Archive for 2020

Monday, September 28th Oak Hill R-1 was notified a staff member tested positive with COVID-19. Due to the number of students and staff quarantined, the District will be closed starting, Tuesday, September 29th. They will reopen Monday, October 12th. A message was sent out by school-messenger identifying grades that are in quarantine. Oak Hill will begin their virtual learning that was explained at their Open House, called Alternative Methods of Instruction Plan, which is located on Oak Hill R-1’s website.

This Saturday will be the city wide yard sale all over town. Copies of the maps will be available at area convenience stores and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center! Maps will also be printed in the Salem News. Due to Covid-19 the location behind the City Administration Building will not be a site this fall. For more local events information visit www.salemmo.com. Citizens are being asked to practice social distancing.

The Salem Public Library would like to inform everyone that the Library Director Glenda Wofford is a notary public and can help with absentee ballots that need to be notarized. There is no charge for this service.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for the middle of September. On Saturday evening, the 12th, at approximately 7:15, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting and a female suspect had fled. Contact was made with the suspect vehicle and woman as described by Wal-Mart. As a result of the investigation, a 44-year-old Rolla female was arrested for shoplifting and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The female was also found to have an active arrest warrant. As a result, she was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Then on Monday morning, the 14th, at about 9:15, an officer was dispatched to Wal- Mart for a report of a shoplifting. It was reported that a male subject had stolen $59.76 worth of merchandise. As a result of the investigation, a 50-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. The next evening at approximately 8:06, an officer was dispatched to Mobil for a report of shoplifting. It was reported a male subject had stolen $18.97 worth of merchandise. Contact was made with the male subject. As a result of the investigation, a 29-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons for shoplifting. On Thursday evening, September 17th, at approximately 6:16, an officer responded to an address at the 800 block of North Water to attempt to locate a female subject that had an active arrest warrant. As a result, contact was made, and a 52-year-old Salem female was arrested and later posted bond. Later that evening at approximately 7:27, an officer was dispatched to Mobil for a report of a male subject that had returned after being told not to come back. As a result of the investigation a 46 year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. Later in the night the same male subject was seen attempting to get into cars at the Crossroads shopping center. The male was again arrested and issued another summons to appear in court. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail for a 12-hour safe keep. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The fall migration is amazing for birdwatching, but can be deadly to many birds. Millions of avian deaths occur each year due to birds colliding with windows and other reflective surfaces during their migration. To help ensure a safe journey, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to make small changes at their home or office to prevent window strikes. MDC State Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick said that birds are a marvel. Each year, some migrate thousands of miles to warmer climes and back again in the spring. It is always a pity to see that a window, of all things, is the sad end to millions of birds each year, whether migratory or resident. Kendrick explained that if a bird has struck a window at a home or office, it is a problem window that reflects either sky or vegetation that a bird believes is a pass-through. Breaking up that reflection can help the bird see it better and know it is an obstacle. People can place stickers to the exterior side of windows to break up the reflection. Silhouettes placed indoors may be obstructed during certain times of day by glare or outdoor reflections, so breaking up the reflection on the outside of the window is key. Kendrick explained that many believe that to make their windows bird-safe, they have to completely obstruct their view, but that’s just not the case anymore. There are many solutions
out there today that break up the reflection for our birds in a muted way that still allows for a great view. There are numerous products
available to prevent bird strikes. Kendrick also commented that preventing window strikes is just one small change that we can make in our daily lives right now – cheaply– that will collectively make a huge impact for birds over the long-term. To learn more ways to help bird populations, visit 3billionbirds.org.

The Dent County Community Foundation is hosting a live virtual auction to help raise funds for local not for profits. Since the inception of the foundation in 1999, over $1,000,000 grant awards have been given to our local community efforts to improve the lives of people in our community. The auction will start September 30th and continue until October 4th. There are great items in the auction including professional services, vacation rentals, gift baskets, restaurants, etc. For more information, check out their Facebook page.

An accident happened in Maries County at 1:20 Monday morning that took the life of a 52-year man from Vienna. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Ford F-250 driven northbound by Gregory Medlock of Vienna traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a culvert, struck a rock bluff and overturned with the Ford coming to rest on it’s left side. Medlock was taken to Phelps Health by the Maries Osage Ambulance where he was pronounced dead at 2:58. Medlock was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

Dent County Commission met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Donald Dodd and Wes Mobray were in attendance. Dodd announced that there would be an IDA meeting Thursday night at 6:00 at the Salem Library. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading only would be done on Dent County Roads 2400 and 5440, while materials would be added and grading would be done on county roads 5100, 5103, and 5105. He said the new John Deere grader was having maintenance and repair work done and should be back on Monday. Purcell said a man was going after a load of oil for chip and seal repair. He noted that he attended a Tourism Commission meeting last Monday where six reimbursement requests were submitted and approved, plus one request for an extension with a completion date was submitted and approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2330 and 5225, while materials would be hauled to county road 2070. He went on to say that brush would be cut on county road 2200 and his crew was checking for downed trees in District Two. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a meeting last week in Columbia with CCAM President Gary Jungermann and Mark Thompson. They negotiated a new contract for commission training, which extends through 2023. Skiles also reminded Dent County residents that there are CARES ACT funds still available for entities and small business. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She reminded voters that the last day to register to vote in the November 3rd General Election is October 7th. She noted that absentee voting continues in her office and the last day to mail out an absentee ballot is October 21st. Curley encouraged voters needing to update their voting information such as address and/or name change should do so as soon as possible. She also reported that last Tuesday she attended a South Central Regional Clerks’ meeting in West Plains. The Commission reminded residents that the Courthouse will be closed Monday, October 12th, for Columbus Day so that week the Commission will meet on Tuesday, October 13th. Travis Tindell from Inform Architecture was in to visit. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold a special meeting Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30 the district administration offices
boardroom. After approval of the agenda the board will address new business Hybrid Learning Plan before adjourning. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening is open to the public.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday evening about 6:07 on Route B one mile east of Highway 19. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2006 Nissan Titan, driven by a 17 year-old minor of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the Nissan, 17 year-old Mickayla Schlicker of Salem, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Salem EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital. According to the report both Schlicker and the 16 year-old driver were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by Salem Police Department and the Dent County Fire Department.

An accident occurred in Maries County about 1:20 Monday morning on Highway 63 four miles north of Vichy that took the life of a Vienna man. According to the Highway Patrol Report a northbound 1997 Ford F250, driven by 52 year-old Gregory Medlock, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a rock bluff, then overturned on its left side. Medlock was pronounced deceased at Phelps Health in Rolla
at 2:58 after being transported there by Maries-Osage Ambulance District. The report stated that Medlock was not wearing a safety restraint. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

An accident occurred at 7:18 Sunday evening in Phelps County on I-44 at the 182 mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2010 Ford F150, driven by 29 year-old Isreal Gonzalez of Des Moines, Iowa, was disabled in the left after being struck by an unknown vehicle. The Ford was struck by an eastbound 2013 Chevrolet Eqinox driven by 54 year-old Jason Wright of Springfield, Missouri. Gonzalez and a passenger in the Ford, 47 year-old Tristan Carmelo also of Des Moines, both suffered serious injuries and were transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. Both vehicles were totaled and the Ford was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing, while the Chevrolet was removed by C & C Towing.

A one vehicle accident occurred in Phelps County Sunday evening at 7:35 on County Road 3060 one half mile east of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2011 Ford Escape, driven by 29 year-old Nathaniel Dalton of Jefferson City, began hydroplaning, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch. A one year-old male juvenile suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health. Dalton and the male minor were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing.