Posts by CTC

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Casey and Renee Hemken, Chris and Patty Shaver, and Randy and Judy Wilmont from the Adams Subdivision were in attendance to discuss the improper drainage of water coming through their subdivision and flooding people’s basements and crawl spaces. They say the ditches on the east side of the roadway have filled in over time and the culverts are clogged forcing the water onto private property and into the lagoon that serves the property that is regulated by DNR. Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that the county could pull the ditches but the culverts needed to be replaced, and the counties long standing policy is the landowners would have to buy the new culvert where the county would replace the old ones at no cost. The group felt that the county was responsible to maintain those culverts, but many have been in there for 30 to 40 years and Purcell said those culverts have deteriorated and need to be replaced. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles suggested that Purcell meet with the landowners to review and discuss what can be done to alleviate the water problem. Dent County Emergency Director Brad Nash was at the meeting and had been in contact with SEMA and he told the commission that there was not any official federal designation of a disaster area yet as there must be at least 8.5 million dollars in damage in the state and he sees no problem with Missouri reaching that level. He told the commission to just continue to have the work crews take pictures and document the damages to all the bridges, roads and low water crossings. He also said individuals who have suffered losses can contact him at the Dent County Fire Station at 729-3250 or by going to the fire department’s Facebook page. Those people should also take photos and document any damages to their property, and then figure an estimated dollar amount of the damages. In the road report, Commissioner Purcell reported there was a landslide on Dent County Road 6660. He said between 9 and 12 inches of rain had fallen and numerous roads and low water crossings are impassable. He along with Commissioner Gary Larson reported that it will take a number of days and in some cases weeks to get the roads back in regular condition. Larson said that right now crews are just trying make the roads passable so that people can get to work and students can go back to school. He did mention the commission would be taking bids on diesel and regular unleaded fuel, and that the county will be looking to rent an additional backhoe from either Fabick or John Deere to aid in the cleanup. Presiding Commissioner Skiles stated that between 80% and 90% of all Dent County Roads sustained some damage and with 600 miles of roads in Dent County alone, it will take some time to get all the problems taken care of. At the last meeting, the commissioners signed Ordinances 2017-1 and 2017-2 regarding the passing of Propositions 1 and 2 sales tax issues for the building of the new jail. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Monday, April 24th, deputies took a report of a theft from the 31000 block of South Highway 72. Taken from the residence is a black fiberglass “Roll A Home” motorcycle camper and is 4 feet wide by 6.5 feet long. The camper and its contents were valued at $6,000. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies responded to the Shawnee Mac Lakes a reported fire. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that someone had set an archery target on fire destroying the target. The Dent County Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The investigation continues by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, April 26th, deputies responded to the 4100 block of Highway 68 for a well being check. After deputies made contact with the individual that they were checking on, it was discovered that he had a warrant for his arrest. As a result, 21-year old Samuel McDaniel Jr. of Salem was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. He was incarcerated after being unable to post bond. That same day, deputies assisted the South Central Drug Task Force with executing a search warrant in the 100 block Route O. As a result of the search, 40- year old Kathy Eplin of Edgar Springs was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance and is currently incarcerated on a $50,000 cash only bond. If you have any information on any ongoing investigations, please call the sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

Due to the flooding in the area and the uncertain condition of rural roads in the area, all Salem and Dent County schools cancelled their classes for today including Salem Headstart and the Ozarks Hills State School #61.

With Dent County receiving unofficially anywhere from seven to ten inches of rain, numerous roads were closed in Dent County over the weekend with a number of county roads closed due to the flooding. Roads that were closed by MoDOT in Dent County were Highway 119, and Route TT, A and EE. It is also worthwhile noting the Interstate 44 was closed Sunday from Lebanon to Rolla and Highway 63 near Vienna was closed. The highways and routes will reopen once the water recedes and the highways are checked for structural damages.

An accident happened in Pulaski County on Route D about five miles west of Jerome Sunday at 12:20. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Buick Rendezvous driven southbound by 31-year old Casey Ousley of Rolla, went off the right side of the roadway. Ousley overcorrected causing the vehicle to return to the road before it ran off the left side of the road and overturned several times before coming to rest on its top. Ousley suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Dixon Ambulance. Ousley was wearing a seat restraint. The Buick was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Davis Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday, April 13th deputies responded to the 3000 block of Route VV for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with 29-year old Amber Webster of Rolla. It was discovered that Webster had three active warrants, one from Dent County for probation violation, one from Rolla Police Department for traffic offense, and one from Phelps County for theft. She was arrested, transported to the Dent County Jail, and incarcerated. On Thursday, April 20th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 19 and 32. As a result of the stop, 23-year old Michael Schum of St. James, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. Schum was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, deputies responded to a call for a reported theft. Upon arrival, deputies were informed that a John Deere 468 Mega Wide baler, valued at $25,000, had been taken from under a carport at the residence. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information on any ongoing investigations, please call the sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will be conducting their meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 7:00 pm. During the hearing of persons, Sherry Lea, the Executive Director of Healthy Dent County, wants to discuss extending the lease at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) grant that Healthy Dent County is writing to build a new gymnasium. Also during the hearing of persons, Gary Cook with the Current River Cruisers is requesting permission from the Board to close the streets around the courthouse for the Annual Car Show on June 17th. In bids, the City had requested bids to purchase a used backhoe and City Administrator Ray Walden will present the bids. After approval of the agenda, Mayor Brad Nash will present to the Board of Alderman proposed rules and regulations for the cemetery for the Board’s approval. Walden will update the Board on various projects both current and future concerning the City of Salem including fireworks for the 4th of July, a health insurance update and other issues concerning the city. Mayor Nash will follow with his report on various issues. In new and miscellaneous business, Mayor Nash will present his nominations to City Board’s and Committees with the Board’s approval. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will then be requesting permission to purchase equipment to help maintain the park’s ball fields. The Board will then vote to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing real estate and contracts. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held their meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road reports, both District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District Two Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to remind residents that with the amount of rain which has already fallen and with the anticipated amounts expected over the weekend, please do not drive through rising water at low water crossings, water flowing over the road, or areas that are ponding. The ground is already saturated and with any amount of rain received over the weekend, there could be several temporary road closures. If a sign has been posted, turn around: it is not worth risking your life or the life of anyone in your vehicle. They went on to say that as soon as the weather breaks, those roads that have had washouts problems will be addressed as soon as possible. Purcell then reported that his district had received several calls on removing downed trees. He reported a crew would be working on some electrical issue with the pup trailer as well as working on dump trucks #117 and #123. He also said that the order of polypropylene culverts that were ordered came in and would be separated for use. Larson reported crews were out checking roads for downed trees and washouts. He went on to say work was being done on the hydraulics on a brush cutter. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind folks about the Veterans Affairs Day today from 10:00 am until 2:00 at the American Legion/VFW Post in Salem. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

In closed session on April 18th at the SMDH Board of Directors meeting, they approved a contract with Rural Sleep Solutions to provide sleep studies at the SMDH Hospital. The hospital will have to be certified first, and they hope to be able to start offering these services in the outpatient area around July 1st. The board also approved a Nursing Scholarship for Samantha Smith from the LPN to RN Bridge Program. The board then approved providing a Pharmacy Internship through the St. Louis College of Pharmacy from May of 2017 to February of 2018. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving a shoplifter, a fight, a domestic disturbance, a burglary and property damage. On Sunday, April 16th at 2:16 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 30-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $38.71. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 7:04, an officer was detailed to the parking lot at Missouri Highway 32 and 19 in reference to a fight that had taken place. The report revealed a 16-year-old male juvenile of Salem had been assaulted by a 16-year old male juvenile of Rolla. The report is under investigation. On Monday evening, April 17th at 5:30, an officer was sent to a residence in the 100 block of North Carty in reference to a domestic disturbance. The report revealed a 30-year old Salem male had assaulted a 26-year old Salem male. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. On Wednesday, April 19th at 8:34 in the morning, an officer was detailed to a building in the 700 block of South Grand in reference to a burglary. The report revealed someone unknown took a 2015 Honda Grom motorcycle valued at $4,500.00 and a 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R motorcycle valued at $3,500.00 from a building. The report is under investigation. There is a reward offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for stealing the motorcycles. Later that night at 8:53, an officer was detailed to the Scenic River Center West building located in the 800 block of Highway 32 in reference to property damage. The report revealed someone unknown broke a window valued $465.00 with a rock. The report is under investigation. You are asked to contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The National Day of Prayer will be held on Thursday, May 4th during the noon hour at the Grace Community Church on Water Street. Those who will be participating can envoy a light lunch at 11:45 and prayer time at 12:15 along with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Alliance. For more information, call 729-4573.