Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. County office holders Shannon VanKirk, Collector, Assessor Jamie Homeyer and County Clerk Angie Curley discussed with the Commissioners guidelines to keep the public and their staffs safe from the COVID-19 virus. They, along with the Commissioners, are discouraging people from coming in to their offices without first calling to get information, directions about a problem, et cetera. In addition to phoning, the commission encouraged communicating by electronic media if available. VanKirk noted that taxes can be paid electronically or can be left in the drop box on the southwest corner of the Courthouse lawn. She said that if it’s something that needs immediate attention, just call her office at (573) 729-3911. Homeyer said that individuals needing to turn in assessment forms can leave those in the drop box as well or they can be mailed in, plus her office will schedule an appointment if you absolutely need to see her. If the assessment form has been lost, call her office at (573) 729-6010 and one will be mailed. To contact Curley’s office call (573) 729-4144. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency has closed their offices, plus Head Start Centers, to the public in order to protect the health and safety of staff. He noted that the Missouri Job Centers remain open and accessible. Purcell noted that any individuals that are adversely affected by current events including utilities, employment, housing, etcetera, should contact their local county SCMCAA Outreach Office. The Outreach Office phone number for Dent County is (573) 729-3500, Reynolds County is (573) 663-2855, and Shannon County is (573) 325-8271. Both Purcell and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that due to excessive moisture grading was on hold until some drying occurred. Their crews are cleaning pipes, culverts and crossovers, plus checking for downed limbs. They noted that the Road and Bridge Department realizes there are pot holes, washboards, and ruts needing attention, but current conditions just won’t permit it. Larson said they hoped to get some gravel spread today. Purcell also reported that at Monday’s Tourism Committee meeting, three reimbursement proposals were submitted and approved, one event proposal was submitted and tabled, and four event proposals were submitted and approved. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that Tuesday he attended the COVIC-19 conference call at the Dent County Firehouse conducted by Governor Mike Parson. At that time, there was 15 confirmed cases in Missouri. Angie Curley said the April 7th Municipal Elections have been postponed until June 2nd due to the COVID-19 virus and that absentee voting continues until June 1st at 5:00 pm. The last day to request an absentee ballot to be mailed out is May 20th. Curley said if there are questions call her office at (573) 729-4144. She noted that current elected municipal office holders remain in office until the June 2nd election returns are certified. Bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment, and the Road and Bridge Department was seeking phone bids for 7,000 gallons of diesel. Bids were opened for 96 Cat and 48 John Deere grader blades. Bids were submitted by Erb Equipment, Viebrock Sales and Services, LLC, and Woolf Diesel Repair. The low bid of $12,369.60 from Viebrock Sales was approved 3-0. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces it has cancelled most public events and programs at its nature centers, shooting ranges, and other locations around the state until April 15th. The cancellations are effective immediately and include scheduled hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. MDC scheduled managed hunts, mentored spring turkey hunts, and native plant sales at nature centers will continue as planned.

Due to the rising number of school closures amidst the Coronavirus concerns, Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has moved the deadline for submitting projects from March 20th to April 10th. Entries for all categories which includes trash art, hand-drawn poster and graphic arts poster may be dropped off at the county clerk offices at the nearest courthouse or at Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), located at 4 Industrial Dr., St. James. If submitting five or more projects, contact MRPC to arrange transport. The Ozark Rivers Earth Day contest is a poster and trash art competition open to all students in grades kindergarten through 12th in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Homeschool students meeting these criteria are eligible and encouraged to participate. The graphic art portion of the contest is also open to post-secondary students. This year’s theme focuses on protecting the planet and reducing the use of single purpose plastics, such as straws, bags and cups. Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple contest categories, including posters (hand-drawn and graphic arts), and re-purposing recyclables and trash into three-dimensional pieces of trash art. All art entries should echo the theme of the contest and an underlying solid waste reduction theme to rethink, refuse, reduce, re-purpose, reuse and then recycle. First and second place contest winners will each receive prizes, provided by sponsor donations. Honorable mention projects will also be recognized. All prizes will be earth-friendly, with the first prize valued at $30, second prize valued at $10 and honorable mention prizes valued at $5. Full contest rules are available at www.ozarkrivers.org.

Captain Eddie A. Blaylock, the commanding officer of Troop I, announces that some remote driver examination locations in Troop I will be temporarily closed. The driver’s license testing sites scheduled in Cuba, Salem and Vienna will be closed through April 1st, 2020. Please visit the Patrol website to determine the nearest open testing location. The website includes the station location and hours of operation. The written test will be available at Troop I Headquarters each Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. No road tests will be given. When entering the driver’s license examination building, please come to the window and sign in. Only applicants will be allowed in the testing area.

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 20-03 ordering all Missouri municipal elections previously scheduled for April 7th, 2020, to be postponed to June 2nd, 2020 due to the concern over the coronavirus and the large number of people elections attract. The Executive Order declares that ballots already printed for the April 7th election may be used at the postponed date of June 2nd. Voters who have attained the age of 18 by April 7th will be allowed to cast a ballot. Section 44.100, RSMo, provides that during a state of emergency, the Governor is authorized to “waive or suspend the operation of any statutory requirement or administrative rule prescribing procedures for conducting state business, where strict compliance with such requirements and rules would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action by the department of health and senior services to respond to a declared emergency or increased health threat to the population.” The Executive Order requires local election authorities to publish notice of the June 2 election. In addition, the Executive Order also includes the following: the closing date to register to vote in this election remains March 11th, the deadline for filing as a write-in candidate for office remains March 27th at 5:00 PM, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot shall be May 20, a public test of voting equipment shall be completed no later than June 1st, in-person absentee ballots may be cast until 5:00 PM June 1st, and the deadline by which absentee ballots must be received by the election authority shall be 7:00 in the evening on June 2nd. Military and overseas voters must request a ballot from an election authority by 5:00 PM Friday, May 29th, and the deadline for local election authorities to make ballots available to such voters is April 18th. Military and overseas ballots must be received by the election authority by June 5th.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the summary of operations for the month of February where the hospital had 127 inpatient admissions with 365 inpatient census days. There were 2,157 outpatient registrations, 1,457 cardiopulmonary procedures, 10,794 lab tests, 1,351 radiology procedures, 831 rehabilitation treatments, 40 surgeries, 232 home health visits and 848 emergency room visits. There were a total of 214 ambulance runs in February with 169 patients transported and 45 dry runs. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $30,660 and revenues over expenses after taxes of $7,392. Hospital Administrator Lucas said the contractuals led expenses with the contracted nursing, coding and billing services. This and low receivables for the month created a cash decrease in the month of $445,949. Lucas said the days cash on hand has dipped to 35 which is where the hospital was back in 2015. He also said the days in net accounts receivable are 107 and that is 16 more days than in February. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines gave the Acute Care report and the update on the flu. She said that as of February, 285 total flu cases had been reported in Dent County. Lucas gave the Auxiliary report where at their March meeting the 2020 fundraisers discussed were the Scrub Hub on March 25th, the Hospital Week Bar-B-Que on May 12th and the Shoe Roads Productions on May 27th. Their next meeting will be held on April 7th at noon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported on the Hospital Foundation’s Golf Tournament scheduled on June 5th has raised $6,775 to date with sponsorships and donations and prizes. He said they are working on getting the bands for Wings and Strings on September 12. The foundation has submitted the initial Project Performance Activity report for the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant. Edwards also said the replacement of the floor in Acute Care wil be delayed due to the coronavirus protocol now in effect at the hospital. Administrator Lucas said the hospital has made adjustments to its visitor admission policy for Long-Term Care and Acute Care and they are in the process of re-routing outpatient services with those in need of emergency services. They also are taking steps to make sure employees are healthy while they are at work. The board approved the Courtesy Staff Privileges for Michael Stadnyk, MD for teleradiology and approved the Home Health Bylaw Change introduced in January. The Finance Committee met March 3rd. The market assessment and tentative capital budget were reviewed with the committee recommending to moving forward with the budget. Lucas will be meeting with each department director in April to get their input. The board discussed the COVID-19 protocol where people should call the primary caregiver, the health department or hospital if they feel they have symptoms of the virus. Do NOT arrive at your healthcare provider or the emergency room without contacting them first. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Wednesday, March 11th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19 and Rolla Road. During the course of the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Thursday, March 12th, a deputy spoke to a 26-year-old Edgar Springs woman who was the reported victim of a theft. The woman believed her wallet had been stolen. Suspect information was gathered and during the course of an investigation, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for stealing and for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, a prior drug offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and was released. On Saturday, March 14th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through the Licking Police Department. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond and was released. If anyone has information regarding an investigation, call 729-3241.

The Salem Public Library will be closed temporarily from 5:00 PM this Friday until 10:00 AM on Monday, April 6th. This closure is subject to reevaluation. Updates will be posted on the library’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Library staff will work throughout the closure. Please call 729-4331 with questions.

As of Tuesday morning, March 17th, the City of Salem Administration Building has posted a sign on the front door of the building that indicates the lobby is currently closed in response to the coronavirus. The sign mentions using the drive-through or drop box to make utility payments. You can call the office at 729-4117, e-mail administration@salemmo.com, or visit the City of Salem Facebook page for all other needs.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board heard from Public Works Director Mark Nash about Fire Hydrant Saver Equipment that can save the city the cost of replacing three to five fire hydrants a year. The bid from Schulte Supply, Inc of Edwardsville, Illinois, was for $12,155.24. The bid was approved by a 3-2 vote with Mayor Brad Nash breaking the 2-2 tie vote thatn was caused when Aldermen Nash and James voting for the purchase and Alderwoman Hinderlighter and Steelman voted against it. In the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting, Chairman Gary Brown brought the results to the alderman of the vote taken on two proposed bills before the Board of Alderman meeting. The results were three votes for and three against to recommend to the aldermen to approve the proposed bills. The City Attorney said the aldermen may override any recommendation or non-recommendation by the committee with at least a 2/3rds majority vote as per current city ordinances. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to remind everyone to use good hygiene, wash your hands and stay home if you are feeling ill. The board approved Bill #3439 that approved establishing rules for licensing domestic wineries within the city of Salem and the zoning of those establishments by a 3-1 vote with Alderman Nash voting against the bill. The board also approved Bill #3440 that approved establishing rules for licensing microbeweries, microwineries and meaderies within the city limits of Salem and the zoning of those establishments by a 3-1 vote with Alderman Nash voting against the bill. The board approved Bill #3441 that will annex the land between Southtown Furniture and Tiny’s Automotive owned by the Charles and Janet Cunnngham Trust by a 4-0 vote. The board approved the re-appointment of Rose Kinerk to the Salem Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for another four-year term effective February 16th, 2020. The board also approved leaving the MPR Pool Insurance Group for property and liability insurance coverage before going into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released reports for March 6th and 7th. On Friday, March 6th, a deputy traveled to an apartment on Odom Drive in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 22- year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond and was released. Finally on Saturday, March 7th, deputies responded to a residence in the 6500 block of East Highway 32 for a report of a 46- year-old Salem man who was in possession of a firearm and was acting erratic. While deputies were enroute to the residence, further information was received that said the man was now holding two subjects at gunpoint inside the residence. Deputies arrived on scene and set up a perimeter around the residence. After a short time, the Salem man walked out of the residence and surrendered himself. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail. He was charged with the unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 4 –exhibiting, unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 11 – possession of a weapon with a felony controlled substance, plus harassment in the 1st degree, armed criminal action, kidnapping in the 3rd degree, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana and/or synthetic cannabinoid, and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The Salem man is currently being held on a $100,000 cash or professional surety bond. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about an investigation.

With an increasing number of school closures around the state in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Missouri Department of Conservation announces that it must cancel its Missouri National Archery in the Schools (MoNASP) virtual state tournament. MDC MoNASP Coordinator Eric Edwards added that all teams and student archers who competed in a state-qualifying event will be eligible to pre-register for the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) national championship and will be placed in their tier based on their highest score in a state-qualifying tournament that took place this season, including the current virtual qualifying tournament listed at nasptournaments.org. The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) national tournament is scheduled for May 7-9 in Louisville, Kentucky. Edwards added that schools will only be eligible to have one team qualify for nationals. He says if you were an individual shooter, your high score will count. If you were part of a team, your individual score for the national-tier setting will be the score you shot when your team posted its highest score.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces it has cancelled most public events and programs at its nature centers, shooting ranges, and other locations around the state until April 15th. The cancellations are effective immediately and include scheduled hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. MDC scheduled managed hunts, mentored spring turkey hunts, and native plant sales at nature centers will continue as planned. All conservation areas remain open to the public. MDC offices, nature centers, and shooting ranges also remain open under normal operating hours. According to MDC, the cancellations are in effect immediately to protect the safety of the public amid ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. People can contact their local MDC office, nature center, or shooting range with questions on specific events or programs.

As our health communities continue to assess the spread of COVID-19, Salem R-80 is receiving guidance from local and state health officials. Superintendent John McColloch stated the decision was made Monday afternoon to close all Salem R-80 facilities beginning on Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, April 3rd. Classes will be set to resume on Monday, April 6th. Classes will be in session today, March 17, so that teachers and students have time to prepare for an extended closure and allow them to prepare materials that can be sent home with students. This closure also applies to all co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and practices. Thank you for your patience as we are trying to work proactively during this time. Our primary focus is the safety and the well-being of our students, staff, and community.

According to Jody Schaefer, the Salem Senior Center Administrator, the Salem Senior Center will be suspending the daily congregate lunch meal and all activities. Schafer did say that a warm meal would be provided for clients to take home, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 in the morning until to 1:00 in the afternoon. If clients are not interested in coming to the Senior Center to pick up their meals, they may get the frozen meal delivery if they live within city limits. They will still do their normal frozen meal delivery as well. If you have any questions or need information about picking up or having meals delivered, contact the Salem Senior Center at 729-2373. Also, if there are any seniors that still need assistance, please let them know. They are there to help!

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse with Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash and Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray. They discussed their meeting on Friday with Commission Skiles, the rural fire departments, representatives from the Division of Family Services, Salem R-80 and the rural school administrators, representatives from the Salem Memorial District Hospital, representatives from Phelps Health and the Mercy Clinic and the Salem Police Department. Mobray said there are now six confirmed cases of the Covid 19 virus in Missouri, but none in the Region I area and all have been travel related so far in the state. She said the CDC has recommended that there be no gatherings of more than 50 people in any one location, and that Veteran’s Homes and nursing homes be shut down to visitors. Mobray stated the best way to avoid getting the virus is to wash your hands, keep social distancing in mind, and if you feel ill to stay home. She said masks will not help you keep from getting the virus. She said the Covid 19 virus symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, contact your current health provider or the health center BY PHONE. The Dent County Health Center number is 729-3106 and the Shannon County Health Center number is 573-226-3914. They will ask you a number of questions to see if you may qualify to be tested. Do NOT go to see your health provider without calling FIRST, and do NOT just go to the Salem Memorial District Hospital Emergency Room without calling first unless it is a true health emergency.

At the Dent County Commission meeting Monday, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported it was too wet to grade. Workers will be servicing county dump trucks 119 and 123, replacing downed or stolen road signs, cleaning out culverts where needed, removing a leaning pine tree on Dent County Road 5690 and cutting brush on county road 5520. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated a crew would be repairing brush cutter #6 and will be checking for washouts. Larson said the county will not be able to grade until the conditions improve and the roads can dry and the forecast this week is not optimistic for better weather. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners attended the South Central County Commissioner Association meeting in Houston Friday. Skiles said they heard from Senator Mike Cunningham, and Representatives Davis Evans and Robert Ross. Skiles state the commissioners received an update on the per diem legislation, heard about the Conservation Department’s landowner registration, got an update on the feral hog situation and heard more on the medical marijuana issue. Skiles also said at the last meeting in closed session, the commission approved the bid by SecureTech Systems, Inc. out of Irving, Texas to provide security services for the Dent County Jail. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting for the April 7th election continues. She recommends that voters who are ill or disabled, or who have a caretaker, to request to get a ballot by mail. This is an excused reason to vote absentee and they can call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144. You can request to have a ballot mailed out until March 25th. The clerk’s office also offers curbside voting for those who can’t make it inside the courthouse. For those who want to vote this way, please call the Dent County Clerk’s office when you are outside and they will bring everything you need to vote to your vehicle. Also, absentee voting continues for the April 7th election until April 6th at 5:00, and the clerk’s office will be open Saturday, April 4th from 8:00 until 12:00 noon for absentee voting. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their March meeting on this evening in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After approval of the agenda and minutes of the February 18th regular meeting and March 3rd special meeting, Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations for the month of February, a Home Health report and hospital auxiliary report followed by the Chief of Nursing Report for the month by Debbie Hines. A report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception report will be given by Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards. Hospital Administrator Lucas will discuss the Home Health Bylaw Change with the board which will then be voted on before the board hears a report from the 2021 fiscal year finance committee meeting. New purchases made by the hospital will be presented before the hospital goes into closed session. The March board meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax received by the county in the month of March. Williams gave the figures for the General Revenue Fund and the LEST Fund which are basically the same. She said the county received $89,360.20 this year while in March of 2019 the county received $82,679.53 which comes to an increase of $6,680.67. Year-to-date, both the GR and LEST Funds are up $1,509.45. The Road and Bridge Fund received $41,791.11 this March which is $4,373.19 more than last March and year-to-date, that fund is up $3,058.42 or 2.86%. The Jail funds each took in $83,470.99 for March and that is $8,721.43 better than the March 2019 collection of $74,749.56. Year-to-date, each of the jail funds are up $6,917.04 and that comes to about 3.25%. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 4080 while materials will be added to county road 5420 where a crossover pipe repair is being done. Purcell said brush was being cut on county roads 5520 and major maintenance was being done to dump truck #125. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2135 and 3020 while brush would be cut on county roads 2570 and 4380. Larson said some maintenance at the shop was also being done. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the SACBA Board meeting Monday night. Their Trivia Night fundraiser is tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. You can still enter a team of eight for $100 by calling 729-8163. The doors will open at 5:30 and food and beverage will be available for purchase. Skiles also attended an Ozark Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting Tuesday at the MRPC offices where they approved five grant closures and extensions. They also reallocated $24,960 from grants awards that were declined. They also heard a report on an illegal dump cleanup in the national forest in Washington County. The market for recyclables was also discussed as it continues to be weak. Skiles also reported on a conference call from Governor Mike Parson about the COVID 19 virus that he attended with City Administrator Ray Walden, Dent County Health Center Director Kendra Mobray, Emergency Management Director Brad Nash and deputies from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. The call was to discuss the state’s preparedness on the issue. The state will be receiving about 13 million dollars to help fight the virus. Parson said the biggest health concerns will be for the elderly, those with respiratory problems or those with a compromised immune system should they get the virus. The state has set up a hot line for anyone who has questions: 1-877-453-8411. The state wants to remind everyone the best way to ward off the virus is to continue good basic hygiene, wash your hands if they come in contact with surfaces and never touch your face with dirty hands. They said you have a much better chance of getting influenza than the COVIC 19 virus. Skiles said on Wednesday he attended a Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting where they talked about the COVID 19 virus. They also talked about an awareness class for anhydrous ammonia that is to be held. The commissioners will be going to a South Central County Commissioners meeting today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said about 20% of registered voters in the Presidential Preference Primary voted on Tuesday. She said absentee voting for the April 7th Municipal Election will continue and the last day to mail out a ballot for that election will be March 25th. She also said the last day to register to vote for the August Primary is July 8th. The Commissioners went into closed session at 10:00 to discuss security contracts for the new jail. The next meeting of the commissioners meeting will be Monday at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released report for February 27th through March 3rd. On the morning of Thursday the 27th shortly after 9:00, an officer was dispatched to the lobby of the Salem Police Department for a report of a lost or stolen license plate. The license plate was noticed missing off of a vehicle in the 500 block of south Jackson. The plate was entered as being lost or stolen. Saturday afternoon, the 27th at approximately 4:32, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a 26-year old male from Raymondville had stolen property valued at approximately $22. The male was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. On Sunday evening, March 1st at about 8:19, an officer was dispatched to the lobby of the Salem Police Department for a report of property damage. It was reported that a vehicle had been damaged while parked at the Wal-Mart parking lot. The incident is currently still under investigation. The next morning on March 2nd at around 10:22, an officer made contact with a 36-year old Salem man who had an active arrest warrant. The active warrant was confirmed and the male was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriffs Office. Later that same afternoon shortly before 5:00 an officer responded to the Phelps County Sheriffs Office to pick up a 35-year old Salem male who was arrested on a City of Salem warrant. The male was transported, processed and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding a previously mentioned investigation.

In the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 10th in Crawford County in front of Judge Kelly Parker, James Hatcher of Licking pled guilty to two cases involving burglary in the 2nd degree and property damage in Dent County. The state requested six years in prison for the crimes committed and Judge Parker agreed, sentencing Hatcher the six year sentence.

SmartAsset, a personal finance technology company headquartered in New York, New York, has conducted a study on determining the most affordable counties to retire. In Missouri, Dent County had the 9th lowest tax burden when looking at a combination of: income tax, sales tax, property tax and fuel tax. To find the places with the lowest tax burdens, SmartAsset calculated the amount of money a specific person would pay in income, sales, property and fuel taxes in each county in the country. To better compare income tax burdens across counties, they used the national median household income. Then they applied relevant deductions and exemptions before calculating federal, state and local income taxes. In order to determine sales tax burden, it was estimated that 35% of take-home (after-tax) pay is spent on taxable goods. They multiplied the average sales tax rate for a county by the household income after taxes. This balance is then multiplied by 35% to estimate the sales tax paid. For property taxes the median property taxes paid in each county were compared. For fuel taxes, they first distributed statewide vehicle miles traveled to the county level using the number of vehicles in each county. Then SmartAsset calculated the total number of licensed drivers within each county. The countywide miles were then distributed amongst the licensed drivers in the county, which gave them the miles driven per licensed driver. Using the nationwide average fuel economy, they calculated the average gallons of gas used per driver in each county and multiplied that by the fuel tax. SmartAsset then added the dollar amount for income, sales, property and fuel taxes to calculate a total tax burden. Finally, each county was ranked and indexed, on a scale of 0 to 100. The county with the lowest tax burden received a score of 100 and the remaining counties in the study were scored based on how closely their tax burden compares. Dent County’s composite score was 79.17, while the lowest tax burden county in Missouri was Ozark County with a composite score of 80.85.

On Tuesday in the Presidential Preference Primary in Dent County, a total of 2,010 votes were cast with 1,359 being Republican, 646 being Democrat and 5 being Libertarian. Incumbent Donald Trump received 1,340 of the Republican votes while Joe Biden captured 375 of the Democrat votes with Bernie Sanders getting 216 and Michael Bloomberg getting 12 votes.

The City of Salem will start sweeping the streets around town in the next couple of weeks. They would like to ask that anything that may be in the way of completing this process including cars, portable basketball goals, and trash cans be moved so there are no obstructions for the street sweeper. Your assistance will allow this process to be completed without incident. The City of Salem appreciates your cooperation.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 10:30 on Highway 32 about one tenth of a mile west of Route AC. According to the highway patrol report, the driver, 55-year-old Franklin Hedrick of Viburnum, lost control of an eastbound 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier which then traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Chevrolet continued down an embankment and struck a tree. A passenger, 62-year-old Karen Salsman of Steelville, suffered minor injuries and was transported by the Iron County Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The report stated that both Salsman and Hedrick were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted reports for February 25th through 29th. On Tuesday, February 25th, a deputy observed a vehicle parked at the archery range parking lot at Shawnee Mac Conservation Area. Upon checking on the subjects inside the vehicle, a 34-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Franklin County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. Also on the 25th, a deputy responded to a residence in 1500 block of Dent6 County Road 5240 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 59- year-old man was the reported victim. The total value of property that was damaged or stolen is approximately $1,200.00. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, February 28th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 38 year-old Salem woman was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. Finally on Saturday, February 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Highway 19 and East Margaret Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about any ongoing investigation.

The Doe Run Company is offering one full scholarship to the Missouri University of Science and Technology 2020 Summer Explosives Camp in June. Interested students from qualifying school districts must apply for the Explosives Camp online, then mail the Doe Run scholarship application by April 15th. Missouri S&T’s Explosives Camp is considered the first camp of its kind. High school juniors and seniors gain hands-on experience with the safe handling and shooting of explosives for a unique look at how explosives are used in different industries. This scholarship covers the full $1,450 camp cost, and is available to students who will be high school juniors or seniors in fall 2020 at the following districts: Potosi R-3; Kingston K-14; Iron County C-4; Bunker R-3; Valley R-VI; Salem R-80; Southern Reynolds Co. R-II; Steelville R-III; Lesterville R-IV and all the St. Francois School Districts: West County R-4, Central R-3 and North R-1. Interested students can obtain a scholarship application through their high school principal or guidance counselor’s office. Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1st. The camp includes demonstrations, field trips to operations – such as one of Doe Run’s mines, student projects, and ends with a bang with the shooting of a fireworks display. Qualified students who have passed a background check through the federal Safe Explosives Act are permitted to handle explosives. The 2020 Explosives Camp will have two sessions the first being June 7th through the 12th and June 14th through the 19th.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. City of Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge presented her monthly report for February to the commission. She reported the Delta Regional Authority Workforce Training Grant that was applied for was not awarded to Dent County. Burbridge reported on the Missouri Partnership Assess Program with Ginovus in late February where they reported Salem was one of the best community tours they have been on. They will submit a written report of the strengths and weaknesses of our community by the end of this month. She said she attended a “fab lab boot camp” in Independence, Kansas where they use a “Makerspace” that allows people to get introduced to occupations without having to make the investment. Burbridge showed the commission examples of what can be done with just a little training. She said she would be meeting with the Missouri S &T Project Management Class about creating a plan for a “Makerspace” at the new Construction and Technology Trades Building. Dent County Historical Society President Deloris Gray Wood was in saying the county should not miss the opportunity to promote Dent County with the 150th anniversary of the courthouse this year. She said having a celebration next year is great, but do something this summer to make it a draw for visitors. She left copies of the 125th anniversary celebration magazine printed by the Salem News for the commissioners to review that could possibly generate some ideas. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that weather permitting, materials would be added and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 5510 and 6255, brush would be cut on county road 6575, and the brake pads would be replaced and general maintenance done on county truck #73. Purcell went on to report that a crew would be patching chip and seal county roads 4110, 4120 and 6180. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2570 and 4380. He went on to say a man would be stockpiling material at the shop, new tires are being put on truck #122, and a new water pump is being installed on truck #60. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today and will be attending the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the polls will be open from 6:00 this morning until 7:00 tonight for the Presidential Preference Primary. She said people will have to choose a party affiliation when they vote: Republican, Green, Democrat, Constitution or Libertarian. She said absentee voting for the April Municipal Election is still going on and filing for the August 4th Primary will continue until March 31st. Curley also said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for February. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

Salem Area Community Betterment Association will be presenting their BIG GREEN Trivia Night Fundraiser this Friday evening, March 13th, at the Salem Community Center starting at 6:00. The doors will open at 5:30 and tables are $100.00 for up to eight players. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chili, chili dogs, chips, soda and water will be available for purchase. Participants are encouraged to dress in green or to wear their favorite Irish Garb. To RSVP or for more information about being a sponsor, contact Jenna Deason at (573) 247-0621 or Judy Apperson at (573) 729-8163.

An accident happened Saturday morning at 5:00 in Franklin County on Highway 100 at Thornton Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Subaru Forester driven eastbound by 41-year old Michael Callahan of Rolla, swerved right to avoid hitting an animal in roadway. Callahan then overcorrected causing the Subaru to travel off the left side of the roadway, where the vehicle overturned and struck a tree. Callahan suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Meramec Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Washington. Callahan was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Subaru was totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Salem Area Arts Council’s “Art Across the Ages” is on display to celebrate ‘Youth Art Month” at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center now through March 27th. Tonight, there will be a special reception from 6:00 until 8:00 where artists will be present to talk about their art and mingle with friends and families. Also at the reception tonight, Barb bailey and Aaron Horrell from the Painted Wren Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau will give any person who is interested the opportunity to paint a part of the mural that will ultimately be hung in the Truman Building in Jefferson City to celebrate Missouri’s bicentennial in 2021. For more information, please feel free to call the representative of the Salem Area Arts Council at (573) 247-0279. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is at 202 South Main in Salem.

The Salem Cosmopolitan Club held their 69th Annual Variety Show and Miss Salem Contest at the City Hall Auditorium Saturday night. Judges from South Central Missouri selected Brecklyn Holtz sponsored by Country Mart Pharmacy as the Second runner-up, Emma Southards sponsored by Main Street Cafe as the First runner-up and the 2020 Miss Salem, crowned by the 2019 Miss Salem Lauren Grogan, went to MacKenzie Thompson sponsored by Lake Road Steel. The Miss Personality Award went to Cheyenne Roderman sponsored by Elwood Real Estate. That award is voted on by the girls in the competition. Congratulations to all the participants and the acts that made the show possible and the Cosmopolitan Club wants to thank everyone who attended the show for their support.

An accident happened in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about a half mile west of Reynolds Saturday morning at 7:00. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 Pontiac Firebird driven eastbound by 19-year old James Nunley of Bunker, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Nunley suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. It was unknown if he was wearing a seat restraint. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

An accident happened Saturday morning at 5:00 in Franklin County on Highway 100 at Thornton Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Subaru Forester driven eastbound y 41-year old Michael Callahan of Rolla, swerved right to avoid hitting an animal in roadway. Callahan then overcorrected causing the Subaru to travel off the left side of the roadway, where the vehicle overturned and struck a tree. Callahan suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Meramec Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Washington. Callahan was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Subaru was totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted reports for February 17th through the 24th. On Monday, February 17th, a Deputy responded to the 5500 block of Highway 19 North for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 61-year-old man was the reported victim. The total value of the property stolen is approximately $150.00. This report is under investigation. Then on Thursday, February 20th, a deputy traveled to the Missouri Private Probation Services on West 4th Street to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Salem Police Department. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Also on the 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Bryan Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, and driving while his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Then on Sunday, February 23rd, a deputy responded to the 35000 block of Highway 72 for a report of a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 30-year-old woman was the reported victim. After further investigation, the deputy met with a 53- year-old Salem man at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The Salem man was issued a citation for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and was released. The next day, Monday February 24th, a deputy responded to the 1000 block of Dent County Road 5015 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 62-year-old woman was the reported victim. The total value of property that was damaged or stolen was approximately $9,000.00. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.