Archive for 2020

Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray reports that the Health Center has confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19 in Dent County. The patient’s identity will remain confidential, and they have been notified that they have tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Center is working with this individual to insure they are following Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in regards to isolation. The Health Center is working with this individual to identify close contacts in order to monitor them for symptoms and contain spread. If you are identified as a potentially exposed person, you will be contacted by the Dent County Health Center as they are taking necessary precautions to keep our patients and community safe and will continue to diligently monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow CDC guidelines to help protect the public health and limit spread of this infection. It is important that each and every one of us continue to practice basic preventative measures to help decrease the spread. These measures, as outlined by the CDC, include: avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, and staying home when sick. The Health Center highly encourage you to call your healthcare provider before seeking care if you suspect that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

A two vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon around 2:15 in Dent County at the intersection of Highway 72 and Route C about six miles west of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2002 Chevrolet 2500 pickup being driven westbound by 50-year old Wade Mendenhall of Salem, was crossing the roadway and was struck by a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica traveling eastbound and being driven by 25-year old Christopher Roach of Salem. Mendenhall, who was wearing a seat restraint, was transported by Salem Ambulance to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. An occupant in the Roach vehicle, 58-year old James Blaylock of Salem, was transported by Salem Ambulance to Phelps Health for the treatment of moderate injuries. A passenger in the Roach vehicle, 25-year old Emily Roach, also received moderate injuries and was transported by Mercy Air Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The injured occupants of both vehicles were not wearing safety devices. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage with the Chevrolet being removed from the scene by a private vehicle while the Chrysler was removed by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department and the Lenox Fire Department.

A Rolla resident was injured in a one vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon shortly after 1:00 in Barry County on Highway 39 and Route WW. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2011 Ford Escort being driven by 60-year old William Chapman of Rolla was traveling north when he ran off the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. Chapman was wearing a safety restraint and was transported by EMS to Cox South in Springfield for treatment of moderate injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Hillbillys Towing.

A one vehicle accident happened in Phelps County at 7:00 Tuesday morning on eastbound Interstate 44 at the 188.6 mile marker. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria driven by 18-year old Meadow Maxwell of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned striking several trees. Maxwell, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was transported by EMS to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

A two vehicle accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday morning at around 9:15 on westbound I-44 near the 189.9 mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2016 Chevrolet Express being driven by 32-year old Timothy Hance of Salem was attempting to merge onto Interstate 44 as a 2007 Buick Lucerne being driven by 82-year old Leo Bogue of Cuba attempted to avoid the Hance vehicle. The Buick traveled off the left side of the roadway, overcorrected and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. Both drivers were wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Hance suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health for treatment. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident with the Buick being removed by Miles and Sons Towing and the Chevrolet was taken from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On the evening of Monday, April 27th at 6:21, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart for the report of a theft. It was reported that an unknown male subject placed a bottle of Fireball whiskey valued at $15.99 in his sweatshirt and left without paying for it. This case is still under investigation. Just before 1:00 on the afternoon on April 29th, officers responded to the 700 block of East Coffman after receiving information that a male subject with an active warrant was at the residence. Once at the residence contact was made with a 58-year-old Salem man that had an active probation and parole warrant and was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail for incarceration. On Tuesday May 5th, an officer was dispatched to the Crawford County Jail to pick up a 27-year-old Sullivan female who had an active warrant out of the City of Salem. The female was transported back to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. That same afternoon at approximately 4:40 officers were dispatched to the 700 block of west First Street for the report of a physical domestic dispute. It was found that a male subject in the home had become very intoxicated and physical with other members in the household. During the investigation, a 59-year-old Salem man became combative and uncooperative with officers and as a result, one officer sustained injuries to his hand. The subject was taken into custody and placed on a 24-hour hold at the Dent County Jail pending the application of warrants. A probable cause statement was forwarded to the Dent County Prosecutor. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Don’t forget the Salem Community Garden still has plots available for the 2020 growing season. The first plot is free and additional plots are $10 each. The Salem Community Garden is located behind the Salem Methodist Church. For more information, contact Master Gardener Thom Haines at 247-7592 or Sarah Massengale at 729-3196.