Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, the Commissioners noted that road work is still at a standstill due to the frozen road beds. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that his crew was replacing a wheel bearing on Truck #73 and servicing Grader #24 if shop space permits. He also noted that his crew was doing some shop maintenance and checking for slick spots on various county roads. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that his crew was working on Truck #65 and doing shop maintenance, as well as checking for any remaining road problems. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said on Wednesday he attended the CCAM Board meeting in Jefferson City to finalize preparation for workshops for the February conference. He said they also received a legislative update, plus he had a chance to visit with Representative Jeff Pogue and Senator Dan Brown. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that on Tuesday, phone bids for fuel were taken by the Road and Bridge Department. MFA was the low bidder for gasoline at $2.01 per gallon, while Phil Mart got the diesel bid for $2.17 per gallon. She noted that the tentative budget is now available for public viewing. Richard LaBrash, State Chairman of the World War II Salute Initiative, was in to announce the start of the initiative petition. The goal of the initiative is to have President Trump sign an executive order to honor the 16 million Americans that served in World War II. LaBrash said that four recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor are still alive and if the President declares that they are to be honored, they would receive a “State Funeral.” He noted that ten Missourians received the Medal of Honor and that none survive today. The Commissioners passed a resolution 3-0 in support of the initiative. Jill Hollowell with the Ozark Solid Waste Management District was in to discuss recycling possibilities. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A citizens’ response to an “active shooter” event training will be held at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The training is open to citizens, law enforcement officers and anyone concerned with community safety. The training will be presented by Joe Weber of Weber and Associates and will cover “active shooter” situations and ways to enhance citizens’ chances of survival when confronted by an active shooter. As “active shooter” events become more frequent, the need for preparation has become more critical. While law enforcement is trained to address “active shooter” events, they rarely take place in the presence of law enforcement. The lack of law enforcement present to protect and assist if an event happens makes it important to provide citizens with tools to protect themselves until law enforcement arrives. This type of training is referred to as CRASE, which stands for Citizens’ Response to “Active Shooter” Events. This class is a “community caretaking” effort provided by local law enforcement to enhance the safety of citizens. There is no charge for the class since it is hosted by local law enforcement as a service to the community. For more information feel free to contact Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman at 729-4242, Sheriff Bob Wells at 729-3241, or Joe Weber at 729-4429.

The Salem Police Department has released some shoplifting reports from Wal-Mart. On Thursday, January 6th at 2:54, an officer was dispatched the store. That investigation led to the arrest of a 56-year old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from the State of Missouri Probation and Parole and for stealing merchandise valued at $84.69. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for the theft and incarcerated pending extradition on the warrant. On Saturday, January 6th at approximately 2:14 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to the store for a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 33-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $70.90. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday, January 7th at approximately 6:39 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to the store. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 30-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $108.28. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Tuesday, January 9th at approximately 12:14 in the morning, Salem Police received another call from Wal-Mart. The investigation of the shoplifting report led to the arrest of a 40-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $71.48. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas introduced the new Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland to the board. The summary of operations for the month of December showed the hospital had a gain from operations of $111,289 and an excess of revenues over expenses of $168,269. The cash flow statement showed a gain in cash of $59,786 for the month with days in accounts receivable at 61. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 74 acute care admissions and 797 emergency room visits. Also during the month, there were 212 ambulance runs with 148 patients being transported to the hospital, 23 surgery cases, 1,435 outpatient registrations, 251 home health visits, 7,284 lab tests and 965 radiological procedures. Hines went over the Quality Improvement Project that focused on six departments selecting areas where improvement is needed including Acute Care Swingbed, Medical Records, EMS, Human Resources, Family Medicine and Environmental Services. Hines presented the Influenza update that showed in December there were 50 reported cases of the flu and so far in January, that number is 85 with most of the flu cases being Influenza A. The total through January last year was 29 cases. Lucas said the Hospital Foundation Board would be meeting February 14th and the hospital auxiliary meeting in January was postponed due to bad weather. They will meet on February 6th at noon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The board reviewed the patient satisfaction survey results for the emergency department and for SMDH Family Medicine. The results were extremely good for the emergency department and excellent for SMDH Family Medicine. In the Chief of Staff report, Courtesy Staff privileges were approved for Blake Little, MD. The board then approved the medical staff reappointments for active staff physicians and courtesy staff physicians in all departments. The election filings ended Tuesday and Ray Bruno is unopposed and will be sworn in at the April meeting. Lucas reported the hospital did not receive the NAP grant they applied for. The board set the finance committee meeting dates for February 19th, March 13th and April 10th at noon and then approved the Conflict of Interest policy. Lucas reported on some changes in Home Health required by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The advisory board has been eliminated and Lucas will be the Home Health Administrator. In his absence, Ashley Sullins will act as administrator. The board approved one budgeted purchase at the meeting: two EKG machines, one to replace the current unit and the other as additional machine for $27,268 from GE. The board then went into closed session.

The deadline to file for the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors position, the Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees position, and the City of Salem offices including East Ward Alderman, West Ward Alderman and Mayor was Tuesday. For the SMDH hospital board position, incumbent Ray Bruno was the only one to file and will be sworn in during the Board of Directors meeting in April, while Dennis Floyd was the only filee for the Dent County Health Center board position. He will also be sworn in at the April Board of Trustees meeting. For the City of Salem Mayoral position, incumbent Brad Nash has re-filed and he will be opposed by Daniel Joe Peterek and former Salem Mayor J.J. Tune. East Ward Alderwoman Kim Shelton was unopposed and incumbent Molly Coffman Zettel filed as well as former Salem Alderman, Kenny Nash. The election will be held on April 3rd.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular board meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the Board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch who will recognize Board Members, provide an update on the board of education candidate filings, update the board on Chromebook and technology, plus provide a budget update. The principals from all the schools will give their reports before the board accepts resignations. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of December. During the month, they wrote 2 equipment repair orders, 10 summons to appear in court, 4 warning tickets, and 10 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated eight accidents, one burglary, one report of domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while being intoxicated and/or drugged, two reports of driving while revoked or suspended, and five fugitive warrants. The department also investigated one missing person, one other agency supplement, two reports of possession of a controlled substance, two possessions of drug paraphernalia, six reports of property damage, and twelve reports of stealing. The police department received 853 calls for service during the month and handled 94 walk-ins to the station. They spent 14 hours in court testifying. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 7,766 miles and arrested 13 males and 11 females during the month of December.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Todd Kinerk who wanted to let the board know the Timber Fun Days would be returning this year to the Commons on Labor Day Monday, September 3rd. Prior to the fun days will be a parade on the normal parade route starting at 11:00 that morning from Franklin Street, down McArthur and then to the courthouse square on 4th Street. Kinerk said the event this year will be a Salem Chamber of Commerce event. The board approved the closing of the streets for the parade on Labor Day. Beverly Atchison was on the agenda to discuss trash collection but was unable to attend the meeting due to the weather. She may request to be on the agenda for the next meeting. After the consent agenda was approved by the board, City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to remind citizens that if the conditions warrant, the city could declare Snow Routes are in effect. The Salem Police can also make that determination if needed. If you live on those routes and the Snow Routes are declared, you will need to remove your vehicle from those streets or risk having the vehicle towed at your own expense. If you do not know where the snow routes are, you can pick up a copy at the City Administrative Offices. Walden said the City of Salem Park and Recreation Board would be holding a meeting Monday, September 22nd at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center. He wanted to remind the aldermen the next board meeting would be February 5th at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory at 7:00. Walden talked about a use tax for the city on purchases that are made outside the state of Missouri that are brought back to Salem to be used. The city does not have a use tax in effect at this time and it would only be attributed to those items. It is NOT an additional sales tax on Salem residents; it is a tax only on items from out of state purchases and would be 1.875% which is the local sales tax rate. The board approved placing the issue on the April ballot. City Clerk, Mary Happel, read bill #3358 that included the ballot language; the bill was approved by the aldermen. Before the meeting was adjourned, the board also approved the bill for the city audit from Kristen DeLuca Tax Services for $10,000 which is a budgeted item.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On January 9th, deputies received a report of a burglary at a residence on Dent County Road 3180. The victim told deputies that a chainsaw was stolen from the garage. After an investigation, the chainsaw was located at Cousin’s Pawn in Salem. The next day, deputies located the 20-year old Salem man that had pawned the chainsaw, and he admitted to stealing it. He was charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree and is in the Dent County Jail on a $7,000 cash only warrant. On January 10th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Highway 32 West. As a result, the driver of the vehicle, a 31-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released.

An accident happened in at the corner of Phelps County Roads 5030 and 5040 Saturday night at 10:28. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by 17-year old Josh Traxel of Rolla was stopped at the intersection when 18-year old Brandon Soto of Rolla jumped on to the hood and fell off the Ranger, striking the back of his head causing serious injuries. He was transported to the University Hospital in Columbia by the Phelps Air Ambulance. There was no damage to the Ranger.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, January 4th at approximately 2:12 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to the Salem High School in reference to students in possession of marijuana. The investigation of the report led to the detention of two female juvenile students who were in possession of marijuana. The juvenile suspects were released to their parents and the investigation will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Saturday, January 6th at 6:41 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Third in reference to minors consuming alcohol. That investigation led to the arrest of a 32-year old male of Salem for possession of marijuana and a 30-year old male of Salem for possession of a controlled substance. The 32-year old suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. The 30-year old suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Later on at 7:39 that same evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Forest Hill Drive in reference to a report of drugs being used. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 24-year old female and a 23-year old male, both of Salem, for possession of heroin. The two suspects were incarcerated pending the application for warrants. A few minutes later at approximately 7:44, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East Hawkins in reference to a suicidal female attempting to kill herself. That investigation led to a 96-hour commitment order being issued for mental evaluation. The 24-year old female of Salem was transported to a mental health facility in West Plains on the order. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.