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The Dent County Commissioners regular meeting was held Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to a prior commitment and Commissioner Gary Larson was named acting Presiding Commissioner. The commission saluted Lindsey Purcell for being crowned the 2012 Miss Salem Saturday night. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated that workers would be working on Dent County Truck #115 and #117, and they will be servicing a pup trailer getting it ready for the spring. He also reported that workers would be putting up downed signs and working in the shop. He went on to say that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6110. District 2 Commissioner Larson said that a worker went to Springfield to get oil for the Dura-Patcher and patching would be done on chip and seal roads. He stated that workers would be removing the plow and spreader box from a county truck and also working on Dent County Truck #114. Larson reported that materials would be added to Dent County Roads 3260, 4430 and 5340, and workers would also be putting up downed signs. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley is reminding voters if they have an address change to contact her office by phone or in person. She also reported that sales tax revenues collected received this month for the month of February were up $18,996.18 over last year’s figure, and year-to date, the sales tax revenues are ahead of last year by $19,496.21. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of February. During the month, they wrote five equipment repair orders, 35 summons to appear in court, 41 warning tickets, and 41 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 12 accidents, one report of arson, four assaults, four burglaries, two reports of disorderly conduct, one report of domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while intoxicated, two reports of forgery, two reports of fraudulent use of a credit and/or debit device, one report of harassment, one report of leaving the scene of an accident, one report of loitering and one report of a lost and/or stolen plate. The department also investigated one report of a missing and/or runaway juvenile, one report for open containers, one report of a peace disturbance, two reports of property damage, one report of rape, one report of sexual abuse, 11 reports of stealing, one report of tampering, one report of trespassing and three 96-hour commitments. They also investigated three reports of possession of marijuana and one report of possession of drug paraphernalia. The Salem Police Department also conducted one death investigation. The police department received 1,579 calls for service during the month, handled 102 walk-ins to the station, and redirected 51 calls to the animal control officer. They spent 10 hours in court testifying, three hours as court bailiff and spent 42 hours teaching D.A.R.E. The calls in February included 55 calls for escorts, four calls for an intoxicated driver, three calls for a suspicious person and/or vehicle, two intoxicated pedestrian calls, 10 calls for domestic disputes, and three calls for a wrecker. There were five 911 calls, two calls for peace disturbances, four calls for alarms sounding, four calls for fights in progress, seven ambulance assist calls, and one fire call.  The Salem Police Department drove a total of 10,008 miles and arrested 17 males and 11 females during the month of February.

An accident occurred on Monday at 11:00 in the evening in Phelps County on County Road 1130 about 5 miles North of St. James. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2000 Ford F-250 driven by 19 year-old Lewis Buchanan of Rolla drove off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Suffering moderate injuries was Buchanan who was transported to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Suffering minor injuries was 22 year-old Ann Corcoran of Rolla, a passenger who refused treatment at the scene. The Ford F-250 was totaled and towed by Spurgeon’s Towing. Neither Buchanan nor Corcroan was wearing their seat restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred on Monday at 10:10 in the morning on State Route Y about 3 miles West of Phelps County Road 8110. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 1995 Buick LeSabre driven by 74 year-old Riley Hodge of Rolla traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a concrete embankment and came to rest off the roadway. Hodge suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The Buick was totaled in the accident and towed by Ron Dishmans Towing.

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