Archive for 2019

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone to expect an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. More vehicles on the road will mean changes to your normal traffic route, making courteous and attentive driving just that much more important. Driving with the highest degree of care is everyone’s responsibility, and following all traffic laws is imperative. The counting period for the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6:00 tonight through 11:59 Sunday night, December 1st. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., enforcing all traffic laws, and will be available to assist the public. Over last years Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 13 people were killed and another 498 people were injured in 1,640 traffic crashes. Whether you’re on the road visiting family and friends or out shopping for a good deal, please make sure your car is in good condition before you travel. It is also important that you are well rested before you start driving. Remember: There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency. These phone numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive and don’t become a statistic.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released the following reports. On Wednesday, November 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at 800 East Highway 32. During the course of the traffic stop, a 30-year old Salem man was arrested for felony driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Friday, November 22nd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the Wal-Mart parking lot. During the course of the traffic stop, an 18 year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid drivers license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released.

Current River State Park would like to invite you to celebrate a Country Christmas from 11:00 until 2:00 on this Saturday. Visitors will be able to make nature-inspired decorations and gifts and enjoy hot apple cider and cookies. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19, approximately 23 miles south of Salem. For more information, call Current River State Park at 573-751-1224. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, November 14th at about 9:21 in the evening, an officer was contacted near the 300 block of North Park in reference an assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 33-year-old male from Salem had assaulted a 22-year-old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the man for fourth degree domestic assault. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, November 15th near 7:40 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 37-year-old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $29.76. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday night, November 20th at about 9:30, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of South Jackson in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a Homelite chainsaw valued at $100.00 from a residence. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Don’t forget to get your entry in for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem “Cowboy Christmas” Parade of Lights. It will be held Saturday, December 7th starting at 5:30 on the normal parade route starting at SBU Campus, moving east to MacArthur on Franklin, then north on MacArthur to 4th Street where the parade will go east. The parade will conclude around the courthouse square. Entry forms are available at the Salem area Chamber of Commerce office at 200 S. Main Street and need to be submitted by December 2nd.. This year’s parade Grand Marshall will be Melba Headrick from KSMO Radio. If there are questions, please contact the Chamber office at 729-6900.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. Superintendent John McColloch stated that parent-teacher conferences were held at all the schools and each building reported excellent attendance. The Internship Program Director Elizabeth Wright along with three students discussed the program and the benefits it brings to students working with participating businesses. McColloch then updated the board on the status schools health insurance. McColloch stated the Salem R-80 district is currently considered an unhealthy district and the consortium they are part of is also considered unhealthy. The district is currently running at 123% claims to premium. Mr. McColloch discussed all the possible insurance options with the board. He was to attend the consortium meeting Friday to vote on the options. Mr. McColloch gave an update on the sports booster clubs. He will be meeting soon with the booster clubs to discuss possible rules and protocols so as to avoid the same situation that occurred with the softball booster club and senior players. After the building principals gave their reports, the board approved the auditor’s report for the last fiscal year and they approved the election filing dates from Tuesday, December 17th through January 21st during normal business hours excluding holidays. The board agreed to pay the insurance assessment in the amount of $353,711.63 and accepted the resignation of Jenni Summers, the middle school girls’ cheerleading, effective at the end of the school year. The board then went into closed session where two personnel issues were discussed. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem will hold a “Meet and Greet” for new Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois at the Salem Community Center@The Armory tonight from 5:00 until 6:30. Stop by and visit with Melissa and talk with her about the city parks, new and old programs and more. Following the “Meet and Greet,” there will be a Salem Park and Recreation Board meeting at 6:30. The board will hear a report from Dubois before they get an update on the TAP grant for the trail from the Salem R-80 Administrative Offices to the Pavilion #1. The board will review and discuss an updated three-year plan for the Park and Recreation Department before voting on removing a Park Board member. After any miscellaneous or other business, the board will adjourn. The “Meet and Greet” for new Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois and the Salem Park Board meeting are both open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday at the courthouse. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was appointed as acting Presiding Commissioner. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART tax received in November and it came to $58,261.50 and that is $1,829.66 more than for November of 2108 when the county received $56,441.84. Year-to-date, the CART receipts are up $4,632.21. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5615, 6090 and 6350 and if time on county road 5530. Purcell said brush would be cut on county road 6380 and two men were clearing out pipes on Dent County Roads 6370. Commissioner Larson reported grading would be done and materials added on Dent County Roads 3250, 3270 and 3273 while grading only would be done on county road 3275. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2055 and 3230. Larson wanted to remind everyone the courthouse would be closed this Thursday & Friday for Thanksgiving and the commissioners wished everyone a safe & happy Thanksgiving. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continued to work on the fiscal year 2020 budget or the county. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday, December 2nd at the courthouse at 9:00.

A Rolla man was injured in a one vehicle accident in Lincoln County Monday morning at 6:40. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2014 International Conventional Tractor being driven by 53-year-old William Hotaling of Rolla was traveling north on Route D when he failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and overturn. Hotaling was transported to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital Lake St. Louis by the Lincoln County Ambulance District for treatment of moderate injuries. The International sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Skyline Towing.

The holidays have arrived and that means people will see the familiar small red kettles of the Salvation Army around town in convenience stores and other businesses, while the larger red kettles will be at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, then on Fridays and Saturdays through December before wrapping up on Christmas eve. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Volunteer bell ringers are needed each year to help raise funds. To volunteer to ring the bell at the red kettle, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099 or The Salvation Army office at 729-8163. To meet the needs of the people in the community for the next year, the Dent County Service Unit has set our fundraising goal for the 2020 year at $35,000. This holiday season, your local Dent County Service Unit will be providing Christmas food baskets to the elderly to enable them to enjoy a home-cooked meal for the holiday. Referrals for this program are provided by the Dent County Care Coordinator and other agencies that work with the elderly. Don’t forget about the Angel Tree. Through this program, hundreds of children get to experience the delight of opening gifts on Christmas day. The Salvation Army partners with Wal-Mart to host the Angel Tree. Dent County residents can adopt an angel off the tree and purchase Christmas gifts for the angel. Angel Tree applications will be taken during the annual Dent County Fire District Toy Drive that will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd and Thursday, December 5th from 3:00 in the afternoon until 6:00 in the evening. Have a happy holiday season and remember, you are helping your neighbor by donating to the Salvation Army 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 this year will be able to use Apple Pay or Google Pay. Users can tap their smartphones on a sticker and make a donation. People with older phones can scan a 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.

An accident happened Thursday at 3:40 in the afternoon on Highway 32 about two miles west of Boss. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2016 Kia Sportage driven by 58-year old Beverly Lada of Bixby, was attempting to cross Highway 32 and pulled into the path of a 2006 Nissan Altima being driven westbound by 20-year old Trenton Hawkins of Salem. Hawkins was taken to Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle for the treatment of minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Kia sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing. The Nissan was totaled in the accident and removed by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Friday evening at 6:30 on Highway 72 about one half mile north of Route C. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2017 Nissan Altima, driven by 28-year old Katey Wesley of Salem, was westbound when she struck a deer in the roadway. A six-year old juvenile passenger in the Nissan was transported by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Both occupants were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.