Courthouse News: Caldwell offers free bridge, but agreement cannot be reached

Daren Campbell, Allstate Consultants, spoke to the commission by phone regarding the $400,000 bridge on 232^nd Street in Harrison Township that Caldwell County would like to donate to Daviess County in exchange for mitigation points toward their Little Otter Creek Reservoir project. Discussion was held regarding the last landowner holdout who is not willing to sign the necessary easements. Mr. Campbell advised that if the easements are not be secured, Caldwell County would be forced to withdraw their offer of a free bridge.

The commission spoke by phone with the two landowners involved; however, an agreement could not be reached. Wayne Uthe will contact Allstate Consultants to let them know.

James Lewis, road and bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work.  His crew is working on bridge and tube repairs in several townships. The mower is working in Marion Township as weather permits. Discussion was held regarding the May bid for culvert pipes, and the increasing costs.

RaCail King, Daviess County Health Director, spoke by phone to the commission to advise them of current coronavirus cases in Daviess County.  RaCail advised as of May 12 the county numbers were 679 total cases with three active, zero hospitalized, 662 out of isolation, and 14 deaths. The health department encourages everyone that wants a vaccination to call the office and get on their appointment list.  Anyone age 12 and up is eligible to get a free vaccination.

Jill Steward, Jpeg Studio, met with the commission to discuss her desire to continue leasing a portion of the county building at 609 South Main Street. The Commission agreed they would be in touch as soon as a transition was started. The issue was continued.

Brent Reeter, communication specialist, and Rod Cotton, general manager for Farmers Electric Coop, met with the commission to introduce Mr. Reeter. Discussion was held regarding several programs available to residents in Daviess County from Farmers Electric. Pending legislation and other items were also discussed.

Ronetta Burton, county clerk, presented the commission with some preliminary information regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund’s update. The funds can now be applied for by the county; however, distribution guidelines are not yet available.

Jim Ruse will continue to check on someone to serve on the Board of Equalization. The issue was continued.

Jim Ruse gave an update to the commission on the roof issue at the courthouse. Ruse and Wayne Uthe will do some investigation on Thursday. Discussion was held regarding planning for a complete roof replacement in the next budget year.

There was no update to the Magill bridge situation. The county is still waiting on FEMA to get back to them.

Ivan Schraeder, county attorney, advised the commission he was putting together a new notification list of emails from each county he represents and needed an updated list from Daviess County Commission.  The commission advised Ronetta Burton to send a current email list to Mr. Schraeder.

A revised copy of Invoice 1 for BRO 031(38) bridge in Colfax Township was presented for signature of Presiding Commissioner Jim Ruse.

A Transportation Action Committee (TAC) survey was received from Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. After discussion, the commission decided not to participate in the survey.

A request from the Extension office and the Daviess County Junior Livestock Show to donate to this year’s livestock show was received by the commission. The request was denied as the commission by policy does not monetarily support any individual entity. The show committee was encouraged to reach out to the commissioners as private citizens instead.

Bill Haggard, maintainer operator, Colfax Township, left word for the commission regarding some brush issues affecting the ability of the maintainer to work the roads. The commission will investigate.

David Cox made a motion to approve Order 2021-12 for Lacey Corwin, treasurer, to move one-half of the 2021 budgeted EMPG grant funds from General Revenue to Emergency Management Fund; Wayne Uthe seconded, and the motion passed, 3-0.

Kyle Cornett, courthouse security, met briefly with the commission to discuss the installation of exit alarms for the courthouse exterior doors. Permission was granted to add alarms to all four doors instead of just the north and south exits.

After lunch, the commission looked at roads, bridges, and brush in Colfax Township.

The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.

This information is taken from the minutes of the May 12, 2021, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. All commissioners were present.

Circuit Court

The following cases were heard by Judge Ryan Horsman on May 12:

The court revoked the suspended imposition of sentence and probation for Philip Bish, St. Joseph, on charges of possession of controlled substance, D felony, and unlawful use of weapon, E felony. The defendant was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections (DOC) on each count, sentences to run concurrently and consecutively to any other sentences being served.

A jury trial was set for Ryan Kampman, Bethany, on Oct. 25-26, 2021, on two charges of domestic assault, one count of rape second degree and one count of sodomy first degree.

Jeffrey Knott of St. Cloud, MN, pled guilty to leaving scene of accident, E felony, and misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. A sentence assessment report was ordered.

A jury trial for Zachary Kerns, Independence, was set for Aug. 18, 2021, in a change of venue from Livingston County. He is charged with four counts of felony child pornography.

Tanner Jones, Cameron, pled guilty to stealing and burglary and was sentenced to four years jail on each count, sentences to run concurrently.

A jury trial was set for Jeffrey Read of Coffey on Nov. 22, 2021. He is charged with DWI aggravated, resisting arrest, failure to signal and an equipment infraction.

Suspended imposition of sentence and probation were revoked for Trevar Seibert, Des Moines, IA, and he was sentenced to seven years in the DOC. He is charged with possession of controlled substance at a jail.

Duane Slessman was sentenced to four years in the DOC, execution of sentence suspended, on a felony charge of DWI. He was placed on five years probation.

Probation was continued for Cyrus Wildman, Winston, with the condition of 30 days shock jail time, with credit for time served, on felony and misdemeanor charges of domestic assault.

A jury trial was set for Angela Mobley, Hamilton, on Nov. 30, 2021. She is charged with possession of controlled substance, felony, and misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Before Judge Brent Elliott on May 14, 2021, Katrina England of Maysville was sentence in a change of venue from DeKalb County. She was sentenced to two years in DOC on three counts of endangering welfare of a child, no sexual contact, sentences to run consecutively.

Before Judge Jason Kanoy on May 17, 2021, a jury trial was set for Isah Idris on Aug. 31, 2021, on a charge of speeding.

A warrant was issued for Hunter Goodrich, Buchanan, MI, on misdemeanor charges of DWI, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and speeding. Bond was set at $1,000 cash only.

A jury trial for Corey Stiner was reset to Jan. 11-12, 2022. He is charged with two counts of child molestation in a change of venue case from Livingston County.

Associate Division

Civil Court

Other contract: Discover Bank vs. Nathan H. Terhune was dismissed by the parties. LVNV Funding LLC vs. Michael Starr was dismissed by the court without prejudice.

Refuse Breathalyzer: Shonda Wade vs. Director of Revenue was dismissed by the parties.

Administrative Review: Bobby R. Wheelbarger vs. Missouri Director of Revenue was tried by the court. Driving privileges of the petitioner were reinstated after satisfaction of requirements and exams.

Recorder’s Office

Marriage license issued: David Allen Hogan, 21, and Karli Dawn Provorse, 20, both of Jamesport.

Land Transfers

Beneficiary Deeds

Lake Viking lot #2221 from David G. and Elizabeth A. Bowerman to David G. and Elizabeth A. Bowerman as trustees of the David Bowerman and Elizabeth Bowerman Living Trust; tracts in Benton, Salem and Grand River Townships from Larry G. Vaughn to Harold Vaughn and Patricia Barnett as joint tenants with right of survivorship; partial lots in Winston from Daniel K. Ayres to Marla Simecek LDPS; Lake Viking lots #438 and #1678 from Dwight and Sharon Svuba to Dwight V. Svuba and Sharon A. Svuba, trustees of the Svuba Family Trust; Lake Viking lot #147 and #148 from Thomas and Judy Richmond to the trustee then serving under the Thomas and Judy Richmond Revocable Trust; Lake Viking Lot #MH-3 from Kimberli Anice Buckner to Tyler William Hibner and Joseph Ray Buckner Jr.

Trustee’s Deed

Tract in Jamesport Township from Gregory S. Landes, successor trustee of the William R. Landes Trust as amended, Gregory S. Landes, successor trustee of the Twilah M. Landes Trust as amended and restated, to Gregory S. Landes, trustee of the Gregory S. Landes Trust as amended (correctional);  tract in Jamesport Township from Gregory S. Landes, successor trustee of the William R. Landes Trust as amended, and Gregory S. Landes, successor trustee of the Twilah M. Landes Trust as amended and restated, to Aaron and Micah Landes; Lake Viking lots #438 and #1678, an undivided one-half interest, from Dwight V. Svuba, grantor and trustee of the Dwight V. Svuba Revocable Trust, to Dwight V. and Sharon A. Svuba; Lake Viking lots #438 and #1678, an undivided one-half interest, from Sharon A. Svuba, grantor and trustee of the Sharon A. Svuba Revocable Trust, to Dwight and Sharon Svuba; tracts in Marion Township from Jody Thomas as successor trustee under the Lorene V. Lass Trust, to Loren and Carol Vermilyer as trustees of the Loren and Carol Vermilyer Revocable Living Trust.

Warranty Deeds

Lots in Union Township from Cheryl A. Clawson to Gerald and Amy Rahm; tract in Jefferson Township from Naomi Kilgore to Cole Cunningham; tract in Washington Township from Debra D. Booram to Jesse and Ashlee Crump; tract in Sheridan Township from Raymond and Kathline Rhoades to Raymond and Kathline Rhoades; Lake Viking lot #133 from Michael and Christine Daffron to David and Dianne Thomas; Lake Viking lot #1819 and #1820 from David and Dianne Thomas to John and Elissa Garr; partial block in Jamesport and tract in Jackson Township from Sherry L. Skinner to Harry D. Skinner III and Lucas T. Skinner; lots in Gallatin and tract in Union Township from John and Harriet Leopard to Lynn N. Leopard, Ellis R. Leopard and Craig D. Leopard as joint tenants and not as tenants in common; tracts in Union and Grand River Townships from John and Harriet Leopard to Lynn N. Leopard, Ellis R. Leopard and Craig D. Leopard as joint tenants and not as tenants in common; tract in Grand River Township from Margaret E. Hampton to LDH Properties LLC; tract in Jefferson Township from Daniel R. Bridgeman to CLT Farms LLC; tract in Salem Township from Thunderbird Family Limited Partnership to Frank and Rebekkah Vielbaum; Lake Viking lots 31908 and #2903 from Thomas and Mary Brown to Mark and Benna Easter; Lake Viking lot #2222 from Dung Pham and Thuy Tien Dang to Michael L. Heckenbach; tract in Jefferson Township from Quentin and Tammey Holcomb to Nathan and Rebekah Hiley; Lake Viking lot #2313 from Brett and Lesley Miller to Schricon Properties LLC; tract in Lincoln Township from D&G Property Holdings LLC to Edward and Deloris Fleming; Lake Viking lot #102 from Aaron and Amy Mort to Todd Morgan Dupriest Revocable Trust Agreement.

Deed of Personal Representative

Tract in Grand River Township from Dawn Kelley Watson, personal representative of the Estate of Bonnie Lee Streich, to Larry Vaughn.

Quit Claim Deeds

Partial lots in Gallatin from Teddy Holcomb to Sharmon Shireman; Lake Viking lot #1032 from Daniel Horvatin to Saul and Chanel Rodriguez; partial lots in Winston from Winston United Methodist Church by trustees to Daniel K. Ayres.

Trustee’s Deed under Active Trust

Partial outlot in Gallatin from Janetta M. Johnson, trustee of the Larry T. and Janetta M. Johnson Revocable Trust, to Thomas and Gina Wheeler.

Collector’s Deed Post Third Sale by Bid

Lake Viking lot #1827 from Daviess County Collector Lacey Corwin and Randy Kitchen to Timothy and Michelle Sullivan; Lake Viking lot #Z-5 from Daviess County Collector Lacey Corwin and Larry and Nancy Cook to Greg and Nancy Hall.