Archive for 2025

On Wednesday, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office, appointed by Judge Privette as special prosecutor, has filed criminal charges in Shannon County against three members of the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Thomas R. Manning, former sheriff’s deputy John D. “J.D.” Melvin, and Captain Michael G. McCoy, following allegations of abuse and exploitation committed under the guise of law enforcement authority. The alleged conduct occurred between January 1st and July 29th this year while the individuals were acting in their official capacities as law enforcement officers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted an investigation. The allegations outline repeated instances in which women stopped during traffic encounters were subjected to inappropriate touching and degrading sexual comments. The charging documents further allege that McCoy and Melvin engaged in forgery involving official court documents, including the alleged falsification or transfer of a probable cause statement intended to influence judicial proceedings. Deputy Thomas R. Manning faces seven counts of Sexual Misconduct in the Course of Public Duty, two counts of 1st degree Sexual Abuse, three counts of Harassment 1st degree, and one count of Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st degree. His bond has been set at $50,000. Captain Michael G. McCoy has been charged with one count of Sexual Misconduct in the Course of Public Duty and one count of Forgery, with bond set at $15,000. Former Deputy John D. “J.D.” Melvin has been charged with one count of Forgery, and his bond has also been set at $15,000. Hanaway states the people of Shannon County deserve justice and accountability and her office will pursue the truth and ensure that anyone who abuses their position is held responsible. The Attorney General’s Office emphasizes that law enforcement is a high calling, one that requires integrity, restraint, and compassion. The Attorney General reminds the public that the charges against the defendants are merely allegations. As in all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

An accident happened in Maries County Tuesday evening at 11:35 on Highway 63 about a half mile south of Route P that left a man from Licking with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 60-year-old man from Licking was driving a 2005 Ford Escape northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the right side of the road. The Ford Escape then overturned. The man was taken by Air Evac to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Escape was totaled and removed by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Maries County Sheriff’s Department, St. James Ambulance District and Vichy Volunteer Fire Department.

Quick reminder, entry forms for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights are due today at noon. For more info call 573-729-6900.

The next edition of Your World Today will be available on Monday, December 1st. From all of us at Your World Today we wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Monday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board appointed Kathryn Hill and Conrad Hake to the Salem Public Library Board of Trustees. The Aldermen also approved a bid from Forester Works in the amount of $112,861.16 for feeder line tree trimming. This phase of the project will cover seven miles of feeder line in the southwest quadrant of the city and includes limb trimming, tree removal, brush clearing, and lawn remediation to ensure utility lines remain clear, reliable, and safe. The Electrical Fund’s Capital Improvements budget currently has $69,500 remaining for tree trimming this fiscal year. The remaining $43,361.16 will be allocated in the next fiscal year beginning in July. During the reports of city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge highlighted her recent meeting with MMMPEP. Finance Director Stacy Houston presented the city’s financial report, and Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield updated the board on ongoing local projects. Sutterfield also reported on her attendance at the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA) Conference in Tennessee, made possible in large part by her selection as one of four scholarship recipients. Mayor Greg Parker noted several upcoming community events. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that the city’s utility crews continue to make progress on Phase 2A wastewater treatment plant upgrades and that the facility remains in good condition. Alderwoman Catherine Dent shared that she attended the ribbon cutting for the new Four Rivers Salem Clinic and announced that the Advocates for Animals, a subcommittee of the Community Involvement Committee, facilitated an agreement between Ozark Pet Rescue and DCAWS to assume operations of the former DCAWS facility, which will be renamed the Ozark Pet Rescue Charlotte White Center. Additional details will be provided at a later date. With no further reports, the meeting was adjourned. The next regular Alderman meeting is scheduled for December 9th in the auditorium, and is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of October. The department responded to 23 accidents during the month. Officers responded to eight alarms sounding and addressed 75 animal calls, investigated six assaults or fights, performed 27 well-being checks and 12 area checks in October. Police investigated six domestic disputes, eight verbal disturbances conducted 80 follow-up investigations and provided 27 escorts. They investigated eight fraud reports, had six reports of found property, had two intoxicated pedestrian reports, three trespassing calls, two parking complaints and a property damage report. The Salem Police responded to eight juvenile problems, wrote seven stealing reports, responded to eight traffic complaints and assisted three motorists. Officers responded to a report of a suicidal person, 29 suspicious circumstance calls, five suspicious person calls, and four suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in October investigated three reports of shots fired, two sex offense calls, and checked out an abandoned vehicle call. The Salem Police also investigated a missing persons report, three peace disturbance calls, a report of an overdose and a report of an open door. Officers attempted to serve four warrants and conducted 51 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 561 incidents in October with the average response time to calls being two minutes and 23 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 23 minutes. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, public Comments will then be heard. The Salem Library Board of Trustees is asking for board approval for two new members to be added to replace S.N. Ball who resigned and Harold Hamilton who passed away. The two new members would be Kathryn Hill and Conrad Hake. The board will discuss the two bids received for the powerline tree trimming in town from Asplundh and Forester Works before the board hears reports from city officials. City Administrator Sally Burbridge will discuss the MPUA meeting held October 29th and Finance Director Stacey Houston will present the financial report to the board of aldermen. The board may then go into closed session to discuss personnel. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting on Thursday evening, in the administration building. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, several students were recognized for exceptional reading achievements. Branden Piatt and Lisa Jones honored John Salyer, Rowan McGrail, Reece England, Emily Jones, Miley Jones, Savanna Sexton, and Shiann Sexton for leading the district’s Beanstack reading leaderboard. The board also received the annual district audit report from Ken Schultz of Schultz, Wood & Rapp, P.C. Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills provided an update on district projects and initiatives, noting progress toward multiple CSIP goals. He recognized staff members Mystee Swank and Jody Heavin for their contributions and reported on ongoing repairs to the Upper Elementary roof and baseball dugouts. Dr. Wills also highlighted recent donations from the Licking VFW, including $1,000 each to the robotics team and FFA, and he announced the district’s award of $150,000 from the Volkswagen Trust to purchase a replacement bus. Board members were reminded of upcoming building visits from Board of Education members on December 11. The filing dates for school board candidates are from December 9–30, there will be an informational session for prospective board members scheduled for December 2. Administrators also reported that track surface and drainage improvements are underway. In new business, the board voted unanimously to set board filing dates, they approved a $115,000 bond pre-payment, and accepted the district’s audit report with noted corrections. Maggie Hogan was selected as the district’s nominee for the Belcher Scholarship. Personnel updates included the hiring of Bobby Jarvis as a W.L. Elementary custodian and Candita Mathes as a middle school personal aide, as well as resignations from Kayla Howard and Victor Snider. The board then entered executive session to discuss personnel and student matters before briefly returning to open session to adjourn the meeting. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Wednesday evening, November 19th at the fire station. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 with all members present. The consent agenda was approved followed by the monthly reimbursement report which showed a total of 17 calls for October and 236 total calls for the year. In old business the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease was tabled along with the decision on the rescue tools quotes. Policy and Procedures were reviewed and discussed. The decision was tabled to acquire further information. In new business the quotes for fire hoses was presented and discussed. The quote from Hoffcomp for $8,437.00 was approved. Quotes for Bailout Window for 2nd story training was presented and discussed. The $1,960.00 bid from Outlaw Fabrication, LLC, was approved. Quotes for Breach Training Door were presented and discussed. The $2,885.00 bid from Outlaw Fabrication was approved. The Christmas Party date was set for Saturday, December 13th at 6:00. Chief Dennis Floyd reported on the training that Greg Thies and Scott Montoya attended for Instructor Training. Floyd said it went well and was very good. He said the two new brush trucks have had decals applied, and the skid units are still being built for those trucks. Floyd said that Dent County Overhead Door has looked at the doors to the fire station and parts are on order. He also noted that all turnout gear has been received. The date for the next board meeting was set for December 9th at 6:00 at DCFPD. The board went in to closed session at 7:25 and returned to open session at 9:21. In closed session due to Chief Floyd retiring December 1st, the Board voted Derek Thomas, the current Assistant Chief, as the new Chief of the District and Derek Marfitt as the new Assistant Chief. With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:24.