Posts by Stan Podorski

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.