Courthouse News 5-26-21: Mask mandate lifted for courthouse, excluding court offices

Discussion was held regarding the mask mandate for the courthouse, considering there are zero current cases. Wayne Uthe made a motion to drop the mask mandate until further notice for employees and visitors to non-court offices; David Cox seconded, and the motion passed, 3-0. Masks are still required to visit any court-related offices or the courtroom due to the continuing court order.

James Lewis, road and bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work. His crew is still working on bridge and tube repairs this week in several townships, weather permitting. James reported he ordered extra tubes last week due to price increases coming soon.

The Daviess County Health Department spoke by phone to the commission to advise them of current coronavirus cases in Daviess County. As of May 19, the county numbers were 679 total cases with 0 active, 0 hospitalized, 662 out of isolation, and 14 deaths.

The Friends of Gallatin requested permission to place flowerpots on the northeast corner and southeast corner of the courthouse sidewalk. Permission granted.

The commissioners discussed putting a picnic bench on the north lawn of the courthouse per requests of employees.

Discussion was held regarding an open BOE board position. Janet Weidner was contacted and agreed to fill the open position.

Deputy Clerk Rachel Taylor presented some new information on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. More detailed information is due out by the middle of June. The issue was continued.

The commission received information from Caldwell County that the next Little Otter Creek meeting would be held May 21 in Kingston. Wayne Uthe will attend.

The commission is working on brush letters for Colfax Township that should go out next week. Other townships are to follow.

The commission discussed the bridge project BRO 031(38) on 112th Street in Colfax Township. The commission spoke to Aaron McVicker, McClure Engineering, by phone regarding the timeline and the process. Mr. McVicker explained that the total cost of this bridge will be approximately $500,000, and they are in the beginning engineering stage at this time. Jim Ruse requested current copies of what monies Daviess County has in BRO and soft match credits. Aaron advised the commission that Harrison County has BRO monies to trade. The commission spoke to Harrison County Commissioner, Jeff Hodge, to discuss trading BRO monies for soft match credits. Final discussions will have to take place later.

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

Representative J. Eggleston met with the commissioners at 2 p.m. They discussed the “Wayfair” bill passing and that it will increase the amount of use tax collected for Daviess County. It should also allow income tax cuts to take place in 2024. Rep. Eggleston also discussed a Missouri Works bill having to do with economic growth. This bill will allow 3rd and 4th class counties’ retail stores to keep a portion of their employment taxes. Rep. Eggleston asked the commissioners if they would want to join a mega jail in the vacated space at the former Crossroads prison. The commission explained they prefer to stay with the Daviess-DeKalb facility.

The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

This information is taken from the minutes of the May 19, 2021, meeting of the Daviess County Commission. All commissioners were present.

Circuit Court

Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Skylar Hunt Sowder, Kansas City, DWI persistent, E felony, misdemeanors of driving while revoked, speeding and failure to drive on right half of roadway.

Civil cases filed: Shannon M. Brake, Trenton, vs. Director of Revenue, change of venue form Grundy County, refuse breathalyzer.

Associate Division

Defendants found guilty in the Associate Division of the Circuit Court of Daviess County are listed below with the offense and fine assessed. Additionally, court costs collected for the State of Missouri amount to $74.50 for moving traffic violations and $120.50 in most criminal cases. Judge Daren L. Adkins presided over the following cases:

Vincent C. Savage, Pattonsburg, minor in possession of alcohol, suspended imposition of sentence, two years supervised probation, 20 hours community service; minor purchased alcohol, suspended imposition of sentence, two years supervised probation, 20 hours community service.

Erin N. Carter, Ankeny, IA, possession of marijuana, $300 fine, $150 fine.

Oscar Villalta Acevedo, Olathe, KS, driving while intoxicated, $350; speeding (105 in 70 mph zone) two days jail, $250; no valid license, $300.

Shonda G. Wade, Bethany, driving while intoxicated, $350.

Kiran Kumar Gurijala, Overland Park, KS, speeding (91 in 70), suspended imposition of sentence, one year probation, 15 hours community service.

Gary L. Spidle, Jamesport, possession of marijuana, one day jail; possession of paraphernalia, one day jail.

Shelbi A. Dickinson, Jamesport, minor visibly intoxicated, suspended imposition of sentence, one year probation, eight hours community service.

Katie A. Cottrell, Gilman City, minor in possession of alcohol, suspended imposition of sentence, one year probation, eight hours community service.

Civil Court

Breach of contract: Novus Ag LLC vs. Keith Harpster was dismissed by the parties. A default judgment was entered for UHG I LLC and against James Stevens.

Suits on account: Default judgments were entered for Bank of America N.A. and against Thomas Luka; for MM Finance LLC and against Shanda Cosgrove; for Citibank N.A. and against Ronald W. Dickson. A consent judgment was entered for Midwestern Health Management and against Thurman L. Mott et al. Midland Funding LLC vs. Jamee Teel was dismissed by the court without prejudice. A change of venue was granted in Midwestern Health Management vs. Elizabeth A. Buckler.

Recorder’s Office

Marriage licenses issued: Jesse Richard Smith, 25, and Samantha Jo Johnson, 21, both of Breckenridge; Drew Hunt Achter, 24, and Catlin Marie Ashlock, 21, both of Maysville.

Warranty Deeds

Lake Viking lots #2258 and #2259 from Janet and Michael Van Wye to Aaron D. Eckerberg Living Trust; tract in Jefferson Township from Cleta Maurine Wright to McFarm LLC; Lake Viking lot #2671 and #2672 from Donald and Candy Gann to Steven Murphy; tract in Lincoln Township from Joyce and Brandon Eads, co-trustees of the V.L. Hanes Irrevocable Living Trust, to Eads Family Farms LLC; lots and partial lots in Gallatin from 212 N. Main Street LLC to Millco Gallatin LLC; partial lots in Gallatin from Sheila M. Mead to Eben Estes; tract in Salem Township and lots in Coffey from Charles and Amy Miller to Clayton and Shawn Heiber; tract in Salem Township from J. Janese Courter to Ciji A. McQuinn.

Quit Claim Deeds

Tract in Salem Township from David and Vickie Kilgore and James III and Erin Holliway to James III and Erin D. Holliway; Lake Viking lot #2012 from Shane R. Hebert to Reba M. Kendall; Lake Viking lot #2261 from Amber and Chris Wilkinson to Mike and Misty Love; Lake Viking lots #737 and #738 from Christian and Nicole Rogers to Christian and Nicole Rogers; tract in Union Township from James Norris Worrell to Jamie and Michael Heinen; Lake Viking lot #3028 from Susan J. Miller and Jason D. Jacob to Jason D. Jacob; Lake Viking lot #245 from Jason D. Jacob to Susan J. Miller.

Deed of Co-Personal Representatives

Tract in Jamesport Township from Robert J. Wheeler and Matthew A. Wheeler, co-personal representatives of the Estate of John R. Wheeler, to Denise Hayes.

Beneficiary Deeds

Tract in Marion Township from Richard and Vickie Huff to Christa Kunks and Rebecca Wheelbarger as tenants in common; tract in Sheridan Township from Mark and Karen Payne to Mark Andrew Payne Jr. LDPS, Samantha Marie Bishop LDPS, Rachel Ann Mattson LDPS, and Thomas Anthony Payne LDPS.