Local News – Monday, November 19th, 2018
According to a release form the Dent County Prosecutors office, Judge Kelly Parker presided over the sentencing hearing in Crawford County Thursday of Blake Harrison. Harrison previously had pled guilty to statutory rape in the First degree. Prosecutor Andrew Curley sought 18 years in the Department of Corrections due to the nature of the offense and the age of the victim which was four at the time of the incident. Defense Counsel Chad Picker requested probation as opposed to incarceration due to the defendant’s age at time of offense, which was 17-years of age, as well as at sentencing. At the conclusion of the hearing, the defendant was ordered to serve 15 years in the Department of Corrections and will likely serve at least 74% of his sentence before eligible for parole release.
With the holiday season upon us, people will see the familiar red kettles of the local Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army. The famous red kettles will be located at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart starting this Wednesday before Thanksgiving, then every Friday and Saturday until Christmas Eve. People will also find numerous counter kettles that are located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Volunteer bell ringers are needed each year to help raise funds. To volunteer to ring the bell at the red kettle, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099 or The Salvation Army office at 729-8163. The Salvation Army will continue its dedication to doing the most good not only during the holiday season, but year round. Dent County Service Unit Chairman, Stan Podorski thanks all those who ring the bell for their time this holiday season, and praises everyone for their contributions over the years to help those less fortunate in Dent County. The work done by the Salvation Army could not be accomplished without the generosity of the citizens of Dent County. This year’s goal is $30,000 which will be used throughout the year for those in need. In addition to the red kettles, the Salvation Army is again partnering with Wal-Mart to host the Angel Tree. Dent County residents can adopt an angel off the tree and purchase Christmas gifts for the angel. Angel Tree applications will be taken during the annual Dent County Fire District Toy Drive sign ups on Monday, November 26 and Thursday, November 29 from 3:00-6:00 in the afternoon each day.
Schools, churches, local governments or charitable organizations contemplating a community project that needs funding can apply for a grant from the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF). For the last seven years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. An estimated six grants of $250 each will be available to nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address local needs that will enhance the quality of life within the community. 2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last seven years $9,900 in grant funds have been awarded to 40 community projects throughout the region. The grants are made possible through the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Community Grant-making Fund, which was created by a $30,000 donation from Meramec Regional Planning Commission. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants. Awardees in 2018 included the Crawford County University Extension, CASA of South Central Missouri, Dent County Community Foundation, Art Works on Main Gallery in Owensville, the Ya Yas of Belle and the Caledonia Community Foundation. Applications for the 2019 grant round will be accepted online only until 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2019. Online applications may be found and submitted at https://www.formstack.com/forms/CFO-mrcfgrantapp. Organizations and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region – Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties – to qualify.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Monday night at 7:00 in the city hall council chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reporting on the Park Board Meeting of November 8th, hear from City Administrator Ray Walden and Mayor Brad Nash. Resolution #5-2018, a resolution providing for the Municipal Election for one west ward Alderman and one east ward Alderman for the City of Salem on April 2nd, 2019, will be introduced and read. Resolution #5-6-2018, a resolution approving the sale of surplus city inventory and personal property deemed obsolete and unusable by the City using Purple Wave as the sale convenience. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will set newly elected officials salaries that will be effective after the municipal election. The meeting will then adjourn. The Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.