Local News – Friday, February 3rd, 2023

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Deloris Gray Wood from the Dent County Historical Society wanted to talk with the commission about the historical society’s idea of “Telling the Story of the Current River from the Roads.” Wood said at previous meetings of the society, it was discussed that interpretive panels about a local event or historical location could be installed on county road right-of-way or placed on private property along a state maintained road. She mentioned the Mount Olive Baptist Church, the Ashley (Saltpeter) Cave, Montauk, Tan Vat, Cedar Grove and other locations. Wood said she would be applying for a 100% grant for the panels, associated website, posts and more once the application period opens for 2023. She believes once the grant is awarded that there may be a 12-month period to complete the project. She is hoping the grant will provide enough funds for all the work to be done before approaching the Tourism Tax Committee for additional funds if the grant falls short. She was wanting to know if the county would install the posts and panels. The commission said they didn’t see a problem with it, but wanted her to get back with them once she knew more about what the grant did and did not cover. Wood also said there would be another Dent County Historical Society meeting Monday night at the James and Gahr Fellowship Hall at 5:00. She is asking the public if they know of burial sites or cemeteries within the Ozark Natural Scenic Riverways boundaries to let her know as they want to make sure these areas are identified and protected. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said crews would be patching chip and seal with the ultimate paving material. He said crews have salted the county roads past Route B as those roads are covered with ice, but it has had little effect on making travel better. Also if thawing does occur, the roads are then refreezing and becoming even more slick. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews are working on the shop loader and another loader at the maintenance shop needing repairs. He said a man went to Willow Springs to get parts for the Caterpillar loader. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he was in Jefferson City Wednesday with the CCAM board to talk with senators and representatives about unfunded mandates, jail per deim and other county issues. Skiles said at the Industrial Development Authority meeting held Wednesday, Chris Holliday was elected President with Dean Jones re-elected Vice-President and Bob Parsons re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer. Skiles said City Administrator Sally Burbridge talked about the Sewer Bond Issue on the ballot in April, and Alderman Shawn Bolerjack discussed the one cent General Revenue Fund sales tax increase ballot proposal. The commissioners approved the $1,000 annual contract with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, and they approved the Quit Claim Deed for Crawford County resident Terry Reeve for the railroad right-of-way on his property. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she applied for and received a 2023 Election Efficiency Grant from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for $3,075.28. She has used the funds in the past to pay for election judge training, equipment maintenance and the polling place accessibility in Bunker. She said she saw in the paper the public notice to put out for bid the sewer work at the jail with her office the contact location for those who need more information. Commissioner Skiles contacted architect Corky Stack who compiled the specs, and is to provide Curley’s office with the information. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has submitted more reports for the week of January 14th through 20th. On Tuesday, January 17th, at approximately 9:00 in the evening, officers were dispatched to Dollar General for a report of trespassing. It was reported that a female subject had entered the store who had previously been asked not to return. Contact was made and as a result a 42-year-old Salem female was issued a summons for Trespassing. On Thursday, January 19th, at approximately 1:00 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched near the intersection of Grand and Third Streets for a report of a sexual assault. It was reported that a male subject had sexually assaulted a female subject. During the investigation, details and evidence was collected and as a result of the findings, the male subject was later located and arrested. The 38-year-old Salem man was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail on charges of Sodomy. On Friday evening, January 20th at approximately 9:30, an officer conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 32 and Askins Street for an inoperable brake light. During the stop it was found the driver had an active arrest warrant out of Texas County. As a result 49-year-old Floyd Mayberry Jr. of Raymondville was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition or bond. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.