Local News – Friday, November 8th, 2019
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. Salem-Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge dropped by with her monthly report. She said that the Ongoing Economic Prospects dropped from 17 to 16 as one company decided to expand somewhere else. However she reported that she had three prospective new business contacts this week. Burbridge noted that on Wednesday she attended the MRPC CEDS meeting where it was reported that an announcement is expected next week about the Workforce Training Initiative Grant for the Construction Trades Program at Salem Schools. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that the southern part of Dent County received approximately 2” of rainfall which makes it too wet to grade. He reported that his crew was replacing the wooden deck on the equipment trailer and preparing for the possibility of snow the first of next week. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that he had a call about stopped up pipes on Dent County Road 4050 and that some of his crew was out taking care of the problem and replacing road signs. He noted that it was too wet to grade or cut brush so the rest of his crew was finishing some work on the new truck barn. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that on Monday he attended a good program on underage drinking and teen drug use at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. He reminded everyone that the Courthouse will be closed Monday for Veterans’ Day and encouraged everyone to thank a Veteran for their service. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being paid and today she would be attending a website meeting with the City of Salem and Chamber of Commerce. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the Courthouse.
An accident happened shortly after 8:00 Wednesday morning in St. Francois County on Route NN near Indian Creek Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevrolet Impala being driven by 22-year old Angelique Gonzalas of Boss was westbound, and was traveling too fast for conditions. The Impala traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned. Gonzalas, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, sustained minor injuries and was taken by St. Francois County ambulance to Parkland Health Center in Farmington. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Buckley Towing.
The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released several reports for the period of October 27th through November 1st. On Sunday October 27th, a Deputy conducted a traffic stop on Missouri Avenue and International Street. During the course of the stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Wednesday the 30th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 61-year-old Salem man who was possibly under the influence of alcoholic beverages. The party told the Sheriff’s Office the subject was attempting to drive away from the 1400 block of West Highway 32. A Deputy traveled to the area and after an investigation, the man was arrested for a warrant through the Rolla Police Department. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond. On Friday November 1st, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a domestic disturbance occurring at a residence in the 400 block of County Road 5240. Deputies traveled to the area and during the course of the investigation, a 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for domestic assault in the 4th degree, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Later that same day, the Sheriff’s office received a report of a burglary which had occurred at a residence in the 500 block of Highway DD. Deputies went to the location and during the investigation, discovered a jewelry box containing jewelry, a jar containing loose change and a metal box containing ammunition had been stolen from the residence. If you have any information regarding the burglary contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.