Archive for 2020

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports that on Wednesday, September 9th in front of Judge Megan Seay in Crawford County, a sentencing hearing was held for Christopher Wingfield of Salem. Prosecutor Curley sought eight years in the Department of Corrections under State Statute 559.115 for Wingfield as he failed to register as a sex offender, and was residing less than 1,000 feet from a school. Wingfield’s legal team requested probation, but Judge Seay sentenced Wingfield to eight years in the Department of Corrections. Also on Wednesday, Roy Heath of Bixby was in attendance for a probation revocation hearing. Heath admitted to violating probation and his probation was revoked by Judge Seay who ordered Heath to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the state and requested by the defendant. A furlough request had been made by Heath but it was denied by Judge Seay. Finally on Wednesday, a Section 559 review hearing was held to consider the release of Raymond Ledbetter of Lonedell from prison. Ledbetter had two conduct violations while in prison, yet the Department of Corrections did note that Ledbetter’s participation in the program was satisfactory. As a result of the conduct violations, Prosecutor Curley requested the judge deny the release and for Ledbetter to serve the remainder of his sentence. The counsel for the Ledbetter sought the release of the defendant from prison. After consideration, Judge Seay denied the release of Ledbetter from prison.

The Doe Run Company released its most recent sustainability report which is available at sustainability.doerun.com. Doe Run’s 11th sustainability report provides updates on the company’s efforts to meet its commitments to employees, the environment, the community and the local economy. Workplace safety continues to be a top priority for Doe Run. Companywide, employees completed about 15,000 hours of environmental, health and safety training in 2019. This focus on safety helped several locations achieve significant safety milestones, with no lost-time accidents in 23 years at Sweetwater Mill, 16 years aboveground at Sweetwater Mine, 14 years at the SEMO port and 13 years at Brushy Creek Mill. Over the past 10 years, Doe Run invested more than $580 million on environmental projects, including more than $108 million dedicated to remediation projects to restore former mine sites. Doe Run also has invested more than $2 million in its neighboring communities over the past 10 years. In 2019, the company donated nearly $33,000 to support STEM programs and scholarships for local elementary through college-level students. Doe Run contributes $1.2 billion in annual economic impact to Missouri, including spending $169 million with 665 Missouri businesses in 2019.

The Senior Farmers’ Market vouchers are still available in Dent, Laclede & Washington Counties. The program, coordinated by Aging Best and funded by USDA Food and Nutrition Service, allows qualifying seniors to receive up to $50 in vouchers to be used at local farmers’ markets. The program was designed to increase the consumption of Missouri grown produce and honey while supporting local farmers. Applications must be completed by October 1st and the program will end October 31st. If you are or know of a senior who may be interested in receiving vouchers call 800-369-5211 for more information. If you are homebound it is not necessary to be present to redeem your vouchers. A friend or family member of your choice may be assigned as a proxy.

The Salem Police department reports that an accident happened Friday afternoon, September 4th, just after 3:30. According to their report, a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo being driven by Randall Johnson of Salem was attempting to pull out of the west drive of Mobil and turn left onto Highway 32. Johnson’s front bumper struck the front bumper and passenger fender of a 2006 Ford Fusion owned, by Catherine Chafin, that was eastbound in the center turn lane of Highway 32. A witness behind the Monte Carlo confirmed the details of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage while the Ford had moderate damage. Both vehicles were moved prior to the arrival of officers. Chafin suffered probable minor injuries but stated she would seek her own medical treatment.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Auditorium. In bids, the board approved purchasing a split load of Class 2 30-foot and 40-foot utility poles from Bridgewellres at a cost of $216 per 30-foot pole and $378 per 40-foot pole. After the consent agenda, Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown reported on the public hearing and Planning and Zoning Committee meeting that were held prior to the City Council meeting. In the public hearing, there were several questions and discussion regarding the subdivision of 1201 W. Coffman by owners Brady and Micah Adams. The committee gave the oath of office for two new members, Sherman Odom and Tabatha Utley. The officers will remain the same with Chairman Gary Brown, Vice-Chairman Keith Inman and Secretary Wayne Bertz. The committee approved the subdivision request that turns one lot into six lots. The Finance Committee meeting report was postponed because Alderman Kevin James, who serves as the Chairman of this committee, was not in attendance. City Administrator Ray Walden reported there were 2,872 program participants at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory during August. The lighting project is progressing with 3-4 days needed in each of the four city buildings to upgrade to new LED lights. The July utility bills will be processed after contract adjustments are made, estimated to be at the end of this week. Sample bills with common questions and explanations will be included. The board approved Bill #3462 that subdivides 1201 W. Coffman from one lot to six individual lots, and Bill # 3463 that allows the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the agreement with Intercounty Electric to attach AMI metering equipment on poles in areas where there aren’t electric meters but there are water meters. Walden reported that Request for Qualifications were received from two companies that would update HVAC at the City Hall, City Administrative offices, Police Station and Salem Community Center @ the Armory. This program would work the same as the recent lighting upgrade project. The board approved the attorney to create a proposal to work with Energy Solutions Professionals for an energy audit. The board approved a request from Chief Joe Chase to write a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBDG) for radios for the police department in the amount of $10,000. The board then went into closed session to discuss contracts.

Poverty is one of America’s most vexing and poignant issues. To take a look at state-level poverty, Stacker analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau’s five-year population estimates from the 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) to show the breakdown of poverty in Missouri. The overall state poverty rate is 14.2% which comes to 837,930 people. The top three counties with the highest poverty rate are Shannon County with 28.5% rate which amounts to 2,312 people below the federal poverty line; Pemiscot County with a 27.9% rate and that is 4,672 people in that county below the poverty line; and Dunklin County stands at a rate of 27.1% which come to 8,001 people under the federal poverty line. The counties with the lowest poverty rate are St. Charles County at a rate of 5.6% and that come to 21,444 people below the poverty line; Platte County with 6.9% rate and that amounts to 6,701 people that fall below the federal poverty line; and Osage County has a rate 7.2% which come to 953 people below the poverty line. In our area, Dent County’s overall poverty rate stands at 21% and that comes to 3,204 people below the federal poverty line; Texas County has a rate of 24.3% which amounts to 5,874 people below the poverty line; Phelps County’s rate stands at 22.3% and that comes to 9,293 people below the poverty line; Iron County with a rate of 20.9% has 2,064 people under the poverty line; Crawford County has a rate of 19.5% which amounts to 4,667 under the federal poverty line; and Reynolds County has a rate of 18.2% and that totals 1,114 people under the federal poverty line. In 2019, the federal poverty level threshold for one person under the age of 65 was an annual income of $13,300; while the federal poverty level for a family of five with three kids was an annual income of $30,510.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday night around 10:20 in Dent County on Dent County Road 5013 about three miles southeast of Salem. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2008 Yamaha 1000 being operated by 43-year old William Sweigard of Salem, was traveling west when the Yamaha struck some gravel in the roadway. Sweigard lost control and traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment and was ejected from the Yamaha. Sweigard suffered moderate injuries and was first transported by Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital before being transferred to University Hospital in Columbia by AIR EVAC helicopter. The Yamaha sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. Sweigard was wearing safety devices when the accident happened.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports between August 25th and the August 27th. On Tuesday, August 25th around 5:00 in the afternoon, an officer conducted a traffic stop for knowing the driver had a suspended license near the intersection of Main and Franklin streets. During the traffic stop, the suspended driver’s license was confirmed through dispatch and a 21-year-old Salem male was arrested and later released on summons. Later that same evening, at an officer conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations near the intersection of Nelson and Pace streets. During the investigation, it was discovered the driver had active warrants from the Rolla Police Department. It was also found the driver was in possession of syringes that field tested positive for methamphetamine and had a suspended driver’s license. The 26-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated on the warrants. Charges are being requested for the driving while having his license suspended and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. On the morning of August 26th at 9:22, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Bryan Street for a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported that between 9:00 in the evening on August 25th and 9:00 the morning on the 26th, someone had taken a dark green 1996 Mazda 626. This incident is still under investigation. At approximately 1:06 on the afternoon of August 26th, an officer was dispatched to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for a report of property damage. It was reported that someone had thrown a rock through the window on the north side of the building. The estimated cost to repair the window was $1000. Video surveillance of the incident was obtained and the incident is still under investigation. During the evening of August the 27th near 9:15, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of west Ninth Street for a report of a theft from a shed. It was reported that a window had been broken out of the shed and an 18” Stihl chainsaw was taken valued at $175. This incident is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the following Labor Day Holiday statistics. Thirteen people died in traffic crashes during the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year, there were nine fatalities. The 2020 counting period for the Labor Day holiday ran from 6 p.m., Friday, September 4, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2020. The Missouri State Highway Patrol traffic statistics included 274 crashes resulting in 124 injuries and 13 statewide fatalities. There were 145 DWI arrests and 89 drug arrests. The MSHP boating statistics showed there were 15 boating crashes resulting in six injuries and no fatalities. There were 7 boating while intoxicated arrests and 12 drug arrests. There were no drownings reported. Troopers investigated 10 of the 13 fatal traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday weekend. The remaining three fatalities were investigated by the Florissant Police Department, Columbia Police Department, and the Springfield Police Department.