Archive for 2021

The July Fourth weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy one of Missouri’s lakes and rivers. Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday. Safety should be at the top of the list when you plan on how you’ll celebrate our nation’s freedoms. In 2020, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two people drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made six boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s July Fourth holiday weekend. The 2021 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6:00 this Friday night until to 11:59 Monday night, July 5th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation Dry Water over the July Fourth holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water specifically targets impaired vessel operators. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri waterways to enforce boating laws and offering assistance as needed. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating your vessel. Never operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol. Boaters need to be aware that it is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel. Leave all fireworks in a safe place on shore. Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!! Anyone needing assistance or who witnesses any criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s waterways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

An accident involving a Salem woman occurred Monday morning at 11:53 on Interstate 44 at the 186-mile marker eastbound entrance ramp to the highway. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country driven by 35-year-old Jason M. Flyzik of St. Clair, struck the rear of a 2015 Chevy Cruze driven by 22-year-old Chiara M. Nicholls of Crocker. The Cruze then struck a 2011 Kia Sorrento driven by 45-year-old Jody R. Kimrey of Salem. After being hit, the Chevy Cruze traveled onto eastbound I-44 and struck a 2018 Ram 1500 driven by 38-year-old Bryce Burke of St. Louis, forcing the Ram into a 2015 Buick Enclave driven by 78-year-old Teodorico Mendoza of Schaumburg, Illinois. Chiara Nicholls suffered moderate injuries, while her infant son had minor injuries. They were both transported to Phelps Health in Rolla by Phelps Ambulance. Also suffering minor injuries was Jody Kimrey of Salem and she was taken by the Phelps Ambulance to Phelps Health. The 2012 Chrysler Town and Country sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The Chevy Cruze sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Big Boys Towing. The other three vehicles had minor damage with the Ram and Buick being driven from the scene, while the Kia was secured roadside. The report stated that everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 15th, officers with the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Shannon County Sheriff’s Department, concluded a series of long-term narcotics investigations in Shannon County, Missouri. As a result of these investigations, 17 suspects were arrested for delivery of a controlled substance. The arrest teams consisted of members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Shannon County Sheriff’s Department, Oregon County Sheriff’s Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department, and Mountain View Police Department. A temporary detention facility was provided by the city of Winona, Missouri. A total of 27 charges were made for the delivery of a controlled substance with three individuals having three charges, four having two charges and the rest of those arrested each having one charge. These charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction.

With the Fourth-of-July weekend coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation encourage people to look for red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities. MDC offers some suggestions to get started finding red, white, and blue in nature like Red Royal Catchfly Flowers, White Beard-Tongues or Foxgloves, White Great Egrets, Blue False Indigos, and male Indigo Buntings. If you want more information on these and other Missouri plants and animals, including where to find them you can use the handy and helpful MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov. You can also check out GreatMissouriBirdingTrail.com for a list of the best-of-the-best places to birdwatch in Missouri, and more.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Shawn Bolerjack , Race Director of the Honor Our Heroes Marathon, requested the closing of Dent County Road 2300 from 6:45 until 7:30 the morning of November 20th. This part of the road was needed so the marathon could be certified by the United States of America Track and Field organization. The request was approved by the commission. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4160 and 5020, and possibly 6010 and 6590 if the crews can get the grader to work. Mobray stated brush would be cut on county road 4210 and materials would be added to county roads 6055 and 6250. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson wanted thank Commissioner Mobray for cutting a path between three downed trees on county road 5225 at the end of Route E. Work crews on Monday completed the cleanup. Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3333, 4060 and 4477 while brush would be cut on county roads 2300 and 3230. Larson reported the county receive about $18,000 from the Department of Conservation for the white rock they used on roads going into the conservation areas. He also said a hydraulic hose on brush cutter #9 was being replaced. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he attended an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management Full Council meeting on June 15th and heard a presentation by Scott Volner from Catalytic Innovations in Rolla how they are able to remove minerals out of the battery recycling that can help plants. Skiles said those interested in submitting a waste recycling grant this year can apply beginning July 1st. A workshop will be held on July 28th that will be available by Zoom to help those preparing the grant application. The applications MUST be submitted by noon on August 20th at the MRPC offices. Skiles also indicated Brady Wilson of Rolla Recycling was again elected Chairman with Skiles re-elected Vice-Chairman of the council. He said he would be attending the IDA Board meeting tonight at 6:00 and on Wednesday, there will be a Broadband meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory from 10:00 in the morning until noon. This is being put on by the MRPC and is relevant to Dent County only. Skiles prepared a letter that was approved by the commission to send to Governor Mike Parson asking him to veto Senate Bill 53 that raises Sheriff’s salaries in relation to those of a federal judge. The burden of the salary increase would fall directly upon the county and becomes another unfunded mandate created by the state that could affect the jobs of other law enforcement offices. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley presented to the commission a Resolution from the Missouri Ethics Commission that establishes a procedure for certain elected officials to disclose any possible conflict of interest they may have with them holding office. The county clerk, presiding commissioner, prosecuting attorney and judges must file these forms every year. Curley said she attended the South Central Region County Clerks meeting at West Plains last week where a number of issues were discussed, mostly on election laws. The commissioners approved a technical assistance contract from the MRPC regarding the distribution of the ARPA Funds as Salem has already received the first payment of those funds, but as of yet, there is no clarification of what these funds can be used for. The commissioners also approved a Resolution on the removal of the private gate from Dent County Road 4128. Skiles discussed with the commissioners that the distribution of COVID funds will come to an end on June 30th. They approved that any money left in the fund as of that date would be transferred by the treasurer to the LEST Fund based on the request by the Sheriff’s Department last year. The amount left is around $4,000. The board receive one bid for chip and seal work and that came from Blevins Asphalt from Mt. Vernon for $259,142.40 That came in under the budgeted amount of $260,000 and was approved by the commission. At the last meeting, the commission heard from Great Rivers Associates about the two FLAP projects. The Cooley bridge is 90% complete on permits and the right of way access has been signed. Bid openings will begin in September and construction will begin in October. The Tan Vat Road overlay will need more surveying and Commissioner Mobray recommended to stay within the road and put in more guardrails on the cliff edge curves with more signage. The projects will have a bid date of January with work to begin in February. Also, Steven Patterson wanted to remind everyone to comment on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways trails and riverways proposal before July 18th. The courthouse will be closed on Monday, July 5th for Independence Day and the commissioners will not be meeting that day.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2018 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by TOMORROW, June 30th, during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2018, 2019 and 2020 will be declared due by August 20th, 2021. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 23rd. Check payments are no longer accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check or money order. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Starting July 1st, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2018 need to be paid IN FULL by Tuesday, June 30th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold a special meeting Wednesday morning, June 30th, by Zoom at 11:30. After approval of the agenda and a resignation, the Board will adjourn and move into Executive Session to discuss personnel.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on three cases heard in Dent County on Monday, June 21st in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. In the first case heard, Tina Lingner of Salem had her probation revoked and was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. Christine Rightnowar of Raymondville then pled guilty to felony charges for passing bad checks to Country Mart and was sentenced to serve three years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the last case heard Monday, Justin Miller of Birch Tree who previously had pled guilty to the distribution of meth and the possession of meth back in 2020, was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115 that provided for a shock incarceration of 120 days. Miller had requested probation while Prosecutor Curley sought the ten-year sentence under Section 559.115.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of May. They served eight summonses to appear in court, gave out 57 warning tickets, and nine traffic tickets, plus they also served 13 fugitive warrants and two city warrants. The department investigated seven traffic accidents, wrote four property damage reports, 11 stealing reports, and investigated an identity theft. The department investigated a charge of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, two resisting or interfering with an arrest, a violation of an exparte or full order of protection, a possession of a controlled substance, three possession of drug paraphernalia as well as three domestic violence reports, investigated a trespassing report, a peace disturbance, and conducted one death investigation. The department also investigated two sex offenses, and one unlawful use of a firearm. There were 18 males and 12 females arrested during the month of May.

The Missouri Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program that provides benefit vouchers to low-income seniors who are 60-years of age or older is now available in Dent, Crawford and Phelps County through the Mid Missouri Aging Best office. Eligible seniors will receive 10 vouchers with a value of $5.00 each for a total of $50 each year they can be used to purchase fresh, raw, unprepared foods grown in Missouri and that includes fruits, vegetables, honey and cooking herbs. The vouchers may be used now until October 31st or earlier if your local farmers’ market closes before Octobers 31st. You have until September 30th to get your vouchers and they can be used at any Farmer’s Market that is part of the program. The maximum household income to qualify for the program is 185% of the poverty level for a single person with incremental income levels for those with multiple family members. A senior may also qualify if they participate in the SNAP program or Community Supplemental Food Program. Seniors can also name a proxy on their behalf to apply for and purchase foods on their behalf. The program application must be signed by both. For more information about the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Dent, Crawford or Phelps County, contact Aging Best at 573-443-5823. The program is also available in Shannon and Texas counties through the Springfield Senior Age Agency on Aging by calling 417-862-0762.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the Independence Day Parade will be held on Sunday, July 4th at 6:00 PM. The theme will be “Show-Me-Missouri, Celebrating 200 Years” with Ahleesha and Mike Elwood as the grand marshals. The Chamber WILL BE assigning lineup positions for this parade after they did not last year, so participants need to contact the chamber to get their lineup position. The Line-up begins at 5:15 Sunday afternoon. The parade will follow the normal parade route going east from the corner of South Grand and Franklin, north on MacArthur, then east on 4th Street just past the Courthouse. Those who want to participate need to fill out a parade form and submit it no later than Thursday! You can drop it off at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Office at 1136 South Main in the Crossroads Shopping Center, fax it in at 573-729-6741 or e-mail it to chanber@salemmo.com. Call 729-6900 and talk with Tabitha if you have any questions or stop by the Chamber of Commerce office.

Missouri State Parks invites the public to participate Learn2 Paddle kayaking classes offered at select parks this summer. The program is for anyone who wants to experience kayaking but is not sure where to start. It is also perfect for those who want to get out on the water but don’t own a kayak. In the Salem and Dent County area, the Current River State Park will host two-hour kayaking classes on Saturday, July 10th from 10:00 until noon, and on Friday, August 6th from 1:00 until 3:00. The Missouri State Parks will provide the kayaks, paddle, life jackets and instructors. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the entire program. Participants should be comfortable around water. All Missouri State Parks rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented program; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Paddle program. The class registration fee is $5 per participant; registration is required. For registration information, visit mostateparks.com and click on their Learn 2 button under Topics. 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.