Archive for 2019

The 4-H and FFA Expo is underway at The Commons on Highway 72 just north of Salem. Today will be a day filled with livestock judging starting early with the Hog Show at 7:00 in the morning followed by the Small Animal Show at 11:00. The afternoon judging will kick off at 1:00 with the Sheep and Goat Show followed by the Beef and Dairy Show at 2:30. During the evening there will be a movie shown and popcorn will be served. The Expo tops off Saturday for the 4-H and FFA Exhibitors starting with the Market Sale Luncheon at 12:00 noon and the Market Sale at 1:00. Don’t forget to check out all the exciting 4-H exhibits in the Youth Building where it is air conditioned! There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. Local vendors will be on hand to serve food and beverages for those attending the Expo. For additional information about the Expo contact the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that since Monday his district has received several inches of rain including 3 to 4 inches on Wednesday. He said there was a tree down on Dent County Road 2400 and his crew was removing it. Purcell also reported that his crews were out checking for washouts and limbs down. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that in his District there was also a tree down on Dent County Road 2400 and his crew was taking care of it. He noted that the Sligo and Boss areas were hit very hard. Larson said that Wednesda a man went to Springfield for a load of oil and they were repairing chip and seal. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind everyone of the deadline at midnight, Tuesday July 23rd, to comment on the proposed ban on shooting feral hogs on Federal and State land. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to oppose the ban without provisions being included that would allow landowners with adjoining property to take whatever measures are necessary to address the feral hog problem on their properties and adjoining Federal and State land. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley and the Dent County Commissioners set for the tax rate hearing for August 12th at 10:00 in the morning. Financing bids for the lease/purchase of two new graders were opened and the low bid of 2.695% for five years was submitted by US Bank and it was approved by the Commissioners. Tammy Snodgrass and Kathryn Hawes with Meramec Regional Planning Commission were in to offer financial assistance with clean up of roadside dump sites. They noted that MRPC has obtained a grant, plus is in the process of applying for others, to assist counties within the region with cleanup efforts. Joe Blackwell and Marvin Putman were in with specific problems on roadways by their properties. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Thursday morning at 10:15 in Phelps County on Highway 72 at County Road 4020. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2007 Dodge Caliber driven by 17-year old Cheyenne Howard of Rolla was traveling eastbound and was stopped to make a turn when she was struck from behind by a 2016 Nissan Rouge driven by 30-year old Laura Holtz of Salem. According to the report, Holtz was not wearing a safety device and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health in Rolla for the treatment of moderate injuries. Howard did not report any injuries. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident with the Nissan being removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing and the Dodge was removed by C & C Towing.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:56 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about three and a half miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford F-150 driven by 44-year old Charles Schulze of Rolla, was traveling south on Highway 63 when the vehicle began sliding on the wet pavement and traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Schulze was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

An accident happened in Crawford County Tuesday night at 8:10 on Route Z about five miles southwest of Berryman that took the life of a woman from Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, 52-year old Kristy Crawford of Steelville was driving a 1996 Dodge 1500 southbound when the Dodge crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a tree, then went airborne before striking another tree, ejecting Crawford from the Dodge. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:33 by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake. Crawford’s body was taken to the Hutson Funeral Home. The vehicle was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. Crawford was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On the morning of July 8th at about 11:08, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of South Jackson in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took two bicycles valued at $109.00 from the yard of the residence. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at about 2:10, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a 75-inch television set valued at $4,000.00 from a residence in the 600 block of South Sligo. The report is under investigation. On the evening of July 9th at about 6:02, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 50-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended and also on a fugitive warrant from Texas County. The man was issued a summons to appear in court and was incarcerated pending extradition. On July 11th at approximately 3:06 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of the driver, a 33-year-old man from Steelville for driving while having his license revoked and for possession of drug paraphernalia. A passenger in the vehicle, an 18-year-old man from Salem was arrested for the possession of methamphetamine and the possession of drug paraphernalia. The two suspects were released pending the application for criminal summonses. If you have information about any ongoing investigations, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

Time is running out for people to submit comments via email or through regular mail during the 60-day comment period to restrict the hunting of feral hogs in the Mark Twin National Forest. The comment period is now underway and all comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 23rd for consideration. For more information about the feral swine problem in the National Forest, and to view the proposed Forest Closure Order, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mtnf/feralswine. You can send your comments via email to SM.FS.MTFeralSwine@usda.gov or to the mailing address is at: Forest Supervisor; ATTN: Feral Swine Comment; Mark Twain National Forest; 401 Fairgrounds Road; Rolla, MO 65401. You can also call Jason Smith’s office in Rolla and let them know your feelings at 573-364-2455.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting tonight at 6:00. After approving the agenda, the board will from Superintendent John McCulloch who will announce the open house dates and times and give a facilities update. New business will include bids on milk, bread, food and supplies, fuel and pest control. The board will then set a tax rate hearing and set the date for the regular August board meeting. The board will also approve the 2019-2020 Professional Development plan and consider 2019-2020 budget revisions. The board will then adjourn and move into executive session. The regular meeting of the board of education is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri legislature and governor have taken actions to increase penalties for those caught poaching Missouri game animals and other native wildlife species. Missouri Governor Michael Parson signed HB260 into law July 11. Called the Poaching Bill, it significantly raises fines for those convicted of illegally taking Missouri game species and other native wildlife. HB260 was sponsored by Representative Jered Taylor (Republic) and Senator Mike Bernskoetter (Jefferson City). New fine amounts include $10,000-$15,000 for each elk or black bear killed illegally, $1,000-$5,000 for each whitetailed buck, $500-$1,000 for each wild turkey, and $500-$1,000 for each paddlefish.
The fines are considered restitution payments for poaching game animals and are ordered by a judge. Monies from the fines go to the state’s school moneys fund. The restitution payments are in addition to other fines and penalties for violating the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The new fines will go into effect Aug. 28. Supporters of the bill said that previous fines for poaching were too low in Missouri. The bill also gained support in part from five Missouri elk that were illegally killed by poachers in the past few years. None of the cases has yet been solved. According to MDC records, 547 wild turkeys, 58 paddlefish, and 4,731 deer were illegally taken, or poached, in 2017 and 2018. MDC is also investigating the poaching of five elk over the past several years. Black bear poaching incidents are a growing concern as well. MDC asks that anyone with information on poaching cases call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.