Archive for 2025

A convicted felon from Salem was indicted on Wednesday and accused of concealing the death of his uncle, a U.S. Army veteran with quadriplegia, for at least five years so that he could steal at least $650,000 of his disability benefits. Brian K. Ditch, 44, is now facing four felony counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of theft of government property and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Ditch was solely responsible for his uncle’s care beginning in 2008, and kept his uncle locked in his garage and under his control so he could fraudulently obtain his government benefits. Instead of properly caring for his uncle, Ditch trapped him in the garage for over 24 hours at a time, forcing his uncle “to sit in his own urine and feces without the ability to eat or drink,” the indictment says. After his uncle’s death around 2019, Ditch concealed his death and the body so he could continue to receive the money, the indictment says. It says Ditch told relatives that he had moved his uncle into a nursing home. His uncle received $9,559 per month in Disability Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the indictment says. Ditch’s uncle also received a total of $235,210 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Retirement Insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration since 2008. Ditch used the money to buy exotic reptiles, fund lavish vacations and enrich himself, the indictment says. Salem police officers found the uncle’s partially frozen body in a trash can in March, as well as three shotguns, the indictment says. As a convicted felon, Ditch is barred from possessing firearms. Ditch is expected to plead not guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Friday. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the VA OIG’s Central Field Office said that The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is committed to holding accountable anyone who exploits veterans or steals their VA benefits. He went on to note that VA’s programs and services are established to justly compensate deserving veterans and the VA OIG will bring to justice those who would defraud these programs. The Salem Police Department, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Outgoing Board of Directors will be meeting Wednesday evening at 6:00. After the call to order will be the roll call followed by approval of the Consent Agenda, which will include review of the minutes, financial report and approval of bills, plus the budget review. The Monthly Reimbursement Report will precede the closing of Old Business which will include a declaration of election results. Board member departing remarks will be shared followed by adjournment of outgoing Board Sine Die. The first regular meeting of the Incoming Board of Directors will be called to order by the Secretary of the Board. Election of officers will be the first order of business for Chair/President, Secretary/Treasurer, Budget Officer, and Custodian of the Records. New business will include a report on the bond money by LJ Hart and Company, depository and withdrawal authorizations CD and Banks, including signature cards. The Board will review the By-Laws, be updated by Director Stokes on a department website, review CD report and information, and review quotes for Fire Fighting equipment by Chief Floyd. The Chief will then present his report followed by closed session if necessary to discuss personnel. The date for the next meeting will be set followed by adjournment. The regular meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.

A drowning occurred around 1:36 in the afternoon on Thursday, May 8th in the Jacks Fork River at the Alley Spring Campground in Shannon County. According to the Missouri Water Patrol Report, a 69-year-old Eminence man fell into the water and was unable to resurface. He was swept downstream by the current where his body was later discovered. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Shannon County Deputy Coroner Alan Ford at 2:30 Thursday afternoon. He was not wearing a water safety device. The body was taken to the Yarber Funeral Home in Eminence.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports starting on Monday, April 28th. That day, Dent County deputies conducted a traffic stop on South Jackson Street. During the course of the stop, a 46-year-old Salem man was arrested for Driving Without Having A Valid License.  The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was later processed and issued citations. On Saturday May 3rd,  deputies took a report for stolen property from the 12000 block of West Highway 32. The items stolen include a rifle, TV, and other items. Information was provided concerning possible suspects and the investigation is ongoing. On May 8th, Dent County  deputies took a report for stolen property the 2000 block of Dent County Road 4060. The 19-year-old victim advised officers a known suspect had stolen a .410 shotgun from the location. The investigation on that report continues. Two reports of dog bites occurred on May 9th. In the first report, deputies responded to the Salem Memorial Hospital for a reported dog bite that occurred in the 2900 block of Highway 68. The owner was contacted by the officers and quarantine instructions were provided. The case was closed. In the second report, deputies again responded to Salem Memorial Hospital for a reported dog bite that occurred in the 700 block of Dent County Road 3220. The owner was contacted about the dog and quarantine instructions were provided. This case was also closed. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 573-729-3241.

An accident occurred Friday morning at 5:00 in Iron County on Route KK three miles south of Bixby. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2020 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by a 22-year-old St. James man, traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a ditch, and overturned. The man suffered moderate injuries and was taken by EMS to Phelps Health Hospital. The report stated that the man was not wearing a safety restraint. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Wrecker Service.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports it has confirmed 243 new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Missouri deer in 35 counties. Texas County was one of the seven of that had their first CWD-positive case. The CWD-positive cases were found through sampling and testing of more than 36,000 deer during the past deer-hunting season and post-season targeted-removal efforts with most cases being from hunter-harvested deer submitted for sampling. The disease has been attributed to significant deer population declines in other states and threatens Missouri’s deer population, hunting culture, and economy. Most of the new CWD positive cases were from the more than 276,000 deer harvested during the 2024-2025 deer-hunting season. MDC confirmed an additional 70 cases of CWD found through its targeted-removal efforts of 4,768 deer after the close of the deer season in localized areas near where CWD has been found. MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Deb Hudman explained that the goal of targeted removal is to remove CWD-positive deer and reduce deer density in these localized areas to slow the spread of CWD and protect Missouri’s deer herd. Targeted removal is a proven method to slow the spread of CWD and Missouri is one of several states that uses it to manage the disease. Those new cases bring the total number of CWD positives found in the state to 815 over 46 counties since the first positive CWD case was found in wild deer by MDC in early 2012. Although the number of CWD-positive counties increased, Hudman noted that CWD management efforts have kept infection rates low. Hudman said that less than 1% of samples tested positive for CWD. Learn more about CWD at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each this month. MDC will offer 600 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears from three MDC black-bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2025 Missouri black-bear hunting season, October 18th-31st. MDC increased the number of available permits from 400 to 600 for additional hunter opportunities and lengthened the season to incorporate an additional weekend for hunting. Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the 2024 season with five being females and 10 being males. MDC will again also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run October 18th-26th and the elk firearms portion to run December 13th-21st. Missouri hunters harvested five bull elk during the 2024 season. Get more information on elk hunting and apply at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.

Agingbest wants to see every person live the best life possible. To help our community do this they are asking for volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities here are a few: meal delivery to home-bound clients, lawn care, technology education assistance, pet care assistance, and many more. Call 800-369-5211 to volunteer in one of the 19 counties in Central Missouri.

On Sunday, May 18th from 10:30 in the morning through 1:30 in the afternoon, amateur photographers are invited to join park team members on a photo tour of the Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park. Sponsored by the Onondaga Friends Association, these extended tours include extra time for photographs to be taken at specific locations along the tour route. Each tour begins at the visitor center located at 7556 Route H in Leasburg. The tours last between two and two and a half hours. Cave tour fees apply. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, a cool 57 degrees year-round and near 100% humidity. Participants should dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes and bring their own photography equipment. The tour will be limited to a maximum of 30 participants. Advance registration is preferred and done so by calling 573-522-1860.