Archive for 2020

KSMO Radio will be airing political interviews today and again tomorrow night by a number of the Republican candidates running in the 1st District Dent County Commissioner race, the 2nd District Dent County Commissioner race, the race for Public Administrator and the race for Dent County Assessor. All candidates in the contested races were asked to participate and some declined. The interviews were paid for by the candidates or their committees and are approximately 15 minutes in length. The interviews begin at 9:45 this morning with three Dent County District 1 Commissioner candidates in the order they are on the ballot. J.T. Fleener will be the first candidate followed by Phillip Mercer at about 10:10 and then by Justin Headrick at about 10:30. Dent County District 2 Commissioner Candidate Gary Larson can be heard starting about 10:50 in the morning. Later this afternoon at 1:30, the interview with Dent County Assessor Candidate Jamie Homeyer will begin and it will be followed by the two Dent County Public Administrator candidates. Sherida Cook’s interview will begin about 1:50 with the interview with Larry Edwards starting about 2:15. All the interviews will be streamed on www.ksmoradio.com live and will also be archived on You Tube for playback on demand. KSMO will re-air all the interviews a second time Friday night starting about 6:15 provided that the Cardinal baseball game with Milwaukee has been completed. If the game should go extra innings and run late, the interviews will begin immediately after the Cardinal Post Game show. The interviews will be played back in the same order as this morning consecutively with only short commercial interruptions and weather updates.

A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Salem will be held at the Community Center@the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road this evening at 7:00. After the call to order and roll call will be a hearing of persons including the Salem Industrial Development board and the AMI project implementation. The board may then go into closed session for discussion of personnel and contracts. The city of Salem board of aldermen meeting at 7:00 tomorrow evening is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released reports for Thursday, July 16th and Friday, July 17th. On the 16th, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Dent County Road 2460 for a report of two subjects trespassing on a property and in the possession of stolen property from a neighboring residence. While deputies were traveling to the residence, the subjects left in a vehicle and traveled toward West Highway 32. Deputies arrived in the area and after a short investigation, both subjects were located and arrested. The first subject, a 38-year-old Salem man was arrested for burglary in the 2nd degree and stealing. The second subject, a 27-year-old Belle man, was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana, burglary in the 2nd degree, possession of burglary tools and stealing. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where they were incarcerated. Later that day, deputies traveled to a residence in the 1500 block of Dent County Road 4110 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of incident, a 46-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Crawford County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was incarcerated. On Friday, July 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route E and Dent County Road 6435. During the course of the traffic stop, a 25-year-old Licking woman was arrested for the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a prior drug offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where she 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.

The City Administrative Offices at 4th and Iron Streets is performing interior renovations to improve customer service and security at the City Administrative Offices. The renovation is expected to be completed by October 2020. The updates will focus on two areas: the first being customer service and the second, safety. The City Administrative Office building hosts 11 employees in seven departments. In 2001, the City entered a lease/purchase agreement for the building and relocated the city offices from 202 N. Washington to 400 North Iron Street. City Administrator Ray Walden said a critical part of the project would be how residents and visitors take care of their utility needs, pay their bills, meet with staff and attend meetings. Consideration has also been given for a safe and secure environment for the public and staff according to Walden. Utility customers are encouraged to continue using the drive-through, drop box, and pay by phone options. Staff for all departments will be working during the renovations and anyone needing to meet face-to-face should contact that respective department. Money to pay for the project was included in the recently passed 2020-2021 budget. The project cost is approximately $75,000 budgeted out of the city’s one-half cent capital improvement sales tax fund.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold a special meeting Monday, August 3rd at 5:30 the district administration offices boardroom. After approval of the agenda the board will address new business including approval of a COVID-19 plan, approval of the fuel bid and discuss MSBA training before adjourning. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting Monday evening is open to the public.

An accident happened late Monday night at 11:05in Osage County on Highway 63, just south of Osage County Road 637 that took the life of woman from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2018 Chrysler 300 driven southbound by 29-year old Bethany Heck of Rolla, crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Heck was pronounced dead at the scene by the Osage County Coroner Lois Jaeger just after midnight. Heck was wearing a seat restraint at time of the accident. The Chrysler was totaled and removed from the scene by Owen’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Osage County Sheriff’s Department at the scene.

An accident happened Monday morning at 9:50 in Crawford County on Highway 19 north of Bowers Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Dodge Dakota driven southbound by 28-year old Kenneth Mayberry of Steelville, swerved to avoid another vehicle that was turning and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Mayberry and a passenger in the Dodge, 21-year old Devin Carruthers of Steelville, each suffered moderate injuries. Mayberry refused treatment at the scene while Carruthers was taken to Phelps Health. Both men were wearing seat restraints. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris and Son towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released reports for Tuesday, July 14th and Wednesday, July 15th. On the 14th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1200 block of East 3rd Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 43-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. Later that day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 3220. During the course of the traffic stop, a 57-year-old Salem man was arrested for a DWI, a prior offender; driving while having his license revoked, a second or subsequent offense; failing to register a motor vehicle, and as being an owner operating a motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Wednesday, July 15th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route VV. During the course of the traffic stop, a 58-year-old Licking man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a second or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Later that day, a deputy traveled to the intersection of Routes W and EE for a report of a male subject slumped out the window of a vehicle parked at the intersection. Deputies arrived on scene and during the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Also on the 15th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 6620 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 29-year-old Licking man was arrested for having three active warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was incarcerated. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Dent County Clerk Angie Curley at the Dent County Commissioners meeting Monday wanted to remind everyone that absentee voting in person will continue through Monday, August 3rd in her office. She also wanted to inform the public her office will be open this Saturday morning from 8:00 until noon for absentee voting. She says sample ballots are available at her office. If you have had a name change or you have moved since the last election, you will need to update your voter registration before you can vote next Tuesday. Please stop her office at the courthouse or call 729-4144. Curley also wants to remind everyone that no electioneering is allowed at the courthouse or within 20 feet of the polls. This includes candidate T-Shirts, caps, buttons, or any literature. You are allowed to bring a sample ballot with you when you vote if you desire. For those who need to mail in their ballot, remember that ballot MUST be received by Tuesday for it to be counted so it would best if you can get that in the mail today or tomorrow at the latest. If you forget, there are rules as to who can delivery a mail-in ballot to the clerk’s office where it will be counted. For more information about delivering a mail-in ballot, having a sample ballot e-mailed to you or any other questions about electioneering you may have, contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 729-4144. Election Day will be Tuesday, August 4th and the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 that evening.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released some reports from the 42nd Judicial Court heard Monday in front of Judge Kelly Parker. Curley reported that David Cain of Salem pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance, (heroin) and also forgery. Cain was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the next case, Sherry Elgin of Salem had her probation revoked for failing to complete drug court. She was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections as request by the state. Curley also reported that Joshua Marr of Salem pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to four years in the department of Corrections.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART receipts in July to the commission that showed the county received $56,198.64 and that is down $4,079.38 from last July when the county received $60,278.02. Year-to date, the CART fund receipts are down $27,342.23 which is about a 6.95% reduction. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said a crew would be installing a crossover pipe on Dent County Road 5676, then adding material and grading. Another crew is working on Dent County Road 6380 to remove a portion of the road that has had chronic problems in the last few months. It was reported that at three feet, the crews were still in clay and it was wet. Purcell said they may have to go as low as five feet to get to solid ground before the repairs are made. Once they have a solid footing, materials will be added. Purcell wanted to let the public know there will be no access to county road 6380 from the Route K side. He said he hopes to have the road open by later today. Purcell added that a crew member would be repairing a hydraulic leak on brush cutter #8. At the Tourism Tax Meeting held last Monday, Purcell said three event proposals and one reimbursement were submitted and they were all approved. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Road 2030 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2020. He went on to say materials would also be added to county road 2210 and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3210, 3233 and 4330. Larson stated Dent County Road 2380 is passable, but the tree that was down there will have to be removed today. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he and Commissioner Larson attended the IDA Board meeting last week and heard a very informative report from Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge. He also said applications are still being accepted by the MRPC for the CARES ACT money the county received. This money is available to small businesses as well as public entities to cover expenses that were incurred due to COVID-19. To find out more information, contact Kelly Sink or Eva Voss at the MRPC at 573-265-2993. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported the 2020 Dent County Assessed Valuation came in at $175,153,494 which is up from the 2019 assessed valuation of $174,587,377. The commission then set the county tax rate hearing for the Monday, August 17th at 10;00 for the General Revenue Fund, the Road and Bridge Fund, the SB 40 Fund and the Senior Citizens Service Fund. Nick Smith from Septagone was in to review the jail project costs with the commissioners and Sheriff Bob Wells. With a few minor things remaining to do including installing a shower stall separator, the report shows the jail project came in about $75,000 under the revised budget and around 1.2 million dollars under the original estimate of the project. He said success of the project was a team effort as they had good contractors who will stand behind their work. He said a final walk through will occur in about seven or eight months to see if everything is still working as planned. If repairs would be needed, Smith said they want to have time to get that done before the one year labor warranty runs out. All three commissioners praised Smith on the work of Septagone and their Project Manager, Dwight Ramsburg on how well the jail construction project went and that the hiring of Septagone was a good investment. At the last meeting, Sarah Massengale from the Dent County Extension was in to report they are back open and encouraging appointments. They did 81 soil tests in May and have already done 165 for to date which is more than last year. She said they will be advertising for a full time replacement for Linda Shelton who retired earlier this year. Massengale discussed the Neighborhood Leadership Academy that will begin in August and if people are interested, they should call 729-3196. Also, Judge Megan Seay was in to discuss the security and safety issues in the courtroom and buildings because of the COVID-19. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, August 3rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Rural Opioid Initiative in partnership with Mid-MO Addiction Awareness Group (MAAG) will host an opioid use disorder awareness walk in St. James on Saturday, August 1st, beginning at 10:00 in the morning. The walk aims at providing awareness for opioid use disorder. MRPC’s rural initiative works to educate, increase awareness and identify prevention strategies for opioid use disorder throughout the Meramec Region. Resource information will be available at the walk. Area residents are encouraged to join the walk or stop by the information booth to learn about resources for persons and families suffering from opioid use disorder. Participants will meet at the St. James City Park, using the James Lane entrance where sign-ups will be available. The walkers will travel left out of the city park onto south Jefferson Street where participants will remain on sidewalks and travel to the corner lot at Aida Street and Jefferson St./Hwy 68 where there will be a water and rest stop. Participants will then return to the park utilizing the same route. It is requested that all pets be left at home. Bonnie Prigge, executive director of MRPC, said from 2014 to 2018, 47 people in Phelps County died of drug overdoses. Twenty-nine of those were opioid overdoses. When we look at Phelps and its neighboring counties of Crawford, Dent and Maries, there were 117 overdose deaths for that timeframe with 72 of those deaths being opioid overdoses. Statistics for 2019 are not yet finalized. Persons needing more information on the walk may call 265-2993 or email charmon@meramecregion.org. Pre-registration is not required. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or follow them on Facebook.