Local News – Monday, November 26th, 2018
An accident occurred Sunday morning at 12:56 in Dent County on Highway 32, about eight miles east of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Ford Focus, driven by 74-year old Paul Davis of Willow Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Davis suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Texas County Ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. The Ford sustained total damage and was towed by Jaus of Houston. Davis was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Toy Drive and the Salvation Army Angel Tree signups will be held TODAY and Thursday, November 29th from 3:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon at the Dent County Fire Station. Requirements are that children must be between the ages of newborn to 12 years, they must live with the parent/guardian who is signing the child up, and must reside in Dent County. Parents need to bring proof that they meet these requirements. This can be a print out from Division of Family Services. If financial aid is not received, parents can bring a letter from the school the child attends stating that the children live with that parent and the grade they are in. In addition, proof of residency can be presented in the form of a utility bill, a voter registration card or something similar. People can donate gently used toys in very good condition or brand new toys. They can be dropped off during normal business hours at the Dent County Fire Station or the front office of the KSMO Studios. Monetary donations may also be accepted at both locations. If you are unable to drop off toys, volunteers can pick them up if necessary provided enough notice is given. Parents or guardians may pickup the toys and the Angel Tree donations on Monday, December 19th beginning from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon Dent County Fire Station. For more information about the toy drive, contact Dianne Godi at (573) 247-2216 or Sara Myers at (573) 453-6551. If you need more information about the Salvation Army Angel Tree that will be at Wal-Mart this year, call 729-8163.
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested a near-record 199,427 deer during the November portion of fall firearms deer season, November 10th through the 20th. Of the 199,427 deer harvested, 102,930 were antlered bucks, 19,924 were button bucks, and 76,573 were does. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 4,021 deer checked, Howell with 3,858, and Callaway with 3,695. Dent County accounted for 1,378 antlered bucks, 330 button bucks and 1,181 does for a total of 2,889 total deer harvested. Last year hunters checked 192,797 deer during the 2017 November portion of firearms deer season. The recent-record season was 2012 with 204,668 deer harvested. For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, and harvest summary from past years visit the MDC website. MDC reported eight firearms-related hunting incidents during the November portion of firearms deer season of which three involved fatalities — two of which occurred incidental to hunting while at hunting camps and one self-inflicted incident while in the field. Of the five non-fatal incidents, four were self-inflicted and the fifth occurred when the shooter struck a victim while swinging on game. Deer hunting in Missouri continues with archery deer hunting season through January 15th, 2019. Lastly, the alternative methods portion will run December 22nd through January 1st, 2019.
Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released information on the following cases ruled on in court on November 19th by Judge Kelly Parker. Julia Henson pled guilty to possession of heroin and suboxone. With no prior criminal history, Henson received a suspended sentence with 5 years probation involving drug treatment, among numerous other terms of probation. Austin Carter pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine and received 7 years suspended imposition of sentence with 5 years probation and parole as requested by the State. Shawn Smith pled guilty to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Smith was sentenced to 15 years in the Division of Corrections under Section 559.115 as recommended by the sentencing assessment report and by the State. Leonard Eplin pled guilty to distribution, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance in a county jail. Eplin was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections due to prior felony criminal history as requested by the State.