Local News – Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
The Dent County Commissioners held their tax rate hearing Monday morning at 10:00 at the courthouse. The General Revenue Fund rate that was at $.0.00 due to the high volume of sales tax money collected in 2018, will be reinstated this year as the sales tax dollars have receded and will be set at a state rate set by their calculations at $.0295. All three commissioners agreed on the rate. The Senate Bill 40 Fund has a current rate of $.1341 and that is again the maximum allowed this year. The SB 40 board asked to take the maximum allowed this year at $.1341 and the Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept their request. The Road and Bridge Fund current tax rate is $.2534. Following the state’s calculations, the maximum allowable rate allowed by the State Auditor is still $.2534. The Commission approved unanimously to accept that rate. The Senior Citizen Service Fund rate for 2018 was $.0477 and the maximum allowable tax rate is again at $.0477 after the state’s calculations. Their board requested to take the maximum allowable rate this year of $.0477. The request was approved by the commissioners by a 3-0. All the rates presented are per $100 assessed valuation. The hearing was adjourned.
The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports for the end of July. In the early morning of the 29th at about 12:03, an officer was dispatched to the area of North Jackson and Acuff in reference to a disturbance. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an intoxicated 38-year-old male of Salem for failing to obey a lawful order of a police officer. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 31st close to 4:00, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Louise in reference to trespassing. The investigation revealed that two females of Salem, a 20-year-old and a 24-year-old, entered onto property that gave notice of no trespassing. The 20-year-old suspect was later located, issued a summons to appear in court and released. The 24-year-old suspect has not yet been located. The report is still under investigation. Minutes later at about 4:10, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of West Ellis in reference to a burglary not in progress. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown had forcibly entered the residence and took items valued at about $800.00. The report is under investigation. At about 10:13 that same night, an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident at Henderson and Rolla Road. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 23-year-old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated and for careless and imprudent driving. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.
The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released a number of reports. Saturday, July 27th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Casey’s General Store parking lot. During the course of the traffic stop, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested for felony driving while revoked/suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Tuesday, July 30th, deputies received information from Phelps County Regional Medical Center in reference to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Dent County. After further investigation, deputies traveled to County Road 2120 and arrested a 55-year-old Salem man for domestic assault in the 3rd degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and was incarcerated. Later that same day, deputies traveled to Dent County Road 5340 in reference to a man causing property damage and trespassing. After investigating the incident deputies traveled to East Highway 32 and arrested a 45-year-old man from Boss for trespassing in the 1st degree and property damage in the 2nd degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Still on that same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop on East Highway 32 and Carty Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 17-year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of marijuana and /or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less. Also arrested was a 17-year-old Salem man for possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 with any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting Thursday, August 15th, at 6:00. Prior to the regular meeting the Board will conduct a tax rate hearing at 5:50. After approval of the agenda the board will approve previous minutes, approve bills, food service, substitute list, summer school attendance report, and program evaluations for Finance and Board Policies. Superintendent John McCulloch will report on Professional Development. In new business the Board will approve the 2018-2019 Annual Secretary of Board Report, 2019 tax rate, Dent County Developmental Preschool Lease, and consider Transportation Agreement with First Student. The board will then move into executive session to discuss personnel. The regular meeting of the board of education is open to the public.
You only have until Friday to visit the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource center to enjoy and learn from The River Exhibit. It is a cultural and natural history display of the Current River which includes artifacts, photos, newspaper accounts of the origin and controversy of enabling legislation creating the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, plus reflections on the life and communities that have disappeared. The exhibit provides a great opportunity for tourists, visitors and local citizens to stop by and take a trip of memories down the Current River. For more information, contact Mary Beth Cook at 573-453-6061 or the ONCRC at 573-729-0029.