Local News – Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced that the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, affirmed the convictions of Eric A. Hines on Thursday, May 26th, in connection with sexual acts that involved a child under 12-years-old in 2017 and 2018. On an appeal from the Circuit Court of Dent County, the Southern District denied his assertion that the trial court erred in overruling Hines’ motion to suppress statements and in overruling Hine’s motion to dismiss in violation of his right to a speedy trial. Hines was convicted of one count of statutory sodomy in the first degree for acts that involved a child under 12-years-old. The jury sentenced Hines to 75 years in prison, and the appeals court affirmed the district court’s ruling.
An accident occurred Sunday afternoon around 1:51 in Dent County on Route K about one mile south of Route E. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Dodge Durango driven by 34-year-old Wadonda Todd of Salem, was leaving a driveway and pulled into the path of a 1997 Ford F-150 driven by 33-year-old Randy Camden of Salem. Todd suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Ford was totaled and towed by private party to a residence. The Dodge was also totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report goes on to state that Todd was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. At the meeting, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave her monthly report and stated there were three new leads for economic prospects whose specs could be met by available buildings in Dent County. She said to date there are 442 city and county business licenses, and that she purged from the website business directory those businesses that had not renewed their license. She said applications for the “Welcome Home” program are still being accepted and they are specifically needing veteran families to apply to fill some vacancies in future rounds. The certified site needs to be graded and seeded and she is still waiting on the ASTM Standard soils report from April. Burbridge reported the Dent County unemployment rate went from 4.1% in March to 2.8% in April. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated workers would be servicing grader #24 and 38, patching chip and seal roads with the Ultimate Paving Material, and also working on the New Holland tractor getting it ready to sell. For District 2, Road Supervisor Travis Turner reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3180, if weather allows; and grading would be done on county road 2070. Turner said materials would also be added to county roads 2403 and 3200 while brush would be cut on county road 4280. He said a crew was working on the hydraulic lift cylinder on the roller and two guys went to Springfield to get the Mack truck that had to have a software update. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to salute and thank those who made the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and a “Taste of Dent County” a success this past Saturday in Salem. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote for the August 2nd Primary will be July 6th. She said she would also be attending a South Central County Clerk’s meeting in West Plains Friday to get update on new things coming up. Amber Pryor representing parents of the Salem High School Chamber Singers asked the commission for permission to sell snow cones on the courthouse lawn during the 4th of July Parade to raise funds for the singers to go to Nationals in Orlando next year. The commission approved the request. The commissioners received three bids for a UTV for the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. Two bids came from Stahlman Powersports from Rolla. One for a 2022 Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 for $34,414.16 and another bid for a 2022 Kawasaki Pro FXT for $34,323.01. They also received one bid from Cowtown USA for a 2022 Can-Am Defender HD9 Max DPS Camo for $32,542.00 with a five-year warranty. Sheriff Bob Wells recommended the Can-Am and the UTV will be paid for out of ARPA funds. At the last meeting, Sheriff Bob Wells discussed a heat pump for the 9-1-1 office and $4,200 will be paid four out of the building and grounds fund for the pump. The next meeting will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Salem will be this evening at 6:00 at The Salem Community Center @ The Armory. The board will consider Resolution No. 19-2022 which would revise and amend the City’s Personnel Manual to recognize and include Juneteenth to the list of paid holidays for City Employees. The board will discuss the appointment of Ms. Angie Hammons to the Salem Public Library Board to replace Joe Brand who resigned from the board. They will also discuss the request from the Grace Community Church to block Water Street from the south end of our parking lot at 600 South Water to the corner of Water and Franklin for the purpose of holding a Kids Crusade on June 10th from 2:00 to 6:30. The board will then review bills over $3,000 which includes one from Godi’s Excavating for Salem lot clearing and erosion control. After the council meeting, the Utility Committee will hold a meeting at 6:30. They will discuss the electric service availability fee and kWh rate recommendations for Aldermen. Next, they will go over water and sewer rates. The meetings are open to the public.