Local News

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their tax rate hearing Thursday evening at 5:50 with only the Salem R-80 Board of Education, building principals and assistant principals and the media present. Superintendent John McColloch explained the tax rates and with reassessment, the operating tax levy came in at $2.40 per $100 assessed valuation, but the state minimum operating tax levy for schools is $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation. McColloch also explained the debt service rate and that the school could raise the rate to $0.70 per $100 assessed valuation, but McCulloch stated the voters voted in a tax rate of $0.45 per $100 assessed valuation and that the school is able to pay back their debt with that tax rate. Superintendent McColloch recommended a continuation of the $2.75 operating levy and a $0.45 debt service levy for a total tax rate of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation for the district. The regular R-80 board meeting followed with Superintendent McColloch stating the start of school got off to a smooth start with the exception of getting all the bus routes right, but he said that should all be corrected by early next week. Assistant Superintendent John Smith reported that 17 new teachers attended the New Tiger Training on August 10th and 11th led by Tina McKee and Christy Leathers. He said this was an exceptional group with a mix of experienced teachers along some new to the profession. McColloch said the MSBA Annual Conference will be held October 5th through the 8th at Tan-Tar-A and he said for the first time since he has been superintendent, all the board members have signed up to attend. McColloch also said there is some structural problems with the William Lynch Elementary Building with the large bricks above the windows becoming loose. He said a structural engineer will be at William Lynch next week to assess the brick situation. Each building principal gave their report. Kriste Crocker said enrollment at William Lynch was comprised of 70 pre-kindergarten children, 86 kindergarteners and 90 first graders for a total of 246 children. Principal Melanie Wisdom of the Upper Elementary School said as of Friday, they had 35 new students enrolled and 17 current students transfer to other districts. Principal Scott Roberts of the Middle School said enrollment at the middle school currently stands at 217 students. Roberts stated 16 students dropped while 19 new students were added. The student breakdown is 71 sixth graders, 66 seventh graders and 80 eighth graders. High School Principal Marty Anderson reported the current enrollment at the high school is 602 students but that will probably go down a couple of students in the first couple of weeks. The board approved the 2016-2017 Annual Secretary of the Board Report that showed a combined fund balance from Funds 1 and 2 of $3,033,033.29 and Fund 4 for capital projects at $1,471,902.65. McColloch said the cost for educating a student at Salem R-80 is $8,297.52 while the statewide average is approximately $11,000. The board also approved the 2017 tax rate of $2.75 operating levy and $0.45 debt service levy for a total of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation. The rate is the same as last year. The board went into closed session where they employed Karen Pace for high school math and also Lynette Beeson as an assistant band director. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. A number of bids will be reviewed including three bids to replace the current repeater antenna and cable for the Salem Police Department, the state bid for two police vehicles, and two bids for a used John Deere 410L backhoe loader. Proposals for residential solid waste and recycling for the city will be reviewed and discussed before a contract is awarded. Mayor Brad Nash will call for a Public Hearing in order to have open discussion on setting the property tax rate for the City of Salem for 2017. After the consent agenda, the board will hear City Administrator Ray Walden’s report that will include discussion on a old middle school consultant agreement, a fundraising project for the Salem City Auditorium and a CDL differential request. Walden’s report will be followed by Mayor Nash’s report. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3340, an ordinance levying property tax for 2017, will be read. The City of Salem Board of Aldermen meeting will be held tonight at 7:00 in the city hall council chambers and the meeting is open to the public.

A number of events will be held Monday for those who want to watch the solar eclipse. An Eclipse Party will be at the Bonebrake Center from 11:00-2:30. Glasses will be available and Moon pies will be served. Bring your lawn chairs and lunch if you would like. An Eclipse Watch will be held at Echo Bluff State Park at the Bluff Top Pavilion from 11:30-3:00. Telescopes and glasses will be available along with “eclipse mix” to eat! Also, The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be hosting a solar eclipse viewing event at Alley Spring from 11:30-2:45. A partial solar eclipse will be visible during the entire event, with the peak eclipse occurring at 1:00. Call 573-226-3945 for more information.

An apparent suicide occurred Saturday, August 12th at the Shawnee Mac Conservation Area according to Dent County Deputy Coroner Ben Pursifull. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Dent County Coroner’s office at about 10:30 Saturday evening to conduct a death investigation at Shawnee Mac. The investigation showed that Jacob Kenney from Salem died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The report said the body was released to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold a tax rate hearing at 5:50 this evening followed by the regular board meeting at 7:00 at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch about Professional Development Days, the MSBA Annual Conference and receive a facilities update. The principals from all the schools will give their reports on open houses and the first days of school before the board approves the annual Secretary of the Board’s report and the discusses the proposed tax rate from the hearing held prior to the regular meeting. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting for Thursday will start with the tax rate hearing at 5:50 followed by the regular board meeting at the District Administrative Office and both are open to the public.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways invites the public to attend an open house on Wednesday, August 23, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Methodist Fellowship Hall in Eminence, Missouri. The purpose of this open house is to collect information to aid in the development of a new Long Range Interpretive Plan for the park. Park rangers will be available to discuss your ideas for outreach and public programs with you which, in turn, will assist in the development of services that meet the needs of our visitors. The Methodist Fellowship Hall is located at 18228 Church Street in Eminence, approximately 2 blocks west of the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 106. The Long Range Interpretive Plan will help guide the creation of interpretive and educational programs, outreach efforts, media, exhibits and publications for the next seven to ten years. It will help set goals and priorities for interpretation and education. As part of the process for developing a new long-range plan for interpretive and educational outreach activities at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, it is important to include input and ideas from our stakeholders and partners. Please stop by the open house to share your ideas and feedback! We look forward to hearing from the public and encourage all to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar or our Facebook page for further updates. For more information, please contact Dena Matteson at (573) 323-4814.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission and Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee are sponsoring a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on August 26th-27th at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Seating is limited for the class and priority will be given to individuals or groups within Region I – Crawford, Dent, Laclede, Maries, Phelps and Pulaski counties. The class aims at providing citizens within the community with skills to perform essential lifesaving functions while waiting for the professional responders to arrive following a disaster. Each class is approximately 16 contact hours and is spread over two days – Saturday, August 26th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 27th from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CERT has become a highly sought after course by citizens groups, corporations and school systems to train employees how to handle emergencies and disasters. Course topics include disaster fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization. The deadline to register is August 18th. To register or for more information, contact MRPC Senior Community Development Specialist Anne Freand at 573-265-2993 ext. 105 or via email at afreand@meramecregion.org. Funding for the training is provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Office of Homeland Security.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a semi-pro rodeo, sanctioned by MRCA/URA and produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions this Labor Day weekend. On Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd beginning at 7:30 each night at The Commons on Highway 72 North, you can watch the spirit of the Old West come alive with events such as team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and the all-time crowd favorite, bull riding! Advanced tickets are available at The Bank of Salem, Town and Country Bank, Riverways Federal Credit Union, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Salem Chamber office at 200 S Main. Prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11. If you have any questions, or would like to become a vendor, contact Tabatha at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at (573) 729-6900.

With all the buzz about the Solar Eclipse this Monday, the Missouri Department of Conservation wanted to let people who would like to view the maximum eclipse in nearby counties. The maximum eclipse will not happen in Dent County, but there are locations nearby where people could see the total eclipse. The closest Conservation Area will be Huzzah in Crawford County. The next closest would be the Meramec Conservation Area in Franklin County followed by Long Ridge Conservation Area in Franklin County and the Little Indian Creek Conservation Area in Washington County. You can also check out the Canaan Conservation Area in Gasconade County. Another Conservation Area providing viewing within the Southern Limit of the eclipse is Buford Mountain in Iron County. People in the Crawford, Franklin, Phelps and Reynolds County will have some maximum eclipse viewing in areas that are still in the Southern Limit within their counties. The maximum eclipse is expected around 1:14 to the northwest, near 1:16 around the Union and St. Clair area, and 1:18 to the southeast. In Northern and Central Dent County, you will be able to see around a 99% eclipse while in Southern Dent County, it will be about 98.5%. Make sure you have the protective glasses on if you will be watching the eclipse. Some businesses may be closed for the eclipse so it would best to call ahead before going. The Salem License Bureau has announced they will be closed on Monday from noon until 2:00 in the afternoon to view the solar eclipse.

The Doe Run Company’s (Doe Run) two mine rescue teams recently earned the highest honors at competitive mine rescue contests. The Gray Team won the overall championship at the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest. The event, which took place from June 5th through the 9th in Clymer, New York, consisted of various competitions that tested eight mine rescue teams’ abilities to handle emergency situations underground. In addition to winning the Northern Regional overall champion title, Doe Run’s Gray Team won the first aid competition, which consisted of a CPR and first-responder scenario. The team finished in second place in the field competition, which measures how well team members adhere to mine rescue procedures during a simulated mine emergency. The Gray Team also earned third place in the team technical test, which measures participants’ expertise in operating breathing apparatuses and gas-level monitoring. Another Doe Run mine rescue team, the Maroon Team, won the overall championship at the Colorado Regional Mine Rescue Contest, which took place from June 26th through the 29th in Lakewood, Colorado. The Maroon Team also finished in first place in the mine rescue competition and in third place in the first aid competition. Current members of Doe Run’s Gray Team include: Chris Brawley, James Gamblin, Randy Hill, Dennis Keene, Wayne Marlin, Garry Moore, Robby Vetter, Jake Vogel, Charlie Walker and Nathan Woods. The Maroon Team includes: Steve Setzer, Andrew Hampton, Isaiah Henseler, Jarred Tackett, Richie Brewer, Jake Piatt, Nathan Setzer, Luke Davis, Mark Barton and Branden Roderman. Doe Run’s mine rescue teams participate in voluntary training for at least eight hours per month and compete in mine rescue competitions annually. The teams consistently place near the top at regional and national mine rescue competitions, and have successfully applied these skills in real emergencies. Doe Run mine rescuers Andrew Hampton, Randy Hill, Wayne Marlin and Steve Setzer, along with former members Brad Beck and Shawn Pratt, received a Certificate of Honor from Washington D.C. at the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association annual meeting for their exceptional work during a real emergency that occurred in 2010. After a truck fire broke out in the No. 29 Mine, Doe Run evacuated workers and activated its skilled mine rescue teams, who handled the situation. Doe Run’s underground lead mines in Missouri’s Viburnum Trend have earned the National Mining Association’s prestigious Sentinels of Safety Award 27 times since 1971. All new mining employees undergo 40 hours of in-depth safety training prior to working in the mines. Companywide, Doe Run employees go through more than 15,000 hours of safety training annually.

The Salem Police Department released some reports. On Tuesday, August 8th at 10:00 in the morning, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to property damage of a vehicle. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged the right rear door of a black 2010 Ford Fusion. Later that afternoon at 3:15, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a theft. That investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took a cell phone valued at $100.00 from the porch of a residence in the 300 block of North Walker. Then Wednesday afternoon, August 9th at 2:45, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 71-year old female of Salem for driving while her license was revoked. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Thursday morning, August 10 at 7:30, an officer was detailed to the 500 block of South Carty in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged the paint on a black 2015 Toyota Rav 4. The value of the damage to the Toyota was estimated to be about $300.00. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Ron’s Race for a Reason, honoring all local veterans, will be held on September 1st and 2nd at Flat Nasty on 1771 Highway ZZ in Jadwin. There will be 2 classes of racing: Truck and Side-by-Side, and the entry fees are $25 which includes camping for one. There will be food provided by the American Volunteers, and a raffle of four Henry rifles as well as various products provided by local businesses. For the kids, Frosty the Snowman will make a special visit and it WILL snow! If you need more information, you can call (573) 729-6668

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said the Montauk area received between 3 to 5 inches of rain last Thursday night that closed the river on Friday. Because of the heavy rains, crews will be working in the Montauk area on Dent County Roads 6460 and 6040 as well as the other small roads around the park. They will also be adding materials and repairing county roads 6575 and 6665. Purcell will be attending a South Central Missouri Community Action Agency meeting in Winona tonight. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3240. He went on to report brush would be cut on county roads 2313 and 2315, and another man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting from last week that showed fatalities were down 4% from last year. He also said MoDOT said the work on Highway 32-72 East at Dry Valley is on schedule. At the External Relations Committee meeting, Skiles indicated he was re-elected as the Chairman of the External Relations Committee and the group continued working on the Annual Dinner and Volunteer Awards presentation that will be held October 26th in Salem at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. He said at the MRPC meeting, they are establishing their priorities for state and federal legislative issues to be addressed. The commissioners did go into closed session at the meeting to discuss real estate in accordance with state statutes where the commission voted unanimously to purchase property owned by Tom White. The property in question is located at 200 E. Rolla Road in Salem. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public starting at 9:00 in the morning.

Save the Date! Volunteers are needed! I Heart Salem will host a fall clean-up volunteer night on Wednesday, September 6th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The location and additional details will be announced next week. September is a busy month for special events like the Chamber Rodeo, the Blue Oval Rally as well as the Alumni Weekend and we can help our town look great for our residents and visitors! If you have any questions, just call 453-2500 or watch the GroSalem.MO Facebook page for more details!

The Dent County Commissioners held their tax rate hearing Monday morning at 10:00 at the courthouse. The General Revenue rate is currently at $.0350. The State Auditor approved a rate of $.0561 as the maximum allowable tax rate the county could take in General Revenue. The Commission approved leaving the rate at $.0350 by a vote of 3-0. The Senate Bill 40 Fund has a current rate of $.1350 but after re-assessment, the maximum allowed this year is $.1338. The SB 40 board asked to take the maximum allowed this year at $.1338. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to take the maximum allowable rate of $.1338. The Road and Bridge Fund current tax rate is $.2550, but after re-assessment, the maximum allowable rate by the State Auditor is $.2527. The Commission approved unanimously to take the maximum allowable rate of $.2527. The Senior Citizen Fund rate for 2016 was $.0480 and the State Auditor approved a rate of $.0476 as the maximum allowable tax rate for 2017. Their board requested to take the maximum allowable rate this year of $.0476. The request was approved by the commissioners by a 3-0. All the rates presented are per $100 assessed valuation. The hearing was adjourned.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host a solar eclipse viewing event at Alley Spring on August 21 beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 2:45 p.m. A partial solar eclipse will be visible during the entire event, with the peak eclipse occurring at approximately 1:00 p.m. Park Rangers will be on hand to discuss the eclipse. Solar eclipse viewing glasses will be provided to visitors free of charge, as even a partial eclipse can be dangerous if viewed directly without proper eye protection. Kids will also receive special Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger stickers as part of the event. The 2017 solar eclipse will be visible in some form throughout the entire United States, making it a truly American event that hasn’t happened since 1979. Ozark Riverways should experience approximately 97.97% blockage of the sun as the moon passes between earth and the sun during the peak of the eclipse. The sky will darken and temperatures will fall as the sun almost completely disappears behind the moon briefly. Don’t miss your opportunity to see one of nature’s best shows in your national park. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and stay for the entire event. Alley Spring is located 6 miles west of Eminence on State Hwy 106. For more information, call (573) 226-3945; visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

A concert by local musicians will be held Aug. 18-19 at Echo Bluff State Park south of Salem. The free concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the park’s amphitheater and the public is invited. The concert will feature Hunter Hathcoat a country songwriter/singer originally from Ellington. It will also feature Collin Nash, a singer/songwriter originally from Salem, who will play Southern rock favorites. Hathcoat will begin the concert both nights at 7 p.m. and Nash will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. Missouri State Parks is celebrating 100 years in 2017. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Hwy. 19 25 miles south of Salem and 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the concert, call the park at 573-751-1224. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Monday, August 7th deputies responded to the 300 block of Highway 19 to make contact with an individual for Texas County. After their arrival, it was discovered that a person at the residence had a warrant for their arrest. As a result a 38-year old Salem man was arrested and was later extradited to Texas County. Later that day, deputies took a report of a burglary on Dent County Road 5170. The victim reported that a brown 15-inch Circle Y saddle with a brown “Billy Cook” breast collar, valued at $1,500.00, and a bridle valued at $150.00 were taken from a barn at the residence. The report is under investigation. On Tuesday, August 8th, deputies took a report of an inmate attempting to get a knife into the jail. Deputies were advised that a 27-year old Salem man was arrested on warrants earlier and was being booked into the jail. During the booking process it was discovered that the male had secreted a pocket knife on his person in an attempt to have it in the jail. He was charged with delivery/possession of a weapon in a county jail and given a $50,000.00 cash only bond. That same day, deputies responded to Dent County Road 5140 for a burglary report. It appeared that a shed and the residence had been broken into, but nothing was missing. This report is also under investigation. If you have any information about a current investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Wednesday morning, August 2nd at 11:07, an officer was sent to a residence in the 400 block of North Henderson in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown had taken two window air conditioning units and a grandfather clock valued at $900.00. At 12:48 Sunday morning, August 6th, an officer located a 2007 Jeep Commander parked near the 200 block of South Henderson that had been stolen from Cuba, Missouri. The driver fled north as the officer approached the vehicle. Due to the weather conditions and the concern for public safety, the vehicle was unable to be stopped. At approximately 3:00 Sunday afternoon, the vehicle was located off of Dent County Road 3260 north of Salem. The vehicle had been set on fire and was a total loss. The driver has not been located. On Monday night, August 7th, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 200 block of West Roosevelt in reference to a domestic disturbance. That investigation led to the detention of two juvenile males of Salem for disorderly conduct. The two suspects were released to their parent and the report was forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 8:30 in Crawford County on Crabtree Road about one mile north of Davisville. According to the highway patrol report, a 1994 Buick Sentry driven northbound by 37-year old Tonya Mason of Steelville, failed to negotiate a curve and began sliding before the car traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Mason suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Iron County Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. She was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Buick sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Blackies Towing.

Hunters, anglers, and wildlife viewers now have access to about 6,300 acres of private land through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP). MRAP lands are privately owned properties in which the landowners voluntarily agree to allow public access. In return, MDC provides the landowners with annual incentive payments and habitat improvement assistance. Approximately 6,300 acres are currently enrolled in the program and open to the public. MRAP properties range in size from a few to several hundred acres and offer varying types of outdoor recreation. Participating landowners determine the activities that may occur on their land by selecting one of the public-access options offered by the program: 1) All Access Hunting and Fishing, 2) Small Game and Turkey Hunting, 3) Youth Only Hunting and Fishing, 4) Archery Hunting, 5) Fishing, and 6) Wildlife Viewing Only. MRAP properties are open to foot traffic only and area users are asked to self-register at the designated parking and entry points. All rules and regulations enforced by MDC apply on MRAP lands. MRAP land must meet minimum habitat requirements. This new program is largely funded by a $1.1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. For more information on MRAP and to find available properties, visit mdc.mo.gov/mrap. The webpage includes maps of enrolled properties, public access options, rules and procedures, and enrollment information for landowners.

As the new school year begins, an open house will be conducted for William Lynch Elementary TONIGHT from 5:30-6:30, and that same evening at the Upper Elementary from 6:30-7:30. The open house at the High School will be on tomorrow from 4:30-6:00 followed by the open house at the Middle School from 6:00-7:30.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought to the commission the sales tax receipts for the month of August and the General revenue Fund received $62,597.10 which is more than last August when the county received $58,701.64. Year-to date for 2017, sales taxes receipts are up just $15.46. Williams also reported the sales tax receipts for the Road and Bridge Department in August were $31,008.80 which is more than last year’s figure of $27,567.95. So far year-to date, the sales taxes on Road and Bridge are up about 1.4%. She also said the Law Enforcement Sales Tax receipts are virtually the same as the General Revenue Fund receipts. Williams said Dent County also received interest from the State of Missouri and these funds are disbursed to the county about every 8 years. A total of $543.14 was sent and it was divided up with General Revenue getting $220.83, the Law Enforcement Fund gets $220.82 while the road and Bridge will get $101.49. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Road 6640, while only grading was going to be done on county roads 6575, 6595, 6630 and 6665 and if time permits, county road 6610. He said another crew is repairing the chip and seal on Dent County Road 4210. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated materials were being added and grading was being done on Dent County Road 2340 while only grading was being done on county road 2200. Larson mentioned brush was being cut on county road 3290. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he was going to attend the MRPC TAC meeting Thursday afternoon, followed by an MRPC committee meeting and then the MRPC Board meeting. Steve Davis with Shive-Hattery and Nick Smith with Septagone Construction Management along with Sheriff Bob Wells were in to update the commission on some of their findings and possible new jail scenarios for the commission to consider. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has releases a couple of arrest reports. The first was 27-year old Ricky Feary of Salem who was arrested on Tuesday, August 8th for a DWI, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway involving a crash and also for not having insurance. Feary was held in the Dent County Jail but has since been released. The second incident was in Phelps County at 3:45 Wednesday, August 9th when 38-year old Sarah McGraw was arrested for felony assault of a law enforcement officer in the 3rd degree, resisting arrest and not wearing a seatbelt. She was placed in the Phelps County Jail on a 24-hour hold.

As the new school year begins, an open house will be conducted for William Lynch Elementary on Monday August 14th from 5:30-6:30, and that same evening at the Upper Elementary from 6:30-7:30. The open house at the High School will be on Tuesday, August 15th from 4:30-6:00 followed by the open house at the Middle School from 6:00-7:30.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that many schools throughout the state are starting the 2017-2018 school year. This brings a change in traffic patterns ─ school buses and parents taking their children to school will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) in 2016 occurred between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Drivers need to be aware of the increased traffic during this time—not just in areas around school, but all around town. Many of these drivers are young and inexperienced. Parents: It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway. In 2016, one person was killed and 389 people were injured in school bus crashes. Missouri experienced 974 traffic crashes involving school buses last year. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Let’s help Missouri students return to school safely.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) wants the public to know that you can take a stand for your land and combat illegal dumping. Late fall and late winter are the best times for identifying illegal dumps and they encourage anyone to report illegal dumping activities. The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) provides surveillance camera services as a courtesy to cities and communities. To make a request, contact Jill Hollowell at the Meramac Regional Planning Commission by calling (573) 265-2993. This project is funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Freddie Whitaker was in attendance to ask for the closing of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Jackson Street on June 16th from 8:00 in the morning until midnight for the Moonlight Madness. Whitaker said he hopes to be able to get Darryl Worley for the show next year. The board approved his request. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden said the old middle school consultants selection committee has narrowed down the search to a couple of firms. Walden hopes to have their recommendation at the next meeting. The utility bills just sent out in August have the new utility water and sewer rates. If a resident would like to inquire about getting a second water meter for irrigation purposes only, they would not have to pay the sewer charges. Interested residents can call Water and Sewer Superintendent Jack Emory for more information at 729-3061. The Salem Community Center@The Armory had a total of 4,329 participants during the month of July. Walden also reported the solid waste contract comes due this month and he expects to have bids at the next meeting. He also said if anyone still has limbs or debris from the storms that has not been picked up by the city, please call the administration office at 729-4811. The board approved bill #3337 that created a contract for the sale of property from the City of Salem to MFA Cooperative Association, and approved Bill #3338 amending the 2016 City of Salem fiscal year budget to allow adjustments to the account for the fireworks fund and also to bring the Park and Recreation Department fund balance up to date when the board of alderman did not budget any funds the year sales tax began being collected. The board went on to approve Bill #3339 repealing Ordinance #3300 concerning compensatory time off, vacation and holiday pay; and also approved Resolution #4-2017 which adopts a new policy on fund raising, donations and sponsorships for the City of Salem. The board approved the bid from Scenic Rivers Industries to replace 17 picnic tables in the city parks, repair 13 other picnic tables all with pressure treated wood and replace the wood on the teetor totters at the Carol Midyett Park for a total of $3,290. They also approved the nomination of Greg Sanders to the Park and Recreation Board to replace David Wells who resigned. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released some reports. On July 25th, deputies responded to Dent County Road 3273 for the report of property damage. The victim reported that their mailbox was damaged and spray painted. This report is still under investigation. On Saturday, August 5th, deputies noticed a vehicle parked near the front doors of Mount Herman Church and made contact with the driver. When the door was opened, smoke rose from the vehicle. After a short investigation, a 20-year old Salem man was arrested for possession of marijuana, fingerprinted, and released on a summons to appear in court. On Sunday, August 6th, deputies and troopers from the highway patrol recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen from Crawford County. The vehicle was located on Dent County Road 3260. If you have any information about any investigations, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board will be meeting this evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in Room B. At the meeting, the board will receive a report from Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon about current work and future work being done at the City Park and Al Brown Fields. This includes the new concrete work around the concession stand between the ball fields, the planned steps and handicapped ramps at Al Brown Field, the new trashcans for the larger pavilions that have been purchased with more to come, an update on the construction start for the All-Inclusive Playground and new layout, and the work the Scenic Rivers Industries has done on the old wooden bleachers at Al Brown, the painting of the old Al Brown Concession Stand and storage area as well as other work scheduled for them. He will give an update on the splash pad grant and discuss the neighboring swimming pool visits with his findings. Lydon will also discuss the signups for the Flag Football Program and he would like to begin an adult Co-Ed Volleyball League. He also will talk about some new “Thank You” signs that are to be erected where improvements are being made in the parks. The board will receive a copy of the new fundraising city policy and there will be an update on the soccer field project. Any other business will then be discussed before the meeting is adjourned. The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board of Directors will be meeting Wednesday evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports Route AC in Dent and Reynolds Counties will be closed while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement milling repairs. The section of road is located from Highway 32 in Dent County to the end of state maintenance in Reynolds County. Weather permitting, the work will take place Thursday, August 10th through Tuesday, August 15th from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon daily. Then, MoDOT announced that Route J in Reynolds County will be closed while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement milling repairs on that road. The section of road is located from Route KK to Highway 49. Again weather permitting, the work on Route J will take place Tuesday, August 15th through Thursday, August 17th from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon daily. These work zones will be OPEN TO LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY and will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Summer’s End Kid’s Free Fishing will be held Saturday August 12th from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Fishing tags are free for children ages 15 and under on this day only to fish in Montauk State Park. Kids must pick up a children’s free fishing tag at the lodge on Friday evening after 7 p.m. or anytime on Saturday. The tags are required for kids fishing on this day. Kids can fish anywhere inside the park, no designated fishing area will be set aside. Adults must have a daily trout tag to assist children fishing if they touch the pole in any way.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson had a previous commitment so Road Supervisor Sam Gorman filled in with the road report. Gorman said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2403, 2370, 3140, 4290 and 5240 while brush will be cut on county roads 5260 and 3280. Gorman reported that materials would be added to county roads 2370 and 3240. He stated grader #32 was having the grader blades changed and crews would be out checking roads from the weekend rains. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that some areas in his district reported receiving 3.6 inches of rain over the weekend, but there were no reports of any washouts. Purcell stated Dent County Road 6630 would have two trucks hauling materials to it before grading would be done. He went on to report grading would also be done on county roads 5080 and 6090 while one man would be going to Springfield to get a load of oil for the chip and seal repair. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the CCAM meeting he attended in Mexico, Missouri last week to plan the training for commissioners next February. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for July, and she also balanced with the collector and assessor on the July monthly collections, abatements and add-ons. She did say she investigated the long-distance services offered by CenturyLink and Fidelity Communications, and recommended going with CenturyLink for all county offices with the exception of the Dent County Recorder. The Commissioners approved her recommendation. Democratic candidate for the 16th Missouri Senatorial District Ryan Dillon came in to introduce himself to the commissioner. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened in Shannon County at 6:45 Sunday evening on Highway 19 about 15 miles north of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Nissan Altima driven southbound on Highway 19 by 35-year old David Sechrest of Birch Tree, struck a 2007 Pontiac G6 driven northbound by 20-year old Taylor Gorman of Salem. Gorman suffered minor injuries and sought her own medical treatment. The Altima and the Pontiac G6 were both totaled and removed from the scene by Tyler’s Towing in Eminence. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) Family Self-Sufficiency program will host a free Energy Savers Class Wednesday, August 9th. Participants actively look at their energy choices, energy use, and how to make the right choices when it comes to saving energy. The class will look at energy use for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, cooling, heating and lighting as well as energy safety and kids and energy. The class will be held from 10:00 AM to noon at Phelps County PHA located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James, with Christy Saylor, Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA) county projects coordinator, presenting.
MRPC provides staffing to the Phelps County Public Housing Agency that provides rental assistance to over 750 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs. Workshops are offered at no cost to the participant. For more information or to RSVP, contact Savannah Vandegriffe at (573)265-4200 ext. 132. Free training classes are a part of MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Each participant who attends will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card, as long as they meet income qualifications.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a rabies alert for Dent County effective July 31st. A dog in Dent County had been exposed to a skunk in June and developed rabies and died. As a result of the dog testing for rabies, nine persons in the family received the complete anti-rabies series of shots while staff from the veterinary clinic received booster doses of the rabies vaccine. The rabies alert will be lifted after 90 days if rabies activity is not identified in any domestic animals or in a significant number of wild animals. Last year, a total of 25 rabid animals were detected including 17 bats, five skunks, one dog, one cat and one cow. This year statewide, there have been a total of ten rabid animals including seven bats, two dogs and a skunk. Two Missouri residents have died from rabies in the past eight years.

The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) welcomes Anthony Staley to the role of general manager for the Metals Division. He will oversee metal processing and recycling operations at both the Resource Recycling facility in Boss, Missouri, and the refinery, strip mill, and alloying and casting facility in Herculaneum, Missouri. Staley brings nearly 20 years of experience in operations and project management experience to Doe Run, including developing large-scale metal production facilities for a variety of primary products, and safety improvement and environmental management. Prior to joining Doe Run, Staley held global management positions at major national and international mining and metal production facilities. Staley has published multiple technical papers on a wide range of topics, including copper electrowinning – a cleaner metal processing technology, as well as zinc and aluminum processing. He is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a bachelor’s degree in chemical and petroleum-refining engineering, a master’s degree in business and economics, and a doctorate in physiochemical processing of metals. Additionally, Staley is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, and Mining & Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA). Doe Run’s Metals Division includes more than 300 employees, most of whom support the recycling of lead-based materials at Resource Recycling.