Archive for 2020

With school being cancelled for the rest of the year as ordered by Governor Mike Parson, free breakfast and lunches for children age 18 and under are still available at a number of locations through May 15th. These meals are available for ALL children. It doesn’t matter if you attended Salem R-80, any of the rural schools or were home schooled. In town meals can be picked up at Salem Upper Elementary at 1601 Doss Road from 10:30 until 12:00. This location is primarily for those living south of Highway 32/72 and those that live south of the city limits. The second in town location will be the US Foods Parking lot at 502 South Carty Street from 10:30 to 10:50 for those living north of 32/72 and east of Highway 19. The final in town location will be the Southwest Baptist University at 501 South Grand from 11:00 until 11:20 for those that live north of Highway 32/72 and west of Highway 19, as well as those living west and north outside the city limits. Out of town locations will include Junction of P Highway and Dent County Road 5070 from 10:30 until 10:50. This location is primarily for those living on P Highway and the surrounding county roads. The second out of town location will be the Junction of Highway 32/72 and Dent County Road 4235, near the old candy stripped store, from 11:00 until 11:20 for those living east on Highway 32/72 and the surrounding county roads between Highway P and Highway W. The final out of town location will be at the Junction of Highway 32/72 and Highway W from 11:30 until 11:50. This location is mainly for those living east on Highway 32/72 past Highway W, as well as those living on Highway W and the surrounding county roads.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for March 28th through the 30th. On the evening of March 28th at approximately 7:48 an officer was flagged down at the gas pumps at Phil Mart in reference to a disturbance that had taken place. It was reported that there was a verbal argument over another subject damaging the reporting parties’ vehicle. A description of the vehicle was given out and area officers located the vehicle. As a result of the investigation a 38-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons for driving while revoked. The next day, Sunday the 29th, approximately 9:51 in the morning an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of East Coffman for a report of property damage. After meeting with the victim it was reported that a tire on their vehicle had been slashed. This incident is still under investigation. Later that same afternoon at around 12:47 an officer was dispatched to the Ranch Motel for a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. Upon arrival the officer was contacted by the victim and informed that someone had stolen an amplifier out of his trunk. The amplifier was valued at $150. This incident is still under investigation. On Monday the 30th at around 10:37 in the morning an officer was dispatched to the 1200 block of west Rolla Road for a report of property damage. It was reported that someone had damaged a Coca-Cola vending machine. This incident is still under investigation. Later that afternoon at around 4:30 an Officer was dispatched to SMDH to transport a 26-year-old female from Webb City for a 96-hour evaluation. The female was transported without incident to Phelps County Regional Medical Center and released to hospital staff. Then on the morning of Thursday, April 2nd at 7:51 an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of south Warfel for a report of a theft from a motor vehicle. It was reported that a vehicle had been broken into and a debit card and a tire gauge was taken out of the center console. The incident is still under investigation. That same morning at 10:20 an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a stolen purse. It was reported that the purse was left in a shopping cart and the suspects were seen on video surveillance entering the bathroom with the purse. This investigation is still ongoing. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.

For now, the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory remains open. They understand the essential role the lab plays in supporting Missouri’s agricultural industry and as long as they can continue to operate safely, the MU Soil Testing Laboratory in Columbia will continue to accept samples. The MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab has served farmers and homeowners for at least 70 years. Tests provide unbiased, research-based recommendations for efficient nutrient management and improved production. Due to COVID-19, many MU Extension centers are not currently accessible. If your county extension center is closed at this time, you can submit your samples directly to the MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab, 23 Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Visit the lab’s website at soilplantlab.missouri.edu for detailed instructions and to generate a UPS shipping label. Include a completed sample information form. Forms are available for download. Just click on the “soil analysis” tab and proceed to the bottom of the page and click on “Forms for Samples.” For questions, visit soilplantlab.missouri.edu or call 573-882-0623.

The Dent County Sheriffs department has released some reports. On Friday, April 10th, a deputy traveled to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for a report of a verbal disturbance in the parking lot. Upon his arrival and investigation, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having active arrest warrants through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and was incarcerated. That same day a deputy traveled to 404 South Warfel for the report of a domestic disturbance. During the course of the incident, a 41-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Christian County. The woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she later posted bond and was released. Then on Saturday, April 11th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 7500 block of South Highway 19 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 69-year-old woman was the reported victim. The total value of the property which had been stolen was approximately $8,000.00. This report is still under investigation. Please contact the Dent County Sheriffs office at 729-3241 if you have any information on these investigations.

The Dent Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received by the county in April. It showed that in 2019, the General Revenue sales tax was $105,219.98 while this year the county received $80,783.40. That is a $24,436.64 decrease comparing April 2020 and April 2019. Year-to-date, the county has received $22,927.19 less than for this time last year in General Revenue. The Road and Bridge Department received $36,363.00 this April while last year during April the county received $48,661.70. That is reduction of $12,298.70 for the month and that fund is down year-to-date by over $9,240.28 which is a 5.94% reduction. Each jail fund received $72,690.37 from the collections in April, but that month-to-date total for each fund is down $24,534.21 and year-to-date, each fund is $17,617.17 less than last year. The money received due to the Secure Rural Schools Act from the National Forest came to $208,935.62. The Road and Bridge Fund will receive 25% of that amount which comes to $52,233.91. The other 75% of the funds will be disbursed to school districts with Salem R-80 receiving $38,329.24; Bunker R-3 will get $60,643.55; Oak Hill R-1 will receive $31,653.75; the Iron County C-4 school will get $24,745.20 and Northwood R-4 will receive $1,331.97. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported collections during the month of March came to $143,865.78 and that is down from the March 2019 collection report. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said crews would be out checking roads for downed tree and limbs and possibly some washouts. Purcell stated that some grading or patch grading would occur on Dent County Road 5150 and roads in the 2400’s north of Highway 32, and brush was to be cut on county roads 5510 and 6255. Purcell stated that the transmission went out on the Cat grader that serves the Bunker area. They are looking for a loaner to replace the Cat grader while that one is being repaired. Purcell also reported on the 2% Dent County Tourism tax income for the month of March and it was down $804.06 from the March figure of last year. Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3370 and 4030 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2070. Larson said two men were working on dump truck #115 and then they would be hauling rock. Preisidng Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he has been attending numerous COVID-19 meetings with Dent County Health Director Kendra Mobray and Dent County Emergency Director Brad Nash about the virus. Skiles said Dent County still does not have a reported case. He does say that with the “stay at home” order, the economic impact the county faces will be tremendous and he is asking every office holder to be overly conservative in their spending. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting continues until June 1st for the June 2nd Municipal election. She said the last day to mail out an absentee ballot will be May 20th. She said the county and state primary will be held on August 4th. She mentioned that she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of March. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, April 20th at the courthouse at 9:00 in the morning and the meeting is open to the public.

University of Missouri Extension is offering online town hall meetings led by agronomy, livestock and horticulture specialists. State and regional extension specialists will hold the weekly town hall question-and-answer sessions on Wednesdays. The times and topics are 11:00 in the morning until noon for home horticulture; from noon until 1:00 for commercial horticulture; from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon for forages and livestock; and from 2:30 to 3:30 PM for field crops. The sessions will be via the Zoom teleconferencing system. Registration is required to receive email with the Zoom link and instructions. Register and submit questions at ipm.missouri.edu/TownHalls.

Time is running out to get a variety of low cost native tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Right now they are offering residents a variety of those low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife food and cover. Orders are being accepted through TOMORROW! The Department of Conservation has extended the seedling shipping time frame through the end of May. According to MDC, the shipping season typically winds down in early May after nursery staff has shipped millions of seedlings to schools, landowners, and MDC staff for planting all over the state. Since the precautionary measures were put in place to decrease the spread of COVID-19, the nursery has been closed to the public and they have plenty of seedlings left. Order your seedlings online: mdc.mo.gov/seedlings, or fax an order form to 573-674-4047. Contact the nursery at 674-3229 or email them for an order form: StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. You can take a virtual tour of the nursery are available at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zey.

The Missouri Department of Revenue wants the public to know that the new REAL ID compliant driver’s license and ID cards are now available. The Department began offering REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards last year in March. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card is optional. Effective this October 1st, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Individuals will also be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants. “REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver licenses and non-driver ID card security. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. You can apply for your REAL ID at the Salem License office next week when they reopen on Monday, April 20th. For more information, visit
dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information.

Following state and federal guidance, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is extending the temporary closures of its facilities and cancellations of its public events and programs through April 30th. MDC will reassess the situation at that time. To help protect people amid increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, MDC temporarily closed its regional offices, department headquarters in Jefferson City, staffed shooting ranges, nature centers, visitor centers, and educational centers around the state to the public in March. MDC also temporarily cancelled its public events and programs, including hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. While MDC offices are closed to general visitation, offices will still be staffed. Visitors with official business will need to notify the office to gain access. Find MDC office contact information at mdc.mo.gov. Conservation areas, nature center trails, and boat accesses remain open to the public. Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons continue as scheduled. MDC managed hunts and mentored spring turkey hunts continue as planned. For more information on MDC, to contact MDC offices, to buy permits, and more, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the mid-Missouri area for the period of April 13th through the17th. The projects listed will include lane closures that could cause traffic delays. Work will take place during the entire week, unless otherwise noted. Weather conditions may postpone the work schedule. In Dent County, pavement repair will take place on Highway 19 between Highway 68 and Route TT, and on Highway 32 between Highway 19 and Highway 72. Edge rut repair will take place on Highway 68 between Route FF and Highway 19, and on Route B between Highway 19 and Highway 72. MoDOT reminds motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow posted signs and drive safely through work areas. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). You can also follow MoDOT’s Central Missouri District on Twitter and Facebook.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways asks for assistance from the public to identify those responsible for a recent wildfire and to prevent future arson in the park. Each year, several wildfires within the Riverways are caused by arson. While carefully planned prescribed burning has a variety of benefits for Ozark landscapes and ecosystems, wildfires caused by arson have the potential to damage natural and cultural resources, historic structures, and private dwellings within the park boundary. Landmarks such as the Wallace Barn near Devils Well, consumed in an arson fire in August 2016, are forever lost. Responding to wildfires also puts the lives of firefighters at risk. Recently, the Pot Hole Wildfire, near Pulltite Campground, burned within sight of a private dwelling that had been rebuilt after a previous wildfire destroyed the original cabin. The National Park Service is offering up to $10,000 for information that leads to convictions in arson cases. If you have information that can help catch arsonists, please provide as much information as you can about the suspected arson, including the location, date and time of the fire; the description of vehicles or persons observed at the scene; any names of persons responsible or involved plus any other pertinent information. Caller’s contact information will be needed for reward purposes. To report an arson, call or text the Investigative Services Branch Tip line at 888-653-0009 or E-mail to nps_isb@nps.gov.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported that in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court on Friday in front of Judge Megan Seay, Herbert helms of Salem had his probation revoked and he was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections. Also on Friday, Curley reported that Heath Bradley who was incarcerated in the Department of Corrections under a long-term treatment order of one year for charges involving the felony possession of a controlled substance and for receiving stolen property, incurred a conduct violation while in the program. Judge Seay ordered that his seven year sentence now be fully executed.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that the Patrol is extending the suspension of all written and skills-based driver road testing at all locations until April 27th, 2020. This includes operator, commercial driver license, and motorcycle testing. In addition, the Patrol is extending the suspension of all salvage inspections at all locations and all bus inspections until April 27th. This does not affect local businesses that are the providers of safety and emission inspections for the public and may continue to be open for services depending on their circumstances. The Patrol is monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and will update the public on testing and inspections as more information becomes available. The Missouri State Highway Patrol appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to ensure public health and safety.