Archive for 2018

An accident occurred Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 in Dent County on Highway 32 at Boss that took the life of a Salem woman. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2007 Pontiac G5, driven by 36 year-old Laurel Cottingham, was eastbound when the vehicle crossed the center line, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck the bridge abutment. The Pontiac then spun around and struck the other side of the bridge. Cottingham was pronounced deceased at 1:30 by Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells. The report stated that the victim was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports. On Tuesday, May 8th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Roosevelt Street near Highway HH. The driver, a 26-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving without a valid license. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released. On Wednesday, May 9th, deputies conducted a knock-and-talk investigation at a residence on County Road 2380. Consent to search was granted and a glass methamphetamine smoking device was located. The smoking devices field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also located was a pistol. As a result, a 50-year old Salem man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, May 10th, deputies responded to Private Lane 619 for a domestic disturbance. Consent to search a vehicle was granted and Ziploc bags of marijuana were located in the trunk. As a result, a 26-year old Salem man was arrested. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released. On Saturday, May 12th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 4110. The driver, a 29-year old Salem man, was arrested for while revoked. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released. Later that day deputies responded to a residence on Highway 68 for a domestic disturbance. After an investigation a 26-year old Salem man was arrested for felony domestic assault 3rd degree. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Monday, May 5th, deputies responded to the 20,000 block of Highway C for a burglary. It was reported that the lock to the gate had been cut and a window had been broken. At a nearby residence, a light fixture had been pulled out of a light post. This report is still under investigation. On Tuesday, May 15th, deputies attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant at a residence on Highway K. Consent to the search was granted and the 33-year old Salem man was located hiding in the attic. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, May 17th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on County Road 6210 near Highway Z. The driver, a 24-year old Salem woman, was arrested for driving while suspended. She was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. If you have information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 729-3241.

The American Legion Walker-Roney Post 99 in Salem will host a Memorial Day Service on Memorial Day Monday, beginning at 10 am at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Master of Ceremonies will be Chaplain Richard LaBrash. The Boy Scouts will decorate graves, the National Anthem will be led by Barbra Medlock and the Ladies Auxiliary. The Invocation will be by Chaplain Richard LaBrash and everyone will be welcomed by Commander Dennis Charland. Glenda Wofford will place a wreath, Katelyn Schwartz, Miss Salem 2018, will present We Remember, Sheri Stack will sing America the Beautiful and Bill Stack will be the guest speaker. Closing remarks will be by Commander
Charland. The ceremonies will end with a benediction, rifle salute and the playing of Taps. Lunch will be served at the post following the ceremonies.

Saturday the renovated Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool in the Salem City Park will re-open to the public at noon. The pool will be open from noon to 7:00 in the evening Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 to 6:00 on Sunday. The pool has been changed significantly even though the initial footprint of the pool has not been altered all that much. The pool now offers a zero depth entry with plenty of new features including a dual gator aqua slide, Felipe Frog Aqua Spout, Billy Box Turtle Aqua Spout, a Pools and Fall Play Center, three bubblers, two aqua arches and two jet ways. In the middle section of the pool, there is a new adjustable water basketball goal, a two flume water slide and a brand new feature that only the Salem pool has called an Aqua Zip’N. In the deep end is a one meter diving board and a 16-foot rock climbing wall. All new stainless steel gutters were installed on the pool with a “cool” to the touch grate. Those who are physically challenged will find two ADA lift chairs and a 40-foot walking assist entry into the pool from the zero-depth entry. Four huge “funbrellas” will provide some welcome shade to the area and new loungers have also been purchased to enjoy those who want to be in the sun. The pool house has been renovated and now has an ADA family changing room, a new roof with lighting, new entry way, has been repainted on the inside and out with a traction paint put on the floor. The concession stand will also have two serving windows for those in or out of the pool who would like to sample the new healthy menu that will be served this year.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Monday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. The bid for the Fourth of July fireworks in the amount of $16,000 from Premier Pyrotechnics, Richland, Missouri was approved. The amount is a budgeted item and Premier Pyrotechnics has done the fireworks display in previous years. The Board approved the appointment of Beth Atchison to the Park Board. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported that the lifeguards are currently in training. He noted that a pool walk through was done Monday and that a few items were identified to be corrected by the contractor. Lydon noted that he had received a donation of hotdogs and hamburgers from US Foods for Thursday’s opening of the baseball, softball and T-ball season. He also reported that Saturday would be the opening of the Alice Lou Craig Pool. Lydon was asked when the Splash Pad would be back in operation. He said that they were waiting on the City Crew to finish the concrete work around the Pad and that the pump had to be turned off to keep mud and dirt from getting into the pump. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that progress was being made on the economic development position and he should have a recommendation in the next few weeks. He requested a policy change to require plan review for commercial buildings before building permits are issued. During discussion it was noted that the policy should apply to new construction and structural changes of existing structures. City Attorney Camm Seay said that the policy change will require an ordinance and that currently the City is not meeting State Statutes. Walden also requested a review of the certificates of occupancy ordinances. He reported that the Salem Community Center @ The Armory assisted 5,276 people at their facility in the Month of April. City Attorney Seay reported that he had a discussion with Dan Vogel, whose firm principally works with municipal law, about updating the City’s Ordinances on Planning and Zoning and dangerous buildings. Seay requested that the Board of Alderman consider budgeting about $7,000 in each of the next three years to accomplish the update. Bill No. 3388, an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem, Missouri and the Dent County Commons for leasing of the Commons for the annual Fourth of July activities, was read and approved by the aldermen. Park Director Lydon’s request for purchase of liquid chlorine for the pool at a cost of $3,120 was approved. No action was taken on the Cemetery’s backhoe repairs. The repairs will be included in budgeting for capital improvements.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday, May 11th just after midnight, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 19-year old female of Salem for the possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. That afternoon at about 5:32, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of East Hunt in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 35-year old male and a 33-year old female, both of Rolla for disorderly conduct. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Saturday, May 12th at approximately 3:28 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Jackson in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. That investigation revealed that a license plate was missing from a green 1997 Isuzu. The report is under investigation. On Sunday, May 13th at 5:51 in the afternoon, an officer located a 35-year old male of Salem near Highway 32 and Beasley Street who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Monday, May 11th at 1:03 in the morning, an officer located a 30-year old female of Salem in the 1000 block of West Coffman who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 2:50, an officer located a 31-year old male of Salem near the Salem City Park who had two active arrest warrants from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrants. Early that evening at 6:45, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. The investigation of the report revealed that a license plate was missing from a silver 2017 Nissan. The report is under investigation. at about 9:08 that same evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Thomas Avenue in reference to a lost or stolen license plate. That investigation revealed a license plate was missing from a white 1989 Ford truck. The report is under investigation. Then at 10:56 that night, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 21-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $10.46. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. If you have information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

The Salem Community Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center at 6:30. Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279.