News – Tuesday, September 3rd 2024

The Dent County Commission met last Thursday morning at the courthouse. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance due to a prior commitment, so Road Supervisor Jason Akins gave the road report. He stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6370, while only grading would be done on county roads 5380 and 6280. Akins also said brush would be cut on county roads 5130 and 5150. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and bridge maintenance would be done on Dent County Road 4060, while limbs would be trimmed on county road 4280, new blades would be put on grader #37, a brush cutter will be picked up at Heritage Tractor, and a snow plow will be taken to Knapheide in Jefferson City to make sure it works for the winter. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the county will put out for bid the purchase of 3,500 gallons of propane for the winter. The bids need to be submitted to the county clerk’s office by 10:00, Monday morning, September 9th, to be considered. He also said the county received a notice from their insurance company that they county received a notice from their insurance company that they will pay up to $584,537.88 for hail damage to county buildings. He said bids will have to be let out for that work to be done. Larson said there is a grant opportunity through the MRPC for the centennial celebration of Route 66. Details can be found on the MRPC website or call 573-265-2993. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the commission received a petition to set the speed limit on Dent County Road 2070 to 25 MPH and the commission approved the request. Also, the road and bridge department did phone bids for diesel fuel and received bids from Phil-Mart, County Fuels and MFA Oil. Phil-Mart had the lowest price at $2.49 which was accepted by the commission. Curley said she would be gone part of next week for a county clerk’s meeting and wanted voters to update their voter information for the General Election in November. She said the first day for an excused absentee ballot will be September 24th, and the first day for a no-excuse absentee ballot will be October 22nd. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said she sold eight parcels of property on the courthouse steps Monday in the tax sale and turned over $102,456.69 plus $250 in advertising fees to the county treasurer. She said the original owners of the property sold still have one year and one day to pay the back taxes to recover their property. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday, September 5th, at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released information on a number of cases heard in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. Dawn Smith of Salem, pled guilty to two counts of second degree drug trafficking, two counts possession of meth, one count possession of suboxone, one count maintaining a public nuisance, and one count of felony resisting arrest. Smith was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections pursuant to RSMo Section 217.362, long term drug treatment program, as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. Jen Moller of Salem, was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Assistant PA James Weber; due to failing to register as a sex offender. Brianna Nichols previously pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl. A sentencing hearing was held, and the defendant sought probation. Nichols was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections under RSMo Section 559.115, as requested by Prosecutor Curley. Hope Bell of Salem, pled guilty to possession of meth and felony stealing. Bell’s sentence was suspended and required to complete the Dent County Alternative Sentencing Court, a.k.a. drug court, with five years’ supervised probation.

There will be a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive at the First Baptist Church at 201 North MacArthur today from noon until 6:00. Successful donors will receive a voucher to the Dickerson Park Zoo, valid through July of 2025. Donors may also receive a limited-edition zoo themed T-shirt, while supplies last. Appointments can be made at cbco.org/donate-blood or by calling 417-227-5006.