Archive for 2020

Registration for the Dent County Head Start program for three and four-year old children, as well as Early Head Start program for children from six weeks to three-year old children is going on now. These programs are provided free of charge as they are federally funded for children from low-income families. The program is administered through the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency. Head Start is available during the school year four days a week while Early Head start is a year round program that is available five days per week. Parents will need to provide proof of income for the last 12 months for the household, the child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, as well the social security cards for all household members. Parents will also need to provide a Medicaid or other insurance card. Parents who have questions or who need to schedule an appointment should call the Salem office at 1405 South Wines at 729-3188.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reports the results of the patrol’s high speed enforcement campaign. From noon to midnight each day on Friday, July 17th and Saturday, July 18th troopers’ enforcement activity included 2,557 traffic stops, 668 citations for moving violations, 1,256 warnings were issued, 598 speeding citations were issued of which 200 of them were for motorists traveling 20 plus miles per hour over the speed limit, 264 seat belt violations, 513 motorist assists and 119 crashes. This high speed enforcement campaign was an effort to address a drastic increase in egregious speed and hazardous moving violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fatal crashes have increased dramatically in Missouri, despite a period of significantly lower traffic volume. Currently, Missouri is experiencing a 16 percent increase in traffic fatalities compared to last year. Across the state, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has seen a 58% increase in speeds at or above 26 mph over the speed limit from January through June 2020 when compared to the four-year average. Troopers issued 4,869 summonses to drivers traveling 26 mph or more over the speed limit during that time. The data shows the most common violators are between the ages of 15 and 29. Most of the speed violations occur during the weekend.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Saturday, July 4th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 5240 for the report of a subject violating an order of protection. During the course of the incident, a 37-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an active warrant through the Texas County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she later posted bond and was released. On Sunday, July 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 6630. During the course of the traffic stop, a 46-year-old Jonesburg female was arrested for possession of marijuana of less than 10 grams and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, deputies traveled to JB Malones parking lot for a report of a male subject threatening to shoot the reporting party. During the course of the investigation, a 47-year-old Salem man was arrested for two counts of the unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 4; two counts of harassment in the 1st degree, armed criminal action, driving while being intoxicated, a persistent offender; and driving while having his license revoked, a 2nd or subsequent occurrence. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, July 9th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 8500 block of North Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 39-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she later posted bond and was released. On Friday, July 10th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1700 block of West Highway 32 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 54-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Impact 100 Dent County, a committee within the Dent County Community Foundation, has awarded two grants totaling $7,000.00 to two organizations in our community. The first grant award went to the Salem High School Computer Science program. These funds will be utilized to support curriculum and training for students in this field of study. The second grant award was presented to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Monies from this grant will be spent to purchase a UV-C light disinfection to control the spread of disease throughout the hospital. The Impact 100 Dent committee was organized in 2019, and hosts an annual grant rounds to those not for profits that are selected from an application and selection process. The Impact 100 Dent County committee is a giving circle of individuals who seek to enrich our community in a meaningful and sustainable way.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:30 in Phelps County on Route V about two miles north of Interstate 44. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 GMC Yukon being driven east by 61-year old Jerry Lantham of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign, a tree and finally a culvert. Lantham and a passenger, 60-year old Debra Latham, also of St. James, suffered moderate injuries and both were transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. According to the report neither were wearing safety restraints. The Yukon sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

Tuesday on a change of venue to Crawford County in front of Judge Kelly Parker, 40-year old Michael Chilton pled guilty to one count of statutory rape in the first degree and three counts of statutory rape in the second degree from charges stemming from a Salem Police Department investigation held June 28th, 2018. A sentencing hearing was conducted and both victims gave victim impact statements in a packed courtroom to Judge Parker for his consideration. At the conclusion of the hearing Chilton, who had a minimal criminal history, was sentenced to 28 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley. The charges came from an investigation after a victim reported to a Salem Police Officer that she had been having sexual contact including sexual intercourse with Chilton since before she was 13 years old. She had said she and her sister were involved in sexual intercourse when both were present. Her sister was over 13 and under 17 when the incident took place. A search warrant was issued on June 28, 2018, and a search of the defendant’s and victim’s residence was executed by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, the Division of Drug and Crime Control of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and members of the Salem Police Department. The search resulted in the seizure of a phone that was used to send and receive coded messages and a piece of carpet beside the victim’s bed that appeared to contain a bodily fluid. The carpet was tested and was confirmed to contain seminal fluid consistent with the DNA of Chilton. Another victim reported to the Salem Police on June 30, 2018, that she also had sexual contact and intercourse with Chilton as well as with the other victim plus her sister when they were all together. The second victim was between 15 and 17 years of age when that incident occurred. Curley said the 28-year sentence recommendation was developed over many days of preparation and with the consent and approval of the victims.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital Chief Financial Officer Doug Hoban gave the summary of operations for the month of June where the hospital had 105 inpatient admissions with 373 inpatient census days. There were 1,631 outpatient registrations, 1,069 cardiopulmonary procedures, 6,626 lab tests, 1,173 radiology procedures, 726 rehabilitation treatments, 18 surgeries, 233 home health visits and 634 emergency room visits. There were a total of 226 ambulance runs with 155 patients transported with 71 dry runs. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $1,662,153 with expenses over revenues after taxes of $1,560,584. Hoban said the days in net Accounts Receivable went down to 103 from 106 last month and work continues to improve those numbers. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the Auxiliary report and said the Shoe Road Productions was at the hospital on July 9th and it went very well. The auxiliary will not meet again until September 1st at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at noon and lunch will be provided. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported on the Hospital Foundation’s Golf Tournament and said it raised $10,867. He also said the Wings and strings event in September was cancelled as due to the unavailability of bands. The foundation will start doing demos for the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant. Edwards also said the replacement of the floor in Acute Care is now finished and came in a cost of $28,360. He also said the community CPR Training would be restarting this month. The SMDH Emergency Department and SMDH Family Medicine Patient Satisfaction Quarterly Surveys were discussed and they were way down from previous quarters. The Emergency Department received only five surveys back and all were excellent, while 46 surveys were returned for the Family Medicine and they also were excellent in all categories. The board approved Courtesy Staff Privileges for Michael Stadnyk, MD for mammography privileges as requested by the medical staff. Administrator Lucas reviewed the hospital visitor admission policy that includes one patient per day for Acute Care, one visitor allowed for ER patients and all visitors must be 16 years of age or older. Exceptions would be made for end-of-life situations or if there were other extenuating circumstances. Lucas said the Department of Health and Senior Services will be providing the hospital with a SHIP COVID 19 grant of $84,317. Lucas gave an update on the current expansion and renovation project for the MRI building, Surgery Department, Acute Care and Administration. The MRI magnet is scheduled to be delivered August 17th. The board approved a budgeted purchase of a portable X-Ray Unit for Radiology for $116,000 from Canon Medical. The board also elected new officers with Judy Thompson elected Chairman of the Board with Ray Bruno being elected Vice-Chairman. Mike Swyers was elected to serve as Secretary. The board set the hospital tax rate hearing for August 18th at 5:45 before the next regular meeting. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened early Wednesday morning around 4:30 in Dent County on Highway 32 in Boss. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra owned 62-year old Rahonda Wingfield of Salem was traveling west when Wingfield fell asleep and left the right side of the roadway where the Hyundai struck a tree and an embankment. Wingfield, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The Hyundai sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday at the City Hall Council chambers. The board approved the request from Ahleesha Elwood, the director of His Place, to close off East Center Street from Pershing to Oak Street on July 31st for the purpose of holding a fundraiser to raise money for back to school supplies and to support His Place. Public Works Director Mark Nash presented the bids for the painting of the retention tanks and recommended the board go with Hogan’s inc. for $54,356 and the board approved his request. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden said the final walk through of the TAP grant for the walking trail from Pavilion #1 to the Salem R-80 Administrative offices is close to completion. There were a few minor things yet to do before it is finished. Walden said bids to provide trash service for the city are being advertised. Bidders have the option to offer recycling or not of the type of recycling they do. The current contract with WCA expires at the end of September. Walden reported improvements have been made with the utility software vendor. He said the staff will be entering payment contracts for those who selected option 3, and it will have to be done before the next read cycle. Then the staff will enter the payment plan those who selected Option 2. Walden said if everything goes well, billing will be out the middle of next week for the June billing. Walden said the city has received the last shipment of water meters and they are scheduling them to be installed. Walden also said customers who pay with automatic withdrawal from their checking account are being called by staff to verify their status. Walden also reported work will going on at the administrative offices for about the next eight weeks. The board approved Bill #3454 that allows the mayor to sign the agreement with the Department of Natural Resources for the energy loan program for the City Administrative Offices, the Police Station, Old City Hall and the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. The board approved Bill #3455 that allows the mayor to sign the agreement with McKinstry Essention LLC for the installation of the energy system components and to measure and verify energy savings. The board went on to approve Bill #3456 that exchanges two pieces of property owned by Sherman and Marsha Odom for a piece of property owned by the city where the old jail was located. The board approved Resolution #16-2020 that allowed the mayor to sign the agreement between the city and People Centric Consulting Group. They have been working with the city and created an onboarding process for new employees to understand the different departments and the role they play as well as setting up manager meetings to attain goals. The board postponed action on Resolution #17-2020 which was an agreement with the Salem R-80 school district for the new pad mount transformer for the ag building, and they also postponed any discussion on airport hanger rental fees. The board did approved raising the midnight differential pay for the police department for the hours between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM from 20 cents per hour to $1.15 per hour above their regular hourly rate. The meeting was then adjourned.

The afternoon judging at the Expo on Friday started with the small animal show. Judge Brad Buttram from Hollister, Missouri selected Hunter Ryberg’s Market Meat Chicken Pen as Champion and Brystalin Ryberg’s as Reserve. Champion Market Meat Rabbit Pen went to Preston Perkins. Champion Senior Buck Rabbit went to Perkins, while Champion Junior Buck went to Ross Dunlap. Senior Doe Champion was won by McKinlee White and Junior Doe Champion went to Ross Dunlap. Junior Poultry Showmanship winner was Brystalin Ryberg. Junior Rabbit Showmanship award went to McKinlee White.

Judging at the Expo concluded late Friday afternoon with the Dairy and Beef Show, which started at 2:00. In the Dairy Division Kennedy Chapman exhibited the Champion Dairy Female, as well as the Reserve Champion. Bryce Mobray exhibited the Champion Angus Heifer, Ray Cunningham showed the Champion Hereford Heifer, while Brady Schafer had the Reserve Champion. Kaden Garrison showed the Champion Charolais Heifer, while Tiffany LuCerne exhibited the Reserve Champion. Bryce Mobray showed the Champion Crossbred Heifer. The Champion All Other Breeds Heifer was shown by Kallen Garrison. The Overall Champion Grand Heifer award went to Kaden Garrison’s Charolais Heifer and Bryce Mobray’s Angus Heifer won the Overall Reserve Grand Champion. John Cunningham exhibited the Champion Cow/Calf Pair with his Hereford cow and her heifer calf. During the Market Steer Show Class 1 winner was Kolten Stricklan’s 1075 pound steer, Class 2 was won by John Cunningham with a 1145 pound steer and Class 3 was won by Ray Cunningham with a 1195 pound calf. Class 4 win went to Tyffany LuCerne’s 1310 pounder, Class 5 was won by Byce Mobray’s 1380 pound calf, and Class 6 was won by Colson Seay with a 1495 pound steer. Tyffany LuCerne’s steer won the Champion trophy and Byce Mobray’s took home the Reserve Champion award. Pee-wee Bucket Calves were exhibited by Paige Cunningham, Henley Headrick and Ella Yates. Senior Showmanship honors for exhibitors 16 to 19 years of age went to Kaden Garrison, while Tyffany LuCerne won the 13 to 15 year old Intermediate Division and Kallen Garrison took home the trophy in 12 and under Junior Division.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5620, 5625 and 5650 while ditch work and grading would be done on county road 4080. Purcell stated after a flat tire on brush cutter #8 is repaired, brush will be cut on county road 4080. He went to say a man would be going to Springfield to get a load of oil for chip and seal repair, especially on county road 6580. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said weather permitting a crew would be adding materials and grading on Dent County Road 2590. He said brush would be cut on county roads 4340 and 6150 while a tree was going to be removed from county road 2380. Larson also stated a grader blade on Grader #32 was being changed out and he received from the Missouri Department of Conservation their CART program agreement that reimburses the county for them to put down white rock and grade roads that service the conservation area. He will sign that and get it back to them for another year. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that he attended a County Commission Association meeting last week and they have decided to not hold their annual training in Columbia next February. The meeting will be held virtually and it will still be required that all commissioners view the virtual sessions. The commissioners will have to sign an affidavit to that effect. Skiles also said the Missouri Association of Counties conference for this fall is up in the air. They will be meeting next month to determine the status of that meeting. All the commissioners wanted to congratulate the buyers, sellers, parents, the Junior Livestock Committee and all the volunteers for the great work at this year’s 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction at The Commons that set another new record for sales with over $245,000. Skiles also wanted to thank Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe for attending the auction. The commissioners also received a letter that the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s annual salary will increase to $145,334 for the next fiscal year. The commission also received four requests for CARES Act reimbursements with three coming from the Dent County Health Center totaling about $33,000 and another from the Dent County Sheltered Workshop for about $1,800. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the last day to request a mail out ballot or absentee ballot by mail is 5:00 Wednesday. People can vote absentee in person through August 3rd. She also said she has sample ballots available in her office and a sample ballot will also published in the Salem News. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday, July 27th at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The 2020 4-H and FFA Expo kicked off early Friday morning at 7:00 with the hog show with seven classes of market hogs. Class 1 winner was Isaac Westerman with a 232 pound barrow, class 2 winner was Kiara Kuhn with a 240 pound hog and class 3 was won by Jaxon Raulston’s 246 pound hog. Class 4 was won by Landon Cook with a 255 pound hog, Class 5 winner was Blake Edwards 275 pound hog, Class 6 winner was Lola Roderman with a 300 pound hog and Class 7 was won by Isabel Thomas’ a 318 pound hog. Judge Chris Hudson from Middletown, Missouri selected Isaac Westerman’s hog as Grand Champion and Lola Roderman’s as Reserve Champion. A lightweight class of market hogs was won by Bryce Martin with a 190 pound pig. Breeding class gilt winners were Katarina Morris, Corbett Ball, Bryce Martin, Kennedy Major and Jaxon Roderman. Corbett Balls gilt was Duroc Champion and Kiara Kuhn’s gilt was Yorkshire Champion. Champion Crossbred Gilt was won by Kennedy Major and Wyatt Martin took the Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt, while Olivia Wisdom exhibited the Champion All Other Breeds Gilt. In the championship drive Kiara Kuhn’s gilt was named Champion Commercial Gilt, while Kennedy Major’s gilt won the Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt. Judge Hudson selected Caden Manthey as Senior Showmanship Champion, Isaac Westerman as Intermediate Showman and Bryce Martin was tapped as the Junior Showmanship winner.

A drowning occurred Sunday afternoon around 3:00 on the Meramec River in Crawford County about 1.25 miles downstream of the Onondaga Boat Ramp. According to the Missouri Water patrol, 24-year old Alexander Terrell of Jefferson City entered the water to assist another person who was struggling and became submerged. Terrell was transported to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the North Crawford County Ambulance but was pronounced dead just after 5:00 in the afternoon by Dr. McCarthy at the hospital. This is the third drowning in Troop I this year.

The morning portion of the 2020 Expo livestock judging concluded with the Goat and Sheep Show. During the Goat Show Judge Hudson Selected Brady Shafer’s goat as the Class 3 winner and Champion Goat, plus Abbi Terrill’s goat was the Class 2 winner and Reserve Champion Goat. Charlee Duncan exhibited the Champion Breeding Doe. In the Sheep Show Hudson selected Stetson Mobray’s 90 pound lamb as Class 1 winner, Preslie Strader’s 122 pounder as Class 2 winner and tapped Kennedy Major’s 157 pound lamb as winner of Class 3. Strader’s market lamb was awarded the Champion Market Lamb, while Emma Fleener’s second place lamb in Class 2 was picked as the Reserve Champion Lamb. Cody Lundy exhibited a 63 pound lightweight lamb. Strader also exhibited the Champion Crossbred Ewe, while Tyffany Lucerne showed the Reserve Champion Crossbred Ewe. Champion Suffolk Ram was won by Kaenan Knaack. Sheep Showmanship went to Intermediate Tiffany Lucerne and Junior Preslie Strader. The Goat Showmanship Intermediate division was won by Lori Terrill and the Junior division winner was Brady Schafer.