Archive for 2017

The second annual “Dancing with the Salem Stars” was held Saturday night at the sold out Salem City Hall Auditorium to benefit the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation. A total of 13 couples competed in this years’ fundraiser that raised funds for improvements to patient rooms. The winner of the competition this year was Mary Happel and Tyler Wofford who danced to “Footloose” with 2nd place going to Linda Maledy and Stan Podorski for their Jive Swing. Diane and Larry Sensintaffar were named the People’s Choice by those in attendance. The total amount raised will be announced at the Salem Hospital’s Board of Directors meeting Tuesday afternoon.

An accident happened Friday morning at 9:35 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2006 Saturn Vue, driven by 55 year-old Paul S. Merritt of Viburnum, traveled off the roadway and struck a rock embankment and overturned. The report stated that Merritt was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by Mercy Life Line to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Saturn was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing.

The Sons of the American Legion Post 99 are conducting the fourth annual adopt a vet program to provide resources for 150 American Veterans so they can enjoy Christmas. While the Veterans at the St. James Veterans Home receive the finest medical care and attention they do not have money for the things that we all take for granted at Christmas time. Money raised goes to provide a banquet that each Veteran can invite their loved ones to for Christmas dinner, complete with all the trimmings. Each Veteran will also receive gifts that they may enjoy their Christmas. As in the past, local representatives collect donations on behalf of the 150 Veterans residing at the Veterans home. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens of Dent County each veteran has been sponsored for the last three years. The cost to sponsor a Veteran is $50.00. The Veterans will also receive a small gift of a custom “United States Veteran” hat, letter of honor, and a pair of camouflage jersey gloves. All are provided with soft candies as well. Saturday evening, December 23rd at 2:00, there will be live music by Second Time Around and everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the company of these fine Veterans. Kids are needed to serve as Santa’s helpers. To donate to the Adopt a Vet Program, contact Richard LaBrash at 573-729-1394 or call John at 573-729-3710.

Captain James W. Remillard, the commanding officer of Troop I, announces that sometime during the month of December, troopers assigned to Troop I will be conducting a DWI saturation patrol in Crawford County. Troopers assigned to these special enforcement operations will patrol those highways where in the past a higher number of alcohol-related arrests and traffic crashes have occurred. Captain Remillard would like to remind motorists that they can report highway emergencies and serious traffic offenses to the nearest troop headquarters by dialing *55 on a cellular telephone.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to get signatures for the budgeted quarterly transfers from the Senior Citizens Fund to the holding account. The payments from the holding account will be $12,500 to the Salem Nutrition Site and $6,250 to SMTS. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that due to the frozen ground there would be no grading so crews will be servicing equipment including work on truck #73 and a full service on dump truck #123. He noted that his crew would also be attempting to solve an electrical problem on dump truck #119 and the brush cutter would be working out on Dent County Road 5615. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said his brush cutter would be finishing up on Dent County Road 2150, plus grading was also on hold in his District. He went on to say that his crew would be doing full service on grader #31, doing some shop maintenance, and replacing missing road signs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that he appreciated those from Salem and Dent County that attended the MRPC Strategic Retreat Wednesday at The Community Center @ The Armory. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that she balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of November. She also noted that bills were being approved for payment. Curley said she attended the MRPC Retreat on Wednesday and really enjoyed the presentations and speakers. She talked about numerous examples of real life experiences that were shared by presenters at the Retreat. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their December meeting Tuesday evening at the fire station. Bills were reviewed and approved and the budget was reviewed that showed the district balance in General Revenue was $65,430.03 compared to $48,705.00 last year. Reimbursements were distributed in the amount of $20, 207.50. In the monthly reimbursement report, there were a total of 32 calls for November that included: one structure fires, one flue fire, 11 brush fires, one landing zone prep, five calls for first responders, seven calls for vehicle accidents, three mutual aid calls, one haz-mat call and two calls for training. Total calls to date for the year are 260, with an average cost per call of $77.72. In old business, there were no updates on the USDA grant for the firehouse work to be done on the parking lot and roof. Chief Brad Nash reported that a Right to carry Policy for Firefighters is still a work in progress. The Board then set their next meeting for Tuesday, January 2nd at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm before adjourning.

The Spring Creek Artisans Christmas Fest will be held tonight from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. and tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the historic Bonebrake Center in Salem. You will find unique handcrafted Christmas gifts for everyone on your gift list. A wide variety of handmade items, from original paintings, wood carvings and turnings, pottery, baskets, fiber art, quilts, stained glass, wire wrapped jewelry, cards, metal sculpture, gourd art and Christmas items will be on sale. Come enjoy Christmas cookies, hot apple cider, and holiday music while shopping. Register to win the door prize a beautiful handcrafted wreath by Joanne and Russ Biros. We have several new artists creating beautiful and original work. Come check it out.

The Doe Run Company’s (Doe Run) mine rescue teams received high honors at the 35th annual mine rescue competition at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The Maroon Team placed second in the mine rescue field event, which simulates a mine emergency at the Experimental Mine in Rolla, Mo. In addition, the Maroon Team earned 2nd and the Gray Team received 3rd in the first-aid competition. A total of 24 industry professional and student teams competed in hands-on simulated mine disasters, first-aid and first-responder scenarios. Earlier this year, Doe Run’s Gray Team won the overall championship at the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest in New York, and the Maroon Team won the overall championship at the Colorado Regional Mine Contest.

This year the Victorian Musical Christmas will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History. This inspiring event features the Salem High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Elaine Russell. Reservations are REQUIRED for this event and it sells out fast! Reservations can be made by calling 739-3400 and leaving a message. Appetizers will be served at the event and there is a $5.00 admission charge per person.