Local News – Tuesday, September 12th, 2017
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax figures received this month from the state. For the General Revenue Fund, Williams reported the county received $91,349.81 which is more than $2,000 more than last year’s figure. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund is up $2,036.78 which is a small increase of .32%. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax receipts are similar to the General Revenue Fund. The Road and Bridge Department Sales Tax received in September came in at $61,076.37 which is some $2,800 more than last year’s amount, and year-to date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $10,780.03 which is an increase of 2.49%. She said she would be attending her annual training at the Missouri County Treasurer’s Association meeting this week. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that grading would be done and materials added to Dent County Road 6520 while only grading was going to be done on county road 6220. He said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 4253, 4255 and 5220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 4380. He also said pipes would be installed on Dent County Road 2530 and materials would also be hauled to that road. He added that road materials would also be added to Dent County Road 5260. Larson went on to say the chip and seal work this year is now completed. He and Commissioner Purcell complimented N.B. West of Sullivan for their efforts this year in applying the tar and chips. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be presiding over two PHA hearings today in St. James. He again wants to remind anyone getting HUD housing assistance to please comply with the conditions of your contract or face the possibility of being removed from the program. He also said he would be attending a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation meeting today in St. James. He went on to say the Missouri Community Betterment judges would be in Salem at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center today at 3:00. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wants to remind voters that you should be receiving a voter registration card in the mail soon. When you receive it, please review to make sure the information on the card is correct. If there is a mistake, you may submit the correction on the back of the card and mail it back to her office, call her office or stop by her office in the courthouse to update your information. She again wants to remind everyone that you will need a photo ID to vote. If you need assistance in obtaining one free non-drivers license photo ID, call 1-866-868-3245. The commission voted 3-0 to seek bids on installation of 4 replacement windows on the top floor of the courthouse. Bids will be due by September 28th at 10:00 a.m. Potential bidders with any questions should call her office at 729-4144. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports. On Sunday, September 3rd, deputies took a report of stolen items from the 3000 block of Route OO. The items that are missing from the residence include a Play Station 3, one game, and two controllers. This report is still under investigation. On Labor Day, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 1800 block of Highway 19 North. As a result, a 27-year old Salem man was arrested for driving without having a valid license. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court, and was released. Later that day, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Dent County Road 6150 in reference to a male found sleeping in a vehicle at someone’s house. Upon arrival, deputies located the 38-year old Arkansas man in the grass next to the road. The victim located him inside the vehicle, woke him, and went to the neighbor’s house to call 911 after he began to walk towards her. He was arrested and incarcerated into the Dent County Jail for 1st degree trespassing. He was held on a $5,000 cash only bond. On Tuesday, September 5th, deputies responded to a call in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 2440 in reference to a burglary. The inside of the residence was in disarray and several items were missing. Items missing ranged from hand tools, scrap metal, horse tack and saddles to crock pots and antiques. This report is still under investigation. On Thursday, September 7th, deputies responded to a call on Dent County Road 4210 in reference to a subject with an active warrant. Contact was made with the 34-year old Salem man and he was taken into custody. He was incarcerated on four Capias Dent County warrants. If you information about any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.
Highway 49 in Iron and Reynolds Counties will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pug milling. This section of roadway is located from Highway 32 to Route A. Weather permitting, this work will take place TODAY through Thursday, September 14th from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon each day. Travel on the road will be open to local traffic only. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact Resident Engineer Darius Dowdy at (573-243-0899) or MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).