News – Wednesday, April 30th 2025

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has provided the following press release. From January 1, 2025 through April 24, 2025 the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office, working alongside the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Salem Police Department, have apprehended and detained 2 alleged illegal immigrants. Both individuals are the subject of Homeland Security immigration detainers. These detainers are issued by Homeland Security in connection with immigration removal proceedings. Defendants John Sanchez Merino and Josuel Morales-Valencia were each apprehended on separate criminal charges involving stealing and subsequently held in the Dent County Jail. Both were quickly transferred to Federal Custody for conclusion of their immigration proceedings. Prosecutor Curley went on to state that Homeland Security is taking the most aggressive action he has seen in his career, which is a direct result of the Laken Riley Act and President Trump’s Administration. The recently enacted legislation requires Homeland Security to detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. In addition, the Dent County Jail has been approved to act as an Enforcement and Removal hub for immigration detainees for Dent County and the surrounding area. On behalf of local law enforcement, Prosecutor Curley indicated, “We have zero tolerance for immigrants that have entered the country unlawfully, especially those committing crimes and/or creating victims in our community. We will continue to assist Homeland Security in their effort to stop illegal immigration. Illegal Immigration is a slap in the face to all immigrants that have entered this country legally.”

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host its annual Junior Ranger Day at Alley Spring on Thursday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Area students and youth organizations are invited to participate in a day of environmental education, featuring interactive learning opportunities and live presentations. The event’s highlight will be a raptor program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. Additional sessions will cover topics such as bats, snakes, large mammals, fish, wildfires, river safety, hellbenders, and owls. Activities are geared toward fourth- and fifth-grade students but are open to all ages. Schools and education groups planning to attend should RSVP by contacting Josh Chilton at 573-226-3945 or email josh_chilton@nps.gov. Participants should bring a picnic lunch and dress appropriately for outdoor activities. During the lunch break, attendees will be sworn in as official Junior Rangers. Alley Spring is located five miles west of Eminence on State Route 106. For more information, call 573-226-3945, or visit the park’s website; nps.gov/ozar/.

Warmer weather usually means an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work. If you are building a deck, planting a tree, or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to notify Missouri-811 by calling 8-1-1 or placing a locate request online at www.missouri-811.org before any excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri 811 Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. Once Missouri 811 is notified, utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers, and it could potentially result in heavy fines and repair costs. Don’t forget it is very important to contact Missouri-811 by dialing 8-1-1; or go online at www.missouri-811.org to place a locate request before starting to dig so underground utility lines can be marked. By doing so, citizens will help protect yourself, your family and property. Call before you dig. It’s free and it’s the law. For more information, visit the website missouri-811.org.