Local News – Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017

According to Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, the Dent County Commission on Monday went into closed session. The results of the closed session indicated the Commission voted 3-0 to accept the Temporary Emergency Order from Associate Circuit Judge Brandi Baird, and accept upon her recommendation to hire Christy Chamberlain as full time employee to serve in the Public Administrator’s office until the Governor’s appointment takes office or she resigns. The minutes of the meeting will not become official until the Commission approves them at their next meeting which will be on Monday, August 7th.

If you would like to apply for the Public Administrator position for the County of Dent, just go to this website: https://boards.mo.gov. Go to “Apply for Boards” (a red button), then create an account for the online application by giving your e-mail and creating a password. At this time, view vacant positions (a blue button) and choose Dent County. Fill out the application and you may attach a resume. If you have any questions about applying for the Public Administrator position, call Alissa at 573-522-2645.

The Salem Police Department has submitted a number of reports. On Monday, July 24th an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of South Warfel. The investigation showed that a 2008 Pontiac G5 had been shot with a shotgun striking the door, mirror and glass, plus three tires had been cut by a person or persons unknown. The value of the damage to the Pontiac was approximately $1,500.00. Tuesday morning, July 25th, at 8:10, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a theft from a vehicle. The investigation revealed that someone took an Ipod valued at $100.00 from a silver 2004 Chevrolet Impala that was parked in the 400 block of West Seventh. That afternoon at 4:22, an officer was sent to a residence in the 100 block of South Carty in reference to a disturbance. That investigation revealed that a 37-year old Salem male had started fighting with a 17-year old Salem male. While the 37-year old suspect attempted to fight, a 21-year old Salem female took property belonging to the 37-year old man. Further investigation led to the arrest of the 37-year old suspect for disorderly contact and the 21-year old female for stealing. Both were issued summonses to appear in court and released. That same afternoon at 5:44, an officer was dispatched to the area of East Roosevelt in reference to an intoxicated driver driving on the sidewalk. Upon investigation, the officer located the vehicle near the Salem Care Center parked upon the stop curb in the parking lot. After further investigation, the driver of the vehicle, a 44-year old female of Salem, was taken into custody for driving while being intoxicated, issued a summons to appear in court, and was released. That night at 9:35, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 34-year old of Salem for driving while having his license suspended and having an open beer container. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. On Wednesday, July 26th, there were several reports. At 10:05 that morning, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis in reference to a theft. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took items from the yard of a residence valued at approximately at $3,000. Then at 4:40 that afternoon, an officer was detailed to Casey’s General Store on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The investigation revealed that the driver of a gold sport utility vehicle pumped fuel valued at $26.00 and left without paying. Later, at 5:20, an officer was detailed to the 100 block of Amber Trail in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed that a 50cc mini bike valued at $100.00 was taken from the porch of a residence. Finally at 9:58 that night, an officer located a 31-year old Salem male in the 400 block of South Askins who had active arrest warrants from the city of Salem, Dent County and Crawford County. He was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Stop by the Van Buren Visitor Center this Sunday, August 6th, from 1:00-4:00 pm, for a program on one room schoolhouses in the Ozarks. A Park Ranger will share the history of one room schools that were found along the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Hear stories about local Ozark schools and learn what a day in a one room school was like. Participants will get to experience fun educational activities from a simpler time, like ciphering matches, spelling bees and practicing cursive penmanship on slates. We might even play some traditional outdoor recess games like “Wolf over the Ridge”! Visit our one room schoolhouse exhibit celebrating a legacy of learning, at the Van Buren Visitor Center, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One room schoolhouses across the United States served not only as places to teach children reading, writing and arithmetic; but as a community gathering place for social events. From bravely reciting passages out of a speller, belting out “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, and lunches in tin buckets, rural educations and one room schoolhouses provided a foundation for the future. For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236.