Archive for 2021

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released some reports from court held last week in Dent County in front of Judge Megan Seay. The first case was that of Danielle Casados of Rolla who pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine as part of the undercover taskforce operation. Casados was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115 as requested by the state. Also on Friday, Tiffany Billiot of Boss pled guilty to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine as well as forging a check. Billiot was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115 as requested by the state. In the next case, Kenneth Billiot of Salem pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine. Billiot had no prior criminal history and was placed on five years’ probation with probation and parole as requested by the state. In the next case heard Friday in front of Judge Seay, Jennifer Adams of Wright City had her probation revoked. She will now serve seven years in the Department of Corrections. Finally on Friday, Judge Seay held a probation violation hearing for a new charge of the possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, and for maintaining a public nuisance for Kristopher Schafer of Salem. The state sought the execution of the defendants previously imposed sentence of seven years. The defendant was granted continued probation with the drug court in the probation case as well as for the new charges for the possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and maintaining a public nuisance. The defendant was given a 10-year suspended execution of sentence and was placed on probation for five years as well being required to complete the Dent County drug court program.

Volunteers for AARP are still conducting free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory computer lab. If you haven’t already filed your taxes and need help, you can make an appointment for this free tax filing assistance for any available Friday through April 9th. Call the Salem Community Center at 729-8163 to make your appointment. This is the 16th year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that the volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road.

Governor Mike Parson announced back in February that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program will improve assistance offered to eligible low-income Missourians. will implement an Energy Crisis Intervention Program that will improve assistance offered to eligible low-income Missourians. When a household’s energy source has been shut off or is at risk of disconnection, the winter Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), which runs November through May, pays the minimum amount needed on the fuel bill to get the household out of crisis. Starting this winter, ECIP will pledge the maximum disconnect amount (up to $800) toward an eligible participant’s owed balance. It is very important for low-income Missourians who have received a disconnect notice or know a disconnect notice is coming to get help now to prevent service disconnection at a later date. In Fiscal Year 2020, Missouri provided $78.6 million in LIHEAP assistance to over 108,000 households. In addition to meeting the income criteria, low-income Missourians must also meet these criteria to be eligible for winter heating assistance through LIHEAP. They must be responsible for paying home heating costs, have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments, and be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence. Missourians in need of information on LIHEAP, Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov. Individuals can also apply for these services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov.

Wearing a seat belt is your best defense in a traffic crash. Always buckle up, everyone, every trip, every time. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind teens how dangerous a car ride can be if they don’t take wearing their seat belt seriously. Unfortunately, car crashes remain the number one cause of death for teens, and often times, a seat belt makes all the difference. Law enforcement will be out in full force from March 15th through the 31st to crack down on unbelted teen drivers and help save lives. The national average for seat belt usage is 91%. Missouri is below that average at only 86%, and teens in Missouri fall even lower at 75.5%. Under Missouri’s Graduated License Law, permit drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts. Of the 185 teenagers killed as vehicle occupants in traffic crashes from 2017-2019, 72% were not buckled up. When properly used, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries to front-seat passenger vehicle occupants by 45% and reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injuries by 50%. To give Missourians a better understanding of the crash problem, namely seat belt usage, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speeding, Missouri’s state highway safety plan called Show-Me Zero identifies specific ways everyone can help to make our roadways safer. With no primary seat belt law or all-driver texting ban in Missouri, motorists are asked to personally take the challenge to Buckle Up Phone Down. Put your cellphone down while driving and always make sure you and your passengers are buckled up. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and teen seat belt safety, visit saveMOlives.com, or find us on social media at Save MO Lives.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Chairman of the IDA Board, Donald Dodd, reported that three members of the board are up for re-appointment. Dodd stated that the terms of Jeff Sellers and Sherman Odom are up as well as the term of Joan Sample. Dodd stated that since Sample moved out of the county, she could no longer serve on the board and he will find someone to replace her. He asked if the commission would reappoint Sellers and Odom and the commission did by a 3-0 vote. Dodd also reported the board elected officers and he was again elected chairman, Dean Jones was elected as vice-chairman and Joan Sample was elected as Secretary. Since Sample cannot serve on the board anymore, they will have to elect a new secretary at their next meeting. Dodd also reported the IDA Board would like to contribute $20,000 to the City of Salem Demolition Program with a couple of stipulations to be used to remove or demolish dilapidated old homes. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5220 and 6115 while materials would be added and grading done on county roads 2470 and 5380. He said brush would be cut on county road 5615 and the county will be installing a new culvert on Dent County Road 4220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2580, 2590, 2593, 2600, 2610 and 2613. He went on to say that two pipes will be installed on Dent County Road 4030, then materials will be added and grading done on that road. Larson also stated materials would be added to county road 3370. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting Tuesday, a County Commissioner Association of Missouri meeting Wednesday morning in Jefferson City to be followed by new commissioner training. Then on Thursday, Skiles will be attending a PHA Board meeting to be followed by the MRPC Board meetings. Finally on Friday, Skiles will attend a South Central County Commissioners Association meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley stated the last day to register to vote in the April 6th Municipal Election will be March 10th. She said absentee voting continues at the courthouse through April 5th. Curley stated her office balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of February, and she balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, abatements and add-ons for the month. She had the county sign the letter from Curt Faigle from the 100 Acre Rally in the Woods that welcomes their group to Dent County, and the commission also approved the contract from Stonehenge properties, LTD-Revcorp for the 9-1-1 recording system contract for five years at $3,562.76 per year. Curt Faigel also came to the meeting and went over the roads to be used in this year’s event and stated it would be in Dent and Crawford counties only. The event will be held March 19th and 20th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

A Licking resident was injured on Saturday afternoon just before 4:00 on Highway 63 in Callaway County just north of the Katy Trail bridge. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2002 Ford Focus being south by 19-year old Zhanaya Lawhorn from Columbia, was traveling south on Highway 63 and side swiped a 2021 Ford F-350 also traveling south and being driven by 63-year old Lori Reed of Licking. After the accident, the Focus traveled off the left side of the roadway, came back across the road and traveled off the right side of the road before coming to rest after striking a tree. Reed suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private conveyance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. Lawhorn received moderate injuries and transported by ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. The Focus was totaled and secured at the scene. The F-350 had extensive damage and was removed by Tow Pro of Holts Summit. The report states that Reed was wearing a safety restraint while Lawhorn was not.

An accident happened Sunday evening just before 7:00 in Texas County on Highway 63 just two miles north of Houston. According to the report from released by the highway patrol, a 2013 Dodge Durango being driven by 40-year old Desirae Curtis of Licking was traveling north on 63 and came to a stop. The Dodge was struck from behind by a 2017 Kia Forte being driven by 20-year old Alice Morgan of Plato. Morgan and two juvenile passengers all suffered minor injuries. The children were both taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital. Morgan was also taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital by a private conveyance. Both drivers and the passengers were all wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge had minor damage while the Kia sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Jays Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Houston Fire Department and Houston Rural Fire Department.

USDA officials have announced a March 31, 2021 application cutoff for producers that have an existing active CSP contract enrolled as a 2017 classic and/or the 2017 renewal contract. To be eligible for the renewal opportunity, the existing contract must expire in 2021. The CSP program helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resource concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. Producers with an existing, active 2017 contract will receive a notification letter about the opportunity to apply for a renewal contract from NRCS. The letter will detail the CSP renewal application process. For more information about conservation planning and programs to help treat natural resource issues on your land, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov or your local USDA Service Center in Houston at 417-967-2028.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of January. They served 10 summonses to appear in court, gave 76 warning tickets, and 10 traffic tickets, plus they also served 6 fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 6 traffic accidents, wrote 3 property damage reports, 6 stealing reports, and investigated 2 minors in possession of alcohol. The department investigated 2 driving while being revoked or suspended, 1 unlawful use of a firearm or weapon, 4 possessions of drug paraphernalia, 3 possessions of a controlled substance as well as 1 driving while intoxicated, and responded to 1 sexual offense. The department was also dispatched for 22 animal calls, 10 ambulance assist calls, and performed 91 traffic stops for the month. The Department also conducted 37 follow-up investigations, investigated 1 leaving the scene of an accident and responded 2 suspicious circumstances, 10 suspicious subjects, and 12 suspicious vehicles. The Salem Police Department received 722 calls for service during the month of January and had 38 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 9,184 miles during the month of January. There were 10 males and 6 females arrested in January. The Police Department also served 4 hours during the month as court bailiff for the month.

The Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be making drainage repairs at various locations in Phelps County this week. Crews will be making improvements along North Outer Road at Route U, the North I-44 Outer Road between Route V and Parker Lane, the South I-44 Outer Road between Route V and Marion Drive, and Route KK between Highway 68 and the Crawford County line. Work will take place Monday, March 8 through Thursday, March 18 between 6:30 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon each day. The Missouri Department of Transportation crews will also be performing roadside maintenance at various locations along Highway 72 in Dent County. MoDOT crews will be flushing culvert pipes and making ditch repairs between Highway 68 and Route FF. The Work is scheduled to take place today through Friday from 6:30 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon. Most of the work is expected to take place off the roadway, but some lane closures are possible. Drivers are advised to expect some minor delays and to give crews plenty of room to work. MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while this work takes place. The work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central

Need trees and shrubs for your landscape? Go native with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, beautyberry, buttonbush, deciduous holly, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. The prices range from 22 – 90 cents per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1% will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $8 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly. Occasionally the seedlings succumb to uncooperative weather or hungry wildlife, despite the nursery staff’s best efforts. Fiaoni said that even if a species is listed as sold out, customers can still place an order for them. Sometimes orders get cancelled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Learn more and place orders with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s “2020-2021 Seedling Order Form.” You can pick one up at Department of Conservation regional offices and nature centers. You can also access the form online at mdc.mo.gov/seedlings, or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229 or by e-mail them at StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. You can place your orders now through April 15, 2021. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking now through May.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold another special meeting tonight at 6:30 in the city hall council chambers. After the call to order and roll call, the board will go into closed session to discuss personnel and attorney/client privilege. The meeting is NOT open to the public.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon at 2:06 on Route B about 2 miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Kia Soul driven by 24-year old Broc Losing of Springfield, was travelling southbound and crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2013 Chevrolet 1500 driven by 55-year old Gene Matlock of St. Louis head on. Losing suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by private conveyance. Matlock also suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by St. James Ambulance. An occupant of the Kia, 25-year old Sarah Rowland of Springfield, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Matlock was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. It is unknown if Losing or Rowland was. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing of St. James.