Local News – Monday, December 10th, 2018
Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released these reports from cases heard Friday before Judge Sid Pearson. Stephen Cochran plead guilty to two separate cases for possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years in Department of Corrections with the court retaining jurisdiction under statute 559.115. This was the sentence recommended by Prosecutor Andrew Curley. Also at those proceedings, William Haines plead guilty to possession of heroin and had his probation revoked for felony possession of a controlled substance. Haines was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by statute. Also at the court proceedings, Robbie Smith had his probation revoked and was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections.
A one vehicle accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at 5:45 in Dent County on Highway 19 about five miles South of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier being driven by 25-year old Cory Nichols of Salem, was southbound on Highway 19 when he lost control of the vehicle after rounding a curve, causing the vehicle to travel off the right side of the road then striking a fence and overturning. The Chevrolet was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Nichols received minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. Nichols was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.
The Salem Police Department has released reports for Friday, November 30th through Tuesday December 3rd. According to the report, on Friday November 30th at approximately 7:09 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to Country Mart parking lot on Highway 32 East in reference to an accident. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 30-year old female of Salem for driving while being drugged. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. A little over an hour later at approximately 8:37, the School Resource Officer was dispatched to the Salem Upper Elementary in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 10-year-old male juvenile had struck a teacher. Further investigation led to the detention of the juvenile who was later released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. On Monday morning, the 3rd of December at about 3:47, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of East Ninth in reference to a possible prowler. That investigation led to the arrest of a 37-year old male of Dixon on a fugitive warrant from Phelps County and a 25- year old male of Ava on a fugitive warrant from Douglass County. The two suspects were incarcerated pending extradition. That same afternoon at approximately 2:06, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Parkview in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a small rock had broken a window valued at $312.12 under unknown circumstances. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.
Max Butler, a retired Federal Reserve employee of 40 years will be the guest speaker at the Dent County Historical Society Dinner Speaker
Series that will be held Tuesday, December 11th at the Pizza Inn meeting Room at starting at 6:00. The meeting room will be available for dinner at 5:00 and it is a “pay for your own” dinner. The Dent County Historical Society is sponsoring a tree at the Trees & Trains Exhibit at ONCRC in December. For more information call Deloris Gray Wood, Historical Society president, at 729-2545.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors next regular meeting will be held Tuesday afternoon, December 11th, at 12:00 noon in the hospital library. The meeting was moved up due to other events scheduled that evening that involved the board. The minutes of the November 13th regular meeting will be reviewed for approval. Administrator Kasey Lucas will give a summary of operations and statistics for the month of November, Debbie Hines will present the Chief Nursing Officer report, and Chris Strickland will give a report on the hospital foundation and auxiliary, along with a report on the hospital marketing and community perception. Patient satisfaction survey results will be reviewed and discussed for the 3rd quarter. In old business, the election filing begins December 11th and continues through January 15th, 2019 for an unexpired two (2) year term in District #2 and a six (6) year term for District #6. In new business, purchases will be reviewed. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The December regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital is open to the public.