Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART receipts in July to the commission that showed the county received $56,198.64 and that is down $4,079.38 from last July when the county received $60,278.02. Year-to date, the CART fund receipts are down $27,342.23 which is about a 6.95% reduction. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said a crew would be installing a crossover pipe on Dent County Road 5676, then adding material and grading. Another crew is working on Dent County Road 6380 to remove a portion of the road that has had chronic problems in the last few months. It was reported that at three feet, the crews were still in clay and it was wet. Purcell said they may have to go as low as five feet to get to solid ground before the repairs are made. Once they have a solid footing, materials will be added. Purcell wanted to let the public know there will be no access to county road 6380 from the Route K side. He said he hopes to have the road open by later today. Purcell added that a crew member would be repairing a hydraulic leak on brush cutter #8. At the Tourism Tax Meeting held last Monday, Purcell said three event proposals and one reimbursement were submitted and they were all approved. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Road 2030 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2020. He went on to say materials would also be added to county road 2210 and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3210, 3233 and 4330. Larson stated Dent County Road 2380 is passable, but the tree that was down there will have to be removed today. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he and Commissioner Larson attended the IDA Board meeting last week and heard a very informative report from Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge. He also said applications are still being accepted by the MRPC for the CARES ACT money the county received. This money is available to small businesses as well as public entities to cover expenses that were incurred due to COVID-19. To find out more information, contact Kelly Sink or Eva Voss at the MRPC at 573-265-2993. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported the 2020 Dent County Assessed Valuation came in at $175,153,494 which is up from the 2019 assessed valuation of $174,587,377. The commission then set the county tax rate hearing for the Monday, August 17th at 10;00 for the General Revenue Fund, the Road and Bridge Fund, the SB 40 Fund and the Senior Citizens Service Fund. Nick Smith from Septagone was in to review the jail project costs with the commissioners and Sheriff Bob Wells. With a few minor things remaining to do including installing a shower stall separator, the report shows the jail project came in about $75,000 under the revised budget and around 1.2 million dollars under the original estimate of the project. He said success of the project was a team effort as they had good contractors who will stand behind their work. He said a final walk through will occur in about seven or eight months to see if everything is still working as planned. If repairs would be needed, Smith said they want to have time to get that done before the one year labor warranty runs out. All three commissioners praised Smith on the work of Septagone and their Project Manager, Dwight Ramsburg on how well the jail construction project went and that the hiring of Septagone was a good investment. At the last meeting, Sarah Massengale from the Dent County Extension was in to report they are back open and encouraging appointments. They did 81 soil tests in May and have already done 165 for to date which is more than last year. She said they will be advertising for a full time replacement for Linda Shelton who retired earlier this year. Massengale discussed the Neighborhood Leadership Academy that will begin in August and if people are interested, they should call 729-3196. Also, Judge Megan Seay was in to discuss the security and safety issues in the courtroom and buildings because of the COVID-19. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, August 3rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Rural Opioid Initiative in partnership with Mid-MO Addiction Awareness Group (MAAG) will host an opioid use disorder awareness walk in St. James on Saturday, August 1st, beginning at 10:00 in the morning. The walk aims at providing awareness for opioid use disorder. MRPC’s rural initiative works to educate, increase awareness and identify prevention strategies for opioid use disorder throughout the Meramec Region. Resource information will be available at the walk. Area residents are encouraged to join the walk or stop by the information booth to learn about resources for persons and families suffering from opioid use disorder. Participants will meet at the St. James City Park, using the James Lane entrance where sign-ups will be available. The walkers will travel left out of the city park onto south Jefferson Street where participants will remain on sidewalks and travel to the corner lot at Aida Street and Jefferson St./Hwy 68 where there will be a water and rest stop. Participants will then return to the park utilizing the same route. It is requested that all pets be left at home. Bonnie Prigge, executive director of MRPC, said from 2014 to 2018, 47 people in Phelps County died of drug overdoses. Twenty-nine of those were opioid overdoses. When we look at Phelps and its neighboring counties of Crawford, Dent and Maries, there were 117 overdose deaths for that timeframe with 72 of those deaths being opioid overdoses. Statistics for 2019 are not yet finalized. Persons needing more information on the walk may call 265-2993 or email charmon@meramecregion.org. Pre-registration is not required. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or follow them on Facebook.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of June. They issued 11 summonses to appear in court, 64 warning tickets, and 18 traffic tickets, plus they also served four fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated eight traffic accidents, wrote one property damage report, seven stealing reports, one rape, one report of sodomy along with three sexual offenses. The department investigated two reports of possession of a controlled substance, two reports of possession of drug paraphernalia, a domestic assault report, five domestic violence reports and one report of leaving the scene of an accident. In June, the police department did conducted one death investigation. The department also investigated seven harassment reports, conducted 22 well being checks, had 17 reports of peace disturbances, received a report of shots being fired along and had seven stealing reports. The department was also dispatched for 49 animal calls, 24 ambulance assist calls, and performed 91 traffic stops for the month. The Salem Police Department received 1,052 calls for service during the month of June and had 51 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 9,108 miles during the month and spent 4 hours as court bailiff. There were 9 males and 6 females arrested during the month of June.

An accident occurred on Friday night at 11:01 in Phelps County on Route BB about four miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Dodge Ram driven by 21-year old Michael Tanner of Steelville was traveling westbound when he swerved to miss a deer in the roadway. The Dodge traveled off the right side of the road and struck a ditch. An occupant in the car, 24-year old Brittney White of St. James, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by private vehicle. White was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The University of Missouri Extension invites Meramec region residents to register for the fall 2020 Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA), a leadership training focused on community building principles. Created in 2002, the Neighborhood Leadership Academy provides in-depth training that emphasizes community building strategies, project planning, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills. The Fall 2020 program will be offered online throughout the state, with regional cohorts to allow for local discussions and applications of the program’s content. Neighborhood Leadership Academy will be held Monday evenings August 24 through November 2 via Zoom and all participants who complete the program will receive an UMSL Chancellor’s Certificate in Neighborhood Leadership. Some scholarships are available. Academy participants may be neighborhood association members, community leaders, resident volunteers, community-based organization staff, business owners, local government staff, and municipal elected officials. The NLA has graduated nearly 300 individuals from the program in its 16-year history. To learn more about the program and apply, please contact Sarah Massengale at hultines@missouri.edu or 573-729-3196. If your business or organization is interested to sponsor a scholarship or support a participant, please contact Sarah for sponsorship opportunities.

Would you like to become a steward of conservation, help people, and protect nature by serving as a conservation agent? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces it is taking applications during July for up to 16 participants for its 2021 conservation agent training academy, which will begin April 1, 2021. Selected candidates will undergo 26 weeks of intense training in all facets of law enforcement and resource management. Those who make the grade will receive county assignments and become the faces of conservation in their assigned communities where they will be educating and enforcing the Wildlife Code of Missouri through a community policing approach, helping the public with issues such as wildlife damage and disease, and providing information for water and land management. Get information online on essential job duties, education requirements, experience and knowledge needed, required skills and abilities, physical abilities required, pay and benefits, along with additional details, how to apply, and conditions of employment online at jobs.mdc.mo.gov/job/Conservation-Agent-Trainee-MO/656440900/. To learn more about the job, contact MDC Hiring Supervisor Cheryl Fey at Cheryl.Fey@mdc.mo.gov, or at 573-522-4115 ext. 3819.

The Dent County Health Center reports that currently there are no active cases of COVID-19 in Dent County. There have been nine confirmed cases and now all nine people have been released from isolation. This does not mean that people should forget about social distancing, wearing a mask in crowded public areas and not touching anything that is touched by other people such as stair rails, door knobs, etc. If you do, please do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth until after you wash your hands thoroughly. The next best thing is to use a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to kill the germs. If you have any questions, contact the Dent County Health Center at 573-729-3106.

Registration for the Dent County Head Start program for three and four-year old children, as well as Early Head Start program for children from six weeks to three-year old children is going on now. These programs are provided free of charge as they are federally funded for children from low-income families. The program is administered through the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency. Head Start is available during the school year four days a week while Early Head start is a year round program that is available five days per week. Parents will need to provide proof of income for the last 12 months for the household, the child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, as well the social security cards for all household members. Parents will also need to provide a Medicaid or other insurance card. Parents who have questions or who need to schedule an appointment should call the Salem office at 1405 South Wines at 729-3188.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reports the results of the patrol’s high speed enforcement campaign. From noon to midnight each day on Friday, July 17th and Saturday, July 18th troopers’ enforcement activity included 2,557 traffic stops, 668 citations for moving violations, 1,256 warnings were issued, 598 speeding citations were issued of which 200 of them were for motorists traveling 20 plus miles per hour over the speed limit, 264 seat belt violations, 513 motorist assists and 119 crashes. This high speed enforcement campaign was an effort to address a drastic increase in egregious speed and hazardous moving violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fatal crashes have increased dramatically in Missouri, despite a period of significantly lower traffic volume. Currently, Missouri is experiencing a 16 percent increase in traffic fatalities compared to last year. Across the state, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has seen a 58% increase in speeds at or above 26 mph over the speed limit from January through June 2020 when compared to the four-year average. Troopers issued 4,869 summonses to drivers traveling 26 mph or more over the speed limit during that time. The data shows the most common violators are between the ages of 15 and 29. Most of the speed violations occur during the weekend.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Saturday, July 4th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 5240 for the report of a subject violating an order of protection. During the course of the incident, a 37-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an active warrant through the Texas County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she later posted bond and was released. On Sunday, July 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 6630. During the course of the traffic stop, a 46-year-old Jonesburg female was arrested for possession of marijuana of less than 10 grams and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, deputies traveled to JB Malones parking lot for a report of a male subject threatening to shoot the reporting party. During the course of the investigation, a 47-year-old Salem man was arrested for two counts of the unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 4; two counts of harassment in the 1st degree, armed criminal action, driving while being intoxicated, a persistent offender; and driving while having his license revoked, a 2nd or subsequent occurrence. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, July 9th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 8500 block of North Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 39-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she later posted bond and was released. On Friday, July 10th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1700 block of West Highway 32 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 54-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Impact 100 Dent County, a committee within the Dent County Community Foundation, has awarded two grants totaling $7,000.00 to two organizations in our community. The first grant award went to the Salem High School Computer Science program. These funds will be utilized to support curriculum and training for students in this field of study. The second grant award was presented to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Monies from this grant will be spent to purchase a UV-C light disinfection to control the spread of disease throughout the hospital. The Impact 100 Dent committee was organized in 2019, and hosts an annual grant rounds to those not for profits that are selected from an application and selection process. The Impact 100 Dent County committee is a giving circle of individuals who seek to enrich our community in a meaningful and sustainable way.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:30 in Phelps County on Route V about two miles north of Interstate 44. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 GMC Yukon being driven east by 61-year old Jerry Lantham of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign, a tree and finally a culvert. Lantham and a passenger, 60-year old Debra Latham, also of St. James, suffered moderate injuries and both were transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. According to the report neither were wearing safety restraints. The Yukon sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

Tuesday on a change of venue to Crawford County in front of Judge Kelly Parker, 40-year old Michael Chilton pled guilty to one count of statutory rape in the first degree and three counts of statutory rape in the second degree from charges stemming from a Salem Police Department investigation held June 28th, 2018. A sentencing hearing was conducted and both victims gave victim impact statements in a packed courtroom to Judge Parker for his consideration. At the conclusion of the hearing Chilton, who had a minimal criminal history, was sentenced to 28 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley. The charges came from an investigation after a victim reported to a Salem Police Officer that she had been having sexual contact including sexual intercourse with Chilton since before she was 13 years old. She had said she and her sister were involved in sexual intercourse when both were present. Her sister was over 13 and under 17 when the incident took place. A search warrant was issued on June 28, 2018, and a search of the defendant’s and victim’s residence was executed by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, the Division of Drug and Crime Control of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and members of the Salem Police Department. The search resulted in the seizure of a phone that was used to send and receive coded messages and a piece of carpet beside the victim’s bed that appeared to contain a bodily fluid. The carpet was tested and was confirmed to contain seminal fluid consistent with the DNA of Chilton. Another victim reported to the Salem Police on June 30, 2018, that she also had sexual contact and intercourse with Chilton as well as with the other victim plus her sister when they were all together. The second victim was between 15 and 17 years of age when that incident occurred. Curley said the 28-year sentence recommendation was developed over many days of preparation and with the consent and approval of the victims.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital Chief Financial Officer Doug Hoban gave the summary of operations for the month of June where the hospital had 105 inpatient admissions with 373 inpatient census days. There were 1,631 outpatient registrations, 1,069 cardiopulmonary procedures, 6,626 lab tests, 1,173 radiology procedures, 726 rehabilitation treatments, 18 surgeries, 233 home health visits and 634 emergency room visits. There were a total of 226 ambulance runs with 155 patients transported with 71 dry runs. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $1,662,153 with expenses over revenues after taxes of $1,560,584. Hoban said the days in net Accounts Receivable went down to 103 from 106 last month and work continues to improve those numbers. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the Auxiliary report and said the Shoe Road Productions was at the hospital on July 9th and it went very well. The auxiliary will not meet again until September 1st at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at noon and lunch will be provided. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported on the Hospital Foundation’s Golf Tournament and said it raised $10,867. He also said the Wings and strings event in September was cancelled as due to the unavailability of bands. The foundation will start doing demos for the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant. Edwards also said the replacement of the floor in Acute Care is now finished and came in a cost of $28,360. He also said the community CPR Training would be restarting this month. The SMDH Emergency Department and SMDH Family Medicine Patient Satisfaction Quarterly Surveys were discussed and they were way down from previous quarters. The Emergency Department received only five surveys back and all were excellent, while 46 surveys were returned for the Family Medicine and they also were excellent in all categories. The board approved Courtesy Staff Privileges for Michael Stadnyk, MD for mammography privileges as requested by the medical staff. Administrator Lucas reviewed the hospital visitor admission policy that includes one patient per day for Acute Care, one visitor allowed for ER patients and all visitors must be 16 years of age or older. Exceptions would be made for end-of-life situations or if there were other extenuating circumstances. Lucas said the Department of Health and Senior Services will be providing the hospital with a SHIP COVID 19 grant of $84,317. Lucas gave an update on the current expansion and renovation project for the MRI building, Surgery Department, Acute Care and Administration. The MRI magnet is scheduled to be delivered August 17th. The board approved a budgeted purchase of a portable X-Ray Unit for Radiology for $116,000 from Canon Medical. The board also elected new officers with Judy Thompson elected Chairman of the Board with Ray Bruno being elected Vice-Chairman. Mike Swyers was elected to serve as Secretary. The board set the hospital tax rate hearing for August 18th at 5:45 before the next regular meeting. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened early Wednesday morning around 4:30 in Dent County on Highway 32 in Boss. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra owned 62-year old Rahonda Wingfield of Salem was traveling west when Wingfield fell asleep and left the right side of the roadway where the Hyundai struck a tree and an embankment. Wingfield, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The Hyundai sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday at the City Hall Council chambers. The board approved the request from Ahleesha Elwood, the director of His Place, to close off East Center Street from Pershing to Oak Street on July 31st for the purpose of holding a fundraiser to raise money for back to school supplies and to support His Place. Public Works Director Mark Nash presented the bids for the painting of the retention tanks and recommended the board go with Hogan’s inc. for $54,356 and the board approved his request. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden said the final walk through of the TAP grant for the walking trail from Pavilion #1 to the Salem R-80 Administrative offices is close to completion. There were a few minor things yet to do before it is finished. Walden said bids to provide trash service for the city are being advertised. Bidders have the option to offer recycling or not of the type of recycling they do. The current contract with WCA expires at the end of September. Walden reported improvements have been made with the utility software vendor. He said the staff will be entering payment contracts for those who selected option 3, and it will have to be done before the next read cycle. Then the staff will enter the payment plan those who selected Option 2. Walden said if everything goes well, billing will be out the middle of next week for the June billing. Walden said the city has received the last shipment of water meters and they are scheduling them to be installed. Walden also said customers who pay with automatic withdrawal from their checking account are being called by staff to verify their status. Walden also reported work will going on at the administrative offices for about the next eight weeks. The board approved Bill #3454 that allows the mayor to sign the agreement with the Department of Natural Resources for the energy loan program for the City Administrative Offices, the Police Station, Old City Hall and the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. The board approved Bill #3455 that allows the mayor to sign the agreement with McKinstry Essention LLC for the installation of the energy system components and to measure and verify energy savings. The board went on to approve Bill #3456 that exchanges two pieces of property owned by Sherman and Marsha Odom for a piece of property owned by the city where the old jail was located. The board approved Resolution #16-2020 that allowed the mayor to sign the agreement between the city and People Centric Consulting Group. They have been working with the city and created an onboarding process for new employees to understand the different departments and the role they play as well as setting up manager meetings to attain goals. The board postponed action on Resolution #17-2020 which was an agreement with the Salem R-80 school district for the new pad mount transformer for the ag building, and they also postponed any discussion on airport hanger rental fees. The board did approved raising the midnight differential pay for the police department for the hours between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM from 20 cents per hour to $1.15 per hour above their regular hourly rate. The meeting was then adjourned.

The afternoon judging at the Expo on Friday started with the small animal show. Judge Brad Buttram from Hollister, Missouri selected Hunter Ryberg’s Market Meat Chicken Pen as Champion and Brystalin Ryberg’s as Reserve. Champion Market Meat Rabbit Pen went to Preston Perkins. Champion Senior Buck Rabbit went to Perkins, while Champion Junior Buck went to Ross Dunlap. Senior Doe Champion was won by McKinlee White and Junior Doe Champion went to Ross Dunlap. Junior Poultry Showmanship winner was Brystalin Ryberg. Junior Rabbit Showmanship award went to McKinlee White.

Judging at the Expo concluded late Friday afternoon with the Dairy and Beef Show, which started at 2:00. In the Dairy Division Kennedy Chapman exhibited the Champion Dairy Female, as well as the Reserve Champion. Bryce Mobray exhibited the Champion Angus Heifer, Ray Cunningham showed the Champion Hereford Heifer, while Brady Schafer had the Reserve Champion. Kaden Garrison showed the Champion Charolais Heifer, while Tiffany LuCerne exhibited the Reserve Champion. Bryce Mobray showed the Champion Crossbred Heifer. The Champion All Other Breeds Heifer was shown by Kallen Garrison. The Overall Champion Grand Heifer award went to Kaden Garrison’s Charolais Heifer and Bryce Mobray’s Angus Heifer won the Overall Reserve Grand Champion. John Cunningham exhibited the Champion Cow/Calf Pair with his Hereford cow and her heifer calf. During the Market Steer Show Class 1 winner was Kolten Stricklan’s 1075 pound steer, Class 2 was won by John Cunningham with a 1145 pound steer and Class 3 was won by Ray Cunningham with a 1195 pound calf. Class 4 win went to Tyffany LuCerne’s 1310 pounder, Class 5 was won by Byce Mobray’s 1380 pound calf, and Class 6 was won by Colson Seay with a 1495 pound steer. Tyffany LuCerne’s steer won the Champion trophy and Byce Mobray’s took home the Reserve Champion award. Pee-wee Bucket Calves were exhibited by Paige Cunningham, Henley Headrick and Ella Yates. Senior Showmanship honors for exhibitors 16 to 19 years of age went to Kaden Garrison, while Tyffany LuCerne won the 13 to 15 year old Intermediate Division and Kallen Garrison took home the trophy in 12 and under Junior Division.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5620, 5625 and 5650 while ditch work and grading would be done on county road 4080. Purcell stated after a flat tire on brush cutter #8 is repaired, brush will be cut on county road 4080. He went to say a man would be going to Springfield to get a load of oil for chip and seal repair, especially on county road 6580. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said weather permitting a crew would be adding materials and grading on Dent County Road 2590. He said brush would be cut on county roads 4340 and 6150 while a tree was going to be removed from county road 2380. Larson also stated a grader blade on Grader #32 was being changed out and he received from the Missouri Department of Conservation their CART program agreement that reimburses the county for them to put down white rock and grade roads that service the conservation area. He will sign that and get it back to them for another year. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that he attended a County Commission Association meeting last week and they have decided to not hold their annual training in Columbia next February. The meeting will be held virtually and it will still be required that all commissioners view the virtual sessions. The commissioners will have to sign an affidavit to that effect. Skiles also said the Missouri Association of Counties conference for this fall is up in the air. They will be meeting next month to determine the status of that meeting. All the commissioners wanted to congratulate the buyers, sellers, parents, the Junior Livestock Committee and all the volunteers for the great work at this year’s 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction at The Commons that set another new record for sales with over $245,000. Skiles also wanted to thank Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe for attending the auction. The commissioners also received a letter that the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s annual salary will increase to $145,334 for the next fiscal year. The commission also received four requests for CARES Act reimbursements with three coming from the Dent County Health Center totaling about $33,000 and another from the Dent County Sheltered Workshop for about $1,800. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the last day to request a mail out ballot or absentee ballot by mail is 5:00 Wednesday. People can vote absentee in person through August 3rd. She also said she has sample ballots available in her office and a sample ballot will also published in the Salem News. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday, July 27th at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The 2020 4-H and FFA Expo kicked off early Friday morning at 7:00 with the hog show with seven classes of market hogs. Class 1 winner was Isaac Westerman with a 232 pound barrow, class 2 winner was Kiara Kuhn with a 240 pound hog and class 3 was won by Jaxon Raulston’s 246 pound hog. Class 4 was won by Landon Cook with a 255 pound hog, Class 5 winner was Blake Edwards 275 pound hog, Class 6 winner was Lola Roderman with a 300 pound hog and Class 7 was won by Isabel Thomas’ a 318 pound hog. Judge Chris Hudson from Middletown, Missouri selected Isaac Westerman’s hog as Grand Champion and Lola Roderman’s as Reserve Champion. A lightweight class of market hogs was won by Bryce Martin with a 190 pound pig. Breeding class gilt winners were Katarina Morris, Corbett Ball, Bryce Martin, Kennedy Major and Jaxon Roderman. Corbett Balls gilt was Duroc Champion and Kiara Kuhn’s gilt was Yorkshire Champion. Champion Crossbred Gilt was won by Kennedy Major and Wyatt Martin took the Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt, while Olivia Wisdom exhibited the Champion All Other Breeds Gilt. In the championship drive Kiara Kuhn’s gilt was named Champion Commercial Gilt, while Kennedy Major’s gilt won the Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt. Judge Hudson selected Caden Manthey as Senior Showmanship Champion, Isaac Westerman as Intermediate Showman and Bryce Martin was tapped as the Junior Showmanship winner.

A drowning occurred Sunday afternoon around 3:00 on the Meramec River in Crawford County about 1.25 miles downstream of the Onondaga Boat Ramp. According to the Missouri Water patrol, 24-year old Alexander Terrell of Jefferson City entered the water to assist another person who was struggling and became submerged. Terrell was transported to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the North Crawford County Ambulance but was pronounced dead just after 5:00 in the afternoon by Dr. McCarthy at the hospital. This is the third drowning in Troop I this year.

The morning portion of the 2020 Expo livestock judging concluded with the Goat and Sheep Show. During the Goat Show Judge Hudson Selected Brady Shafer’s goat as the Class 3 winner and Champion Goat, plus Abbi Terrill’s goat was the Class 2 winner and Reserve Champion Goat. Charlee Duncan exhibited the Champion Breeding Doe. In the Sheep Show Hudson selected Stetson Mobray’s 90 pound lamb as Class 1 winner, Preslie Strader’s 122 pounder as Class 2 winner and tapped Kennedy Major’s 157 pound lamb as winner of Class 3. Strader’s market lamb was awarded the Champion Market Lamb, while Emma Fleener’s second place lamb in Class 2 was picked as the Reserve Champion Lamb. Cody Lundy exhibited a 63 pound lightweight lamb. Strader also exhibited the Champion Crossbred Ewe, while Tyffany Lucerne showed the Reserve Champion Crossbred Ewe. Champion Suffolk Ram was won by Kaenan Knaack. Sheep Showmanship went to Intermediate Tiffany Lucerne and Junior Preslie Strader. The Goat Showmanship Intermediate division was won by Lori Terrill and the Junior division winner was Brady Schafer.

The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at the Commons. A total of 90 animals as well as two cured hams plus four ribbons were auctioned off. This year there were one pens of rabbits, two pens of chickens, four market goats, 11 market lambs, 43 market hogs and 29 market steers. This year there were 24 premiums added to animals purchased. The auction set a new record with a total of $245,076.00. The top buyers at the auction this year were the Bank of Salem as they purchased nine animals comprised of one goat, one lamb, three hogs and four steers; Phil-Mart who purchased six animals made up of a lamb, three hogs and two steers; and Moser Pharmacy who purchased two lambs and two hogs. Buyers who purchased three animals at the auction were Victor Heating and Cooling, LLC who purchased two hogs and one steer; Willie Strader with Farm Bureau Insurance who purchased one hog and two steers; Vandivort Drug who purchased three goats, Steelman Abstract as they purchased two hogs and one steer, Roberts-Judson Lumber Company who purchased one lamb, one hog and one steer; and Quality Machine and Fabrication who bought two hogs and one steer. Numerous buyers this year purchased more than one animal or ribbon to help with the cause. There were 58 different buyers this year at the auction. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thanks everyone who attended the auction this year.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon shortly after 12:30 in Phelps County on Highway 68. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2005 Ford F-350 being driven by 72-year old Velmer Hancock of St. James was traveling east when he ran off the left side of the highway and struck several trees. Hancock was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries. He was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The Ford was totaled and towed from the scene by Spurgeons Towing.

An accident happened early Saturday morning shortly after 1:15 in Crawford County on Highway 8 seven miles east of Steelville. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2019 Ford pickup being driven by 55-year old Jack McGuire of St. Louis was traveling eastbound when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck several trees. McGuire suffered minor injuries and was transported by a patrol vehicle to Washington Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

A three vehicle accident happened Thursday night just before 10:00 in Franklin County on Highway 30. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1995 Toyota Avalon being driven by 21-year old Dustin Whisenhunt of Lonedell was traveling west and failed to notice a motorcycle had slowed in front of him. Whisenhunt swerved into the eastbound lane to avoid striking the motorcycle and struck the front of a 2003 Toyota MR2 Spider being driven by 23-year old Zachary Chaudoir of Rolla. Whisenhunt then traveled off the left side of the highway and struck a parked 2013 Jeep Cherokee owned by Ashley George of St. Clair. Chaudoir suffered moderate injuries and was taken by St. Clair ambulance to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. Both Toyotas were totaled and towed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing. The parked Jeep had minor damage and was left parked at the scene.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting was held Thursday evening. The new Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed introduced herself to the media and all board members. She talked that all the administration has been working on is COVID-19 and a re-entry plan. She said the governor has allowed each district to set their own requirements based on the local region. To achieve that, she said that a parent and staff survey has been created and they would like to get as many responses from parents so that administration can prepare the guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year. Those surveys are available in hard copy at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices at the corner of Dilworth Lane and Route J. You can also find the survey at the Salem R-80 website: www.salemr80.org. The board encourages all parents to complete the survey as soon as possible so the data can be accumulated. The school’s “back to school” plan will give the parents the option to send their child to school or be educated with a virtual option. Children who participate in after school activities such as sports, choir or band MUST attend school. Also, if a child starts the year going to class and decides to go virtual, that is acceptable; but a child cannot start the semester virtual and decide to come to school as class sizes will be set. There will be numerous classroom changes with lunch and hall direction. Reed also said the open houses this year would only be for new students to the school, such as 9th graders to the high school, or new students to the district. Reed said bus drivers will be wearing face covers and there may be an extra run to keep distancing on the busses. Also, all athletes who are playing sports must wear a mask when they are on the bench and not currently in the game. During the game, they can remove the masks. Reed said the school will have to have their “back to school” plan by early August to submit to DESE and have a virtual plan for students soon after. Reed said the Middle School received some new air conditioners. She said she had some concerns with the contract for the School Resource Officer where the school is paying 80% of the salary of the officer for working 180 days. She also said there was an increase in the cost over last year. She wanted to get with Chief Joe Chase and Salem City Administrator Ray Walden to discuss the matter. The board approved the bid for milk from Hiland Dairy, the bread bid from Country Mart, the food and supply bid from US Foods, the pest control bid from Integrity Pest Solutions, while the board tabled a decision on the gasoline and diesel bid. The board set the tax rate hearing for August 20th at 5:55 PM to be followed by the regular August Board meeting. The board didn’t make a decision on the MSBA training date as several dates were discussed. The board then went into closed session where they employed Calvin Malone as the Middle School Boys Basketball Coach, and Rich Beckett as the Middle School Football Coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

A two vehicle fatality accident happened late Wednesday afternoon just after 5:00 in Osage County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Highway 50. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Nissan Sentra being driven northbound by 17-year old Caden Haslag of Loose Creek, Missouri, when he crossed over the centerline and struck head on a 2019 Kia Optima being driven southbound by 22-year old Hannah McDowell of Rolla. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by Osage County Coroner Lois Jaegers at 6:00 that evening. Both Haslag and McDowell were taken to the Morton’s Family Chapel in Linn. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by 4 J’s Towing out of Linn, Missouri.

A man from Licking was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning just before 10:00 in Laclede County on Highway 32 about a mile west of Lynchburg. According to the report from the highway patrol, 64-year old Billy Carter of Licking was traveling east on Highway 32 in a 2004 Peterbilt when he swerved to avoid an unknown westbound vehicle in eastbound lane. The Peterbilt left the right side of the road and struck a fence. Carter, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for the treatment of serious injuries. The Peterbilt was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

An accident happened Wednesday morning around 9:20 in Boone County on Route WW at the North Fork Creek. According to the highway patrol, a 2001 Toyota Camry being driven by 31-year old Matthew Akins of St. James crossed over the center line and struck head on a 2004 Toyota Rav4 driven by 19-year Drew Smith of Liberty. Both drivers were taken to University Hospital in Columbia for the treatment of moderate injuries. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Slate Towing in Columbia. Akins was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Smith was wearing hers.

With hunting seasons coming up for deer, turkey, migratory birds, waterfowl, and other game, the Missouri Department of Conservation encourages Missouri hunters who need hunter education to get it early. Those hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter-education certification, unless exempt. Exemptions include hunters age 15 years or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years of age or older who is certified in hunter education or exempt; hunters born before January 1st, 1967; hunters with a disability exemption from MDC; hunters age 16 years of age or older who have purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 years or older; hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own or hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter-education course in another state.
This year, the Missouri Department of Conservation will offer two hunter-education options: a Blended Format and an All-Online Format. The Blended Format has two parts. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants. Participants must complete and pass both portions to earn certification. The All-Online
Format may be completed by Missouri residents 16 years of age and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider. The All Online option requires the passing of a final exam but has no skills portion. To help keep participants, instructors, and others safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the department of conservation will limit in-person class sizes to small numbers of participants. Class availability will also be limited due to smaller class sizes and limited availability of venues. Social distancing will be required. Masks will not be provided. The Missouri Department of Conservation will abide by applicable local health requirements and strongly encourages participants to bring and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available to participants. Learn more about hunter education and certification requirements at mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo is going on now at The Commons. This year’s expo will be much different than in year’s past due to the COVID-19 virus as a number of the family events and activities have been cancelled or highly modified. Today, all the livestock must be in place on the grounds by 11:00 this morning with weigh-ins beginning around noon. Friday will feature a full day of shows starring at 7:00 in the morning with the Hog Show followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. After lunch, the Small Animal Show will begin at 1:00 followed by the Beef and Dairy Show at 2:00. This year the 4-H and FFA Market Sale will be held at 9:00 Saturday morning. The sale on Saturday will be broadcast live on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. There is no charge to attend the expo. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to observe social distancing. Please cover any coughs or sneezes, and wash or disinfect your hands frequently. Hand sanitizing stations will be located around the barns. If you are feeling ill before coming to the expo, please stay home. Wearing a mask is optional at the expo, but should be seriously considered with a fairly large crowd expected.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:00 in Phelps County on eastbound Interstate 44 near the 197 mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma being driven by 60-year old Ronald Weland of Steelville, traveled off the right side of the highway before returning to the interstate and traveling off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck the cable barrier in the median before coming to a rest in the eastbound lane. Weland was transported by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of serious injuries. The report went on to say that Weland was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of accident. The Toyota was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting tonight at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 District Administrative board room. At the meeting, the board will then hear the Superintendent’s report from the Dr. Reed covering the COVID re-entry, R-80 facilities update and the SRO Contract. In new business the board will consider bids for milk, bread, food and supply, fuel, and pest control. The board will set the tax rate hearing and regular August Board meeting. The Board will set the MSBA training dates for August 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. The board will then adjourn and move into executive session. The regular meeting of the R-80 board is open to the public

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Tuesday, June 30th, deputies traveled to a residence in the 200 block of Route H for the report of a domestic dispute. During the course of the incident, a 40-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 8th Street and North Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. on Wednesday, July 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of Highway 68. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, July 2nd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of Dent County Road 4180. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a prior drug offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. That same day, deputies traveled to a residence in the 200 block of Route H for the report of a domestic dispute. During the course of the incident, a 37-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through the Texas County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in partnership with the Ozark Riverways Foundation and Current River State Park, are offering free paddling clinics each Sunday lasting through August 9th at the Current River State Park. These free clinics are open to ten participants per program and pre-registration is required. Participants will need to provide their own personal flotation device & lunch. Paddlers will meet at Current River State Park at 10:00 in the morning for one hour of dry land basic skills, followed by instruction and paddling practice on the lower lake. Students will have the option to continue instruction on the river in the afternoon, paddling approximately four miles from Current River State Park to Round Spring. Instructors for this clinic are certified by the American Canoe Association. Topics to be covered include canoe and kayak equipment, rescue techniques, basic paddle strokes and maneuvers, and river safety. Kayaks and paddles will be supplied by Current River State Park. All participants are encouraged to practice safe social distancing and to wear appropriate face coverings if desired. Kayaks and paddles will be sanitized before and after the clinic in an effort to promote good hygiene. This is an open-air event. For more information or to register for one of the sessions call the Round Spring Visitor Center at 573-323-8093.

At the Dent County Commissioners meeting Monday, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported June collections from real estate, personal property taxes and merchant’s licenses came in at $134,900.31. She also stated the Delinquent Tax Sale will be held on the courthouse steps on Monday, August 24th, the fourth Monday of the month as per state statute. The sale will begin at 10:00. In order for you to avoid having your property sold at the tax sale, you will need to pay all the taxes for the last three years (2017, 2018 and 2019) as well as interest and penalties plus advertising costs in the Salem News by August 21st, 2020. For more information, please contact the Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk at 573-729-3911.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today approximately $4 million in low-interest loans has been awarded to assist with energy-efficiency projects. The only recipient in our area was the City of Salem which received $115,548. Other recipients are the Delta R-V School District, Hannibal Public School District #60, Normandy Schools Collaborative, Schuyler County R-I School District, Scotland County Memorial Hospital and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. The funded projects are expected to support 48 jobs, benefit more than 32,310 Missourians, and result in annual energy savings of just about $499,990. The loans will be repaid with money that is saved on the energy costs as a result of implementing upgrades and improvements. The projects will reduce electricity use by more than 3.3 million kilowatt-hours and natural gas use by 11.889 million Btu. Carol Comer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said the Energy Loan Program awards support all the investments in cost-saving energy improvements. Under the program, low-interest loans are provided to public schools, public and private higher education institutions, public and private not-for-profit hospitals, and local governments to help reduce energy costs. Loan financing may be used for investments such as insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power, pumps, motors, aerators, renewable energy systems, and other measures that reduce energy use and cost. To learn more about the Energy Loan Program contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Energy at 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.

Captain Eddie A. Blaylock, the commanding officer of Troop I, announced that effective this past Monday, July 13th until September 28th, drivers license testing will not be held in Cuba, Steelville, St. Robert, Salem and Vienna. Those who want to take the written and driving tests in the area will have to go to the Troop I Headquarters located at 1301 Nagogami Road in Rolla on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. Written tests will end at 4:45 each afternoon and the road tests will end at 4:30 each day. CDL testing in Rolla will only be held on Thursday and by appointment only. The testing location will be closed from noon until 12:30 for lunch. Due to limited capacities at these locations and to avoid extended wait times, applicants are encouraged to call prior to testing. The number is (573) 368-2345. Applicants must clean and sanitize their vehicle before the skills test is administered and wear a face mask or some sort of face covering. Please limit the amount of people attending the examination to one person other than the applicant. Face coverings will be removed briefly when the applicant’s photo is taken during the licensing process. All times and other testing locations can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

Since 1990, 943 children have died as a result of heat strokes in hot cars. Multiple babies have died throughout the US this summer from being forgotten in a hot car and Forgotten Baby Syndrome (FBS). Further, hot cars are the primary non-crash vehicle-related cause of death in children under 14. Forgotten baby syndrome refers to parents who accidentally leave a baby or young child in a locked car—often with tragic results. Forgotten baby syndrome occurs when parents are focusing on future tasks instead of the moment. This can be an extremely dangerous mental state for a quiet or sleeping baby. It is the medical explanation that describes how a parent can walk away from the car without thinking about their child in the backseat. While 54 percent of hot car deaths occur when loving parents leave children in the car, there are other ways a child can die in a vehicle. In 28 percent of cases, the child gained access to a vehicle without a parent’s knowledge. The best way to avoid a child gaining access to a vehicle is to keep your car keys out of reach.

An accident happened in Reynolds County Monday evening at 6:30 on Highway 72 at Route A. According to the highway patrol, an unknown UTV driven eastbound by an unknown driver, overturned and ejected 44-year old William Piatt of Salem. Piatt suffered moderate injuries and taken to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by Air Evac helicopter. The unknown driver then drove the UTV from the scene.