Local News – Wednesday, December 20th, 2017
The Dent County Sheriff's Department has released some recent reports. On Tuesday, December 12th, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Route E for the report of a burglary. The resident had just gotten home and discovered his home had been gone through with numerous items that were found on the floor. This report is still under investigation. On Thursday, December 14th, deputies took a report of damage to a mailbox on Dent County Road 4180. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 2403 to serve an arrest warrant. Deputies located a 19-year old Salem man who had a misdemeanor Dent County warrant. He was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff's Department at 573-729-3241.
The Salem Police Department released an accident report for Sunday night, December 10th, at about 10:09. A 1998 GMC Sierra, owned and operated by Skipper Redman of Salem, was southbound on Craig Industrial Drive near the US Foods truck entrance when Redman stated that his eye glasses were knocked off and that without his glasses he is legally blind. He said he tried to get his glasses back on and that he could not see the curve in the roadway. Redman said he attempted to slow down, but the GMC ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a concrete curb and continued through a field colliding with a dirt embankment. Redman suffered minor injuries and a passenger suffered moderate injuries. Both were transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by EMS. The GMC sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Schwartz Towing.
The Salem Police Department also released an accident report for an incident on Thursday, December 14th, at approximately 1:05 in the afternoon. According to the report, a 2007 Toyota Camry, owned and operated by Ralph Kelley of Salem, was westbound on East Roosevelt and was stopped at a posted stop sign at Highway 19. At that time, a 1999 Jeep Cherokee owned and operated by Thomas Green of Salem, was southbound on Highway 19 approaching Roosevelt. The Toyota failed to yield to the Jeep striking it. The Toyota then continued westbound and ran off the left side of West Roosevelt striking a Fidelity utility pole. Kelley suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by EMS. The utility pole sustained moderate damage, while both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Tuesday evening for their regular meeting at the district administrative offices. Superintendent John McCulloch gave an update on the Salem R-80 board candidate filling for the two seats currently occupied by Carrie Snider and Chris Heavin. McColloch indicated that both incumbents have filed as well as Kevin James. McCulloch then went over the work that is being done on William Lynch Elementary. He reported the demolition on the two east side and west side elevations have been completed and have been framed, sheeted and waterproofed. They will still need to do caulking, roof repairs and painting of the parapet. McColloch said they were able to save the windows in the project for cost savings of $10,800, but that was offset by some concrete work being done by David Gray Construction for $13,175. The total project is expected to cost $328,490.20. The board principals gave reports on the individual buildings with Kriste Crocker reporting that 92.1% of her students are above 90% attendance. Melanie Wisdom reported the Upper Elementary School with help from the community and school made Christmas brighter for 36 children. Scott Roberts from the Middle School stated Rich Beckett won 1st place in the VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award while Chris Kamprath and Dustin Bell tied for 2nd place in the Regional Competition. They were given their awards by the VFW Post 6280. Also, Roberts reported that Band Director David Schatz was selected as the Missouri Music Educators Association Outstanding Young Educator for 2017-2018. He was selected from 11 nominees and will receive his award on January 24th at 7:30 at the 1st general Session of the 80th Annual MMEA Conference. High School Principal Marty Anderson said 320 students were exempt from finals and 65 students had perfect attendance which comes in at 11% for the school. He said there were 266 referrals in the new cell phone policy and 40 students attended the Innovation Conference in Rolla. It was the third year Salem students attended the conference. The board approved renewing the MUSIC insurance that came to $189,244 for workman’s comp and liability insurance. The school received a 7% discount and only had to pay $175,997. The school also renewed their $5 million dollar umbrella coverage for $5,352. The budget approved a number of budget revisions including the money paid to refinance new general obligation bonds and to pay for the William Lynch project. One teacher submitted their resignation and that was High School Science Teacher Benjamin Enns at the end of the school year. The board then went into closed session.
The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages experienced birders to become citizen scientists by helping with the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count in Missouri. If you would like to be a part of the Dent and Texas counties count on December 20th, contact Dan Hatch at dhatch@licking.k12.mo.us. If you’ve never participated in a CBC, tell the organizer so they can place you with an existing team of birders. You should also dress warmly as most counts will be held regardless of weather, unless inclement weather is dangerous. They also recommend that you bring snacks to stay fueled for a long day.