Archive for 2022

On Saturday, six members of the Salem High School Band auditioned at Hickman High School in Columbia performing in eight individual auditions. Named to the Missouri All-State Band was senior Christopher “Kip” Harris who earned 1st Chair playing the Euphonium. He is the first Salem Tiger to ever be named as first chair playing the Euphonium for the Missouri All-State Band. This is the second year in a row he has achieved the honor of making the All-State Band. Also named to Missouri All-State band was sophomore Xander During as the 2nd Chair Contra-alto Clarinet, an instrument he just began playing this semester. He also auditioned in the competition on the Bass Clarinet. The All-State Band is the highest honor a high school band student can achieve! The Missouri All-State Band will perform at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center on Saturday, January 28, 2023. A special congratulations goes out to Kip and Xander, and a job well done to all the other band members who competed at the audition.

In the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce business Window Decorating Contest, taking 1st place was Pizza Hut on Highway 32-72 East. Taking second place in the competition was the Salem License Office and US Bank. Visit these beautiful windows as well as all the other entries located at McDonald’s, Allen’s Treasure Chest & Den, American Family Insurance, Trinty, VIP Properties, Progressive Ozark Bank, Parsons Chiropractic, Edward Jones, the Ozark Natural Cultural Resource Center, Country Chic Boutique and Tax Masters.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday evening at 7:30 in Crawford County on Highway 19 just south of Nature Lane. The report released by the highway patrol states that a 2013 Toyota Prius being driven by 74-year-old Wanda Dinkela of Steelville, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Dinkela and a passenger, 72-year-old Carla Nicocin, also of Steelville, both suffered minor injuries and were taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The Toyota was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The driver and passenger were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports for the end of November. On Sunday, November 27th, a deputy investigated a trespassing complaint on Dent County Road 3190. During the investigation, a 28-year-old female and 38-year-old male, both of Salem, were arrested on outstanding warrants and taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Monday, November 28th, a deputy investigated a reported fraud. The victim, a 62-year-old Salem female, told the deputy that unknown persons had made unauthorized transactions with her bank account online. The investigation is continuing. On Wednesday, November 30th, a deputy investigated a reported domestic assault that occurred on Private Lane 335. The victim, a 59-year-old Salem woman, reported she was assaulted by her spouse. The suspect, a 59-year-old Salem man, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail and charged with Domestic Assault in the 2nd Degree If you have any information about any investigation, please call the sheriff’s department at 729-3241.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Department is once again holding the “Light Up the Park” at the Salem City Park now through December 31st and everyone is invited! There is no charge to drive through park after dark entering from Route J also known as Rolla Road which is the normal park entrance. Those organizations, individuals or businesses that have displays up this year are the Corinth Baptist Church, Town and Country Financial Services, Mid-MO Spray Foam, Parsons Chiropractic, Edward Jones, Salem United Methodist Church, Scenic Rivers CPA, Town and Country Insurance, United Country – Salem Realty, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bank of Salem, Chilton Oil Company, Salem Residential Care, Salem Rotary, Town and Country Bank, Dent County 4-H, C & G Rebuilders LLC, Tina Pierce and Family, 5G Services – Heating and Cooling, State Representative Ron Copeland and Family, Salem Lutheran Church, City of Salem Parks and Recreation, the Salem FFA and the Salem Community Center @the Armory. Christmas music at the park on 97.5 FM is provided by KSMO Radio. This Saturday, you can enjoy popcorn and have pictures taken with Santa at the Salem City Park from 3:30 until 6:30. For more information about the ‘Light Up the Park” or pictures with Santa at the park, please contact Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois at 729-6290 or send her an e-mail her at salemparks@salemmo.com.

The Bread and Butter class originally scheduled in November at the Current River State Park that was postponed has been rescheduled for this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. Snacks and drinks will be available, but attendees will need to bring their own lunch and a jump drive for the Power Point presentation as well as something to take notes with. Participants must be 16 years old or older to attend. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or e-mail connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. Registration will close on December 5th. The Current River State Park is located at 11053 County Road 19D south of Salem.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6470 while only grading would be done on county roads 4210 and 5490. He went on to say the Title II rock work is almost completed. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3140 and 3180 while brush would be cut on county road 2530. Larson reported work crews would be installing a driveway pipe on Dent County Road 3300 and materials would be added to the road as well. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he met with Dent County and Salem Economic Development Director and temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge about a letter of support for the city’s application for additional grant funds for the Department of Economic Development’s Community Revitalization Grant. These funds would be in addition to the TAP grant the city has already been approved for that would remove and replace all non-ADA compliant sidewalks serving businesses along 4th Street as well as installing historic replica lighting on 4th Street on the south side from Highway 19 to Iron Street, and both sides of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Washington Street. The additional funds would be used on the west side of the 4th Street project and extend the scope of the original project. The total amount of funds for the project would come to just over $990,000. The commission approved the letter of support from the county for the project. Skiles said he spoke with the Alexander Construction Company concerning the courthouse Christmas lights and they reported to him they are on their last leg. They have them working at this time and hope they will make it through the holiday season. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to work on the budget and financial statements. A.J. Seay and Amanada Sapaugh with the Senate Bill 40 board updated the commission on their status. He said 60% of their budget goes to the Sheltered Workshop with another 34% going to administration for salaries and building upkeep. He also said six percent of their funds go to schools for special education needs. Seay said they are working on their budget and brought to the attention of the commission the Sheltered Workshop may need a new storage building if they receive three work contracts they are negotiating. He said the SB40 Board budget couldn’t assist with that project at this time as the estimated costs could be $60,000 or more. Also, the flood plain maps at the Dent County Courthouse as reported in Your World Today Thursday are the proposed preliminary maps from 2019 and 2020 as the new maps are not yet completed. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said her office will have extended hours for those wanting to pay their tax bills on December 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th from 8;00 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon. Remember, all mail MUST be postmarked NO LATER than Saturday, December 31st and she recommends if you wait until that day to take your envelope inside to have it hand stamped. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse at the southwest corner of the courthouse square. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Kick off the Christmas season with the annual tree lighting and Salem Chamber Choir performance at Echo Bluff State Park this evening. The tree lighting will be at 7:00 followed by the Salem Chamber Choir’s heavenly sound as it fills to the rafters of the Lodge lobby as the choir performs traditional Christmas carols. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive just north of Eminence. For more information, call 573-751-5211. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will be holding their “Parade of Lights” Saturday night starting at 5:30 from the SBU Salem Campus at Grand and Franklin. Over 50 entries are participating this year with the theme “Under the Christmas Tree” with the Grand Marshall this year being former Mayor Gary Brown. The parade will move east on Franklin to MacArthur where the parade will travel north to 4th Street and then head east to the courthouse square. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the parade, but if you are unable to make it this year, KSMO Media will be streaming the parade LIVE from their post near the Salem Public Library at 4th and Jackson Streets. The broadcast should get underway close to 6:00 and can be seen on the KSMO Facebook Stream page, ksmoradio.com and the KSMO YouTube page. There is no charge to watch the parade and if you miss it, the parade will be available for playback at a later time. If you have any questions about the parade, please call the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 729-6900.