Local News – Friday, March 8th, 2019

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 patch grading would be done and materials added to Dent County Roads 5380, 4080, and 4090. He also reported that he had a man shoveling open the culverts on those roads. Purcell went on to say that patch grading and culvert cleaning would also been done at various other locations. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that patch grading would be done and materials would be added on Dent County Roads 3100, 5320, and 2380, plus materials would be added on county road 2150 if time permits. Larson went on to say that this winter had been the muddiest winter since he has been a Dent County Commissioner and he sincerely asks the County residents to be patient. The condition of the roads is not being ignored by the Commissioners. Larson said once we get sunshine and winds to thaw and dry the road beds, the public will see the road conditions start to improve but it will take time to get to all the roads. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment and that she balanced with the County Treasurer on all accounts for the month of February. She went on to say that she also balanced with the County Collector and the County Assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of February. Curley noted that absentee voting continues for the April 2nd Municipal Election and that she will be conducting the public testing of the voting equipment Tuesday, March 19th, at 9:00 in her office. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

In Crawford County on Tuesday, March 5th, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley attended a sentencing hearing with Judge Kelly Parker in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. He reported that Shelly Kelly of Salem entered a plea of guilty to a class B felony of Voluntary Manslaughter for the death of Glenn Haenisch in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. This Class B felony carried a range of punishment of not less than 5 years and not to exceed 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The decedent’s daughter testified at the sentencing hearing. Kelly also testified at the hearing and indicated she was remorseful for her actions resulting in the death of Mr. Haenisch, who was her boyfriend at the time. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing Judge Kelly Parker sentenced the defendant to 13 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by the state. Approximately 20 depositions were conducted in Missouri and Arkansas over the course of two years and the evidence established the victim and defendant were involved in a verbal argument earlier in the evening. The verbal argument escalated throughout the evening and became physical. During the physical altercation the defendant brandished a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim in the leg. Two of the leg wounds were fatal as they cut major arteries, resulting in the death of the defendant.

Also on Tuesday, March 5th in Crawford County, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported that Bradley Heath of Salem was being sentenced for being in possession of a controlled substance and for receiving stolen property. The State sought seven years in the Department of Corrections due to defendant having five prior felony findings of guilt. The counsel for the defendant sought a 120 day treatment program under Section 559.115. Heath was sentenced to seven years under Section 217.362 which includes an intensive long-term treatment program for serious substance abuse addictions. Also being sentenced was Charles Martin of Salem who pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. The State sought ten years in the Department of Corrections under section 559.115 due to a child being present at the time of the offense and testing positive for THC and Meth. The defense counsel sought probation. Judge Parker deferred sentencing until April 16th to see if Martin qualifies for drug court.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association will hold their Trivia Night tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and you still have time to get your team signed up! Teams may consist up to eight players and the fee is $100.00 per team. There will be ten questions in ten categories. Those participating are welcome to bring dinner for their team and drinks and popcorn will be available for purchase. There will be prizes for the top three teams, the team with the cleverest name, and first place will receive a cash prize of $200.00 and a trophy. For information call 729-8163 or email judy@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Salem Public Library will be closed on Saturday, March 9th. The library catalog will be inaccessible from 8:30 tonight until 6:00 Monday morning, March 11th. The closure is due to Missouri Evergreen upgrades to a database.