Archive for 2017

Stay in the Ozarks this Tuesday, Independence Day for day full of activities. Echo Bluff State Park will be hosting an Independence Day BBQ from 11:00-3:00 pm and everyone is welcome. There will also be a Independence Day picnic at 5:00 until after the fireworks at the Commons. Country Seasons Catering from the Salem Livestock Auction Café will be there. It will be $7 a plate, choices include pulled pork, brats, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and apple crisp with homemade ice cream. The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Parade begins at 6:00 p.m. and will follow the normal parade route from the old fairgrounds north on McArthur, then east on 4th Street to the courthouse square. This year’s theme is Honor the Past, Imagine the Future. The Grand Marshals this year are Charles Whitmire and Alex Sellers. The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce wants to thank Larson Rental Cars for providing us a vehicle. That evening, the Community Lantern Liftoff will be held at the Dent County Commons at 9 pm, before the fireworks. Lanterns can be purchased for $10 at the Salem Community Center @The Armory at 200 West Rolla Road and at the Salem City Administrative Offices at 4th and Iron Streets. The proceeds raised will be given to the City of Salem Firework Fund for 2018 firework display. Following the Lantern Liftoff, the Fireworks will be held at the Dent County Commons at dark.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released reports. On Sunday, June 18th, deputies were at the Salem Memorial District Hospital and recognized a male in the facility as 31-year old Kenneth Setzer of Salem. Deputies knew Setzer to have a warrant and contact was made with him. His warrant was confirmed and was for misdemeanor stealing. Setzer was transported to the Dent County Jail and held on $500 cash only. On Wednesday, June 21st, deputies took a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported that a blue 1979 Chevy truck, valued at $5,000 was taken from the 3000 block of County Road 2120. On Thursday, June 22nd, deputies were traveling in the 1000 block of Highway 19 North and recognized 53-year old David Gipson of Salem standing outside a residence. Deputies knew Gipson to have a warrant and they stopped at that residence and made contact with him. His warrant was for hindering prosecution and he had a $600 cash only bond. It was discovered that another resident, 51-year old Lori Gipson of Salem, had a warrant for her arrest. They were misdemeanor traffic offenses with a total of a $600 cash only bond. They were both transported to the Dent County Jail and later released. On Monday, June 26th, deputies were patrolling the Jadwin area on Highway K when they observed an ATV being operated on the highway. Deputies attempted to stop the ATV and it fled down Dent County Road 6280. The ATV traveled approximately 1 mile before crashing. The driver, 45-year old Adam Light of Salem, was identified as the driver and
he was taken into custody. Light was discovered to have a felony probation violation warrant from Jefferson County. He was arrested on the warrant and charges will be sought for driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, and fleeing from law enforcement. Light was taken to the Dent County Jail and was later released to Jefferson County. Anyone with any information regarding the stolen truck is asked to contact the Dent County Sheriffs’ Office by calling 729-3241.

An accident occurred at 6:25 Friday morning in DeKalb County on Highway 32 about 17 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Ford Taurus driven by 40-year old Karen Baca of Salem was traveling westbound on highway 32 and traveled off the right side of the roadway, drove down an embankment and struck a tree. Baca suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Salem ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Taurus sustained extensive damage and was towed by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred at 5:35 Saturday morning in Phelps County on westbound I-44 at mile marker 187. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Dodge Magnum driven by 57-year old Susan Lambur of Rolla was traveling westbound when she traveled off the right side of the roadway into a parking lot, striking two vehicles. Lambur was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center, and refused
treatment citing no injuries. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge sustained moderate damage and was towed by C&C Towing.

An accident occurred at 11:35 Saturday morning in Phelps County on Highway 63 about 2 miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Harley Davidson driven by 47-year old Dwayne McGinnis of Kansas City struck a deer, overturned and was struck by a 2006 Malibu driven by 19-year old Darien Hollis of Vichy. Hollis suffered minor injuries and were transported to by private party to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Hollis was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Harley sustained total damage and was removed by C&C Towing. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was removed by Dishman’s Towing.

An accident occurred at 6:57 Saturday evening in Phelps County on Route V at Hypoint Boulevard. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Pontiac driven by 24-year old Julie Richardson of Vichy was traveling northbound when she crossed the center line and struck a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer driven by 64-year old Brenda Hendrickson of St. James. Richardson and a passenger, 4-year old Abel Richardson of Vichy suffered minor injuries, as well as Hendrickson and 1-year old Cali Romanoskie of Vichy. All four were transported by Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. All were wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac sustained extensive damage and was towed by I-44 Towing, and the Mercury sustained extensive damage and was towed by Spurgeons Towing.

If you need to find a job, develop a resume or need help with funding to attend training to get a better job, it is now available locally! The Missouri Workforce Development Board opened a part-time MO Job Center Affiliate office in Salem on June 8th, at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory (1200 West Rolla Road in Salem) and they recently announced they would be available Monday through Thursday. Sue Nardi, a Career Consultant and a local resident of Salem, will be available Monday thru Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sue will assist customers with resume development, access to job leads, job referrals and connection to needed resources. Workshops to improve skills and increase employment opportunities can be scheduled-ask Sue for the “list of workshops”. Career assessment and access to training is also available. Employers can contact Sue for assistance posting job vacancies in Missouri’s jobs.mo.gov system; connection to Business Services for recruitment, access training programs for new employees and scheduling “Special Hiring Events” to fill job vacancies. To contact Sue for an appointment call 573-578-5573 or stop by the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, Monday thru Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Brenda Gustafson with FEMA was in to let the Commissioners know that she has been deployed to the area for 90 days and that the Preliminary Disaster Assessment visits were done to six flood damaged homes in Dent County. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 2480, materials would be added to county road 5080, and grading would be done and materials added to county road 6670. He said he had two men taking pictures of the FEMA projects that have been completed. Purcell added that Jan Craig had been elected to the Board of Directors of the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency. He noted that she was nominated by the Backpack Program to replace Doug Walters. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Road 2590, materials would be added to county roads 5240 and 2590, while brush would be cut on county roads 2300 and 6450. He noted that his crew was cleaning up the entry way to The Commons in preparation for the 4th of July celebration. Larson said that some patch grading and repair was being done at the entry to the Stone Hill Cemetery on county road 5240. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Thursday afternoon he would preside over a HUD Housing Hearing and he again reminded participants to read and follow their contracts to the letter. Skiles presented a resolution that if passed would allow the county to recover general revenue expenses relative to the jail project. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to adopt the resolution. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Salem Community Center @ The Armory Administrator Sherry Lea was in to introduce Sue Nardi of the Missouri Job Center staff. Lea said that Nardi is now housed at the Armory to assist individuals seeking employment, assistance with resumes’, and on line job searches. Nardi’s office hours are 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday. Nardi noted that she started out working two days per week, but there had been so much traffic that her work had been expanded to four days. City Administrator Ray Walden and Industrial Development Authority (IDA) President Donald Dodd were in to discuss salary funding for an Economic Development Director for Salem and Dent County. Walden said that the city has budgeted $50,000.00 salary for the position and Dodd noted that the IDA has committed $5,000.00 per year for five years towards salary for the position. Dodd requested that the County contribute $10,000.00 per year towards the salary for the position. After much discussion the Commissioners voted 3-0 to budget $5,000 for the position starting with the 2018 budget. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred at 4:18 Wednesday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway E at Highway HH about two miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 1986 Freightliner Dump truck driven by 51-year old Rocco Burrell of Rolla was traveling southbound and swerved to avoid another vehicle. The dump truck skidded off the left side of the road and overturned. Burrell suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. A passenger, 19-year old Dakota Cooper of Licking suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Everyone was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Freightliner Dump truck sustained extensive damage and was towed by C&C Towing.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of May. During the month, they wrote four equipment repair orders, 21 summons to appear in court, 21 warning tickets, and 14 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 13 accidents, three assaults, one burglary, one report of counterfeiting, two reports of disorderly conduct, one report of domestic assault, seven reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while intoxicated and/or drugged, two reports of driving while intoxicated, two reports of driving while having a license revoked and/or suspended, one report of identity theft, and one report of leaving the scene of an accident. The department also investigated one report of a missing person, four reports of property damage, 12 reports of stealing, one report of a towed vehicle, and one report of a violation of an exparte and/or full order of protection. They also investigated three reports of possession of marijuana and one report of possession of drug paraphernalia. The police department received 1,305 calls for service during the month, handled 91 walk-ins to the station, and redirected 59 calls to the animal control officer. They spent 13 hours in court testifying and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,750 miles and arrested 36 males and 13 females during the month of May.

Beginning July 1st, deer hunters can apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) website for a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state for archery, muzzle loading, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at conservation areas, state and other parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed hunts are held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities. The managed deer hunt application period is July 1st thru July 31st. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available September 1st through January 15th. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail. Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. Details about managed hunts can also be found in MDC’s “2017 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet available starting in early July at MDC offices and nature centers, from permit vendors around the state, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Shannon County Museum will host a Celebration of the River Community at Round Spring on Sunday, July 2, at the picnic pavilion located next to the spring branch. At 4:00 p.m. Interpretive Rangers will be available to provide a short tour of the Round Spring Cave to visitors attending the event. Bring a picnic dinner and join us at the pavilion for an evening meal at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. we will enjoy music provided by the Current River Bluegrass Band and the Shannon County Museum Pickers. Special guests will be invited to share stories about life along the Current River. Current and former members of the Round Spring community will join the reunion to share memories from earlier days on the Current River. Historic families from the Round Spring area include names such as Chilton, Light, Weese, Smith, Banks, Stewart, Ramsey, and others. It will be a wonderful time of sharing and an opportunity for visitors to learn what it was like to live along the Current River decades ago. The Celebration of the River Communities includes a series of events to honor the important contribution made by communities along the Jacks Fork and Current rivers. In May, celebrations were held at Akers Ferry and Mt. Zion Church. July 2nd is reserved to honor the Round Spring Community and in September we will gather at Alley Spring. For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236.

The public will have an opportunity to learn to kayak at free weekly clinics at Current River State Park south of Salem. The first kayak clinic will be held June 30 with additional clinics scheduled for July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4. The clinics will be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm so expect a full day of learning and being on the water. The instructors for the clinics are certified by the American Canoe Association and all equipment will be provided. The morning session will be conducted on the lake with an optional afternoon session on the Current River paddling from Current River State Park to Round Spring. The clinics are free but space is limited so pre-registration is required. To register or for questions, contact the park at (573) 751-1224 or (573) 323-4235. The kayak clinics are sponsored by Missouri State Parks in conjunction with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Missouri State Parks is celebrating 100 years in 2017. Visitors can experience all the park system has to offer with the Centennial Passport. Visit mostateparks.com/passport for more information. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19 approximately 23 miles south of Salem and 15 miles north of Eminence. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.