Local News – Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report that Congress had authorized an increase in the Rural Schools Act and the County received an additional $66,147.48. She noted that the money would be disbursed as follows: $16,536.87 to Road and Bridge, $12,134.76 to Salem R-80, $10,021.35 to Oak Hill R-1, $421.69 to Northwood R-4, $7,833.50 to Viburnum C4 and $19,199.31 to Bunker R2. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell noted that due to the 3 to 4 inches of weekend rainfall his crews were out repairing washouts, cleaning clogged pipes and removing downed trees. He went on to say that it would take several days for the county’s roads to be back to where they were before the storms. Purcell also said he would be attending a Tourism Commission meeting Monday evening. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson echoed Purcell’s comments and also noted he had calls over the weekend about downed trees on the roadways in his district. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Commission continues to seek bids on carpet for the entire Courthouse and replacement of the 3rd floor windows. He noted that the Commissioners would be attending the Hazardous Mitigation Plan meeting Monday afternoon. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded everyone that the Courthouse would be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Bids were opened for chip and seal and the Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the bid from N.B. West Contracting for 12.9 miles of single coat chip and seal at $1.24 per square yard and one mile of double coat chip and seal at $3.45 per square yard. The next regular meeting of the Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
On Friday, May 18th, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop at Sinclair County Fuels on Highway 32 West in Salem. Deputies were following up on a suspicious vehicle call for a motorcycle and car with out of state plates. The driver of the car, a 27-year old St. Charles man, and the passenger, a 21-year old Wright City woman, were arrested on outstanding warrants. The driver of the motorcycle, 29-year old James Judd of Winfield, fled into the woods behind the Al Brown fields. A search was conducted but he was not located. A K9 was utilized to sniff the vehicle and it gave a positive alert. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a black plastic “ammo can” with a glass-smoking device, digital scale, and over 90 grams of methamphetamine. The two individuals in the car were charged with 1st Degree Accessory to Trafficking Drugs and are each being held on a $100,000 cash only bond. Judd is a wanted fugitive and is still being sought by law enforcement. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Salem Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The above information is a mere accusation, and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of any charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
A boating accident occurred Saturday on the Lake of the Ozarks that took the lives of three Kansas residents. According to the Highway Patrol Report the accident occurred at the 47.5 mile mark of the main channel at midnight when a 1991 Regal Runabout, operated by 22 year-old Hayden Frazier of Overland Park, Kansas, struck a rock bluff ejecting Frazier along with occupants Joseph Lemark of Overland Park and 21 year-old Hailey Hochanadel of Olathe, Kansas. Lemark and Hochanadel were pronounced deceased at the scene by Medical Examiner Jason Elliot. Daniel Lewis of Overland Park was pronounced deceased within the boat. Twenty-one year old Ashley Lamb of Olathe suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield by Staff For Life. Frazier suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital.
The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will present “Going Batty” on Friday night, May 25th starting at 6:30. Led by naturalist Janet Price of Moonshadow Moments, LLC, formerly of Johnson’s Shut-Ins, explore the magic of BATS! If you don’t like bugs driving YOU batty, check out how bats take care of the problem for us—for free! Count Batula will be flying in to share some secrets, songs, and even a bat rap with us! This program is appropriate for all ages and is especially family-friendly. The cost is $1.00 per person or $5.00/family, regardless of the number, which includes a light snack. Phone reservations are requested to plan for snacks and activities. Please call the Bonebrake Center (573.729.3400) for more information or register. The Bonebrake Center is located at 601 North Hickory Street in Salem, at the corner of North Hickory Street and East Rolla Road.
The Dent County Open Youth Market animal jackpot show will be held June 2nd at The Commons on Highway 72 in Salem. The show will feature hogs, goats, lambs, and steers. The hog weigh in takes place at 7 a.m. with goats, lambs, and steers to follow. For more information contact Bambi Merrifield at 573-729-2234 or 573-739-9782 or Marsha Fenton at 573-739-4563 or 573-247-7828.