Local News – Friday, August 10th, 2018

A press release from the Dent County Prosecutor’s office indicates that 12 Dent County residents were charged with at least one felony count of distribution of a controlled substance on Wednesday after a lengthy narcotics investigation over several months concluded. Undercover operatives with South Central Drug Task Force, Rolla Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol were able to conduct a series of undercover narcotics investigations involving the distribution and sales of methamphetamine, heroin and prescription medications over several months. The purpose of this collaborative investigation was to target drug dealers in the area. Members of the South Central Drug Task Force working in conjunction with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, Rolla Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol concluded the investigation Wednesday morning. Arrest warrants for each defendant were obtained from Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley prior to the arrest operation that was initiated Wednesday morning. The individuals arrested and facing charges are Anthony Flores, Gabreielle M. Hendrickson, Lamicia D. Conaway, Rachel L. Casey, Lashawn M. Casey, Kari E. Johns, Jackie D. Tucker, Shawn D. Smith, Michael Vanover, Amber Webster and Shauna M. Steelman. Members of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol made the arrests. It is reported the operation is still active with arrest teams still looking for those with arrest warrants.

Salem Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon has announced the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool in the Salem City Park will remain open through at least Labor Day! The hours once school begins on Thursday, August 16th will be 4:00 until 7:00 Monday through Friday, noon until 7:00 PM on Saturday and from 1:00 until 6:00 Sundays. Water Aerobics and lap swimming will continue in the mornings until the pool closes for the year. If you would like to book a pool party through the Labor Day weekend, please call the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool at 729-6228.

The South Central Missouri Community Action Agency will be holding a School Readiness Event this year tomorrow in Dent County at The Commons from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Many different organizations in the community will come to together to provide services and supplies for low income families. Children who are registered for the event will receive free age appropriate school supplies including back packs, paper, folders, glue, pens and pencils. Health screenings will also be completed on the children. Pre-registration of your children is encouraged and can be done at the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency office at 1405 South Wines Street in Salem. To register your children, the Head of Household will need to provide their Social Security number and those of the children being registered for the program. For more information, contact Sarah at 729-3500.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax received this month. She said the General Revenue Fund received $88,425.39 which is $25,547.10 over the 2017 August figure. Year-to-date, General Revenue is up $114,741.10 which is a 21.09% increase. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund mirrors the General Revenue Fund. The Road and Bridge Fund received $41,923.63 and that is $10,915 more than August of 2017. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $45,392.48 which is about a 17.90% increase. The Justice Center Fund received $166,489.62 and year-to-date, that fund has amassed $1,179,028.61. Dennis White came in and told the county the old white short leaf pine tree in the Blackwell Cemetery that had recognized by the Department of Conservation as a “Champion” tree is now dead. He asked the commission if they would sign the application from the Missouri Department of Conservation to remove the tree and they said they had no problem doing so once the Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reviewed the application. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said parts of southern Dent County received 1.6 inches of rain. Workers were checking for washouts in the Montauk and other areas to repair. He said grading, ditchwork and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 6460, and grading would be done on county road 6390. Purcell said brush would be cut on county road 2460 and materials would be hauled to county roads 5390 and 5400. District 2 Commission Gary Larson said materials would be hauled to Dent County Road 4290 while brush would be cut on county road 5305. He said workers repaired county road 5330 and were scheduled to work on a crossing at county road 4280. He also stated the county crews would be installing a driveway pipe for a landowner who purchased the pipe on Dent County Road 2250. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said 40.65% of Dent County registered voters cast their ballot in the Primary. She also said she and the Treasurer balanced on all accounts for July. Commissioner Larson stated he received a petition to call for a public hearing for the vacating of .466 miles of Dent County Road 2083. This portion is at the end of the road of which the landowner owns the property on both sides and at the end of the road. The hearing will be held on September 10th at 10:00 for comments at the Dent County Commissioners Office in the courthouse. Notices of the public hearing will be placed at three public locations as required by law.. The next meting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.