Archive for 2024

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released information about the euthanization of the five dogs that were involved in the attack of a mail carrier. The act was carried out pursuant to the Salem City Ordinance and Missouri State Statute RSMo 578.024 which provides that a person commits the offense of keeping a dangerous dog if he or she owns or possesses a dog that has previously bitten a person or a domestic animal without provocation and that dog bites any person on a subsequent occasion. Also, the offense of keeping a dangerous dog is a class B misdemeanor, unless such attack results in serious injury to any person, in which case, it is a class A misdemeanor; or results in serious injury to any person and any previous attack also resulted in serious injury to any person, in which case, it is a class E felony; or results in the death of any person, in which case, it is a class D felony. In addition to the penalty included in this section, if any dog that has previously bitten a person or a domestic animal without provocation bites any person on a subsequent occasion or if a dog that has not previously bitten a person attacks and causes serious injury to or the death of any human, the dog shall be seized immediately by an animal control authority or by the county sheriff. The dog shall be impounded and held for ten business days after the owner or possessor is given written notification and thereafter destroyed. Curley says that in this case, the dogs had not previously bitten another person or domestic animal, as required for state prosecution, but caused serious injury to the victim, resulting in the destruction of the dogs involved. As a result, the owner cannot be charged with a crime by state statute. Further, Dent County does not have an ordinance concerning aggressive dogs, nor dogs at large. The City of Salem has an ordinance for dogs at large and the owner of the dogs received citations for each animal. Further, civil remedies, such as a lawsuit for personal injuries and/or workman’s compensation, remain available to a victim of this circumstance. City of Salem Attorney James Weber added that violations of § 205.140 of the Municipal Code of the City of Salem are punishable by a maximum fine of $500, a maximum sentence of 90 days imprisonment in the Dent County Jail, or a combination thereof. This range of punishment is applicable to each citation issued.

An accident occurred Saturday evening around 9:24 in Crawford County on Hwy 49 and Adams Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by 18-year-old Dakota Sequichie of Steelville was travelling northbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway. The Chevrolet struck a road sign and several trees. Sequichie and 18-year-old Chloe Brooks of Viburnum both suffered moderate injuries. Sequiche was wearing a safety restraint and was transported by Iron County Ambulance District to Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan. Brooks was not wearing a safety restraint and was transported by private vehicle to Missouri Baptist. Two other occupants in the Chevrolet suffered minor injuries 18-year-old Abigal Wilkinson of Viburnum and a 17-year-old juvenile male, both were wearing safety restraints. Wilkinson was transported by Iron County Ambulance District and the juvenile by Steelville Ambulance District to Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

The Salem Memorial Hospital will hold their tax rate hearing tomorrow evening at 6:45 at the hospital library. The tax rate to be determined is set to produce revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2025. For the tax year 2023, the estimate real estate valuation came in at $199,183,841 with the personal property valuation coming in at $86,338.737 for a total of $285,522,678. For the current tax year, the estimated assessed real estate valuation is down to $183,937,158 leaving a total assessed valuation of $270,275,894. The proposed tax rate for 2024 was 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation and that proposed tax rate is the same for 2025. That rate, if approved, would produce about $648,662 for the hospital for the next fiscal year. The hearing will then be adjourned followed by the regular hospital board meeting.

The Missouri State Parks is now accepting nominations for three different advisory board representatives: a pedestrian-use trail representative, a mountain bike trail user representative and an equestrian trail user representative. These representatives will serve a three-year term starting November 1st, and run through November 30th, 2027. Members must be Missouri residents and must participate in the user group they represent. Roles of the Missouri Trails Advisory Board include reviewing, scoring and ranking applications and making recommendations to the grants management section for funding; annually reviewing the recreational trail project application and open selection process; and developing project eligibility criteria including sponsor eligibility and what type of projects the state should consider for funding. To nominate an individual for the Missouri Trails Advisory Board, please submit a nomination form found on the Missouri State Parks’ website at mostateparks.com and search got the nomination form, a resume and/or other background information for the nominee, and two letters of recommendation. Electronic submission is preferred to be sent to mpsgrants@dnr.mo.gov or nominations can be mailed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Grants Management Section, c/o RTP Planner, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. Nomination forms, resumes, and letters of recommendation MUST be submitted to the Missouri State Parks no later than this Sunday, September 1st. For more information, please contact the grants management section within Missouri State Parks at 573-751-7958, 573-751-0848 or mspgrants@dnr.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the the amount of CART funds received by the county in August. She said the county received $86,452.75 which is up $7,347.20 from the 2023 August figure, and up year-to-date, $29,663.64. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5615 while only grading would be done on county road 6520. Mobray said workers would also be changing the grader blade on Grader #39. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and patch grading done on Dent County Road 3180, while patching would be done on chip and seal county road 6150. He said workers would be replacing the idler pulley on county truck #75.  Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson attended the tourism tax committee meeting Wednesday and reported a submission by SACBA was reduced and then approved, three applications were tabled for more information, and there was a reimbursement to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. The Cliftons from Dent County Road 4020 in the Sligo area were in to ask if something could be done to alleviate the water from crossing over the road about two miles down from Route TT. Commissioner Polk said he would check the situation out with the road supervisor to see what could be done.  Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind all political subdivisions to get their tax rate information to her office by next week. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners held their 2024 tax rate hearing Thursday morning at 10:00 at the courthouse. Amanda Sapaugh was present at the public hearing. The General Revenue tax rate for 2023 was $0.0003 per $100 assessed valuation which came about due to the improper collection of sales taxes that had to be paid back. The commissioners approved the new rate for 2024 of $0.0171 per $100 assessed valuation. Amanda Sapaugh representing the SB 40 Board was in attendance and said their board wanted to keep their tax rate at $0.1341 per $100 assessed valuation as recommended by the state auditor’s office. The rate was approved by the commission. The Road and Bridge Fund tax rate last year was 25.50 cents per $100 assessed valuation and the commission approved leaving it the same at 25.50 cents per $100 assessed valuation for 2024. The Senior Citizen Service Fund tax rate for 2023 came in at 4.80 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Since that rate is the maximum allowed by the state auditor’s office, the commission approved the 4.80 cents per $100 assessed valuation for 2024.  The hearing was then adjourned.

An accident occurred Wednesday morning in Crawford County at 11:03 on Possum Hollow Road 7 miles south of Bourbon. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2024 Polaris Sportsman, operated by a 15-year-old female juvenile from Bourbon, went off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, and overturned. A passenger, a 13-year-old female juvenile who was also from Bourbon, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Cardinal Glennon Hospital by Air Evac 8. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to St. Louis Children’s by Mercy Life Line 2. The report stated that neither occupant of the Polaris was wearing safety equipment. The Polaris sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.

Do you know of a child in need between the ages of 3 and 17 that does not have a bed?  “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” is an international non-profit 501(C).(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers new beds to children in need, who do not have a bed. Anyone can apply for the child on the SHPbeds.org website. Would you like to join their team of volunteers? You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, August 26th, at 5:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory!  The Rolla Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is already helping to provide new beds to children in need in our Salem community, and efforts are underway to start a Dent County Chapter. For more information about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, contact Patti at 703-964-6495. You can also e-mail Patti at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

Missouri’s state parks and historic sites offer beautiful vistas, opportunities for outdoor adventures and peaceful spots for reflection. As you spend time at Missouri state parks, take along your camera and submit your favorite photos in the Missouri DNR Photo Contest. The annual contest is open now through September 1st and includes three categories. The natural resources category includes photographs of Missouri’s air, landscapes, and waterways. The category of unique places includes photographs taken within one of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites. The third and final category includes people enjoying and exploring Missouri’s outdoors. Winning photos will be shared on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources website, on social media and showcased at the following year’s Missouri State Fair. For contest rules and to enter your photos, visit dnr.mo.gov/photo-contest. You can also email questions about the photo contest to socialmedia@dnr.mo.gov. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Wednesday, August 8th, Deputies took a report for a violation of an Ex-Parte Order of Protection. The victim, a 40-year-old Jadwin man, advised his ex-girlfriend, a 37-year-old Salem woman, has violated the order he has against her. The investigation is ongoing. The next day, which was Thursday the 8th, Deputies responded to 3500 block of County Road 6510 for a reported wanted subject. During the course of the investigation, a 55-year-old Salem man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Then on Monday, August 12th, a 58-year-old Salem woman reported she had property that was damaged while in the 400 block of County Road 2380. She advised her paramour, a 59-year-old Salem man, was the suspect and the investigation is ongoing. Finally, on Thursday, August 15th, Deputies took a report for a stolen motorcycle. The victim, a 30-year-old Salem man, advised a known subject was refusing to return the victim’s motorcycle. The investigation is ongoing. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Between July 20th and August 2nd there were a total of 269 calls for service to the Salem Police Department. Officers conducted 27 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 6 resulting in a summons or arrest. Officers conducted 3 traffic accident investigations along with 11 informational reports. The calls for service generated the following reports. On Saturday, July 20th, at approximately 8:00 in the evening officers with the Salem Police Department arrested 21-year-old Jordan Sanders of Salem for active warrants out of the Phelps County Sheriffs Office for possession of controlled substance and unlawful possession of a weapon. Sanders was transported to the Dent County Jail to await extradition with a $25,000 cash or surety bond. Then on Sunday, the 21st, at approximately 5:30 in the evening officers were dispatched to the 300 block of west Eighth Street for a report of a disturbance and possible overdoses. Officers arrived and located a female subject completely naked and acting very erratic and under the influence of narcotics. The female assaulted an officer after being given a lawful order. Subsequently a 20-year-old Salem female was placed under arrest. The female subject continued to struggle but was restrained without injury and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. On Thursday, July 25th, at approximately 11:36 in the morning officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Center for a report of a US Postal worker being attacked by 5 or 6 dogs as per witnesses. An investigation into the incident was conducted, and officers met with the victim at the hospital where he was treated for his wounds and injuries. Subsequently contact was made with the owner of the dogs involved and the dogs were seized for quarantine. Summons were issued to the owners of the dogs for Dogs at Large. Further investigation led to other forms of evidence such as partial video of the attack confirming 5 dogs attacking the victim. The victim sustained serious physical injuries from the attack. Finally on Tuesday, July 30th, just after midnight, at approximately 12:30, officers contacted a female subject operating a vehicle matching the description of an ongoing burglary investigation. As a result of the stop, it was found the female subject was under the influence of alcohol. Subsequently a 27-year-old Salem female was arrested and later released on summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened in Crawford County Tuesday evening at 11:16 on Highway 8 about a mile and a half west of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report,  a 2011 Ford F-150 driven westbound by 19-year-old Hunter Ransom of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the roadway where the Ford struck an embankment and became airborne before overturning. A 17-year-old male juvenile passenger suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Steelville Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The Ford F-150 was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting two mentored dove hunts on September 1 at Woodson K. Woods Conservation Area near Saint James. The first hunt, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., is designed for four mobility impaired individuals aged 18 and older. MDC mentors will assist participants, and track chairs will be provided. The second hunt, also from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., is for six first-time dove hunters aged 18 to 34. Both hunts require advance registration by noon on August 23. Participants must have a Hunter Education Certificate, Small Game Hunting Permit, and Migratory Bird Hunting Permit. MDC will provide shotguns, shells, safety equipment, and lunch, though hunters may bring their own 12 or 20-gauge shotguns. The events will include instruction on dove management and practice shooting clay targets. Registered participants will receive detailed information by August 26. For more information or to register, interested individuals can visit the MDC website or contact Conservation Educator Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse without Commissioner Wes Mobray who had previous commitments. In the road report, Jason Akins who was sitting in for Commissioner Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5620, 6410, 6633 and 6670, while brush would be cut on county road 4220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading on Dent County Roads 4050, 4380 and 5260, while only grading would be done on county roads 4055. Polk said man would be going to Springfield to get oil for the Durapatcher for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he will be attending the tourism tax committee meeting that will be held today at 5:00 at the Chamber of Commerce Office. He also said he had the results of the survey from the Salem News on the issue of senior citizens property tax credit associated with Senate Bill 190. Larson did not go into specifics except to say that it appears the people want the commission to move forward and adopt the provisions of Senate Bill 190. Larson said the new bill will not go into effect until August 28th and will wait to discuss how the commission will move forward when Commission Mobray is back in the office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said from her MAC meeting she attended Thursday that 14 counties have adopted the Senate Bill 190 to date and Dent County had the only petition. She did mention that if the petitioners are going to submit another petition, they need to get it turned into the commissioners no later than this Thursday morning to give her office time to verify the signatures, an then she could get it back to the commissioners on Monday for their decision. The petition has to be submitted to the Secretary of State by Tuesday next week to be placed on the ballot. Collector Shannon VanKirk said the tax sale will be held Monday on the courthouse steps starting at 10:00. This year she said there are real estate properties and one mineral rights property to be auctioned off. VanKirk said those who want to bid at the tax sale auction should come into the Collector’s office at the courthouse and register ahead of time which will save time at the auction. When you come to her office to sign up, you must bring your driver’s license. The next commission meeting will be tomorrow morning at the courthouse at 9:00 with the tax rate hearing for the General Revenue Fund, the Road and Bridge Fund, the Senate Bill 40 Fund and the Senior Citizens Service Fund beginning at 10:00. The meeting and the hearing are open to the public.

On the evening of August 15, the Salem R-80 Board of Education held their annual tax rate hearing at 5:15. They approved a continuation of the district’s current tax rate of $3.20 per $100 of assessed valuation. This includes a $2.75 operating levy and a $0.45 debt service levy. The decision was unanimous. The board then moved into open session of their regular monthly meeting. Superintendent Nathan Wills provided several updates as the administration prepares for a new school year. He first addressed the FEMA project, reporting that almost all of the sub-contractors are approved and they’re waiting for the prefabricated walls to be completed, overall the project is moving along according to schedule. The City of Salem has been working with the school to get power to the Construction Trades Building, upon hook-up the school will get an electrician in so new equipment can be installed. Roof repairs across district buildings are scheduled to start at the end of the month. Wills also expressed gratitude for donations received from community members, including a contribution to teachers by Nikki Tiefenthaler and a donation from George and Liz Gruendel. After reports from school administrators, which mainly covered staff and facility preparations, the board approved several new motions. These motions all passed unanimously, the 2024-2025 School Calendar, Tax Rate Adoption, 2024-2025 Emergency Response Plan, Pest Control bid, Evaluate contract, and the declaration of surplus property, specifically old band uniforms. Additionally, the board accepted the resignation of Suzette Stephens. At 5:38 the board moved into closed session, and according to the minutes released by the school, the board discussed personnel, student issues and approved the hiring of Cody Woody as interim head softball coach and Judy Ragsdale as interim assistant softball coach. Other topics discussed regarded ancillary services, and real estate. The meeting concluded at 6:31.