one of three factors in the property tax study, which also included metrics on school ratings and effective property tax rates. According to the study, home values in Dent County were among those that rose the most in Missouri. In fact, Dent County came in fourth with a Home Value Growth Index of 54.62%. Shannon County was ranked first with a Home Value Growth Index of 55.56%. For additional information on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, go to https://smartasset.com/taxes/missouri-property-tax-calculator#us/growth.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that Tuesday in Crawford County in front of Judge Megan Seay in the 42nd Judicial
Circuit Court, Todd Harget of Rolla had his probation revoked. He was then sentenced to serve 14 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In another case heard Tuesday, Ryan Stagner of Salem had his probation revoked and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. Another case heard by Judge Seay dealt with Thomas Parks of Farmington. Previously Parks had been sentenced to 120 days in jail for failing to register as a sex offender. He was released on probation at the conclusion of his 120 days at the end of 2018. Tuesday, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve 11 years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the Dent County Prosecutor.

The Salem Police Department reports that an accident happened Thursday, July 30th, shortly after 4:30 in the afternoon. According to the report a 2003 Chevrolet Impala owned and operated by April Kreiter of Salem was parked facing north in front of 808 South Jackson and started into traffic attempting to turn onto West 9th Street. Kreiter failed to yield to a 2006 Ford Ranger being driven by Dixie Griffith of Salem. Both vehicles went off the roadway at the intersection before coming to a stop. The Impala sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whiakers Towing. The Ford had moderate damage and was driven from the scene. Both drivers suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment.

A two vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning just after 10:30 in Texas County on Highway 63 in Houston. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2014 Ford Taurus being driven by 24-year old Jason Wink of Houston, struck from the behind the rear of a trailer being towed by a 1984 Chevrolet pickup being driven by 41-year old William Cooper of Licking. Wink suffered minor injuries, Cooper received moderate injuries, and both were taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Ford was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Jays Towing. The Chevy pickup did not have any damages but was towed from the scene by Kenny’s Tow service of Licking.