Archive for 2019

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released a number of reports for April 24th through the 29th. On Wednesday, April 24th, deputies traveled to the 10000 block of South Highway 19 for a report of a disturbance. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a 48-year-old Salem man had attempted to hit another Salem man with his vehicle. A short time later, the 48-year-old Salem man arrived at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office to speak with deputies. The man was arrested for assault in the 4th degree. He was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. The next day a 59-year-old St. Louis man entered the Dent County Sheriff’s Office to report a theft. After speaking with the man, deputies discovered that multiple items were stolen from a campsite on Dent County Road 2533. Reported stolen were a Coleman two burner stove, a Coleman lamp, a blue tooth speaker, and several other camping items. This report is still under investigation. On Friday afternoon, April 26th, at about 5:11, deputies traveled to the 1500 block of Route JJ to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 52-year-old Salem man was arrested for warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond and was released. On Monday, April 29th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 5150 and Route B. During the course of the traffic stop, a 28-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked. Also arrested was a 27-year-old Salem man for possession of an illegal weapon. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army would like to send youth and families to camp this summer. This free camp, located in Bourbon, Missouri is made possible by local donations. Camp Mihaska has been a Christian retreat and sanctuary for more than 60 years, serving thousands of youth, families, churches, organizations and individuals seeking personal growth and spiritual development. Owned and operated by The Salvation Army, Camp Mihaska provides a safe, fun and memorable experience for those seeking adventure. The activities at camp are endless. When you’re not hiking in the woods along endless miles of trails, exploring the caves or fishing and paddle boating in the magnificent lakes, you can soak up the sun at their pool with water sprays, a lap pool, vortex, and an in-pool bubble tub. Basketball, volleyball, tennis and miniature golf are available day or night, as well as outdoor paintball games. A number of camps are available including a Sports Camp, Kid’s Camp, a “Tween” Camp, a “Teen” camp and aa Family Camp held July 22nd through the 26th for parents with small children 16 years of age and under that will allow parents & children to spend time together without the interruptions normally found at home while camping. Come and allow the staff at Camp Mahaska to pamper, challenge and minister to you on a fun-filled, educational and inspirational outdoor retreat you won’t forget. The deadline for camp applications is this Friday, May 10th. For camp applications and additional information, please call your local Dent County Salvation Army Service Unit at 729-8163.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board will hold a special meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory Thursday night starting at 7:00. After the roll call, a department update will be given concerning the summer programs and duties. The board will then go into closed session to discuss real estate. The regular session of the meeting is open to the public.

Congratulations to LeighAnn Pope for having her batik “African Beauty” selected by Principal Marty Anderson for the Principal’s Choice Award! LeighAnn’s artwork will be on display in the case in the main lobby of the school for a year, and then it will join the Principal’s Choice “wall of fame” down the English hallway permanently!

The Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda, Kim Steelman was made President of the Board of Alderman. Planning and Zoning Chairman, Gary Brown reported on the Public Hearing and meeting that was held prior to the board meeting. The Planning and Zoning Committee recommended and the Aldermen approved the plat request from Scenic Rivers Plaza Subdivision Ridge Properties. Park and Recreation Director, Tye Lydon reported on the recent Park Board meeting. There are over 400 children signed up for the summer ball program. The pool is ready to go and will open on May 25th. An opening ceremony will be held on May 23rd.The Summer Kids program will be held June 3rd thru July 19th and will include a summer food service program that offers free lunch to all children ages 18 and under. The board thanked Tye for his three years of service and wished him well in his future position. City Administrator Ray Walden reminded the citizens of the spring clean up weeks that are going on this week and next week with pick up on your regular trash day. He also congratulated all Salem High School Seniors and wished them the best after graduation. Walden said temporary park program personnel will be named later this week to help fill in until a new director has been hired. The next Economic Development Planning session will be held on May 30th at 5:30 pm at the Fire Station. City Attorney Camm Seay recommended current Public Works Director Mark Nash to serve as the new Nuisance Officer. Nash will hold weekly public hearings to allow due process when nuisance’s notices are received. Additional information has been received from Black’s A-1 Septic LLC regarding the dumping of port-a-pottie waste in the WasteWater Treatment facility. More information will be included in an upcoming meeting. The board approved Bill No. 3413 an ordinance allowing the mayor to execute a lease with Wave Internet to place an internet access point on the city’s water tower. The meeting then went into closed session.

Heather Johnson of Salem was named an Honorary State FFA Degree recipient at the 91st Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia. Johnson has been an FFA advisor at Salem for 13 years and continues to teach students about agriculture. She was the 2014-2015 Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association President of the South Central District and 2017-2018 MVATA President. The Missouri FFA Association recognizes Honorary State FFA Degree recipients at its annual state convention for their valuable efforts and contributions to the FFA organization and its members. The Missouri FFA has 25,375 members representing 347 chapters. The national organization has more than 669,000 members representing 8,630 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

An accident happened at 3:10 Tuesday afternoon in Crawford County on Route C about four miles northwest of Bourbon. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Toyota Prius, driven by 58-year-old Carol Brinson of Owensville, was eastbound when a pedestrian, 17-year old Cordell Watson of Cuba, crossed the roadway without looking and was struck by the Toyota. Watson suffered moderate injuries and was flown to Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis by Air Evac. The Toyota sustained minor damage and Brinson was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the incident.

If you have a Dutch Oven and want to learn how to use it to make breakfast, join the staff of Echo Bluff State Park Saturday, May 11th from 10:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon in the Terripin Station Pavilion. Participants will learn tips and tricks of cooking and baking breakfast in a Dutch Oven and how to use your lid for pancakes. You will also have the opportunity to see and use some new products. Participants can sample the dishes they helped prepare, from breakfast pizza to scrambled eggs. You will never want to eat instant oatmeal again! Echo Bluff State Park is located on Highway 19 approximately 25 miles south of Salem and approximately 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about this and other events at the park call 573-751-1224 or 844-322-3246.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported on some new economic prospects interested in Salem and Dent County as well as updated the Commission on some of the ongoing projects she is still working on. Burbridge told the commissioners that there are currently 27 buildings listed along with 16 different sites or land. She updated the commission on the City of Salem Facebook page and told the commission the next economic development workshop would be held May 30th at 5:30 at the Dent County Firehouse. She said the city is still waiting to hear on the Workforce Training Initiative Grant that was submitted along with the R-80 School and Healthy Dent County. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5220, 5610 and 6580 and also on county road 5615 if time permitted. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4060 and 5330, while only grading would be done on county roads 2510, 2520 and 3330. Larson also said brush was going to be cut on county road 3090. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the gazebo rails have all now been repaired and he would be attending the Central Region Workforce Investment Board and Caucus today. City Attorney William Camm Seay came in to apologize for a statement he had made at a previous meeting regarding the promise of an elevator in the courthouse during the election by Commissioner Skiles when in reality, Skiles said the commission was exploring their options on the elevator. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting was open to the public.

An accident happened in Miller County Monday morning at 7:25 on Highway 42 approximately 1979 feet east of the Mill Creek Road that left a Bunker man with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 1991 Chevrolet 2500 driven eastbound by 47-year old Donnie Jones of Bunker, came to sudden stop in the roadway. At that moment, a 2004 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 74-year old William Monfort of Eldon, who was following the Chevy, traveled off the right side of the road to avoid striking the Chevy. However, the Jones vehicle made a right turn off the road and into the path of the 2004 Ford F-150 resulting in a collision. Suffering minor injuries was a passenger in the Chevrolet, 57-year old Barry Houston of Bunker, and he was taken by ambulance to the Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene while the Chevrolet also sustained moderate damage and was removed from the location by Hi-Tech Towing.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that turkey hunters checked 36,231 birds during Missouri’s 2019 regular spring turkey season, April 15th through May 5th. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 785 birds checked, Texas with 729, and Callaway with 672. Young turkey hunters harvested 2,546 birds during the 2019 spring youth season, April 6-7, bringing the overall 2019 spring turkey harvest to 38,777. Harvested birds from surrounding counties include Crawford with 495, Dent with 639, Iron with 199,Phelps with 638, Reynolds with 236 and Shannon with 394. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 1,729 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 34,072 during the regular spring season for a 2018 spring season total harvest of 35,801 birds.

Local schools and young children are invited to Montauk State Park to get a sneak peek of the park’s Old Mill Days celebration on Friday, May 10th from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon before the celebration opens to the public the next day. Student participants will have the opportunity to explore hands-on historical skills and other activities. On Saturday, May 11th from 9 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, the public is invited to step back in time and explore some of the lost historical skills and traditions from a time many have forgotten. The annual celebration will bring the valley to life with historical re-enactors, traditional artisans and other local Ozark crafters to celebrate the historic mill and the region’s rich Ozark heritage. Montauk State Park is located at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-548-2225.