Archive for 2020

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday morning at 7:00 in Reynolds County on Highway 21 about five miles north of Ellington. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2012 Buick Enclave being driven by 30-year old Edward Coleman of Salem was southbound when he suffered a medical issue. This caused the vehicle to travel off the right side of the roadway and strike two trees. A passenger in the vehicle, 56-year old Karen Reese of Ellington, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Reynolds County EMS to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Both Coleman and Reese were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Aissies Towing.

Representatives from the Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Current River State Park at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 3rd at the barbecue house. This is a combined public meeting for Current River State Park and Roger Pryor Backcountry. The public is invited to share comments about the facilities and their operations during the meeting. Staff will be present to provide information and answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to inform the public of the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, while also offering visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19, approximately 23 miles south of Salem and approximately 15 miles north of Eminence. For more information, call Current River State Park at 573-751-1224.

The Dent County Community Foundation is hosting a virtual auction to help raise funds for the Dent County Community Foundation. Since the inception of the foundation along with our agency partners we have raised over $1,300,000.00 in locally raised funds that have been returned to our not for profit agencies here in Dent County. Recent grant awards include funding for The Salem R-80 Construction trades program, the Salem Memorial District Hospital, and the Salem R-80 Computer science program. There are lots of great auction items, only two days left to get your gift or travel destination to the Current River or a beautiful coastal getaway at Kure Beach in North Carolina. There are also lots of gift certificates and gift baskets for you to give during the upcoming holiday season. Here is the link to register for this exciting event www.biddingowl.com/DCCF or call Mary Beth Cook at 573 -453- 6091 with any questions you might have.

Farming plays a vital role in Missouri’s economy, history, and identity. In the coming weeks, farmers across the state will be harvesting their crops. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to share the road. Expect to see an increase in farm machinery traffic–especially on rural highways. Please obey all traffic laws and remain vigilant. Farmers and motorists alike are encouraged to be safe, courteous drivers. In 2019, there were 193 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment. In those crashes, three people were killed and 64 were injured. Whether you’re driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, you must pay attention to the roadway, other drivers, and traffic signs. Drivers, it’s important that you do your part! Stay alert for slow moving farm equipment. When you come up behind a tractor or other farm machinery, please slow down and be patient. Wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a hill or curve. Often, all-terrain vehicles are used for agricultural purposes. ATVs being used for farming can only travel on highways during daylight hours and must be equipped with lights, a bicycle flag, and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem. The law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a safety helmet when operating an ATV; the Patrol, however, recommends operators wear a safety helmet regardless of age.

On Wednesday evening, the Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting in the district administration offices boardroom to discuss a new Hybrid Learning Plan which was requested at the last board meeting. Dr. Lynne Reed explained that the plan would be for 6th thru 12th grade students only with half students coming to school Monday and Wednesday and the other half Tuesday and Thursday with Friday being a virtual classroom day. This plan would allow for more effective social distancing of the staff and students. Reed explained that a survey of effected staff showed 33 of 68 teachers were in favor of moving forward with the plan while 10 wanted all students to remain in school and 8 opted for full closure should the COVID-10 numbers in Dent County keep rising and more students are quarantined. Reed explained how the plan would affect the rural school students, especially those who are bussed, and that two of the rural schools would come on the A schedule and the other two schools on the B schedule. The school has purchased 100 Kajeet hot spot units that would be distributed to families with no internet access. All that would be needed is a cell phone signal. There would also be a daily Learning Lab from 3:30-5:30 to allow for students to use internet access. Meals could also be distributed to students on the day they attend class and for the days they are attending from home. The school is currently short staffed for the food service personnel as well as substitute teachers. An estimated 200 students would be affected by this plan with the school currently having a total of 125 students, school-wide, under quarantine. Assistant Athletic Director, Clay Moody, reported that attendance vouchers could be distributed for future sporting events. The board approved the plan that was presented with full discretion on when the plan would be implemented by the administration. This plan would be temporary and students could return to full time school when county numbers improve. Reed stated there would be at least one-week notice given before the plan was implemented to allow for staff and parents to make arrangements.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Saturday, September 19th, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an assault that occurred at a residence in the 2000 block of Route H. Deputies traveled to the residence and during the course of the incident, a 61-year-old Salem man was arrested for assault in the 4th degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail, where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Also on the 19th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 5000 block of South Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 38- year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without having a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Monday, September 21st, a deputy traveled to the 38000 block of Highway 72 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 43-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Probation and Parole. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and was incarcerated. On Tuesday the 22nd, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 600 block of Route W to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 29-year old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through probation and parole. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Then on the 23rd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Route DD and Route H intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 61-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on Sunday, the 27th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 and Route H. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle without a valid license. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail, fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Healthy Dent County has partnered with Fitness On Demand to give members access to leading digital fitness content while at the Fitness Center. Members will have immediate access to popular and new content from the world’s leading fitness experts. This new digital
technology is available across in-studio screens, kiosks and any fitness room in the facility via mobile streaming to a device. Content covers everything from high intensity workouts to functional fitness for strength and mobility to wind down, stretching and relaxation after a long day. To learn more about this exciting new product, call the Fitness center at 739-1127 or stop by the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, located at 1200 W. Rolla Road.

The Salem Police Department released the following accident report. Tuesday morning, September 22nd, at approximately 6:39 a northbound 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, owned and operated by Lawrence Sherril of Salem, collided with a deer on Highway 72 about one half mile past J Highway. No injuries were reported and the Chevrolet sustained minor damage. The Camaro was driven from the scene.