Archive for 2023

A fatality accident occurred in Dent County Thursday evening around 5:15 on Highway 32 about three miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 83-year-old David E. Davis of Salem, was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The unknown vehicle left the scene. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:15 by Dent County Coroner Ben Pursiful. The body was transported by the coroner to the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Major Crash Team #5.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces additional criminal charges have been filed in the investigation of 42-year old Justin B. Durham of Rolla. On September 14, 2023, Durham was formally indicted by a Phelps County Grand Jury with first degree rape, first degree sodomy, possession of child pornography and sexual trafficking of a child, following an investigation by the Troop F/I Criminal Investigative Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On December 6th, the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Durham with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy, due to additional information discovered in the ongoing investigation. On August 7th, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control with an investigation into allegations against Durham. Durham was alleged to be in possession of child pornography, based on information provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. During the joint investigation, a victim was identified who reported she was sexually assaulted by Durham. The investigation led to Durham being arrested and indicted on September 14th by a Phelps County Grand Jury, with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, possession of child pornography, and sexual trafficking of a child. After these charges were filed, another victim contacted law enforcement to report she had been sexually assaulted by Durham. This new information led to the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney formally charging Durham on December 6th with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. In addition to state charges, a federal grand jury indicted Durham in October of 2023, with one count of producing child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and two counts of altering or destroying records. The investigation is being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the ongoing assistance of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. Durham is currently being held in the Crawford County Jail on state and federal charges, stemming from the joint investigation. The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages anyone with information related to Durham to call Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Jonathon Fariole at (573) 368-2345, ext 3950, or the FBI, using tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-225-5324. The charges are only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it will be to determine guilt or innocence.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Ben Johnson, Salem News Reporter, announced that he is resigning from the Salem News December 31st. He said he’ll still be around and will do some articles. Jeff Bandaret with Great Rivers Engineering was in to discuss the Flap 077 project which will be reimbursed 100% up to $800,000. He discussed the TAP Grant 9901 for the courthouse sidewalks. This is an 80% reimbursable project up to $393,283. Dent County would be responsible for up to $94,896.69. These projects would begin in 2024 and continue through 2025. The commissioners discussed the project contracts, but made no decision waiting until after the budget numbers are put together. In the road report District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said his crew would be grading Dent County Roads 5130 and 5450. He said grading would be done and materials would be added to county road 6080. He also noted that brush was being cut on county road 2460. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said his crew would be grading Dent County Roads 2075, 3170 and 3173. He said that county road 3070 would be graded and would have rock added to it. Polk also noted that brush would be cut on county roads 3090 and 3120. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that Tuesday he went to Van Buren with Sheriff Bob Wells and a couple of deputies to learn about the 911 ARPA Grant. Larson said he also attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District annual banquet on Tuesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved for payment and she signed the Election Security Assessment Agreement work authorization. This is a Cyber security assessment she must have done every 2 years in her office with the last one being completed in 2022 and the next to be completed next year. Curley said there is no cost to the county since the Secretary of State pays for it. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk announced extended hours to 5:30 on December 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, and 29th. She reminded everyone that the post office is only open until noon on Saturday the 30th. Payments mailed in must be postmarked by December 30th. Corky Stack with AEA Design came in to talk about the Christmas lights. He is meeting with Casey, the owner of the lighting company, to discuss the project. At 10:00 the Commissioners and Clerk Curley went to the Fire Department and met with Bret Hendricks, State Department of Public Safety Coordinator Region I, and interim Fire Chief Dennis Floyd. They reviewed the inventory of the property of the Emergency Management District. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Seaman Brian Cahill, a native of Salem, Missouri, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, the largest diving facility in the world. Cahill graduated from Rolla High School in 2021. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Salem. Cahill said that working multiple jobs, with multiple skill sets and working well with others translates well into the military, plus the military has set rates, but you have to be well versed in other skills.

Meramec Regional Community Foundation will be awarding two $750 community grants. One grant will be made to a project that focuses on community or economic development and the other will assist at-risk children and/or low-income families. Any nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address these needs are encouraged to apply. Organizations and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region which encompasses Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties to qualify. For the last 12 years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. Programs in the past have included city beautification, illiteracy, supplies for homeless populations and more. 2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last 11 years $17,400 in grant funds have been awarded to 64 community projects throughout the region. The grants are made possible through the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Community Grant-making Fund, which was created by a $30,000 donation from Meramec Regional Planning Commission. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants. Awardees in 2023 included the Pulaski County Salvation Army, Hope Alliance of Missouri and the Belle Community Betterment Association. Applications for the 2024 grant round will be accepted online only until 5 p.m. on January. 31st, 2024. For more information on the grant opportunity, contact Bonnie Prigge at bprigge@meramecregion.org or call 573-265-2993.

An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon in Phelps County at 1:15 on Highway 63 at Keeton Road. The report stated that it was an injury patrol car crash. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2023 Ford F150, driven by 22-year-old Jacob Hutchings of Rolla, was attempting to make a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop. A 2013 Nissan Sentra, driven by 54-year-old Dawn Vankirk of Rolla, attempted to avoid the Ford and struck it in the center turn lane. Both vehicles traveled off the left side of the roadway. The report stated that Hutchings was wearing a seat restraint while Vankirk was not. Vankirk suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was towed by Ron Dishman Towing.

An accident occurred Wednesday night at 7:45 in Phelps County on I44 eastbound 7 miles west of Doolittle. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2023 Volvo Tractor Trailer, operated by 70-year-old Stanley Mason from St. Louis who suffered a medical emergency, causing the Volvo to travel off the left side of the roadway where it overturned, collided with an embankment and caught fire. Mason suffered moderate injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia by Phelps Air. The Tractor Trailer was totaled and towed from the scene by D&D Towing.