Local News – Monday, December 11th, 2017
The second annual “Dancing with the Salem Stars” was held Saturday night at the sold out Salem City Hall Auditorium to benefit the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation. A total of 13 couples competed in this years’ fundraiser that raised funds for improvements to patient rooms. The winner of the competition this year was Mary Happel and Tyler Wofford who danced to “Footloose” with 2nd place going to Linda Maledy and Stan Podorski for their Jive Swing. Diane and Larry Sensintaffar were named the People’s Choice by those in attendance. The total amount raised will be announced at the Salem Hospital’s Board of Directors meeting Tuesday afternoon.
An accident happened Friday morning at 9:35 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2006 Saturn Vue, driven by 55 year-old Paul S. Merritt of Viburnum, traveled off the roadway and struck a rock embankment and overturned. The report stated that Merritt was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by Mercy Life Line to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Saturn was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing.
The Sons of the American Legion Post 99 are conducting the fourth annual adopt a vet program to provide resources for 150 American Veterans so they can enjoy Christmas. While the Veterans at the St. James Veterans Home receive the finest medical care and attention they do not have money for the things that we all take for granted at Christmas time. Money raised goes to provide a banquet that each Veteran can invite their loved ones to for Christmas dinner, complete with all the trimmings. Each Veteran will also receive gifts that they may enjoy their Christmas. As in the past, local representatives collect donations on behalf of the 150 Veterans residing at the Veterans home. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens of Dent County each veteran has been sponsored for the last three years. The cost to sponsor a Veteran is $50.00. The Veterans will also receive a small gift of a custom “United States Veteran” hat, letter of honor, and a pair of camouflage jersey gloves. All are provided with soft candies as well. Saturday evening, December 23rd at 2:00, there will be live music by Second Time Around and everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the company of these fine Veterans. Kids are needed to serve as Santa’s helpers. To donate to the Adopt a Vet Program, contact Richard LaBrash at 573-729-1394 or call John at 573-729-3710.
Captain James W. Remillard, the commanding officer of Troop I, announces that sometime during the month of December, troopers assigned to Troop I will be conducting a DWI saturation patrol in Crawford County. Troopers assigned to these special enforcement operations will patrol those highways where in the past a higher number of alcohol-related arrests and traffic crashes have occurred. Captain Remillard would like to remind motorists that they can report highway emergencies and serious traffic offenses to the nearest troop headquarters by dialing *55 on a cellular telephone.