Local News – Tuesday, February 27th, 2018
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated Dent County received between seven and eight inches of rain in the last six days. Crews were out over the weekend to work on making sure roads were passable and open. He said they will be adding materials, patching and grading on Dent County Road 4160 while county road 5525 will get materials and be graded. Other roads to get attention will be county road 6670 that will be graded while county roads 5520, 6250 and 6255 as well as many other roads will receive patch grading. Crews will be out checking on other roads as well to make sure they are drivable. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said his crews were also out over the weekend checking roads for damage. He said materials will be added to Dent County Roads 4010, 4030, 5200 and 5270 and many others as work will be done on those roads to put them back in shape. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles will be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today at St. James, and will also be attending the “Meramec Morning” Wednesday morning starting at 9:00 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Interested citizens, local officials, non-profits, businesses, schools and community leaders are encouraged to attend. The MRPC will share some information about the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and ask those attending to share what is happening in your city and county, especially as it relates to economic development. Skiles also wanted to remind everyone to get their 2018 County Assessment forms in by Thursday or be faced with penalties. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting for the April 3rd election is continuing in her office and you must have a reason why you are voting early. Also, you must bring in a picture ID to vote. At the last meeting, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley came in to discuss a Burlington Northern easement request and will get back with the commission after he reviews it. He also discussed the county’s health insurance and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a report for Friday, February 23rd, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 4170 for a report of stealing. The victim reported that her vehicle was broken into and items were taken from inside. The items taken included checks and $80 worth of coins. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding this investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday afternoon, February 16th at approximately 5:45, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of East Fourth Street in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took two bicycles valued at $151.49 from the yard of a residence. The report is under investigation. That evening at 6:06, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of West Franklin in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke out a bedroom window of the residence that was valued at $80.00. The report is under investigation. On Saturday morning, February 17th at 12:37, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year old female of Salem for failing to comply with ignition interlock device requirements. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at 11:19, an officer transported a 76-year old female of Salem to the New Hope Psychiatric Facility in Sullivan on a mental commitment order. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.
An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:45 in Dent County on Highway 68 at Route U. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire driven eastbound by 16-year old Hailey Corkell of Salem pulled into the path of a 2014 Ford Escape driven southbound by 75-year old Shirley Lyons of Cook Station. Lyons suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both Corkell and Lyons were wearing seat restraints. The Pontiac was driven from the scene while Ford was towed by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.