Local News – Friday, August 18th, 2017
**SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE FROM THE MISSOURI STATE PARKS SYSTEM ABOUT SOLAR ECLIPSE GLASSES THEY SOLD**
The Missouri State Parks system is issuing an advisory not to use a specific brand of solar eclipse glasses and viewers because it cannot be confirmed they meet ISO and CE certification or came from a recommended manufacturer. The glasses and viewers were sold under the name “PMS Promo Mart” at Missouri state park and historic site stores throughout the state. The name is listed on the inside of the glasses between the lenses. Anyone who purchased the glasses with the name “PMS Promo Mart” should return them to any state park or historic site store or gift shop to receive a full refund. According to the Missouri State Park Director Ben Ellis, they are issuing this advisory as a precautionary measure because they cannot verify that the solar eclipse glasses and viewers meet all the requirements to safely view the eclipse. Ellis said they are advising anyone who bought the glasses with the PMS Promo Mart label to NOT use them during the eclipse. NASA and the American Astronomical Society advise viewers to use only certified solar eclipse glasses or other solar filters to protect their eyes when the viewing the sun or an eclipse. Using any other type of glasses or filters may result in loss of vision or permanent blindness. The Missouri State Parks apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause but they want to take all possible steps to make sure everyone can safely view the solar eclipse. For more information about the advisory, visit mostateparks.com.
The Dent County Coroner's Office has released a report concerning a Salem woman who was found dead inside a bedroom at a county residence on Tuesday, August 15th. At approximately 7:35 Tuesday morning, the coroner's office was contacted by the sheriff's office regarding a death investigation of 21-year old Erica Travis. The death is being investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Dent County Sheriff's Office and the Dent County Coroner's Office. An autopsy will be performed by the Boone County Medical Examiners office to determine the official cause of death.
The Lake Spring Community will be holding a celebration Saturday in honor of the upcoming eclipse just off of Highway 72 between Salem and Rolla. A highlight of the event will be the presentation of a special postmark, a collection stamp, that will be available this Saturday, August 19th, through Saturday, September 9th, at the Lake Spring Post Office. The event will began at 8:00 in the morning and finish up at 2:00 in the afternoon. Part of the festivities will include a special eclipse talk given by retired physicist Dr. Robert Bercaw. The Lake Spring Community will also be holding a fund-raising barbecue at the community building, not far from the Post Office. Those who attend will be able to purchase the special eclipse stamps where they can mail letters or postcards with the unique postmark, as well as see the Missouri S & T’S Mars Rover, chemistry demonstrations, find community information and more. Those interested in obtaining the postmark or stamps who cannot attend the event, may visit the Lake Spring Post Office Monday-Saturday from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning.
The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance as he was in Sedalia at Senator Roy Blunt’s Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting. Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock discussed with the commission about closing the courthouse for a period of time on Monday for those who want to view the solar eclipse with their children or family. He said the consensus of the offices holders was to be closed from noon until 2:30. The Judicial building will be open as they have court that day, but it will be up to those office holders if they want to close for the eclipse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that parts of southwestern parts of the district, including Montauk State Park, received about 3.6 inches of rain Wednesday overnight into Thursday morning that created some reports of washouts in that area which has now been hit three times this year with heavy rainfall. Purcell crews would be repairing those washouts as well as checking other roads for damage from the rain. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated his district also received rain from 2.5 to three inches of rain. Although his district has not had any washouts reported, he said crews would be out checking roads for any damage and make repairs where needed. He did say that brush was going to be cut around the Smith Subdivision on Dent County Roads 6670, 6680 and 6690. The clerk’s office brought in bills to be reviewed for payment. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman reports that someone has started a phone scam in the Salem area. The scammers are telling people that their City of Salem utility bills are overdue and they need to go to Casey’s in Salem and purchase a card to pay the overdue amount or face shutoff. THIS IS A SCAM…DO NOT PAY! If you have any questions about your utility bill from the city, please call the City Administrative offices at 729-4811. You should also contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.
August is First Responders Month at the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks where they appreciate our local law enforcement. Emergency medical services personnel and firefighters. Show you support by donating blood today at the Salem Memorial District Hospital from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and bring a valid photo ID.