Archive for 2018

This Saturday will be a festive day in Salem. Residents and guests are encouraged to check out the 13th Annual Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. It is a collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees along with wreathes and other Christmas arrangements, not to mention watching those miniature trains make their way through scenery and towns. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland at Night.” At the Salem Community Center @The Armory, there will be holiday gift wrapping done to help benefit the Salem High School Project Graduation. If you already have found gifts for your loved ones and don’t have time to wrap them or really just struggle mightily trying wrap, let them do it for you and they only ask for a donation toward Project Graduation. They will be there from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. They will also have coffee, hot chocolate, candy cane and baked goods available for purchase. Out at the American Legion Walker-Roney Post #99, the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will have a Kid’s Party for children from newborn up to 10-years of age. There will be a Coloring Center, gifts, crafts, cookies and juice, and parents can take pictures of their children with Santa, but bring your own camera as no photographer will be in attendance. Also on Saturday, Town & Country Bank will be hosting an Open House. Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance there plus they will have cookies and cocoa available. Stop by anytime between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon at the Highway 32-72 East location. And of course, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem annual Christmas Parade of Lights will start at 5:30 starting on Grand Avenue and making its way east down Franklin, then going north on McArthur and turning east at 4th Street before ending around the courthouse square. The theme this year is “The Wonder of Christmas Morning” with George Gruendel from Salem having been selected as this year’s Parade Marshall. As of Wednesday at noon, there were 43 entries in the parade. Make plans to attend all the events if you can, and enjoy getting into the season this Saturday in Salem!

A accident happened early Wednesday morning at 6:31 in Phelps County about a mile north of Rolla on Phelps Country Road 2030. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Chevrolet Impala being driven by 22-year old Samantha Vaughan of Rolla was traveling northbound when she fell asleep. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. The Chevrolet was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by C & C Towing. Vaughan received minor injuries and was taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment. The driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

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 November 30th, then turn in the receipts before 11:00 Monday morning, December 3rd for the drawing to be held that morning. Receipts for December 1st through 7th drawing are to be turned in by December 10th for the 11:00 AM drawing 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 Conservation (MDC) will host public open houses in December and take comments on options for a future, limited elk-hunting season in Missouri. MDC will hold the open houses in communities around its elk management zone in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. They will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and be held Monday, December 3rd at Van Buren High School Cafeteria, on Tuesday, December 4th at Ellington City Hall and Thursday, December 6th at Eminence High School Cafeteria. At the open houses, MDC staff will inform the public about how the Department is managing wild elk in and around its elk management zone in the Ozarks, including herd size and anticipated growth, herd health, and how MDC is working with area landowners. MDC staff will also seek public input for a limited, future elk hunting season, including season timing, season length, hunting methods, permit allocation, future landowner opportunities, and more. Staff will also be available to answer questions. To learn more about the elk population in Missouri from the Conservation Department, check out this site: nature.mdc.mo.gov/

The Salem Varsity Quiz Bowl team fell just short of capturing the Salem Invitational Tournament Saturday, November 17th as they took 2nd place, losing to Jeff City Helias Catholic Team “A” in the finals by the score of 280-210. Each team had gone undefeated into that final match. The Salem JV Quiz Bowl team also played well and came in 3rd in the tournament. Five Salem Quiz Bowl players took individual trophies in the tournament: Arley Gale took the 2nd Place Individual Varsity Medal, Katrina Parks took the 3rd Place Individual Varsity Medal and Martin Jones took the 7th Place Individual Varsity Medal. Nate Darby captured the 2nd Place individual JV Medal and Ashton Haffer was able to snare the 6th Place JV Individual Medal. Playing on the varsity team were Gale, Parks, Jones, Olivia Erway and Emma Schott; while the JV team was comprised of Darby, Haffer and Alyssa Stotler as the JV played a person short in the tournament. The Salem Quiz Bowl Teams are coached by Susan Sheeley and Will Hubbs.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On November 21st, deputies received a report of a burglary that had occurred near the 1200 block of Dent County Road 4090. During the course of the investigation, a dresser, tool box, bolt bin, and several other items were found to be stolen. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the AutoZone Parking lot. During the course of the traffic stop, items that field tested positive for methamphetamine were found inside the vehicle. As a result a 53-year-old Salem woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. The female was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information on the burglary, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday, November 9th at about 9:50 in the evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 34-year-old male of Springfield, Missouri for the possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Tuesday morning, November 13th at approximately 10:01, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to a stolen vehicle. That investigation revealed an unknown male stole a gray 2002 Ford Focus while the owner went in to pay for fuel. That afternoon at about 1:30, an officer located the stolen vehicle and the suspect at McDonald’s restaurant. The suspect, a 20-year-old male of Cuba, Missouri, was taken into custody and incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Also on Tuesday afternoon at about 2:56, November 13th, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report revealed that a 36 year-old female of Salem had stolen merchandise valued at $14.04 and left the store. The report is under investigation. That evening at about 6:03, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East First in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed that a 26 year-old female of Salem had assaulted a 37 year-old female and a 23 year-old female, both of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday, November 14th at about 1:30 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Park in reference to someone tampering with city utilities. That investigation revealed a 56-year-old male suspect had tampered with a utility base in order to obtain free electricity. The report is under investigation. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The US Small Business Administration is hosting a comprehensive workshop designed to help our community become Rural Strong on Wednesday, December 5th. This workshop will inform entrepreneurs, small business owners and stakeholders about all the federal services and programs that are available in the area through the SBA and the USDA’s Rural Development Agency. Government and community organizations are also welcome to come and learn about the programs as well as the lending products and resources powered by the SBA. Interested participants will also learn about new SBA rural loan fee reductions and other SBA incentives. This workshop will be held from 10:00 in the morning until noon at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Pre-registration is requested, but not required. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. For more information, contact Angela Wells at 314-539-6613 or Thomas Daiber at 314-539-6612.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 2,556 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2018 deer hunting season, November 23rd through the 25th. Of the 2,556 deer harvested, 1,140 were antlered bucks, 336 were button bucks, and 1,080 were does. In Dent County, 24 deer were harvested made up of 10 antlered bucks, 4 button bucks and 10 does. Last year’s harvest total for the late youth portion was 3,115. Archery deer hunting continues through January 15th, 2019. The alternative methods portion will run December 22nd through January 1st, 2019.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, both Commissioners Gary Larson and Dennis Purcell stated that with the high winds Sunday, crews would be out checking for downed limbs and trees. Purcell said he received a call about a tree down on Friday on Dent County Road 4110 and the county crew took care of that. He also said some trees were down on Highway 19 South. Both commissioners also said the crews would be checking for areas of black ice that could make travel dangerous and treating them. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners needed to approve renewing the county health insurance program. The county would still offer three options to workers. The standard option has a $3,500 deductible with two other employee options that have a $2,500 deductible and a $1,500 deductible where the employee could contribute to the policy. The cost of the insurance this year actually went down a few dollars as the county insurance rating improved to an “A” rating. The commission also approved renewing their policy of covering the remaining $2,000 of the deductible after the first $1,500 is paid by the employee. Skiles talked about the MAC Conference and said it went well. He said Governor Mike Parson spoke at the conference. Skiles went on to say that he and Commissioner Larson would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting and full council meeting today at the MRPC offices in Rolla. The commission reviewed and approved a resolution on the lawsuit they joined about the opiod epidemic and that the unlawful distribution of prescription controlled substances has created a public nuisance and a serious public health and safety crisis for Dent County citizens. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley revisited with the commission the fees to be charged for permits for the ATV and UTV. Back in September, the commissioners voted to go with having people purchase an annual permit for $10 for any person who wanted to ride the county roads in Dent County with an ATV or UTV. After a long discussion and checking with the surrounding counties for the fees they charge, the commissioners agreed to continue to offer an annual permit for a fee of $10 or give the people the option of getting a permanent permit for a particular ATV or UTV for $20. At the last meting, Nick Smith and Dwight Ransburg with Septagone Construction Management gave an update on the new jail. They went over the budget report which showed the budget at $12,893,956. Totals payments to date are $1,137,249.68. Septagone also recommended going with Palmerton and Parrish to perform quality control testing. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Monday night, November 19th at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported there were 46 clients who received outpatient lab services in October. She said that flu shots are still available at the Health Center on a walk-in basis and they will bill most insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare. Mobray stated Joan Raulston will be attending a Prevention Conference with other Prevention Coalition members on November 28th & 29th. Kendra reported the PDMP ordinance and user agreements were signed by Dent County Commissioners and mailed to St Louis County Department of Health on October 25th. The implementation process is expected to begin soon. Mobray also said she and Jennifer Roderman will be attending a Public Information and All Hazards Event SEMA training on November 28th & 29th. The board approved the closing of the Health Center on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After a long discussion about staffing and client load, the board approved opening a 3/5ths clerical position. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Health Center staff Christmas Dinner will be postponed until January. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees meeting date was set for Monday, December 17th at 5:00.

According to a report released from the highway patrol, an accident happened Monday morning at 7:35 in Phelps County on Route E, just north of Route Y. The accident occurred as a 2006 Ford Freestar, owned and operated by 35-year old Gina Schafer of Rolla, was southbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence. A passenger in the vehicle, seven-year old Gracie Schafer of Rolla, received minor injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by private vehicle for treatment. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will launch its second series of Meramec Morning gatherings at 10:00 in the morning on November 28th at the Edgar Springs City Hall, located at 555 Broadway St. in Edgar Springs. This round of county-level gatherings will be entitled “Grants 101: Strategies for Success.” Local elected officials, community leaders, non-profits and interested citizens are invited to attend to learn the basics of grant preparation and to discuss specific projects local leaders may be pursuing. Last year, MRPC hosted Meramec Morning meetings in all eight counties and gathered a list of needs in each county. That information was helpful in updating the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which is on track for completion by December 31st, 2018. MRPC will be hosting a Meramec Morning in every Meramec county, starting in November and running through July 2019. The Dent County meeting will be held February 27th in Salem. For more information on Meramec Mornings, Assistant Director Tammy Snodgrass at 573-265-2993 or via email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.