Local News – Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not able to attend due to a prior commitment so Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson to serve as the acting Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that crews removed two trees that blew down over roads this past the weekend. One tree partially covered Dent County Road 4110 and the other tree completed shut down Dent County Road 6080 for a time. Purcell said some roads were dry enough to grade and crews will be adding materials to and grading Dent County Roads 4080, 4210 and 6580 as well as other roads if time permits. Larson said District Two had numerous reports of downed trees over the weekend and crews responded to those locations to remove those trees. Larson stated materials would be added and grading done on county roads 4060 and 5260. He went on to report grading only would be done on Dent County Road 2403 and materials only would be added to county road 2150. County Clerk Curley wanted to remind voters absentee voting for the April 2nd Municipal Election is going on now. She said that Dent-Phelps R-3, Northwood R-4 and Salem R-80 School Districts do not have races, nor does the Dent County Fire Protection District or the Salem Memorial Hospital District. She said the last day to mail out an absentee ballot will be Wednesday, March 20th which is a week earlier than it used to be. If anyone needs to change their address or needs to update their voter registration, please call her office at 729-4144 or drop by her office in the Dent County Courthouse. Kevin Barker with Mapping Solutions came in to discuss plat books with the commission. He says his company would require less books for the initial order than other companies and the county could reorder as few as 20 books at a time if they needed them. He also said they have an app that can be purchased for your smart phone or tablet that will show you exactly where you are in the county along with the property information. He left information with the commissioners about his company. The county does not have any money in the budget in 2019 for new plat books. Curley said the county has a box left from their last order that was in 2015. 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.

Mark Twain National Forest is recruiting individuals to be members of a Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) that will be established as required by the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Recruitment activities will end on or about March 31st, 2019. The RAC will be established to improve collaborative relationships and provide recommendations to the National Forest concerning project proposals being considered for implementation with funding provided by the Act. The RAC will include 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture following a review of some brief background information provided by the prospective member. RAC members must reside in the Dent, Douglas, Oregon or Ozark counties in Missouri. Membership will be balanced and diverse representation and include individuals who are recreation users, members of environmental organizations, elected officials, tribal representatives, school officials, timber industry, public at large, and other interested groups. Membership is voluntary and those selected will serve a 4-year term. For more information on Resource Advisory Committees, check the Forest Service web-site at www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/specialprojects. If this opportunity is of interest contact Richard Hall at 573-368-9286, or Laura Watts at 573-341-7471.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday afternoon, March 2nd, at approximately 4:23, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown had stolen a Sig Sauer P238 .380 caliber handgun from a residence in the 900 block of East Hawkins. The report is under investigation. Then on Sunday morning, March 3rd at about 1:30, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 22-year old female of De Soto, Illinois on an active arrest warrant from Vienna, Missouri. The suspect was later released with a new date to appear in court after posting a $250.00 bond. On Tuesday morning, March 5th, at approximately 9:08, an officer was dispatched to Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown apparently ran into the corner of the building causing damage valued at $500.00 to the brick and mortar. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.