Archive for 2019

The Missouri Department of Economic Development approved two organizations for a total of $1.1 million in grants and tax credits under the Workforce Training Initiative round one. The Workforce Training Initiative helps provide quality job training opportunities through non-profit organizations, local governments, community colleges, public technical colleges, and public universities. These programs will increase access to training to underserved areas and benefit 860 persons of low and moderate income. The initiative defines job training as a method of skill development derived from the practical application of work-related skills. This training prepares individuals for a specific job opportunity, particularly those within occupations that are experiencing growth. The Department of Economic Development worked closely with the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to select organizations to receive funding. The funds may be directed towards capital improvements, equipment, program supplies, and training materials. These projects will increase the number of students trained and improve the readiness of the students to enter their respective fields. One of the recipients was the City of Salem. Funding will be used by the City of Salem to construct a facility to house construction and technical trade programs for high school students and a manufacturing trade program for post-secondary adult students. This facility will provide all students with classroom instruction and real work experience. According to Salem City Administrator Ray Walden, this grant provides the community an opportunity to expand the Construction Trades and Computer Science programs. The City of Salem and the Salem R-80 District along with other stakeholders are committed to educational opportunities for both current students and adults. It’s the city’s expectation the investment this represents will benefit our community and the State for years to come. The other recipient is Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

On Friday, December 20th the Dent County Republican Committee received official notification that the Dent County Assessor, Tina Whitaker, will be retiring on December 31st, 2019. The Dent County Republican Committee will be holding a special meeting at the Dent County Court House this Friday evening, December 27th at 6:00, to interview anyone interested in being recommended to fill the Dent County Assessor position. Those interested also need to let the Dent County Commissioners know of their interest in the position. If you would like to attend this meeting to be interviewed for this recommendation, please call the Dent County Republican Chairman, Mike Homeyer, at 314-609-0117 to make your appointment to speak. The Governor will make the appointment to fulfill the assessor’s term.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday evening at 8:33 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about ten miles south of St. James. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2012 Mazda 3 driven by 25-year old Samantha Ambrocia of St. Charles was driving southbound and struck a deer in the roadway. Ambrocia was transported by St. James ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Mazda sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. According to the report, the driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Tuesday, December 3rd at about 11:45 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to the Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 East in reference to the theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed a male driver of a white Toyota SUV pumped fuel valued at $24.56 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. On the Friday night, the 13th of December at about 8:32, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Iron Street in reference to damage to private property. That investigation revealed a 25-year-old male of Salem had damaged property valued at $200.00 inside the residence after an argument that resulted in a fit of rage. A further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Saturday, the 14th of December at about 4:37 in the afternoon, an officer transported a 29-year-old male of Newburg from the Phelps County jail to the Dent County jail due to an active arrest warrant from the city of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

Everyone from KSMO Radio and Your World Today wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Because of the holidays, there will not be a Your World Today published on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Our next edition will be Thursday. Thank you from our family to yours!

Christmas Eve will be last day the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army will have their bell ringers at Wal-Mart. The local unit has set a fundraising goal of $35,000 to help those with needs in the 2020 year. We thank all those who have already contributed and remind those who have not yet given, the money you contribute may be helping your neighbor or friends as the money stays right here in Dent County. New this year, in an effort to expand its reach to people who don’t carry cash, donors are able to use their Apple Pay or Google Pay. Users can tap their smartphones on a sticker and make a donation. People with older phones can scan the QR code for the same process. Red kettle bell ringers will continue to accept cash as well. Your local Salvation Army Service Unit of Dent County, doing the most good.

KSMO Radio, Fairground Auto Plaza in Rolla, Southtown Furniture, Your Community Health Center in Rolla and Echo Bluff State Park in Shannon County all participated in the KSMO Radio Big Family Christmas Giveaway which ended Friday night. This years winners include Harlow Canaday whose name was draw at the Salem Community Center@The Armory which was the signup location for Your Community Heath Center; Megan Caesar was the name that was selected at Echo Bluff State Park; Judy Harris was the name that was drawn at Southtown Furniture, and winning the Big Family Giveaway at Fairground Auto Plaza was Chris and Jessie Crocker. Also for the first time, KSMO Radio and Aaron’s in Salem teamed up to provide the Big Kid Christmas Giveaway and Logan Hall was the winner of that giveaway. Congratulations to all the winners and a big “thank you” to everyone who registered for the chance to win. KSMO and Your World Today also want to thank the sponsors this year for making it all possible for this promotion to be held.

An accident happened on Saturday afternoon in Crawford County on westbound Interstate 44 at the 210 mile marker that left a Rolla woman with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Dodge Ram towing a motor home driven westbound by 64-year old Glenda Goodin of Rolla, began braking and the Ram and the motor home both traveled off the north side of the roadway where the Dodge Ram became separated from the motor home and began to overturn. As the Ram was overturning, the motor home ran over the Ram. A passenger in the Dodge, 50-year old Carrie Noonan of Rolla, suffered serious injuries and was flown to Mercy Creve Coeur Hospital by the Arch Air Ambulance. Goodin suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the North Crawford County Ambulance District. Both ladies were wearing their seat restraints. The high way patrol was assisted by the Cuba Fire Department.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released the results from action taken in court in Dent County on December 18th in front of Judge Kelly Parker. Curley stated that Michael Rickey of Salem was in court on two probation cases: one for stealing and the other for the financial exploitation of the elderly. Rickey had previously completed a 120 day program under Revised State Statutes of Missouri Section 559.115. Rickey sought continued probation, but was denied and was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the case against Rachel Casey of Salem, she pled guilty to the distribution and possession of a controlled substance. Casey sought incarceration of five years under the state program described in RSMO 559.115, but was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections under the long-term care drug treatment program under state statute 217.362. Also heard in Dent County was the probation hearing of Gregory Brooks of Salem. Prosecutor Curley asked for the execution of a 10-year sentence while Brooks requested drug court. Judge Parker sentenced Brooks to serve 10 years in the Department of Corrections under state statute 217.362.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks motorists to make safety a priority this Christmas season. The 2019 Christmas holiday counting period begins at 6:00 Christmas Eve night and will end Christmas night at 11:59. If faced with a traffic emergency, become involved in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or observe a stranded motorist in need of assistance motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.