Local News – Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019
In a press release from Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley, a jury trial was conducted in the State v. Donnie Merrell on June 19th and 20th. The defendant was charged with two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree involving a minor child under the age of 14. The charge was filed as a result of a disclosure to a school counselor and investigation conducted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri Children’s Division that occurred during the winter of 2016 and continued into the beginning of 2017. The charges were filed by prosecutor Andrew M. Curley on February 3rd of 2017, as a result of receiving a probable cause statement from Dent County Sheriff’s Detective Rick Letchworth. Judge Randall Head presided over the trial. The state was represented by Andrew M. Curley and James Weber. The defendant was represented by Stephen Daniels. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of one count of Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree. A sentencing hearing then followed on August 26th where Judge Head sentenced the Merrill to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In a statement released from the Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Curley indicated the victim and her family were pleased with the result and glad the judicial process was concluded. Curley also wanted to thank the sheriff’s department, the victim advocates, the victim and her family.
A fatal accident occurred Saturday evening at 6:21 in Dent County on Route ZZ about two miles west of Jadwin. According to the highway patrol report, a 1992 Jeep Cherokee driven by 40-year old Nicholas Easton of Paragold, Arkansas, was traveling northbound on Route ZZ when he lost control of his vehicle. The Jeep overturned and Easton was partially ejected. Easton was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance and was pronounced dead at 7:55 that evening by Dr. Lambird. The Cherokee was totaled and towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem. Easton was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 7:00. Prior to their regular meeting, the alderman will hold a workshop on the nuisance violations at 6:00 to be followed by Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing and then meeting beginning at 6:30 in regards to a conditional use request for a food establishment: The Saucy Chook Pub owned by AJ Schafer and Tina Cook at 206 West Fourth Street. The Planning and Zoning Commission will also discuss short term rentals and discuss the definition of lodging at the meeting. At the Board of Aldermen meeting, they will hear a request from the Grace Community Church to close Water Street from the end of their parking lot to Franklin Street on September 15th from 8:00 until 4:00, and on October 30th from 4:00 until 9:00 for community events. After the consent agenda, Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown will give a report on their hearing and meeting before City Administrator Ray Walden updates the board ona number of items regarding the city, a review of the city services at the City Administration Office Building, and give an update of the City Comprehensive Plan. The board will review the request by First Baptist Church to set off fireworks on October 5th for their Fall Fest Spectacular. The board will then review two bills dealing with the airport construction project: Bill #3428 allowing the mayor to execute an aviation project consultant supplemental agreement between the city and H. W. Lochner, Inc. for providing construction services at the Salem Municipal Airport, and Bill #3429 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to extend the airport master plan and layout Project 14-066a-1 to be completed by July 31st, 2020. The board will also hear Resolution #22-2019 to approve the MoDOT documents related to the state block grant for the construction of T-Hangers, Taxilanes and the replacement of the wind cone. In new business, the board will discuss the Fall Clean Up week that will be held in October and the Lagers Annual Meeting before going into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The workshop, Planning and Zoning public hearing and public meeting, and the regular Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday are all open to the public.