Archive for 2018

On Monday, August 20th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office was requested to assist the Missouri State Highway Patrol with investigating an accident in the 8500 block of Highway 19 South. After a short investigation, it was determined that a 53-year old Salem man had attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head at a residence in the 9000 block of Highway 19 South, but was unsuccessful. He then left the residence in a vehicle and crashed a short distance away. He fled into a field before law enforcement’s arrival. A search was conducted and he was located in a patch of woods. He was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for medical treatment. This incident is still under investigation. If anyone has information about this case, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Police department reported that an accident occurred Friday, August 17th, at 3:41 in the afternoon. A 2012 Chevrolet Impala, driven by George Barnitz of Lake Spring, was stopped facing east on Highway 32 in the turn lane and was preparing to turn onto Highway 32. At that time, a 2006 Honda Civic was traveling west on Highway 32, driven by Heather McDaniel of Salem. Barnitz stated he saw the McDaniel vehicle but thought he had enough time to turn. McDaniel stated he saw the Impala turning in front of her and started breaking and turning left to avoid the accident. The front passenger side bumper of the Honda collided with the Impala in the rear passenger side panel. McDaniel received minor injuries in the accident. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were driven from the scene. Another accident was reported on Monday, August 20th at 8:09 in the morning on Highway 32. The accident occurred as a 2005 GMC bus, owned by Salem Residential Care and driven by Khristia Webb of Salem, was traveling westbound in the driving lane of Highway 32 while a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Johnathan Murr of Salem, was in the passing lane also traveling westbound. Murr stated he turned his signal on to change lanes into the driving lane and did not see a vehicle beside him when changing lanes. Webb stated she saw the Jeep changing into her lane and attempted to avoid the collision. The Jeep’s rear quarter panel collided with the front driver’s fender on the bus and the damage continued down the entire side of the vehicle. After the collision, the bus traveled off the right side of the roadway, went over a curb and came to rest off the roadway. No injuries were reported. The Jeep was driven from the scene with minor damage while the bus was towed by American Muffler and Towing with moderate damage.

The Salem Police Department released a number of reports. On Friday, August 10th at 12:29 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted in the lobby of the Salem Police Department for a report of and assault. The investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year old male subject for assaulting a 57-year old male. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same evening at 9:52, an officer was conducting a narcotics investigation at a residence in the 500 block of South Jackson Street. The investigation led to the arrest of a 40-year old female of Salem for the possession of marijuana and also for the possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. In the evening of Saturday, August 11th, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East First Street in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation led to the arrest of a 38-year old male from Salem for disorderly conduct. The suspect was combative and uncooperative with the booking process and was transported to the Dent County Sheriffs office for incarceration. At approximately midnight, the subject became cooperative and was processed, issued a summons to appear in court and was released. Later that night at 11:05, a vehicle was stopped for a license violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 48-year old male from Salem for an active arrest warrant. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Sheriffs office and incarcerated on the warrant. On Monday, August 13th, at 10:24 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to the city administrative offices parking lot in reference to an abandoned vehicle. The investigation led to the arrest of a 40-year old male from Cuba for receiving stolen property. The license plates on the vehicle were confirmed to be stolen from St. James. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same morning at 11:20, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of East Hunt Street for an unresponsive female not breathing. The victim was determined to be deceased and the coroner was contacted. The police investigation determined the death to be from natural causes. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred in Phelps County on Saturday in the morning that took the life of a teenager from St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 GMC Sierra driven southbound by 16-year old Tristen Russ of St. James, crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway, where the Sierra struck a fence and a tree. The Sierra overturned and caught fire. Russ was pronounced dead at the scene by the Phelps County Coroner Andy Davis. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the St James Fire Department and EMS.

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was attending a FEMA Flood Plain Map update meeting so Assistant Dent County Clerk Crystal Pilkington appointed District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell as Acting Presiding Commissioner. Kevin Parr with Midwest Public Risk, an insurance pool, was in to share information about the organization’s different insurance plans. In the road report, Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3110, 6080, 6083, 6370, 6410, and 5600. He noted that culvert repair would be done on Dent County Road 6400 and culvert installation would take place on county roads 6090 and 6040. Purcell reported that Monday evening he attended the Tourism Commission meeting where one proposal was submitted and approved, plus one reimbursement request was submitted. It was tabled awaiting additional information. On Tuesday, he attended the South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona. Purcell said funds were available for a variety of programs and information is available by contacting Sarah at (573) 729-3500. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4020, while grading only would be done on county road 2020. He reported that two men were cutting brush on Dent County Roads 5340, 5323, 2305, and 2340. Larson said that work continues on the low water crossing on county road 2070 and that the road would probably be closed most if not all of next week. Pilkington reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Propane bids were opened at 10:00 and Ferrell gas was the low bidder for 3,500 gallons at $1.395 per gallon. The next regular meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The American Volunteers will be hosting the Second Annual Ron’s “Race for a Reason” this Labor Day Weekend starting Friday, August 31st 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.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of July. During the month, they wrote four equipment repair orders, nine summons to appear in court, 16 warning tickets, and 15 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 11 accidents, two assaults, two burglaries, served four city warrants and three fugitive warrants, one report of disorderly conduct, one dog bite, one report of a domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, two reports of driving while being intoxicated, three reports of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, one endangering the welfare of a child and three reports of fraud. The department also investigated six reports of possession of a controlled substance and four reports of possession of drug paraphernalia. There were five investigations of property damage, two reports of resisting or interfering with an arrest, 18 reports of stealing, one trespassing and one 96 hour commitment. The police department received 1,359 calls for service during the month and handled 96 walk-ins to the station. They spent 10 hours in court testifying and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,274 miles and arrested 18 males and 11 females during the month of July.

With temperatures expected to be in the 90’s this weekend and into next week, City of Salem Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon is reminding everyone the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool at the Salem City park will remain open through Saturday, September 1st. The pool will be open 4:00-7:00 weekdays, noon until 7:00 PM on Saturdays and from 1:00 until 6:00 this Sunday. For questions, call 729-6228.