Local News – Wednesday, June 24th, 2020

At the Dent County Commission meeting Monday, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she attended a Missouri Urban Board Conference. She said with Governor Mike Parson signing Senate Bill 631, some changes have been made on how people will vote in the August Primary and the General Election in November. Under current law, a person may vote absentee for candidates and ballot issues in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote if such voter expects to be prevented from going to the polls for six specified reasons. For the year 2020 only, this act permits a person to vote absentee if the voter has contracted or is in an at-risk category for contracting or transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Any person casting an absentee ballot for this reason does not need to obtain notarization of his or her absentee ballot. The bill also allows any registered voter to vote by mail. Applications for a mail-in ballot may be made in person or by mail any time before July 22nd for the Primary election and October 21st for the General Election. Upon receipt of an application, the election authority shall, within three working days, deliver the ballot to the voter. Voters casting a mail-in ballot are required to execute and submit with the ballot a notarized statement under penalty of perjury. The voter will be responsible for the notary fee. Ballots must be returned by mail no later than the closing of polls on election day. Any ballot received after such time shall not be counted. Curley says absentee voting for the Primary is going on now for those who want to vote absentee in the courthouse. For those who want to mail their vote in, Curley recommends picking up an application in her office or sending her office a letter requesting a ballot sooner the better. Remember for the Primary, you will need to choose the party for who you would like to cast your vote. Those choices are Republican, Democrat, Conservation, Libertarian, Green or you can get a non-partisan ballot where you will only vote on issues. Curley also wants to remind people to update their voting information if they have moved or made a name change, and the last day to register to vote for the Primary will be July 8th. For more information, call the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 729-4144.

The Missouri State Parks invites the public to attend a “Learn2 Paddle” kayaking program this summer. This program is for those who want to experience kayaking but are not sure where to start and for those who want to get out on the water but don’t own a kayak. Missouri State Parks offers kayaking instruction on how to paddle and have a safe enjoyable time on the water. This summer, parks staff will offer two free two-hour kayaking instruction sessions in our area at Current River State Park on Highway 19 South. They will be July 10th from 1:00 until 3:00, and August 1st from 10:00 in the morning until noon, however, the July 10th program is already full. If you would like to attend the August class, you should register now. This program is a great opportunity to try something new and experience some of Missouri’s lakes. Missouri State Parks will provide kayaks, paddle and instructors. Participants supply the enthusiasm and eagerness to discover nature and a new skill. Those who elect to participate are encouraged to bring their own life jacket due to ongoing public health concerns; however, there will be life jackets provided for those who need to borrow one to participate. Visitors are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines, come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, and please stay home if you are sick. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The classes are free, but registration is required. Visit mostateparks.com/learn2paddle to register. When on the registration website, participants will need to enter “Learn2” in the Search Text box. The classes currently open for registration from all the state parks will pop up. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Saturday, June 13th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 800 block of East Gibbs Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. Also on the 13th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 200 block of Dent County Road 4060 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 27-year old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was fingerprinted and incarcerated. Also on the 13th, a deputy traveled to the Shawnee Mac Conservation Area for a report of a Jeep driving erratically. Deputies arrived at the location and during the course of the incident, an 18 year-old Salem man was arrested for littering, a 1st offense. Also arrested during the incident was a 17-year-old Salem man for possession of marijuana less than 10 grams. Both men were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where they were fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Then on Sunday the 14th, deputies traveled to a residence in the 400 block of Dent County Road 3260 for a report of a vehicle in the back yard of a residence. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 39-year-old Salem woman and a 53-year-old Salem man was the reported victims of harassment in the 1st degree and peace disturbance, a 1st offense. During the course of the incident, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, please notify the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241.