Local News – Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Sunday, November 5th, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Highway 68 for a burglary. Deputies on the scene discovered that a hot water heater was taken from a trailer. This report is still under investigation. On Monday, November 6th, deputies responded to the 6000 block of Highway 19 North for a report of theft and burglary from Frizzell Saw Mill. This investigation has revealed that someone unlawfully entered a building on the property and stole five chainsaws and other items totaling approximately $5,000. The victim in this case has offered a reward of $1,000 to the person who can provide information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the parties involved. This report is still under investigation. On Tuesday, November 7th, deputies responded to a minor one vehicle accident on Highway 32 East, just past the Meramec Bridge. After a short investigation, it was discovered that the driver, a 42-year old Jadwin woman, had a Phelps County warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Wednesday, November 8th, deputies investigated a report of a child walking on Highway 32 East at Route MM. Contact was made with the parents at a residence in the 10000 block of Highway 32 East. After a short investigation and consent search of the residence, a 28-year old man and a 24-year old woman, both of Salem, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. They were incarcerated in the Dent County Jail with each person having a $50,000 cash only bond. On Friday, November 10th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at South Askins and West Franklin. As a result of the stop, the driver, a 42-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released. On Saturday, November 11th, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Highway VV for a report of a stolen vehicle. A black 1995 Nissan Pathfinder had been stolen from a residence that afternoon between noon and 3:30 pm. This report is still under investigation. If you have information regarding the burglaries or thefts, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released a progress report for the City of Viburnum in Iron County. The report shows improvement after an audit identified more than $100,000 in potentially fraudulent activities over a number of years and outlined a series of steps the city can take to better protect public dollars. Following the issuance of the audit report this summer, the former clerk, Dana Mayberry, was charged with a felony. The previous report found when citizens made cash payments, the former city clerk would pocket the money, and then instead of marking their accounts as paid, she would adjust the accounts to show they owed less than they actually did. The follow-up review found that city officials are now reviewing some utility adjustments and are working to institute additional reviews. The progress report also found the city is working to improve accounting practices and increase oversight of the utility and property tax system. In total, auditors identified 11 areas of concern to evaluate during the follow-up review. Five recommendations were fully implemented. For six other recommendations, progress has been made or recommendations were partially implemented. You can view the entire report by going to state auditor’s website at www.auditor.mo.gov.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, November 2nd at approximately 2:07 in the afternoon, an officer located a 30-year old male of Salem near Park and Center who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Late that night near 10:29, an officer was detailed to Highway 19 and Rolla Road in reference to a fight in progress and a vehicle parked in the middle of the road. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 29-year old male of Salem who had assaulted a 23-year old male of Salem. The suspect was also charged with unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. On Friday, November 3rd at approximately 10:45 in the morning, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to credit card fraud. That investigation revealed a 30-year old male of Salem used a credit card to make several unauthorized purchases with an approximate value of $1,685.01. The report is under investigation. Later, at approximately 11:55 in the morning, an officer was sent to a residence in the 900 block of East Pace in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took a game system from the residence. This report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Missouri State Parks have announced that because of its ongoing popularity across the state, the Centennial Passport program has been extended until April 9th, 2018. The original deadline was October 31st, 2017. The new deadline date commemorates the state park system’s founding on April 9th, 1917, and gives Passport participants an additional six months to complete the program. The extension applies to both the printed passport and the digital passport formats. All of the rules remain the same, except for the deadlines. For printed passports, completed passports must be presented to the park or historic site staff for verification by close of business on Monday, April 9th, 2018; and if digital, passports must be completed by close of business on Monday, April 9th, 2018. Grand Prize drawings will now be held on May 15th, 2018. To find out more information, go to mostateparks.com/passport.