Local News – Friday, July 20th, 2018
The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done and materials added to Dent County Road 5130, while brush would be cut on county roads 6070 and 6110. Purcell noted that Monday evening he attended a Tourism Commission meeting where three proposals were approved and three requests for reimbursement were approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done and materials added to Dent County Roads 4283 and 4285. He said that he had a crew in the Boss area preparing a low water crossing for repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind county residents that some parts of the county are very dry and pose a fire hazard so trash and brush burning should be curtailed. He noted that a pre-bid meeting for the new Justice Center and jail was held Thursday afternoon in the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room conducted by Construction Manager Nick Smith. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that absentee voting continues in her office until August 6th at 5:00 pm and that the last date to mail out an absentee ballot is August 1st. She noted that voters needing to update addresses or check on accuracy of information should call her office at (573) 729-4144 and that the polls will be open from 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM on August 7th. Curley went on to say that she would be testing the voting equipment at 9:00 the morning of Friday, July 27th. The Commissioners approved bills for payment. The next regular meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and it is open to the public.
In a follow up to our story yesterday on the arrests in Texas County, a grand jury handed up an indictment Thursday against the Texas County sheriff and his chief deputy. Officers with the Missouri Highway Patrol arrested Sheriff James Sigman and Lieutenant Jennifer Tomaszewski Wednesday. They both face felony assault, felony first-degree robbery, felony first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony unlawful use of a weapon, felony harassment, misdemeanor misuse of official information by a public servant, and misdemeanor false impersonation charges. According to court documents, the attorney general's office claims Sigman hired Lt. Tomaszewski as a jailer in December of 2016. The sheriff then promoted her as a jail administrator in July of 2017. After receiving her POST license after graduating from the sheriff's academy, she then was named Texas County chief deputy. The highway patrol investigators claim the two have been romantically linked since her first hiring date. The documents also indicate that Lt. Tomaszewski acted as an arresting deputy, despite her not being commissioned to do so. The investigators say she used a gun to make an arrest and was also used as "bait" in undercover situations too.
Echo Bluff State Park invites the public to a Ride with the Rangers bicycle safety event 7:00 to 8:30 Saturday night at the park. Participants will join the park’s rangers on a bike ride through the campground, by the lodge and over to the park’s amphitheater. There participants can test their biking skills on an obstacle course and have their bike go through a thorough safety inspection. Participants will also learn about bike safety and road rules and have an opportunity to get acquainted with the park’s rangers. Anyone who would like to participate but does not own a bicycle can rent one from the park. More information and rentals are available in the lodge at the front desk. Lemonade will be served at the amphitheater after the bike ride. This event is free and open to the public. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Hwy.19, approximately 25 miles south of Salem and approximately 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the event, contact Connie at Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-1224 or by email at connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.
Yesterday in YWT, we reported the Salem Acoustic Jam would be held Saturday at the Creative Arts Center, but we want to clarify that it is on Saturday night, July 28th at 6:30 and NOT this Saturday. We apologize for the error. For more information about the acoustic jam, contact the Salem Area Arts Council by e-mailing saac@embarqmail.com, or by calling or texting 247-0279.
According to a report released by the Salem Police Department, an accident occurred just after noon Wednesday afternoon, July 18th, as a 2000 Mustang, driven by Jaylan Gott of Salem, was stopped for a stop sign, eastbound on Condray Street, waiting to turn onto Highway 19, as a 2014 Mazda 2 driven by Elsie Rymer of Salem was traveling south on 19 and attempted to turn west onto Condray. During the turn, the front tires began to skid due to wet road conditions and struck the Gott vehicle in the front end. There was moderate damage to both vehicles but no injuries were reported.
The Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has announced upcoming road work for Dent county and surrounding areas, including daytime work on Route 32 between Route 72 and Route 63 in Texas County where roadway microsurfacing continues. Striping and surface repair operations are then scheduled for the week of July 23rd. One lane will be open and crews will guide traffice through the work area. That project is expected to be completed in the fall. Roadway microsurfacing continues on Route 119 between Route 32 and County Road 6670. Striping and surface repair operations are scheduled for the week of July 23rd. One lane will be open with crews guiding traffic through the work area. That project is also expected to be completed this fall. And bridge replacement continues of Route F over Dry Fork Creek south of Route NN. Motorists should use the signed detour around the work area. This project is expected to be completed next month.
A Rolla resident received minor injuries in an accident on Highway 63, 8 miles South of Rolla at approximately 9:30 Saturday night. The accident occurred as 42 year old Amy Frost was traveling Northbound on highway 63 in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Van and struck a deer. Frost was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps county ambulance. The driver was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The vehicle received minor damage and was driven from the scene.