Archive for 2019

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On November 7th, the sheriff’s department received a report of a 56-year-old Salem man who had violated an ex-parte order of protection. Deputies traveled to a residence in the 1300 block of Iron Mountain Road and conducted an investigation. Shortly after, deputies then traveled to a residence in the 1000 block of Route P and arrested the Salem man for the violation of an order of protection. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was issued a summons and released. Later that same day, the sheriff’s department received a report of property damage which had occurred at a residence near the 500 block of County Road 4245. A deputy traveled to the area and during the course of the incident, discovered that a yard and driveway had been damaged by a vehicle. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, November 8th, a deputy traveled to the Missouri Private Probation Services Office on West 4th Street in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was incarcerated. On Sunday, November 11th, sheriff’s department received a report of a domestic disturbance which was occurring at a residence in the 500 block of County Road 5090. A deputy traveled to the residence and during the course of the incident, a 27-year-old Salem woman was arrested for domestic assault in the 4th degree. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have information regarding the property damage or any other ongoing case, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday evening around 5:30 on Highway 32 about two miles west of Salem. According to the report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer, being driven by 55-year old Shelia Welch of Salem, was westbound when she lost control on the ice covered roadway and ran off the right side of the roadway, overturned and struck a fence. Welch was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s office and Dent County Fire Department.

A fatality accident occurred Saturday evening at 7:15 in Vernon County on Highway 54 about two miles west of El Dorado Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, being driven by 45-year Travis Bryson of El Dorado Springs, formerly of Salem, was traveling east on Highway 54 when he struck a deer in the roadway. The vehicle then traveled off the road and struck a tree. Bryson was taken to the Cedar County Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:55 by Dr. Robert Hockman. The Suburban was totaled and removed from the scene by TCB Towing of Nevada.

An accident happened Monday night at 7:27 in Dent County on Highway 32 about six miles east of Salem that left three teenagers with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 17-year old Jordan Sanders of Salem was driving a 2005 GMC Yukon eastbound when he lost control of the Yukon on ice. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned and struck a utility pole. Sanders suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Children’s Hospital.Two other juvenile passengers: a 14-year old male and a 15-year old male, each suffered minor injuries. The 14-year old was released at the scene to his parents and the 15-year old was released at the scene. According to the report, no one in the vehicle was wearing a seat restraint. The Yukon was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Department.

SONIC® Drive-In concluded its annual Limeades for Learning Fall Voting campaign in support of public school teachers last month, and Salem teachers received funding to support their innovative and creative learning projects. In partnership with nonprofit DonorsChoose.org and with the help of SONIC fans, 12 teachers in Salem received a combined $9,720 for necessary supplies to inspire learning in their classrooms. The Fall Voting Campaign is a special time to celebrate exceptional public school teachers who make a difference in communities across the country, including those in Salem. Between Monday, September 30th, and Sunday, October 27th, SONIC patrons voted for projects they found the most inspiring at LimeadesforLearning.com, ranging from pencils and paper to tablets and robotics kits. In Salem, the following 12 exceptional teachers at two schools were among the public school teachers whose projects earned funding for much-needed teaching resources as part of the annual Fall Voting campaign. Those teachers were Carri Pace at Oak Hill Elementary School, plus Salem Upper Elementary Teachers Amanda Hanger, Chelsey Brakefield, Jennifer Rensch, Kristen Stites, Kristina Barton, Krystal Sims, Lisa Jones, Sarah Piatt, Shannon Phelps, Theresa Pitchford and Tony Edwards. To view the full list of public school teacher projects funded through Limeades for Learning, including those in Salem, visit LimeadesforLearning.com. Since 2009, SONIC has donated $14,538,410, supported more than 17,570 classrooms, and provided necessary learning materials and teaching resources requested by teachers to impact more than 3,745,464 students in partnership with DonorsChoose.org.

The Salem Area Arts Council is hosting a stained-glass workshop this Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center
behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) and just south of the Farmers’ Market. Led by artist and art teacher Amber Pryor, all materials are provided to make a small project to take home. This is a great opportunity for older family members or co-workers to have some bonding time and create a memorable piece of art to commemorate their time together. There is a maximum enrollment of EIGHT, so register early. The cost is $25 and reservations can be made by stopping in at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (729-0029) and paying your fee to hold your spot or by calling 247-0279 to make other arrangements. This workshop is NOT appropriate for young children or women who are pregnant. The ONCRCCenter is located at 202 South Main in Salem nest to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

An accident happened in Phelps County on Route M about two miles west of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Nissan Juke driven northbound by 17-year old Andrew Edwards of Edgar Springs, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence and utility, then came to rest in a ditch. Edwards was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Nissan sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released reports for cases heard before Judge Megan Seay on Thursday, November 7th. Curley reports that on May 8th of this year, Travis Russell of Jefferson City was arrested and charged by Curley with felony possession of a controlled substance in the 1st degree. At the time of his arrest, $6,730 was seized in connection with the arrest as law enforcement believed the money was obtained by the sale of methamphetamine. Prosecutor Curley filed a petition to forfeit the money to the treasurer of Dent County under Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act. Judge Seay ruled in favor of the state and ordered the money forfeited to the Dent County General Revenue Fund. Also on Thursday, Zakary Eplin of St. Louis had his probation revoked for two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and a felony charge of the unlawful use of weapon while in possession of controlled substances. Eplin was sentenced to 120 days shock incarceration in prison as a condition of his probation. Also on Thursday, Judge Seay revoked the probation of Michael Stagner of Salem who was convicted on a felony possession charge of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the state. Another case on Thursday heard by Judge Seay resulted in the revocation of the probation of Bethany Dawn Knight of Washington, Missouri. She had been convicted on two felony charges for the possession of a controlled substance. She was sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for the period of October 31st through November 5th. On Thursday, October 31st, at approximately 4:30 in the afternoon an officer was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation led to the arrest of a 30 year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Tuesday afternoon, November 5th, at approximately 4:00 an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to some property damage. Investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged windows and a downspout on the Revival Tabernacle Church located on West Franklin Street. That report is under investigation. Later that same evening at approximately 7:00 an officer located a 38 year-old female of Salem in the 700 block of East Tenth 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. A short while later at approximately 8:27, that same evening, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a burglary. Investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown entered a residence in the 700 block of South Carty and took items valued $30.00. That report is under investigation. Contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that deer are more active and create hazards for Missouri motorists this time of year. Drivers are reminded that an attempt to avoid striking a deer could result in a more serious crash involving oncoming traffic. Try to remain calm. Panicking and overreacting usually lead to more serious traffic crashes. As soon as you see a deer, the best course of action is to reduce your speed. Other drivers may be doing the same, so be sure to pay attention to traffic patterns. The majority of deer strike crashes occur in October and November each year, with the largest number taking place in November. Although deer strikes can occur at any time, most occur between the hours of 5:00 and 6:59 in the morning, and then again from 6:00 through to 8:59 at night. Last year, drivers in Missouri experienced 4,090 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. One deer strike occurred every 2.1 hours in the state. In these crashes, there were six fatalities and 415 people were injured. When you see a deer, slow down and proceed with caution. Deer often travel in groups–stay on guard after a close call or when you see a single deer. Drivers are urged to remain alert. If you strike a deer, call 9-1-1 or *55 on a cell phone and report it.