Courthouse News: New courthouse phone number now in operation

Ronetta Burton, county clerk, updated the commission on the ongoing phone project. Phones are installed in all but three offices. The rest will be hooked up later this week. Windstream will make the transition as soon as all the phones are installed. The new numbers for the courthouse will be advertised in the paper this next week. Magnets with the new numbers will be available at businesses around the county this week.

James Lewis, bridge supervisor, reported that his crew would be continuing repair on the shop this week. It has been too muddy to replace the tube on 242nd so that project is on hold. They will also be working on Reel Avenue this week.

Bills were approved, and minutes from the last meeting were approved.

Pam McNeel, collector/treasurer, met with the commission regarding a property which the City of Jamesport bought from a resident on Oct. 1, 2018. Discussion was held on how to prorate the taxes due, since this will now be an exempt property. The commission decided Pam will do the paperwork for whatever abatement is due and present it to them next week.

Wayne Uthe advised that company representatives for a new heating system will visit at 11 a.m. Dec. 19 to discuss options for the courthouse. Wayne then excused himself at 9 a.m. to attend a TAP transportation meeting in Trenton.

Sally Black, assessor, met with the commission regarding IT issues in her office. She has hired an outside IT person to work on these issues.  Permission was granted for her to have administrative access for this process.

Todd Miller, custodian, met with the commission regarding some formal online training he would like to use. Jim Ruse said that a free training program through Hillyard Chemicals has already been scheduled. The commission will revisit the online program request after this training is completed. Todd also requested a cell phone allowance as people call him for work-related issues on his personal phone. The issue was tabled until budget discussions. Todd also presented an estimate for two floor scrubbers. Jim Ruse recommended the 20-inch as well as using Industrial Chemicals from Trenton for chemicals and equipment. The issue was tabled until after the training.

Dane Worrell, Union Township resident, visited with the commission regarding a road issue in Union Township.

Discussion was held regarding repairs to the large wreaths over the doors of the courthouse. Jim Ruse made a motion that the county buy the replacement lights and have the city put them on; David Cox seconded, and the motion passed.

Eric Corwin left word for the commission to consider a raise for winding and maintaining the clock. The last raise was in 2012. The commission will look at it when they do the 2019 budget.

The commission approved an ad to run in both the Gallatin North Missourian and the Ad Zone for the next two weeks with the new courthouse number, 663-3300, and the calling tree information. The ad also lists the services provided by each office in the courthouse for the convenience of the public. The new number and calling tree will become active sometime this week as soon as Windstream makes the changes.

The commission was advised the Gallatin License Office is closed effective Nov. 30, 2018. The Highway Patrol license testers will be moving to the Family Services building on Ash Street effective Jan. 1, 2019.

The commission authorized back pay for Todd Miller’s raise at 90 days that was missed when doing payroll.

Discussion was held regarding being open or closed for Christmas Eve. All state offices will be closed that day, however,  the county’s holiday schedule only allows for one half day. David Cox made a motion to be closed all day on Dec. 24 to follow the state guideline; Jim Ruse seconded, and the motion passed.

Discussion was held regarding the recent vacancy on the SB40 Disabilities board. Vanessa Mullins was appointed to take Mari Nelson’s place. There is another opening on the board as Teresa Eaton recently resigned her position. Another appointment will be made at a later time.

Discussion was held regarding an agreement with Daviess DeKalb Regional Jail that would enable the county to call the jail for personnel to fill in as security on court days. Jim Ruse will sign the agreement and bring back a copy from the next jail meeting.

David Roll, EMA Director, met with the commission regarding a SEMA grant that has become available for purchasing a vehicle. The grant limit is $30,000 and can include approximately $1,000 per year to insure and maintain the vehicle. Dec. 14 is the deadline to apply for the grant.  David Cox made a motion to proceed with the application process for the EMPG Direct Assistance; Jim Ruse seconded, and the motion passed. David Roll also stated he is making progress on the emergency housing plan.  He also guided Jim Ruse and David Cox through the process of obtaining a FEMA SID number for management classes.

The commission received a letter from the state regarding alternative programs for offenders. They were also notified that the cost involved in city prosecution will be picked up by the cities, not the county, if such an agreement was initiated.

Jim Ruse spoke with Sally Black, assessor, and advised her that she will have a key to the booking room and attached storage until Jan. 1, 2019. At that time, due to new state and federal regulations, she will have to find alternative storage.

The commission asked the county clerk’s office to organize the 2018 Christmas Lunch. The date will be Dec. 20. Jayla Smith will cater the lunch with soda sales funds used to purchase a portion of the meal. The lunch will be held in the Methodist Church basement. The employee’s cost will be $6, and they will plan for 60 guests.

Sullivan County has a bridge available for purchase. Daviess County is not interested at this time.

The meeting adjourned at 3:17 pm.

The above information is taken from the minutes of the Dec. 5, 2018, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. All commissioners were present.

Circuit Court

Carmelo Hernandez of Nashville, TN, former resident of Gallatin, pled guilty to misdemeanor assault fourth degree, amended from unlawful use of weapon, E felony. Hernandez was involved in a road rage incident on I-35 in July. He was sentenced to two days jail and fined $500. The case was heard by Judge Jason Kanoy on Dec. 7.

Sentencing was revised for Brittany A. Karstens before Judge James B. Funk on Dec. 6, on a charge of unlawful possession of firearm, D felony. The court revoked her suspended execution of sentence and revoked probation. She was ordered to complete a 120-day institutional treatment program. The court retains jurisdiction under RSMo. 559.115.

In State vs. Elmer Martin Sorrell, Judge Funk recused himself. A new judge assignment is pending.

Hattie J. Bailey was granted a dissolution of marriage from Howard L. Bailey on Dec. 5, with her maiden name Rains restored. The case was heard by Judge Brent Elliott.

Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Trevor James Petree, Excelsior Springs, assault third degree, special victim, D felony, damage to jail property, E felony, assault fourth degree, A misdemeanor; State vs. Jeffery Paul Poage, Pensacola, FL, possession of controlled substance, D felony, speeding, C misdemeanor; State vs. Amanda Rainey, Gallatin, stealing, D felony, possession of controlled substance, D felony, identity theft first offense, B misdemeanor, possession of marijuana, D misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, D misdemeanor, trafficking in stolen identities, B felony;

State vs. Vincent Sturgeon, Gallatin, three counts of kidnapping second degree, domestic assault second degree, and endangering welfare of a child, all D felonies; State vs. Jeffery R. Rylander, Seabeck, WA, DWI persistent, E felony, careless and imprudent driving, B misdemeanor, no valid license, D misdemeanor, failure to display plate, infraction; State vs. Kenneth W. Waln, Winston, burglary first degree, B felony, assault second degree, D felony.

Associate Division

Municipal Court

Defendants found guilty in the municipal court of Daviess County are listed below with the offense and fine assessed. Additionally, court costs are $32.50 for Gallatin and $30.50 for Altamont and Pattonsburg. Judge Daren Adkins presided over the following cases on Dec. 3:

City of Gallatin — Defective equipment: Shelby Ann Ford, $200; Diana Kay Roberts, $167.50; Matthew Thomas Johnson, $167.50; Speeding: Harry Clifford Osborne Jr., $42.50; Danielle N. Knapp, $42.50; Barbara J. Sheehan, $42.50; Daniel G. Chapman, $42.50; Parking violation: Thomas Merle Merrigan, $17.50.

City of Pattonsburg — Richard Eugene Sweat and Donna Jolynn Sweat were each fined $50 on each of three counts of nuisance violation and one count of failure to obey lawful order. They each received a suspended imposition of sentence and four months probation.

Village of Altamont — William Logston was fined $75 on each of three counts of sanitation violation and each of two counts of failure to obey lawful order. He received a suspended imposition of sentence and four months probation.

Civil Court

Suits on account: Midland Funding LLC vs. Cher Stith and Wakefield & Associates Inc. vs. Brooklyn Ballinger were both dismissed by the parties.

Contract-Account: Ford Motor Credit Company vs. Robert B. Roe et al was dismissed by the parties.

Assessor’s Office

Representatives from the assessor’s office will be in the field in Union and Jamesport township for review and picking up new construction.

Recorder’s Office

Marriage licenses issued: Christopher Auker Zimmerman, 22, and Katrina Marie Horst, 20, both of Breckenridge.

Land Transfers

Warranty Deeds

Tracts in Washington Township from Wanda Sue Cox to Wanda Sue Cox as trustee of the Cox Family Trust; lot in Gallatin from Cynthia A. Ramirez to Stan and Mary Medeiros; tract in Monroe Township from Gary and Gretchen Dunkerley to Gary and Gretchen Dunkerley as trustees of the Dunkerley Family Trust; lots in Gallatin from Eric Lee Teel to Daniel and Connie Plemons.

Beneficiary Deeds

Tracts in Jefferson Township from Brian Teel to Brian M. Teel, trustee of the Brian M. Teel Revocable Trust; lots in Winston from Stella Marie Goucher to Dusty Lee Goucher and Michael W. Goucher as joint tenants with rights of survivorship; tract in Monroe Township from Sharon K. Henderson to Reed Scott Henderson and Paxton Wade Henderson.

Trustee’s Deed

Tract in Washington Township from Charles Eric Booram and Debra Jackson, successor co-trustees of the Cleta Booram Trust, to Charles Eric Booram, trustee of the Charles Eric Booram Trust; tract in Washington Township from Charles Eric Booram and Debra Jackson, successor co-trustees of the Cleta P. Booram Trust, to Debra Jackson.

Quit Claim Deeds

Tract in Washington Township from Jesse and Casie Marshall, Echo Marshall, Elisha Marshall, Esther Marshall, Joel and Wilma Marshall, Anna and Gonzalo Mascorro to Glenda Marshall; tract in Washington Township from Enoch Marshall to Glenda Marshall, custodian for Enoch Marshall, a minor, under the Missouri Transfers to Minors Law RSMO 404.005; tract in Washington Township from Glenda Marshall, custodian for Enoch Marshall, a minor, under the Missouri Transfers to Minors Law RSMO 404.005, to Glenda Marshall; tract in Monroe Township from James Veraguth to Michelle Newby.