Your World Today

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2470, while only grading would be done on county roads 5150, 5380 and 5580. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 6090 and that roadside trash was having to be picked up along Dent Fords Road. If anyone sees a person or group dumping trash on county roads, do not try to stop them. Instead, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3180 while only grading would be done on county roads 2050, 2060 and 6160. He added that brush was being cut on county road 3190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Missouri Association of Counties interview of six candidates for the Executive Director’s position last Tuesday. The entire MAC board will be meeting this week to vote on the new Executive Director. Skiles stated he will also attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday afternoon at the MRPC before attending two more meetings at the MRPC Thursday evening. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of July, and that her office along with the collector’s office and the assessor’s office balanced on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of July. She also reported she will be attending the MAC meetings on Wednesday through Friday. At the last meeting, Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells discussed the purchase of two new police vehicles that have been budgeted. The commission agreed on those vehicles being purchased. Later, Sheriff Wells wanted to seek financing bids for the lease/ purchase of a third vehicle that was not originally in the budget, for the state price of $37,801. The lease purchase they are seeking would be for three years with one payment per year. Wells says he will have enough money in the budget for the payment. The commission approved his request to put out for bids and they will be opened on Monday, August 16th at 10:00. Information and specifics can be found at the county clerk’s office. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer came in to discuss with the commission about getting new plat books. She had stopped by Barton County and picked up a plat book they had created in house through the “Clear Basin” software the county uses. She said the plat books can be updated monthly and can be printed on the spot. The cost to make the plat book was $15 and it was sold to the public for $30. She said if the county wanted to do this in-house, the cost for using the “clear basin” software was $2,500 per year with a five-year commitment. The commission asked Homeyer if there was money in the budget for this and she thought there was. The commission made no decision on the plat book as they wanted to look through it more. 143rd District State Representative Ron Copeland was in attendance and said there was going to be a meeting next Monday on the Transportation Infrastructure bill being voted on in the Senate and how there is supposed to be additional money for broadband. He also said he and other representatives are working on a “Community Rural Development” group to help the rural areas with economic development or the seeking of economic improvements. He also said the new federal congressional districts will be released in September. The commissioners then opened bids for numerous pieces of old or no longer used county equipment that was at the county road and bridge department shed. A number of bids were received and when the winners were totaled, the amount the county was to receive was $18,055.75. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

On August 9th, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley presented the sum of $4,410.93 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the general revenue fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of cash and illegal firearms possessed in connection with the illegal use and/or the distribution of controlled substances. The seizure and sale occurred in connection with recent drug prosecutions that concluded in Dent County. The seizure and sale of the firearms is authorized by Missouri law as an additional punishment and deterrent to persons that illegally use or distribute controlled substances while in the possession of firearms. Further, money that is obtained through the illegal sale of controlled substances is subject to seizure and forfeiture. This money will be used for the benefit of the local community.

Registration for all Salem R-80 schools is now underway. William Lynch will be registering new students this Wednesday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon, and from noon until 6:00 Thursday. At the Salem Upper Elementary School, registration will be today and Wednesday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon, and on Tuesday and Thursday from noon until 6:00. These dates are for all students, both new and returning. Students that will be attending Salem Middle School and the high school must attend registration in August to receive their schedules and locker assignments. A parent or guardian must also attend and complete all district required enrollment forms. Registration for the middle school will be start today in the middle school cafeteria from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon for new students who have not been registered in any Salem school in grades 6-8. Registration continues tomorrow for all students entering 8th grade, the 7th grade registration will be Wednesday, and for those needing to register for 6th grade, registration will be Thursday. Those who miss their scheduled registration days may register on Friday, August 13th. Students who will be attending high school will be able to register the same week in the lobby of the high school from 10:00 until 3:00 each day. Those who will be seniors can register Tuesday, juniors will register Wednesday, sophomores on Thursday and freshmen on Friday. Those in high school will receive their locker assignments only upon the return of all completed registration forms. Missouri state law requires the immunization of all school children. Students must be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B with 3 doses for those in grades 7 through 12, unless an exemption has been signed by a physician and filed with the school. All students must present proof of compliance with the immunization rule by the first day of school but are encouraged to bring their record on enrollment day. This applies to all students, including transfer students. Parents should the Dent County Health Center if they have questions regarding required immunizations at 729-3106.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Monday afternoon, July 12th, at around 2:00, an officer was sent to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that a woman had stolen approximately $10 worth of merchandise. Police made contact with the suspected subject and as a result of the investigation, a 30-year-old Salem woman was arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. The next afternoon, the July 13th at 2:00, an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of West Glendale for a report of children playing in the street unsupervised. During the investigation, police made contact with a woman that had an active arrest warrant out of the Rolla Police Department. As a result, a 26-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. During the afternoon of July 15th near 1:00, an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Fourth Street for a report of stealing. It was reported that $250 worth of tools were stolen from the area. That investigation is still ongoing. During the evening of Friday the 16th at approximately 7:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter who had fled the area. Contact was made with the suspected subject and the confirmation of her identity was obtained. During the investigation, items stolen from Wal- Mart were obtained along with illegal drugs possessed by the subject. As a result, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Sunday, July 18th at around 12:30 in the morning, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to maintain a single lane of travel. Upon further investigation it was found the subject was under the influence of alcohol while operating the vehicle. As a result, a 59-year-old Salem woman was arrested and was summoned to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon at 12:35 in Phelps County on Highway 8 at Phelps County Road 3450. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Ford Escape driven by 79- year-old Yvonne McEwen of St. James, was travelling westbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway, struck a culvert and then overturned. McEwen suffered serious injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health. The Escape was totaled and removed by Spurgeon’s Towing. McEwen was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 7:40 in Maries County on Highway 63 just north of Maries County Road 327. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Kia Optima driven by 33-year-old Richard Butler of Rolla, was travelling southbound and tried to overtake an unknown vehicle. The Kia changed lanes and struck the front of the unknown vehicle, started skidding, travelled off the left side of the roadway, and struck a dirt embankment. The unknown vehicle continued southbound and left the scene. Two occupants of the Kia: 29-year- old Deanna Kiersten of Rolla and a 3-year-old juvenile male of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Phelps Health Hospital by Maries Osage Ambulance. Butler was also transported to Phelps Health Hospital by Maries Osage Ambulance with no injuries. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Kia sustained moderate damage and was removed by Plaza Towing.