Archive for 2018

A salute to the Forestry Industry will be on Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd starting with the Forestry Industry Parade from Highway 32-72 and McArthur to the Dent County Courthouse at 11:00 in the morning. Timber Fun Days will follow at The Commons and the afternoon is loaded with events. From noon until 4:00 there will be contests in cross cut sawing, tomahawk match striking, guessing the age of a tree and the weight of a tie. There will also be knot tying contests, a stump maze walk, and others. At 12:30, little kids can search for toys in a haystack, then at 1:30, little tots can compete in a tractor pull, and at 3:00, kids will have a turtle race. Anyone can participate in the flint and steel fire start at 1:30, the two-person barrel race at 2:00 and the eight person equal weight tug of war at 4:00. In addition to these events there will be displays such as shingle splitting, rail splitting, railroad tie hacking, MDC band saw demonstration, use of a log loader, log identification, wood identification, a wood barrel display and a Cooper making a barrel on site. There will also be a tree felling event, old time fiddle musicians, and displays by land management organizations. Everyone is welcome to watch the parade Labor Day morning starting at 11:00 and attend the Timber Fun Days Festivities at The Commons.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging Missouri’s travelers to drive and boat responsibly during the 2018 Labor Day weekend. Whether you are driving or boating, safety must be at the forefront of your plans. In Missouri, 11 people died and 265 were injured in 941 traffic crashes over the 2017 Labor Day holiday. That means one person was killed or injured every 12.4 minutes. Of that total, troopers worked 313 traffic crashes, which included 130 injuries and eight of the fatalities over the 2017 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 142 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2018 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 in the evening this Friday, through 11:59 Monday night, September 3rd. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. Thus, all available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. The Labor Day holiday is a busy boating weekend. In 2016, there were 10 boating crashes which included zero fatalities and 10 injuries. There were no drownings over last year’s Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 12 people for boating while intoxicated during last year’s counting period. In an effort to increase safety on our state’s waters, all available officers will be working over the holiday weekend. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating a vessel. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency. These emergency numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is asking for help from the public in keeping the state-owned right of way clear of objects that could pose safety risks to motorists. That includes garage sale, political and other yard signs, as well as banners balloons and streamers. Missouri State Statute 227.220 and MoDOT policy prohibit installation or maintenance of non-approved items on state right-of-way. When possible, MoDOT tries to identify and contact a sign owner before removing a sign. Once a sign is removed, it is held for 30 days and can be retrieved from the local MoDOT maintenance facility. MoDOT thanks the public for their help with this important safety matter. For more information about this topic or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

The Rolla Police Department has CANCELLED the Endangered Person Advisory for a missing person incident that occurred at 10232 Natural Bridge Road in St Louis at 3:00 AM issued on August 9th. The missing person in the advisory was 36-year old Ryan Berry who checked out of the Quality Inn near Lambert Airport and hadn’t been heard from since. We are glad to report that Mr. Berry was found safe!

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On August 23rd, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 32 and Highway 19. After a short investigation, consent was given to search the vehicle and marijuana was located. The driver, a 43-year old Bunker man, was arrested. He was fingerprinted, issued summons, and released. Later that day, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Route K at Dent County Road 6490. Consent was given to search the vehicle and marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia were located. The driver, a 36-year old Salem man, was arrested. He was fingerprinted, issued summons, and released. On August 26th, deputies received a report of a wallet containing $4,000 cash had been stolen from a vehicle on Dent County Road 4110. After an investigation, a 40-year old Salem woman was arrested for felony stealing. She was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Captain James Remillard, the commanding officer of Troop I, has announced that during the Labor Day holiday weekend, Troop I will conduct two hazardous moving operations in the following counties: Phelps, Crawford, Maries, and Dent. Officers assigned to these operations will focus on areas where a high number of traffic crashes have occurred. Officers will be cognizant of impaired drivers and aggressive driving which will include excessive speed, following too close, and improper lane usage. Officers will also participate in the 20-Mile Trooper project which will include the Troop I counties of Crawford, Phelps, Pulaski, and Laclede. Officers will be assigned to Interstate 44 during this project and will be available to assist stranded motorists and respond to any reports of aggressive driving. Captain Remillard would like to remind motorists that they can report aggressive driving and traffic-related emergencies by dialing *55 on their cell phone. Remember, the only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens.

The American Volunteers will be hosting the Second Annual Ron’s “Race for a Reason” this Labor Day Weekend starting this Friday and lasting through Sunday, September 2nd at Flat Nasty Off-Road Park. The big attraction is a Cross Country Race Saturday morning starting at 10:00 that costs $25 to enter and offers a 100% payback. The purse is already at $3,000 and it’s growing. There will be a race for trucks and side by sides. A special event will happen at the conclusion of the race when the last living Medal of Honor Recipient living in Missouri, Donald “Doc” Ballard, will present the checks to the winners of the Cross Country Race. Food will be available each day. Spectators are welcome to attend as are those who wish to ride trails as open trail riding will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the grounds. As a special treat for the kids on Saturday, an artificial snow machine will create snow for everyone to enjoy. The 2nd Annual Ron’s “Race for a Reason” will benefit The American Volunteers, a community service group of veterans and supporters. For more information about this special family friendly Labor Day event, you can go online to theamericanvolunteers.us, check them out on Facebook, or call Flat Nasty at 729-6668 or 573-548-1112.

Do you have your tickets yet for the upcoming Salem Area Chamber of Commerce semi-pro rodeo, sanctioned by MRCA/URA and produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions? The rodeo will be held this Labor Day weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd beginning at 7:30 each night at The Commons on Highway 72 North. There will be a number of events held including team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding and bareback riding, saddle bronc, calf roping, calf scramble and boot toss! Saturday night will feature a special guest as that night, Medal of Honor Recipient Donald “Doc” Ballard will be in attendance as part of the “Red, White and Blue Night” to honor our veterans. Advanced tickets for the rodeo are available at both locations of the Bank of Salem, both locations of Town and Country Bank, Riverways Federal Credit Union, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Salem Chamber office at 200 S Main. Advance ticket prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11. At the event, you can show everyone your bull riding skills on a mechanical bull this year! All kinds of food and merchandise vendors will be present. For more information, contact Tabatha at the Chamber of Commerce at (573) 729-6900.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2470, 2480, 5600 and 6420. He also said crossover pipes will be installed on county roads 2400, 2460 and 6090. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Road 2330 while brush would be cut on county roads 4380 and 4330. He said material would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2130 while materials only would be added to county road 2130. Larson said crews are putting in a pipe on Dent County Road 2070 before additional concrete is going to be added to the low water crossing under construction. Larson said that road will be closed the rest of this week and probably will not be opened until after Labor Day once the concrete cures. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he met with the State Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency mapping coordinators on Thursday at the Salem Community Center@The Armory on the a draft of the new flood plain map for Dent County. Anyone with interested in the draft can find it on the SEMA and FEMA websites. If you can’t find it, get a hold of Commissioner Skiles and he will get you more information. The commissioners unanimously approved Dent County Resolution 8-27-18 regarding approving the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley stated the last day to register for the General Election in November will be October 10th. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART figures received this month and they came to $60,530.99 which is $545.38 less than August of 2017’s total. Year-to-date, the county is up $4,939.80 over last year’s CART receipts which comes to about a 1.087% increase. Nick Smith from Septagon Construction Management was in attendance and Steve Davis from Shive-Hattery Architects was on a conference call as the bids for the new jail project were awarded. Smith recommended the General Construction bid would go to Prost Builders from Jefferson City for $ $5,784,000, the Laundry Equipment bid went to Loomis Brothers Equipment Co for $32,305, the steel jail cells, DEC and SEC bid went to Noah Detention Construction LLC for $2,880,000; the Elevator bid was awarded to Kone, Inc. for $139,800, the Fire Sprinkler System bid was given to Ozark Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc. for $120,000 and Meyer Electric Co. Inc. was awarded the bid for Electrical work for $948,264. A financing letter from L.J. Hart will accompany the contracts as the county is still waiting on their audit from the state to determine the interest rate on their bonds for the project financing. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon at 12:55 in Phelps County on I-44 at mile marker 176. According to the Highway Patrol Report a westbound 2004 Ford Ranger, driven by 53 year-old Gina Aguilera of Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced an equipment malfunction. The Ford traveled off the right side of the roadway, then off the left side. The vehicle began to overturn, crossed the median, and finally came to rest in the passing lane of eastbound I-44. A passenger, 73 year-old Carolyn White of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County Ambulance. The report stated that both White and Aguilera were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing of Rolla.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. In the evening of Tuesday, August 14th at about 8:48, an officer was dispatched Caseys General Store on Highway 32 in reference to a male subject who appeared to be passed out on the sidewalk next to the building. That investigation led to the arrest of a 46-year old male subject from Rolla for an active arrest warrant. The suspect was incarcerated on the warrant. On Tuesday morning, August 15th, at 11:49, an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of South Grand Avenue in reference to a report of stealing. It was reported that a suspect had stolen several items of clothing as well as cosmetics along with a $100 bill. At this time the suspect has not been located and the report is still under investigation. At 9:13 that same evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis Street in reference to a report of a stolen vehicle. The victims’ son had left the vehicle at his residence at left for work. Upon returning he noticed that the vehicle was not there. The vehicle is described as a grey 1998 Nissan Sentra. The report is under investigation. A short time later at 10:19, officers responded to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis Street in reference to serving an arrest warrant. The investigation led to the arrest of a 24-year old male subject from Salem for an active warrant and the suspect was incarcerated for the warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.