Archive for 2018

There is currently a petition drive to have a state funeral for the last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II that would honor all 16 million of those courageous men and women who fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Of that sixteen million, only 464 received the Medal of Honor, of which only four recipients remain alive today. They are Hershel “Woody” Williams, U.S. Marine Corp Corporal of West Virginia; Charles Coolidge, U.S. Army Technical Sergeant of Tennessee; Robert D. Maxwell, U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade of Oregon; and Francis S. Currey, U.S. Army Private First Class of New York. Back in September of 2017, a nationwide petition drive was launched to convince the President of the United States to designate a state funeral in Washington D.C. for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. In the history of the United States there has never been a state funeral held for an enlisted person, while the honoring ceremonies has been reserved for presidents, vice-presidents, generals and other high ranking officials. This single state funeral would provide special recognition for all Medal of Honor recipients, and serve as a final salute to the “greatest generation” of men and women who served during World War II. Petitions are located at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, American Legion Post #99, and various business locations around Salem, Dent County and surrounding counties. Signers of the petition must be a registered voter. If you have questions or concerns feel free to contact Richard LaBrash, State Chairman of the World War II Salute Initiative in Missouri, at (573) 729-1394 or people can go online at WorldWar2Salute.org to sign the petition.

An accident happened Sunday morning in Dent County on Highway 19 north about a half mile north of Highway 117. According to the highway patrol, a 2011 Ford Fusion driven by 21-year old Steven Baez of Salem, failed to negotiate a curve causing the Fusion to cross the centerline and travel off the left side of the roadway. The Fusion then struck a culvert pipe and began to overturn. A passenger in the Fusion, 23-year old Natasha Hudson, was ejected from the car and suffered serious injuries. She was flown by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Another passenger, 22-year old Lane Hudspeth suffered moderate injuries, was taken by the Steelville Ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Hudson was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Baez and Hudspeth were. Baez suffered no injuries but was arrested with a felony DWI that resulted in a serious injury, driving without having a valid driver’s license and failure to drive on the right side of the roadway resulting in a traffic crash. The Ford Fusion was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Whitakers’ Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Dent County Fire Protection District.

An accident happened in Dent County this Wednesday afternoon at 5:45 on Dent County Road 4410 on private property that left a 58-year old man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Volkswagon Jetta driven westbound by 58-year old Edward Deubler of Boss, went off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole. Deubler, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered serious injuries and was flow to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Jetta sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Wednesday evening at 6:15 in Dent County on Highway 119 about 12 miles southwest of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevy Tahoe driven northbound by 24-year old Tiffany Taylor of Salem, attempted to avoid a deer in the roadway when he went off the road and struck a fence and small tree. Taylor suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Taylor was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Tahoe sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Montauk Fire Department and Salem Ambulance at the scene.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be holding a Couple’s Art Party TONIGHT. Just in Time for Valentine’s Day! The cost of the program is $40 for couples who will get a chance to spend a little adult time, and $25 for singles and it will be held the Creative Arts Center behind the ONCRC on Highway 19 south. All the supplies are provided (such as easels, brushes, acrylic paints, aprons, etc.) and no talent or previous experience is required, just a happy spirit and a willingness to give it a try. You can make your reservations by calling 247-0279. Bring your own personal style and your favorite beverage and they will do the rest!

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. After approval of the consent agenda, Sewer and Water Superintendent Jack Emory presented bids for the removal of bio solids out of the reed beds. Godi Excavating was approved as the lowest bidder to do the job using his equipment at a cost of $5,200. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported on the Park Board meeting held prior to the Alderman meeting. Youth basketball was up 35% this year and a player code of conduct has been created for next year’s sporting season. The Park Board approved a healthy concessions policy that would have 60% healthy food choices in all concession stands. Healthy Dent County will purchase up to $10,000 in needed equipment to ensure fresh healthy foods, this includes refrigeration coolers, panini presses, blenders, etc. The youth soccer season will run April 7th through the 28th and all games will be played on Saturdays at Al Brown Fields. Signups are going on now thru February 23rd. A Summer Kick-off event will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at the City Park to celebrate the grand re-opening of the city pool and new splash pad. This free event will include food trucks, free admission to the pool, and a free movie night at the pool. A summer camp will be held at the park this year with all age group of children. The camp will have different themes throughout the summer. New signs at the park entrances, new pavilion signs and security cameras at the park will be implemented in the near future. The Park Board has committed $50,000 towards the construction of a new gymnasium as part of the NAP grant received by Healthy Dent County. Church League Co-ed slow pitch softball will be held on Mondays in April with signups going on now. The Alderman approved submitting an application to place a Freedom Rock at the park entrance. This will be a large rock, with a painting depicting a tribute to veterans. The Park Board recommended moving forward with the pool house renovation using Duggan Construction and Westport Pools. This project was to be done as a change order to the original pool contract with Westport Pools, but City Attorney Camm Seay needed additional documentation before he recommended the action to the board. This motion was postponed. City Administrator Ray Walden thanked citizens for attending the Drury Visioning project held Monday evening. The next session will be February 26th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The city will conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the new trash bins. The current ordinance states that bins must be placed at curbside no more than one day prior to pick up and must be removed one day after pickup. Bins are not allowed to be left curbside on a continual basis. The board approved hiring a recruiting service for a total of up to $7,500 to fill the Economic Development Director position. The next alderman meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20 and city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th because of the Presidents Day holiday. The aldermen approved Bills No. 3359, 3360, and 3361, ordinances required in order for the City to receive additional funds from the State Block Grant for work done at the Airport. The board approved a $50 fee to be added to the City Hall Rental agreement to allow renters to decorate the day before their scheduled event. Immediately following the adjournment before the board could go into closed session, a group of concerned citizens asked to speak to the Mayor regarding their high utility bills.

ATTENTION: All interested drivers for the DAV/VFW Veteran’s Van will need to attend the driver orientation that will be held Tuesday afternoon, February 13th from 5:00 to 6:00 at the American Legion Post. If you would like to become a driver, need more information on the driver orientation or have any questions, please contact Richard LaBrash at 729-1394.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday morning, January 26th at approximately 11:42, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of North Jackson in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown broke the back glass, valued at $250.00, out of a 1996 Ford Taurus that was parked in a garage. The report is under investigation. Later that day at approximately 12:56 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to the fraudulent use of a credit card. That investigation revealed a male suspect used a stolen credit card to make purchases valued at $53.09. The report is under investigation. Still later that evening at about 9:15, an officer located two suspects that had active arrest warrants from Texas County at a residence in the 700 block of West International. One suspect, a 38-year old male of Houston, Missouri was taken into custody on the warrant as well as possession of a controlled substance and for investigation of credit card fraud. The other suspect, a 39-year old female of Salem, was taken into custody on the active arrest warrant. Both suspects were incarcerated pending extradition and application for warrants. That same night at approximately 11:26, an officer located a 23-year old male of Salem in the 900 block of North Pershing who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.