Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5600 and 6600 and materials would be added to county road 5080. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4210 and 4215, and that a man would be traveling to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repairs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3080 and 3090, while only grading will be done on county road 3130. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 3020 and that services as going to be done on grader #31 and tractor #6. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended a 9-1-1 regionalization meeting last Wednesday in St. James that deals with the regions described in House Bill #1456. That bill said up to 11 regions could be created, but right now ii looks like the state has proposed eight regions and that Dent County would be in Region 6 that will extend from Maries County to the Arkansas Line in Oregon County. The reasoning behind this is to make the 9-1-1 system more effective and efficient in the state. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said Dent County residents should have received their new voter registration cards and they are blue. Dent County Collector Denita Williams brought in the sales tax numbers for the money received by the county this month from the state. She said the General Revenue Fund and LEST Funds were down this July from July 2018 by over $18,000 in each fund. The GR and LEST Funds received $75,501.19 this July and year-to date are down $19,413.75 which is about a 3.4% drop. Williams said the Road and Bridge Fund went from $44,222.42 last July to $35,798.72 this July which is a reduction of over $8,400. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is down $4,623.25 and that is a drop of about 1.66%. She said the Jail Trust Fund and the Construction and Operating Fund each came in at $72,454.84 for the month of July and that is down from July of 2018 which came in at $88,075.12 for each fund. Year-to-date, each jail fund is up about $363.16. At 10:00, Commissioner Purcell opened bids received for a quality used truck for the county to purchase for the road and bridge department. Three companies submitted bids for a total of eight vehicles. B&B Motors submitted bids for three trucks, Chafin Motors had bids for two trucks and C&E Auto submitted bids for three trucks. No action was taken at the meeting as the trucks will need to be looked at by the commissioners before a decision is reached. At the last meeting, the commissioners agreed to seek lease/financing bids for two graders that will be due in the office by 10:00 on July 18th. The commissioners also announced that there will not be a commissioner meeting this Thursday morning due to previous commitments by all three commissioners. The next meeting will be held July 15th at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday night, June 28th at about 10:00, an officer located a 39-year-old male of Salem in the 1500 block of South Gertrude who had two active arrest warrants from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and was later released with a date to appear in court after posting bond. On Saturday night, June 29th near 7:16, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 31-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday afternoon at 12:28 on June 30th, an officer was dispatched to the Dollar General parking lot in reference to a female slumped over the in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 51-year-old female of Salem for being in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced it has reduced the number of counties in its management zone for chronic wasting disease (CWD) from 48 to 29 starting in July. Changes to the CWD Management Zone will impact restrictions on feeding deer, antler-point restrictions, antlerless permits for some counties, and mandatory CWD sampling. The 29 counties now included in MDC’s CWD Management Zone are: Adair, Barry, Cedar, Chariton, Christian, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington. In response to finding CWD in Missouri, the Conservation Department created a CWD Management Zone around where confirmed cases of the disease have been found to help track and limit its spread. Recent research shows more than 90 percent of bucks in Missouri disperse less than 10 miles. Based on this recent research, the Department of Conservation is removing the following counties from its CWD Management Zone because they are more than 10 miles from locations where cases of CWD have been found: Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cole, Cooper, Dade, Grundy, Livingston, Madison, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and St. Louis. Added to the CWD Management Zone were Christian, Howell, and Oregon counties because of recent CWD detections in Oregon, Stone, and Taney counties.

A two vehicle accident happened Friday evening at 6:30 in Phelps County on Route V about two miles north of Rolla that resulted in three people suffering injuries. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2008 Chevrolet 2500 HD, driven by 53-year old Richard Voyles of Rolla, was southbound on Route V and traveled into the oncoming lane striking a 2007 Mazda 6 traveling northbound, driven by 19-year old Scott Hill of St. James. Voyles sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance. It was unknown if he was wearing a seat restarint when the accident occurred. Two passengers in the Hill vehicle were also injured. Suffering serious injuries was 19-year old Dakota Mathenia of St. James who was flown to University Hospital in Columbia by Phelps Health Air Ambulance for treatment. She was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The other passenger, one-year old Laikin Hill of St. James, was transported by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health for treatment. She was in a child safety seat. Scott Hill did not injured in the accident. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing of Rolla.

A one vehicle accident Friday morning at 8:30 in Maries County that left a person from St. James with minor injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro being driven by 22-year old Lindsay Seams, of St. James, was eastbound at the intersection of Route H and Route C when she failed to stop at a stop sign, traveled across and off the roadway striking a sign and some trees. Seams was transported by a private vehicle to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment of her injuries. The Camaro was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. Seams was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred on Saturday evening at 10:10 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about three and a half miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Harley Davidson driven by 50-year old Michael Cornelius from Perryville was traveling northbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway and and the motorcycle started to slide. Cornelius suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the St. James Ambulance. The Harley Davidson motorcycle sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing of St. James.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors Meeting took place at 6:00 Tuesday evening, July 2nd. After the call to order, a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. Bills were heard and approved with an ending balance of $204,112.87 as of the end of June. The budget was reviewed and approved. The calendar review made note of the 4th of July parade. In the monthly reimbursement report, the department received a total of 17 calls for the month of June, bringing the total calls year to date to 150. In old business, Chief Nash stated that the department upgrade project was waiting on USDA, Engineers, and Lawyers final approval and confirmation of insurance to get started. As soon as the approval comes in the roof project will be the first to be started. Chief Nash also stated that the pump motor on Tanker 84 needs repaired or replaced. A replacement motor would cost $3500.00 and the system is old. The board asked Chief Nash to get pricing for new verses repair and report to the board so as to get this taken care of as soon as possible. Nash also reported that a vacancy for an officer has become available for the department. Applications have been given out and after being received back will be reviewed and interviewed for the position. The date for the next meeting was set for August 6th at 6 p.m. at the fire station.

On Tuesday, July 9th, the University Extension will join with Country Mart in Salem to empower 16 low-income residents of Salem with the shopping skills needed to stretch their food dollars and serve healthy, affordable meals to their families. Local families will learn to compare unit prices, purchase fruits and vegetables on a budget, read food labels and pick out whole grains. Nutrition and Health Specialist Rachel Buenemann MS, RD, LD will lead the tours for local adults and families. During the one and a half hour tour, participants are empowered with four key food skills, receive a booklet with recipes and shopping tips, a reusable grocery bag and $10 worth of healthy groceries. The sessions will be from 10:00 until noon and from 1:00 until 3:00 in the afternoon. To register for the Cooking Matters at the Store Day or for more information call 573-458-6260.

The Bonebrake Discovery Camp will be held Wednesday, July 10th through Friday, July 12th at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History from 9:00 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. This camp is for children from the ages of about seven to twelve and will provide an enthusiastic experience of the outdoors coupled with art and cultural programs. All the activities are designed to nourish, enrich and strengthen a growing child. The cost is $75 for the three day session and enrollment is limited! Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Call 729-34000 for more information or e-mail bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a traffic check point in Dent County on Saturday, July 6th. The sheriff’s department is asking anyone who is stopped at the check to please have their driver’s license and proof of insurance ready to present to the officer. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office thanks you ahead of time for your cooperation.

The Dent County Health Center board of trustees met Monday, June 24th. After the call to order, the minutes for the May 2019 meeting were reviewed and approved. Kendra Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided to 81 clients during the month of May. Mobray went on to report that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services WIC program is transitioning to an EBT system, called eWIC, beginning in October of this year. Dent County is scheduled to implement the new program in March 2020. Eric Fuchs from Wayne County will continue as the Emergency Planner for the Health Center. Lodging inspections in the county are also underway at this time and food inspections are up to date. As the new school year approaches, the Health Center would like to remind students and parents that Kindergartners must be up-to-date on immunizations to start school in August. All 8th graders must have one dose of meningitis and one dose of Tdap. Two doses of meningitis are required for 12th graders unless the first dose was administered to a student who was 16 years of age or older, in which case only one dose is required. At least one dose must be given after 16 years of age. The Dent County Health Center currently bills most insurance companies and offers state vaccine for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid clients. Vaccinations are available daily without an appointment. For additional questions, please call 573-729-3106. The Health Center reported eight cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and one case of Erlichia Chaffeensis. The Dent County Health Center expenses for May 2019 were approved and the next regular board meeting date was set for Monday, July 15th at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was then adjourned.

A draft of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for 2020-2024 is available online for the public to review and comment on through the end of regular business hours TODAY! The draft STIP includes 1,869 highway and bridge projects, of which 85% will maintain the system in the condition it is in today. On average, this STIP annually invests in 1,014 lane miles of interstate pavements, 1,346 miles of major route pavements, 2,652 miles of minor route pavements and 213 bridges. The draft 2020-2024 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2020 through 2024 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024) You can access the draft plan by going to the www.modot.org website and the link to the draft is located toward the bottom of the page. To offer comments you can contact MoDOT: STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov, or by calling customer service at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). Missouri has the nation’s seventh largest state highway system with 33,859 miles of roadways and 10,385 bridges, but ranks 48th nationally in revenue per mile.

A one vehicle accident occurred Tuesday evening at 7:30 in Phelps County on Highway 68 just north of Route F. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Saturn Aura driven by 22- year old Emily Bounds of Salem was eastbound when she lost control of the vehicle in a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Bounds suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. The Saturn sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by family. According to the report, Bounds was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened on Wednesday morning at 8:25 in Texas County on Highway 32 at Pursiful Drive about four miles east of Licking. According to the highway patrol report a 2007 Ford Fusion was being driven eastbound on Highway 32 by 25-year old Wanda Graber of Licking when a 2006 Mazda 6 driven northbound by 17-year old Kaleena Scheer of Licking, failed to yield to the Ford and struck the vehicle. Both Graber and Scheer suffered minor injuries. Grabber was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance while Scheer was taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital by the Texas County Ambulance. Scheer was not wearing a seat restraint at time of the accident while Graber was wearing hers. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Automotive of Houston.

Did you know that many believe that Missouri is home to Bigfoot and it lives in the Ozarks? Come enjoy a night of family fun beginning at 8:30 p.m., Saturday July 6th at the Echo Bluff State Park amphitheater to hear about this larger-than-life character and other fascinating and funny Ozark tall tales as told by native Missouri storyteller Larry Brown. Brown has been telling these tales for 35 years all over the country and is regularly featured on the Mid-Missouri public radio program Radio Friends with Paul Pepper. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for this outdoor event. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 34489 Echo Bluff Drive, Eminence, in southeast Missouri. For more information, call Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-1224. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

An accident happened Sunday night at 9:10 in Dent County at the junction of Highway 72 and Route J that took the life of a Salem man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara driven southbound by 23-year old Megan Caesar of Salem, was stopped in the merge lane to turn onto Route J when a 2018 GMC Pickup driven northbound by 61-year old Cynthia Fruehauf of Greenbrier, Arkansas, crossed the center line and struck the Suzuki head-on. A passenger in the Suzuki, 72-year old Timothy Gibson of Salem was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead by Dr. White at 11:11 Sunday night. Fruehauf suffered serious injuries and was Air Evac’d to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Caesar suffered serious injuries as well and was Air Evac’d to the University Hospital in Columbia as was another passenger in the Suzuki, 61-year old James Gibson of Salem who also suffered serious injuries. Everyone but James Gibson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night for their regular scheduled board meeting. The board approved the request from Randy League of the Midwest Blue Oval Club to close the streets around the courthouse square on September 7th for the Current River Blue Oval Car Rally. Public Works Director Mark Nash presented five bids for used tractors for the street department and the board approved his recommendation of a 2014 John Deer 6115R that includes a diamond boom mower for $52,000 delivered. This tractor can clean ditch lines and also can extend in the air to clear overhanging branches and vines as well. It does the work of two tractors with one man. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to remind everyone of the Independence Day Parade starting at 6:00 Thursday night followed by the fireworks display at about 9:15 to 9:30 at the Commons. He wanted to remind the public they are not allowed to bring and shoot fireworks on the Commons property before, during or after the display. Walden said the city offices would be closed on Thursday for the 4th of July. He also said MoDOT gave the go ahead to advertise for bids for the TAP grant to build the trail from the City Park pavilion to the Salem R-80 Administrative Offices. The bids will be due on Tuesday, July 23rd at 1:30 at the city administrative offices and a pre-bid meeting will be held July 11th at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Walden reported the Salem Community Center had 4,120 participants in April and 5,017 in May. He also stated an Economic Development Workshop will be held on July 11th at 5:30 at the Dent County Fire Station. He also said he would send the aldermen a list of meeting dates to set up a nuisance workshop that would be open to the public. They can get back with him as to the dates that fit their schedule best. The board approved Resolution #16-2019 with the Dent County Commission, Collector and Treasurer that would allow the county collector to bill and collect the City of Salem real estate, personal property and Salem Public Library taxes through 2023. The board also approved Bill #3422 to create an ordinance to allow the subdividing of a parcel of land at 202, 204 and 206 West Fourth Street. On Bill #3423 to approve a change order agreement for the old middle school, there was a lot of discussion that the city should not have to pay all the additional monies for asbestos abatement as they felt the engineering firm, Environmental Operations, Inc., did not do enough due diligence in their assessment of the old middle school. It was found that there was additional caulking behind each window that was assessed in the school from the original windows that were put in the building which must be removed. Alderman Shelton and Hinderliter voted to approve the additional monies to keep the project moving with the possibility of recourse against Environmental Operations, Inc. while Aldermen James and Nash voted against the bill. Mayor Brad Nash voted to move forward and approved the ordinance with the tie breaking vote. City Clerk Mary Happel said that the Park Street Trailer Court still has not submitted an application for a new license and she was going to contact them and let them know they are in violation and may be subject to penalties. She also has been approached by some people about the UTV ordinance that states they must have turn signals. Many of the models do not have signals and she wanted direction of the board as to leave the ordinance as is or change it. The board voted to remove the requirement to have turn signals on UTV’s from the ordinance. The board approved the repair or replacement of a number of transformers for the Electric Department from Solomon Corporation that totaled $14,680.00. Administrator Walden said $30,000 had been budgeted for this project. The board then went into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel.

Captain Eddie Blaylock, commanding officer of Troop I, announces that during the 4th of July holiday weekend, troopers will conduct a hazardous moving enforcement operation, in Crawford County. This is one of many enforcement projects being conducted through the holiday weekend, which starts today and ends on July 7th. Troopers assigned to this project will direct their efforts to Interstate 44 in Crawford County. Special emphasis on speed, following too close, aggressive driving, and driving impaired will be their primary focus. Captain Blaylock would like to remind travelers to designate a sober driver or sober captain if your holiday plans include alcohol. Captain Blaylock also reminds the public that emergencies on the road or on the water can be reported by dialing *55 on their cellular telephone.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave the commissioners an update on the economic activity during the month of June in the city and county including new prospects, ongoing opportunities and projects, marketing activities and new city business licenses that were issued. She also updated the commission on grants and explained to the commission about the medical marijuana ordinance that was passed by the city due to Amendment 2 being passed by the state and the restrictions and requirements of dispensaries and manufacturing. She talked about the historic Salem Ghost Tour hosted by Jacob Stotler that was held Friday night and drew about 300 people to the event. The next ghost tour will be held July 12th and 26th, while a special tour of McArthur Avenue will be held on Friday, July 19th. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5390 and 6660 while grading and ditch work will be done on county road 5130. Purcell stated that materials would be added and grading done on county road 5380 and brush was going to be cut on Dent County Roads 4180 and 4210. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3200 and 4285, while only grading would be done on county roads 2350, 3180, and 4283. Larson went on to report that brush was going to be cut on county roads 3030 and 3040 and backhoe would be taken out to county road 2090 to clean out some pipes. He said patch grading would be done on county road 2070 and a man would be traveling to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal patching. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Advisory Committee Meeting at the Wurdack Farm last Thursday and it was good turnout where the Dean of the Missouri College of Agriculture was there along with a number of people from the agricultural school. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that a voter canvass is underway and that people should be receiving a blue voter registration card in the mail. At the last meeting, the commission approved to allow the Salem Chamber choir to sell snow cones and Christmas ornaments on the courthouse lawn. It was also announced the Dent County Courthouse would be closed for Independence Day and also on Friday. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, July 8th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday night, June 21st at about 9:37, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of South Hickory reference a domestic assault. The investigation of the report revealed a 26-year-old female of Salem had assaulted a 26-year-old male of Salem and left the residence in an intoxicated condition with children. After a further investigation, the suspect was located and placed under arrest for driving while being intoxicated, domestic assault and for endangering the welfare of a child. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. Then on Saturday evening, June 22nd near 6:57, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of South Oak reference a domestic disturbance. That investigation revealed a 48-year-old male of Salem had unlawfully entered onto the property of another and refused to leave. A further investigation led to the arrest of a male suspect for trespassing. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. And finally on Wednesday, June 26th at approximately 7:09 in the evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 33-year-old male of Salem for driving while having their license revoked and for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host the annual Alley Spring Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 6th, from 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening. This event commemorates the traditional picnic celebrations that were held at Alley Spring around the turn of the twentieth century when this area was the social gathering place for local families. The sounds of the Buzzard Run Bluegrass Band and stomping of the Country Ho’ Downers square dance group will ring throughout the valley. Free ice-cold watermelon and lemonade will be provided to visitors. The Spring Dipper from Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, will be on site dipping up delicious handmade ice cream. Bring the family and a lawn chair or lawn blanket and take part in one of the classic celebrations that define the Alley Community. Alley Spring is located five miles west of Eminence on State Route 106. For more information, phone (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

An accident happened Sunday night at 9:10 in Dent County at the junction of Highway 72 and Route J that took the life of a Salem man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara driven southbound by 23-year old Megan Caesar of Salem, was stopped in the merge lane to turn onto Route J when a 2018 GMC Pickup driven northbound by 61-year old Cynthia Fruehauf of Greenbrier, Arkansas, crossed the center line and struck the Suzuki head-on. A passenger in the Suzuki, 72-year old Timothy Gibson of Salem was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead by Dr. White at 11:11 Sunday night. Fruehauf suffered serious injuries and was Air Evac’d to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Caesar suffered serious injuries as well and was Air Evac’d to the University Hospital in Columbia as was another passenger in the Suzuki, 61-year old James Gibson of Salem who also suffered serious injuries. Everyone but James Gibson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 2:20 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about six miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra driven northbound by 26-year old Rachel Farmer of Steelville traveled off the right side of the roadway. Farmer then overcorrected and the Elantra crossed the roadway where the Hyundai traveled off the left side of the road where the vehicle collided with an embankment. Farmer, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Ambulance to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. The Hyundai was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

An accident happened in Texas County on Pigeon Creek Road about three miles north of Licking Friday night at about 10:30. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 17-year old Lucas Green of Licking traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Lucas suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and was removed later by the owner.

An accident occurred Thursday night at approximately 9:09 in Crawford County on Route V about two miles east of Davisville. According to the highway patrol report, a 1994 Ford F-150 driven by 36-year-old Jeremie Crocker of Viburnum, traveled off the right side of the roadway. Crocker overcorrected and the Ford traveled off the left side of the roadway. The truck then overturned ejecting Crocker and the Ford came to rest against a tree. Crocker suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Evac to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that Crocker was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

An accident happened in Texas County Thursday afternoon on Highway 63 about three miles south of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, 2017 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup driven southbound by 60-year old Roger Scott of Sullivan, slowed to make a left hand turn and was struck from behind by a 1996 Ford Ranger driven by 60-year old Mark McDonald of Rolla. McDonald suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. The Ranger was totaled in the accident while the Dodge Ram sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Randy League will talk with the board about the Current River Blue Oval Rally that will be held in Salem on September 7th. The board will then hear the bids received by the city as they are looking for a used tractor. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report that will include setting a date for the nusiance workshop. The board will discuss Resolution #16-2019 that authorizes the mayor and the Salem Board of Aldermen to approve an agreement between the City of Salem and Dent County Collector, Dent County Commission and Dent County Treasurer for the collection of taxes due to the city for personal property, real estate and Salem Public Library. The board will address Bill #3422 that would create an ordinance that would allow the subdivision of 202, 204 and 206 West Fourth Street. The board will also address Bill #3423 that authorizes Mayor Nash to sign and execute a change order agreement between the city of Salem and Donald Maggi, inc for the old Middle School. The board will discuss trailer court licenses, give direction on the UTV requirements to City Clerk Mary Happel, and approve transformer repairs that have gone bad over the year that will be over $3,000. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The regular meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen will be tonight at 7:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem is reminding everyone that if they would like a brick from the Old Middle/High School, they will be available at the parking lot behind the City Administration Parking lot. The City asks that those interested take only one brick per person. The bricks will be available from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting following a public hearing and public meeting Thursday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission Gary Brown, discussed with the board the hearing about subdividing a parcel of land located at 202, 204 and 206 West Fourth Street. This is already zoned commercial. There were no objections to the request to subdivide the property. The Planning and Zoning Commission then approved to recommend the request to the Board of Alderman for the subdividing request. Brown also spoke to the board about the proposed zoning update in relation to the passing of Amendment 2 in the state for the selling and cultivating of medical marijuana. An ordinance was prepared with the assistance of Economic development Director Sally Burbridge that the commission reviewed. They recommended to the board to go with the ordinance that was numbered #3420 with two changes being made: the first was in Section 2 under Item A that said no marijuana dispensary shall be located within 500 feet of an existing elementary or secondary school, child day care center, church or public park, not the 1,000 feet in the original ordinance; and in the same section, Item A and subparagraph 3 that says the measurement shall be made along the shortest path between the demarcation points that can lawfully be drawn on a map and not lawfully traveled by foot as stated in the ordinance. The board would take action on the request later. Burbridge then spoke on behalf of Jacob Stotler with a request to let the city close some streets during his downtown historical ghost tours that will be held every other Friday through August 9th. The streets to be closed by the police from about 8:30 until 9:30 would be 4th Street between Iron and Main Streets and also between Main and Henderson Streets, and 3rd Street between Henderson and Washington Streets. The request was approved by the board. Attorney William Camm Seay then read the entire Ordinance #3420 twice because of the suggested changes to the ordinance before the board approved the ordinance. The board also approved the 2019-2020 budget that will begin Monday, July 1st and end on June 30th, 2020. Anticipated revenues for the fiscal year are $13,604,997 with anticipated expenditures of $13,560,727. The budget was approved with a 3-1 vote as Alderman Kenny Nash voted against the budget as he was concerned with the debt being incurred by the city with their improvement projects on the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Sewer Extension. City Clerk Mary Happel presented another trailer court license application to the board that she received from Central Missouri Investments for the trailer park at 703 South Pershing. She said this trailer park had not yet been inspected but there have been very few problems with it in the past. The board approved the license on a contingent basis agreeing to award the license if the trailer park passes the inspection or makes required improvements before a deadline set at the time of inspection. Happel also updated the board on Truman Court Trailer Park that all improvements required will be made by Monday, July 1st. The board then adjourned.

Jacob Stotler will host another Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour tonight from 8:30-9:30. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Those interested can meet at the Dent County Courthouse gazebo on the square, downtown. The first tour attracted over 400 people to the event. The tour will begin with a trek through downtown, listening to the tales of the past, and tales of those from the past coming back to visit. Some unusual facts about Salem will also be described. See you there!

The deadline to nominate a Missouri veteran/active duty service member for the 2019 Missouri State Fair Military Flag Retreat is July 4, 2019. To be selected, individuals must be nominated using the form available on the Missouri State Fair website. Nominees must be Missouri residents and be available one of the eleven days of the 117th Missouri State Fair. Once a nomination is completed it can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Missouri State Fair office. Send in your nominations now to join us in honoring our military service men and women in the first ever Military Flag Retreat Ceremony at the 2019 Missouri State Fair!

A FINAL REMINDER! Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2016 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by THIS Friday during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon at the collector’s office in the courthouse. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2016, 2017 and 2018 will ALL be declared due by August 23rd, 2019. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 26th, 2019 on the courthouse steps. Check payments will no longer be accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Also, after this Friday, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember only the taxes for 2016 need to be paid IN FULL by this Friday, June 28th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Salem Police department has released reports from June 6th through 11th. On Friday night, June 7th, at about 9:21, an officer located a 36-year-old male of Salem near the 800 block of South Hickory who had an active arrest warrant from Jefferson County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and was incarcerated pending extradition. About an hour later that same night, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis in reference to someone trying to break into a residence. The investigation of the report revealed a 21-year-old male of Hillsboro broke a door in of the residence, assaulted the resident, then fled the scene on foot. The report is under investigation. Then on Saturday afternoon, June 8th, at around 5:36, an officer located a 22-year-old male of Salem near Craig Industrial Drive and Highway 32 who had two active arrest warrants from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On the morning of June 9th at about 7:35, an officer was dispatched to the area of Center and Hickory Streets in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The investigation of the vehicle led to the arrest of an 18-year-old male of Salem for being a minor in possession of intoxicants. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same evening at approximately 8:40, an officer located a 51-year-old male of Salem near Highway 32 and Highway 19 who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem present this year’s Independence Day Parade in Salem with the theme an “Ozark 4th” Parade. Entry forms are now available for the parade that will begin at 6:00 in the evening on July 4th. This year’s route will be the same as it has been in the past starting from the SBU Salem campus and traveling east on Franklin, then moving north on McArthur before heading east on 4th Street and finishing up around the courthouse square. If interested in being in the parade can pick up a copy of the parade rules at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office. Entry forms need to be submitted by July 1st and can be dropped off at the chamber office, e-mail them to chamber@salemmo.com, or fax them to 573-729-6741. Following the parade, the annual Independence Day Fireworks display will again be held at The Commons starting after 9:00. If you have questions, contact Tabitha at the Chamber of Commerce office at 729-6900.

The Salem Police Department has released the following accident report. On Thursday afternoon, June 20th, at approximately 3:05 a 2000 Dodge Ram, owned and operated by Mark Brockling of Lake St. Louis, was westbound on Highway 32 approaching the Highway 19 intersection. A 2000 Peterbilt driven by Eric Pierce of Salem and owned by Thompson Trucking and Excavating of Salem was eastbound on Highway 32 and making a left turn on Highway 19 to travel north. The Peterbilt collided with the Dodge in the intersection of Highways 19 and 32. Brockling suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Dodge sustained extensive damage and there was only minor damage to the Peterbilt.

In a recent report from the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office, Andrew Curley reports that on February 3rd, 2017, Don Eugene Merrell, II of Salem, was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree. The defendant pled not guilty. A jury trial was conducted on June 19th and 20th of this year and was presided over by the Honorable Judge Randall Head. Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and Assistant Prosecutor James Weber represented the state. Defendant was represented at trial by Stephen Daniels. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of one count of statutory sodomy in the first degree involving a minor under the age of 14 years old. His sentencing is scheduled for August 26th at 9:00 in the morning in Crawford County. The range of punishment authorized for this offense is for a term of years not less than 5 years and up to life imprisonment in the Missouri Dept of Corrections.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has releases some reports for June 5th through the 11th. On Wednesday, June 5th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Warfel and East 5th Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 47-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a second or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. The next day, June 6th, deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop with a vehicle on Dent County Road 3260. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for deputies. The vehicle then went out of control and wrecked through two fences and several trees. The driver and passenger of the vehicle fled on foot prior to deputies catching up to the vehicle. A K-9 unit from Salem Police Department was requested to assist in the search for the subjects. The K-9 tracked one of the subjects to a nearby pond where a 26-year-old Centerville man was attempting to hide in the water. The man was arrested for resisting arrest, stop or detention by fleeing, creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, and for assault in the 4th degree. He was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. On Friday, June 7th, deputies traveled to the 200 block of West Hunt to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 24-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant for his arrest through Dent County. The man was also arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. On Saturday, June 8th, deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 4155 due to a report of subjects fighting. During the course of the investigation, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for 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. On Monday, June 10th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Route U and Dent County Road 3210. During the course of the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. And finally on Tuesday June 11th, while assisting Missouri State Highway Patrol with a safety checkpoint on Route HH, a 51-year old Salem man was arrested for operating a motor vehicle with no valid license, exceeding the posted speed limit by 11-15 MPH, and operating a motor vehicle with no financial responsibility. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Bennie Cook, a field representative with Representative Jason Smith’s office in Rolla, was in attendance to let the commission know Representative Smith did sign a letter of support for the Delta Regional Authority grant to chip and seal the road from Route YY to Tan Vat to slow road erosion. Cook said that Smith will e-mail the Delta Regional Authority to get updates on the progress of the grant and keep the commission informed. Cook also said Smith’s annual Farm tour will be held again this year, but it has not yet been finalized. He also reported that he was at the meeting last Tuesday in Rolla on the feral hog problem. He said Representative Smith is monitoring the hog situation and reminding people to make their comments to the National Forest Service. People can submit comments via email or through regular mail during the 60-day comment period. The comment period is currently underway and all comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 23rd, for consideration. Send comments via email to SM.FS.MTFeralSwine@usda.gov or to the mailing address is at: Forest Supervisor; ATTN: Feral Swine Comment; Mark Twain National Forest; 401 Fairgrounds Road; Rolla, MO 65401. You can also call Jason Smith’s office in Rolla and let them know your feelings at 573-364-2455. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated his district received about two inches of rain and received extreme high winds. Work crews will be out checking for any storm damages to roads as well as removing any debris, cleaning out culverts, removing downed or low hanging limbs and clearing trees where needed. Purcell also said brush cutting would be done on Dent County Road 4110. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said his crew would be out checking for damages and also be brush cutting on Dent County Road 6130, 6140 and 6150. Larson also said a man was sent to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending a Workforce Development Caucus meeting today in Jefferson City. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind those businesses that sell liquor by the glass or package that all county liquor license renewal applications are due this Friday afternoon at 4:30 in her office. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday night at the district administrative offices. At the meeting, the board heard from Joel Gundelfinger and Isaac Fones from McKinstry presented the board with the results of the facility assessment audit. Superintendent John McColloch talked about the Summer Schools attendance at all the schools and the success of the program as 101 students were awarded from William Lynch Elementary and another 158 received gift cards from the Upper Elementary school. Board of Education committee assignments were made for the 2019-2020 school year. The CSIP Committee assignment went to Holly Erway, the federal Programs assignment went to Drew Whitaker, the A+ assignment was taken by Larry Maxwell, Dustin Howard took the safety assignment while Chris Heavin got the technology assignment and Carrie Snider was given the Health Services assignment. The Summer School students at the high school completed their work as seven students completed their Personal Finance course and 12 more completed their credit. The board approved the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year that shows anticipated revenues of $13,430,262 and anticipated expenses of $13,269,430. They also approved revisions to the current budget, the MSBA 2019A update and they accepted the bids for the surplus property. The board then moved into closed session for a personnel matter before adjourning the meeting.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released these reports from the Dent County Circuit Court last Tuesday in front of Judge Kelly Parker. In court that day, Curley reported that probation was revoked for James Robson of Salem. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115. Also last Tuesday, Angel Steelman of Salem pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Her sentencing will be held on August 28th. Curley also reported that Monica Eaton of Salem had her probation revoked last Tuesday and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections for failure to complete drug court. Also last Tuesday, Shauna Klieber of Cuba pled guilty to one count of the distribution of heroin. She will be sentenced on August 28th. Curley went on to report that Travis Russell of Salem was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections for his probation case. A new offense of a Class A Felony for trafficking, a Class E Felony for tampering with evidence and a Class E Felony for creating a public nuisance are scheduled for a preliminary hearing that will be held on Thursday at 1:00.

The City of Salem’s Capital Improvement Committee and the Finance Committee will be holding a joint meeting tonight at 6:30 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. The meeting is being held to discuss the 2019-2020 City of Salem budget. The meeting is open to the public.