Posts by Stan Podorski

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen were unable to meet last night for their regular monthly meeting, citing poor weather conditions.

The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of January. The department responded to 11 accidents during the month. Officers responded to four alarms sounding and addressed 37 animal calls, investigated three assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed nine well-being checks and five area checks in January. Police investigated five domestic disputes, four verbal disturbances and one physical disturbance, conducted 17 follow-up investigations and provided 27 escorts. They investigated four harassment reports, a fraud report, two parking complaint calls, an intoxicated pedestrian and one intoxicated driver report, and six property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote six stealing reports, responded to seven traffic complaints and assisted nine motorists. Officers responded to three reports of suicidal persons, eight suspicious circumstance calls, eight suspicious person calls, and two suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in January investigated an overdose call, a sex offense call, and checked out two abandoned vehicles. Officers attempted to serve five warrants and conducted 75 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 417 incidents in January with the average response time to calls being two minutes and 48 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 29 minutes and two seconds. 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. 

Raccoon season is here! Our ancestors utilized animal fur for making clothing, blankets, hats, and more. The Missouri Department of Conservation will be holding a clinic on historic and primitive skills on raccoon hides at the MDC Salem Maintenance Center on Highway 32 West from 9:00 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, February 22nd. Your instructor will be Dwight Warnke. For this clinic, you are encouraged to bring two raccoon hides to class to scrape and salt. They will have demonstration hides in various stages for you to learn from as well. By the end of the clinic, you’ll have enough knowledge and fur to finish tanning your hides and to make a hat or other small item. In this hands-on clinic, you will bring along one or two raccoon skins (preferably partially frozen) to scrape and salt. At the clinic, they will review how to skin a raccoon, then you will flesh your raccoon hide(s) and salt them to take home and process further. They will provide fleshing beams and knives to use during the class, but feel free to bring along your own. After your raccoons are scraped and salted, you will see and assist with the remaining steps of hide preparation and learn how to lay out a simple hat pattern to make from your hides once you finish processing them over the next few days (or whenever you have time, since hides are paused once they are well salted.) Wear old clothes, rubber or muck boots, and bring a rubber apron (if you have one); a heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. If you have a fleshing knife, bring it along. We will have fleshing knives and beams available for use during the program. You will take home plans to build a simple fleshing beam and frame. Please bring a sack lunch, drinks, and snacks. Dress in layers to adjust between indoor and outdoor portions. Participants 16 years of age and under must be registered and accompanied by an adult that is also registered. You can register for the clinic on the MDC.mo.gov/events, or by calling 1-888-283-0364, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Months after a devastating flood, Montauk State Park will reopen to day-use guests February 24th, and overnight guests will be welcomed back starting February 25th. The monumental flood on November 4th, 2024, left the entire park with substantial damage, including loss of electrical service in Campground Loop 4. Therefore, campsites in the 400 loop will reopen only as basic campsites. The Division of State Parks will notify customers with reservations in February for loop 4 with reservation options. The park is working to fully resolve the problem and will restore electric service as soon as possible. If further reservations are affected, the division will notify customers. This change involves only Campground Loop 4. Campers should note that generators are only allowed to be used outside of designated quiet hours. While the park will reopen in time for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season, guests should note that the park will look somewhat different than before the flood. Layers of sand remain throughout the park, covering the grass and area woodlands. Team members will be reseeding areas of the campground and other day-use areas in an effort to re-establish the grass. Justin Adams, Ozarks regional director said that Missouri State Parks team members and volunteers have been working hard to get the park opened and cleaned up, but there is still work to do. More than 70 volunteers converged on Montauk State Park on Saturday, February 1st, to help Missouri State Park team members with cleanup efforts following a historic flood. Volunteers from as far as St. Louis came for the day to lend a hand in getting the park ready for opening day of trout season March 1st. Missouri State Parks Director Laura Hendrickson said that well over half of the volunteers drove more than two hours to help and it turned out to be a great day. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Keith Green said crews were getting the equipment ready for this week’s expected storm and they were also screening sand. He also said brush was being cut in the area of Dent County Road 6400. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported grading was being done on Dent County Roads 4050, 4055 and 4290. He said crews were getting the equipment ready for the impending bad weather by adding a spreader box and blade on County Truck #122. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said an Industrial Development Authority Board meeting would be held at 6:00 on Wednesday, February 19th in the basement of the Salem Public Library. Larson said that long time IDA board member Donald Dodd will not be seeking re-appointment when his term expires in April. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts for the month of January. Curley also said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull was in attendance and brought in reporter Hannah Schuh from the Missourian who is doing a story on county commissioners and their relationships with their coroners. Pursifull updated the commission on some impending legislation that may require more education to qualify to be a coroner, and other legislation that may increase the pay of the coroner to $45,000 per year which is $26,000 more than Pursifull now receives. Again, that legislation is all still pending. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium for their regular meeting. After the Call to Order will be the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by a request for road closures for the Parc Expose for the 100-Acre Road Rally from Rob Benowitz. In new and miscellaneous business, Public Works Director Steve Paine will request the city surplus a transformer with the intent of selling it. The board will then hear and discuss Resolution #4-2025 that would be a change order for the “Welcome Home Project” Property at 403 East Hunt Street for a contract reduction of $3,600; and they will discuss an amendment to the City of Salem Hazard Mitigation plan to reduce the risks of service interruption due to flooding events. In the first and second reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3642 that would establish an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute contract change order #1 between the City of Salem and Archer-Elgin; and hear Bill #3643 to authorize the execution of Task Order 20 for the Bonebrake Sewer Realignment Project between the city and Archer-Elgin. In the second reading of bills, the board will consider Bill No. 3640, which would create an ordinance to amend the 2024-2025 annual budget for the city of Salem increasing revenues from $23,163,056.00 to $23,894,316.60 and increase expenditures from $21,043,249.00 to $21,403,251.29.  Reports from City Officials will then be heard before the board goes into closed session to discuss litigation. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

Each February, the state of Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize the chance of a major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and the importance of being prepared. Located in Southeast Missouri, the NMSZ generated some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area is still active today with an average of more than 200 earthquakes each year, though most are too small to be felt. No one can predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, but scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate there is a 25 to 40 percent chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said Missouri faces a variety of severe weather threats and hazards each year, but a large earthquake could potentially be the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced. There is no warning for earthquakes, which is why it’s so important to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself before one occurs. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. Several resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s Earthquake Preparedness website.

A fatal accident occurred Saturday morning around 2:05 in Pulaski County on Interstate 44 in the westbound lane around mile marker 167. According to the highway patrol a 2014 Ford Escape driven by a 47-year-old St. Robert female struck the guardrail. Then a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 20-year-old Buffalo male struck the rear of the Ford. Causing a 2025 Kenworth driven by a 26-year-old male to strike the front of the Ford and then the guardrail. The female driver of the Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pulaski Coroner Roger Graves at 2:44 in the morning and was transported to Waynesville Memorial Funeral Home. The male in the Silverado suffered minor injuries and refused treatment. All three vehicles in the accident were totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 1:40 in Reynolds County on Hwy HH about 7 miles south of Ellington. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Ford F250 driven by a 52-year-old male from bunker was traveling eastbound and ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. A 57-year-old female passenger from Bunker suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center by Washington County Ambulance. The report goes on to say she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained minor damage and removed from the scene by private conveyance.

These reports were released from the Dent County Sheriff’s office for the first week of February. On Thursday January 30th deputies arrested a 61-year-old Salem man on an active arrest warrant. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail without incident. The next day Friday January 31st deputies responded to the 5000 block of Highway F for a reported weapons violation.  A 44-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending issuance of formal charges. On the following day Saturday February 1st deputies responded to the 1700 block of County Road 6320 for a reported theft. The victim, a 20-year-old Salem man, advised a known subject took an engine without the owner’s permission. This investigation is ongoing. Then on Sunday February 2nd deputies arrested a 43-year-old Salem man on an active arrest warrant. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail without incident. The next day Monday February 3rd deputies responded to the 6000 block of Highway K for a report of elder abuse. The victim, a 76-year-old Salem woman, advised she was not being properly cared for by her caregiver. This investigation is ongoing. The following day Tuesday February 4th deputies responded to the 3000 block of Highway OO for a harassment complaint. A 29-year-old Lecoma man was taken into custody and this investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Friday night at the 2025 Salem High School Courtwarming, Senior Chloe Baldwin was crowned the Courtwarming Queen. She was escorted by Corby Ball. The other Senior candidates were Reagan Dubois escorted by Roy Stevens, and Madison Flores who was escorted by Cayden Moody. The Freshman attendant was Gracie Mendenhall who was escorted by Alton May, Krista Dooley was the sophomore attendant escorted by sophomore Brody Ray, and the Junior attendant was Heather Easter and she was escorted by Hayden Ragsdale. Neely Leathers, the 2024 Courtwarming Queen, was unable to attend due to a previous commitment. Congratulations to all the girls and their escorts.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a “Sign N’ Wine” class on Friday, February 28th  from 6:30 until 9:00 with Danielle Norris. Participants can come and paint a new front porch welcome sign which will cost $30, or bring your sign from a previous class and paint the back of it for $20. Guests may bring beverages and snacks! All supplies are included. There must be 5 people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 16. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6400, while work would continue on county roads 5670 and 5680, which are in the Bunker area. The work will involve adding rip-rap to the bridges as part of the FEMA work. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams was absent due to a prior commitment. Road Superintendent Travis Turner reported that brush was being cut on Dent County Road 4340 and rock was being added to county roads 3330 and 4230. Turner also reported that a culvert extension was being replaced on county road 4280 and a 15 inch culvert was being replaced on county road 4290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that on Wednesday he was in Jefferson City where as President of the Solid Waste Advisory Board he reported on the activities of the board. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she balance with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for January. The commissioners reviewed her reports. She noted that absentee voting for the April elections will begin February 25th. Curley went on to say that the only entities holding elections in April are the City of Salem, Dent County Fire Protection District, Iron County C4, Bunker R3, Rolla #31, and Rolla Fire District. She clarified that citizens that do not live in these districts will not have anything to vote on. Curley said that anyone with election questions should call her office at 573-729-4144. The Commissioners approved quit-claim deeds transferring ownership of railroad rights-of-way to landowners whose property the railways cross. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer and Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk discussed the SB190 application and clarified the ordinance. The Commission clarified and agreed 2-0 that any “Homestead” real property occupied by an eligible taxpayer as the primary residence and surrounding real property up to 5 acres. An eligible taxpayer shall not claim more than one primary residence. Applications will be available beginning April 1st, with a deadline of June 30th. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zach Moser was in to discuss the illnesses in the community and the closure of Oak Hill R1 School due to the outbreak. Moser presented a resolution appointing the administrator of the Dent County Health Center as Health Officer pursuant to RSMO 205.100. The Commission agree 2-0 adopting the resolution. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda including review of the minutes, the financial review and approval of bills, and the budget review followed by the monthly reimbursement report. In old business, the board will hear a bond issue update followed by new business. New business will include hearing of persons relative to annexation into the fire district. Also, the ice maker renewal will be considered. Chief Floyd will then give his report to the board. The date will be set for the March meeting, and a closed session may be held, if necessary, before the board adjourns. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.