Archive for 2021

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports for the first full week of January. On January 6th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Shawnee Mac Conservation Area. During the course of the traffic stop, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On January 7th a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 4180. During the course of the traffic stop, a 47-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released to a family member. On Friday, January 8th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop Highway 72 and Route C. During the course of the traffic stop, a 58-year-old St. James man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Sunday, January 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route H and Highway 72. During the course of the traffic stop, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through the Camden County Sheriff’s Office and for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, a prior drug offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was issued a summons. He posted bond and was released. if anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

Today is the last day for landowner enrollment into the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP) through the Missouri Department of Conservation. MRAP provides incentive payments of $15 to $25 per acre and habitat improvement financial assistance to participating landowners in return for allowing public access to their land for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Participating landowners can choose the recreational activities allowed on their property by selecting one of the following MRAP access types: all access hunting and fishing, small game and turkey hunting, youth only hunting and fishing, archery hunting, fishing only, or wildlife viewing. Offered lands must meet minimum eligibility requirements such as being 40 contiguous acres in size or five contiguous acres for wildlife viewing access types or one pond acre for fishing-only access types. MRAP properties must also consist of at least 20% quality wildlife habitat which includes native grass fields, crop field buffers, or managed woodlands to be eligible for the program. There are currently more than 50 properties enrolled in the program, totaling over 13,000 acres of lands available for public outdoor recreation. MRAP funding is provided through a U.S. Department of Agriculture federal grant. This funding allows for the additional enrollment of approximately 7,500 new MRAP acres. For more information on how to apply to the MRAP program, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Zcs.

January is National Radon Action Month and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages Americans around the country to test their homes for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer. Make 2021 a healthier, safer new year by testing your home. Last year nearly 21,000 people died from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. EPA’s radon program began more than 30 years ago as the scientific and public health community began to understand the risks associated with indoor radon exposure. Since then, elevated radon levels have been fixed in approximately two million homes in the United States and millions more have been tested. In many states, radon testing has become a standard part of real estate transactions. However, EPA estimates that about seven million high-radon homes remain across the United States. Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are available online and at most home improvement and hardware stores. You can also hire a qualified radon professional to test your home. Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon is a long-term investment in your families’ health and your home. The cost of reducing radon in your home depends on how your home was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes, however, can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. For more information on testing and contact information for radon resources in your state, please see: https://www.epa.gov/radon.

Filings for the April Municipal Election will end on Tuesday, January 19th. People interested in running for the school boards for Oak Hill R-1, Green Forest R-2, Dent-Phelps R-3, Northwood R-4 and Salem R-80 will need to register at the respective school offices during normal business hours. Those who would like to file for the Dent County Fire District Board will need to do so at the fire station during normal business hours. If you want so file for the District 2 seat on the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board, you will need to do so at the hospital administrative office during normal business hours. Those who would like to file for an east or west aldermanic seat for the City of Salem, will need to file at the City Administrative Offices during normal business hours. If you would like to file to serve on the Dent County Health Board, you will need to file for that position at the Dent County Clerk’s office. Please remember to know what the qualifications and requirements are to serve the office you want to run for and there may be a fee associated with filing. The last day to file for these board positions will be Tuesday, January 19th. If you have any questions about a respective board position, call the entity you interested in to get all the details.

The City of Salem Utility committee will hold a meeting tonight at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to discuss funding options for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 improvements. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Police department reports that an accident happened Tuesday afternoon January 5th just after 4:00. According to their report, a 2008 Ford Explorer being driven by Dianne Godi of Salem was traveling eastbound on Roosevelt Street. The Ford entered the intersection of Roosevelt and Doss Road striking a 2018 Kia Rio being driven southbound on Doss Road by Katelynn Mathes also of Salem. After the accident, the Kia spun 90 degrees and came to rest facing west on Roosevelt Street. The Ford sustained minor damage. The Kia had moderate damage and was removed from the scene by American Towing. Mathes suffered minor injuries in the accident.

While it’s important to know how to keep yourself and your family safe from physical harm during severe weather events, preparation for these weather emergencies doesn’t end there. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance wants consumers to know the importance of making sure they’re adequately covered BEFORE a severe weather event occurs. Although you may already have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, make sure you know exactly what it covers. If you don’t own a policy, arrange to purchase one as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and your family from a devastating loss. Waiting until a storm arrives may be too late to protect your home and belongings. It’s important to review your policy each year to make sure your coverage is adequate. It’s easy to forget about important purchases or additions you’ve made to your home and your current level of coverage may not be enough to replace what you own. And, not all policies and levels of coverage are equal – in fact, they vary greatly. While one policy may cover full replacement of a damaged roof, another policy may depreciate the coverage based on the age of the roof. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner’s policies. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you will need to purchase a federal flood insurance policy through your agent to cover flood damage. Consumers should do this as early as possible, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before a policy goes into effect. Being prepared will make it easier for you to file a claim following a severe weather event. Complete a detailed inventory of your household furnishings and take photos of each room in your home. Make lists of other valuables and equipment that don’t appear in the photos. Keep these materials in a safe place outside your home, such as a safe deposit box. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance provides more severe weather resources and tips for consumers on their website.

The Salem Police released a number of reports for late December. On Tuesday, December 22nd just before midnight, an officer conducted a traffic stop for an inoperable headlamp at the intersection of Rolla Road and MacArthur Street. After speaking with the driver, a 46-year-old woman from Salem, it was found she had a suspended drivers license. The driver was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court for driving while having her license suspended. Then on Christmas Eve just after 8:00, an officer was dispatched to Dollar General for the report of a female that had entered the store after being trespassed from the store before. As a result, a 38-year-old Salem woman was summoned to appear in court for trespassing. On the morning of Monday of the 28th at around 8:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after identifying the driver and knowing the subject had an active arrest warrant. The traffic stop was conducted at the intersection of Fourth and Iron Streets. As a result, a 70-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated on his active warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Once an entrepreneur has an idea for a business, the next step is to discover if it can be turned into a business. Today from 1:30 until 2:45, entrepreneurs will learn the key elements of a business plan and how to use it as a management tool in a FREE virtual program called “Building a Business Plan.” This program offered by the Missouri Small Business Development Centers. To register, go to https://bit.ly/0114businessplan and you will be sent a Zoom link to participate virtually.