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On Thursday, December 9^th at approximately 1:00, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Salem Police Department and Federal Forest Service Agents were conducting a narcotics investigation at the residence of Leslee O. Cook located on Dent County Road 5290 in Boss. The investigation led to the arrest of Gonzalo Pedroza, Solts Bernal, Brian Smythe, Uriah Hayes, and Leslee Cook.  Pedroza and Bernal were found to be in the United States illegally from Mexico and were operating out of Columbia, Missouri.  Hayes and Smythe were found to reside in the Piedmont area. As a result of the investigation, approximately twenty-six pounds of processed marijuana, $12,981.00 in US currency, thirteen firearms, (including one hand gun), marijuana transaction logs and three vehicles were seized as evidence. This case remains under investigation. If anyone has any additional information, they are being asked to contact Dent County Sheriff Rick Stallings or Detective Rich Piatt at 729-3241.

Dent County Coroner Gina White released a report involving one of five people arrested last Thursday in Boss during a narcotics investigation. On Saturday night, December 11^th at 10:56, 36-year old Brian Smythe was found collapsed in his cell at the Dent County Sheriff’s Department Jail. The EMS was called and he was then taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital Emergency Room where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Ryan Pharr. The death is being investigated by the DDCC and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. An autopsy was performed on Monday in Jefferson City by Dr. Friedlander with the  Parcells Forensic Group, PA. The results are still pending.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that brush was going to be cut on Dent County Road 5510 while other crews will be checking for snowdrifts across roads and downed trees. Purcell stated that a crew is also working on the Road and Bridge Shed addition. In District 2, Commissioner Gary Larson said that he has a crew also checking snowdrifts over roads, especially over the northwest part of the county where it appears they received over two inches. Larson stated that he has two workers working on the addition at the county shed. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that he attended a TAC meeting last Thursday at the MRPC meeting and they reported that fatalities statewide are down eight percent this year, and 31% over the last five years. He reported that the three bridges in Dent County are still scheduled to be replaced, and that a public hearing will be scheduled in March to discuss the bridge on Highway 32 near MFA over Spring Creek, and the bridge on Route NN at Dry Fork. The Highway 32 bridge is scheduled to be replaced July of 2011, and the Route NN bridge is scheduled for replacement in August of 2011. Another public hearing will be held in the fall to discuss the bridge on Route H as that bridge is supposed to be replaced in March of 2012. Skiles also reported that Executive Director Richard Cavender of the MRPC will be retiring as of June 30, 2011; and the board offered the position to Assistant Director Bonnie Prigge. Skiles said that he would be attending a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation meeting today. Commissioner Purcell then reported on the Homeland Security Grant Application meeting and he said that there were a total of 35 applicants. He said that the board approved the awarding of the three Dent County grants and to fully fund them. All three grants were for communication equipment and the Dent County Emergency Management Agency’s grant was for $9,603, the Dent County Fire Protection District Grant was for $15,500 and the Salem Police Department grant was for $5,000. These applications will now be sent to the state for their approval before the equipment can be acquired. At the last meeting, Sandy Hogan from the Developmental Disability Board discussed two openings on the board. She recommended re-appointing Ron Hutson and Chris McGuirt and all three commissioners approved her recommendation. Their terms would be from January 2011 to December of 2013. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Sports [TOP]

Chad Elliott scored 23 points to help the Salem Tigers win their first game of the year, 77-67, over St. James Friday night. Jacob Kettner, Dustin Sercl and Jared Patterson each added 12 points as Salem moves to 1-3 on the year. Salem will host Rolla on Tuesday.

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers lost to Mountain Grove in the Cabool Tournament Friday night, 62-55. The Girls are 0-4 on the year and will be at West Plains starting tonight at 6:00 with the JV contest.

Kim English and Justin Safford each scored 14 points, as the 15th-ranked Missouri Tigers dominated the Presbyterian Blue Hose, 70-55. Safford also pulled down six rebounds for the Tigers (8-1). Marcus Denmon chipped in with 12 points for Missouri, which is 5-0 at home this season. Mizzou will host Oral Roberts Thursday.

Jussi Jokinen notched the lone goal of the shootout as Carolina clipped St. Louis, 2-1, at Scottrade Center. Alex Pietrangelo provided the lone offense for the Blues. Jaroslav Halak played well in defeat, making 28 saves. The Blues return to action on Wednesday in Detroit.

The Kansas City Chiefs were dominated by San Diego Sunday and lost, 31-0; while the St. Louis Rams were beaten by the New Orleans Saints by the score of 31-13.

The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Melky Cabrera. Cabrera spent the 2010 season with the Atlanta Braves after beginning his big league career with the New York Yankees. He hit .255 in 147 games last season with 27 doubles, four homers and 42 runs batted in.

The St. Louis Cardinals have shipped 28-year old infielder Brendan Ryan to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league pitcher Maikel Cleto. Ryan has spent the last four seasons in St. Louis, playing mostly at shortstop while also seeing time at second and third base. He is a career .259 hitter, though he batted just .223 in 139 games last season.

Obituaries   [TOP]