Local News – Thursday, December 7th, 2017

This month, Intercounty Electric co-op members will be receiving a check from Intercounty Electric as they return over $1 million to members in the form of capital credits to members who had service in 1999, and another $600,000 will be returned to members from the transmission patronage capital owed to the Intercounty Electric from Sho-Me Power for the year 1995 which are now being paid back. To better understand what capital credits are, it is important to know that an electric cooperative operates on an actual cost basis. Cooperatives annually “allocate” operating revenue remaining at the end of the year to each member, based upon the member’s total purchase of electricity. Later as the financial condition permits, these allocated amounts, capital credits, are retired. Capital credits represent the most significant source of equity for Intercounty. Since a cooperative’s members are also the people the co-op serves, capital credits reflect each member’s ownership in, and contribution of capital to, the cooperative. If you have any questions about your capital credits, please contact member accounts by calling (866) 621-3679.

Early Wednesday morning the St. Louis County Police Department arrested Justin P. Giller, a wanted person out of Phelps County. Law enforcement received information on his whereabouts and responded to the 200 block of Etta Avenue in St. Louis. Upon arrival, Giller was located inside a vehicle near the residence and was taken into custody and transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. Giller is charged with felony resisting/interfering with an arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm, the possession of burglary tools, and felony stealing. His bond was set at $250,000. Giller is suspected of burglaries, felony stealing, and numerous automobile thefts in Phelps, Dent and Texas counties. Additional warrants are expected after further investigation. The charges Giller was arrested for are only accusations and they are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Monday morning, November 27th at 9:36, an officer was dispatched to the Salem High School in reference to a drug violation. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an 18-year old male of Salem for possession of marijuana. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that day at about 1:47, an officer was sent to the Salem High School in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown broke two windows valued at $300.00 out of the school van. The report is currently under investigation. A few hours later at 5:20 that evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 29-year old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at approximately 7:14, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen license plate. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown took a permanent trailer plate from a trailer. This report is under investigation. On Tuesday, November 28th at 4:00 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 300 block of South Park in reference to damage to a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke the front windshield and two side glasses valued at $600.00 out of a 2010 Hyundai. The report is under investigation. That same evening at about 8:59 an officer was sent to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 21-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An Ozark Christmas Celebration will take place at Alley Spring on Saturday, December 9th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The historic Alley Mill, Storys Creek School and General Store will all be decorated in the holiday fashion. Ole Saint Nick himself might even stop by for a cookie or two and join in the festivities. Alley Spring is located six miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Route 106. An Akers Holiday Celebration will be held at the Mt Zion Church on Sunday, December 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Bring your favorite holiday treat and enjoy refreshments, music and a short program about past holidays along the Current River. Mt. Zion Church is located approximately one-half mile north of Akers Ferry on State Route K in northern Shannon County. These free events are sponsored in part by the park’s cooperating association, Eastern National. Eastern National bookstores will be open to offer holiday gift ideas for visitors looking for special Ozark gifts. For more information, call (573) 323-4236.