Local News – Tuesday, March 27th, 2018

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams provided the commissioners with the CART receipts for the month of March. She said this month the county received $52,831.84 which is more than the 2017 figure of $51,738.43. Year-to-date, Williams said the CART receipts are up $1,092.96 which is less than a 1% increase. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated ditch work will be done and materials added on Dent County Road 4210 while other crews will be checking and cleaning out culverts in anticipation of the predicted heavy rains. Purcell also said major service will be done on grader #33. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be taken to Dent County Roads 2150, 2530 and 2630. He also said rock would be hauled to the shop to be stock piled in case it is needed later. Larson did say workers would be working on a culvert pipe on county road 2530 and working on a low water slab on county road 5225. He said a crew will be out checking culvert pipes for clogs as well as installing front truck tires on county truck #124. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he and Commission Larson attended the Feral Hog program in Eminence last Thursday and heard from a number of people about their situation with the hogs and others who have suggestions on how to stop the problem. Skiles also said Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley brought in a Quit-Claim Deed request from Accurate Timber Consulting, LLC from Crawford County for the old railroad right-of-way. All three of the commissioners agreed to sign the deed in front of a notary at their first opportunity. Skiles went on to report the jail committee wanted to get an update on the jail project, so Steve Davis from Shive-Hattery and Nick Smith from Septagone Construction Management will be in town on Thursday, April 5th at 3:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to go over the progress so far on the project. Skiles said the gathering is open to the public. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded everyone sample ballots are available at her office for those who would like to see what they are voting on next Tuesday ahead of time, or even see if they have to vote. She said there are no school board races for Green Forest R-2 or Dent-Phelps R-3 so those voters should not go to their polling location at those schools as they will not be open. She also said for those who vote for the R-2 or R-3 School Board who vote at either Oak Hill R-1 or the Salem City Hall, there is no need for you to come in as the there will not be ballots for you there. She said her office will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon Saturday for absentee voting, and again Monday, April 2nd until 5:00 PM. The polls will open at 6:00 Tuesday, April 3rd and will remain open until 7:00 PM. She said this is the first year you will need to have a photo ID to vote. She also wanted to remind those who would like to have a ballot mailed out that this Wednesday is the last day you can do that. If you have any question about your address, absentee voting or getting a mailout ballot, please call her office at 729-4144 or stop by the courthouse. Commissioner Dennis Purcell did want to report the Secure Rural Schools Act has been approved for the years 2017 and 2018, and also the PILT monies for 2018 will be fully funded which is very important in our area. 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.

An accident occurred at 7:10 Monday morning in Dent County on Dent County Road 2330 near Route DD. According to the Highway Patrol Report, a 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by 32-year old Cassandra Taylor of Salem, crossed the center of the roadway on a hillcrest, striking head on a 2007 Saturn Vue, driven by 22-year old Shelby Martin of Salem. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway. Taylor suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. There was extensive damage to both vehicles and they were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.