Posts by Stan Podorski

The Salem Police Department responded to 295 calls for service between January 4th and January 24th.  Officers conducted 49 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 5 resulting in a summons or arrest. They also conducted 11 traffic accident investigations along with 7 informational reports. The calls for service generated the following reports. On Saturday afternoon, January 4th, at approximately 5:00 officers were dispatched to the intersection of Missouri Highway 19 and 32 for a report of an erratic driver believed to be intoxicated. Contact was made with the vehicle stopped at the intersection and an investigation was conducted. As a result of the investigation a 40-year-old Salem female was arrested and later released on summons for excessive BAC. Then on Sunday January 12th, at approximately noon, officers were dispatched to SEMO near the intersection of Third and Grand Street. It was reported that a patient was out of control damaging the inside of the building, causing approximately $3350 in damage. Contact was made with the reported suspect. The suspect was failing to obey lawful orders of police. While trying to make further contact with the suspect he resisted arrest and was subsequently taken into custody. As a result, a 45-year-old Jefferson City male was placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. On Tuesday the 21st at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of south Gertrude for a report of a disturbance. It was reported that a male subject was out of control and had kicked a door into the residence and threw an object through the kitchen window breaking it. The male subject had fled on foot prior to officers arriving. Contact was made with the suspect and an investigation was conducted. As a result, a 27-year-old Salem male was arrested for property damage and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. Finally on Wednesday afternoon, January 22nd, at approximately 2:30 an officer arrested a male subject on an active capias warrant for his arrest. While arresting the male he was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine. As a result, a 55-year-old Salem male was incarcerated on the warrants and an application for charges pertaining to the methamphetamine was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for consideration of charges. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 6:51 on Route Z 4 miles south of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2000 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by an 18-year-old Salem Female, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and did suffer minor injuries. She was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by Salem EMS. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

Due to illness Oak Hill R-1 Schools will be closed February 5th through 7th. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday February 10th.

The Dent County Commissioners held conference calls Monday morning with Courtney Wegman of LJ Hart and Company and MAC Attorney Travis Elliot. During the call at 11:00 with Wegman the commissioners were joined by Bev Irons, Secretary to Judge Seay and Sheriff Bob Wells. The commission reviewed the written demand from Circuit Court Judge Megan Seay regarding the installation of a courthouse elevator. Wagmen provided insight into the ballot language of the two sales taxes approved for jail construction and funding. She noted that using these funds for a chair lift or elevator in the courthouse would be a stretch. However, the county could allocate the funds toward constructing a new courtroom in the jail facility, which would fully comply with ADA requirements. Wagmen also addressed financial matters, including the transfer of $1.1 million from UMB Bank to the certificate fund for jail payments in 2024. Due to IRS restrictions on earned interest, this transfer was necessary. The commissioners agreed to move the funds for 2024. The 2025 jail payment will be $994,807.50, depleting the certificate fund. Beginning in 2026, payments will be drawn from the County Jail Construction Fund, which generates a little over $1 million annually in sales tax revenue. Looking ahead Wegman requested a rough estimate for constructing a new courtroom to assess funding options, including direct payment for the jail construction fund or financing alternatives. She noted that the sales tax funding jail construction is set for 20 years and will expire in 2038. Judge Randazzo joined the discussion and highlighted the lack of planning in older courthouse designs. Sheriff Wells was concerned that chair lifts might not meet ADA compliance standards. Randazzo agreed that funds should not be wasted on non-compliant attempts and emphasized the need for proper permitting and engineering for any courthouse elevator project. The commissioners thanked Courtney Wegman, participants in the discussion and agreed to continue working on the issue. The commissioners were joined by Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk during the conference call with MAC Attorney Travis Elliot about SB190 ordinance and its application process. Elliot recommended freezing applications for 2024 and applying credits in 2025 due to reassessment. He clarified that homestead eligibility follows the Circuit Tax Breaker definition, covering homes on up to five acres. He also noted that tax credits do not apply to new construction, improvements, the Blind Pension Fund, or passed bonds. The commissioners will continue to refine the application process.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6250, 6400, and 6670, plus rock would be added to those roads if needed. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3360, 3370, 4270 and 4480, plus brush would be cut on county roads 4040 and 4330. He also noted that rock would be added to county roads 2405 and 4280. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that he attended the Opioid Committee meeting last week where several applications received tentative approval and were forwarded to MRPC for review and to determine if they met the requirements. The applications will be returned to the committee for awarding of funds to those meeting the criteria. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. At 10:00 representatives from Mike Keith Insurance were in to introduce themselves and let the commission know that they would like to be on the RFQ list if the commission puts it out for auto, property and liability insurance RFQ’s this fall. At 11:00 the commission held a conference call with Courtney Wagmen from LJ Hart & Company to discuss jail bonds and funding. David Messenger was in and inquired about the commission’s procedures for transferring a railroad right-of-way back to a landowner. He also asked about load limits for chip-and-seal roads. The commissioners clarified that low-water crossings have weight limits and that chip-and-seal rads can typically withstand 5 to 10 tons, depending on the materials used. Then at noon they had a conference call with MAC Attorney Travis Elliott to discuss an SB 190 ordinance and its application process. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Thursday evening at the Judicial Building, the Dent Count Opioid Settlement Committee met to discuss applications for funding from the opioid settlement monies being received by the county. The committee prioritized that funds will be used to treat or serve those in Dent County first, and that applications have no minimums or maximums. Deputy Rick Letchworth led the committee discussion which was focused on the nine applications received for funding. The fund currently has $325,609.22. The board heard about Parted Waters who requested funding for residential housing, the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition who requested funding to expand their “Too Good for Drugs” classroom instruction to include 7th through 9th graders as well as create a mentoring program, and the Dent County Health Center who submitted three applications to provide additional meeting space in the community, provide transportation for mostly non-medical needs in the community, and wanting to create a review board for reports on opioid abuse or overdose. The board also heard about two applications from the Salem Memorial Hospital with the first concentrating on three Lucas Devices for chest compression and the creation of harm prevention kits, with the other application being the purchase of a new ambulance; an application from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for two Lucas devices, a new TruNarc analyzer and compensation for officers being taken off the road to work narcotics; and the last request was from Four Rivers Community Health Center. The total amount of the applications for funding came to $1,068,368.85. Letchworth said the committee will discuss the applications and submit their recommendations to the MRPC. Once he gets them back from the MRPC, he will present them to the Dent County Commission for their approval to be funded. He said the process should take about a week or so.

The Creative Arts Center will hold group Crafting every Sunday through February 23rd from 2:00 until 6:00 with Nicole Curtis. If you need a place to spread your crafts out or don’t like to do crafting alone, bring your supplies to the Creative Arts Center and hang out, spending time with other crafty people. You do have to have all your own supplies and only the front room and bathrooms will be available. The class is open to all those 16 years of age and older with a suggestion donation of $5.00 that goes towards utilities. No children without an adult please. On Thursday night, from 5:00 until 8:00, students can learn to make Chunky Knit Blanket with Danielle Kissir. This is a beginner’s class and is fun for all ages, open to those 10 years of age and older. Crochet or knitting experience is not required. The cost of the class is $75 with yarn and supplies included. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

Thursday evening at the Judicial Building, the Dent Count Opioid Settlement Committee met to discuss applications for funding from the opioid settlement monies being received by the county. The committee prioritized that funds will be used to treat or serve those in Dent County first, and that applications have no minimums or maximums. Deputy Rick Letchworth led the committee discussion which was focused on the nine applications received for funding. The fund currently has $325,609.22. The board heard about Parted Waters who requested funding for residential housing, the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition who requested funding to expand their “Too Good for Drugs” classroom instruction to include 7th through 9th graders as well as create a mentoring program, and the Dent County Health Center who submitted three applications to provide additional meeting space in the community, provide transportation for mostly non-medical needs in the community, and wanting to create a review board for reports on opioid abuse or overdose. The board also heard about two applications from the Salem Memorial Hospital with the first concentrating on three Lucas Devices for chest compression and the creation of harm prevention kits, with the other application being the purchase of a new ambulance; an application from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for two Lucas devices, a new TruNarc analyzer and compensation for officers being taken off the road to work narcotics; and the last request was from Four Rivers Community Heatlh Center. The total amount of the applications for funding came to $1,068,368.85. Letchworth said the committee will discuss the applications and submit their recommendations to the MRPC. Once he gets them back from the MRPC, he will present them to the Dent County Commission for their approval to be funded. He said the process should take about a week or so.

On Monday, January 27th, a Rolla man pleaded guilty and admitted transporting a minor across state lines for sex in the US Eastern District Court in St. Louis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins prosecuting the case against 48-year-old Scott M. Arnold-Micke. He pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a minor to engage in a criminal sex act. He admitted in his plea agreement that in 2021, he took the 17-year-old victim to Chicago, where they used drugs and engaged in sexual acts. Arnold-Micke met the victim that summer and they began engaging in drug use on an almost daily basis after Arnold-Micke moved from Sullivan, Missouri to Rolla. Arnold-Micke is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30th. Both the U.S. Attorney’s office and Arnold-Micke’s lawyers have agreed to recommend 230 months in prison. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Rolla Police Department, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Healthy Dent County is excited to introduce the Circuit30 Program, a full-body workout designed to fit into even the busiest schedules, by hosting a public Open House for the first two weeks of February. This is a fantastic opportunity to check out the new program, tour the facilities, and get a feel for the new machines. The Open House will be from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, now through February 14th, at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. This innovative program features 15 brand-new, state-of-the-art machines, all available in a private and welcoming environment, making fitness approachable for all. Three group orientation sessions are being held each day from 9:00 – 9:30 AM, 12:00 – 12:30 PM, and 5:00 – 5:30 PM where participants can learn more about the program and how it can work for them. This program is just the latest in several programs available at the facility, other notable classes and programs include; Yoga, Kickboxing, Spin Classes, and Zumba, just to name a few. For more information or to sign up for an orientation session which is open to anyone, please contact them at 573-739-1127 or via email at susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.