Local News – Monday, December 31st, 2018

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday morning at 10:50 on Route O about one mile south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2005 Toyota Prius was driven by 52-year old James Scott of Rolla, attempted to pass another vehicle on a hillcrest and he steered the Prius to the right to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The Toyota traveled off the right side of the roadway, then returned to the roadway and overturned, coming to rest in the roadway. Scott suffered serious injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County Ambulance. Scott was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota Prius was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock reminds everyone tonight at midnight, you must have your real estate and personal property taxes paid or you will be charged a penalty and interest. The hours the Dent County Collector’s Office will be open today will be from 8:00 until 5:30 this evening. If you mail your taxes today, take you payment envelope inside and have the postal clerk hand stamp it with today’s date. DO NOT JUST PUT IT THROUGH THE SLOT OR IN THE OUTSIDE MAILBOX AND THINK IT WILL BE POSTMARKED DECEMBER 31ST! You can also drop off your payment in the drop box in the front southwest corner of the courthouse lawn. Again, that needs to be dropped off before midnight TONIGHT. You can also pay your taxes online. Refer to your tax bill on instructions on how to pay online. There are additional fees associated with paying your bill online with a debit or credit card. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Collector’s Office at 729-3911.

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an agreement which provides an interim rate reduction of approximately $1.94 million for natural gas customers of Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri. The interim rate reduction will take effect on January 2nd and will remain in effect until the Public Service Commission decides a natural gas rate case Ameren Missouri filed with the Commission on December 3rd, 2018. The interim rate reduction reflects the impact of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. For residential customers, natural gas rates will drop by approximately $0.0158 per CCF (per hundred cubic feet of gas). For a residential customer using approximately 100 CCF a month, natural gas rates will drop by approximately $1.58 a month. This will appear as a separate line item on the monthly natural gas bill as a credit. Ameren Missouri provides natural gas service to approximately 131,000 customers in 25 Missouri counties including Dent, Gasconade, and Phelps Counties

A one vehicle accident resulting in two injuries, happened Thursday afternoon at 12:30 on Route T, about three miles south of Newburg in Phelps County. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Dodge Dakota driven northbound by 30-year old Elizabeth Birdsong of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway. Birdsong overcorrected, and the Dakota returned to the roadway crossing the centerline, then traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Injured in the accident were two passengers: 12-year old Alexis Birdsong and 6-year old Hannah Birdsong. Both were transported by Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. According to the patrol report, everyone in the vehicle was wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dakota was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

Obituaries – Monday, December 31st, 2018

Funeral services for Delbert Kaley of Licking, age 87, will be today at 1:00 at the Fox Chapel in Licking. Visitation will be at 11:00 until service time.

Funeral services for Norman Lee Bergner of Salem, age 80, will be Wednesday morning at 11:00 at the Grace Community Church. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 4:00–7:00 PM. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials can be made to “Young at Heart” at Grace Community Church. All the arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Mortuary in Salem.

A Memorial service for Martin Maurice Harris of Salem, age 71, will be Wednesday evening at 6:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 until time of service.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later for Ava Medley of Salem, age 48. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Toys for Tots program. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Sports – Monday, December 31st, 2018

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers defeated the Koshkonong Lady Jays Thursday night in the Mountain Grove Holiday Tournament by the score of 58-50 to move into the semi-final match against Willow Springs Friday night. In the third matchup of these two SCA foes, the Lady Bears got the best of Salem, 81-72. The loss put Salem into the 3rd place game against Mansfield Saturday. Even though Mansfield outscored the Lady Tigers in three of the four quarters, a huge 2nd quarter for Salem where they scored 27 points proved to be the difference as the Lady Tigers held on for 71-69 win. Salem was led by Taylor Norris with 31 points against Mansfield followed by Bella Jadwin with 15 points and Autumn Manthey with 10. Salem is now 9-5 on the year and they will travel to Thayer next Monday for SCA Play.

In the Mountain Grove Tournament Taylor Norris was named to the All-Tournament team for her fine play. Congratulations Taylor!

The Missouri Basketball Tigers completed a perfect December, beating Morehead State by the score of 75-61 Saturday at Mizzou Arena for its sixth straight victory. Mark Smith led the Tigers (9-3) with 22 points, Jordan Geist scored 20 and Kevin Puryear added 12 points and eight rebounds. Missouri will be off until January 8th when they host Tennessee.

The Missouri Football Tigers will face Oklahoma State this afternoon in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl this afternoon starting at 12:30 on KSMO Radio. Missouri has an 8-4 record.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to lead the surging Pittsburgh Penguins past the St. Louis Blues by a 6-1 score on Saturday night. David Perron had the only Blues goal as they will host the New York Rangers tonight on KSMO at 5:30 or right after Missouri Football.

The Kansas City Chiefs finally clinched their third consecutive AFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, with a 35-3 trouncing of the Oakland Raiders Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw for 281 yards that gave the first-year starter 5,097 yards and 50 touchdown passes on the year, joining Peyton Manning as the only QBs to hit 5,000 and 50 in the same season. The Chiefs will have a first round bye in the playoffs.

Weather – Monday, December 31st, 2018

Today..Mostly cloudy and breezy with rain likely this morning and ending this afternoon, high of 47.
Tonight..Mostly cloudy, low of 27.
New Year’s Day..Mostly cloudy, high near 34.
Tuesday night..Mostly cloudy, low of 21.
Wednesday..Partly sunny, high around 33.

Sports – Friday, December 28th, 2018

The Salem Lady Tigers faced off against the Koshkonong Lady Jays on Thursday night in the second round of the Mountain Grove Tournament. A lethargic first half from Salem had the Lady Tigers on upset alert as Koshkonong took a 27-19 lead into halftime, but a 21-7 third quarter put Salem on top for good. The Lady Tigers would go on to win by a final score of 58-50 to advance to the semifinals against Willow Springs. Salem was lead in scoring by Taylor Norris with 17 points and Autumn Manthey contrinuted 10 points. The win improves Salem's record to 8-4 on the season. The Lady Tigers will face the Willow Springs Lady Bears for the third time this season in the semifinals on Friday at 6:00 PM. In the first match-up Willow Springs defeated Salem 77-69 in the championship game of the Norwood Tournament. Salem defeated Willow Springs 85-73 in a conference game two weeks later.

The Missouri Tigers will host Morehead State Saturday and you can listen to the game on KSMO starting at 12:30. Missouri is now at 8-3.

The St. Louis Blues hosted the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night at the Enterprise Center and came away with a 4-1 victory. The Blues host Pittsburgh Saturday starting at 6:30 with the pre-game show followed by the opening face-off at 7:00 on KSMO.

Weather – Friday, December 28th, 2018

Today….Mostly sunny, high near 40.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 21.
Saturday…Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.
Saturday night…Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Sunday…Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday night…chance of mixed rain and snow, mostly cloudy, with a low of 33.

Obituaries – Friday, December 28th, 2018

Memorial services for Shane Michael Mullins, age 26, of Salem will be held Saturday at 12:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be held from 11:00 until time of service.

Funeral services for Deloris M. Case, 79, of Edgar Springs, will be Saturday at 1:00 at the Fox Chapel in Licking. Visitation will be on Saturday starting at 11:00 until service time.

Funeral services for Doris Ann Green Wilkinson of Sullivan, formally of Davisville, age 74, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be 11:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Freeman Cemetery in Cherryville

Funeral services for Jewel Lavenia McCarter of Salem, age 94, will be held Sunday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be held from 1:00 Sunday until service time. Interment will be in the Jadwin Cemetery.

Funeral services for Delbert Kaley of Licking, age 87, will be Monday at 1:00 at the Fox Chapel in Licking. Visitation will be Monday at a 11:00 until service time.

Funeral services for Martin Morris Harris of Salem, age 71, will be Wednesday at 6:00 at  Wilson Mortuary of Salem. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 until time of service.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later for Ava Medley of Salem, age 48. Arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Funeral services for Norman Lee Bergner of Salem, age 80, will be Wednesday at 11:00 at the Grace Community Church. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 at Grace Community Church. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Young at Heart at Grace Community Church, Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Mortuary in Salem.

Local News – Friday, December 28th, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that his District received approximately three quarters of an inch of rainfall, plus some high winds so some of his crew was out checking roads for downed limbs and trees. Purcell reported that others of his crew were at the shed servicing dump trucks #123 and #125. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that brush was being cut on Dent County Roads 2200 and 2340, plus he had a crew patching chip and seal. He noted that he also had some of his crew checking roads for downed limbs and trees, plus maintenance was being done on dump truck #124. Both Larson and Purcell noted they have received complaints about conditions of some roads. They asked the public to be patient as they cannot grade muddy or frozen road beds and that certain stages of the year and weather restrict the performance of road work. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that the County received the Public Defenders’ office rental agreement for the office at 901 North Pine in Rolla. The agreement is for 2019 through 2025 with the monthly rent continuing at $3,000.00 for 2019 and 2020, but the rent would increase to $3150.00 per month for 2021 through 2025. The Counties of Crawford, Dent, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Texas make up Area #25 Public Defender’s Division and the rent is divided between the six counties. The Commissioners approved the agreement 3-0. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that her office continues to work on the 2019 budget and that bills were being approved. Curley also reminded everyone that newly elected office holders will be sworn in Monday, December 31st, at 4:00 in the upstairs courtroom. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Thursday morning at 12:27 in Phelps County on Highway 63 two and a half miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol Report a southbound 2013 Ford Escape, driven by 41 year-old Leanna MacLean of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The report stated that MacLean was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. She was ejected from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. MacLean was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County EMS. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for December 21st through the 23rd. Late Friday, the 21st, at approximately 11:51 pm a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. Investigation of the stop led to the arrest of an 18 year-old male of Salem for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Then on Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:00 an officer was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. Investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 27 year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $17.96. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday morning, the 23rd, at approximately 9:43 an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Water in reference to a disturbance. Investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 25 year-old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.

Congratulations go out to the three winners of the KSMO Radio Big Christmas Giveaway sponsored by Southtown Furniture, Echo Bluff State Park and Fairground Auto Plaza. The three winners this year were John and Linda Hobson, Tom and Candous Dooley family and Faye Law. Thanks to everyone who participated in this years contest and have a Happy New Year from KSMO and Your World Today.

According to information received from the City of Salem Administrative Offices as of Thursday, December 20th, Rachel Hinderlinter had filed for East Ward Aldermanic position and Harley Elwood-Conaway had filed for the West Ward position.

Weather – Thursday, December 27th, 2018

Today….Cloudy with a 90% chance for showers by noon, high near 60.
Tonight..Partly cloudy, low of 34.
Friday..Mostly sunny, high around 42.
Friday night..Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Saturday…Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.
Saturday night…Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Sunday…Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
Sunday night…Partly cloud, with a low of 27.

Sports – Thursday, December 27th, 2018

The 3rd seeded Salem Lady Basketball Tigers began the Mountain Grove Tournament Wednesday night against the 14th seeded Chadwick Lady Cardinals. Salem controlled from the outset and cruised to 79-28 victory. The Lady Tigers came out of the gates quickly with a 25-7 opening quarter. Salem put an end to any remaining doubt in the third quarter, outscoring Chadwick 27-5 to take a 71-24 lead into the fourth quarter. The win improves Salem’s record to 7-4 on the season and they will play the second round match against the Koshkonong Lady Jays at 7:30 tonight.