Local News

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met January 16th at the Health Center. Mobray updated the Board on the status of the new building located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. The HVAC was near completion, painting was complete, phones were installed on January 17th, and the new signs and floor cleaning are being done this week. She explained that Health Center Staff would be ready to move as soon as the floor cleaning was completed. VFC Staff at Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services requires the vaccine refrigerator to run for five days with accurate temperatures before vaccine can be transferred to the new location. A motion was made and passed to close the Dent County Health Center in order to move from Monday, January 27th through Friday, January 31st. It was noted that inclement weather may necessitate that the five day window for the move be delayed. Mobray reported outpatient lab services were provided for 100 clients in December. She also noted that Missouri DHSS WIC TA Staff inspected the new building on January 9th and that WIC monitoring is tentatively scheduled for March. Mobray said that she and Ashley Peyton would be trained by DHSS Staff for the Show-Me Healthy Women/Wisewoman Program in February and services would begin soon after the training. Mobray said 693 Flu shots have been administered to date and they continue to be available at the Health Center on a walk-in basis with Flulaval, for ages 6 months and up, Flublock, for those with egg allergies, and High Dose Fluzone for ages 65 and up. The Health Center is able to bill private insurance and child Medicaid. Mobray went on to say that Flu shots are $37.00 for adults who are uninsured. The Health Center reported 11 cases of Influenza and one case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Mobray presented the Annual Report for 2019. The number of clients served in 2019 increased by 2,284 from 2018’s total served. The Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees. In closed session the bid from Southeast Services, Inc. to move the emergency generator from the current location to the new one was approved. Also in closed session, the 2020 budget was presented and tabled to allow time for the trustees to review the proposed budget. DCHC expenses for December were approved and the next regular board meeting was set for February 27th at 5:00. The February meeting date was changed due to conflicts with the regular 3rd Thursday meeting date.

David Schatz, the Salem R-80 Band Director, has released the latest band news. The Salem R-80 Middle School had eight students participate in the 2020 Central District Honor Band on Saturday, January 18th. They performed a concert at Waynesville High School. Those participating included 8th Graders Ayva Callicutt, Rory Dahms, Jacob Bender, and Christian Frederickson, plus 7th Graders Cassie Scott, Kaison Wilmont, Preston McFarland and Lindsey Hinderliter.

This Saturday at 7:00 at the Salem High School Gym, it’s the return of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundations “Dancing with the Salem Stars.” This fundraiser is for needed improvements and capital equipment. This year there are 10 dance teams on the docket. They include Don Sneed and Lorna Mundwiller, Rick and Melissa Ragsdale, Thom Haines and Marilyn Sweitzer, Brett Capps and Megan Seay, Lane Howard and Rosalie Wright, Linda Maledy and Jackie Sisco, Shannon Wright and Jaimie Jones, Collin Jones and Sarah Heitman, Slayton Parker and Amanda Walker, and Lancer Blair and Sierra Hagler. Come on out and support your favorite dancers as there will be a People’s Choice Award presented to one couple at the end of the event. A limited amount of advanced floor table tickets are available for $20 each and if any remain, may be purchased at the door for $25.00. Last year, those tickets sold out before the event. Bleacher seats will only be available at the door and are priced at $5.00 each. To purchase advance tickets, call 729-6626 or 729-5917 and use extension 4003. The doors will open at 6:30 for this year’s “Dancing with the Salem Stars.”

Have you made your appointment for the free tax filing assistance provided by the Volunteers from the AARP Foundation at the Salem Community Center@The Armory? Dates in February are beginning to fill up fast! Currently, appointments are still available from Friday, February 7th through Friday, April 10th. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163.

An accident happened in Phelps County Monday afternoon at 1:30 on Highway 72 about three miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol, a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis driven northbound by 22-year old Jasmine Thompson of Salem, crossed the center of the roadway and struck a 2011 Buick LaCrosse driven southbound by Waneta Odgen of Licking. After impact, the Grand Marquis overturned and Thompson, who was not wearing a seat restraint, was ejected from the car suffering serious injuries. She was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. Odgen also suffered serious injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla. She was wearing her seat restraint. Both vehicles were totaled with the Grand Marquis removed from the scene by C&C Towing and the Buick LaCrosse removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

An accident happened in Phelps County on Highway 8 just north of Highway 68 Monday afternoon at about 2:20. According to the highway patrol report, 45-year old Billie Bryant of Cherryville was driving a 2005 GMC Envoy southbound when it began sliding on the slick road and crossed the center line where the Envoy struck head-on a northbound 2001 Dodge Dakota driven by 46-year old Bobby Coffman of St. James. Bryant suffered moderate injuries while Coffman and a 13-year old male juvenile from the Dodge suffered minor injuries. All involved were transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. Everyone was wearing their seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at about 3:00 on Route O in Phelps County about two miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 44-year old Marcy Sloan of Rolla was driving a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer when she lost control on the ice covered roadway. The Trailblazer traveled off the right side of the road and overturned in the ditch. Sloan suffered minor injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Chevy had moderate damages and was removed by a private party from the scene. Sloan was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Tuesday morning at 6:40 in Dent County on Route FF about four miles west of Highway 68. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2006 Ford Escape, driven by 58-year-old Connie Monk of Salem, skidded on ice and ran off the right side of the roadway. The Escape returned to the roadway before running off the left side of the roadway. The Ford then overturned and came to rest on the passenger side of the vehicle. Monk suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health via a personal conveyance. The report stated that Monk was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Escape sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by American Muffler.

The following reports have been released by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for January 9th through the 12th. On Thursday the 9th a Deputy observed a 57 year-old Salem man riding a bike on Highway 119. The Deputy knew the man to have active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. During the course of the incident, the Salem man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Also on the 9th a Deputy observed a 28 year-old Salem man near the 300 block of County Road 4170. The Deputy knew the man to have active warrants through Dent County. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Then on Friday, January 10th, a Deputy traveled to a residence in the 1000 block of Highway 119 to attempt to serve an arrested warrant. During the course of the incident, a 32 year-old Salem woman was arrested for the active warrants through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Finally on Sunday, January 12th, Deputies responded to the 3000 block of Highway P for a report of a Burglary. Upon arrival, Deputies discovered that a 65 year-old woman was the reported victim of the burglary. This investigation is still ongoing. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about any investigation.

Missouri turkey hunters can apply online during February for 2020 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website at mdc.mo.gov/springturkeyhunts. Preview details on managed hunts and application procedures on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15th. The spring turkey hunting youth weekend will be April 4th and 5th with the regular spring season running April 20th through May 10th. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the MDC 2020 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold beginning in March. To learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri, visit MDC’s website at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting. Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app — MO Hunting — available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports for January 7th and 8th. On Tuesday, January 7th, a deputy responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 5070 for a report of a theft. Upon arrival the deputy discovered that a 41-year-old woman was the reported victim of the theft. This investigation is still ongoing. Also on Tuesday a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the 1400 block of South Gertrude Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 40-year-old Salem man was arrested for felony driving while driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Then on Wednesday, January 8th, a deputy traveled to the Missouri Private Probation Services on West 4th Street in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 27- year-old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was incarcerated. Also on the 8th while on routine patrol, a deputy observed a 52-year-old Salem man removing items from a donation box at the Lifeway Center. After further investigation, the Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about any investigation.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting at 7:00. In the hearing of persons, the board will hear from Ray Bruno of the Scenic Rivers Industries about possible changes in the recycling services they offer. The board will also hear Kristin DeLuca from K DeLuca Auditing Services as she will present the 2019 Fiscal Year audit for the city. The board will then receive and discuss bids from on the TAP Grant for the trail from the Salem R-80 Administration Building to Pavilion #1 in the Salem City Park. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden about current projects going on in the city. In the Introduction and Reading of Bills, Resolution 2-2020 will be discussed that would adopt an economic development policy for the City of Salem. In new business, Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman will discuss the destruction of some of the 2013 police records that no longer have to be kept. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts before adjourning. The meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their January meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After approval of the agenda and minutes of the December 10th meeting, will be the administrator’s report that will include a summary of the operations for the month of December by Monica Stogsdill, the Chief of Nursing Report for the month by Debbie Hines, a Home Health report, and a report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception with COO Jason Edwards. Patient satisfaction survey results for the Emergency Department and Family Medicine will be reviewed. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will the present the auxiliary report before updating the Board on the hospital expansion and expansion financing options. Lucas will also update the Board on election filing. In new business the Conflict of Interest Policy is to be reviewed and possibly approved. The January board meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

January is National Radon Action Month and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages Americans around the country to test their homes for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer. Make 2020 a healthier, safer new year by testing your home. Last year nearly 21,000 people died from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. EPA’s radon program began more than 30 years ago as the scientific and public health community began to understand the risks associated with indoor radon exposure. Since then, elevated radon levels have been fixed in approximately two million homes in the United States and millions more have been tested. In many states, radon testing has become a standard part of real estate transactions. However, EPA estimates that about seven million high-radon homes remain across the United States. Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are available online and at most home improvement and hardware stores. You can also hire a qualified radon professional to test your home. Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon is a long-term investment in your families’ health and your home. The cost of reducing radon in your home depends on how your home was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes, however, can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. For more information on testing and contact information for radon resources in your state, please see: https://www.epa.gov/radon.

The Salem Board of Education met Thursday night at the district administrative offices. In the Superintendent’s report, John McColloch recognized the members of the Board of Education in honor of School Board Recognition Week which will be February 9th through the 15th. He also reported there are three persons whose terms are expiring are Holly Erway, Drew Whitaker and Larry Maxwell as their terms will expire. Maxwell and Erway have refiled while Andrew Wynn has filed for the school board. Superintendent McColloch gave a budget update which showed the revenues as of December 31st were at $5,295,746.13 and that is down from last year $294,000, but McColloch said that the school had not yet received approximately $300,000 from Federal Programs. He also said the tuition income is down from the rural schools as there are less students enrolled from the other four schools. That is down about $100,000. McColloch said the expenses are up as of December 31st coming in at over six million dollars and that is due to the health insurance assessments of over $508,000. McColloch said the income numbers did not include the personal property and real estate tax check they are to receive from the county. McColloch also discussed with the board the 2020-2021 school calendar. He said with a new state law, the earliest the first day of school will be is August 24th and there is consideration by all the Dent County schools to lengthen the school day about 15 minutes. If that is approved by all the schools at a meeting to be held on Tuesday, the last day of school would be May 14th. If the schools want to keep the same length school day as they currently have, the last day of school will be May 25th. He said the rural schools were leaning toward the longer school day. Superintendent McColloch updated the board on current projects that include installing a shower and stacked washer/dryer area at William Lynch Elementary, and tripling the size of the shotput area at the track and football field area. He also went into great detail about an update on the Facility Plan that included the new Construction Trades building, and capital improvement plan for new rooftop air conditioning units and electrical upgrades at the high school. There was also a discussion about recommended facility improvement measures suggested by McKinstry to replace the lower elementary school and add a new indoor practice facility and weight room. The estimated costs of the projects and possible funding strategies were introduced by McColloch. He said he will bring a final facility plan proposal to the board at the February meeting. The principals all gave their building reports that show there are 271 students at William Lynch Elementary, 332 students at the Upper Elementary, 237 students at the Middle School and 553 at the Salem High School. The board accepted the resignation of John Brewer, William Lynch Elementary Art instructor and intervention, effective at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. In closed session, the board unanimously approved to extend Superintendent John McColloch’s contract through the 2022-2023 school year. The board also approved employing Patrick Prawitz as a high school math teacher and Mark Howard as a high school social studies teacher . The board also heard from a community member regarding a personnel issue. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released reports for January 4th and 5th. On Saturday, January 4th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 2330. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of marijuana of 10 grams or less. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, deputies responded to the 19000 block of Route C for the report of a sudden death. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 55-year-old male of Salem was deceased. An investigation was conducted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Coroner’s Office. This investigation is ongoing, pending toxicology reports. On Sunday, January 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Orchard Street and Highway 32 West. During the course of the traffic stop, a 51-year-old Salem man was arrested for a DWI, being a prior offender, and failure to maintain the right half of roadway when the roadway was of sufficient width. 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 relative to any investigation.

Weather permitting, contractors working for the Missouri Department of Transportation will begin the replacement of the Highway 49 bridge over Dry Fork Creek in Crawford County today. The bridge, located west of Cherryville, will be reduced to one lane while work takes place, with temporary traffic signals to guide traffic through the work zone. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 1st. This bridge is included in Governor Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program. For more information about this project, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

The Salem Police Department has released more reports for the month of January. On Monday morning, January 6th at about 9:50, an officer located a 50-year-old female of Salem in the 200 block of Highway 19 who had active arrest warrants from Pulaski County, Rolla and St. James. She was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. That same afternoon at about 5:10, an officer was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 1800 block of South Oak. That investigation revealed a 59-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 30-year-old female of Salem causing serious injuries. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. The victim was transported to a hospital in St. Louis to treat injuries to the face including broken facial bones. On Thursday morning, January 9th, close to 8:30, an officer observed a woman drinking liquor from a bottle on the side of the road near the 500 block of Highway 19 North. Upon further investigation the officer placed the woman, a 36-year-old resident of Springfield, under arrest for having an open liquor container. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A one vehicle accident Tuesday night at 8:30 in Camden County resulted in injuries to teenager from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year old Sage Nicholas was driving a 2007 Ford Focus southbound on Highway 5 just north of the Pier 31 Road and was inattentive to the roadway going from two lanes to four lanes. He swerved to avoid a road sign and the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a bluff. Nicholas, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Bledsoe’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released reports on the events of Friday, January 3rd. A deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of West Highway 32. During the traffic stop, a 28-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle upon a highway without a valid license, a 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. A traffic stop was conducted by a deputy in the 800 block of Highway 32 East. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his licensed revoked or suspended, a 2nd or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Also on January 3rd, deputies responded to the 11500 block of Route H for the report of a burglary which was in progress. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 28-year-old Lenox man was the reported victim of the burglary. During the course of the investigation, a 59-year-old Springfield man, Ernest Malone, was arrested and was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s office where he was incarcerated. Malone was charged with burglary in the 2nd degree, and resisting or interfering with an arrest for a felony in connection to the Burglary. The bond has been set at $10,000.00 cash or professional surety. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information on any of these events or investigations.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight at 6:00 at the district administrative offices board room. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch about Board Recognition, Board of Education candidate filings, a budget update, 2020-2021 school calendar, plus provide project updates. After the principals give reports on their respective buildings resignations will be addressed prior to the board going into executive session to discuss personnel and real estate. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released reports on activities for December 31st, 2019 through January 2nd, 2020. On Tuesday, December 31st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Highway 19 North and Route JJ intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 45-year-old St. Clair man was arrested for an active 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. Then on New Year’s Day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Henderson Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked, a 2nd or 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Also on January 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 5500 block of West Highway 32. During the course of the traffic stop, a 34-year-old man from Licking was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Thursday, January 2nd, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a verbal dispute occurring at a residence in the 1000 block of County Road 6400. Deputies arrived on scene and during the incident, a 20-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an active warrant through Phelps County. The woman was later transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information on any investigation.

The Salem Police Department has released more reports for the month of January. On Monday morning, January 6th at about 9:50, an officer located a 50-year-old female of Salem in the 200 block of North Missouri Highway 19 who had active arrest warrants from Pulaski County, Rolla and St. James. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. That same afternoon at about 5:10, an officer was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 1800 block of South Oak. That investigation revealed a 59-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 30-year-old female of Salem causing serious injuries. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. The victim was transported to a hospital in St. Louis to treat injuries to the face including broken facial bones. On Thursday morning, January 9th, close to 8:30, an officer observed a female drinking liquor from a bottle on the side of the road near the 500 block of Highway 19 North. Upon further investigation the officer placed the female, a 36-year-old resident of Springfield, under arrest for having an open liquor container. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 5:40 in Crawford County on Highway 19 three and a half miles south of Cuba. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2000 Chevrolet Pickup, operated by 61-year old James Hewkin of Cuba, was stopped in the roadway waiting to make a left hand turn when the Chevrolet was struck in the rear by a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue driven by 35 year old Travis Townzen of Cuba. Hewkin suffered minor injuries and was to seek his own treatment. The report stated that both Hewkin and Townzen were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Oldsmobile was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated many areas of his district received between three to five inches of rain from Thursday night through Saturday. He reported that Saturday he was called by the sheriff’s office due to an exposed pipe on Dent County Road 5170 which was repaired. Purcell also said that Dent County Road 5520 south of Gladden sustained significant damage to the road that made it impassible. A grader was called in Sunday to repair the road to make it passable for school busses to make their way over the road safely. Purcell also said crews would be out checking roads and opening clogged pipes. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews were out Sunday repairing roads that were reported impassible. Road crews temporarily fixed those roads on Sunday until materials could be added followed by grading and patch grading to improve the roads putting them back into near normal condition. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Public Housing Authority Board at the MRPC offices last Thursday. Skiles said that as of December 31st, there were 737 units under lease with the PHA with another 208 people on the waiting list which is about 3 to 4 months long. Skiles also stated the PHA had a clean audit. He went on to report at the MRPC meeting that evening that the region’s state legislative priorities were discussed. He said a couple of state legislators were present and also there was Matt Dane from Josh Hawley’s office. He said the MRPC Day at the Capitol would be on Tuesday, January 21st. Skiles said he would be attending the MAC Board meeting Wednesday morning and the CCAM Board meeting in the afternoon on Wednesday. Skiles said the commission received a letter from the MRPC indicating that SEMA is writing a new grant to update all Hazard Mitigation Plans in the region and Dent County’s plan will expire October 23rd, 2023. The county‘s portion to contribute will be $7,666.67 of which the county will have to pay $4,666.67 in 2022 and provide $3,000 of in-kind services. The commissioners approved committing the funds for the program. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she is working on the budget and the tentative budget will be ready by Thursday afternoon at her office. She said the annual financial statement is ready to be published in the Salem News, and the courthouse will be closed on Martin Luther King Day, January 20th. She said the last day to register for the Presidential Preference Primary is February 12th and voters will have to choose the party they wish to vote for from Republican, Libertarian, Green, Democrat or Constitution Party. Curley said she would also be at the MAC meeting Wednesday. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said the total amount of taxes collected for 2019 as of December 31st was very close as to what was collected in 2018 except the online payments increased by 63%. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Coroner’s office has released the names of the people discovered dead at The Commons last week have been released. The
male was identified as 61-year old Dale Gabrovic and the female was identified as 72-year old Judy Gabrovic. They were from South Dakota and North Carolina. During the course of the investigation, with help of a forensic anthropologist, it was determined the female, Judith Gabrovic had been deceased approximately 3-6 weeks prior to being discovered. At this time the cause of death on both individuals is still under investigation and is pending toxicology.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports deer hunters in Missouri harvested 12,002 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the fall firearms deer season which is down 107 deer from last year. The alternative methods season is from December 28th through January 7th. Top harvest counties in 2019 were Callaway with 315 deer harvested, Franklin with 297, and Pike with 261. Dent County had 155 deer checked during the alternative methods season. Archery deer hunting continues through January 15th.

Healthy Dent County Fitness Center will host its Third Annual month of Line Dance Classes. They will be held Tuesday evenings at 6:00 on February 11th, 18th & 25th and 6:30 on March 3rd. The cost is $5 per person and you can pay at the door. Rosalie Wright will be the instructor for the classes. Classes will be held at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory on the event floor at 1200 West Rolla Road. Call 573-739-1127 for more information.

A teenager from Bixby was injured in a one vehicle accident Thursday evening shortly after 9:00 on Highway 32 about a mile west of Bixby. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1999 Dodge Ram being driven by 17-year old Stetson Townley of Boss was traveling east on Highway 32 when he ran off the road and struck a tree. Townley, who was not wearing a safety restraint, sustained moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Blackies Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for early January. On the Thursday afternoon, January 2nd at about 1:28, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of South Carty in reference to damage to private property. The investigation of the report revealed that an unknown person or persons shot arrows into a portable garage valued at $199.99. The report is under investigation. That same afternoon near 2:30, an officer located a 21-year-old female of Salem who had an active arrest warrant from St. James. She was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new date to appear in court after posting bond. Friday night, January 3rd at about 9:34, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 25-year-old male of St. James for stealing merchandise valued at $25.00. The man was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday, January 4th near 3:30 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of that report led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $23.30. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

On Saturday, January 25th at 7:00 at the Salem High School Gym, it’s the return of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundations “Dancing with the Salem Stars” Fundraiser for needed improvements and capital equipment. This year there are 12 dance teams on the docket. They include Don Sneed and Lorna Mundwiller, Michael and Lena Pettus, Rick and Melissa Ragsdale, Thom Haines and Marilyn Sweitzer, Brett Capps and Megan Seay, Lane Howard and Rosalie Wright, Linda Maledy and Jackie Sisco, Shannon Wright and Jaimie Jones, Collin Jones and Sarah Heitman, Slayton Parker and Amanda Walker, Lancer Blair and Sierra Hagler and Larry and Diane Sensintaffer. Come on out and support your favorite dancers as there will be a People’s Choice Award presented to one couple at the end of the event. A limited amount of advanced floor table tickets are available for $20 each and if any remain, may be purchased at the door for $25.00. Last year, those tickets sold out before the event. Bleacher seats will only be available at the door and are priced at $5.00 each. To purchase advance tickets, call 729-6626 or 729-5917 and use extension 4003. The doors will open at 6:30 for this year’s “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on Saturday, January 18th at the SHS gym.