Local News – Tuesday, August 15, 2023
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning in the courthouse. During public comments Raleigh Pence was in voicing his concern with the extreme wash-boarding of Dent County Road 5070, which goes from Highway P to Dent County Road 5015. He also asked about the difference in costs to chip and seal county roads when compared to grading four times a year. The commissioners explained that the financial costs is more for chip and seal installation coupled with the future maintenance costs. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson expressed his heartfelt concerns and thoughts for the Dewayne Arthur family at the loss of their tire shop in Friday night’s fire. His comments were echoed by Commissioners Mobray and Polk. In the road report District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said that his crew was checking roads after Sunday nights storm. He also reported that his crew would be repairing a washout and cleaning out a culvert on Dent County Road 5520. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said that his crew was also checking roads for washouts and cutting brush on Dent County Road 2240. Larson reported that he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee, the External Relations Committee and the MRPC Board meetings last Thursday in St. James. He noted that the MRPC Annual Awards Banquet would be in Hermann on October 26th and that he had nominated Easton May and Deloris Gray Wood for awards. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll were being approved by the commissioners for payment. She also noted that Thursday she and Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams would be attending the MAC Board of Directors meeting. Bids were opened for the Road and Bridge Department surplus property. The highest bid for each piece of property was as follows: 2003 Chevy Truck, Rodney Atkinson for $1,601.02, Wire Welder, Jarod Givens for $307.81, Hydraulic Cylinder, Billy Shepher for $52.00, Lonnie Lundy, Grates for $40.00, Snowplow for $100.00, and Tailgate Spreader for $65.00, Power Washer, Jim Privett for $65.95. Corky Stack, AEA Engineering, was in to visit with the Commission about the courthouse repairs and a change order. Jared Barnard with MidMo Trim Lights in Columbia was with Corky to discuss and demonstrate the Courthouse Christmas lights. The lights have a 5-year labor warranty, and a lifetime warranty will be on the lights themselves at a cost of $42,000. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the purchase of the lights. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.
The Sheriff’s department released these reports for the first part of August. On Thursday August third, deputies responded to the 3200 block of Highway P in an attempt to locate a wanted subject. During the course of the call, a 25-year-old Salem man attempted to flee law enforcement but was apprehended and arrested on multiple warrants. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrants and additional charges. Then on Saturday August 5th, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by a 61-year-old Salem man. The man had multiple active arrest warrants and fled from deputies. After a brief pursuit, the man was apprehended in the 2200 block of Highway 68 and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrants and additional charges. The next day Sunday August 6th, deputies responded to the 100 block of County Road 3275 for a reported harassment. During the investigation, it was determined that a 55-year-old Salem was in possession of a firearm while threatening a neighbor. The subject was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 Hour Hold pending issuance of formal charges. Then on Tuesday August 8th, deputies responded to the 15000 block of E. Highway 32 for a reported assault. During the investigation, it was determined that a 50-year-old Salem man was assaulted by a 44-year-old Salem man. The investigation is ongoing. Finally on Thursday August 10th, deputies responded to the 2500 block of County Road 6280 to execute an arrest warrant. The suspect, a 52-year-old Jadwin man was arrested without incident and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.
The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 in the hospital library. After the roll call the board will hold interviews of potential board appointees before adjourning. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The meeting will be open to the public. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMDH Administrative office at 729-6626 ext. 4005 to obtain access information.