Your World Today

The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully reached their $35,000 goal during this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. Along with the monetary donations received in 2019, 262 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at all the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2020 to those less fortunate in Dent County.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports following the Christmas holiday. On Friday, December 27th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, his third time for the subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1500 block of West Highway 32. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Bunker man was arrested for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Sunday, December 29th, a Deputy responded to the intersection of West Highway 32 and Gertrude Street due to an officer with the Salem Police Department requesting emergent assistance. The deputy arrived on scene and assisted the officer with arresting a 37-year-old Salem man. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was incarcerated. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) is now accepting rental assistance applications via a new online application website. The online application allows for greater accessibility of qualifying individuals. The online application can be found at phelpsco.housingmanager.com. The Housing Choice Voucher Program works to help very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. Individuals need to have a valid email address to apply online. Paper applications are still accepted every Wednesday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon at the St. James location. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) provides staffing to the Phelps County PHA that provides rental assistance to over 750 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs.

There will be no Your World Today printed on Wednesday for New Year’s Day. Our next edition will be Thursday, January 2nd. Happy New Year!

The Dent County Commissioners met for their last meeting of 2019 year Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and patch grading done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5015, 5020, 5440 and 6540 plus various other roads that need attention. He went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 6070 and 6470. Purcell also reported two men would be doing the 2,000 hour full service on grader #24 which includes changing out all the fluids, filters and more. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated materials would be added and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 2030 while materials only were going to be added to county road 3330. He went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 2150, 2155 and 5340. Larson said a 1,000 hour service would be done on grader #37 by workers. Larson went on to report that early Monday morning, work crews had to remove a downed tree across Dent County Road 2340 from the high winds from the weekend. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles is reminding all local vendors that no payments can be made on any invoices until the 2020 budget is approved in late January. He also wanted to remind everyone to drive safe over the New Year’s Holiday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office continues to work on the 2020 budget. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday, January 2nd at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports that occurred before Christmas. On Sunday, December 22nd, a deputy responded to the 500 block of Dent County Road 5130 for a report of property damage. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 76-year-old man was the reported victim of a mailbox being damaged. This investigation is ongoing. On Christmas Eve day, a deputy responded to a residence on Dent County Road 3140 for the report of a physical domestic incident. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered a 28-year-old man was the reported victim but did not want to pursue charges. Later that same day, a deputy responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 2530 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered a 69-year-old man and a 77-year-old female was the reported victims of the burglary. This investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports two people died in traffic crashes during the 30-hour 2019 Christmas holiday counting period last week from 6:00 Christmas to 11:59 Christmas night . Troopers investigated 91 traffic crashes involving 23 injuries and 2 fatalities. The patrol also made 18 DWI arrests during the counting period. Many Missourians will plan special events to welcome 2020. As you drive to your New Year’s celebration, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. The 2020 New Year’s 30-hour holiday counting period is from 6:00 tonight, December 31st and ends at 11:59 tomorrow night, January 1st, 2020. During last year’s 102-hour New Year’s holiday counting period, 11 people died and 447 people were injured in 1,301 traffic crashes. Thus, a person was killed or injured every 13.4 minutes during that time frame. If your plans include alcohol, remember that nothing ruins a party like a DWI arrest or a drinking-related traffic crash on your way home. If you’re driving, you should be the designated driver. Otherwise, make sure your group has one before you get to the party or utilize a ride share service or taxi. Also, before you travel, check road conditions by calling 1-888-275-6636 or going to modot.org. If you are driving, allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday night December 21st, at 10:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of North Jackson in reference to a leaving the scene of an accident report. The investigation of the report revealed the driver of a white Chevrolet Cobalt struck a black Ford Escape and left the scene. A further investigation led to the arrest of a 29-year-old male of Salem for leaving the scene of an accident, failing to maintain financial responsibility and for the possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Sunday, December 22nd at 12:26 in the morning, an officer was conducting an investigation at a residence in the 800 block of South Jackson. During the investigation it was found that a 28-year-old male of Salem was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and pills that are a controlled substance. The suspect was taken into custody and later released pending charges to be filed. On Monday night, December 23rd at about 9:55, an officer located a 55-year-old male of Salem at a residence in the 600 block of South Warfel who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. If you have any information regarding an investigation, contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.