Local News – Monday, April 16th, 2018

An accident happened in Dent County Saturday afternoon at 3:50 on Route B about four miles east of Salem that took the life of a man from Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 44-year old Shannon Williams of Salem was driving a 1997 Toyota Forerunner eastbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and the Forerunner traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Toyota returned to the roadway, but Williams overcorrected and it went back off the right side of the road again where the Forerunner struck an embankment and overturned. Williams was not wearing a seat restraint and was ejected from the Forerunner. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells at 4:35. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District at the accident scene.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 1:55 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about five miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt driven northbound by 18-year old Kylee Sexton of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a tree. Sexton suffered serious injuries and was flown to the University Hospital in Columbia. The Chevy Cobalt was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles Towing. Sexton was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will be holding a public hearing at 6:30 tonight for the annexation of property on Highway 32-72 West owned by the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The hearing will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. Immediately following the closing of the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a public meeting concerning the same property also at the City Hall Council Chambers. Following these meetings, the Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting for their regular meeting at 7:00. The board will hear from John Hambacker, Beverly Atchison and Gene Baker about lifetime appointments to many city positions. The board will hear and discuss bids on the Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase 1A Improvements Project before reviewing the public hearing discussions held before their meeting. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Gary Brown about the public hearing and meeting and any recommendations made. The board will then certify the election results from the April 3rd Municipal Election, administer the oath of office, and reorganize the board. In reports, City Administrator Ray Walden and Mayor Brad Nash will give their reports before the board hears Bill #3381 that addresses the definitions and the operation of golf carts within the city limits. The board will go into closed session to discuss real estate. The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting, and the Board of Aldermen meeting are open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released the following reports. On Thursday, April 5th, at approximately 6:27 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 51-year old female and a 24- year old female, both of Salem, for stealing merchandise valued at $30.96. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that night at approximately 11:06, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 29-year old female of Salem for the possession of marijuana. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Friday evening, April 6th, at approximately 6:43, an officer was dispatched to the area of Highway 19 and Center Street in reference to a suspicious female that appeared to be intoxicated. That investigation led to the arrest of a 33-year old female of Park Hills for the possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday, April 9th, at approximately 5:23 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a missing person. The investigation of the report revealed that a 28-year old female of Cuba who was undergoing treatment at the Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Center on Grand, had been missing since April 3rd. The female was entered as a missing person and the investigation continues. That night at approximately 9:05, an officer transported a 19-year old male of Rolla from Phelps County Jail to the Dent County Jail due to the suspect having an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.