Archive for 2017

On May 31st, Dent County Deputies with Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Police Officers with the Salem Police Department, troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Agents with FBI began investigating a possible abduction in Dent County. This investigation revealed a 13-year old female juvenile left with two males from a residence in rural Dent County. Family members became concerned that she had not left with the party she told them she was leaving with and contacted the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation identified two males, 19-year old Gregory Barton of Bunker, MO and his grandfather. The investigator’s determined that the juvenile and Barton were in a continuing romantic relationship that began on the Internet. At approximately 6:40 in the morning, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers with Missouri State Highway Patrol located the juvenile at a residence in the 500 block of 5th Street in Bunker in Reynolds County, MO. Both subjects were transported back to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. The juvenile was later released to her parents. As a result of this investigation, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has filed a complaint against Gregory Barton charging him with 1 count of Statutory Rape in the 1st Degree. Barton is being held in the Dent County jail in lieu of a $100,000 cash only bond.

The City of Salem has announced they are in the process of picking up downed limbs, branches and trees from the straight line winds from May 27th. City Administrator Ray Walden said the city is waiving its limb bundling policy due to amount of tree damages in the city. He did ask citizens to please drag their limbs to their curb for pickup as city crews cannot come on private property. Walden said the city crews will continue to pick up limbs through June 16th. At that time, he will re-evaluate the situation to see if the deadline needs to be extended. If you have limbs at the curb, please be patient and let the city workers get to your streets. If they still haven’t been removed by Monday, June 12th, please contact the city administrative offices at 729-4811. This service by the City of Salem is for the residents of the city only.

Five people died in traffic crashes over the 2017 Memorial Day weekend. Last year, 13 people were killed during the three-day weekend. During the counting period of 6:00 pm on Friday, May 26th, through 11:59 pm, Monday, May 29th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 345 traffic crashes which included 128 injuries and all five fatalities. Troopers also arrested 107 people for driving while intoxicated and made 125 drug arrests. During the 2016 Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Patrol investigated 347 traffic crashes which included 128 injuries and six of the 13 fatalities. Last year, troopers arrested 135 people for driving while intoxicated. There were zero boating fatalities over the 2017 Memorial Day weekend. Marine operations troopers investigated 14 boating crashes involving seven injuries. Three people drowned over the 2017 Memorial Day holiday. Marine operations troopers arrested 20 boaters for boating while intoxicated and made six drug arrests. There were zero boating fatalities over the 2016 Memorial Day weekend. Troopers investigated 13 boating crashes involving eight injuries. There were no drownings. Troopers arrested 21 people for boating while intoxicated and made 71 drug arrests. Of the five traffic crash fatalities investigated by the Patrol, one occurred in the Troop A, Lee’s Summit, area and the Troop B, Macon, area. Three fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring area.

The Dent County Open Youth Market Animal Jackpot Show will be held Saturday, June 3rd at the Commons on Highway 72 in Salem. Hogs weigh in starts at 7:00 am, goats, lambs and steer will follow and the show will begin at 9:00 am. The show is open to all youth age 5 to 21-years of age. Four Montana Silversmith Signature Trophy Buckles will be awarded for Grand Champions, Reserve Champions, Senior Showmanship and Junior Showmanship as well as a 1st place ribbon in each weight division class. For late entries, a list of rules or for more information, contact Bambi Merrifield at 729-2234 or Marsha Fenton at 739-4563.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of April. During the month, they wrote three equipment repair orders, two summons to appear in court, 23 warning tickets, and 22 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 14 accidents, two assaults, one burglary, one report of counterfeiting, one report of domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, two reports of driving while intoxicated, five reports of driving while having a license revoked and/or suspended, one report of endangering the welfare of a child, one report of failure to appear, one report of harassment, and one report of leaving the scene of an accident. The department also investigated four reports of property damage, one report of resisting and/or interfering with an arrest, 12 reports of stealing, and two reports of tampering with a victim. They investigated one report of possession of a controlled substance, one report of possession of heroin, five reports of possession of marijuana, one report of possession of methamphetamine, and one report of possession of drug paraphernalia. The police department received 1,124 calls for service during the month, handled 105 walk-ins to the station, and redirected 36 calls to the animal control officer. They spent 26 hours in court testifying, and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 7,206 miles and arrested 20 males and 4 females during the month of April.

The City of Salem and Dent County received extensive damage from high winds that were in the 85-90 miles per hour range Saturday afternoon according to the National Weather Service as determined from the damages. They determined that only straight line winds caused the damage in Salem with some intense down bursts. Numerous electric and utility poles were knocked down along with a tremendous amount of large branches and some trees. The First Baptist Church Family Life Center sustained extensive damage with some of its roof blowing to near 3rd and Jackson Streets. A part of the roof of First Baptist Church Chapel also sustained damage. Damages also occurred to buildings and trees on Route C, Route DD, Highway 72, Highway 68, Highway 19, and Highway 32 by these intense straight line winds. The Oak Grove Baptist Church served as a shelter for people who needed oxygen and other medical assistance who were without power. One estimate had over 70% of the city without power Saturday including a large contingent south of Center Street. Many businesses were closed the rest of the night Saturday and into Sunday as the utility crews worked throughout the night and day including the city electric crews, CenturyLink, Fidelity and Intercounty. The Dent County Fire Protection District cleared numerous roads that were blocked by downed trees and also responded to other calls. The city utility crews are still out there working and they want to know if your electric service has been restored at your home or business. If not, contact the utility office at 729-4117 during regular business hours and after hours, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday morning at 12:50 on County Road 3060 about a mile east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 25-year old Ashley Godinez of Salem was driving a 2003 Jeep Liberty eastbound when she traveled across the center line of the road, overcorrected and then the Jeep went off the right side of the roadway where it struck a tree and overturned. Suffering serious injuries were Godinez and a passenger, 37-year old Michael Gamblin of Salem. Both were taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by ambulance. It is unknown if either were wearing seat restraints when the accident occurred. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by I-44 Towing.

An accident occurred at 9:25 Thursday night in Texas County on Highway 32 about two miles east of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 1984 Chevrolet Flatbed truck driven by 23-year old Devin York of Licking was traveling eastbound on Highway 32. The Chevrolet was then stopped in the roadway due to a mechanical malfunction. A 1992 Buick Le Sabre driven by 17-year old Joy Grover of Licking was traveling eastbound and came upon the Chevrolet, in a corner and collided with the rear of the Chevrolet. York suffered minor injuries and was transported by the Texas County ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. York was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained minor damage while the Buick sustained extensive damage and both were towed by Jay’s Automotive of Houston.

The Ozark Solid Waste Management District has announced that two Salem R-80 students were among the 34 first and second place winners and 41 honorable mentions earning prizes in the 25th Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash and Graphic Art contest. The contest required participants to re-purpose trash into three-dimensional pieces of art or create posters, which could be hand drawn or graphically designed, based on this year theme of “Be Earth Wise.” Winners from Salem R-80 were Kelsey Stienbarger, 7th grader from Salem Middle School who won 1st Place Trash Art and Kaycee Ditch, 6th grader from Salem Middle School, who earned Honorable Mention Trash Art. The Salem R-80 students participating in the contest were under the direction of teacher Angela Dingess.

The Ozark Artisans Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) opens today at 202 South Main. Sponsored by the Spring Creek Artisans of Salem and the Current River Artists of Licking, it will feature works by artists and artisans from the Ozarks. The beauty and resources of the Ozarks have inspired artists and artisans since settlers first came to Missouri. Here in the Salem Plateau area, we are blessed with talented individuals who are skilled in wood carving, quilting, pottery, basket weaving, engraving, fine arts and other time honored skills. The exhibit is free to the public. There will be a Meet the Artisan Reception at the ONCRC on Monday, June 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.