Local News – Friday, August 23rd, 2019
The Dent County Commissioners met for regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report the CART Tax receipts for August of $60,037.34, which is $493.65 below August of 2018. Year-to-date Cart Receipts are down $5,977.49 or about 1.3%. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that with 3 to 4 inches of rainfall Wednesday and Thursday his crews were out checking for washouts, downed trees and limbs, plus cleaning out culverts. He said a tree had to be cleared off of Dent County Road 4150 and brush was being cut on county road 5170. Purcell said that on Monday he attended a Tourism Committee meeting where four proposals were submitted and approved, while three reimbursement requests were approved. He reported that on Tuesday he attended the South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona and that funds are still available for all programs. Purcell reported that just last week funds were approved for jobs for 14 to 24 year old youths including those with disabilities and those in school. He noted there are dollars available for low income energy assistance and weatherization. Income guidelines do apply and to get more information call Sarah at 573-729-3500. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that his crews were out checking roads for washouts and that truck #65 was being worked on. He also reported that quarry rock was going to be stockpiled at the Road and Bridge Department for use in emergencies on weekends. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that on Wednesday he attending a SEMA meeting in Jefferson City about community planning for economic recovery from disasters. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Nick Smith and Dwight Ramsburg were in to provide a jail project update. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Dent County follow-up community conversation on the opioid epidemic will be held on Tuesday starting at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. Join in the discussion along with the panel of experts as they listen and educate on how the opioid epidemic impacts our community and what local leaders are doing in response to the crisis. The town hall meeting, which is hosted by Your Community Cares Rural Health Coalition, will include professionals from local law enforcement, the medical community and recovery advocates. The event is free but attendees are asked to please RSVP for complimentary appetizers and drinks. RSVP to Felisha Richards at 573-426-6711 or email Felisha at frichards@your-chc.org.
The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday afternoon, August 9th, at approximately 12:30 an officer located a 21-year-old male of Salem in the 700 block of South Washington who had two active arrest warrants from Rolla. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. That evening at approximately 6:16, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male of Lenox for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Just minutes later at about 6:44, an officer located a 37-year-old male of Salem in the 800 block of Highway 32 West who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Saturday morning, August 10th near 1:46, an officer was dispatched to the area of Westwood Drive and Roosevelt in reference to peace disturbance. That investigation revealed two vehicles were parked alongside each other on Roosevelt. The driver and a passenger of a red 1999 Ford Explorer were having a dispute with the driver and sole occupant of a silver 2007 Chevrolet Impala. During the dispute, the 18-year-old male passenger of Salem in the Explorer fired a shot from a handgun into the Impala occupied by a 20-year-old female of Salem who was not struck by the bullet. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for 1st degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation.
Weather permitting, crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation will make repairs to low water crossings along Dent County Route TT from Monday, August 26th through Thursday August 29th. One lane of traffic will be open as a result of the work. However, the installation of culvert pipes will force the complete closure of Route TT on Monday, August 26th and Tuesday, August 27th from 6:30 in the morning until 6:30 at night each day. Message boards will advise motorists of the closures and detour routes. MoDOT appreciates the patience of travelers during the work. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.