Local News

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports on recent arrests. On Wednesday, June 7th, deputies were traveling on Route K near Dent County Road 6350 when they met a vehicle, driven by 32-year old Kristopher Schafer of Salem. Deputies knew Schafer to have a probation violation warrant and they turned their patrol vehicle around to stop the car. The deputies were able to locate the vehicle on County Road 6350, but the passenger was now driving the vehicle as Schafer was no longer in the vehicle. A canvass of the area was conducted and Schafer was located walking on Route K. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. He has received the additional charge of resisting arrest by fleeing and had bond set at $5,000. On Thursday, June 8th, deputies traveled to the 1000 block of County Road 4110 to check for an individual with a warrant. Deputies located 19-year old Terrisa Beyer of Salem and she was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail on a Warren County warrant for 1st degree child molestation. She was later released to Warren County. If you have any information on these or any other incident reports, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The National Weather Service (NWS), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have joined together to promote Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week 2017, now through Saturday, June 24th. Two of the biggest weather hazards that affect the United States typically occur during the summer months: lightning and excessive heat. Today’s tip is on lightning safety tips. Remember, there is NO safe place outside in a thunderstorm. Your first and only truly safe choice is to get to a safe building or vehicle. If you are camping, climbing, on a motorcycle or bicycle, boating, scuba diving, or enjoying other outdoor activities and cannot get to a safe vehicle or building, follow these last resort tips. They will not prevent you from being struck by lightning, but may slightly lessen the odds. If camping, hiking, etc., and you are far from a safe vehicle or building, try to avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top. Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees. If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley, ravine or other low area. Remember, a tent offers NO protection from lighting. Stay away from water, wet items (such as ropes) and metal objects (such as fences and poles). Water and metal are excellent conductors of electricity. Remember, lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the rain area. Plus the current from a lightning flash can easily travel for long distances. If indoors: Stay there! The best protection from lightning is a house or other substantial building. However, stay away from windows, doors, and metal pipes. Do not use electric appliances during the storm. Turn off sensitive equipment such as televisions, VCR’s, and computers. Telephone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. Do not make a call unless it is an emergency.

The Salem Police Department released a number of reports. On Wednesday, June 7th at 5:32 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 33-year old male of Viburnum for driving while having his license suspended. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, June 9th at 2:39 in the afternoon, an officer located a 28-year old Salem female in the 900 block of South Pershing who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. She was taken into custody on the warrant and was incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Saturday, June 10th at 12:51 in the early morning, officers were conducting a narcotics investigation at a residence in the 600 block of South Jackson. The investigation led to the arrest of a 46-year old Salem male for the possession of methamphetamine. He was incarcerated pending an application for a warrant. That afternoon at 2:29, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 900 block of South Carty in reference to an intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance. The report led to the arrest of a 37-year old Salem male for disorderly conduct. He was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. That night at 6:49, an officer was called at the station in reference to a stolen I phone 6. The report revealed that someone unknown took the I-phone 6 valued at $650.00 while the victim was at Wal-Mart. The report is under investigation. On Sunday evening, June 11th at 11:05, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of East Second in reference to a female stealing from a vehicle that appeared to be on drugs. The report led to the arrest of a 25-year old Salem female for trespassing, possession of methamphetamine and stealing. She was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 3:30 Route U, about five miles northwest of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 18-year old Corree Downs of Salem, was driving westbound when he failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the left side of the roadway, impacted a sign, and overturned before the Silverado struck a fence and came to rest. The report stated that Downs suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Downs was wearing a safety restraint when the accident occurred. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said workers were servicing grader #26 before it was to grade Dent County Road 6020. He said grading would also be done on county road 5170. Purcell stated that Fabick Cat Trainer Jim Masters was in town to work with a grader operator to show him exactly what the machine can do. Purcell went on to report work was being done on truck #121 as it had an air leak, plus they were going to fix the brakes and do general maintenance on the truck. Work will also be done on Loader #920. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said two trees were down in his area on county roads 4380 and 2540 that were being removed. He stated brush was being cut on Dent County Road 3210 while materials were being added to county roads 2050, 2160 and 5320. Larson said a backhoe was out on county road 5320 removing trees and cleaning out the ditches. Larson reported general service was being done on truck #70 as they will also change a pump in the diesel truck. Larson said he attended the Meramec Regional Development Corporation meeting Wednesday in St. James and they do have money available for new startup businesses or those businesses ready to expand. They have a Revolving Loan Funds, SBA 504 loans, Missouri Action Loan Funds and more available. For more information about the funds available, call 573-265-2993. Presiding Commissioner Darrel Skiles reported the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District grant packets will be available in July. He said there will be a grant workshop on Wednesday, July 26th and the grants will all be due at noon on Friday, August 18th. Skiles said that since June of 2007, the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has awarded over $2.4 million dollars in grants. Skiles also stated the MCEC and Naturally Meramec are applying for another round of financing or trying to extend their financing to help continue programs like the county’s Work Ready program. These are federal funds issued through the Delta Regional Authority. Skiles indicated the county has received a letter from Drug Court Commissioner Jon Kaiser that pretty much demanded the county increase the Drug Court budget from their pool of funds from the $7,500 at the start of the year which was requested to $20,000 due to an error. Skiles said the county does not have to amend the budget according to the state auditor’s office if they don’t want to. The commissioners voted 3-0 to hold a Public Hearing for amending the drug court budget request as they feel they do good work and also to adjust the General Revenues budget. The hearing to amend the budget was set at 10:00 at the courthouse on July 3rd. The Board of Equalization will be meeting on July 6th at 1:00 in the commissioners’ office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended the South Central Clerk’s Association meeting at West Plains and wanted to let voters know that as long as you are registered in the county you live then you are eligible to vote. She said the new Photo ID Bill that passed means voters will now have to show a Missouri Driver’s License, a Missouri Non-Drivers License or a State ID, a military ID or a passport when they vote. 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 City of Salem’s Finance Committee will be holding a meeting, called by Alderman Haydn Powell, on Monday, June 19th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, located at 1200 West Rolla Road beginning at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the 2017-2018 budget. The meeting of the City of Salem’s Finance Committee is open to the public.

A special Current River cleanup will be held this Saturday to help keep the river and Montauk State Park near Salem clean and attractive. Registration will be held from 8:00 to 9:00 AM at the park’s Dorman L. Steelman Lodge near Salem with cleanup activities lasting from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The cleanup will take place from the start of the Current River at Montauk Spring down to Baptist Camp. That night at 6:30, all registered participants will have a barbecue supper at Current River State Park followed by a drawing for prizes. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the event, call the park at (573) 548-2225.

The Current River Car Cruisers will hold their annual car show this Saturday at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Salem. Registration begins at 8:00 and judging starts at noon using the 100 point system. There will be 20 First Place awards, 20 Second Place Awards and 20 Third Place Awards presented. The registration fee is $20 and the proceeds raised from the car show will go to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society relay for Life, Project Win Cancer Support, Veteran’s Home and local scholarships. For more information, call Gary Cook at 247-0530, Ginny Chase at 729-6405 or Gary or Mary Jo Cook at 729-7859. The show will be held rain or shine!

If you need to find a job, develop a resume or need help with funding to attend training to get a better job, it is now available locally! Missouri Workforce Development Board has a MO Job Center Affiliate office at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Street in Salem. Sue Nardi, Career Consultant and a local resident of Salem, is available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sue will assist customers with resume development, access to job leads, job referrals and connection to needed resources. Workshops to improve skills and increase employment opportunities can be scheduled, just ask Sue for the “list of workshops”. Career assessment and access to training is also available. Employers can contact Sue for assistance posting job vacancies in Missouri’s jobs.mo.gov system; connection to Business Services for recruitment, access training programs for new employees and scheduling “Special Hiring Events” to fill job vacancies. Contact Sue if you would like to make an appointment at 573-578-5573 or stop by the Salem Community Center@The Armory Wednesday or Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Veterans Representatives are also available to provide case management services to help Veterans eliminate barriers to employment and gain access to resources by appointment only. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act youth staff are available (by appointment) to assist youth 14 to 24 years of age with education and job related programs. To schedule an appointment to see a Veterans Representative or a Youth Career Manager, call 573-364-7030.

The Meramec Hills Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists is offering their ninth initial training course on Wednesday evenings beginning with an orientation evening June 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the DNR Mozarkite Conference Room, 1251 Gale Drive off Fairgrounds Road in Rolla. The orientation is an overview at which you determine whether this program is a fit for you. If you decide to join, classes begin July 26th and run from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for 12 weeks. Four Saturday field sessions are included. The Missouri Master Naturalist program is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension. This community service group is focused on engaging Missourians in the stewardship of our state’s natural resources through science-based education and volunteer service. The program is designed for those who want to learn about and become involved in the management and protection of Missouri’s natural resources. The Meramec Hills Chapter of Missouri Master Naturalists is based in Rolla, with members involved in volunteer projects throughout Dent, Phelps, Pulaski and neighboring counties. Members meet monthly in Rolla for an educational program and business meeting. Chapter membership begins with the 12-week initial training course taught by field scientists, other professional naturalists, and university professors. Certification as a Master Naturalist is then maintained with 40 hours of natural resource-related volunteer service and eight hours of advanced training each year. You must be 18 years or older to enroll. The class is limited to 25 participants and is first come, first served. The fee is $100 to cover materials you will take home throughout the course. To enroll visit our website and complete the online enrollment or pick up a form at the University Extension office in Rolla. For more information, contact Lorely Lather (573) 265-4034 or visit the website: http://www.meramechills.org.

Representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State of Missouri agencies will participate in public meetings to explain various types of flood-recovery assistance available to landowners and units of government. During the meetings, representatives of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD), and Risk Management Agency (RMA) will describe the federal programs that they administer that could assist those whose property sustained damages from flooding that occurred in April and May. A representative of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources also will speak, and other state agencies could also be represented. A meeting will be held from 9:30 AM to noon on Tuesday, June 20th at the Phelps County Courthouse located at 200 North Main Street in Rolla, Room 149. For more information or to request accommodations to participate in this meeting call (573) 876-0901. Requests for accommodations must be made by Friday, June 16th.

For the first time ever, the Missouri Department of Conservation in partnership with the Show-Me Games will host a Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program Archery Tournament at the Battle High School in Columbia. The Tournament is open toany 4th through 12th grader who attends school that offers the NASP program. Salem Schools will have Irvin Johnson as their lone representative this Saturday in Columbia, MO. Good luck Irvin!

A Painting with Oil Pastels Workshop will be held tonight from 6–8 PM at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem in the old teachers closet building. The Salem Area Arts Council is hosting the workshop for $25 per person and that includes all materials. Stop by the ONCRC at 202 South Main or call 247-0279.

A drowning occurred in Phelps County Saturday at 2:58 in the afternoon on county road 5285 about five miles south of Rolla at Fugitive Beach. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year old Kalon D. Green of Belleville, Illinois failed to surface after traveling down a water slide. Green was located by life guards and CPR was performed on the scene. Green was later transported to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by Dr. Abusbeth at 4:15 that afternoon. Green’s body was then transported to the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In public comments, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley was in to inform the Commission that the Prosecutors Office has taken a more active role when a convicted felon is found in possession of firearms. The firearms are seized and then sold. Curley presented Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams with a check for $2,192.40 less expenses of $300 which is in accordance with statute 542.301. He stated that there would be future checks and that depending on the judges ruling in each case that would determine if the monies would go to the Dent County General Revenue or the Sheriff’s Revolving Fund. In road reports, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated that he had two operators out. He went on to say that grading as well as ditch work would be performed on Dent County Roads 6070 and 6460. He went on to say that crews would be patching chip and seal on county roads 4170 and 6300. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2115, 2120, 4330, and 5335 while materials would be hauled to county roads 2120 and 2130 and brush would be cut on county road 4060. While Larson was on vacation last week he did receive some calls and took care of those calls. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday. He noted that crews have started on the temporary bypass on Highway 32 East over Dry Valley and the project is expected to completed by October 1st. Future projects will include bridge replacement on “F” Highway and two-foot shoulders on Highway 19 from Salem to Highway 8 in St. James. He stated that work continues for the Annual Awards Banquet to be held October 26th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in Salem. The Commission would be attending a Hazard Mitigation Planning meeting Monday afternoon and the Salem Area Betterment Association meeting Monday night. Skiles stated that he would be attending a Meramac Community Enhancement Corporation Board meeting and the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District meeting today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll was being approved and that she balanced with the Dent County Collectors Office and the Dent County Assessors Office on monthly collections for May as well as balanced on abatements and add-on’s and the Commission would review the reports. The Commission then voted 3-0 to accept the bid from Heavin Motor’s for a 2011 Ford F-150 Super Cab with 146,000 miles in the amount of $9,700 for the Road and Bridge Department that came in last week. Donald Dodd came in to visit with the Commission about the need for a City Economic Development Director and would like the county to help with the cost. 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.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving a physical assault, a stolen wallet, a harassment complaint, a stabbed male and a traffic stop. On Tuesday, May 30th at 6:09 pm, officers were detailed to the Salem Chamber of Commerce in reference to a physical assault that had occurred. Officers arrived and discovered that a 43-year old male had been assaulted by a 35-year old male. The 35-year old male fled the scene on foot, but was located a short time later and was placed under arrest and was incarcerated at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, May 31st at 8:17 pm, officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart, in reference to a stolen wallet report. Officers conducted an investigation and were able to identify a female suspect. The female suspect was located in Dent County. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Salem Police Department with the investigation, which led to the recovery of the wallet, cash, and assorted cards. A 45-year old female was arrested and charged in the theft. On Thursday, June 1st at 7:35 pm, Officers responded to the 700 block of North Henderson Street in reference to a harassment complaint. Upon arrival officers spoke with the reporting party and learned that a 47-year old male was intoxicated and acting aggressively towards his neighbors. Officers contacted the male subject and he became combative and non-compliant. The male was arrested for a peace disturbance, harassment, and resisting arrest and was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. On Friday, June 2nd at 11:08 pm, officers responded to the 100 block of Highway 19 in reference to a male subject that had been stabbed. Officers arrived on scene and rendered aid to the 31-year old male of Salem. The victim was flown from Salem to the St. Louis for treatment. The case remains under investigation at this time. On Saturday, June 3rd at 2:10 pm, officers contacted a male subject during a traffic stop in the 1100 block of West Highway 32. During the traffic stop it was revealed that the 17-year old male driver did not possess a valid license and was placed in custody, processed and released on a summons. Anyone with any information regarding any investigation ongoing is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

Mid-Day 10 Minute closures are planned on I-44 now through June 23rd at noon each weekday between mile markers 182 and 185 (Rolla). For safety reasons, all traffic must stop when contractors on a private construction project conduct controlled blasts in nearby rock.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. County Treasurer Denita Williams was in with tax receipt amounts and school payment figures. She reported that General Revenue receipts for June were $77,741.50, which leaves the year-to-date total down by $5,780.06. Williams was asked what the June 2016 amount was and she said it was $97,626.51. She also reported that the Road and Bridge Sales Tax receipts were $35,180.93, which makes the year-to-date in that fund up by $91.82. It was noted that the June 2016 receipts for R&B were $41,538.56. Williams stated the transfers from the School Fines Savings Account would take place based on Department of Elementary and Secondary Education percentages and the total amount dispersed would be $165,743.43. Salem R-80 will receive $75,976.80, the Oak Hill R-1 check will be in the amount of $13,226.33, the Green Forest R-2 check amount will be $19,391.95, Dent-Phelps R-3 $28,275.84, while Northwood R-4 will receive $20,933.40. Iron County C-4 will receive $3,596.64 while the Bunker Schools check will be in the mount of $4,342.47. Williams noted that the fines account total was up by $50,024.18 when compared to 2016. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 6240, 5140, and 6230, while grading only would be done on county roads 6083, 6110, and 6070. Purcell went on to say that ditch work was being done on county road 5140 and that his crews would be caught up on road repairs from the last storm event and they are making progress on repairs from the big storm. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson was absent due to a prior commitment so Road Foreman Sam Gorman was in and reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3190, 5330, 5335, 3200, 2550, 2530, and 2533, while materials would be added to county roads 4430, 5330, and 3190. He added that patching of chip and seal pot holes would be done on county roads 3260, 3280, and 2300. Gorman noted that his crews were still working downed trees from the latest storm. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that Thursday afternoon he would be attending the MRPC Transportation Advisory Committee, as well as committee meetings and the board meeting during the evening. Skiles added that on Monday he attended the City of Salem Board of Alderman meeting to discuss street right of ways around the Justice Center and learned he would have to present the proposal to the City Planning and Zoning Committee before it would be presented to the Board of Aldermen. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was attending the Urban Board Conference in St. Louis. Deputy Dent County Clerk Crystal Pilkington reported that the Clerk’s office balanced with the County Treasurer and County Collector. She said the Commissioners were reviewing those reports as well as approving bills for payment. One bid for a pickup for the Road and Bridge Department was received from Heavin Motors. The bid was for a 2011 Ford F-150 Super Cab with 146,600 miles for $9,700.00. The Commissioners decided that a decision would be made at a later date. 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.

An accident occurred in Dent County Saturday evening at 5:57 on National Park Service Road 154 approximately on tenth of a mile from Dent County Road 6510. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 1999 Ford Taurus, driven by 28-year old Jessica Olinger of Raymondville, ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Olinger suffered moderate injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. According to the report passengers 10-year old Ashton Glass and 26-year old Michael Glass, also of Raymondville, along with another passenger, 18-year old Zachary Fultz of Republic, suffered no injuries. The report stated that none of the occupants were wearing a safety restraint. The Ford Taurus sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing of Salem.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving a narcotics investigation, a physical assault, stealing, and a stolen i-Phone. On Sunday, June 4th, officers conducted a narcotics investigation in the 1800 block of South Oak Street. During the course of the investigation a 33-year old male was discovered to have a quantity of methamphetamine is his possession. The male subject was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Later that night at 11:20 pm, officers responded to a complaint of a physical assault that occurred in a parking lot in the 200 block of North Jackson. A 38-year old female was arrested for assaulting a 20-year old male subject. The female allegedly struck the 20-year old male with a closed fist after slapping him several times. The female subject was arrested and issued a summons for court. On Monday, June 5th at 12:30 in the afternoon, officers were detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a stealing report. Upon arrival a 25-year old female was found to have concealed merchandise, and had left the store without paying for the items. The female subject was placed under arrest and processed for the theft charge and was issued a summons and released. On Wednesday, June 7th, officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 200 block of East Center Street. Officers arrived and made contact with a 33-year old male and 32-year old female subject. The subjects had been involved in a loud verbal dispute. Reports that the incident had become physical were not able to be substantiated. The subjects were advised of the Missouri 12-Hour Rule and directed to avoid contact with each other. Also on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:31, a 19-year old male subject reported a stolen i-Phone 6 Plus form his vehicle in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot. An investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with any information regarding any investigation ongoing is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Wednesday, June 7th, at the Salem Communuity Center@The Armory. After a closed session meeting on personnel, officers were elected for the 2017-2018 year. Re-elected president and vice-president were Stan Podorski and Kyle Williams, respectively, and Angie Curley was elected secretary. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon and Podorski discussed the problems with swimming pool that has prevented it from being opened. After a visual inspection of the pool by Lydon, the pool was filled to a level of about two inches below the skimmer line and it would not rise any higher. Before attempting to fix leaks in the pool with a product that works in water, Lydon, Podorski and Water and Sewer Superintendent Jack Emory checked the drain line at the creek that comes from the drain system under the pool and found the pool was leaking at a pace of about 16 gallons per minute or over 24,000 gallons per day. The decision was made to drain the pool where it was found that old patch work done on the pool had failed and all three seams in the pool had failed. A permanent corrective action was sought that required sandblasting the pool at a cost of between $15,000 and $20,000, but no sandblaster could be found that would come to the area. Making the decision then to re-patch the pool and do a permanent fix after the season was decided on only to find the required patch product was not available and would take 7-10 business days to be shipped, followed by the scraping and applying to the pool which would take another two days at a minimum, followed by a curing period of another 5-7 days. It is still the desire of the Park Board to get the pool open this year if possible so the board unanimously voted to hold off making a final decision for two weeks to allow pool companies and/or contractors to assess the damage to the pool, see what they recommend for the pool this season, and what can be done to the pool to upgrade it for the next season as well as how much it would cost. This would include not only the surface structure of the pool but also pipe replacement. For the baseball, softball and T-Ball program, Lydon reported the T-Ball Fields now have foul lines, base lines, batters boxes and foul poles to make them look like a real ballfield. He purchased a new pitching machine to replace the old that was over 20 years old, new bases and new catching gear. Also food items are being served this year at the Little League Field. It was also noted the concessions at Al Brown Fields are being done through June and for a tournament in July by the NASP parents to raise funds to send the archery kids down to Orlando, Florida. The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2017-2018 budget for the Parks and Recreation Department with the understanding that depending on what needed to be done to the pool could force some changes to be made on getting some other projects done. The board also reviewed a priority list of projects to be done this summer, plus projects that will attempt to be done in the next three years depending upon what needs to be done with the pool. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened in Dent County on Highway 68 about five miles north of Salem Wednesday afternoon at 4:05. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis driven westbound by 52-year old Ardean Ashelman of Salem, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto a county road when at that time a 1998 Peterbilt driven westbound by Lawrence White of Salem attempted to pass on the left, striking the Grand Marquis. Suffering serious injuries was the driver, Ardean Ashelman, and was she was transported by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Also injured in the collision was 25-year old Bethany Ashelman of Salem who was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Another passenger in the vehicle, 29-year old Andrew Ashelman of Salem, was not injured. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Grand Marquis was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler while the Peterbilt had minor damage and was driven from the scene.

Salem Public Library has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to make fishing more accessible through MDC’s Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. Through the Rod & Reel Loaner Program individuals can check out fishing poles and tackle boxes for free using their library cards at Salem Public Library. The fishing poles are equipped with standard spin-cast reels. The tackle boxes are supplied with hooks, sinkers and bobbers for basic fishing opportunities. People need to bring their own live bait or desired lures to bait the hook. Mary Scott, Fisheries Management Biologist with MDC summarized the program by emphasizing the importance of activities like fishing in getting children to spend more time outdoors. This program is an effort by MDC to increase fishing opportunities for all Missouri citizens. To learn more about where or how to fish go online to mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a public auction of various used Department vehicles and equipment on Saturday, June 10th, starting at 10:00 a.m. At the Salem Maintenance Center located at the junction of Highway 72 and Highway 32 in Salem. The auction will include boats, outboard motors, tractors, dozers, farm equipment and vehicles. Cash, check, and credit/debit cards will be accepted. As required by state statute, MDC must charge a convenience fee to all customers who pay by credit or debit card. Those interested can view auction items today at the Salem Maintenance Center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with pre-registration starting at 9:00 am. Registration the day of the sale begins at 7:30 am. A complete lot listing and terms of sales will be available at the registration desk the day of the auction. There is also a list of auction items is available online at mdc.mo.gov/auction.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announces the results of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division’s 2017 annual school bus inspection program. A total of 12,047 school buses across the state of Missouri were inspected by Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel between the dates of February 2nd and May 5th, 2017. During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as “approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as “defective.” Buses with any defective items which constitute an immediate danger are rated as “out-of-service.” Buses rated as “defective” may continue to be operated for the purpose of transporting students until repair is made. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection to repair identified defects before being re-inspected by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel. Buses rated as “out-of-service” must be repaired, re-inspected, and placed back into service by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel prior to being used to transport students. Here is a breakdown of the area schools results: Salem R-80 had 11 busses presented and all 11 busses were approved, Oak Hill R-1 had five busses presented and three were approved, one was defective and one was placed out of service; Green Forest R-2 had seven busses presented and four were approved while three were defective; Dent-Phelps R-3 presented eight busses and one was approved, five were defective and two were placed out of service; Northwood R-4 had five busses present4ed and all five were approved; Ozark Hills State School #61 presented three busses and all three busses were approved; and Bunker R-3 had eight busses presented with six being approved and two were found defective. Salem R-80, Ozark Hills State School #61 and Northwood R-4 all earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award, obtaining an approval rating of 90% or higher with no out of service buses.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their June meeting Tuesday evening at the fire station. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting, the Board reviewed and approved bills. After a review of the calendar of upcoming events the monthly reimbursement report was presented and showed a total of 17 calls for the month. There were three calls for structure fires, one call for a car fire, two calls for a landing zone, three calls for first responders, one call for a vehicle accident, three calls for mutual aid, one call for a meeting, one call for training and two other calls were storm related. Calls to date total 128. In old business, sealed bids were received for equipment for sale that included a furnace, a generator, a Blazer, a truck, a mower, a transfer switch and a welder. The Board approved the high bid on each item and Fire Chief Brad Nash will be notifying the winners of those bids by phone. There was no new business, but during reports, Chief Nash reported that the grants are still out and they are waiting for responses. The Board then set their next meeting for Tuesday, July 11th at the fire station beginning at 6:00.

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released an audit for the City of Viburnum that shows more than $100,000 in potentially fraudulent activities over a number of years. Dana Mayberry served as the Viburnum City Clerk for 14 years. After losing her re-election bid last year, city officials identified discrepancies in accounts that had been under her control. Mayberry admitted to stealing at least $25,000 in city funds. The mayor contacted law enforcement and the State Auditor’s Office to investigate. The audit describes an elaborate scheme that involved adjusting customer utility accounts and then destroying records and other evidence. When citizens made cash payments the former city clerk would pocket the money, and then instead of marking their accounts as paid, she would adjust the accounts to show they owed less than they actually did. The audit shows an estimated $104,000 in adjustments to 1,800 water and sewer accounts over a 7-year period. Mayberry also adjusted her own personal utility account to avoid paying for water and sewer services to her home for four years at a cost of about $4,000. Numerous records and receipt documents were destroyed, however, based on existing documents and citizen interviews and receipts, the former clerk may have also stolen several thousand dollars in court fines and property tax payments. Although the mayor and Board of Alderman ultimately requested the State Auditor conduct an investigation, their previous lack of oversight contributed significantly to the city clerk being allowed to scam the city and its citizens for years before being caught. The report outlines a series of steps the city can take to better protect public dollars going forward, including recommendations to improve accounting practices in the city and court and increase oversight of the utility and property tax system. Auditor Galloway has turned the report results over to law enforcement authorities and says her staff stands ready to assist prosecutors in any way possible to bring justice for the citizens of Viburnum.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving traffic violations, theft and theft from a vehicle. On Friday, May 26th at 8:26 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 32-year old Salem male for possession of marijuana. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday, May 28th at 5:09 in the early evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 29-year old Salem female for driving without a valid license. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then at 5:45 that evening, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 700 block of South Carty in reference to a theft. The report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a central air unit valued $4,000 from a residence and the report is under investigation. Later that night at 9:45, an officer was contacted in reference to theft from a vehicle parked at Wal-Mart. The report revealed that someone unknown took a tablet valued $200 from a white Chevrolet Trailblazer parked in the parking lot and that report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation ongoing.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening at the Council Chambers. The Board heard from Alex Sellers representing the Salem Alumni Association asking to close 4th Street from Highway 19 east to Iron Street and Iron Street from 4th Street to 5th Street for their event September 23rd from 2:00 until 9:00 PM. His request was approved. The Dent County Commission was on the agenda to discuss an easement on Iron and Water Streets, but that will have to be taken in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission before it comes to the Board of Aldermen. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden reported the city continues to pick up limbs, branches and trees from the storm and will continue to make rounds for at least the next couple of weeks. If people still have trees or branches down in their yard and can’t remove them, people can call the I Heart Salem volunteer cleanup group who will be working this Saturday for help at 453-2500. Others are being helped by the Missouri Southern Baptist Clean-Up crew. Walden said he was asked about the power restoration and if there is an order. He said one feeder that served a nursing home that did not have a generator was first and then the electric department tried to get the feeders back up that served the most people, but sometimes there were other lines down once the lines were energized that had to be repaired. Crews worked around the clock to get services back as quickly as possible. Walden said the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 4,893 participants during the month of May and that County Hazard Mitigation meeting will be held June 12th at the City Hall Council Chambers at 2:00. Walden presented an Emergency Utility Reconnect Policy that was postponed until more details can be provided after a long discussion. The board approved the Insituform Technologies Sanitary Sewer CIPP Project budgeted work up to $145,000 and approved moving the next three Board of Alderman meeting dates to June 26th that will be include voting on the proposed sewer and water rates, plus July 10th and July 24th. The board approved by a 3-0 vote executing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Council for a Healthy Dent County to initiate a ten-year lease with Alderwoman Kim Shelton abstaining. They also approved the purchase of uniform shirts from Knight Apparel for City League baseball, softball and T-Ball in the amount of $3,272. Progressive Ozark Bank pays $2,000 toward the shirts. Mayor Brad Nash postponed appointing a tree commission, but did appoint Sherman Odom, Kriste Crocker and Deloris Gray Wood to the Qualification Evaluation Committee who will evaluate the qualifications for consultants for the old middle school property. The board then went into closed session.

The City of Salem Park Board will conduct a meeting, called by President Stan Podorski tonight at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located 1200 West Rolla Road beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, the Board will go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The Board will then come out of closed session where they conduct the election of officers to the Board. Parks & Recreation Director Tye Lydon will then give an update on the swimming pool as well as the baseball, softball and T-ball programs. The Board will then review as well as discuss a proposed budget for 2017-2018 as well as discuss and set priorities for the next three years. Following any other business, the meeting will then be adjourned. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Park Board is open to the public.

The 20th annual Rock Swap will be held June 9th through the 11th at Missouri Mines State Historic Site in Park Hills. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the free event will be held from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. The event will bring together rock hobbyists from across the Midwest. Participants will be selling, swapping or buying rock and mineral specimens, fossils, rock jewelry and other rock-related items. There is no charge for the public to attend the event. During the three-day event, there will be free admission to the historic site museum, which interprets Missouri’s mining history and displays restored mining machinery and an outstanding mineral collection. The event is co-sponsored by the Mineral Area Gem and Mineral Society and the Greater St. Louis Association of Earth Science Clubs. Visitors can experience all the park system has to offer with the Centennial Passport. Visit mostateparks.com/passport for more information. Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located in Park Hills on the south side of Highway 32 at the Flat River Drive overpass, 1.5 miles west of U.S. Highway. 67. For more information about the event, call the site at (573) 431-6226. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

The Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA) is now accepting applications for their logging school program that will begin about October 1, 2017 at the Camp at Lake Wappapello. The school is a 10-week course held 5 days a week and students are expected to stay at the camp throughout the week and housing will be in a dormitory on the property. The logging school tuition is expected to be $5,000 which covers room, meals and instruction for the 10-week period. A maximum of 12 students per session will be accepted in to the program and MFPA will offer two sessions per year, one in October and the other in February. There will classroom as well as field instruction covering topics such as: forest management, timber harvesting, marketing and utilization. To receive additional information, application materials and scholarship opportunities contact Fred Smith at (573) 619-4494.

The Salem Area Arts Council will host a Kids Paint Party Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Old Teacher’s Closet Building. The cost is $20 per child and includes the acrylic paints, aprons, brushes, canvas and easel. Reservations can be made at the ONCRC Building or by calling or texting 247-0279 to make other arrangements.