Local News – Thursday, May 28th, 2020

The Dent County Commission has received $1,827,024 in federal funds as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic (CARES) Act, and is now ready to begin accepting applications from cities, political subdivisions and public agencies for reimbursable COVID-19 expenses that they have incurred, beginning March 1st, 2020. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission has been assisting Dent County in reviewing the act, developing an application and administrative process that would meet audit requirements. MRPC staff will be handling the grant administration for Dent County and have created a webpage on its website (www.meramecregion.org) where Dent County application information can be found. Disbursement of the CARES Act funds must be directly related to expenses from COVID-19 incurred during the period that begins March 1st and ends December 30th of this year that were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27 for any state or government entity. Reimbursable expenses can include payroll expenses for public safety, public health and health care, expenses to improve telework capabilities, expenses of providing paid sick and paid family and medical leave to public employees. According to the guidelines set up by the MRPC, each applicant must complete a certification form where they agree to comply with funding requirements, including repaying the reimbursement grant if the expenditure is deemed ineligible in the future. The application asks for contact information and detailed description of the cost incurred and how they are COVID-19 related. The form also provides a list of eligible expenditures, and applicants are encouraged to review that list before applying. Applicants will then list expenses on an application spreadsheet and attach invoices and proof of payment. Dent County reimbursement requests will be directed to Kelly Sink at MRPC, where staff will review the application, make sure the request is eligible for funding and verify that the documentation meets the requirements for a Single Audit. A verified application will then be forwarded to the Dent County Commission for review and their approval. Those applications that are approved will be forwarded to the county treasurer for payment to the applicant. MRPC staff will maintain files for the county and track all requests and expenditures. Persons with questions about Dent County grant can contact Kelly Sink at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at Kellysb@meramecregion.org. Any funds not spent must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. Under the CARES Act, counties can also provide grants to businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption cause by required closures. The U.S. Treasury has provided very little guidance on this provision. Dent County is awaiting additional federal guidance before it offers a business grant program.

A one vehicle accident occurred early Tuesday afternoon shortly after 12:30 on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1995 Ford F-250 was being driven north by 60-year old William Monk of Salem when he suffered a medical emergency causing the Ford to travel off the left side of the road and struck a tree. Monk, who was wearing a safety restraint, had minor injuries which were treated at the scene. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire of Salem. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Fire Department.

The Salem Police Department has releases some reports. On the afternoon of May 9th at approximately 2:28, an officer was on routine traffic patrol and noticed a 20-year-old Salem male operating a motor vehicle near Phil Mart. The officer had prior knowledge that the male did not have a valid driver’s license. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was arrested and issued summons for driving while having his license suspended. On the evening of May 11th at about 5:42, an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Third Street for a report of a theft. It was reported that $460 worth of jewelry was stolen from the residence by some people that were visiting. This incident is still under investigation. The next morning close to 9:00, an officer was dispatched to C and E auto for a report of a stolen motor vehicle. It was reported that a silver 2002 Ford F-250 super cab was stolen from the lot. The investigation is ongoing into this incident. On the afternoon of May 13th at approximately 2:12, an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle failing to signal at Second and Iron Streets. During the stop it was found the driver, a 23-year-old Salem man, had a suspended drivers license. The driver was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Around 11:48 later that evening, an officer responded to an address in the 800 block of East Hawkins to attempt to contact a subject with an active warrant from the City of Salem. Contact was made with a 72-year-old Salem male who later pled on the active City warrant. On the morning of May 15th near 12:15, an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Third Street for a report of a burglary. The reporting party reported they had noticed forced entry was made into their home. It was reported that a 40” flat screen TV valued at $200 was taken from the residence. This incident is still under investigation. Later that same morning around 6:49, an officer conducted a traffic stop for expired license plates at the intersection of Carnett Industrial Drive and Highway 32. As a result of the stop it was found the driver, a 36-year-old Salem man, was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license. The driver was arrested and released on summons for driving without a license. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.