Archive for 2023

An accident happened Thursday morning just after 9:45 in Cass County on southbound Interstate 49 at the 167 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Freightliner being driven by 46-year-old Lee Sutton of Houston, Texas, pulled onto the roadway from the shoulder. The towed unit of the Freightliner was then struck by a 2016 Hyundai Elantra being driven by 27-year-old Alicia Hendrix of Salem. Hendrix suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the West Peculiar EMS to the Belton Regional Hospital. Sutton received minor injuries and was transported by a state trooper to Cass County Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. The Elantra was totaled and removed from the scene by J’s Southland Towing. The Freightliner was able to be driven from the scene. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Peculiar Police Department.

An accident happened Thursday evening in Dent County around 8:10 on Dent County Road 3220, about a quarter mile south of Dent County Road 3240. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado being driven north by a 17-year-old male juvenile, swerved to avoid a deer in the road. The driver then over-corrected, traveled off the right side of the road and the Chevy overturned. Two occupants that were in the vehicle were 16-year-old female juveniles. They both suffered minor injuries and were taken by a private conveyance to the Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that all three involved were wearing seat restraints. The Silverado sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

A one vehicle accident happened last Tuesday afternoon at about 1:30 in Texas County on Dixon Road, four miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer being driven west by 24 year old Skye Marler of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole, and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle, 28 year old Stephanie Riedl-Rivara, suffered minor injuries and was taken by a private vehicle to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. Neither the passenger nor driver wearing seat restraints. The Trailblazer was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

An accident happened Friday afternoon at 4:40 on Interstate 44 westbound at the 216.8 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Kenworth T600 being driven by 59-year old-Randy Hutmacher of Springdale, Arkansas, changed lanes and and struck a 2007 Ford Focus being driven by 34-year-old Joseph Myskiew of Cuba. The Ford then ran off the roadway and struck the cable barrier. Myskiew suffered serious injuries and was transported by North Crawford ambulance to Missouri Baptist Hospital. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints. The Kenworth had moderate damage and was able to be driven from the scene. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing.

Today is the last day to file for the Municipal Election that will be held in April that will determine all school district board seats, the city of Salem Mayor and an East and West Ward Aldermen positions, Salem Memorial Hospital Board positions for District 4, 5 and 6 with varying terms; two Dent County Health Center Board positions, and a board position on the Dent County Fire Protection District Board. In Bunker, the mayor’s position as well as two alderman seats will be determined in April as well as the city tax collector’s position. Two board positions for the Bunker R-3 School District Board will be voted on. People will need to register at the office of the political subdivision that they are wishing to run for by the close of business TODAY! If you are unsure what time that may be, please contact those offices by phone to be sure.

During December 9th to December 15th there were a total of 114 calls to the Salem Police Department for service. From those calls, these reports were generated. On Sunday night, December 10th at approximately 7:30, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of South Gertrude for a report of a disturbance. It was reported that a male subject was causing issues with others by acting aggressive. The man was uncooperative and causing others in the area to feel threatened. As a result of the investigation, a 25-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued a summons for disorderly conduct. Then on Tuesday,. December 12th around 2:30 in the afternoon, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 19 and Franklin for a report of a motor vehicle crash. During the investigation of the crash, officers found the driver of one of the vehicles had an active capias warrant for their arrest. As a result, 36-year-old Nicky Stringer of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Thursday, December 14th at approximately 3:00 in the afternoon, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of South Oak for a report of a fight. It was reported that a fight had broken out for unknown reasons and a male subject punched another in the face. After further investigation, a 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for assault. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

According to a report on KY3, authorities have arrested William Robbins who was wanted in a deadly hit-and-run pedestrian crash in Dent County. Robbins faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence. David Davis died in the crash that happened on Highway 32 about three miles east of Salem on December 7th around 5:00 in the afternoon. According to the highway patrol report, Robbins did not stop after hitting Davis. The victim died at the scene of the crash.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to share information on the CART receipts for December. She said Dent County received $79,382.35, which was down $756.24 from December of 2022 receipts of $80,138.59. Williams said that year-to-date the CART receipts are up $116,230.32, which is an increase of 14.23%. She also noted that the 2023 CART receipts total was $933,170.96. Sherry Lea was in from Healthy Dent County to present the annual Rural Addressing Contract in the amount of $15,000, which had no change from last year. The Commissioners approved the contract 3-0. She and the Commissioners also shared information about the 911 ARPA Grant to upgrade the system. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that it was decided at the meeting he attended in Van Buren the five counties in the 911 region, which includes Dent County, would be splitting the counties share. Bob Parsons was in and he shared his resignation as alternate to the MRPC Transportation Advisory Committee, which he had been appointed to about eight years ago by the commission. The Commissioners re-appointed Willie Strader and Jamie Homeyer to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone and appointed Jeff Dotson and Nathan Wills to fill the two vacancies on the EEZ. In the road report, First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said his crews were out checking for downed or missing road signs. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 3333 and 3335, plus brush was being cut on county road 2080. Polk also noted that some of his crew were checking for downed or missing road signs in the Boss area. Presiding Commissioner Larson emphatically reminded Dent County citizens of Missouri State Statute 137.130 which authorizes the county assessor to enter on to any property that they deem necessary to be re-assessed. An incident occurred last week where a property owner refused the assessor’s personnel to access the property, and used their vehicle to actually strike the assessor’s vehicle. As a result the assessor’s office personnel were taken to the hospital to check for injuries. Larson reminded everyone that the courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday in observance of Christmas. Larson reported on last week’s MRPC meeting where the External Relations Committee he serves on discussed the 2023 annual awards banquet and learned that it returned a profit of nearly $1,000. He also shared again the results of the TAC meeting where the Route TT Bridge over Crooked Creek near Sligo was voted the top priority in the Meramec Region and the Huzzah Creek Bridge on Highway 32 at Boss came in 1st in the medium priority category. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved for payment and she wanted to remind businesses that their statements must be in to the commission by noon December 28th for payment this year. Any statements submitted after that date will not be paid until after the 2024 budget is approved. Curley also said her office was very busy with budget preparations and end of the year paperwork. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday December 28th and the meeting is open to the public.

A Missouri man appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to charges related to a carjacking and a gun store burglary in Phelps County. According to the report, 19-year-old Martavious Jones of Phelps County, was indicted September 27th on one carjacking charge and a charge of stealing a firearm from a federally licensed dealer. Jones pleaded not guilty Tuesday. The indictment accuses Jones of stealing a 2013 Nissan Altima on March 1st in Phelps County. It also accuses him of stealing firearms from a Rolla gun store on September 11th of 2022. A motion seeking to have Jones held in jail until trial says two men took four guns, including an AR-style pistol, as well as a large quantity of ammunition and firearm accessories from the store. The carjacking charge carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both prison and a fine. The stealing charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Rolla Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case. Charges set forth in an indictment are just accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.