Archive for 2019

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Sunday, January 27th, deputies received a report of a female who had left a residence on Dent County Road 5200. The reporting party said the female’s driver’s license was suspended. Deputies located the vehicle near the 2400 block of Dent County Road 4210 and conducted a traffic stop. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through Wright County. The driver, a 38-year old Salem female, was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital for a mental health evaluation. On Tuesday, January 29th, deputies traveled to the 4500 block of Route K for a report of a stolen trailer. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that a utility trailer along with $1,550.00 worth of plywood was reported stolen. A building was also discovered broken into however no items were missing. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies traveled to the 500 block of Dent County Road 2590 for a report of a intoxicated male destroying the residence. During the course of the investigation, a 26-year old Salem male was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for a 12 hour safe keep. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Congratulations to the 35 students who performed with the SCA Conference Honor Band on Saturday, February 2nd at Ava High School. These students auditioned back on January 8th and were selected to perform with the bands. The Salem R-80 High School had 21 students represented. Those students were Chrissie Warner, Emily Cunningham, Emma Schott, Alyssa Mayes, Kaitlynn Stephan, Kelsey Stienbarger, Jonithan Gallagher, Martin Jones, Taytan Barton, Jainey Pettus, Elizabeth Cheney, Megan Watkins, Jaden Dunn, Toby Hutto, Kira Lacy, Harmony Alexander, Collin Hinderliter, Faith Jasper, Christopher McSwain, Stephen Lumley, and Johnathan Stark. The Salem R-80 Middle School had 11 students and Northwood R-IV School had three students represented. Those students were Jacob Bender, Christian Frederickson, Jacob Koontz, Hunter Barton, Kiele Land, Dylan McMullin, Sam Henderson, Christopher Harris, Marvin Aspinwall, Kaycee Ditch, Alyson Leach, Hope Jasper, Natily Cook and Reagin Toten. Way to go students!

How has the opiate epidemic impacted Dent County and the surrounding area? That’s just one of the questions to be addressed at a meeting February 19th. The meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem, starting at 5:30. Other questions to be addressed include, but are not limited to, how has the opiate epidemic impacted you personally, plus has someone you loved been influenced by opioids? If you are interested in influencing a positive change in our community plan to attend the community conversation Tuesday, February 19th. To RSVP or for more information contact Sherry Lea at 573-729-8163 or online at sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax figures received this month. The General Revenue Fund and the LEST Fund each received about $63,074 this month which is up from last year’s February amount of $62,290. Year-to-date those funds are each up over $735. The Road and Bridge Fund received $28,077.67 and that is less than last February’s figure of $30,265.00. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $3,348.10. Williams reported on the Jail Operating Fund and the Jail Trust Fund and both received over $56,070. Last February, each of the funds received $66,016.08. Year-to-date, both funds are up $9,075 and that is about a 7.04% increase. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson each reported that crews were out Saturday night and Sunday sanding and salting roads trying to alleviate slick areas. They will be out today repairing or replacing road sign as well as cleaning out clogged culverts with the expected rains. Both districts have a spreader box that is being repaired in preparation of the next winter system. Commissioner Larson reported on the CCAM training that he and Commissioner Purcell attended last week. He said they heard from Don Black, former commissioner from Carter County, who was speaking about the flood of 2017 and how the counties come together to help out their neighbors in time of disaster. At the training, Larson and Purcell heard from Steve Hobbs about a counties “rainy fund” although it is not certain how such a fund can be set up. They stated they heard from MoDOT that it’s the end of the Fast Track program and that the BRO Program was being reduced by 15 million dollars to counties. Larson said they heard from Governor Parson who said he is looking for 350 million dollars for bridge and road repair, and that he told the commissioners the counties will be reimbursed their per diem for prisoners they are owed from previous years. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced on all January accounts with the treasurer’s office, and she balanced with the collector’s office and the assessor’s office on all monthly collections, assessments and add-ons for the month of January. She said the last day to register to vote in the Municipal Election in April will be March 6th, and absentee voting for that election will begin on February 19th. She also wanted to remind voters that some districts will not be having an election in April. If you have any questions, call her office at 729-4144 and they can let you know. Remember, if your voting information has changed, please contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 729-4144. Curley also let the commissioners know she has finished the Dent County Year-to Date Financial Statement for 2018. The Financial Statement will be published in the Salem News. The commissioners approved their 2019 agreement with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for $750 which is the same as 2018. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred at 9:25 Monday morning in Phelps County on Highway 68 about ten miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 1995 Ford Explorer, driven by 29-year old Robert Lewis of Salem, began skidding and traveled across the center line. Lewis overcorrected and the Explorer traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the Ford, 37-year old Connie Sweigard of Salem, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the St. James Ambulance. The report stated that both Lewis and Sweigard were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Saturday afternoon, February 2nd at approximately 12:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the detention of two male juveniles of Salem for stealing merchandise. The juvenile suspects were released to their parents and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. That evening at about 7:50, 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 cell phone valued $400.00 that had been set on a counter at Auto Zone. The report is under investigation. On Sunday morning, February 3rd at approximately 1:14, an officer was dispatched to the Crossroads Shopping Center in reference to an accident on the lot. The investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 21-year-old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated and for the possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. That afternoon at about 3:54, an officer located a 20-year-old male of Salem near Macarthur and Highway 32 who had active arrest warrants from the City of Salem, Phelps County and Texas County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Monday, February 4th at approximately 9:58 at night, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 42-year-old male of Salem for driving while being revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday, February 6th near 1:16 in the afternoon a 35-year-old male of Salem turned himself in at the Salem Police Department on an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. Later that afternoon at about 5:57, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That stop led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

A fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 on Interstate 44 at mile marker 195. A pedestrian, 65-year old Stephen Goode from Union, Missouri, traveled into the path of a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound driven by 68-year old Carl Rial of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Goode was pronounced dead at scene and his body was transported to Jones Funeral Home in St. James. The Silverado received minor damage and was driven from the scene. Rial was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Thursday morning at 8:58 in Crawford County on Highway H three miles north of Leasburg. According to the Highway Patrol Report a westbound 2008 Buick Lucerne, driven by 59 year-old Ricky Brooks of Cuba, entered the intersection directly in the path of a southbound 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by 30 year-old Gabrielle Tat of Steelville. Tat suffered minor injuries and was transported by North Crawford Ambulance to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The report stated that both Tat and Brooks were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. The Buick sustained moderate damage and towed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

The Salem Rotary Club will be holding their annual Pancake Day this year a week later than normal. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 23rd from 7:00 until 11:00 in the morning at the Salem Middle School Cafeteria. This fundraising event is all-you-can-eat with the money raised going toward scholarships and community projects. Tickets are available from Rotary Club members or you can buy them at the door. The cost for adults is $6.00 and children are $3.00 each.