News

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that the Montauk, Bunker and Jadwin areas received a substantial amount of rainfall Sunday evening and reports of wind damage and washouts were reported as well.  Purcell said crews would be in those areas, patching washouts and removing any debris from the roadway. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2550, 3120 and various roads in the Boss area. Larson also said that brown rock would be hauled to the county shed. Mayor Gary Brown stopped by on his way to a MoDOT Blue Ribbon Committee meeting in Columbia to discuss the city and county’s major areas of concern with roads and bridges in Dent County. The mayor and commission agreed that the bridge over Crooked Creek on Highway 19 North, the bridge over Gladden Creek on Highway 19 South and the Bridge over the Huzzah at Boss all need to be addressed. These bridges are very narrow and Mayor Brown was going to present this information to MoDOT and discuss possible funding options. Jim Freeman came by to discuss Dent County Road 5190 with the commission. The road is county maintained up to a certain point and from there the county abandoned the road about 30 years ago. Mr. Freeman wanted to know if a landowner along the abandoned portion of the road could request that it be opened back up and county maintained.  Commissioner Purcell read a statute that stated after five years, if no public money has been spent to maintain the road, then it is legally abandoned.  Purcell wanted to talk with the counties lawyer to make sure this was correct and told Mr. Freeman he would be getting back with him.  Sherry Lea from TCRC stopped in to let the commission know that the computer she uses to store the counties rural addressing on has no memory left.  She indicated that she needs a new computer with enough capacity for new addresses as well as future updates. Lea presented the commission with two bids and they will look those over and get back with her next week. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released their reports. At 1:30 in the early morning on Wednesday, June 27^th the Dent County Sheriff was dispatched to Highway ZZ in the Jadwin area for a burglary. On arrival contact was made with the caretaker, who stated that he had stopped to check on the residence and found the sliding door at the rear of the residence removed. Items taken included a Stihl brand weed trimmer, flat screen TV, and a stereo. Also that day, a report was received about several burglaries occurring on Private Lane 240, with the victim being a 71-year old Salem male. He stated that wall plaques, a white bakers rack, and curtain with rods and valances were taken. The items were valued at $799. On Saturday, June 30^th, deputies responded to the 1500 block of Highway 32 East for a report of a burglary, with the victim being a 70-year old St. Louis male. Taken from the property were a Massy Ferguson Tractor and rotary cutter, a 1982 Yamaha YZ250 Dirt bike, a TV and VCR and a 22-caliber rifle. The break-in is believed to occur between June 1^st and the 15^th. On Thursday, July 5^th at 2:30 in the afternoon, deputies were dispatched to Highway C in Lenox in reference to missing cattle. The owner stated that his wife had arrived home from work around 9:00 that morning and found the gate to the field open and the two Angus cows were missing. They searched the field and made contact with his adjoining property owners but were not able to locate the cattle. The cattle are described as two black Angus cows, one cow has an ear tag with the number 520029. On Friday, July 6^th at 10:17 in the morning, a victim called to report a burglary at her residence on Highway 32 West. The Sheriff’s office responded and arrived on the scene at 10:32. Upon arrival a conversation was held with the victim, which stated that her house had been entered through the south bathroom window. Taken was a 42" Oliva LCD TV, along with a Sony Surround Sound DVD 5 disc system, 3 sets of 14 carat gold earrings, and an earring and necklace set from J.C. Penny that was still in the box. The total value of all of the missing items was $1,550. Damage to the house was estimated to be $200. Anyone with any information regarding the burglaries or the cattle missing reports, which are still under investigation, is asked to the contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office by calling 729-3241.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be conducting their monthly meeting Tuesday, July 17th in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the minutes from the June 19^th meeting will be the summary of operations and statistics report for the month of June. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then update the Board on the nursing services and ancillary service reports. Administrator Dennis Pryor will then update the Board with an auxiliary report, hospital activity calendar, legislative issues, a construction update and the inpatient and ER patient satisfaction survey results. In old business there will be a 2011 strategic planning goals update and the Community Health Needs Assessment. In new business the Board will address purchases, the public tax meeting scheduled for August 21^st at 5:45 pm and the election of officers. The Board may then vote to go into Closed Session. The monthly meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

Sports [TOP]

Detroit Tigers’ first baseman Prince Fielder smashed 12 homers in the final round, besting Toronto's Jose Bautista’s seven to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. This is Fielder’s second time winning, as he previously won in 2009. St. Louis Cardinal Carlos Beltran had a total of 12 homers through two rounds, narrowly missing out on the final round. The 83^rd MLB All-Star Game will be held tonight at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30, with the festivities to take place before the game. St. Louis will be represented by six players and Kansas City will have Billy Butler as their lone representative.

Obituaries   [TOP]