Archive for 2021

As part of an ongoing improvement project taking place on Highway 68 in Dent and Phelps Counties, crews plan to close a section of the Highway starting TODAY. A contractor working for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will close Highway 68 at the intersection of Highway 8 south of St. James today in order to replace a box culvert and other culvert pipes at that location. The road will be closed through August 14th. Motorists will need to find alternate routes. Signs will be in place to alert travelers of the closure. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/modot-central-district.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington Street. In the Hearing of Persons, William Parsons has questions about his electric bill. After the consent agenda is approved, the board will hear Bill No. 3485, an ordinance that would establish new rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem. The board will discuss bids for a compact track loader for the yard waste at the Industrial Park. The equipment rental options presented on a Fabick Cat were for 160 hours per month and broken down by daily rates, weekly rates, four-week rates with forks and smooth bucket; or with a grapple rake; Erb Equipment’s John Deere option had daily, weekly and monthly rental rates on equipment, buckets or forks, or grapple rake; and United Rentals had an option with daily rates, weekly rates and monthly rates with a grapple rake. The board could also consider lease options. In one equipment lease option, Fabick could lease a machine to the city for 60 months with a monthly rate of $1,120.62 for 1,000 hours of operation per month. This lease also included a purchase option for $26,670. The other lease option would be with Erb Equipment and John Deere. The monthly rate with Erb would be charging would be $896.23 per month with 750 hours allowed per month. There would be a purchase option for the John Deere of $21,067.54 The board could also consider a one-time clean-up of the yard waste at the Industrial Park from Phillip Mercer for $3,200. The board will also consider bids for a lift pump repair. City Administrator Ray Walden will update the board on a number of items going on in the city. The Board may vote to go into closed session to discuss personnel. The regular meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen meeting tonight is open to the public.

An accident happened at about 4:45 Friday morning in Crawford County on Interstate 44 eastbound just east of the 214 exit took the life of an Oklahoma woman. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2006 Ford Escape being driven by 54-year-old Kelly Burgess of Tulsa, Oklahoma, traveled off the right side of the interstate onto the south outer road. The Ford then struck a fence and a utility pole before overturning and ejecting Burgess. She was pronounced dead at 5:55 by Crawford County deputy coroner Nikki Bussell. Burgess was taken to the Crawford County Morgue. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Patriot Towing. The report went on to state that Burgess was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Vida. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Kia Optima driven by 46-year-old Kimberly Salter of Rolla, was travelling eastbound and failed to yield to a 2014 Kia Sorento driven by 78-year-old Judy Watson of Houston travelling southbound. As the Sorento turned left onto Highway 63, it struck the Optima. At that moment, a 2007 Kia Sportage driven by 20-year-old Daisy Slagel of Macon was travelling southbound and struck the rear of the Sorento. Salter suffered serious injuries and was flown by LifeLine to University Hospital Columbia. Watson suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla by the Phelps Health Ambulance. An occupant of the Sorento, 59-year-old Teresa Gaston of Bucyrus, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla by the Phelps Health Ambulance. All injured parties were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident occurred Sunday morning at 1:25 in Crawford County on Route N just south of Rockwood Ridge Lane. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Chrysler 300 driven by 20-year-old Colin Wells of Rolla, was travelling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck several road signs, and overturned. The Chrysler came to rest on its side in the roadway. Wells suffered minor injuries and refused treatment. A 20-year-old occupant in the car, Zachary Kimker of Bourbon suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Both injured parties were wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chrysler was totaled and removed from the scene by Patriot Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Sunday, July 11th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Highway 32. During the course of the traffic stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was issued a summons and released. On Wednesday, July 14th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Pershing Street. During the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem woman and a 40-year-old Salem man were arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man and woman were both transported to the Dent County Jail and were incarcerated. On Thursday, July 15th, a deputy observed a 36-year-old Salem man the deputy knew to have active warrants near a residence on North Warfel Street. The deputy approached the man and during the course of the incident, he was arrested for the active warrants, as well as possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. That same day, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 300 block of East Truman Street responding to a report of a subject violating an order of protection. Deputies arrived on the scene and during the incident, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested for the violation of an order of protection, a 1st offense. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and was incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Missouri 4-H shooting sports teams won third-place honors at the 2021 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, June 20th through 25th in Grand Island, Nebraska. More than 590 participants from 32 states competed in nine disciplines. Over three days of competition, Missouri’s nine teams competed in three events within their shooting disciplines, developing a range of skills including leadership, self-discipline and wildlife conservation. The Muzzleloading Team took 3rd place overall and was coached by Rusty Howard of Dent County. The team was comprised of Adrianna Day, Wyatt Link (who took fifth in the individual competition), Trent Polley (who took seventh in the individual competition) and AJ Sherwood. None of the youth were form Dent County.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening, August 3rd at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call, a tax rate hearing will be called to set the district tax rate for 2022. The board will then review the minutes of the July meeting before hearing the financial report and approving bills. Next on the agenda will be the review of events on the calendar and the monthly reimbursement report. the board will hear any old or new business before hearing various reports. The board will set the date for the September meeting before adjourning. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors on Tuesday is open to the public.

The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up starting Monday, August 2nd. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of 4 feet or less, and grass that is bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.

The Kids Trout Fishing Tournament will be held tomorrow at Montauk State Park. The tournament is limited to kids 15 years old and younger and is sponsored by the Dorman L Steelman Lodge. The two age categories are 11 years of age and under and 12 to 15 years of age. The registration will be at the Lodge. Two prizes will be awarded in each age group for trout and stringer of trout by a random drawing of all entries at 2:00 Saturday afternoon at the Lodge. Gift certificates will be awarded to the winners. The tournament hours are from 7:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Other prizes will be awarded courtesy of the Ray Parker Memorial. For more information, call Montauk State Park at 548-2201

The interpretive staff at Current River State Park invites the public to learn about journaling and its similarities and differences over time at Tuesday morning, August 3rd, at 10:00. The workshop is approximately two hours long. This class will introduce participants to the wonders of nature journaling, not just words or drawings, but rather how to use both to remember their time in nature. Participants learn tips and tricks and receive a starter journal. Participants should wear good walking shoes and bring a water bottle and snacks. Space is limited and registration is required. Those interested in attending, should call Connie at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov to register. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. Current River State Park is located at 11053 CR 19D near Salem. For more information about the park, call 573-751-6414. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Have you been to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem where they still have open the exhibit entitled “Dent County Pictorial History?” If you have not yet attended, you are missing a chance to see how history has affected Dent County and their citizens, changes made over the years as well as progress made, all courtesy of a number of photographs taken over the years by the newspapers in town, family photos, special occasion photos such as church and family outings and much more. There is no charge to attend the exhibit and it is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. The exhibit will remain open until August 31st at 202 South Main Street in Salem, next to the Farmers Market.