Local News – Wednesday, August 17th, 2017

With all the buzz about the Solar Eclipse this Monday, the Missouri Department of Conservation wanted to let people who would like to view the maximum eclipse in nearby counties. The maximum eclipse will not happen in Dent County, but there are locations nearby where people could see the total eclipse. The closest Conservation Area will be Huzzah in Crawford County. The next closest would be the Meramec Conservation Area in Franklin County followed by Long Ridge Conservation Area in Franklin County and the Little Indian Creek Conservation Area in Washington County. You can also check out the Canaan Conservation Area in Gasconade County. Another Conservation Area providing viewing within the Southern Limit of the eclipse is Buford Mountain in Iron County. People in the Crawford, Franklin, Phelps and Reynolds County will have some maximum eclipse viewing in areas that are still in the Southern Limit within their counties. The maximum eclipse is expected around 1:14 to the northwest, near 1:16 around the Union and St. Clair area, and 1:18 to the southeast. In Northern and Central Dent County, you will be able to see around a 99% eclipse while in Southern Dent County, it will be about 98.5%. Make sure you have the protective glasses on if you will be watching the eclipse. Some businesses may be closed for the eclipse so it would best to call ahead before going. The Salem License Bureau has announced they will be closed on Monday from noon until 2:00 in the afternoon to view the solar eclipse.

The Doe Run Company’s (Doe Run) two mine rescue teams recently earned the highest honors at competitive mine rescue contests. The Gray Team won the overall championship at the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest. The event, which took place from June 5th through the 9th in Clymer, New York, consisted of various competitions that tested eight mine rescue teams’ abilities to handle emergency situations underground. In addition to winning the Northern Regional overall champion title, Doe Run’s Gray Team won the first aid competition, which consisted of a CPR and first-responder scenario. The team finished in second place in the field competition, which measures how well team members adhere to mine rescue procedures during a simulated mine emergency. The Gray Team also earned third place in the team technical test, which measures participants’ expertise in operating breathing apparatuses and gas-level monitoring. Another Doe Run mine rescue team, the Maroon Team, won the overall championship at the Colorado Regional Mine Rescue Contest, which took place from June 26th through the 29th in Lakewood, Colorado. The Maroon Team also finished in first place in the mine rescue competition and in third place in the first aid competition. Current members of Doe Run’s Gray Team include: Chris Brawley, James Gamblin, Randy Hill, Dennis Keene, Wayne Marlin, Garry Moore, Robby Vetter, Jake Vogel, Charlie Walker and Nathan Woods. The Maroon Team includes: Steve Setzer, Andrew Hampton, Isaiah Henseler, Jarred Tackett, Richie Brewer, Jake Piatt, Nathan Setzer, Luke Davis, Mark Barton and Branden Roderman. Doe Run’s mine rescue teams participate in voluntary training for at least eight hours per month and compete in mine rescue competitions annually. The teams consistently place near the top at regional and national mine rescue competitions, and have successfully applied these skills in real emergencies. Doe Run mine rescuers Andrew Hampton, Randy Hill, Wayne Marlin and Steve Setzer, along with former members Brad Beck and Shawn Pratt, received a Certificate of Honor from Washington D.C. at the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association annual meeting for their exceptional work during a real emergency that occurred in 2010. After a truck fire broke out in the No. 29 Mine, Doe Run evacuated workers and activated its skilled mine rescue teams, who handled the situation. Doe Run’s underground lead mines in Missouri’s Viburnum Trend have earned the National Mining Association’s prestigious Sentinels of Safety Award 27 times since 1971. All new mining employees undergo 40 hours of in-depth safety training prior to working in the mines. Companywide, Doe Run employees go through more than 15,000 hours of safety training annually.

The Salem Police Department released some reports. On Tuesday, August 8th at 10:00 in the morning, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to property damage of a vehicle. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged the right rear door of a black 2010 Ford Fusion. Later that afternoon at 3:15, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took a cell phone valued at $100.00 from the porch of a residence in the 300 block of North Walker. Then Wednesday afternoon, August 9th at 2:45, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 71-year old female of Salem for driving while her license was revoked. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Thursday morning, August 10 at 7:30, an officer was detailed to the 500 block of South Carty in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged the paint on a black 2015 Toyota Rav 4. The value of the damage to the Toyota was estimated to be about $300.00. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Ron’s Race for a Reason, honoring all local veterans, will be held on September 1st and 2nd at Flat Nasty on 1771 Highway ZZ in Jadwin. There will be 2 classes of racing: Truck and Side-by-Side, and the entry fees are $25 which includes camping for one. There will be food provided by the American Volunteers, and a raffle of four Henry rifles as well as various products provided by local businesses. For the kids, Frosty the Snowman will make a special visit and it WILL snow! If you need more information, you can call (573) 729-6668