Archive for 2019

Plans are in place for another exciting 4-H and FFA Expo starting on Wednesday, July 17th and lasting through Saturday, July 20th at The Commons on Highway 72 just north of Salem. On Wednesday morning, the 4-H Exhibits will be judged starting at 10:00 and the Dessert Auction will be at 6:00 that evening. Then on Thursday, the livestock registration will begin at 9:30 with all livestock in place by 11:00 that morning. Livestock weigh-ins will begin at 12:30 Thursday afternoon. There will also be a Talent Show Thursday evening from 7:00 until 9:00. Friday will be jam packed 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. Saturday will be the climax for the 4-H and FFA Exhibitors starting with the Market Sale Luncheon at 12:00 noon and the Market Sale at 1:00. 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 or the Salem Agriculture Education Department at 739-2016.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is proposing increases to the prices of its annual trout permits and daily trout tags starting in 2020. According to MDC, the increases are needed to better cover its costs of running five trout hatcheries that raise and release more than 1.7 million trout each year for public fishing. If the price increases are implemented, the cost of an annual trout permit will go from $7 to $10 for anglers 16 years of age and older, and from $3.50 to $5 for anglers age 15 and younger. The cost of a daily trout tag to fish at Missouri’s four trout parks: Meramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park, and Roaring River State Park, will go from $3 to $4 for adults and from $2 to $3 for those 15-years of age and younger. The price change would begin February 29th, 2020. A trout permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where a daily trout fishing tag is required during the catch-and-keep season. In addition, a trout permit is required for winter fishing in trout parks during the catch-and-release season. To fish for trout, you must also have a fishing permit or qualify for an exemption. According to MDC, the annual cost of fish food and staff labor to raise a trout in 2003 was about $1 per fish. The annual cost in 2017 had jumped to nearly twice that amount. Those five fish hatcheries: Bennett Spring, Montauk, Shepherd of the Hills, Roaring River, and Maramec Spring Park, also require regular maintenance, and several have been damaged numerous times in recent years by spring flooding. MDC has spent more than $11 million over the past decade on repairs and improvements to the hatcheries. MDC also reports that utility costs for the five hatcheries have increased by more than 25% since 2008. The proposed price increases for annual trout permits and daily trout tags were given initial approval by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 23rd meeting. As part ofthe rulemaking process, the Department of Conservation is asking for public comments on the changes during July and early August. The only way to comment is to use this link: short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. Once you access the site, you can comment on proposed price increases for trout permits at “3 CSR 10-5.430 Trout Permit.” For daily trout tags, you will need to go to “3 CSR 10-5.250 Daily Hunting or Fishing Tags” to make your comments. The Commission will consider input received and make a final decision to move forward, modify, or withdraw the changes during its August 23rd meeting. If approved, the anticipated effective date of the changes would be Feb 29th, 2020.

A free pasture weed control workshop will be held Tuesday evening, July 16th from 6:30 until 8:30 at the Wurdack Research Center in Cook Station. Topics to be discussed at the workshop include pasture weed identification, general pasture weed control, an overview of common poisonous plants and the forage quality of pasture weeds. If anyone has questions about the workshop, they can call the Crawford County Extension at 573-775-2135. They can also register for the workshop by calling that number. Debi Kelly from the MU Extension in Jefferson County will facilitate of the workshop.

An accident happened at 11:35 Tuesday morning in Dent County on Highway 32 about 11 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Volvo Tractor driven eastbound by 44-year old Charles Turner of Smyrna, Tennessee, went off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Turner suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He was wearing his seat restraint. The Volvo was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Fire Protection District, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for the month of July. On Monday morning, July 1st at about 11:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Ray Lane in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown took a Mongoose BMX bicycle valued at $160.00 from the yard of a residence. The report is under investigation. Later that day at 4:36 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 22-year-old male of Salem for the possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was released pending the application for a criminal summons. On Wednesday, July 3rd near 4:12 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 21-year-old male of Salem for stealing merchandise. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Just a few minutes later at 4:25, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Warfel in reference to a female causing a disturbance. That investigation revealed a 27-year-old female of Salem was threatening to harm herself and others, then assaulted an officer. She was then arrested for assaulting an officer and was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. That same evening at about 10:33, an officer located a 44-year-old female of Salem near Walker Street and Highway 32 who had an active arrest warrant from Licking, Missouri. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a date to appear in court after posting bond. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Salem Community Garden will be hosting their “Meet us at the Garden” event this Saturday at starting at 10:00 behind the Salem United Methodist Church. The first half hour of the event will be your chance to ask a Master Gardener questions and get hands on gardening demonstrations. Then from 10:30 until noon, it will be garden volunteer work. If you would like to have your own plot, just call 729-3196 to sign up. The first plot is free and it is just $10 for each additional plot you want. If you have any questions about the event or getting a plot at the community garden, call 729-3196.

Another Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour will be held Friday night, July 12th from 8:30-9:30. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Those interested can meet at the Dent County Courthouse gazebo on the square, downtown. Jacob Stotler will be your host for the first ever downtown historic ghost tour in Salem! The tour will begin with a trek through downtown, listening to the tales of the past, and tales of those from the past coming back to visit. Learn the history of our buildings, enjoy the summer air, and experience great fellowship with other Salem residents. You will find out unusual facts about the Salem you never knew. Learn all of this and more on the downtown ghost tour! See you there!

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports for June 17th and 18th. On Monday, June 17th, deputies were requested to assist the Salem Police Department with a trespassing call in the 1200 block of South Gertrude. Deputies traveled to the residence and during the course of the investigation a traffic stop was conducted on West Mary Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old woman of Salem was arrested for driving while being intoxicated in a drugged condition. The female was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Then on Tuesday, June 18th, deputies traveled to the 3500 block of East Highway 32 for a report of a domestic disturbance occurring at the residence. During the course of the investigation, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for trafficking drugs in the 2nd degree, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia – methamphetamine. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Also on the 18th deputies traveled to the 300 block of Dent County Road 4245 for a report of a suspicious vehicle. During the course of the incident, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and was released. Finally on that date, deputies traveled to Dent County Road 2403 for a report of a vehicle parked in the roadway. During the course of the incident, a 49-year-old Salem man was arrested for a felony warrant through Phelps County. The man was later transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241 if you have any information concerning an investigation.