Local News – Friday, December 29th, 2023

The Salem Police Department has released the following information. On Thursday, December 28th, 2023, law enforcement officers from Salem and Dent County concluded a 6-week investigation into allegations of Sexual Abuse. An arrest was made, and a probable cause statement was submitted to Prosecutor Andrew Curley on the subject identified as Bradley J. Nash; 47 of Salem, MO. The investigation began after it was learned that two minor children had disclosed the allegations against Nash. An investigation was started at that time and was concluded on December 28th, 2023 when officers executed two search warrants in Salem on two separate residences where Nash was known to stay. The warrant sought to locate electronic media storage and access to areas mentioned in the victims’ original disclosures. Nash was located and placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office to await formal charges and a bond setting. On Friday, December 29th, 2023 charges were announced. Nash was charged with 2 counts of Statutory Sodomy 1st degree and 1 count of Child Molestation 2nd degree. Nash’s warrant was capias no bond. The charges for which Nash has been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2024 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During the 2023 New Year’s period, six people were killed and 345 injured in 925 traffic crashes in Missouri. The 2024 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 this evening and ends at 11:59 Monday night, January 1st, 2024. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. Download the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone, and check road conditions before you travel. Allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance and Supervisor Jason Akins gave the road report. He stated brush was being cut on Dent County Road 6020 while crews were out checking for missing road signs and replacing them. He also said shop work was being done. Second District Commissioner Gary Polk indicated brush was going to be cut on Dent County Roads 2070, 2080 and 2083, while other workers would be making and hanging new signs. Polk reported the graders would be moved once the weather improved. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to let everyone know the courthouse, judicial building and Dent County Annex would be closed on Monday for New Years Day, but also wanted to let people know the judge closed all judiciary offices on Tuesday, January 2nd, so some offices in the Annex and the Judicial Building will be open like the Extension office. Larson also said the installation of the Christmas lights on the courthouse had still not been completed as of December 27th. Trimlights was supposed to have a representative at the courthouse to complete the work by end of the year. Larson said some people were not happy with the lights on the courthouse not being white this year for Christmas, as they were set to red and green but those lights can be programmed to be any color. They will be white to celebrate the New Year. There was a problem with the lights at the very top where they were multicolored and that was due to a malfunction in the system. Once fully installed and operational, the commission will be able to program the lights on the courthouse different colors for special occasions such as the 4th of July parade, Christmas, etc. Larson said the courthouse lights will have two individual zone areas of control, the north and south sides of the courthouse. The commission did approve to advertise their surplus property that will be available for the public to look at next week at the Dent County Road and Bridge Department shed on Highway 32-72 West during regular business hours. Bids on the surplus property will be received in the Dent County Clerk’s office until 10:00 in the morning on Thursday, January 18th at which time the bids will be opened. If you are bidding on surplus property, please indicate on your envelope which product you are bidding on. It doesn’t matter if you drop it off personally or mail it in, but it MUST be received by 10:00 Thursday morning, January 18th. Mike Elliott, the representative with T&C Insurance Co, came in to visit about rates through Tokio Marine HCC regarding the county building, property and auto insurance. Larson signed the application declaration. Corky Stack with AEA Engineering was also in to talk about the Christmas lights. At the last meeting, Nick with the 42nd Circuit Juvenile Division Steelville Office, came in to speak with the commission about a budget request for 2024. Also present was Kevin Randazzo and Judge Michael Randazzo. They were asking for a $6,900 increase due to the need of adding a full-time employee in Wayne County. The increase would be spread out over the five counties. The next commission meeting will be January 4th.

An accident happened Wednesday night at 8:30 in Franklin County on westbound Interstate 44 at the 254.8 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country being driven by 60-year-old Lisa Saes of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the highway and struck a concrete traffic barrier. The Chrysler then traveled off the right side of the road and struck a guard rail. Saes, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Meramec Ambulance personnel to Mercy Hospital in Washington. The Chrysler was totaled and removed from the scene by Johns Towing.