Local News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salem Mayor Brad Nash announced Wednesday his appointment of John J. (Joe) Chase as the next Chief of Police for the City of Salem. The city received five applications for the poition with two selected as finalists for interviews by a panel comprised of local law enforcement from outside the city along with city officials. Mayor Nash said a timely decision was necessary given the announced retirement by current Salem Police Chief, Keith Steelman on February 14th. Mayor Nash’s appointment was approved by the Board of Aldermen during Monday night’s closed session. Mayor Nash appreciates the service and leadership that retiring Chief of Police Keith Steelman has provided over the years. Chief of Police Appointee Chase has been with the Salem Police Department since 1997 and since 2011 at the rank of Sergeant. He has over twenty-two years of law enforcement experience and has worked with the F.B.I., D.E.A., U.S. Marshal’s Service, and various other state and local law enforcement agencies. His certifications include Firearms Instructor, K-9 Handler, Field Training Officer, and Academy Instructor. Chase grew up in the Salem area with his parents Virginia and Lyal Chase. A devoted family man, Chief of Police Appointee Chase lives in Salem with his children and fiancé Charity. Chase will commence his duties as the next Salem Chief of Police on February 15th, 2020.

The Dent County Coroner’s office has released two reports on recent death investigations in Dent County. On Saturday morning, January 4th, the coroner’s office was contacted to assist with a death investigation. During the course of the investigation, one person was found dead inside a residence on Route C in the Lenox area. Upon investigation, the person found was identified as 55-year old Archie Allan Stacy Jr. of Salem. At this time, the cause of death is still pending the toxicology report. This death is still under investigation by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dent County Coroner’s Office. Then on Tuesday, January 7th, the coroner’s office was contacted to assist with another death investigation. During the course of the investigation, two people were found dead inside an RV at the Dent County Commons. The autopsies are scheduled for Thursday, January 9th at the Boone County Medical Examiners Office in Columbia. At this time, these deaths are currently under investigation by the Dent County Sheriffs Office, and the Dent County Coroners Office.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting. After the roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda as well as minutes from the December meeting being reviewed and approved as presented. The financial report was then reviewed with bills being reviewed and approved as well as the 2019 final budget and 2020 budget being reviewed. During the monthly reimbursement report the board made note of 16 calls for the month. In new business the board discussed card readers to access the building. This would increase security and allow for quicker access than the current code system. The board will gather more information before making a final decision. Board president Craig Smith reported to the board that the building renovation could be complete as soon as one month if the weather continues to hold. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, February 4th at 6:00 at the firehouse. The meeting is open to the public.

A section of Highway 32 in Salem between Highway 72 and Craig Industrial Drive will be named the “Gerald T. Lizotte Jr. Memorial Highway” at a ceremony scheduled for 11:00 this Saturday morning at the Dent County Commons located at 162 County Road 2300 in Salem. Lizotte, who was a 10-year MoDOT veteran, was killed on the job in August of 2001. Highway 32 was one of the last roadways he worked on as a construction technician. Lizotte’s family worked with Senator Justin Brown to introduce a bill for a Memorial Highway Designation which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Mike Parson during the 2019 legislative session. Lizotte’s daughter, Nicole, and Dennis Brady, who worked with Lizotte at MoDOT, will be speaking at the ceremony.

On Monday, January 6th, the Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley reported that for the year of 2019 the amount of $125,895.80 was collected in connection with fines from state criminal prosecutions. This sum has been turned over to the Dent County Treasurer and benefits the local school system. Prosecutor Curley indicated his office will continue to engage in efforts to assist the education of our youth.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board heard from City Administrator Ray Walden. He thanked everyone that organized and participated in the holiday events this year. For the month of December the Salem Community Center @ the Armory reported a total of 3,867 participants. With the recent utility bill cycle changes Walden invited citizens to call the utility office at 729-4117 if they have any questions. He reported that Salem has been selected to participate in an MS&T Project Management class and projects for the students to work on are being identified. Walden announced that a Workforce Development grant has been approved and a building will be constructed at the Salem R-80 School to house the construction trade and cyber security classes. The city office will be closed on Monday, January 20th for the Martin Luther King holiday and the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21st. The board approved a trailer park license for the Park Street Trailer Park located at 101 S. Park Street. Bill No. 3436, an ordinance addressing the canceling of meetings due to emergencies or inclement weather was approved. Also approved was Resolution No. 1-2020 addressing the closing of city offices due to inclement weather and how staff time is accounted for. Economic Development Director, Sally Burbridge, explained the need to list property prices when listing acreage for sale on state websites. The board approved drafting a resolution and establishing a policy on the sale of acreage in the Master’s Industrial Park. Mayor Brad Nash recommended and the board approved appointing Wanda Henson to the Salem Housing Authority Board to fill the unexpired term of Madonna Mosely. Nash also requested and received approval to appoint Bob Jenkins and Leah Nash to the Park and Recreation Board. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel.

A two vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at around 3:20 in Dent County on Route C at the Texas County line. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country being driven by 70-year old Gary Cassier of Lenox was southbound and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when he was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford F-250 driven by 18-year old Wyatt Lundy of Licking. A passenger in the Chrysler, 46-year old Larry Krewson of Lenox, was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chrysler sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene while the Ford received minor damage and was driven from the scene. According to the report, all involved were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for December 29th and 30th. Sunday morning, the 29th, at approximately 8:27 an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of South Hickory in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown entered a residence by force and took two firearms. The firearms were identified as a Taurus 357 caliber pistol valued at $700.00 and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun valued at $250. The report is under investigation. That afternoon at about 4:20 an officer located a 56-year-old female of Salem in the 800 block of East Hunt who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new date to appear in court after posting bond. Later that evening at approximately 7:26, an officer located a 41-year-old male of Salem in the 100 block of North Henderson who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. Finally on Monday morning, December 30th at approximately 10:33, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to identity theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took out a loan for $3,138.35 in the name of another without consent. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Commissioner Dennis Purcell was not in attendance due to a previous commitment so Supervisor Rodney Atkinson was in attendance. According to Atkinson in District 1, materials were going to be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5600 and 6080 while grading only would be done on county road 5130. He also said brush would be cut on county road 6460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3050 and 3160, while grading only would be done on county roads 2520, 2530, 4370 and 5240. Larson went to report materials would be added to county road 3040 and brush would be cut on county road 2360. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commisioners would be working on the 2020 budget and no bills can be paid until it is approved. The budget hearing will be held on January 27th at 10:00 at the commissioners’ office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she and Treasurer Denita Williams balanced on all accounts for December. Dan Riley and Noel Johnson attended the meeting to address the condition of Dent County Road 6280 that has been in very bad shape for some time and is causing damage to vehicles and tires. Riley had brought letters in from residents who live on the road as ell as the postal service worker and bus driver who drive the road about its condition. Atkinson responded by saying the road was on the schedule to be worked on this week. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to give her monthly economic report for December before Dent County Sheriff’s Bob Wells and Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley presented a check to Treasurer Williams from the sale of unclaimed seized weapons done in accordance to State Statute 542.301. A total of 24 weapons were sold, some from as far back as the 1990’s. The check was for $2,057.20 and goes into the county’s General Revenue Fund. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident occurred Monday morning at 4:28 in Phelps County on Route Y three and a half miles northwest of Rolla. According to the highway patrol, a 2007 Chevrolet 2500 driven by 37-year-old Charles Bell of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Bell suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Air to University Hospital in Columbia. It was unknown whether he was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the call to order the Board is expected to approve the consent agenda and review the minutes of the December meeting, which will be followed by approval of bills and the financial report. The Board will also discuss the monthly reimbursement report. Old and new business will then be brought before the Board followed by a report from fire Chief Brad Nash. The Board will then set the date for the February meeting before adjourning. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting is open to the public.

On December 23rd of last year, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office completed another round of firearm sales seized in connection with criminal activity in Dent County. Today, Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells will be presenting another check in the amount of $2,057.20 to the Dent County Treasurer and Dent County Commissioners at their meeting. These funds benefit the county general revenue fund for the local school district. In response to this contribution, Salem R-80 Superintendent John McCulloch stated that each year the Salem R-80 School District receives about $80,000 in revenue from the county in the form of fines and escheats. He said this revenue goes directly into a special fund for teacher salaries. McColloch said the district appreciate the efforts of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney with the collection of this revenue. Sheriff Wells and Prosecutor Curley anticipate future seizures and sales of illegally possessed firearms in the future to further punish criminal activity and to hopefully deter future crime. The majority of the firearms seized were in connection with the illegal possession and distribution of controlled substances.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden. He will update the board on city projects underway, discuss a council meeting cancellation policy due to inclement weather and also discuss an office closure policy for inclement weather. In unfinished business, the board will discuss approving the trailer court license of the Park Street Trailer Park. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3436 that deals with the cancellation of meetings due to bad weather will be read. Then Resolution #1-2020 will be read that deals with the closing of the office due to inclement weather as that is addressed by the Employee Handbook which was adopted with a resolution. In new business, the board will discuss a policy on establishing a policy on the sale of acreage in the Master’s Industrial Park. The board will also hear a recommendation from Mayor Brad Nash to fill a vacancy on the Salem Housing Authority Board. They will also hear a recommendation by Mayor Nash to fill vacancies on the Park and Recreation Board before going into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel. Following closed session, the mayor will nominate a candidate for a new Chief of Police to replace the retiring Chief Keith Steelman that will be voted on by the aldermen. The new chief, if elected, would take the oath of office administered by the city clerk on or before February 14th. The meeting will then be adjourned.

Now is a good time for Missourians to consider buying flood insurance. Many Missourians are still working to recover from the widespread flooding of 2019. In some areas of the state, dealing with flooding and its aftermath has been a constant since March. More than 1,750 claims have been filed by flood insurance policyholders in Missouri alone. FEMA, the National Weather Service, and other agencies are concerned that flooding may be a problem again next spring. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a great way to protect your home from flooding. Statewide, the NFIP has paid more than $68.7 million in flood insurance claims to Missouri policyholders for damage that began in March 2019. Here are some key facts about flood insurance. Most home, business and rental insurance policies do not cover flood damage. It takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to take effect after you buy it and almost 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from areas not considered at high risk for flooding. The average annual cost of an NFIP policy for homeowners is about $700 and renters can also buy flood insurance for their personal property. Do you know that as little as one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to a home. In 2019, in eight counties not declared for the flooding disasters, FEMA’s flood insurance program paid $4.1 million in claims due to flooding. Since the year 2000, NFIP has paid nearly half a billion dollars ($490,728,817) on claims submitted by flood insurance policy holders in Missouri. Despite these significant payments, the number of NFIP policies in Missouri has dropped 1.4 percent, from 20,327 to 20,041, since March 2018. FEMA disaster assistance home repair grants are limited to primary residences and only to make them safe, sanitary and functional, but FEMA’s flood insurance policies are much more expansive. For example: A single-family home can be insured up to a maximum of $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. Renters can cover contents up to $100,000. Non-residential property owners can insure their building up to $500,000 and contents up to an additional $500,000. And, perhaps most important, payments are based on flood damage to the residence, not contingent on a federal disaster declaration. To find an insurance agent who sells flood insurance or to learn more about NFIP, call 800-427-4661. Information also is available at www.FloodSmart.gov.