Local News – Tuesday, December 18th, 2018
An accident happened in Texas County Sunday evening at 10:15 on Highway 32 about five miles east of Licking. According to a report released by the Highway Patrol, a 2012 Nissan truck driven by 52-year old David Brown of Salem, was westbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a fence and a tree. Brown was transported by Texas County EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. According to the report, Brown was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire.
Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew M. Curley reported that on December 11th, Fridtjov Severud pled guilty to Murder in the 2nd Degrees in the shooting death of Michael Gehm that occurred in Dent County on December 1st, 2016. Depositions were held in anticipation of a trial and they confirmed that Severud and Gehm were arguing prior to the shooting at opposite ends of a six-foot dinner table. The argument was over a comment Severud had made about a woman Gehm was romantically involved with. Severud told Gehm to leave his residence and Gehm refused until he apologized. Firearms and ammunition were located on the table at the time of the argument. Severud admitted to pointing a gun at Gehm and said the gun accidentally went off. Gehm was found sitting in a chair with a gunshot would that entered his chin. According to court documents, the defendant claimed self-defense due to the firearms being on the table, but the investigation established that the weapons were not within reasonable reach of the victim and he was found to be unarmed the night of the incident. Severud was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the prosecutor that included a charge of Armed Criminal Action being dropped with the plea of guilty.
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his district received three inches of rain from Thursday night, through Friday into Saturday. He said crews would be out checking roads in the chronic areas where the water damages roads and make repairs as necessary.Purcell also reported the Dent County Sheriff’s Department called with the report of a downed tree Sunday night on Dent County Road 2440 that blocked the road. Crews will be removing that tree. He went on to report grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5220, 5680 and 6280 while materials would be added to county road 5630. Purcell also stated brush would be cut on county road 5680. He also attended a Dent County Tourism Tax Committee meeting Monday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews would also be out checking roads for water damage before grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2330, 3030, 3040 and 4040. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2330 and service on the backhoe would be finished. Larson said he attended the Dent County Extension meeting Monday night. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation Board meeting he attended last Thursday. He said the MCEC would be acting as the 501 C 3 not-for-profit administrator to help Dr. Seibert in Crawford County search for grants to help him with the program that helps inmates get their Work Ready Certificates to find employment after they serve their time. The MCEC also agreed to be the 501 C 3 not-for-profit administrator for Dr Stratman and his program called PACT which stands for Premium Advanced Courses and Teachers that would help rural school students have access to more advanced courses that are not currently being held at smaller schools due to the small student size with a specialized instructor. He also is seeking additional funding through grants for his project. Skiles said the Gladden Bridge on Highway 19 South came in 3rd in the Transportation Advisory Committee priority meeting held last Thursday. This helps MoDOT in determining their budget to see what projects are in most demand to be addressed if funds are available. At the MRPC Board meeting, Skiles said three state legislators were in attendance and the Number 1 topic was on getting better rural broadband coverage in the area. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to get requests from office holders for the 2019 county budget. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance came in and told the commissioners that they could save about $2,217 savings on their vehicle fleet if they increased their deductible from $500 to $1,000 per vehicle. This is through the MOPERM program. He said there could be further savings if the county reviews the value of some of their vehicles to determine if they want both comprehensive and collision on every vehicle, but it is up to the commission. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.