Archive for 2021

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of November. They served 10 summons to appear in court, wrote 63 warning tickets, and 21 traffic tickets, plus they served seven fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 10 traffic accidents, wrote seven property damage reports, 13 stealing reports, and conducted one death investigation. The department investigated two driving while having a license revoked or suspended charges, one driving while being intoxicated report, two possession of drug paraphernalia charges as well as a domestic assault report, one unlawful use of a firearm report and responded to two shots fired inside the city limits The department was also dispatched for 41 animal calls, 21 ambulance assist calls, and performed 91 traffic stops for the month. The Department conducted 26 follow-up investigations, investigated two leaving the scene of an accident reports and responded to three suspicious circumstances. The Salem Police Department received 756 calls for service during the month of November and had 28 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 9,743 miles during the month. There were ten males and two females arrested in November. The Police Department also served four hours during the month as court bailiff.

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. After approval of the consent agenda, minutes from the December meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. The Board then heard the financial report where the 2021 budget was approved. There was no calendar review as COVID and the construction in the district cancelled most events. The monthly reimbursement report was not available at the time of the meeting and it is expected it to be sent to the board members. In Old Business, the contract with Cahill Construction has been completed and all payments have been made. In New Business, the board discussed and approved an increase in the pay for Chief Brad Nash. They also approved to increase wages to keep up with the current wage laws and cost of living increase. The next meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection Board will be Tuesday, February 2nd at # 2 South Main at the fire station. The meeting was then adjourned.

Recently, a different written media published an article discussing the notice requirements for the upcoming municipal election, scheduled to be held on April 6, 2021. After consultation with State of Missouri election authorities, the City of Salem is compliant with the notice requirements for the upcoming April 6th municipal election. The election will be held as previously announced in Resolution No 21-2020 that was passed during the public session of the Aldermen Meeting held November 16th, 2020 and publicly posted.

The Salem Police department has released the report of an accident that happened on the afternoon of Wednesday December 30th just after 1:00. According to the report from the department, a 2002 Chevy Cavalier being driven by Edward Goforth of Salem was stopped at a stop sign facing west on West Roosevelt and started in traffic to cross Route HH and struck a 2010 Volkswagen being driven by Anthony Morrison of Salem. Goforth stated he didn’t see the Volkswagen. The Volkswagen had extensive damage while moderate damage was sustained on the Chevy. Goforth suffered minor injuries and was examined on the scene by personnel from the SMDH EMS.

“Starting a Business: The First Steps” is a FREE workshop being offered by the Missouri Small Business Development Centers. This morning from 10:30 until 11:45, participants will learn about discovering their target markets and gaining a better appreciation of why businesses need to understand their customers. The workshop will show participants the steps in registering their business with the federal, state the basics of understanding the importance of cash flow projections and various funding alternatives. The workshop can be viewed by Zoom. To register, go to https://bit.ly/0108FS. Registered attendees will be sent a Zoom link to participate virtually

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 14,555 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the firearms deer season from December 26th through January 5th, 2021. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 318 deer harvested, Callaway with 317, and Osage with 298. In the local area, Texas County reported 236 deer harvested, Crawford had 213 deer taken, Dent County reported 197 harvested, Shannon County had 178 deer taken, Reynolds County reported 155 deer harvested and Phelps County had 116 deer taken. The harvest total for last year’s alternative-methods portion was 12,024.

A Salem teenager was injured in a one vehicle accident that happened Tuesday afternoon around 3:30 in Phelps County on Route BB about a half mile south of Highway 8. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix being driven by 18-year old Dominic Pickett, was traveling south when he traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. Pickett was transported by a private conveyance to Phelps Health for the treatment of minor injuries. Pickett was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeons Towing.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon at just after 2:15 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about six miles south of Steelville. According to the report from the highway patrol, 31-year old William Rutz of Steelville was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the right side of the road, striking a sign and then a tree. Rutz suffered moderate injuries and was transported by air to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. It was not determined if Rutz was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Mitsubishi was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

The Dent County Extension Council is holding elections this week through Friday. In the Central District, there are five candidates and they are Randy Burrus, Dalton Connell, Chris Holliday, Drusilla Howard and Dalton Sanders. Voters in this district can vote for a maximum of five candidates. In the Northern District, there are two candidates and they are Cami Barnitz-Chapman and Michael Dunn. In this district, voters can vote for a maximum of two candidates. In the Southern District, there are three candidates. They are Janelle Blair, Karin Casper and Tracy Strange. Voters in this district can vote for a maximum of two candidates. Ballots are available at the Dent County Extension office at 112 East 5th Street where you can vote in person, or by going online at extension.missouri.edu/counties/dent and click on the county council button. Any Dent County residents, age 18 and older, may vote. If you have any question, please call the extension office at 729-3196.

If you are a business owner, business manager or are wanting to start a business, you should attend the Business @ Breakfast on January 14th starting at 7:00 in the morning. You may attend in person or via zoom. In-person seats are limited to 10. You will hear from Candace Connell, business loan specialist with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, who will explain the CARES RLF, also known as a Revolving Loan Fund, which is a loan opportunity in our region that is utilizing special federal funding to support area businesses. This money is intended to spur new business growth through startups, expansions and new business lines. This loan program IS NOT intended for reimbursement or assistance with COVID-19 related expenses. The Business @ Breakfast will be hosted personally by Sally Burbridge, the Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director, and virtually by Sarah Hultine Massengale, from the MU Extension. This get together will be held at the Salem Community Center, Rotary Meeting Room, or you attend via Zoom. Reserve your space today by contacting Sarah Massengale at hultines@missouri.edu and specify: In-person seat (limit 10 seats) or virtual link. Doughnuts and coffee will be served for those attending in person.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports from early to mid December. On December 8th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of South Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On December 9th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 2500 block of Dent County Road 3300 for the report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 28-year-old man was the reported victim. This investigation is ongoing. On December 11th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious vehicle at the intersection of Route K and Dent County Road 6200. Several deputies traveled to the area and during the course of the investigation, a 48-year-old Salem man was arrested for stealing a motor vehicle, tampering with motor vehicle in the 1st degree and for stealing. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On December 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Pershing. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 3260 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 34-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released reports from court held in Crawford County Tuesday in front of Judge Megan Seay. In the first case, Samuel Rogers of Licking pled guilty to burglary in the 1st degree, felony stealing and the possession of a firearm by a felon. Judge Seay sentenced Rogers to nine years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. In the second case of the day, Craig Davis of St. Louis pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. Judge Seay sentenced Davis to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor.

Salem native Stuart Pryor recently was named as President and CEO of Progressive Ozark Bank succeeding Kara Huitt who retired from the post in late December 2020 after 17 years with the company. Pryor has served more than 19 years with the Progressive Ozark Bank Salem Branch. His experience ranges from his first part-time post during college to most recently serving the past 11 years as Chief Financial Officer.