Local News

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board accepted the letter of resignation from City Attorney William Camm Seay. Mayor Nash reported that in closed session on October 22nd, the board approved the appointment of James K. Weber as the new City Attorney with Kim Steelman making the motion and seconded by Kevin James. City Clerk Mary Happel read Bill #3435 that authorized the mayor to sign a retainer agreement between the City of Salem and James K. Weber for legal services and to become City Attorney. The bill was approved by the board. Weber was then sworn in by City Clerk Mary Happel. In the hearing of persons, Keith Plank explained to the board that he wanted to build a metal building that is 60′ by 34′ at 1000 South Pershing. He said this process has been going on over 12 weeks where he was denied a permit by Jared Brown while putting up the same type of building that was approved by Lloyd Sanderson on Babb Lane about a year ago. Mayor Nash asked Jared Brown to e-mail the new attorney as well as all the aldermen and Mr. Plank all the information that he has and Mayor Nash said a decision would be reached as quickly as possible. The board approved the bid for the electric department to purchase a 2020 Ford F-550 with a dump bed from Lindsey Ford for $44,546.00 by a 2-1 vote. Alderman Nash voted against the purchase as he said the electric department does not need that type of truck very often and it is too much money to spend with the other projects that city has going on. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank former City Attorney for his years of service to the city. He said information has been sent out to everyone about the AMI metering system as both electric meters and water meters are being changed out. If people are not at home when the meters are exchanged, they are leaving a note on the door to let them know they were there. If anyone has questions, call the utility office at 729-4117. Walden said the independent auditor has finished her field work and will be preparing the report that will presented at a future meeting. He said the nuisance survey is still on line at the salemmo.com website or people can pick one up at the City Administrative Offices. He said the city would continue to receive responses until this Friday. Walden also said the city office would be closed on Monday for Veteran’s Day. The board then approved Bill #3434 to execute a supplemental agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission on the TAP grant for the walking trail from the Salem City Park Pavilion #1 to the Salem R-80 Administrative offices. This was necessary as the lowest bidder did not meet the standards set by MoDOT. The meeting was then adjourned.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 18,158 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of the 2019 deer hunting season, November 2nd and 3rd. Top counties were Osage with young hunters harvesting 381 deer, Howell with 355, and Franklin with 351. Locally 249 deer were harvested by Dent County youth, 214 in Phelps County and 227 in Crawford County. Last year’s harvest total for the early youth portion was 13,645. Archery deer hunting continues through November 15th and resumes November 27th through January 15th, 2020. The November portion of firearms deer season runs November 16th-26th followed by the late youth portion November 29th through December 1st. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 6th-8th followed by the alternative methods portion December 28th through January 7th, 2020. You can get more information about deer hunting from MDC’s 2019 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.

A two vehicle accident happened on Friday evening, November 1st at around 7:20. The report released from the Salem Police Department states that a 2015 Nissan Altima, owned and operated by Wayne Williams of Salem, was traveling south on Highway 72 and starting making a left turn onto Route J. At that time, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, being driven by Charles Walker of Salem, attempted to avoid the Williams vehicle and veered to the right. Williams sped up to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet but collided in the intersection. Due to the impact, the Nissan crossed Route J and ran off the left side of the roadway striking an embankment before coming to a stop. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. Williams and a passenger in the Nissan received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Walker and a passenger in the Chevrolet sustained probable injuries and were transported by a private vehicle to SMDH for treatment.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading only would be done on Dent County Roads 5100, 5105 and 6190 while materials will be added and grading done on county road 5690. He stated brush would be cut on county roads 6400 and 6410. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2050 and 2070. He also indicated brush would be cut on county road 2300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles had nothing to report and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said work on the 2020 county budget continues. She also said the courthouse would be closed on Monday, November 11th for veteran’s Day. County Treasurer Denita Williams reported the 4th quarter payment from the Senior Citizens Funds would be made to the Salem Nutrition Site of $14,250 and to the SMTS bus service for $7,000. Dent County Collector Shannon Van Kirk wanted to let people know that tax bills would be sent out in the mail on Wednesday, November 6. Anyone who wants to pay their tax bill may do so online, by mail, by dropping their payment off in the dropbox on the courthouse lawn, or by coming by the collector’s office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. She also wanted to let the citizens of the City of Salem that if they have a nuisance violation fee imposed by the city, they must pay that fee at the City of Salem Administrative offices at the corner of 4th and Iron Streets. On some of the letters sent out by the city, they instruct you to pay the fees at the County Collectors office, but the collecting of specials assessments and fees is not part of their contract with the city for the collection of real estate and personal property taxes. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Sunday, November 3rd, shortly after 4:00 in the afternoon in Dent County on Route FF about 4 miles east of Highway 72. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2014 Nissan Titan driven by 44-year old David Coleman of St. James, was southbound and swerved to avoid a deer on the roadway. Coleman’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence. Coleman received minor injuries and was taken by a private vehicle to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment. The Nissan sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

A one vehicle accident happened around 8:30 Sunday evening in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 1210 about four miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra driven southbound by 20-year old Nicole Blair of St. James, crossed the centerline. The vehicle then traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a fence and several trees before overturning. Blair, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, received minor injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment. The Hyundai sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday afternoon, October 24th at about 3:06, an officer transported a 54-year-old male of Rolla, to the New Hope Mental Facility in Sullivan due to a mental commitment order. The next evening near 9:45, an officer located a 25-year-old male of Salem in the 100 block of East Third Street who had an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. on Monday, October 28th at approximately 2:42 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to stolen checks. The investigation of the report revealed that a female suspect had taken two checks, forged them and then cashed them for a total of $320.00. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that hunters checked 1,952 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season, October 1st through the 31st. Top harvest counties were Crawford and Greene with 61 birds harvested in each, followed by Laclede with 59, and Phelps with 58. Forty nine birds were harvested in Dent County. Hunters harvested 2,170 birds during the 2018 fall firearms turkey season. A wet spring and flooding during the spring and summer created challenging nesting conditions across much of the state and contributed to below average production throughout much of the state. Fall archery turkey hunting continues through November 15th then resumes on the 27th and continues through January 15th.

Congratulations to the students who represented the Salem High School Band in the 2019 District Bands on Saturday November 2. Those students were Martin Jones as the 1st Chair Contra Clarinet, Christopher McSwain as the 9th Chair Trumpet, Johnathan Stark as the 10th Chair Trumpet, Toby Hutto as the 7th Chair Clarinet and Christopher Harris as the 2nd Chair Baritone. Congratulations Tigers!

An accident occurred Sunday morning at 7:45 in Dent County on Highway 19 about ten miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1989 GMC Pick-up driven by 55-year old Darwin Hayes of Salem was traveling northbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The GMC traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Hayes suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Hayes was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 7:55 in Dent County on Route H about four miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevrolet 1500 driven by 71-year old Lora Mace of Edgar Springs was traveling eastbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway then returned to the roadway. Mace overcorrected and traveled off the right side of the roadway and then traveled off the left side of the road way and struck a utility pole. Mace suffered moderate damage and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by Salem EMS. Mace was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

An accident occurred Friday evening at 5:35 in Texas County on Route FF about four miles west of Bucyrus. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 GMC 3500 driven by 43-year old Tracy Schafer of Salem was traveling southbound when the mirror of the GMC truck struck a pedestrian, 59-year old Daleene Wade from Bucyrus who was walking southbound. Wade suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. The GMC received minor damage and was driven from the scene.

A two vehicle injury accident happened about 2:30 Friday afternoon, November 1st, in Phelps County in the 12000 block of Phelps County Road 2030. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2015 Cutaway Box Van driven by Jacob Oxner of Rolla, met a 2018 Ford F-250 being driven by John Dalton of Rolla traveling in the opposite direction and the vehicle mirrors struck each other. Oxner and a passenger, Jessica Robbins of Edgar Springs both sustained minor injuries and sought their own treatment. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Have you moved to Salem or Dent County recently? Come out to New Neighbor Night in Dent County this Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Main Street Cafe at 508 North Main Street in Salem. At this Open House, community members new and not-so-new are welcome to
stop by and get to know our neighbors! This free welcome event is to meet and mingle, ask questions about the area, learn where to volunteer, and make new connections to residents, local leaders, and community organizations. This event is sponsored the Main Street cafe and co-sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension in Dent County. For more information, call Sarah at 729-3196.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. After the roll call, the board will hear a letter of resignation from City Attorney William Camm Seay followed by the discussion of a new city attorney. The Board will then hear Bill #3435 that would authorize Mayor Brad Nash to sign a retainer agreement between the City of Salem and James K. Weber for legal services as well being City Attorney. After the oath of office is administered to Mr. Weber, the board will hear from Keith Plank who has property at 1000 South Pershing about adding a building on his property. Following that discussion, the board will hear bids on a Ford F-550 with a dump bed for the electric department. After the consent agenda is heard, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden about on going activities in the city. The board will also hear Bill #3434 that authorizes the mayor to execute a supplemental agreement #2 to the TAP grant between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. This will allow for the building of the trail from the Salem City Park Pavilion #1 to the Salem R-80 Administrative Offices where the letting of advertising for the project must be done by January 1st with the bid openings due march 1st with the construction award presented by April 1st, 2020. The meeting will then be adjourned.

Gary Brown, Chairman of the City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners, has called a meeting of the Commission for Tuesday evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. Items of business to be considered include a conditional use permit for a beauty salon in a residence at 1400 South Mildred Boulevard owned by Noah and Melissa Shlag, and Short Term Rentals. The meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Melissa Weed from US Bank was in to have some paperwork signed by the commissioners on the new graders financed through US Bank. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said a man would be cutting brush on Dent County Road 2480 while a work crew would be completing the assembly of a spreader box and installing it on a truck. Purcell stated another crew would be out replacing road signs that are missing or have been stolen near the Bunker area, especially on county roads 5680 and 5690. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said a man would be cutting brush on Dent County Road 2300 while a work crew would be out repairing and checking road signs. Another crew would be doing maintenance at the shop according to Larson. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that all the three commissioners attended an economic development meeting at Intercounty Electric in Licking Tuesday where about 50 people were in attendance. Skiles said the consensus of the group to improve economic development was the tremendous need to have better broadband Internet in the area. Skiles also attended the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting where Dent County finished three training grant applications. Those training grant classes to be held in Dent County were for anhydrous ammonia awareness, for chemical suicides, and for flammable liquids and ethanol fuels. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she was working on the county budget for 2020. She also reported that she will sign a contract with Cyber Defense Election Strategy Assessment to provide cyber security assessment services for elections. This is being paid for by the Missouri Secretary of State office. The commission heard a presentation by Jeff Pabst from LAGERS about the county retirement plan as they are just exploring the different retirement options available to their employees. The Dent County Commission will meet Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

“A Night in the French Quarter Masquerade Ball” Casino Night will be held Saturday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. This is a fundraiser for Healthy Dent County and is co-sponsored this year by Cahill Construction. The doors will open at 6:00 with the gaming events beginning at 6:30 and last until 9:30. Players will be able to play roulette, craps and black jack plus other games of chance for a chance at outstanding prizes. Tickets are available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory today for $50 per person, or $85 for a couple. Each ticket will provide the player with $10,000 worth of gaming money and if you come in proper masquerade attire, you will receive an additional $1,000 worth of gaming money as a bonus. The gaming will come to an end near 9:30 and all players will then trade in the gaming money for tickets. Those tickets will be placed in containers to determine prize winners of the prizes available. Prizes to be awarded include a four night stay at La Belle Maison in New Orleans near the French Quarter, a one week stay in Branson at Stormy Point Resort, a 55” Smart TV, St. Louis Blues Hockey Tickets, Missouri Tiger Basketball Tickets, zero gravity chairs with a fire pit, a three piece wicker furniture set, an I-Pad, an I-Life robot vacuum cleaner, a T/C Compass bolt action rifle, a folding wagon and cooler, a decorative barrel donated by Independent Stave and more. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event. For more information, call 729-8163.

City of Salem Public Works Director Mark Nash reports that the Municipal Electric crews have begun changing out old electric meters for the new AMI digital meters on the east side of town. This first area includes all areas east of Highway 19 and this is expected to continue through at least next Friday. City personnel will be coming by each persons home to let them know what they will be doing and when, but if you are not at home when they come by, the Municipal Electric crews will still change out your electric meter when they reach your address. All city residents outage should only be a few minutes as the workers are only swapping out your old electric meter for a new electric meter. Once exchanged, your power will resume as normal. The City of Salem thanks you for your understanding and cooperation! If you have questions, please call the Salem City Administrative offices at 729-4117.

A Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour will be held this Friday night, November 1st starting at 9:30. The time of the tour was moved back due to the district football game being held in Salem this Friday night. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Prepare to be spooked at our scariest ghost tour yet! We will be talking about all of the things that go bump in the night. Come bundled up for the chilly weather and watch the past come to life! Those interested can meet at the Dent County Courthouse gazebo on the square, downtown.Jacob Stotler will be your host for the historic ghost tour in Salem! Other events to be held earlier in the night will include the telling of scary stories on the Courthouse lawn at 7:30! Bring your favorite story to tell! A downtown scavenger hunt is also planned for the evening starting at 7:30. Then at 9:30, the ghost tour will begin. See you there!

Tonight is Halloween and the stipulated Trick or Treat hours in the City of Salem is from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. There are numerous locations holding Trunk or Treats in and around town, plus Northwood R-4 school will be having a Jack-o-Lantern Jam. Remember, there are some road closures due to the Trunk or Treats in town so be aware of youngsters being on or crossing the road!

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on funds received from a class action lawsuit filed against the government for the underpayment of PILT monies from 2015-2017. The total amount received was $3,653 and that money will be put into the General Revenue Fund. She also stated the CART funds had been received this month and came in at $61,515.22 which is $305.14 more than the county received last year. Year-to-date, the CART fund balance is up $2,812.55 over 2018. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5610 and 5615 while only materials would be added to county road 5680. Purcell added that brush would be cut on county roads 2470, 6090 and 6100, and one man would be doing shop maintenance. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2050 and 2060 while only grading was going to be done on county roads 4030, 6130 and 6160. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2050. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet last Thursday in Waynesville where Judy Apperson was recognized for all her years of volunteer service in the community. Skiles said 16 people attended from Dent County which was the second largest contingent from any county except the host community: Pulaski County. Commissioner Purcell said phone bids would be solicited for diesel fuel, and the commissioners approved advertising for Request for Proposals to perform a financial audit on the county for the fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The RFP’s would be due in by November 21st at 10:00 to be considered. Their next meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a couple of reports from cases heard in the 42nd Judicial Court held in Dent County Wednesday in front of Judge Thompson. In the first case, Lindee Sprong of Licking pled guilty to a DWI and she was a prior misdemeanor DWI offender. She was sentenced to serve 60 days in the Dent County Jail. In the second case, Nicholas Barton of Bunker pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of passing of bad checks. He was sentenced by Judge Thompson to serve one year in the Dent County Jail.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Monday, October 14th, near 1:48 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to a residence in the 700 block of North Warfel in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged two sections in a fence valued at $150.00. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at 4:41, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The traffic stop led to the arrest of a 41-year-old female of Salem for driving while having her license suspended and on an active arrest warrant from Crawford County. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for driving while having her license suspended and incarcerated on the warrant pending extradition. On Tuesday, October 15th at about 12:55 in the afternoon, the School Resource officer observed a 15-year-old male juvenile of Salem using a vaping product in a school bathroom. The student was detained for possession of tobacco/alternative and released to a guardian. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that evening near 8:41, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to shoplifting. The investigation of the report revealed a male and female entered the store, took alcohol valued at $49.98 and left the store without paying for the merchandise. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem has developed a survey to gather public input about nuisances in the City and they would like your input. The survey is on the city’s website at www.salemmo.com. You can also begin the survey by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H76GR52. The City is asking that you pass along the information about the survey to your friends and neighbors so that as much public input can be obtained. If you do not have a computer or prefer to have a paper copy, hardcopies of the survey will also be available at the City Administrative offices building at 4th and Iron Streets in Salem during normal business hours. Please respond as promptly as possible as the city would like to have as much input on this subject for their next board meeting on November 4th.

Ortega National Parks (ONP), a hospitality and retail company operating in parks across the country will manage lodging, dining and retail operations in Montauk State Park for Missouri State Parks beginning November 1st. The park, located just southwest of Salem, is a popular fishing destination and provides a variety of other activities enabling the half million visitors each year to interact with the more than 3,000-acre park through hiking, biking, programs, tours and camping. According to Shane Ortega, founder of Ortega National Parks, Montauk State Park is well-known for its activities, beauty, and respect for wildlife and Missouri does an incredible job with their state parks, so we’re looking forward to working with them. ONP will manage all lodging at Montauk, including guest rooms and family-sized cabins within the park. They will also operate the Montauk restaurant and Montauk Resort Tackle Shop in the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge. Ortega also said that the Montauk Resort Tackle Shop is at the top of our list so we plan to enhance the layout, increase the amount and variety of merchandise, and ultimately ensure guests have everything they need for a fun trip to Montauk State Park. ONP specializes in retail and hospitality industries managing commerce in several national, state and county parks across the United States through retail stores, concessions, restaurants and lodging. In addition to providing services in more than 15 parks, ONP upholds historical preservation at every site with environmental responsibility. ONP works with parks to protect and sustain natural park resources while keeping water preservation and energy reduction in the forefront of its strategies and technologies. For more information about Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at https://mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of September. The Salem Police issued five equipment repair orders, 15 summonses to appear in court, nine warning tickets, and 12 traffic tickets, plus they also served eight fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 17 traffic accidents, two burglaries, made two death investigations, and investigated a lost or stolen license plate. They also wrote one missing person report, one property damage report, eight stealing reports, and one trespassing report. The department investigated one report of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, six possessions of a controlled substance reports, two possessions of drug paraphernalia reports, three domestic violence reports and one domestic assault. They also investigated two leaving the scene of an accident and made a sodomy report. The department was also dispatched for 47 animal calls, made 44 ambulance assist calls, 34 well being checks and performed 55 traffic stops for the month. The department received 1,070 calls during the month of September and had 109 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 6,833 miles during the month of September and spent 12 hours in court testifying and 8 hours as court bailiff. There were 17 males and three females arrested in September.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will be holding a blood drive on Tuesday, November 5th at the First Baptist Church from 1:00 until 6:00. To be eligible to give blood, you must weight at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have a valid photo ID.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in for the Commissioners to sign off on the budgeted transfer of $40,000 from the Inmate Security Fund to the LEST Fund. She also reported that she attended the Missouri County Treasurers Association meeting Sunday and Monday where she was elected 1st Vice President and will move up to President of the Association next year. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said he had a crew in the Bunker area hauling oversize rock to Dent County Road 5610 in order to stabilize a bluff that’s caving off. He went on to report that brush was being cut on county roads 6090 and 6100, plus he has a Cat grader down with control issues. Purcell said that a service technician had worked on the grader twice, but the issues have not been resolved. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2160, 4030, and 6140, while brush would be cut on county roads 2050 and 2060. He noted that work was continuing on a loader to replace worn pins and that Truck #116 was being serviced, plus he had man screening brown rock at the Road and Bridge Department. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported Judy Apperson would be recognized for her service to Dent County at the MRPC Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner Thursday night in Waynesville. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a couple of reports. On Tuesday October 15th, the sheriff’s office was notified of
a burglary which had occurred in the 11000 block of West Highway 32. A deputy traveled to the area and discovered a weed eater had been stolen from a residence. Then on Thursday the 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of South Highway 19. During the traffic stop, a 32-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 summons and released. If you have any information regarding the theft please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Onondaga Friends Association will partner with area grottoes to host geology tours of Onondaga Cave, Saturday, October 26th. These first-come, first-served cave tours will leave every half-hour from the visitor center. The first tour begins promptly at 5:00 and the last tour will depart at 9:00 that night. To ensure you preferred tour time is available, it is highly recommended that you make advanced reservations especially if you are planning a group event. Reservations and advance payment can be made by visiting onondagafriends.org. If you plan on camping at the park, be sure to make your camping reservation early by visiting mostateparks.com or by calling 1-877-422-6766. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, cool temperature (57 degrees F) and high humidity (nearing 100%). Participants are encouraged to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots. Onondaga Cave State Park is located 7 miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H. For more information about this and other events, contact the park at 573-245-6576.

Officials at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Poplar Bluff announced a one-day flu clinic will be held at VA clinic at Physicians Office Building 1 on the campus of SMDH TODAY from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00. The CDC says that people at especially high risk for flu complications include adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, young children, and those with asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and children with neurological conditions. Whether you get your shot to protect yourself, those you love, or high-risk individuals (or all three), the time to get your flu shot is now. Veterans who receive their flu shots outside of VA health care are asked to report their immunization to their primary care physician. Those unable to attend the flu shot clinic may still receive them through a primary physician or the Dent County Health Center.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. Hospital CEO Kasey Lucas said it was a busy month of September for the hospital with 115 admissions with an average of 13 acute care patients per day. He also there were 2,102 outpatient registrations, 1,963 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,560 lab tests, 1,409 radiology procedures, 806 rehabilitation treatments, 37 surgeries, 272 home health visits and 869 emergency room visits. There were 272 ambulance runs for the month with 188 patients transported and 84 dry runs. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $72,033 and had revenues over expenses after taxes of $74,451. Reviewing the operating expenses, Lucas pointed out contractual services for floor RN’s brought in a large expense in September as did the purchase of supplies. The days in net accounts receivable has jumped to 73 from 59 due to the audit adjustments as the number of days the hospital has cash on hand dropped to 43. The Hospital Auxiliary was a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk with over 100 walkers in attendance on October 1st. Their next meeting will be held on November 5th at noon at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported the Hospital Foundation will be holding their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on January 25 at the SHS Gym and they have 13 couples signed up. They will also have a Golf Tournament on June 5th and a Wings and Strings event on September 12th. Foundation Advisory Board members Judy Thompson and Dennis Fielbelman decided to stay on the board for another term. Edwards reported the hospital had 75 people come through their booth at the Rose Holland Trout Derby at Montauk State Park on October 5th. The hospital continues to do their CPR training and first responder training with the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 at the hospital library, and a Diabetes Support group is meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the hospital library. Edwards wants to promote the diabetes support group more to make more people aware of the meeting. After reviewing the SMDH Emergency Department and the SMDH Family Medicine patient satisfaction surveys which all showed very good results, the board discussed the expansion update. Alexander Construction began work on the Long-Term Care renovations on September 16th while the window replacements in the patient and resident rooms to be done by Cahill Construction will be held off until the spring. The board discussed the issuance of revenue bonds to pay for the hospital expansion and the Request for Proposal letter is to be sent this Friday and due back on November 11th. At that time, the finance committee will be meeting. The board approved the purchase of new hemodialysis unit from Fresenius for $15,141 to replace an old unit. They also approved going with the bid from Town and Country Bank for the lease/purchase amount of $165,876 for a new ambulance with an interest rate of 3.05% with a 36-month term that will require a monthly payment of $4,827.27. The board approved the board meeting dates of Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, December 10th at noon to work around the holidays. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday evening, October 10th near 11:17, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Carty in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year-old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. On Saturday night, October 12th at approximately 9:40, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That traffic stop led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday night, October 13th, at about 9:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Gertrude in reference to people using illegal drugs and a suicidal person. That investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Washington, Missouri for the possession of heroin and methamphetamine. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.