Courthouse News: Preparations for 2020 Census coming soon

Bob Jennings, U.S. Census Bureau, met with the commission to begin the process of informing the community of the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.

Mr. Jennings is the new partnership member for our region, and asked if the commission had thought about forming a “Complete Count Committee.” No decision has been made on that. The committee would be made up of volunteers and would help identify which groups are least likely to fill out the census forms.  The committee would reach out to those groups and encourage them to participate, and would be made up of well-known members of the local community.

Wayne Uthe asked if this is a new procedure. Mr. Jennings responded that this is a new money saving proposal to get more people to participate voluntarily by mail or online at the beginning of the process, and therefore keeps the census bureau from having to hire as many people to knock on doors later. The result is a better and more complete count.

An accurate count is important because these numbers will be used for the next 10 years by local governments, businesses, community organizations and citizens in requesting federal assistance. Mr. Jennings will follow up by sending some materials to the county clerk, and the commission will be placing some advertising requesting participation from Daviess County residents.

James Lewis, bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work. The road crew will be working in Jefferson and Union townships this week. They are also mowing brush in Grand River and Jamesport townships. Carl Russell left word for the Commission that he had concerns about a bridge on 185th Street. The road and bridge crew will check on the bridge and make any repairs necessary.

Judy Elbert, Christmas Around the Square, met with the commission to ask permission to have Christmas Around the Square on the courthouse lawn on Nov. 23. She also asked permission to have a photo booth and some other activities in the first floor lobby. Permission was granted.

The commission received notice from the Division of Employment Security that the county’s unemployment appeal on a previous employee was denied.

The commission signed and authorized more brush letters. They will be mailed this week. Anyone still needing an extension to get their brush cut this year needs to contact the commission or the county clerk. All of those who have received their maximum 90 days should be actively working to complete the job. Anyone who has completed the work but has not had their area inspected by the commission is encouraged to call so they can be marked as complete. The commission very much appreciates the efforts made by Daviess County landowners to get this important work completed.

Sally Black, assessor, left some documents concerning her office for the commission to approve and sign. Jim Ruse made a motion to approve both documents; David Cox seconded, and the motion passed, 3-0.

Ronetta Burton, county clerk, advised the commission that a petition to close a portion of Quartz Avenue in Union township has been submitted. The clerk’s office is in the process of verifying the signatures.

Pam McNeel, collector/treasurer, presented the commission with her 2019 Certificate of Training for 20 hours.

The commission spoke by phone with the sheriff’s office to let them know the repairs done to the front of the 2009 Tahoe recently acquired from them weren’t complete. The vehicle will need to go back to the repair shop.

Jim Ruse reported to the commission that Jennifer Osby Sims, Osby Corp. (Daviess Co Nursing & Rehab) had spoken to him by phone. Mrs. Sims would like to discuss some items on the proposed contract. Jim Ruse advised her the commission would be happy to discuss her suggestions or concerns whenever it is convenient for her.

James Boehm, Liberty Township resident, met with the commission to discuss road issues on Nickel Avenue and 190th Street near his residence. David Cox spoke with Liberty Township by phone, and they will be addressing the issues in the next few days.

Anita Riley, Monroe Township, left word for the commission that they are ready to have their roads checked and get their Notice to Proceed for CART rock. Permission granted.

David Cox left at noon to attend to some personal business. The other commissioners inspected roads, bridges, culverts, brush, and noxious weeds in Jefferson Township.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

This information is taken from the minutes of the Oct. 30, 2019, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. All commissioners were present. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Bills were approved.

Circuit Court

Mark Allyn Kortz of Bethany, who was recently sentenced to two 10-year consecutive sentences in Daviess County Circuit Court, has filed an appeal with the Western District Court of Appeals. The notice of appeal was mailed to the Attorney General. Kortz was convicted of burglary and stealing in a jury trial in Daviess County in July, heard by Judge Ryan Horsman. He and two other subjects stole items valued around $13,000 from a Pattonsburg property in June 2017. Kortz was also ordered to pay restitution of $15,000.

The following cases were heard by Judge Ryan Horsman on Oct. 30:

Charlez Cameron of Jamesport pled guilty to two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, D misdemeanors, and was fined $500 on each count. One felony charge was dismissed.

Craig Reeds, Lee’s Summit, pled guilty to DWI chronic, C felony and was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections. He also received four years for driving while revoked and 60 days for careless and imprudent driving, all sentences to run concurrently. He was fined $10 for a seat belt infraction.

A dissolution of marriage was granted to Brandon W. Ness from Cassady R. Ness, with her maiden name of Sisson restored. Judge Jason Kanoy heard the case.

Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Chad Prentice, Jameson, burglary second degree, tampering with motor vehicle first degree, unlawful possession of illegal weapon, all D felonies.

Civil cases filed: Gerard F. Londo, Garner, NC, vs. Lila J. Londo, Winston, dissolution of marriage.

Associate Division

Civil Court

Breach of Contract-Report: A change of venue was granted in Olathe Medical Center Inc. vs. Acacia Longley.

Suits on account: A consent judgment was entered for Midwestern Health Management Inc. and against Cindy Newman.

Small Claims over $100: Village of Jameson vs. Christian L. Hogan et al was tried by the court, with all issues found in favor of the plaintiff, Village of Jameson. Judgment was entered against the defendants for $843.97 plus costs.

Marriage

Devon Joshua Martin, 25, and Holly Kameal Anderson, 32, both of Hamilton, were married Oct. 31, 2019, by Judge Daren Adkins.

Assessor’s Office

Representatives from the assessor’s office will be in the field from now until yearend, reviewing and picking up new construction. If no one is present at properties which are visited by the staff, a business card or door hanger is left to let the property owner know that the assessor made a stop there.

Recorder’s Office

Marriage licenses issued: Devon Joshua Martin, 25, and Holly Kameal Anderson, 32, both of Hamilton.

Warranty Deeds

Lots in Gallatin from Jordan and Kamilyn Eden to Jordan and Kamilyn Eden; partial outlot in Gallatin from Matthew and Tyna Morrison to Darrell E. Grooms; Lake Viking lots #1917 and #1918 from Larry and Patricia Heaps to Douglas E. Klindt; tract in Sheridan Township from Alexander and Sarah Richardson to Kenneth and Lisa Williams; Lake Viking lot #543 from Melissa M. Leggett, member of M&M Beans LLC, to Shawn and Paula Hepinstall; tract in Monroe Township from Bobby and Ginger Harlow to Justin D. Harlow; Lake Viking lot #Z-8 from Wood Brothers Concrete Construction Company to PD Holdings LLC; tract in Monroe Township from Bruce and Gayle Eagleburger and Brent and Caren Eagleburger to Jeffrey and Tamera Osmundson; partial lot in Eden Estates in Jefferson Township from H. Court and Beverly J. Carter to Tina L. Saddler and Dean Saddler as joint tenants with right of survivorship; partial lot in Eden Estates in Jefferson Township from Steve and Cheryl Rode to Tina L. Saddler and Dean Saddler as joint tenants with right of survivorship; Lake Viking lot #1849 from Christopher and Angela Baker to Jerad Vandiver.

Collector’s Deed to Purchaser of Tax Sale Certificate

Lake Viking lot #1775 from Daviess County Collector Pam McNeel to Natale and Kimberly Conforti.

Quit Claim Deeds

Lake Viking lot #MH104 from Viking Valley Association to Lewis and Jackie Downing; tracts in Harrison Township from Marcia Weldon to Howard and Sherry Weldon.

Beneficiary Deeds

Lots and partial lots in Gallatin from Laveta Hale to Kevin Hale; Lake Viking lots #1917 and #1918 from Douglas E. Klindt to Vincent S. Klindt LDPS and Shana B. Day LDPS; tracts in Harrison Township from Howard and Sherry Weldon to Scott Weldon, Corri Barnhart and Maggie Parker as tenants in common; tract in Grand River Township from Marlene Anita Stephens to Peter James Stephens, Ronald Christopher Stephens and Kyoung Hwa Lee as joint tenants with right of survivorship; Lake Viking lot #1849 from Jerad and Vicki Vandiver to Kaycee Vandiver.

Certificate of Clerk – Small Estate

Tract in Colfax Township from Estate of Constance A. Dady to Christopher W. Eldredge.