Local News

At approximately 10:15 Thursday morning, offender John Toy Long walked away from the grounds of South Central Correctional Center in Licking. Long, who is assigned to the minimum security unit, left his work assignment, which is located outside the secure perimeter of the facility. Local law enforcement and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are working with the Department of Corrections to apprehend Long. K-9 Units from Farmington Correctional Center and Ozark Correctional Center have been dispatched, and the Corrections Emergency Response Team has been activated. A helicopter is involved in the search. The 41-year-old Long is a white male who is 5 feet, five inches tall and 166 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Residents are asked to contact local law enforcement or the Missouri State Highway Patrol if they see him. Long is serving two concurrent six-year sentences for receiving stolen property and second-degree burglary. He was received into Department of Corrections custody from Texas County on June 2nd, 2017, and has a presumptive parole date scheduled for September 14th, 2019. He has previous convictions for second-degree assault, operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in injury, possession of a controlled substance, resisting/interfering with arrest, second-degree domestic assault and misdemeanor stealing.

The Dent Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported CART funds have been received from the state and came in this month at $56,355.12 and that is $1,348.05 more than January of 2017 when the county received $55,007.07. That increase is about 2.5%. Richard LaBrash was in to pick up the resolution from the commission supporting a state funeral for the last Medal of Honor winner from World War II when he passes. No enlisted man has ever received a state funeral. LaBrash also said the 6th Annual 16th District Veterans Affairs Day will be held April 27th at the American Legion/VFW Hall on Highway 32 West from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. This allows veterans with any question about their benefits to be answered by VA staff in Salem instead of the veterans having to travel to get answers to their questions. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6240 while just grading would be done on county roads 2400 and 6380. He also indicated two men would be hauling brown rock to the shop. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2120, 3250 and 4290. He said another crewwould be patching damages to Dent County Road 3240 that was recently chip and sealed. He said the crews want to get the work done before we have any precipitation that can get under the surface and break up more of it. Larson went on to say two trucks would be hauling brown rock to the shed and another man would be screening the brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the “MRPC Day at the Capitol” Tuesday where he and other members of the MRPC met with Representatives Jeff Pogue, Robert Ross, Steve Lynch and Keith Frederick as well as Senators Mike Kehoe, Dan Brown, Mike Cunningham and Dave Shatz. Skiles said he was told discussions on prevailing wage would be continuing and that could help with the Dent County Jail project. Skiles also attended a Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee meeting Thursday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the budget hearing will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in the Commissioners office at the Dent County Courthouse. Remember, the preliminary 2018 county budget is available at the Dent County Clerks office and they are free. Kurt Hagge from Shive-Hattery was in attendance to provide the commissioners with some preliminary drawings of the new jail and if there are enough funds, the new sheriff’s office and new court room. The commissioners had some questions including a larger waiting room outside the proposed court room that could be used as a waiting room with seating for jury duty as well as no direct entrance to the proposed sheriff’s office from the back. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse followed by the budget hearing at 10:00, and both are open to the public.

An accident happened Thursday morning at 8:00 in Phelps County on I-44 at the 186 mile marker eastbound on the ramp. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Nissan Altima, driven by 77-year old Imogene Griffith of St. James, was slowing on the ramp and a 2005 Ford Ranger, driven by 59-year old Michael Willis of Rolla, failed to observe the slowing car and collided with the Nissan. Griffith suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Dr. Schultz offices in St. James. Griffith and Willis were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Nissan had minor damage, while the Ford had no damage, and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley announced Phelps County resident Christa Mueller has been sentenced to 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for her role in severely abusing her 17-month child in April of 2006. Mueller was convicted by a Phelps County jury in September 2017. Mueller and boyfriend, Calvin Alford, were both charged with Assault in the First Degree after her 17-month-old child was treated for bleeding on her brain, contusions to her brain, a skull fracture, three fractures to her right arm, two collapsed lungs, and multiple bruises and abrasions to her face, arms, legs, and back, all consistent with severe child abuse. The evidence was clear that sometime between 10:00 at night on April 5th and 11:00 in the morning on April 6th, the baby was struck or struck against something multiple times over a period of time. After sustaining these devastating injuries, the Mueller and Mr. Alford failed to seek medical treatment for between 8 to 16 hours, calling 9-1-1 only at the insistence of a neighbor. As a result of these injuries and the failure to seek medical treatment, the child is blind, unable to walk or sit up, unable to speak or understand language,requires feeding through a tube, and has seizures multiple times a day. The case was investigated by the St. James Police Department with assistance from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Police Department. The case was tried by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Szczucinski with assistance from investigators Haley Porter, Susan Clevenger and Victim Advocate Carrie Boessen. Calvin Alford’s trial is set for trial the week of March 26th later this year.

An accident happened Tuesday morning at 7:42 in Phelps County on I-44 at the 194 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, both vehicles were westbound with a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by 24-year old Jaclyn Thompson of St. James, in the right lane and the 2017 Peterbilt Tractor, driven by 60-year old William Casper, Jr. of Carterville, Illinois, in the left lane. The Cobalt skidded into the path of the Peterbilt and the vehicles collided. After impact both vehicles traveled off the south side of the roadway into the median. The report stated that Thompson suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps County Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The Chevrolet was totaled, while the Peterbilt sustained moderate damage. Both Thompson and Casper were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Friday, January 12th, deputies responded to a residence in the 17000 block of Route C in reference to a theft. It was discovered that a metal gate to the property had been damaged and ATV ramps, rolls of wire, and gas had been stolen. This report is still under investigation. On Sunday, January 14th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the McDonald’s parking lot. As a result, the driver, a 27-year old Osceola man, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court, and released. On Friday, January 19th, Dent County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Route O just north of Route OO. The passenger in the vehicle, a 32-year old Rolla woman, was discovered to have a Maries County warrant. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. On Friday, January 19th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on East Acuff Street in Salem. The driver, a 52-year old Salem man, was arrested after deputies found a socket with marijuana residue on him and a glass pipe with a residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine in his vehicle. He was taken to the Dent County Jail. On Sunday, January 21st, deputies responded to a residence in the 2000 block of County Road 4160 in reference to a stolen ATV. The ATV is described as a yellow 2008 90 Can-Am. This report is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Alderman Haydn Powell has called a meeting of the City of Salem Airport Board for today at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. After approval of the minutes of the last meeting there will be an update on projects currently approved through FAA Grant Program that is administered through MoDOT. There will be an update on Air-Evac hangar status, as well as cold weather issues. Board President Harold Tubbs has requested consideration of the following project ideas; development of a formal policy on hangar assignment, fuel types, power gate openers, courtesy car and signage. The Thursday meeting of the City of Salem Airport Board is open to the public.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported on the City Basketball League and said there were 126 participants which is 33 more than last year’s total of 93. There were six K-2nd grade teams, four 3rd-4th grade teams and two 5th-6th grade teams. The league ended this past Saturday. Lydon showed the board updated pictures of the excavation work at the city pool, and Westport Pools is forming up the zero depth entry as well as the main drain. The pool walls have been cut down for the new guttering and the new supervisor estimated the work on the pool will be completed by the first week of May. Lydon said he will advertise for pool employees in February and the Parks and Recreation Department will offer Lifeguard Certification for $125 beginning May 21st through the 25th. Lydon discussed the new Healthy Dent County Concessions Policy that will provide a minimum of 60% healthy choices to the public with lower prices than the non-healthy options where possible. By adopting this policy, the board will be working with Healthy Dent County as they have set aside $10,000 for healthy foods equipment. The Park Board approved recommending this policy be adopted and taken to the aldermen for their approval. Lydon said the spring soccer signups will start February 1st and run through February 23rd and the cost per player is $25. A late registration period will be held from February 24th through March 2nd for $35 per participant. The league will start on April 7th and last until April 28th at the Al Brown multipurpose field. Lydon also suggested with all the improvements made at the city park, a Summer Kick Off event should be held featuring food trucks, bands, free admission to the pool and a movie in the evening at the pool. The event will be free (with the exception of individual food purchases from the food vendors) and would be open to everyone. Lydon also discussed with the board the return of Summer Camps to the park that would offer a variety of events and not just be a sports camp held Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until noon. Each participant would also get a healthy snack. This program is in the early preliminary stages. Lydon also reported on new pavilion signs for those who rent the pavilion that would indicate who has rented the pavilion and their responsibilities as well as an emergency number. They will be mounted to each pavilion that can be rented. Park Board President Stan Podorski reported that all the parks in the city system need to have their own sign and that preliminary work is being done on that. Podorski reported a meeting is being held this week on the pool house improvements to determine what can be done with the budget set aside for the pool house. Once a decision is made, another park board meeting may need to be held to approve the proposed work so that a recommendation can be made at the next Board of Aldermen meeting in February. Podorski also said a meeting was held to discuss and update everyone on the TAP grant. It is moving forward and a slight change was made to run a sidewalk along the west end of the city park between the outfield fence and the Community Center driveway instead of adjacent to the driveway. Podorski reported to the board the Salem Community Center@The Armory did receive their NAP credits and that at a previous board meeting, the board did approve to allocate $50,000 to the project broken out over two fiscal years. Tye Lydon discussed placing a “Freedom Rock” near the entrance to the park with a wall with those who served from Dent County on the wall. This is another project in its preliminary stages and he will update the board more at a later date. Podorski discussed with the Park Board a new entrance sign to the Salem City Park that SACBA and the Garden Club would like to help with and design. He mentioned that he has not yet received their idea or design for the sign, but wanted to make the board aware of their desire to help. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center, formerly the Teachers Closet, at 6:30.Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279 or e-mail saac@embarqmail.com.

The annual meeting of the Salem Area Community Betterment Association will be held Monday, February 12th at 5:00 PM at the Visitors Center Meeting Room at 200 S. Main Street. All members and interested citizens may attend.
Sports

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road and bridge report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated three dump trucks would be hauling brown rock. They will also be servicing dump truck #125 and grader #24 as they did not get to them last week. Purcell also stressed that a crew would be out checking for downed trees or limbs on roads from the storms Sunday night into Monday morning. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said there would also be a crew out checking roads for downed trees or limbs in his district, and he would also have a dump truck hauling brown rock. Larson said a man would be screening brown rock at the shed and another crew would be working on crossover pipes on Dent County Road 2560. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners gave the Rotary Club an update on the jail project and other county business Monday. Skiles said the jail project is moving forward but the process was slowed by the county having to get title to Water Street from the city. Skiles said it appears at this time the county would be letting out construction bids in May or June. Skiles went on to say that today is the MRPC Legislative Day at the Capital. He says they will try to meet with all the legislators for lunch or drop by their offices to discuss their priorities. Skiles also wanted to remind the public that the 2018 Proposed Dent County Budget is available at the County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. Later that morning, the commission met with Matt Herring and Joe Britt for the University of Missouri Extension. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

An accident happened in Dent County on Highway 19 about four miles north of Salem Monday morning close to 8:15. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Mazda MPV driven southbound by 92-year old Warren Oliver of Salem ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a private drive causing the Mazda to overturn and strike a utility pole. Warren suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District by the Salem EMS. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The Mazda MPV was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Fire Department and Salem EMS.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Wednesday evening, January 10th at approximately 9:10, an officer was sent to a storage unit facility in the 1300 block of Scenic Rivers Boulevard in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke into a unit and took items valued at $991.00. The report is under investigation. On Thursday, January 11th at approximately 3:27 in the afternoon, an officer made contact with a 42-year old female of Salem at the Salem Police Department who had an active arrest warrant from Franklin County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriffs Department where she was incarcerated pending extradition. On Friday, January 12th at approximately 3:27 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 64-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $65.53. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening, at about 8:31, an officer located a 23-year old male of Salem in the 800 block of East Fourth who had an active arrest warrant from Stone County, Missouri. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for helping to locate Cody Martin. He was found at a residence in Dent County and taken into custody without incident. Martin is currently in the Dent County Jail on burglary and stealing charges. His bond is a total of $125,000 cash only. Deputies will also be seeking charges for items on him testing positive for methamphetamine during his arrest.

This is an update to a story YWT had from last Wednesday. On January 16th at approximately 1:15 in the morning, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department investigated a shooting incident in the 10000 block of Phelps County Road 2080. The victim has been identified as 39-year old William Lee Dale of Rolla. He was shot in the upper torso by a resident of the home. The reporting party said Dale unlawfully entered the residence, and assaulted a male subject. They indicated they feared for their life, and used lethal force. Dale was pronounced dead on the scene by Phelps County Coroner, Andy Davis. Anyone having any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Boshoff at 426-3860.

The City of Salem’s Park & Recreation Board will hold a meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Salem Community Center @The Armory. After the roll call, the previous meeting minutes will be reviewed and the agenda will be approved. Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will report on various activities and issues. The Board will receive an update on the pool and also get a pool house repair update. Other subjects to be discussed include a TAP Grant update, park project priorities, and budget update. Other items also to be considered will include clarification of the Fund Raising Policy for Parks and Recreation, The Salem Community Center@The Armory NAP Grant Commitment, a “Freedom” Rock and SACBA/Garden Club City Park entrance sign. Under other business along with miscellaneous items will be discussed before the meeting will be adjourned. The meeting of the Salem Park & Recreation Board tonight is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening with two board members unable to attend. Superintendent John McColloch recognized the board members during School Board Recognition Week, and he also announced three people will run for two open board positions. Filing for the board seats were incumbents Carrie Snider and Chris Heavin, and Kevin James also filed. The election will be held April 3rd. At the meeting, Technology Coordinator Jim White gave a Chromebook and technology update. He said there are currently five students working in the Chrome Center and 47 repairs have been made. So far the program has worked very well. Superintendent McColloch reported the school through December has had an increase of $500,000 in revenues and $200,000 in expenditures over last year. He added the construction project at William Lynch came in $80,000 under budget. Currently the Fund 4 balance has $1,165,572.57 and that is fund used for capital improvements. Band Director David Schatz was acknowledged for being the Missouri Music Educators Association Outstanding Young Educator in 2017-2018. The board approved the resignation of Jared Patterson as the Assistant High School Track Coach before the board went into closed session. In closed session, the board hired Natalie Sellers as the new Assistant High School Track Coach and also extended the contract of Superintendent John McColloch through the 2020-2021 year. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, the Commissioners noted that road work is still at a standstill due to the frozen road beds. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that his crew was replacing a wheel bearing on Truck #73 and servicing Grader #24 if shop space permits. He also noted that his crew was doing some shop maintenance and checking for slick spots on various county roads. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that his crew was working on Truck #65 and doing shop maintenance, as well as checking for any remaining road problems. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said on Wednesday he attended the CCAM Board meeting in Jefferson City to finalize preparation for workshops for the February conference. He said they also received a legislative update, plus he had a chance to visit with Representative Jeff Pogue and Senator Dan Brown. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that on Tuesday, phone bids for fuel were taken by the Road and Bridge Department. MFA was the low bidder for gasoline at $2.01 per gallon, while Phil Mart got the diesel bid for $2.17 per gallon. She noted that the tentative budget is now available for public viewing. Richard LaBrash, State Chairman of the World War II Salute Initiative, was in to announce the start of the initiative petition. The goal of the initiative is to have President Trump sign an executive order to honor the 16 million Americans that served in World War II. LaBrash said that four recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor are still alive and if the President declares that they are to be honored, they would receive a “State Funeral.” He noted that ten Missourians received the Medal of Honor and that none survive today. The Commissioners passed a resolution 3-0 in support of the initiative. Jill Hollowell with the Ozark Solid Waste Management District was in to discuss recycling possibilities. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A citizens’ response to an “active shooter” event training will be held at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The training is open to citizens, law enforcement officers and anyone concerned with community safety. The training will be presented by Joe Weber of Weber and Associates and will cover “active shooter” situations and ways to enhance citizens’ chances of survival when confronted by an active shooter. As “active shooter” events become more frequent, the need for preparation has become more critical. While law enforcement is trained to address “active shooter” events, they rarely take place in the presence of law enforcement. The lack of law enforcement present to protect and assist if an event happens makes it important to provide citizens with tools to protect themselves until law enforcement arrives. This type of training is referred to as CRASE, which stands for Citizens’ Response to “Active Shooter” Events. This class is a “community caretaking” effort provided by local law enforcement to enhance the safety of citizens. There is no charge for the class since it is hosted by local law enforcement as a service to the community. For more information feel free to contact Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman at 729-4242, Sheriff Bob Wells at 729-3241, or Joe Weber at 729-4429.

The Salem Police Department has released some shoplifting reports from Wal-Mart. On Thursday, January 6th at 2:54, an officer was dispatched the store. That investigation led to the arrest of a 56-year old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from the State of Missouri Probation and Parole and for stealing merchandise valued at $84.69. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for the theft and incarcerated pending extradition on the warrant. On Saturday, January 6th at approximately 2:14 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to the store for a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 33-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $70.90. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday, January 7th at approximately 6:39 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to the store. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 30-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $108.28. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Tuesday, January 9th at approximately 12:14 in the morning, Salem Police received another call from Wal-Mart. The investigation of the shoplifting report led to the arrest of a 40-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $71.48. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas introduced the new Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland to the board. The summary of operations for the month of December showed the hospital had a gain from operations of $111,289 and an excess of revenues over expenses of $168,269. The cash flow statement showed a gain in cash of $59,786 for the month with days in accounts receivable at 61. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 74 acute care admissions and 797 emergency room visits. Also during the month, there were 212 ambulance runs with 148 patients being transported to the hospital, 23 surgery cases, 1,435 outpatient registrations, 251 home health visits, 7,284 lab tests and 965 radiological procedures. Hines went over the Quality Improvement Project that focused on six departments selecting areas where improvement is needed including Acute Care Swingbed, Medical Records, EMS, Human Resources, Family Medicine and Environmental Services. Hines presented the Influenza update that showed in December there were 50 reported cases of the flu and so far in January, that number is 85 with most of the flu cases being Influenza A. The total through January last year was 29 cases. Lucas said the Hospital Foundation Board would be meeting February 14th and the hospital auxiliary meeting in January was postponed due to bad weather. They will meet on February 6th at noon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The board reviewed the patient satisfaction survey results for the emergency department and for SMDH Family Medicine. The results were extremely good for the emergency department and excellent for SMDH Family Medicine. In the Chief of Staff report, Courtesy Staff privileges were approved for Blake Little, MD. The board then approved the medical staff reappointments for active staff physicians and courtesy staff physicians in all departments. The election filings ended Tuesday and Ray Bruno is unopposed and will be sworn in at the April meeting. Lucas reported the hospital did not receive the NAP grant they applied for. The board set the finance committee meeting dates for February 19th, March 13th and April 10th at noon and then approved the Conflict of Interest policy. Lucas reported on some changes in Home Health required by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The advisory board has been eliminated and Lucas will be the Home Health Administrator. In his absence, Ashley Sullins will act as administrator. The board approved one budgeted purchase at the meeting: two EKG machines, one to replace the current unit and the other as additional machine for $27,268 from GE. The board then went into closed session.

The deadline to file for the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors position, the Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees position, and the City of Salem offices including East Ward Alderman, West Ward Alderman and Mayor was Tuesday. For the SMDH hospital board position, incumbent Ray Bruno was the only one to file and will be sworn in during the Board of Directors meeting in April, while Dennis Floyd was the only filee for the Dent County Health Center board position. He will also be sworn in at the April Board of Trustees meeting. For the City of Salem Mayoral position, incumbent Brad Nash has re-filed and he will be opposed by Daniel Joe Peterek and former Salem Mayor J.J. Tune. East Ward Alderwoman Kim Shelton was unopposed and incumbent Molly Coffman Zettel filed as well as former Salem Alderman, Kenny Nash. The election will be held on April 3rd.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular board meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the Board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch who will recognize Board Members, provide an update on the board of education candidate filings, update the board on Chromebook and technology, plus provide a budget update. The principals from all the schools will give their reports before the board accepts resignations. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of December. During the month, they wrote 2 equipment repair orders, 10 summons to appear in court, 4 warning tickets, and 10 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated eight accidents, one burglary, one report of domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while being intoxicated and/or drugged, two reports of driving while revoked or suspended, and five fugitive warrants. The department also investigated one missing person, one other agency supplement, two reports of possession of a controlled substance, two possessions of drug paraphernalia, six reports of property damage, and twelve reports of stealing. The police department received 853 calls for service during the month and handled 94 walk-ins to the station. They spent 14 hours in court testifying. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 7,766 miles and arrested 13 males and 11 females during the month of December.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Todd Kinerk who wanted to let the board know the Timber Fun Days would be returning this year to the Commons on Labor Day Monday, September 3rd. Prior to the fun days will be a parade on the normal parade route starting at 11:00 that morning from Franklin Street, down McArthur and then to the courthouse square on 4th Street. Kinerk said the event this year will be a Salem Chamber of Commerce event. The board approved the closing of the streets for the parade on Labor Day. Beverly Atchison was on the agenda to discuss trash collection but was unable to attend the meeting due to the weather. She may request to be on the agenda for the next meeting. After the consent agenda was approved by the board, City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to remind citizens that if the conditions warrant, the city could declare Snow Routes are in effect. The Salem Police can also make that determination if needed. If you live on those routes and the Snow Routes are declared, you will need to remove your vehicle from those streets or risk having the vehicle towed at your own expense. If you do not know where the snow routes are, you can pick up a copy at the City Administrative Offices. Walden said the City of Salem Park and Recreation Board would be holding a meeting Monday, September 22nd at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center. He wanted to remind the aldermen the next board meeting would be February 5th at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory at 7:00. Walden talked about a use tax for the city on purchases that are made outside the state of Missouri that are brought back to Salem to be used. The city does not have a use tax in effect at this time and it would only be attributed to those items. It is NOT an additional sales tax on Salem residents; it is a tax only on items from out of state purchases and would be 1.875% which is the local sales tax rate. The board approved placing the issue on the April ballot. City Clerk, Mary Happel, read bill #3358 that included the ballot language; the bill was approved by the aldermen. Before the meeting was adjourned, the board also approved the bill for the city audit from Kristen DeLuca Tax Services for $10,000 which is a budgeted item.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On January 9th, deputies received a report of a burglary at a residence on Dent County Road 3180. The victim told deputies that a chainsaw was stolen from the garage. After an investigation, the chainsaw was located at Cousin’s Pawn in Salem. The next day, deputies located the 20-year old Salem man that had pawned the chainsaw, and he admitted to stealing it. He was charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree and is in the Dent County Jail on a $7,000 cash only warrant. On January 10th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Highway 32 West. As a result, the driver of the vehicle, a 31-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was fingerprinted, issued a citation, and released.

An accident happened in at the corner of Phelps County Roads 5030 and 5040 Saturday night at 10:28. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by 17-year old Josh Traxel of Rolla was stopped at the intersection when 18-year old Brandon Soto of Rolla jumped on to the hood and fell off the Ranger, striking the back of his head causing serious injuries. He was transported to the University Hospital in Columbia by the Phelps Air Ambulance. There was no damage to the Ranger.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, January 4th at approximately 2:12 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to the Salem High School in reference to students in possession of marijuana. The investigation of the report led to the detention of two female juvenile students who were in possession of marijuana. The juvenile suspects were released to their parents and the investigation will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Saturday, January 6th at 6:41 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Third in reference to minors consuming alcohol. That investigation led to the arrest of a 32-year old male of Salem for possession of marijuana and a 30-year old male of Salem for possession of a controlled substance. The 32-year old suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. The 30-year old suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Later on at 7:39 that same evening, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Forest Hill Drive in reference to a report of drugs being used. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 24-year old female and a 23-year old male, both of Salem, for possession of heroin. The two suspects were incarcerated pending the application for warrants. A few minutes later at approximately 7:44, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of East Hawkins in reference to a suicidal female attempting to kill herself. That investigation led to a 96-hour commitment order being issued for mental evaluation. The 24-year old female of Salem was transported to a mental health facility in West Plains on the order. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse a day after they held a special meeting Wednesday to work on the 2018 budget. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in attendance to present the sales tax dollars received by Dent County. She reported the General Revenue Fund sales taxes received came to $88,929.63 and that comes to $11,802.08 more than the county received last January when they took in $77,127.55. That increase is about 15 percent. However, the Road and Bridge Fund sales taxes receipts came in less than what was received in 2017. Williams said they received $35,803.73 while last year, Road and Bridge took in $36,584.70. She went on to report the two jail sales tax funds each brought in $62,844.93 and since November, each fund has brought in $131,396.01. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said there were reports of low hanging limbs that workers would be taking care of before the next storm. One of those limbs was on Dent County Road 6320 that struck a school bus. He also went on to report work crews were getting the equipment ready to plow or treat the roads with the adverse weather expected. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that workers would be filling a rather large pot hole on Dent County Road 6140 to hold it over until the road can be worked on. He wanted to remind everyone that because of the frozen road conditions, grading and patch grading of the county roads could actually make the driving surface worse than it already is. People will need to be patient until the conditions become more favorable for that type of work to be done. Larson went to report that workers would be working on county truck #65 and that workers would also be out checking roads for downed or low hanging limbs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Salem Area Community Betterment Association annual Trivia Night would be held on March 16th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. All three commissioners signed a Quit-Claim Deed for the Wishon Family property in Crawford County that was part of the Burlington Northern railroad easement that had been approved by the commission a couple months ago. The Dent County Courthouse will be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning and it will be open to the public.

Healthy Dent County (HDC) is proud to announce that it has been chosen to receive tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Donations received through NAP will benefit Healthy Dent County as they expand the Salem Community Center @ the Armory by adding a new gymnasium to the north end of the building and expanding the Fitness Center that will provide recreational and health benefits for all ages. Credits can equal 70 percent of the total amount contributed, providing a state tax savings for businesses and individuals who participate, while making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Dent County. The total amount of NAP tax credits approved for Healthy Dent County is $350,000 and they will conduct a capital campaign for the $500,000 needed to begin expansion of the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. Along with this $500,000 Healthy Dent County has also received an additional $250,000 grant from a national foundation. It is estimated the new expansion will cost in excess of $1 million so additional fundrasing will need to be obtained. Liz Gruendel, the Chairman of Healthy Dent County, along with Executive Director Sherry Lea, board members and numerous committee members are currently working to finalize plans, write additional grants and raising the funds needed for this project.
Through NAP, businesses and individuals with business income can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project please call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The GRO Salem economic development plan will be on full display tonight at the Salem High School Gym starting at about 5:30. They will have informational tables in the gym lobby on a variety of projects and people at the game will also hear a presentation on student internships at local businesses during halftime of the Salem Tiger varsity basketball game. Other information will also be available on downtown streetscape improvement plans, old city hall improvements, “I Heart Salem” and more! Come on out to the game and find out more about the exciting plans for the future of your community.