Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Bill Ard from the Dent County Tourism Tax Committee was in and let the commission know his term is up and he has been looking for his replacement who must come from a tourism related business. If you would be interested in serving on the Tourism Tax Committee and you own or work in a tourism related business, call Bill at 314-277-1444. They meet once a month to hear proposals and also approve reimbursements from previous proposals. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in with the sales tax dollars received by the county in June. She said the General Revenue Fund and the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received in June $121,489.26 and that is $50,237.98 more than June of 2019. Year-to-date, those funds are up $30,734.17 which is a 6.46% increase. The Road and Bridge Fund received $57,975.28 and that is $25,131.76 more than the 2019 June figure. Year-to-date, that fund is up $18,565.97 which is a 8.56% increase over 2019. Williams also reported on the two jail funds and they each brought in $115,964.25 and that is $50,362.63 more than in June of 2019. Year-to-date, each of those funds is up $35,446.04 and that is about 8.15%. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading will be done on Dent County Roads 6303, 6320, 6400, 6420 and 6490 while brush would be cut on county roads 5015, 6300 and 6303. He said two men were working on hydraulic leaks on grader #24 and brush cutter #7. Purcell also said the collections of the Dent County Tourism Tax plummeted in April and came in only $3,227.41 compared to over $71 hundred last year in April. He will also be attending a South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona Tuesday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading will be done on Dent County Roads 3330, 4355 and 4405 while brush will be cut on county roads 6680, 6690 and 6700. He said he is having trouble with MACK dump truck #122 and two men will be taking it to Tri-State Mack Truck in Springfield for repairs where the truck will have to be left. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said at the TAC meeting last Thursday, MoDOT discussed budget cuts where employees are getting their hours reduced due to the decrease in CART funds. This also means some of the STIP projects will be pushed back. He attended the Public Housing Authority meeting and said that in May, there were 103 units rented through HUD with rental payments totaling $29,500. In the External Relations Committee meeting, they finalized the annual MRPC Awards Dinner and Banquet at Linn State Technical School in Osage County for October 22nd and tickets will cost $35. At the Meramec Regional Planning Committee meeting, a presentation of the Naturally Meramec was given where those who produce products and marketers come together to share information in the region about locally grown products in each county. This getting together for products and markets has worked very well and continues to grow. He also said the MRPC will be providing CARES Funding services to six of the counties served by the MRPC. Skiles also said that people need to get their Census 2020 in as soon as possible. Currently, only 42.7% of Dent County homes have responded. Skiles also said if anyone would like to use the courthouse lawn or grounds for an event, they need to ask the commission for permission and receive authorization to use the property to prevent having multiple groups trying to use the property at the same time. Skiles went on to report that 266 people visited the new Dent County Jail with 95 touring the facility on Saturday. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of education will be holding a re-organizational and regular meeting tonight at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 boardroom. The proposed agenda for the re-organizational meeting after the call to order will be the approval of the agenda and the certification of the recent election results. This will be followed by the swearing in of the newly elected members by the secretary of the board. Superintendent John McColloch will be acting as temporary chairman to select the new board president and vice president. At that time the new board president will preside over the election of the secretary and treasurer. The board will also elect an MSBA delegate and an alternate. The meeting will then adjourn and move into the regular monthly meeting. After the approval of the agenda for the regular meeting the board will hear the consent agenda and approve all previous minutes, approve bills, and approve program evaluations including technology, discipline and safety and the facilities and grounds. The board will then hear the superintendent’s report covering the BOE committee assignments. In new business the board will consider the 2019-2020 budget revisions, consider surplus property bids, the adoption of the 2020-2021 budget, review healthy Dent county renewals, and consider the bus lease. The board will then hear resignations, if any, before adjourning and moving into executive session. The Salem R-80 Board of Education re-organization and regular meetings tonight are open to the public.

A one vehicle accident occurred early Friday around 3:30 in Dent County on Highway 32 about two hundred feet west of Route W. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2002 Hyundai Elantra being driven west by 22-year old Dylan Wisdom of Salem traveled off the right side of the highway and overturned. Wisdom was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and was taken to Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance for treatment of moderate injuries. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident occurred Friday evening at 7:40 in Dent County on Highway 119 about twelve miles southwest of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Ford Fiesta driven by 25-year old Leon Greathouse of Salem was traveling northbound when the Fiesta experienced equipment failure and traveled off the right side of the roadway and started to skid. Greathouse over corrected and the Fiesta traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a private driveway. Leon and a passenger in the Fiesta, 21-year old Victoria Greathouse of Salem, each suffered minor injuries. Both were transported to Salem District Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. They were both wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Fiesta sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by a personal conveyance. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

A two vehicle accident happened Thursday evening shortly after 7:30 on Highway 72 at First Street in Bunker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Dodge Dakota being driven by 19-year old Malcolm Barton of Bunker was stopped at the intersection on First Street and failed to yield to a 2000 custom motorcycle being ridden by 66-year old Randolph Rhyneer of Annapolis. The motorcycle struck the left side of the Dodge ejecting the driver and a passenger. Rhyneer was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis for treatment of moderate injuries. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. The Dodge was driven from the scene while the motorcycle was towed by Forshee Towing.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be phasing new changes into the current visitor policy effective today. These changes only apply to acute care, emergency room and outpatient surgery at this time. Starting today, patients will be allowed 1 visitor per day and all visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Any patients under the age of 16 may have up to 2 parental visitors per day. Exceptions will be made for end of life patients and any extenuating circumstances will always be considered. The hospital thanks you for your cooperation.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at the city hall council chambers at 7:00. Earlier that evening, the Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment will be meeting at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers to consider a waiver to allow parking in the 30 foot setback of a new development by Central MO Investments, LLC. Following that meeting, the board will review and approve the consent agenda. The board will then address some concerns with Ordinance #3450 regarding the regulation of food trucks, trailers, push carts and ice cream trucks will be addressed. A letter of engagement for auditing services for FY ’20, ’21, ’22, ’23 and ’24 with K DeLuca Audit Services will also be discussed. The election results of the June 2nd municipal election will be canvassed and certified and approved by Resolution #14-2020. The Oath of Office will then be administered to the elected officials that include Mayor Brad Nash, Alderman Kim Steelman and Alderman Greg Parker followed by the organization of the Board of Aldermen. The City of Salem Treasurer appointment will then take place followed by City Administrator Ray Walden’s report which will be an update on items concerning the city. The board will also hear and discuss Resolution #15-2020 a resolution approving the sale of surplus city inventory and obsolete or unusable property of the City of Salem, which will be followed by new and miscellaneous business. The board will then adjourn. The meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen and the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment are open to the public. The Alderman meeting will be streamed live on the KSMO website on Twitch.tv at 7:00.

The City of Salem Utilities Department has processed all the remaining utility bills for residential and commercial customers. Customers that have not received a bill or that have questions about their bill are asked to contact the Utility Office at 729-4117. The timeframe for customers to indicate their preferred billing option has been extended to Friday, June 19th. Accounts not indicating their option preference by this Friday will be processed as option #3 unless other arrangements are made. The penalty date for the bills is extended to July 6th. The date for processing auto payments will be June 29th and will be considered eligible for the 5% rebate credit for those selecting option #1. Also, the City’s Public Works Department is announcing that N.B. West Company of Sullivan will be working on the nova chip overlay on a number of streets this week that includes 13 streets on the west side of town. Those include:

Dale, Beasley and Roberts from Dillworth to Phillips
Jackson Street from 32 to Roosevelt
Grand Street from International to Franklin
4th Street from Park to Grand
Acuff from McArthur to Jackson
Henderson from 4th Street to Rolla Road
International from 32 to Orchard
Phillips Street from Franklin to 32
Askins from Franklin to the end of the road
Ellis from Haskins to Park Street
Park Street from Scenic Rivers Blvd. to Rolla Road;

and four more on the east side of town. They include:

Ellis from Hickory to Pershing
Acuff from Hickory to Pershing
2nd Street from Iron St. to Pershing
Rhodes Street from Third Street to Center.

National Park Service Regional Director Bert Frost has announced the selection of Jason Lott as permanent superintendent of Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Lott has been serving as the acting superintendent since January following the retirement of Larry Johnson. Lott said he was very excited about joining the team at Ozark Riverways as he feels the history, folkways, and rivers of the Missouri Ozarks are a special place. He said he is looking forward to working with the communities and staff to serve at the nation’s first scenic riverway. Lott came to the area after most recently serving as the Superintendent for Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. He has been with the National Park Service since 2002. He previously served as the Superintendent for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona for three years, and as the Resources Program Manager for Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Texas for five years, where he was named the 2005 recipient of the NPS Director’s Award for Natural Resource Management in a Small Park. Lott is a twenty-year veteran with the Army National Guard, having served ten years as an enlisted soldier with a deployment during Desert Storm, and as an officer who served as a Company Commander for the 1086th Transportation Company during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Jason retired as a Captain in 2007. He and his wife, Wendy, have two children who are looking forward to exploring all the area has to offer.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday evening at 6:00 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about 12 miles south of Rolla. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Ford Ranger being driven south by 65-year old Christine Brown of Edgar Springs traveled off the right side of the roadway then returned to the highway. The Ford then began skidding and went off the left side of the roadway where the Ranger struck an embankment, became airborne and struck a tree before coming to rest on its wheels. Brown, who was wearing a safety restraint, was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for the treatment of moderate injuries. The Ranger sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. The highway patrol was assisted by the Rolla Rural Fire Department and Phelps Health Ambulance.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages drivers to be cautious on the roads this spring and give turtles a brake! These reptiles are often hit by cars during the warmer months, but are at special risk this time of year because they are more active. Common turtles spotted crossing Missouri roads include three-toed box turtles, ornate box turtles, and snapping turtles. Turtles emerge from their burrows and begin the hunt for food and mates during warm and wet conditions, which can lead them to cross roadways, oftentimes resulting in their death. Thousands of box turtles are killed every year by vehicles. Young males make up most of the travelers, sometimes wandering as many as six miles searching for territories and mates. Females are also crossing the roads in search of nesting areas. Turtles are cold-blooded creatures and depend on external sources of heat to determine their body temperature. This explains why people see them on warm asphalt during cool, spring days. Vehicles are one of the leading factors in box turtle declines, and MDC urges motorists to be cautious and slow down when they see a turtle in the road. If helping a turtle make it safely across, check for traffic and move the turtle across the road in the direction it is traveling. Additionally, MDC encourages Missourians to leave turtles in the wild. Did you know that most Missouri turtles can live up to 30 years, but the common box turtle can live up to 80, occasionally living more than a century. For more information on Missouri’s turtles, visit the MDC online Field Guide at nature.mdc.mo.gov.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their June meeting Tuesday evening, June 16th in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After approval of the agenda and minutes of the May 19th regular meeting, Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations for the month of May followed by the Chief of Nursing Report by Debbie Hines. A report on the hospital foundation golf tournament, plus the marketing and community perception report will be given by Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards. Lucas will then go over the COVID-19 update for the before the Board will discuss the FY’21 Finance Committee Report. Lucas will also update the board on the Hospital Expansion and Renovation. New business will include purchases since the last meeting. The board may vote to go into closed session. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the June meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be held by telephone/video conference. The meeting is open to anyone to join. For information on how to access the meeting, please email kbrown@smdh.net or call (573) 729-5917, extension 4005.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association will be reinstating it’s disconnect and late fee policies effective Wednesday, July 1st. Members who are unable to bring their account current by the end of July will need to contact customer service at the cooperative at 866-621-3679 to request a payment arrangement. A partial payment and signature will be required. Any unpaid accounts, without a signed payment arrangement will be subject to disconnection after July 31st.

An accident involving a Dent County Sheriff’s Department vehicle happened Wednesday afternoon, June 3rd, at 3:45. According to the Salem Police report, a 2006 Kia Sorento owned and operated by Julie Shirley of Cherryville was traveling north on Highway 19 and failed to yield at the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 32 striking a 2009 Dodge Charger belonging to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and being driven by George Ball. The sheriff’s department vehicle was going through the intersection with both emergency lights and sirens activated. Shirley and passengers stated they heard the emergency
siren but continued through the intersection without yielding. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and both were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported in either vehicle.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday morning shortly before noon in Phelps County on Interstate 44 eastbound around the 186 mile marker. The highway patrol report says that a 2005 Dodge Ram being driven by 28-year old Vincent Potter of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a concrete barrier. The vehicle then traveled off the right side of the interstate. Potter was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. The Dodge sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing. According to the report, Potter was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to offer free public tours of the new Dent County Jail through Saturday. Jail staff will conduct tours in groups of five or less and anyone taking the tour is being asked to wear a mask. Tours will start at the public entrance weekdays from 11:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. The tours on Saturday will be given from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. For more information, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

City of Salem Public Works Director Mark Nash has reported the pump has been replaced at the water department building at 3rd and Grand streets and the city is once again selling water from that location. The city thanks you for your patience while this repair was made.

KSMO Video Productions now has the 2020 Salem Graduation DVD’s available for sale at the KSMO Radio studios at 800 South Main in the basement of the Wisdom Building. You will need to enter from the front of the building on Highway 19 and come down the steps and enter through the glass door on the left. Once inside the front lobby, please make your way through the door on the right and come down the hallway. The cost is $15 per DVD. KSMO Radio doors open just before 8:00 in the morning and stay open until 4:30 weekdays. On Saturday, the studio is open from 10:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. For more information, call KSMO at 729-6117.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the Independence Day Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4th at 6:00 PM. The theme will be “An American Holiday” with George Flint as the grand marshal. The Chamber is NOT assigning lineup positions for this parade, so participants can line up on a first-come, first-serve basis! The Chamber will reserve spots #1 through 11 for the Salem Police Chief, Color Guard, Grand Marshal, VFW and Corporate Sponsors. All other entries can line up from spots 12-120. The parade will follow the normal parade route but will be extended past the Courthouse to Pershing Street at the top of East 4th Street hill. For more information, call 729-6900 or stop by the new office at 1139 South Main St.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2017 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by Tuesday, June 30th during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2017, 2018 and 2019 will be declared due by August 21st, 2020. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 24th, 2020. Check payments will not be accepted after June 15th so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card after that date. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Starting July 1st, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2017 need to be paid IN FULL by Tuesday, June 30th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Wednesday, May 27th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Highway 19 and Highway 68. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, May 28th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 5015. During the course of the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle upon a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday, May 30th, a deputy responded to the 400 block of Dent County Road 3260 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 53-year-old man was the reported victim. Suspect information was obtained from the victim. The deputy then left the residence. A short time later, deputies located the suspect, a 33-year-old Salem man at a residence also in the 400 block of Dent County Road 3260. The man was arrested for trespassing in the 1st degree and property damage in the 2nd degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 300 block of West 5th Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 48-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Due to a previous commitment District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that he had two operators out so grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 6190, plus patch grading would be done on county road 6435. He went on to say that ditch work would be done and a crossover pipe installed on county road 5450. Purcell also noted that brush would be cut on county road 6280 and shop maintenance would be done. District 2 Road Foreman Sam Gorman reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2050, 4010, 4020 and 4380. He also said that materials would be added to county road 4380 and brush would be cut on county roads 3223, 3260 and 3280. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind residents that the Dent County Sheriff’s Office would be giving tours of the new jail Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. He said groups would be limited to about five people. Skiles said that there are just a couple of very small final details to be completed at the jail and he was very complimentary of the job done by Septagone and construction manager Dwight Ramsburg. Skiles said on Thursday he would be attending a number of meetings in St. James including Meramec Regional Enhancement Corporation, the Transportation Advisory Committee, Public Health Advisory Board, MRPC External Relations and MRPC Board Meeting. Skiles reported for Dent County Clerk Angie Curley and stated that she and the treasurer balanced on all accounts for the month of May, and the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to report May collections were $136,257.10, which is up $21,876 from May of 2019. She also wanted to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes for 2017 that they will need to pay hem in full by June 30th. To find out why this is so important, call the collector’s office at 573-729-3911. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met May 21st at the Health Center at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the Board on the Health Center’s response to COVID-19. She has conducted numerous meetings with local officials, briefings with community stakeholders, weekly calls with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Governor Mike Parson, radio interviews and responded to 100’s of phone calls, messages, emails, etc., answering questions about COVID-19 and Governor’s orders. Nurses have worked diligently to communicate with numerous hospital infection preventions staff to follow pending tests, quarantined patients, and executing contact tracing. Health Center Staff returned to normal schedules after Memorial Day. All services are still being provided by appointment only at the Health Center. Employees are wearing masks and clients are encouraged to do the same. Dent County has had 1 confirmed case of COVID-19, the patient is compliant with quarantine, and as of the meeting no close contacts have developed symptoms. Mobray reported that outpatient labs were provided to 62 clients in April. A drive through school shot clinic will be scheduled during the month of June and the date is to be determined, plus shots are available daily by appointment. Also, nurses will give required immunizations at senior registration. Kindergartners must be up-to-date on immunizations to start school in August. Eighth graders are required to have one dose of meningitis and one dose of T-Dap. Seniors are required to have two doses of meningitis unless the first dose was administered to a student who was 16-years of age or older, in which case only one dose is required. At least one dose must be given after 16-years of age. The Dent County Health Center currently bills most insurance companies and offers state vaccine for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid clients. To make an appointment for vaccinations or for questions please call the Health Center at 573-729-3106. In contract updates she noted that the Pubic Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) funding for FY20, which runs through June 30, 2020, has been exhausted as of March 31st with a deficit of $6,702.02 due to COVID-10 response. Local public heath agencies have been instructed to track expenses for COVID response and bill their county for reimbursement from CARES Act funds. The Health Center investigated 1 case of E. Coli in April. DCHC expenses were approved, the next regular board meeting was set for June 18th at 5:00, and the meeting was adjourned.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 11:35 in Dent County on Highway 72 about 1000 feet west of Dent County Road 3175 took the lives of a Rolla woman and Salem man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Hyundai Sonata driven by 46-year old Tabatha Copeland of Rolla was traveling westbound and passed a witnesses vehicle at a high rate of speed causing the front of the Hyundai to strike the back of a 2004 Buick Park Avenue driven by 43-year old Greg Pugh of Salem who was traveling eastbound. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by the Dent County Coroner’s office at Sunday morning at 12:18. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Coroner’s Office. Pugh was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident while Copeland was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 6:55 in Crawford County on Route E about six miles northeast of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 GMC Sierra driven by 25- year old Bradley Yewell of Bridgeton, was traveling northbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway. Yewell overcorrected and the Sierra returned to the roadway, then traveled off the left side and Yewell overcorrected again. The Sierra returned back to the roadway before traveling back off the right side of the roadway again when Yewell again overcorrected, and the Sierra returned to the roadway before traveling off the left side of the roadway, overturning into a ditch. Yewell was ejected from the vehicle through the driver’s side window. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels in the ditch. Yewell suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac #13 to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. A passenger in the Sierra, 24-year old Kacie Woods of St. Ann, also suffered serious injuries and was flown to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by Air Evac #6. Neither Woods nor Yewell was wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Sierra was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Son’s. Troop I was assisted by Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident happened in Phelps County on Route EE and Phelps County Road 1280 Saturday afternoon at 3:50. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Honda Rincon Four-Wheeler driven northbound by 49-year old Ronald Galvin of St. Louis, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence. Suffering moderate injuries were Galvin and two juvenile passengers: a boy who was six-years of age and a girl who was 14-years of age. The juveniles were wearing safety equipment while Galvin was not. All three were taken to Phelps Health by EMS. The Honda had only minor damage and was secured by the owner.

An accident occurred Thursday evening shortly after 5:00 in Phelps County on Highway 68 just south of Route JJ. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2013 Kenworth tractor was being driven east by 30-year old James Drury of Salem when the load of the vehicle shifted causing the vehicle to overturn and travel off the right side of the road. Drury, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was transported by a private conveyance to Phelps Health for treatment of moderate injuries. The Kenworth sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported the new Dent County Jail will be opening soon and be in full operation. Before that happens, the Dent County Commissioners and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department wanted to open the new facility to the public. So beginning this Wednesday, June 10th and continuing through Saturday, June 13th the Dent County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting public tours of the new county jail. Jail staff will conduct tours in groups of five or less. People going on the tour are asked to wear a mask. Tours will start at the public entrance on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. Tours on Saturday will be given from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. The tours are free. For more information, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

Captain Eddie A. Blaylock, commanding officer of Troop I, announces additional locations will resume driver’s license testing. Locations include the Salem City Hall at 202 North Washington from 9:15 AM to 3:45 PM on the second, fourth, and fifth Wednesday of the month. There will be no road tests after 3:15 PM. Testing will also be at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I Headquarters at 1301 Nagogami Road West in Rolla from 8 AM to 5 PM every Tuesday, Friday, and the first and third Wednesday of the month. There will be no road tests after 4:30 PM. Due to limited capacities at these locations and to avoid extended wait times, we encourage applicants to call prior to testing. All times and locations listed can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

A public hearing will be held tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers to consider changes to the floodplain management ordinance. The hearing was called my Mayor Brad Nash and is open to anyone. Remember that social distancing guidelines will be followed by the city. Following the public hearing, a special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen will be held at 7:15 to consider making changes to the city’s floodplain management ordinance. The board will then review and possibly approve Bill #3451 that would set out provisions for flood damage prevention within the city of Salem. The meeting would then be adjourned. The meeting was called by Mayor Brad Nash and the meeting is open to the public following social distancing guidelines established by the governor and put into place by the city.

Tonight at 7:00 at the SHS Football Field, the 135th graduating class of the Salem High School will hold their commencement exercises with social distancing measures taken. There are 136 students who are expected to receive their diplomas from the Class of 2020. Because of school being out for so long, there will be no performances by the SHS Band or the Choir, but three students: Phoebe Callicutt, Mallorie Dittman and Kennison Parker, will sing the National Anthem. The Salem High School Class of 2020 had three Salutatorians and 18 Valedictorians. The Salutatorians included Reese Dodson, Lydia Owen and Emily Pruitt. The Valedictorians were comprised of Taylor Bradshaw, Jana Cook, Jodie Dean, Ashley Donovan, Easton Ingram, Anna McDaniel, Christopher McSwain, Bailee Pace, Katrina Parks, Victoria Pope, Ceceilia Reed, Brenden Smith, Emma Southards, Hailee Stringer, Mallorie Dittman, Malia Terrill, Melody Whitman and Madison Woolf. The ceremony will feature the presenting of the Senior Class Citizenship Awards and Best All-Around Boy and Girl Awards. Student recognition will follow the presentation of awards and feature six valedictorian speeches. The awarding of the diplomas will follow the student recognition. At the conclusion of the ceremony, school officials will be leading one half of the students from the exercise to exit the stadium to the circle drive while the other half will spread out on the eastern side of the track before exiting. Salem R-80 is asking you to please not congregate to the track and keep your social distancing. Gates will open at 5:30 and you must have a ticket to get in. Once inside the gates, you cannot leave and re-enter. Visitors may bring lawn chairs and sit to the north or south of the bleachers, or sit in the bleachers in every other row, but remember to keep six feet away from the next group. The track will also have 250 chairs set up in groups of five. For those who can’t make it or get a ticket, or prefer to stay at home, KSMO Radio will stream the event live from their website, www.ksmoradio.com. Go to the site click the “listen live” to access Twitch TV. You can also gain stream access from the Salem R-80 website at https://www.salemr80.org. The direct link to Twitch TV is https://twitch.tv/ksmo1340. In case of inclement weather, the 1st alternative rescheduling will be Saturday morning at 10:00 and the 2nd alternative rescheduling will be Saturday afternoon at 5:00.

An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 on Highway 32 about six miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven westbound by 31-year old Matthew Church of Salem, ran off the south side of the roadway and overturned. Church and a passenger, 28-year old John Fann of Salem, each suffered minor injuries in the accident. Fann refused treatment at the scene while Church was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Vibe was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Everyone was wearing their seat restraints. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Ambulance.

The Missouri Department of Conservation invites the public to get hooked on fishing through its Free Fishing Days that will be held Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect during Free Fishing Days, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. The Department of Conservation reminds anglers in Missouri that fishing permits are required before and after June 6 and 7, unless an angler is exempt by age or other factors. All other fishing regulations are also in effect. It is still critical to continue to heed all recommendations for physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, handwashing, and other public health measures during outdoor activities. Learn more about Free Fishing Days in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.

Currently on the Salem R-80 Website, parents can register their child for kindergarten for the William Lynch Elementary School. If you have a child who will be turning 5 before August 1st, you can register them now online. Once you have filled out the form, you will be contacted at a later date at the phone number you put on the form.

Congressman Jason Smith has announced the Cape Area Student Winner of 2020 Congressional Art Competition as well as the top 20 Pieces submitted from the district. Madi Holt of Advance High School has been selected as the overall winner for Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. Holt’s work “Patriotism Lives On” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Two Salem High School students had their works selected as part of the top 20 and they were “Polaroid” by Lara Stevens and “Frisco Station” by Luke Bartlett. Congratulations to all those students who submitted their work for the art competition.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Bill Parsons who asked permission to close a portion of East 4th Street from Water Street to Pershing Avenue and Water Street from East 4th Street to East 3rd Street for their annual street fest. The board approved his request. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden reported that FEMA has funds available for new flood plain maps that would be online and interactive. Walden said a public hearing on the flood plain would be held at a later date. He said there would be a Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on June 15th at 6:00 in the Council Chambers. Walden said the consultant report just arrived and would be sent out to the alderman for their review. He also said the Missouri S & T Project Management Class has sent their project report and that will also be available for anyone who would like to review it. Walden said the city offices were able to get out about 1,000 utility bills last week and have ramped up their efforts this week to get out the remaining 1,700 as soon as possible. Mayor Brad Nash said a written statement on the utility situation and a frequently asked question page will be posted on the city’s Facebook page. Alderwoman Kim Steelman asked City Administrator Walden to describe the problem of the integration of two different softwares. She said they were assured by the AMI company that the software was compatible as they have worked together before in other cities, but the Encoder Billing Software Salem has can’t interpret the read files and the companies are working at finding the solution to that problem. The city put out a request for qualifications for an auditor and the only response the city received was from their current auditor, Kristen Deluca of K Deluca Auditing. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois asked the alderman if there would be an ordinance created that would protect the city concession stand in the Salem City Park from food and ice cream trucks. She said with the reduction in Sales Tax this year, the Park and Recreation Department needs every penny they can get and that includes concessions in order to continue to offer the programs they do. The Board approved Resolution #12-2020 that is an agreement with the city and N.B. West Contracting to provide nova chips for the installation of approximately 40,000 square yards on various streets at $7.50 a square yard through August. Alderman James wanted to make sure the city got their 40,000 square yards and Public Works Director Mark Nash said the trucks hauling the material are weighed before and after they are filled with material and that is put on a ticket that must be presented at the job. He will keep track of those tickets. The board approved Resolution #13-2020 which is an agreement with the Dent County Commons for the discharging of fireworks for $1,500 and also to provide grass cutting services and more. The board asked if that could be moved to a different location like the city park, but Mayor Nash says new fire regulations have eliminated virtually every location in town. The board approved Bill #3450 that prohibits ice cream trucks, food trucks, food trailers and carts to sell food or refreshments in the Salem City Park without authorization from the Park and Rec Director or City Administrator. Alderman James also said an ordinance on excessive noise needs to be considered as he knows some of the vendors have had generators that have a noise level over 85 decibels in their trucks which is above industry acceptable levels without ear protection. He also said he would like to have the previous bill apply to more than just the city parks and include other city properties. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commission and Meramec Regional Planning Commission will be hosting a meeting for county departments, the city of Salem, political subdivisions and public entities qualified for CARES Act funding this afternoon at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. The purpose of the meeting is to provide guidance on the CARES Act, discuss eligible expenses and the application process, specific to Dent County’s funding. They will NOT be discussing business grants at this meeting as that process is still being researched. The meeting is open to everyone who is interested.

City of Salem Public Works Director Mark Nash said there will be no water sales at 3rd and Grand Streets at the city water department building until further notice. A pump has to be replaced and he will let the public know when water will be available again for sale.