Archive for 2022

This year’s 100-Acre in the Wood Rally will start off Friday in Washington County and continue Saturday in Dent County only. An updated total of 91 entries as of Thursday morning will compete this year in one of the most popular venues on the road rally tour. Back on the tour will be local favorite Ken Block, the winningest driver in 100-Acre Wood Rally history, as well Travis Pastrana, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, professional skateboardist Bucky Lasek, past ARA National Champion Barry McKenna, X-Games mountain bike medalist Brandon Semenuk, and the CEO of Fieldcraft Survival Mike Glover. The City of Potosi will kick off the event Friday at 12:30 with their Parc Expose followed by two spectator points at Stage 2 around 2:40, and Stage 5 around 5:50. On Saturday, the Rally moves to Dent County where the Parc Expose on 4th Street in Salem will start at 9:00 giving fans another opportunity to see their favorite teams up close before the Rally begins at 10:00. Saturday also provides spectators six opportunities to see the cars on course at full speed starting at Stage 7 at 10:45 Saturday morning as well as afternoon locations starting at Stage 9 at 1:15, Stage 10 at 2:00, Stage 11 at 4:15, Stage 12 at 5:00 and Stage 13 at 6:00. Maps on the locations of the spectator points are available at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce in the Crossroads Shopping Center and they are free. The 100AW organizers would like to remind all rally participants and spectators that Missouri’s “No Trespassing” Laws and “Purple Paint” Statute are still in effect during the rally and are asking everyone to watch for those signs and purple paint on trees, etc. Please respect all property owners by avoiding private property and if a landowner does not want you to spectate on their land, please move to a new location.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Wednesday that Rodney G. Durbin, who owned and operated “Honey Do’s Handy Service,” from Belle, Missouri, has been charged with consumer fraud and, on account of those charges, has been arrested. Durbin faces nine counts in Maries County for defrauding consumers and financially exploiting elderly Missourians. The charges in Maries County allege that Durbin falsely promised consumers that he would provide construction and moving services in exchange for upfront payments. However, once paid, Durbin only performed a minimal amount of work before abandoning the projects and refusing to issue refunds. On three occasions, the victims of this fraud were elderly. The prosecution of Rodney G. Durbin is being jointly conducted by the Missouri Attorney General and the Maries County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Skouby. Missourians who believe they may have been scammed by Durbin or any other contractor should file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office by calling the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov. As always, all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and criminal charges are not evidence of a crime.

Spring into Spring! Visit the Ozark National Scenic Riverways for a guided hike on the Cave Spring Trail near Devils Well on Saturday at 9:00. Join a ranger to discover the early signs of Spring along the upper Current River with a 5-mile hike that begins at Devils Well. Look for the first blooming trees and wildflowers of the year, seasonal fungi, birds, and wildlife becoming active. Listen for gobbling turkeys early in the day and learn some of the natural and cultural history of the area. The hike will lead to Cave Spring on the upper Current River and then return to Devils Well following a loop trail. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring plenty of water and snacks. The hike is considered moderate to difficulty. For more information, contact Skyler Bockman at skyler_bockman@nps.gov or (573) 323-4905. The trailhead for the Cave Spring Trail is located at Devils Well in northern Shannon County. From Highway 19, travel 2 miles west on State Highway KK, then one mile south on Devils Well Road. For more information about upcoming park events, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

The William Lynch Elementary School will be holding Kindergarten registration for the 2022-23 school year on March 22nd from 11:30 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening, and March 24th from 8:30 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon. If you can’t make the first two registrations, another registration will be held May 16th from 8:30 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon. Kindergarten students MUST be five years old by July 31st. Information you will need for kindergarten registration will be a proof of residency, your child’s immunization shot records and their birth certificate. Appointments are recommended. Please call 729-6611 to make your appointment or for any questions you may have.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association, better known as SACBA, is bringing back their Gift of Time volunteer awards to recognize volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Salem and Dent County. Individuals or organizations who have volunteered or made a significant impact for our community from 2020-2021 are eligible. Nomination Forms are available at: The City of Salem Administrative Office, Chamber of Commerce, Salem Public Library, Healthy Dent County/Salem Community Center, Bank of Salem, and Steelman Abstract & Title Company. Nominations must be submitted by March 31st, 2022. This year’s nomination categories are: Education & Youth, Community Enhancement or Preservation, Arts & Culture, Humanitarian and Outstanding Youth Volunteer for those who are 18 and under. Only one category nomination per submission may be accepted. You can submit separate nominations if nominating a nominee for more than one category. Please refer to the Nomination Form for additional eligibility information and nominee questionnaire. In addition to the form locations, nominations may also be emailed to “sacba@salemmo.com”, or mailed to Salem Area Community Betterment Association, P.O. Box 732, Salem, MO 65560. An awards banquet to honor category winners, as well as an Open House at the SACBA complex at 200 S. Main St., will be held in May. For more information or for nomination questions, send an email to sacba@salemmo.com, or message on Facebook @SalemAreaCommunityBettermentAssociation. As always, SACBA values the support of the community, and looks forward to honoring those who support our community.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports for February. On Monday February 7th at around 2:00 in the morning, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of South Carty for a report of gunshots being fired into a residence. It was reported that someone had drove by the residence and fired shots at the residence. The scene was processed, and evidence was obtained, and the incident is still under investigation. Later that same afternoon around 4:00 officers took a report of an assault that had occurred at the Cedar Grove cemetery. It was reported that two men had a disagreement and one of the men assaulted the other. As a result, a 63-year-old Salem man was arrested and later released on a summons to appear in court. Then at around 7:00 during the evening of Thursday February 10th, an officer arrested 25-year-old Michael Shaw of Salem for an outstanding warrant out of Dent County. Shaw was incarcerated at the Dent County jail. On Sunday evening February 13th near 8:00 officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North Pershing for a report of a subject that had unlawfully entered a residence. It was reported that a man had entered the residence and when the homeowners located the man, he was held at gunpoint until officers arrived. As a result, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. During the afternoon of Wednesday February 16th at around 1:00 an officer arrested 43-year-old Robert Nussbickel of Salem for an outstanding arrest warrant out of Crawford County. Nussbickel was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition. At around 1:00 on the afternoon of Saturday, February 10th, an officer arrested 33-year-old Elvis Meadows of Salem for 2 warrants out of Dent County. Meadows was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. Then finally at around noon on Tuesday February 22nd, officers arrested 41-year-old Heather Onkle of Salem for warrants for her arrest out of Jefferson County. Onkle was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting Thursday evening at 6:00 at the Salem R-80 Administration Board Room. After approval of the consent agenda, Chris Salzman and Doug Adams will give an ESP building project update. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will then give her report to the board on the budget and rural school tuition followed by the principals’ reports from William Lynch Elementary, the upper elementary, middle school and senior high as well as the activities and athletics report. In new business, the board will declare two vehicles for surplus that include a 1990 Dodge Ram half-ton truck and a 2010 International Max 4 bus. The board will discuss approving for all employees one-step up on the salary schedule for the 2022-2023 school year, go over the revisions of the SRCSP, set summer school dates, and determine a secondary usage of FEMA safe room for grant application. Also in new business, the board will consider Food Service Management bids for the 2022-23 school year, consider submitted gym floor advertisement bids, and set a date for the reorganization meeting following the Municipal Election on April 5th. The board will hear any resignations before voting to go into executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education Thursday night at 6:00 is open to the public.