News – Tuesday, January 28th 2025

The National Forest Service has scheduled a controlled burn this morning starting at 11:00 in Reynolds County about seven miles east of Bunker. The burn will cover approximately seven hundred acres. Controlled burns are only held when conditions allow, and should winds or humidity change before 11:00, the burn could be postponed.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse where Amanda Sapaugh from the SB 40 board was in to ask that Phil Christensen, Ron Hutson and Stephanie Floyd be re-appointed to the board. Her request was granted unanimously by the commissioners. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART taxes received by the county in January. This month, Dent County received $85,533.40 while last January, the county received $78,575.56. Stan Podorski from KSMO Radio informed the commission of the visible deterioration on the cap on the gazebo in front of the courthouse. The commission said they would check on it. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said workers continue to service a dump truck. He also stated that if they can get the brush cutter started, they will begin to start cutting brush in District 1. Green said rock would be added and graders would be out working on select FEMA roads. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3355, while only grading would be done on county roads 3350, 4020 and 4260. Williams went on to say brush would be cut on county road 4320, and a different dump truck would be sent to Gahr Equipment in St. James for repairs. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had no report, and County Clerk Angie Curley said taxing entities have until end of business today to get in their certification for the April Municipal Election. She said she attended and sworn in on the Missouri Association of Counties board last Thursday in Jefferson City. She said they heard from Trent Watson, Steve Hobbs and attorney Travis Elliott, plus the board was updated on the NACO activities. She hopes to be able to attend the NACO Conference in July. Curley said she is finishing the financial statements that will need to be published in the Salem News by March 1st. Commissioner Williams wanted to thank the public for the good turnout at the budget hearing last Thursday which he felt went very well. Questions from the public were answered and he said he was glad to see previous commissioners in attendance at the hearing. Commissioner Larson also said the 2% COLA increase for office holders was investigated and found that it was allowable as that was approved in 2023 for 2024, and with no salary commission meeting held to change any salaries, that same approval carried on to 2025 budget. At the last meeting after the budget hearing, the commission agreed to put out bids for culverts and grader blades that will be due in the commissioner’s office by March 3rd. The culvert bids will be opened at 10:30 and grader blade bids will be opened at 11:00. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley detailed four criminal cases heard by Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. Jeff Wakenight of Summersville, previously convicted of felony driving while revoked, violated his probation by breaking state laws. Prosecutor Curley recommended a 4-year sentence under RSMO 217.362, a long-term treatment program involving at least 12 months of incarceration. Wakenight initially sought continued probation but was instead sentenced to 4 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO 559.115, including a 120-day shock incarceration program. Christopher Black of Salem faced probation revocation on two felony charges: tampering with a motor vehicle and possession of methamphetamine. Specific violations included two instances of methamphetamine use and failure to complete court-ordered community service. Prosecutor Curley sought concurrent 7-year sentences under RSMO 559.115. Despite the state’s objection, Black was continued on probation with a suspended sentence, resulting in felony convictions and a mandatory 5-year probation term through the probation and parole department. Hunter Meade of Salem, on felony probation for heroin possession, was previously ordered to complete the Dent County Alternative Treatment Court. After unsuccessfully terminating from the program, Meade was sentenced to 7 years in prison, as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. Amber Good of Davisville pleaded guilty to distributing 0.2 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover taskforce officer. During her January 22nd sentencing hearing, Good was sentenced to a 10-year suspended sentence. With no prior criminal history, she was placed on 5 years of probation and will serve approximately 90 days in Dent County Jail.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday morning at 2:20 on Highway 19 four miles north of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2021 Nissan Versa, driven by a 22-year-old Salem man, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. The man suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment at Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that the driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by Hayes Auto Salvage.