Local News – Friday, December 21st, 2018
A fatality accident occurred Sunday morning at 9:25 in Dent County on Highway H, 6 miles West of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala was westbound, being driven by 70 year old Thomas San Roman of Lenox. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. San Roman was pronounced deceased at the scene by Dent County Coroner Gina White. The report stated the driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Impala was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that part of his crew was removing a very large tree that was across Dent Count Road 5600 and that it would be processed into firewood to heat the Road Department shop. He reported that others of his crew were repairing culvert ends that have damage, plus cleaning culverts. Purcell also noted that shop maintenance was being performed. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that brush was being cut on Dent County Road 2380 and his crew was patching chip and seal on county roads 4300, 3210, 3260, and 2070. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in with CART receipts and also introduced Karen Sikes, Crawford County Treasurer Elect, who was visiting with Williams about the Dent County accounting system. Williams said the CART receipts were received December 19th and that the amount was $57,832.39 and that the year-to-date total for CART was up $5,535.77 or .8067%. She reported that the December 2017 amount was $56,328.17. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that the Courthouse will be closed Christmas Eve, December 24th and Christmas Day, December 25th, and he wished everyone a safe Christmas Holiday. He said that the next Commissioners meeting will be Thursday, December 27th. Skiles reminded everyone that payroll is the only expense that can be paid in January prior to the 2019 budget being approved, which is usually late in January. Budget approval is usually late in January so Skiles encouraged any vendor with bills to submit them immediately. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that her office continues to work on preparation of the 2019 Dent County Budget. Commissioner Purcell reported that on Monday he attended the Dent County Tax Committee meeting where one proposal was submitted and tabled until more information is presented, plus three reimbursements requests were submitted and approved. Grader blade bids were received from Erb Equipment and Fabick Equipment for 96 Cat blades and 48 John Deere blades. Erb’s bid was for $98.24 per blade for a total of $14,147.56 and Fabick’s bid was for $82.16 a blade for a total of $11,831.04. The Fabick bid was accepted 3-0. The next regular meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Thursday morning, December 27th in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for December 11th and 12th. On Tuesday afternoon the 11th at approximately 1:51 a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 37-year old female of Licking for driving while having her license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same night at about 8:32, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the detention of a 16-year old female juvenile for stealing merchandise valued at $8.43. The juvenile suspect was released to her parent and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Wednesday afternoon, December 12th at approximately 5:51, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 26-year-old female of Salem for driving while being intoxicated and for driving while having her license revoked. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. That same night at approximately 8:29, an officer was dispatched to the area of 200 North Water in reference to a disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of a 21-year old male of Salem for possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock has announced the hours the collector’s Office will be open over the holidays to pay your taxes. The Collector’s office will be closed on Monday, Christmas Eve and Tuesday, Christmas Day. The office will have extended hours Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week and on New Year Eve, Monday, December 31st. The extended hours on these days will be from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30 in the evening. If you mail your taxes in on New Year’s Eve, your taxes MUST be postmarked December 31st, 2018. Take you payment inside and have the postal clerk hand stamp your payment. Otherwise, you could be responsible for a late payment and interest. You can also drop off your payment in the drop box in the front southwest corner of the courthouse lawn. Again, that needs to be dropped off before midnight, December 31st. You can also pay your taxes online. Refer to your tax bill on instructions on how to pay online. There are additional fees associated with paying your bill online with a debit or credit card. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Collector’s Office at 729-3911.