Archive for 2018

The 13th annual Trees and Trains exhibit is open at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center with this year’s theme: Winter Wonderland at Night. See the beautifully decorated trees along with gorgeous wreaths and other Christmas arrangements, not to mention watching the toy trains, the apple of every young boy’s eye. The exhibit will be open every Monday through Saturday in December through Monday, Christmas Eve on December 24th. The hours at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Highway 19 in Salem are from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. The Trees and Trains exhibit will be open late tonight until 8:00 for everyone to come and hear the Salem Chamber Choir under the direction of Elaine Russell. They will begin singing at 6:30. The exhibit will be open on Christmas Eve from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Santa will also be appearing in his North Pole Workshop from 12:00 until 5:00 on Saturdays beginning this Saturday, December 8th, as well as on the 15th, and 22nd. For more information, call (573) 729-0029.

A two vehicle accident occurred Wednesday morning in Dent County on Highway 32 about four miles west of Salem at 11:00. According to the report released by the Highway Patrol, the accident happened as a 2002 Toyota Tundra, being driven eastbound by 76-year old Fredrick Donaway, of Cabool, slowed to avoid a deer in the roadway and was struck from behind by a 2008 Ford Focus being driven by 18-year old Elizabeth Becherer of Salem. Donaway was taken by private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Toyota received minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Ford Focus sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Fire House. After an approval of the consent agenda, the bills for the month of November were reviewed and approved, and the budget was reviewed. The budget showed a general revenue balance at the end of October of $78,711.54. Reimbursement checks were dispersed, with a total of $29,590.00 for the year. All other accounts balanced and are on track with previous years. In the calendar review, it was announced the Toy Drive handout will be on Wednesday, December 19th. The monthly reimbursement report was presented for November and it showed a total of 16 calls for the month. In November, there were five structure fire calls, two flue fires, one car fire, four first responder calls, two vehicle accident calls, and two training calls. There has been 254 calls year to date with the average cost per call being $116.50. Bids for the new heating system were opened and after some discussion, a motion was made and carried to accept the bid from Victor Heating and Cooling for $14,500.00 and will include four 110,000 BTU heaters for the bay. A total of four bids were received. In new business, Chief Brad Nash reported the fire hydrant at the station site has been moved and is now in operation. Secretary Dave Wells reported that there were three Board openings for the April elections and all are 6-year terms. The filing fee has now been changed to match the county filing for of $50.00 in accordance with state statutes. The first board filing date will be December 11th at the Dent County Fire Department. The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, January 8th at 6:00 at the Dent County Fire House. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Spring Creek Artisans Christmas Fest will be held on this Friday evening from 5:00 until 8:00, and Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon at the historic Bonebrake Center in Salem. You will find unique handcrafted Christmas gifts for everyone on your gift list. A wide variety of handmade items, from original paintings, wood carvings and turnings, pottery, baskets, fiber art, quilts, stained glass, wire wrapped jewelry, cards, metal sculpture, gourd art and Christmas items will be on sale. Come enjoy Christmas cookies, hot apple cider, and holiday music while shopping. Register to win the door prize a beautiful handcrafted wreath by Joanne and Russ Biros. They have several new artists creating beautiful and original work.

Come to Echo Bluff State Park to hear the Salem High School Chamber Choir as they help the park sing in the holiday season from 8:00 to 9:00 this Saturday, December 8th. Festivities begin with the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Betty Lea Lodge. Following the lighting, the Great Room will be filled with seasonal music as the choir performs classic Christmas carols. Finish out the evening in front of the fireplace with refreshments. This event is free and open to public. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Highway 19, approximately 25 miles south of Salem and approximately 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the event, call Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-1224.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Wednesday morning, November 28th at approximately 10:05, an officer was contacted in reference to someone charging material to the account of another at Roberts Judson lumber valued $1,000.00. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 33-year-old male and a 36-year-old male both of Salem for stealing. Further investigation led to additional charges for both suspects. The 33- year old suspect was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The 36-year old was also charged with the possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a firearm. The two suspects were incarcerated pending warrant applications. A bit later that morning at approximately 11:20 an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown entered the garage of a residence and took a Husqvarna chainsaw valued at $400.00. The report is under investigation. On Friday morning, November 29th at approximately 10:40, an officer was dispatched to Casey’s General store located on Missouri Highway 32 East in reference to a theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed a 61-year old male of Bunker pumped fuel valued at $45.46 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation.

Members of the Salem Chamber of Commerce are providing shoppers the opportunity to win up to $200. To enter, bring your receipts to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office and for each $100 spent at Chamber members businesses. Shoppers will be entered in the drawing one time. Only receipts from Salem Chamber Members will be entered and receipts must show business name, the date and the amount of the purchase. Shop now through December 7th and turn in your receipts before 11:00 on Monday, December 10th for the drawing to be held on that date. The third week of shopping will be from December 8th through 14th with receipt turn in by December 17th for the 11:00 AM drawing on that date. The final shopping period will be from December 15th through 21st. There will be an early drawing for the fourth week due to the holidays on December 21st at 11:00. For more information or to acquire a list of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Members contact the Chamber of Commerce office at (573) 729-6900.

The Missouri Department of Insurance is encouraging consumers who are eligible for Medicare to review their plan options and costs during this year’s open enrollment. The open enrollment period, which runs now through December 7th, presents Missourians with the opportunity to change their Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. To help consumers choose a plan that best meets their needs, the department offers free assistance to Missourians who are eligible for Medicare and their caregivers through the department’s CLAIM program. CLAIM can also help Missourians on a limited income determine whether they qualify for a Low-Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Programs to offset the cost of their prescription drugs. Missourians can ask questions by phone or arrange one-on-one counseling by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriclaim.org.

Healthy Dent County wants to have some fun on December 21st by holding a Community Wide National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Let them know if your business or group wants to participate so they can get a picture to capture the holiday cheer. Dress to impress in your holiday ‘worst.” Just call Healthy Dent County and let them know you want to participate in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at 729-8163 or e-mail taylor@salemcommunitycenter.org.

An accident happened in Dent County on Highway 32 about 14 miles east of Salem at 8:40 Tuesday morning. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Jeep Liberty driven westbound by 29-year old Samantha Kirkwood of Boss, started to slide and ran off the left side of the roadway where the Jeep struck a guard rail. Kirkwood suffered minor injuries and was taken by Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and the Jeep sustained moderate damages. It was removed from the by Whitaker’s Towing.

Attention Residents of the City of Salem! Starting today and for the next couple of weeks, the Salem Water Department is going to be flushing fire hydrants all over town. You may notice that your water may be a bit murky for a little while in the area where the hydrants are being flushed. The water is safe to consume and it will clear up once all the hydrants have been flushed.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART monies received in November. She said the county received $56,441.84 compared to $56, 976.93 in November of 2017. Year-to-date, the county is up in CART receipts by $4,031.55. City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance to present the commission a monthly report of her activities. She reported on business sites and visits, economic prospects, GRO Dent County, available properties and current listings and provided the county with graphs on taxable sales per business group comparisons, sales for the city, sale for Dent County and the unemployment situation in Dent County. Burbridge said she would provide a monthly report to the commission to keep them up to date on her activities. Donald Dodd from the IDA wanted to let the commission know the next meeting of the Industrial Development Authority would be December 12th at 6:00. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4080 and 5530. He said only grading would be done on county road 6040 and brush would be cut on county road 4210. Purcell also indicated shop maintenance was going to be done. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2540 while grading only would be done on county roads 3050 and 4280. He also said materials would be added to county roads 2520 and 2530 as part of the Department of Conservation agreement for those roads going into conservation areas. Larson went on to say patch grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3180 and 3220. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate all those who were a part of the Christmas Parade of Lights Saturday and for those who attended to watch. He said he has heard nothing but good reviews on the parade. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she is still working on the 2019 budget requests form office holders. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released several reports. On Tuesday, November 27th, deputies responded to the 5000 block of Highway YY in reference to a domestic assault. During the course of the investigation, a 61-year old Cedar Hill man was arrested for possession of marijuana. The male was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, issued summons and released. That same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 near American Muffler and Tire. During the course of the traffic stop, a 22-year old Desoto man was arrested for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less. The man was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, issued a summons and released. The next day, Wednesday, November 28th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of Highway 32 East. During the course of the traffic stop, an 18-year old Salem man was arrested for the possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, issued a summons and released. And finally on Saturday, December 1st, deputies conducted a traffic stop at US Foods parking lot. During the course of the traffic stop, an 18-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated, minor visibly intoxicated with a blood content more than 0.020%, and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. He was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, issued summons, and released. If anyone has any information about an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will conduct their December meeting tonight at the fire station beginning at 6:00 in the evening. After approval of the agenda, as well as the minutes from the November meeting, the Board will hear a financial report, review and approve bills, disburse reimbursement checks and review the budget. The Board will review the calendar for upcoming events and the monthly reimbursement report will be presented. Then the Board will address any old or new business and hear reports. The Board will also set the date for the January meeting to be held at the fire station beginning at 6:00 for January 8th, since the first Tuesday falls on New Years Day. The December meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.

Do you want to help make a Dent County child’s Christmas morning bright? You can Adopt-an-Angel from the Salvation Army’s Christmas tree located this year at Wal-Mart. This year a total of 280 children have been registered for this program. This is an increase from previous year’s totals and we need your help in “adopting” these angels. It is easy to help out. Just follow these steps: Select a tag representing a specific child from the Angel tree at Wal-Mart. Then shop for gifts based on the parent’s suggestions. You do not have to purchase everything, this is just a guideline. Once you are finished shopping, bring the unwrapped gifts to the Wal-Mart Service Desk along with the angel tag by Monday, December 17th. Your gifts will be distributed to your adopted “angel” on Wednesday, December 19th. For questions, please contact the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army at 729-8163.

The Salem Chamber Choir will be singing this Thursday night at the Trees and Trains Exhibit at the ONCRC at 202 South Main Street starting at 6:30. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge to enter.