Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated he would have a crew cleaning out culverts in the Montauk and Bunker areas as those areas received about an inch of rain this past weekend. He indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6430 and the large culverts on the road would also be cleaned out. Purcell went on to report brush would be cut on county road 5130 and that he would be attending a South Central Community Action Agency meeting tonight. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said two graders are being fully serviced in the shop. He said brush would be cut on county road 3290 and a man would be stockpiling white gravel from the quarry. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday and they discussed Proposition D. If passed, it is expected the MoDOT would receive an additional 288 million dollars and 30% of that goes to counties and cities. Skiles said that would come to about 428,000 dollars for the city of Salem and Dent County. Skiles wanted to thank all those who attended the ground breaking ceremony last Thursday afternoon. He appreciated the turnout that included a number of community members and those from the jail committee who worked hard on the project to get it off the ground. Skiles went on to say that if anyone wants to attend the MRPC Annual Recognition Dinner, they need make their reservation by today by calling the MRPC at 265-2993. Tickets for the event will cost $25. A reception will be held prior to the dinner beginning at 5:30 at the Hermann Hill Wedding and Convention Center at 164 East Highway 100 in Hermann. Dinner will begin at 6:30 with a program and awards presentation to follow. There are no nominees from Dent County to be recognized this year. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting will continue until November 5th at the courthouse. Her office will be open Saturday, November 3rd from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. She said the last day to mail out a ballot would be Wednesday, October 31st. Curley said sample ballots are available in her office and she also has the fair ballot language explanations for the amendments and propositions for those who want them. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for October 2nd through the 5th. On Tuesday, the 2nd, at approximately 2:00 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of East Roosevelt in reference to an animal investigation. The investigation revealed that a 39-year old male of Salem had stabbed two pit bull dogs killing one and severely injuring the other. The investigation revealed that the two dogs were running at large at the time the male stabbed them. Further investigation led to the arrest of the male for animal abuse and resisting arrest. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. That evening at about 8:34, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Center in reference to an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of a 38-year-old male of Salem for disorderly conduct. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. On Wednesday morning, October 3rd at approximately 11:54, an officer was dispatched to Aranda’s restaurant in reference to a counterfeit bill. The investigation of the report revealed that someone had passed a counterfeit one-hundred-dollar bill. The report is under investigation. On Thursday, October 4th at 2:14 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 48-year-old female of Bunker for stealing merchandise valued at $17.52. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. A bit later that afternoon near 3:20, an officer was contacted in reference to smoking at school. That investigation revealed a 14-year-old male juvenile of Salem had used an electronic cigarette at school. The parent was notified and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that evening at approximately 6:47, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 67-year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $11.84. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, October 5th at about 8:58 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 55-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same morning close to 11:00, an officer transported a 30- year-old male of Salem from Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City to the Dent County Jail due to an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 2:39, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 48-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Captain James W. Remillard, commanding officer of Troop I, announced that on Thursday, October 11th, a coordinated effort in Phelps County led to several narcotics-related arrests. This effort is a result of a lengthy narcotics investigation conducted by the South-Central Drug Task Force. Arrest teams assisting in these arrests consisted of troopers, officers from the Rolla Police Department, and deputies from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. Bond set for the twenty individuals arrested ranged from $25,000 to $250,000. 34-year old Danielle M. Griffes and 31-year old Melissa L. Andrews, both of Rolla, Missouri were the only ones whose bonds were set at $250,000. The charges for which these individuals have been arrested are accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. The South-Central Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The task force specializes in narcotics-related investigations and is composed of narcotics officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

On Friday night at the SHS Homecoming, Kristen Golden was crowned the 2018 Salem Football Homecoming Queen by last year’s queen, Madi Shaw. The Homecoming Court consisted of freshman Evelyn Labastida, sophomore Ashton Mink, junior Addie Konkell and seniors Londyn Cook and Lexy Woolman.

An accident occurred Thursday at noon in Gasconade County on Route B about 11.5 miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Ford Taurus, driven by 23- year old Dethena Trusty of Rolla, failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility box. Trusty suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Trusty was wearing her seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing of St. James.

An accident happened in Franklin County Saturday morning at 8:48 on Interstate 44 in the westbound lanes at 244.4 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Ford Focus driven by 47-year old Todd Giesler of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and crossed the north outer road. The Ford front left corner then struck a ditch and the vehicle came to rest. Giesler suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Washington by the Union Ambulance District. The Ford Focus had minor damage and was towed by Vogelsang’s Towing. Giesler was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

This Wednesday morning from 11:00 until noon at the Salem Senior Center at 604 N. McGrath Lane, a workshop will be held on knowing the 10 signs of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This workshop will separate the myths from reality and address commonly-held fears about Alzheimer’s disease. This workshop will show you how to recognize the signs, learn the benefits of early detection and discover resources to help. This program is absolutely free and is being offered in collaboration with the central Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

This Friday, the Salem Memorial District Hospital will be giving away 25 free mammograms to uninsured women 40 years of age and older. The hospital is also giving away one free mammogram everyday through October 31st in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have never had a mammogram or haven’t had one in a long time, this is an outstanding opportunity for you to get one at no cost. There are still openings available and interested women need to call the hospital to sign up at 729-6626 and ask for Julie Malone. The availabilities will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Julie can also answer questions women may have about the new mammography services at the Salem Memorial District Hospital or in having your records transferred from another location.