Courthouse News: New procedures include wearing mask in common courthouse areas
May 20, 2020 | Courthouse News |
County Commission
James Lewis, bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work. James advised that they have been working in Benton Township replacing a tube this week. They are also working in Colfax Township on a tube. The brush mower is still working in Lincoln Township. James stated Pettit Salvage will be picking up some used tubes that have been removed recently.
Cheryl Alexander, health department, spoke to the commission by phone regarding the ongoing virus. There are no new cases this week. Testing is continuing in Buchanan and Sullivan counties. No testing is available for Daviess County currently unless you have symptoms and have a doctor’s referral.
Jared Hogan, sheriff deputy, met with the commission to discuss a proposal to upgrade the cameras in the patrol vehicles. These were budgeted for in the 2020 Budget. Discussion was held and Wayne Uthe made a motion to purchase two new car cameras with budgeted funds and enter into an agreement to pay for one more this year and three more over the next five years; Jim Ruse seconded, and the motion passed, 2-0.
The commission entered closed session from 10:10 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. to discuss a legal issue. Present were Jared Hogan, the commissioners, and Ronetta Burton. The situation was referred to attorney Ivan Schraeder for instructions on how to proceed.
Jim Ruse spoke by phone with Philip Arnold, Missouri University Extension, regarding the Professional Edge program (student program for professional development and consulting services). The commission will wait until further information is received on the guidance for distributing the CARES Act funds before considering outside help.
Discussion was held about concerns regarding a new CAFO hog operation planned for Colfax township. No notice has been received by the Commission to date. Ronetta Burton, county clerk, will try to contact the attorney of record for the previous notice to find out more information. The issue was continued until next week.
Discussion was held regarding the new court order from the 43rd District court effective May 16 until further notice. New procedures include the rule that all persons who enter the courthouse, including employees, will be required to wear a mask while in any common area. All stairways are now marked for one-way use. Touchless hand sanitizer stations will be installed in the lobby areas of each floor, as well as sneeze guard shields installed on each office’s counters. All employees will continue to have to pass the health screening before entering. Visitors are encouraged to contact each office for instructions before coming to the courthouse.
Discussion was held regarding the renewal of the Bluebird internet contract. It was decided to upgrade to the next level as the additional cost was only $25 per month.
Anthony Malone, Salem Township landowner, requested a letter from the commission stating a portion of 185th Street that borders his land on the west side is an open road. The request was granted and letter was sent.
Discussion was held regarding the grant procedure needed to be able to distribute the CARES Act monies. Ronetta Burton presented some examples of grant applications from two attorneys and one other county. Jim Ruse asked for more information that was available from the U.S. Treasury. The issue was continued until next week.
In the afternoon, the commissioners checked roads, bridges, and culverts in Jamesport and Colfax townships.
The meeting adjourned at 4 p.m.
This information is taken from the minutes of the May 13, 2020, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. Jim Ruse, presiding commissioner, called the meeting to order. Wayne Uthe, 2nd district commissioner, was also present. David Cox, 1st district commissioner, was absent due to experiencing some illness symptoms.
Circuit Court
Judge Ryan Horsman heard the following cases on May 13 via Zoom:
A jury trial for Robert Vessar was reset to Sept. 24-25, on charges of DWI aggravated, D felony, murder second degree, A felony, unlawfully operate ATV upon highway, C misdemeanor, and no valid license, D misdemeanor. Vessar was involved in a fatal accident which occurred in Winston involving two ATVs. A Pattonsburg man was killed in the accident.
Kyle Wilkerson pled guilty to domestic assault fourth degree, A misdemeanor, and kidnapping third degree, A misdemeanor, in a change of venue from DeKalb County. He was sentenced to 151 days in jail with credit for time served on each count, sentences to run concurrently and consecutive to all other sentences.
A jury trial was set for Dale Marvin Barker for Nov. 5-6 in a change of venue case from Livingston County. He is charged with statutory sodomy, statutory rape, and incest.
A jury trial was set for Mary Lou Browning on Nov. 18-19-20 on two charges of stealing and two charges of forgery.
A jury trial was set for Jay Curtis Guhlke on Oct. 1-2. He is charged with promoting child pornography first degree, possession of child pornography second offense, and possession of child pornography first offense.
Nicholas D. McCleary pled guilty to an amended charge of endangering inmate, A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to four days jail with credit for time served.
Before Judge Brent Elliott on May 12, a jury trial was set for Dustin Michael Cope in a change of venue case from Caldwell County. The trial is set for Aug. 10, 2020, on two counts of assault fourth degree, A misdemeanor.
Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Mark Anthony Gordon, Altamont, no valid license, E felony, failure to signal, C misdemeanor; State vs. Dennis Alan Swearingin, Altamont, two counts of burglary second degree, D felony, property damage first degree E felony, property damage second degree, B misdemeanor, two counts of stealing, A misdemeanor; State vs. David R. Aycock, Lexington, DWI persistent, E felony, failure to drive on right half of roadway and speeding, C misdemeanors.
Civil cases filed: Brett T. Marshall vs. Director of Revenue, petition for reinstatement of driving privileges.
Associate Division
Bryan Carter vs. State of Missouri was dismissed by the court without prejudice.
Assessor’s Office
The office is still closed due to the restrictions of the courthouse, but if you need something from the assessor’s office or need to be assessed, please call and the staff will be glad to help you over the phone.
Land Transfers
Quit Claim Deeds
Lake Viking lot #MH-3 from David II and Nicole McDaniel to Kimberli Anice Buckner; tract in Washington Township from Cynthia Cox to Benjy Cox; Lake Viking lot #535 from Getaway Point LLC to Paul Torline, Stephen Torline, and Donald D. Friend II, an undivided one-third interest to each as tenants in common; Lake Viking lot #1697 from Hope Thurman to Jaden Brown.
Warranty Deeds
Lake Viking lots #46 and #47 from Dennis and Debra Disselhoff to Douglas Winter; tract in Salem Township from Gerald and Brenda Miller to Gerald and Brenda Miller as co-trustees of the Gerald L. Miller and Brenda Miller Joint Trust Agreement; Lake Viking lot #245 from Scott and Kasey Johnson to Susan J. Miller and Jason D. Jacob, joint tenants with right of survivorship; tract in Grand River Township from David and Sandra Blundell to Donald and Heather Kay; Lake Viking lot #1199 from Nedra Eichler to Gregory and Patricia Buhler; Lake Viking lot #152 from Clifton and Bonita Dobson to Edward Garner and Julie McMillin as joint tenants with right of survivorship; partial block in Jamesport from Hunter and Rachel White to Evan and Sandra Smith; lot and partial lot in Gallatin from Adam and Kimberly Ness to Christopher and Deborah Thomas; partial lots in Gallatin from Debra L. Gatton to Crystal Rogers.
Beneficiary Deeds
Lake Viking lots #46 and #47 from Douglas Winter to Kalvin M. Winter.
Trustee’s Deed under Active Trust
Tract in Jamesport Township from James V. Edwards, Jill. L. Edwards and Julee A. Blevins, successor trustees of the James N. Edwards Revocable Intervivos Trust, to James and Cindy O’Rourke; tract in Washington Township from Wanda Sue Cox, trustee of the Cox Family Trust, to Benjy Cox.
