Local News – Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that materials were going to be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5015, better known as the Doss Road. Purcell said brush is also being cut on that road and he wanted to let people know that extensive work on that road is being done and they may want to use an alternative route. He went on to report grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 5610, 5620, 6010, 6075 and 6570 while materials will be added to county road 5130. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a previous commitment and road supervisor Sam Gorman gave the report. He said materials were being added and grading done on Dent County Roads 6140 and 6160, while only grading would be done on county roads 2200, 2360, 5280, 5300 and 5305. Gorman stated that brush would be cut on county road 4060. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners wanted to thank the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Clerk’s office for their extra effort this weekend in the ATV/UTV Ride for America sponsored by the American Volunteers and Cowtown, USA. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the county sold 62 permits for the event. Skiles said the weather was great and the turnout for the initial event was excellent. He congratulated all those involved in making the event a success! County Clerk Curley wanted to remind everyone to make sure that your voter information is correct. If you have moved, call her office at 729-4144 or drop by the Dent County Courthouse. She says absentee voting will continue until November 5th at the courthouse. On Monday, November 5th, her office will be open until 5:00. Her office will also be open Saturday, November 3rd from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. She said the last day to mail out a ballot would be Wednesday, October 31st and her office will be open Halloween until 5:00. Curley said sample ballots are available in her office and she also has the fair ballot language explanations for the amendments and propositions for those who want them. The commissioner also approved the continuation of the annual contribution to the County Employment Retirement Fund program of 6% by each employee. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for October 6th through the 9th. On Saturday, October 6th at approximately 8:10 on the morning, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report revealed that a 36-year-old male of Salem had stolen merchandise valued at $10.99 and left the premises. The report is under investigation. That same afternoon at about 1:11, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was released pending an application for a criminal summons. Then on Sunday, October 7th, near 1:39 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of this stop led to the arrest of a 37-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was released pending an application for a criminal summons. That evening at approximately 6:18, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. This investigation led to the arrest of a 44-year-old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday afternoon, October 8th, at about 3:48, an officer was dispatched to the Southeast Missouri Behavioral Center located at 200 North Grand in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed that a 50-year-old male of West Plains had assaulted a 19-year-old male of Waynesville. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 9:23 an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of West Roosevelt in reference to a domestic disturbance. That investigation revealed a 22-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 21-year-old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for domestic assault. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Tuesday October 9th, at approximately 9:43 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 25-year-old female of Salem for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and stealing merchandise valued at $89.24. The suspect was released pending the application for criminal summonses. That afternoon near 12:44, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 39-year-old male of Salem for driving while being drugged. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.