Posts by Stan Podorski

On December 12th, 2021, Marvin Rice was charged with two counts of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Annette Durham, his former girlfriend, and Steven Strotkamp, Durham’s boyfriend. The state certified the case for Capital Punishment (potential death sentence) and venue was transferred to St. Charles County after a mistrial in Wayne County, the jury convicted Rice of One Count of Murder in the 1st Degree (Durham) and One Count of Murder in the 2nd Degree (Strotkamp). The jury was unable to unanimously agree on the sentence and by law, the sentencing reverted to Judge Parker, who sentenced Rice to death in Count One and a concurrent sentence of life in Count Two. Rice appealed his convictions and sentences to the Missouri Supreme Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Murder in the 1st Degree, but reversed for a new sentencing phase in Count One and a new guilt phase in Count Two. The new sentencing phase was held March 25th – April 1st, 2022. Presiding over the sentencing was Judge Daniel Pelikan of St. Charles, Missouri. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the jury found the existence of statutory required aggravating circumstances and further found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances and thereby recommend a sentence of death. On May 23rd, 2022, Judge Pelikan sentenced Rice to life without the possibility of parole. Rice later pled guilty to Count Two and was sentenced to a concurrent 25-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. On November 9th, 2022, Rice filed a pro se motion to set aside his conviction of Murder in the 1st degree. Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley filed a response and a motion to dismiss Rice’s motion. By law, the public defender system was appointed to represent Rice. The court appointed attorney amended Rice’s motion on July 10th, 2024, alleging that Rice’s former attorneys failed to exercise the customary skill and diligence that reasonably competent attorneys would have by not investigating and present evidence showing that Rice had not shot Durham was she was lying on the ground; and also failing to consult, retain, and call a pharmacological expert to support Rice’s defense that his prescription drug regiment affected his ability to deliberate. On September 23rd, 2024, a hearing was held in St. Charles concerning prosecutor Curley’s motion to dismiss, which was taken under advisement, but ultimately denied on October 9th, 2024. On December 16th, 2024, an evidentiary hearing was held on Rice’s request for relief. Prosecutor Curley represented the state of Missouri and Marvin Rice appeared, along with his attorney, after being transported from the department of corrections. Rice’s former attorneys, a pharmacy professor and forensic pathologist testified on behalf of Rice at the hearing. Following their testimony, arguments were heard from Prosecutor Curley and Rice’s attorney. On February 18th, 2025, Judge Pelikan overruled and denied Rice’s motion.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center will be holding a youth Salem Spring Volleyball League at the Salem Community Center@The Armory Gymnasium at 1200 West Rolla Road for kids age 5 through the 6th grade. This introductory league helps children learn fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship while participating in games to get experience. Register your child by Friday, February 28th. Registration forms are only available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Please complete the forms and return them to Armory. For more information, call 573-247-8085 and talk with Dottie Steelman.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART taxes received by the county in February. She said the county received $88,293.83 which is up $10,520.04 from last February, and year-to-date, CART taxes are up $17,477.88 which is an 11.2% increase. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and said congress would be voting on the budget resolution bill today that would continue the Trump tax cuts from his first term; plus eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security as well as promoting manufacturing. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk presented the bid from Clearbasin for software for $5,000 for the Senate Bill 190 application with the assessor the Homestead Tax Credit available to those who qualify. The software is subscription based with an annual cost for updates and changes. The commissions approved going with Clearbasin. Curt Faigle from the 100-Acre Wood Rally was in and said the Road Rally this year would be on March 14th and 15th with the Parc Expose being held from 8:30 to 11:00 around the courthouse the morning of March 15th. The first car should leave out around 10:30 and the county roads used have all be used before. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews were removing a snowplow from a truck and working on a bad cylinder on another. He also said they were doing road maintenance as well as checking roads for any remaining slick spots. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said crews were removing the snowplow on County Truck #122 and removing the spreader box from another truck. He also said crews were using the Ultimate Paving Materials on select chip and seal roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commissioners would be at their annual CCAM training February 26th through the 28th.  Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the April Municipal Election will begin today, and not everyone will need to vote. Curley says elections will be held in April for the City of Salem, Dent County Fire Protection District, Rolla Rural Fire Department, Rolla Schools, Bunker R-3 School, and the Iron County R-4 School. If you vote in those taxing entities and want to vote, don’t forget to bring your photo ID with you. Curley says sample ballots are available in her office, or she can e-mail one to you. You can also keep up to date on election information on the Dent County Election/County Clerk Facebook page. Dave Cowell on Highway 119 would like to put in a family cemetery on his property. The first step is to let the commission know if it’s less than half of an acre as he has already built a road for public access. He will record it in the Recorder of Deeds of office. He also is doing a project called the Confederate Medal of Honor. The men who served in the units would pick someone for that medal and Dent County has one. His name was James Hulsey, and he survived the war. It’s a medal and certificate to be public displayed, they pay for it, no cost to the county. He feels it is one of our men from this county and is a part of history. The commission made no decision at this time. The commission updated the policy handbook for 2025. The handbook was from 2021 and with the two new commissioners, they both signed it. With no meeting Thursday, the next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, March 3rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial District Hospital will conduct their regular monthly meeting this evening at 7:00. The meeting will take place in the Hospital Library and may be fully conducted and attended by telephone or other electronic means and the public may observe and attend any portion of the meeting not closed to the public pursuant to Chapter 610.021 RSMo. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda the board will hear public comments and presentations, speakers must sign-in and keep comments to 3 minutes. Then the board will hear the CEO report followed by the Hospital reports. They will discuss old and new business before going into executive session. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 ext. 4005, to obtain access information.

The City of Salem will be testing the storm sirens tomorrow at 10:00. If there is inclement weather the test will be on Wednesday, March 5th.

The Salem R-80 School Board meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM Thursday evening in the administration building. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board recognized student Maggie Hogan for winning the Missouri Forest Products Speech Contest, and received an update on the upcoming changes to the ACT college entrance exam. These changes include: 44 fewer test questions, shorter the remaining questions, more time allotted to complete each section, and an optional Science portion. During his report, Superintendent Dr. Wills provided several updates, including building survey results, the February 14th professional development day, plans to transition first grade to the Salem Upper Elementary, and ongoing progress on the Construction Trades building. He also discussed a proposal from the City of Salem Fireworks Committee to use the football practice field for their upcoming fireworks display. This issue was tabled until the next board meeting, pending additional information on insurance and legal liability from the Committee. In new business, the board approved several key items: the 2025-2026 school calendar, purchases of Hobart dishwashers, a transfer of $18,264.56 for the Construction trades project, budget revisions for updated salaries, and a contract with BalanceHQ. They also set Summer School dates for May 27 to June 13, 2025. The board acknowledged several staffing changes, including resignations from Calvin Malone (7th grade boys basketball), Jordan Haynes (custodian), and Rebecca Earls (UE paraprofessional), as well as the retirements of Angela Dingess and Sue Tucker. During the closed session, the board approved new coaching positions, appointing Alaina Santhuff as High School Assistant Volleyball coach and the team of Shelby Botkin and Ashton Mink as Middle School Volleyball coaches for the upcoming season. They also approved contracts for all recommended principals and directors for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the week of February 10th. On Tuesday, February 11th,  Dent County deputies responded to the 5100 block of West Highway 32 for a reported burglary.  It was reported that a person or persons had entered a local business and stole money from their location. Information on the suspects was developed and two subjects were arrested. That same day,  deputies responded to Dent County Road 3260 for a reported wanted subject. A 43-year-old Salem woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated. On Friday, February 14th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the Salem City Park.  A 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked and was released pending formal charges. On Sunday, February 16th, deputies responded to the 10000 block of East Highway 32 for a well-being check. During the course of the investigation, an animal neglect case was developed and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams stated that crews would be out grading, plowing and salting roads still covered with snow and ice. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he had been in touch with an elevator company to discuss installing one at the courthouse and they needed more information from him. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended a Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting by Zoom and heard from Ray McCarty from Associated Industries of Missouri about a use tax, heard from Trent Watson who gave legislative updates, and heard from attorney Travis Elliott on the medical marijuana tax. Curley said she applied for and received an election grant from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office in the amount of $3,135.60. She said any political subdivision holding an election needs to get their estimated election costs submitted to the clerk’s office by the end of the month. Curley went on to say the first day to vote absentee with an excused absence is Tuesday, February 25th. Curley also reported that State Representative John Hewkin was in support of the new election bill that will protect election officials, poll workers and others. She also stated that Curt Faigle from the 100-Acre Wood Rally would be at the commissioner’s meeting on Monday. Commissioner Larson said the commission would not be meeting on February 27th due to their required training. Deputy Rick Letchworth came in with the recommendations made by the Opioid Fund Committee to the MRPC, who then reviewed the applications to make sure they met the required qualifications. Four applications were then presented by Letchworth to the commissioners for their review.  The applications were from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department for 75,380.00; Dent County Health Center for $53,000.00; Council for Healthy Dent County for $55,108; and the Salem Memorial Hospital for $62,522. The total amount of funding came to $246,910.97. The commissioners approved the applications. The Commission signed a letter of support for the 100-Acre Wood Rally and also a letter of support for the Conexon Connects Bead Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program which will provide high speed internet, who is currently building within multiple counties in Missouri.  The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be presenting “Art Across the Ages,” a Community Art Show starting March 3rd and lasting until March 31st at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center to celebrate the arts in our community. March is “Youth Art Month” and the Arts Council wants to recognize the amazing talent and creativity that exists in our schools and community! They are excited to invite individuals of all ages from around our area to submit recent artwork to the show for free! This is a family friendly art show and artwork may be left to the discretion of the committee to accept or reject pieces based on the number of submissions, the space available, tasteful content, etc. There is a wide variety of artists who give many perspectives, adding to the vision of an artist evolving from childhood to adult. Maturity adds to and sometimes detracts from vision and the ability to express ideas, which is why having art examples from both youth and adults is so much fun! To submit artwork for display (2-D or 3-D), please email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com. You can then arrange a time to come and hang your work/set up your display. This year the Arts Council are adding a couple of new things.  First, they hope to have live music at the reception; and second, they plan to give each artist an opportunity to sell their artwork if they want. No money will be handled at the show, but the artist is welcome to write their price on the name tag attached to the piece. The Arts Council will collect phone numbers with each entry, and if someone expresses an interest in purchasing a particular piece, they can share the phone number with that person with the artist’s permission. Come and enjoy this unique art exhibit highlighting the talent of area artists of all ages. The exhibit begins Monday, March 3rd at the ONCRC, with an open house and reception for all artists & families being held on Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:00 until 7:00.  Live music and light snacks will be provided.  The reception provides a great opportunity for families to meet the child’s art teacher and other artists, as well as take photos. Set-up will be in the ONCRC gallery room on Thursday and Friday, February 27th and 28th, from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon; as well as on Saturday, March 1 from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The exhibit will have visiting hours from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday depending on the volunteers available.