Local News

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held their regular meeting on Wednesday evening in the Doctor’s Library at 7:00. After the minutes from the August board meeting were reviewed and approved, hospital CEO Brooke Bollman gave her report, during which she explained the hospital is continuing to work with Phelps Health to fulfill due diligence requests, focusing on reducing inefficiencies, educating staff members, and conducting compliance evaluations. The Hospital’s 90 day priorities include: growing the Swing Bed Program, funding opportunities, and their affiliation with Phelps Health. During the Statistical Summary of Operations, it was noted that inpatient admissions, Emergency Room visits, and Ambulance Runs are lower than they were in July, while outpatient registrations went up. Total Operating Revenue for the month of August, was about $2.2 million. That amount is about $31,000 less than total operating revenue reported for July. Salem Memorial currently has 17 days of cash on hand. The hospital experienced a decrease in Salary expenditures due to ongoing reduction in staffing. Overall, the hospital experienced a profit of about $5,200. The 340B net revenue for August was $34,860. Tabitha Standfast, the Director for Quality Risk Management, presented the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) report. During the report, she explained that the hospital is looking to fill four RN/LPN Positions in Med-Surg, one RN position in the Emergency Department, and the Long Term Care Director position is still open. There are two ambulances currently being repaired for bad sensors. One will be ready soon, and the hospital is currently waiting for a quote for the second rig. The hospital hired five new employees in August, including 2 CNAs, a Registration Clerk, and a phlebotomist. Eleven employees left the hospital, including the Dietary Director, the Director of Surgery, and an IT Specialist. It is unclear whether the resignations are due to the affiliation with Phelps Health, or not. After the CNO report, the board approved the Quality Minutes. The unofficial second quarter results for the HCAHPS, a survey that measures overall patient satisfaction, has the hospital rated 18%, however, it was noted that only 12 surveys were submitted. The POC QAPI projects are on track or completed for the fiscal year. QAPI is currently focusing on two projects, which are fine tuning their medication distribution process, to eliminate documentation errors, and working on their patient experience and helping the accuracy of registrations. Tabitha stated they are changing their Event Reporting System, between October 2023 and September 2024, there have been 381 events reported, including falls, medication documentation errors, and device and equipment malfunctions. Event Reporting used to be done through The Safety Net. That contract was canceled last month, and all reporting will now be in the Hospital’s SharePoint system, and will be downloaded to the Intranet on a monthly basis. SMH was one of seven recipients to be awarded the Delta System Improvement Program (DSIP) Grant in the amount of $350,000. That money will go towards increasing the Swing Bed volume, improving Transitions of Care, and discharge planning, as well as focusing on the Chronic Disease Coordination and Management Program. The Hospital was also awarded the ToRCH Grant, and an informational meeting about this grant will be held on Monday afternoon at 2:00, in the Community Center at the Armory. The Board will be accepting applications for a new member, to fill the current vacancy. Information on how to apply will be in the Salem Missouri Newspaper. Before adjourning to closed session, the Board set the date for the next meeting for October 29th, however a start time has not yet been announced. 

An informational session will be held today at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory for the ToRCH pilot program that aims to integrate social care supports into clinical care, reducing the impact of social challenges on health outcomes. Through partnerships with organizations including Healthy Dent County, Compass Health, Dent County Health Center, Aging Best, South Central Missouri Community Area Action Agency, and Four Rivers Community Health Center; the ToRCH project is making strides in advancing community health initiatives. The ToRCH Community Leadership Board will be awarding grants to address gaps in available services within the community. These grants are intended to resolve capacity and resource issues that may arise due to the smaller scale of operations. Potential uses for the funding include expanding staffing, securing larger facilities, purchasing necessary equipment, and overcoming logistical challenges. The grant categories are Community Service, Transportation, Behavioral Health Access, Diabetes Prevention, Food Insecurity, Maternal/Child Health, Obesity Prevention, Primary Care Access and Quality of Life The grant application window opens today the with the initial proposal deadline of December 2nd. Additional windows may open if funds remain. The proposals are expected to be awarded by January 6th, 2025. The maximum funding amount is $240,000 and the funds will have to spent by October 31st, 2025. For further information or to request an application, please contact Tabitha Stanfast, Director of Quality, at tstanfast@smdh.net.

Veterans who served between November 1st, 1955 and May 15th, 1975 will be honored Monday morning, September 30th, at 8:30 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Honorees or their family member in the case of deceased Veterans are eligible to be presented with their Vietnam Era Commemorative Pin and Certificate. To register yourself or your hero contact CSM(R) Freddie Brock at fltbrock@gmail come or call 573-528-5997. The Ceremony is being hosted by AUSA Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Mo and Honoring Our Hereoes Marathon.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray, was not in attendance and road supervisor Rodney Atkins reported work crews are still fixing numerous washouts in southern Dent County including those in Gladden, county road 6400 and 5300. Another crew is working on the Dump Truck #125 which will then be delivering rock to the roads being worked on. He also said David Gray Construction is laying concrete for the new salt shed at the Road and Bridge Department. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4283, 4285 and 4287; while only grading would be done on county roads 2190 and 2200. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report, and Assistant County Clerk Melissa Piatt said “excused” absentee voting continues at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the CART tax receipts for the month and said the county received $90,466.46 which is up $5,283.17 from last year and year-to-date, the county is up $34,946.81 which is a 5.1% increase from 2023. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A special waste collection for residential electronics, appliances and tires will be held from 9:00 until noon on Saturday at the Maries County Road Shed, 30119 Hwy. 28 W., near the junction of Highways 28 and Z, seven miles south of Belle. Maries County and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), with funding through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD), are partnering on the collection. The collection is for residential items only. No materials from businesses will be accepted and is open to residents from Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, hair dryers, VCR/DVD players, cell phones or anything that runs on a cord or battery. Oil and gas must be removed from tanks of any items such as push mowers, weed eaters, etc. All items must be free of debris. Tires on rims will not be accepted. Please note the following items will NOT be accepted: transformers, capacitors or ballasts not clearly marked “No PCBs”; smoke detectors; thermostats; medical waste; gas containers such as propane, oxygen, nitrous oxide; anything leaking oil or acid, such as batteries; broken ink or toner cartridges; alkaline batteries; light bulbs and fluorescent tubes; broken CRTs, TVs or monitors. Fees on certain items will be collected as follows: $25 for CRT TVs over 27 inches, projection screens and wood console TVs, $20 for CRT TVs under 26 inches, $15 for flat screen TVs, $10 for all computer monitors and refrigerated appliances with Freon and $5 for printers, scanners or copiers. Fees for tires are as follows: $2 each for passenger tires, $7.50 each for semi-truck tires and $35 each for tractor tires. Electronics and appliances are recycled by Midwest Recycling Center, and tires are recycled through Champlin Tires. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Kathryn Hawes at MRPC at 573-265-2993 Ext. 110 or at khawes@meramecregion.org. For those unable to participate in the Maries County collection, mark your calendars for a collection on Oct. 26 in St. Robert. For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org. Additional information can be found at ozarkrivers.org.

The Salem Missouri Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Old Auditorium. After approving the agenda and the consent agenda, the board approved the Second Street Property Bid Approval, and the Welcome Home Bid Approval for 102 S. Washington. Alderwoman Sisco abstained from the Welcome Home Bid Approval vote. The Board approved the bid for Westport Pools for $25,000 to replace the pool media. During new and Miscellaneous Business, the board approved Assistant City Clerk Wanda Suhr as the employer delegate at the LAGERS Annual Meeting at Lake Ozark, in City Administrator Sally Burbridge’s place. During the Community Support Funding discussion, The Board heard requests from SACBA, who requested $5,000 for beautification, Sleep in Heavenly Peace requesting $4,500 for lumbar, tools and supplies, and the Dent County Extension office who requested $8,200 to be used to support the 4-H Program. All three requests were unanimously approved. The Board approved the request for destruction of documents per state and local record retention schedules. Sally presented a request to fund a City of Salem sponsored Holiday Lighting contest for City Utility Customers, in lieu of Light Up The Park. Winners of this contest will receive credits on their Utilities bill, the money for which will be coming out of Community Support Funding. The Christmas Lighting Contest was approved. The Board approved a motion for the sewer adjustment policy for water leaks to include no more than three months. Resolutions 23-2024 and 24-2024, requesting a reduction on a Welcome Home Contractor’s bid, were approved, with Alderwoman Sisco abstaining from both votes. The CDBG Grant Agreement in the amount of $790,000 to fund Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades was also approved. The Board then approved the invoice from Trumpia, the company that has provided the platform for community wide text alert services, in the amount of $6,000.00. During City Officials Reports, Finance Director, Stacy Houston gave an update on City Financials. Public Works Director, Steve Paine gave his report on City Utilities. Mayor Greg Parker wanted to remind citizens that the citywide yard sale will be held Saturday October 5th, and the dates for the citywide clean up will be October 21-25. Alderwoman Sisco gave an update on the Salem, Mo Fireworks Committee, as well as the upcoming sign ups and tryouts for the Boys traveling basketball team which will be held on October 14th at the Upper Elementary. With no other reports, or discussions, the meeting adjourned to closed session. 

The University of Missouri’s Wurdack Extension and Education Center 2024 Field Day, Friday, October 4th, will focus on cattle management strategies, including reproduction, feed and forage. Gatlin Bunton, director of MU Wurdack Center, a 1,200-acre research and demonstration farm on the Meramec River in the northeastern Ozarks, said that cattle and forage management should be top of mind for any beef producer in Missouri. He went on to note that this field day will allow participants to gain new perspectives on reproductive strategies in beef cattle and a better understanding of forage options beyond tall fescue. MU Extension experts are among the speakers on the tour. The field day begins at 9:30 and wraps up with a free lunch at noon. Topics and speakers will include cattle reproduction and artificial insemination techniques by Cecilia Constantino Rocha, assistant research professor, reproductive management in replacement heifers presented by Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist, winter annual forage options by Chrisee Brandl, field specialist in livestock.  grain sorghum as a winter-feeding strategy will be explained by Rusty Lee, field specialist in agronomy. Other topics and presenters include beef management on warm-season grass pastures by Eric Meusch, field specialist in livestock, economics of conversion to native warm-season grass explained by Rachel Hopkins, field specialist in ag business and assessing cool-season grass pastures for renovation by Ellen Herring, research specialist. The MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center is at 164 Bales Road, Cook Station. For more information, visit extension.missouri.edu.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Sunday afternoon at 4:43 on I44 at the 174 Mile Marker. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2008 Ford Explorer, operated by 31-year-old Dustin Hardcastle of Lebanon, Missouri, failed to confirm that the passing lane was clear before merging and struck a 2019 Dodge Caravan. The Dodge was operated by 46-year-old Cecilia Adams of Robertsville, Missouri. Four juveniles in the Dodge ranging in age from 9 to 17 years old suffered moderate injuries and were transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Adams suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Phelps Health by ambulance. The report stated that all occupants of the two vehicles were wearing safety restraints. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing. The Dodge had moderated damage and was towed by C & C Towing.

An accident occurred in Texas County Monday morning at 7:50 on Highway 63 five miles north of Houston. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2022 Ford Edge, driven by 49-year-old Jeramy Lee of Bucyrus, hydroplaned causing the Ford to travel off the left side of the roadway where it overturned. Lee suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Texas County Memorial Hospital by Texas County Ambulance. The report stated that she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and the Houston Rural Fire Department.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 5:10 on Highway 19 seven miles south of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2014 Ford Fusion, driven by a 17-year-old female juvenile, swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway, traveled off the right side of the roadway and returned. The juvenile then overcorrected, traveled off the right side of the roadway again, and overturned. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The report stated that the driver was wearing a safety restraint. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Fire Department.

MoDOT has announced that Route 60 in Butler, Carter, Shannon, Howell, Texas, and Wright Counties will be reduced to one lane for striping operations through September 30. The affected area extends from Route 67 in Butler County to the Wright County line. This will be a moving operation with intermittent lane restrictions. 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) is hosting a tree planting event Saturday morning at 10:00 at Big Spring to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Missouri’s first state parks. Volunteers are invited to help plant 100 native trees in the area. The event commemorates the 1924 purchase of Big Spring, which became Missouri’s first state park and the first public recreational land in the Current River watershed. Participants should wear sturdy footwear and bring work gloves, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen. ONSR will provide shovels and planting supplies. Volunteers will receive a free one-day entrance coupon to a federal recreation site, an ONSR Volunteer t-shirt, and vintage postcards. The Ozark Riverways Foundation will provide lunch and musical entertainment. For more information, call (573) 323-4236 or visit www.nps.gov/ozar.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County resident Rick Emory was in and talked about the rain received and the fact that a culvert needs to be moved as water is backing up on his property. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said he would talk to the road crew and will also check it out. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s office was in and updated the Commission on immigration laws and citizenship, more funding for the Secret Service, bills passed out of the House, penalties for those who leak taxpayer information, interference from foreign countries in electronics, and improving social security to reduce identity theft. In the road report Mobray said his crews were out checking roads today and working on Flap 77 to get environmental approval from DNR. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said his crews were also checking roads for washouts. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll was being approved and that Tuesday is the first day for absentee voting with an excuse, the last day to register to vote is October 9th, and no excuse absentee voting begins October 22nd. Larson did share that he had visited with Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams, and they confirmed that all Opioid Committee members are in place so they will start working on applications, but no funds will be distributed until 2025. The next regular meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting last Thursday afternoon at the district office at 5:30. After approving the agenda and the consent agenda, The board recognized Salem Middle School student: Westin Stites and his part in the upcoming Musical Elf Jr. in December. During the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Nathan Wills referenced CSIP Goals, updated about the upcoming Coffee Connections tomorrow morning, at 8:00. Dr. Wills also updated the board on the FEMA Storm Shelter progress, the New Tiger Training Survey data, the establishment of a District Leadership Committee, and the establishment of a Student Advisory Committee. He also spoke about the District Drink Contract, the status of roof repairs throughout the district and the Ag/FFA program inquiry of a potential grant funded Animal Science Lab. Following his report, the board heard reports from the District Administrators, before moving on to New Business. The Preliminary 2023-2023 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, as well as the three year Bid for Gas were unanimously approved. The Board also approved the MARCO three year contract for copier maintenance, and the Hold Harmless Agreement – keeping Christmas at Home from UE. The motion to approve Bus Routes, and a contract with Dalton Sanders for Bus use was unanimously approved. The board approved the Discovery School Contract and they approved Nathan Wills and Dan Copeland as authorized signatures for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The District experienced two new hires, one transfer, one retirement and two resignations. The meeting then adjourned to closed session. The next Board of Education meeting is set for the evening of October 23.

A fatal accident occurred Friday morning around 10:15 in Crawford County on Hwy 19 about 2 miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 BMW F700GS Motorcycle driven by 78-year-old Donald Chilton of St. Louis was travelling south bound and travelled off the left side of the roadway. The motorcycle struck a sign and overturned. Chilton was pronounced deceased on the scene by Dr. McCarthy at 10:33 in the morning. He was transported by the Crawford County Coroner to the Crawford County Conor Office.  The report goes on to state that Chilton was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 2:25 in Crawford County on Highway H seven miles south of Leasburg. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2022 Nissan Altima, driven by 50-year-old Rolando Duron of Belle, Missouri, failed to negotiate a curve causing the Nissan to travel off the right side of the roadway striking a ditch. Two passengers in the vehicle, 25-year-old Megan Tomazi of Wildwood, Missouri and 38-year-old Krystle Cruz-Rocha of St. Louis, suffered minor injuries and were transported by North Crawford Ambulance to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The report stated that all three occupants were wearing safety restraints. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing.

An accident occurred in Texas County Wednesday evening at 8:28 on Highway 63 two miles south of Houston. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, operated by a16-year-old male juvenile of Houston, Missouri, was turning north on Highway 63 from a private driveway and turned into the path of a southbound 2020 Ford Expedition driven by 24-year-old Meagan Hurst of Nevada, Missouri. The juvenile, Meagan Hurst, and a passenger in the Honda, 25-year-old Justin Hearst of Nevada, all suffered minor injuries. The juvenile was transported to Texas County Memorial Hospital by a private conveyance, while the Hursts were transported by Texas County Ambulance to TCMH. The report stated that all three occupants were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled, and the Hyundai was removed from the scene by Jays Towing at the owner’s request, while the Ford was removed by Midway Towing at the owner’s request.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Annual Dinner will be held Thursday, October 24th at the Osage View in Linn, Missouri. Each year, the MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time, talents and who give support to their communities. This year there will be nine recipients. Some of the individuals being recognized by MRPC for 2024 contributions to their communities are: Bryce Mobray and Stan Podorski who were nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; and Tracy Staples who was nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black. The public is invited to attend the event in Linn at the new Osage View. A tour of the facility will be offered at 4:45 with the reception following at 5:30 with the dinner, catered by Annie’s Station served buffet style at 6:30. The program and awards presentation will follow. The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the annual dinner for 2024. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient is not announced until it is presented at the dinner. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993. The MRPC Annual Dinner is open to the public and the deadline for reservations is this Thursday, September 26th.

Recent potential threat reports to multiple school districts across the country on social media, plus verbal threats made by students reminds citizens of the importance of reporting these and other threats. Assaults or threats of assault should be reported to the authorities and Missouri has a valuable tool for anonymous reporting of these concerns. The Courage2ReportMo program, also referred to as C2R, provides a “sooner is safer” tool to report real time concerns 24 hours a day. There are several ways to report including through Apple or Google Play Courage2Report mobile apps, online to Missouri State Highway Patrol, by calling 866-748-7047, or texting C2R to 738477. C2R Missouri calls and tips are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by trained communications professionals. For more information about C2R Missouri call the C2R Missouri Administrative Office at 866-362-6422.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2490, 5090 and 5500; while brush would be cut on county roads 5170 and 6170. District 2 Road Supervisor Travis Turner filled in for Commissioner Polk and said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2330. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported there were seven requests made Monday night at the Tourism Tax Committee meeting. Four requests were approved, two were denied and one was tabled. Even though the requests were approved, they may not have been for the entire amount the organizations requested. Larson also wanted to remind those trying to get their reimbursement to only submit the paid invoices and checks for the amount that was approved by the Tourism Tax Committee, not what they originally requested if it wasn’t fully funded. Many organizations are submitting all of their checks and paid invoices instead of just those that had been approved which may cause them to lose some of their reimbursement if the committee cannot distinguish what they have submitted from the approved amount. Larson said he attended the Meramec Region Community Foundation Board meeting Tuesday in St. James, and they are still looking for a representative from Dent County. This is a volunteer position and would be perfect for someone who is a philanthropist. Contact Commissioner Larson if you would be interested by calling 573-729-3044. He also said the board talked about the Route 66 Centennial Celebration that will be held in 2026 and those interested can find out more information at celebratemo66.com. Larson went on to report that Wednesday he attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management Board meeting where they scored grant applications received for waste reduction or recycling this year. Grants will be awarded at a later date once the scores have been tabulated. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said “excused” absentee voting begins Tuesday at the courthouse, and the last day to register to vote is October 9th. Curley said she created a social media account on Facebook with the sample ballot and other information as well as office news. Curley also stated the testing of the voting equipment will be done at 9:00 on October 29th. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

Salem R-80 School District is introducing “Coffee Connections,” a new series of community engagement events. Superintendent Dr. Nate Wills announced the initiative as part of his ongoing efforts to enhance communication between the school district and community members. The first Coffee Connection is scheduled for September 25th from 8:00 to 9:00 AM at William Lynch Elementary. Dr. Wills will be present, with school board members occasionally joining. These events aim to share district updates and gather feedback from parents, community members, and friends of Salem R-80. Dr. Wills emphasizes the importance of open and transparent communication in fostering trust and connection among students, parents, teachers, and staff. He views these meetings as opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and developing innovative solutions for the district.Future Coffee Connections dates will be posted on the District’s Facebook page. For more information, contact the Salem R-80 School District office.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a report on the sentencing hearing of Michael Polette of Salem held August 28th in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. On February 6th, Polette pled guilty to seven counts of child pornography that included motion pictures and four other pictures. Polette had created the pictures through the use of an underage child. A sentencing assessment report was created and submitted by Probation and Parole. On August 28th, the sentencing hearing was conducted where Prosecutor Andrew Curley sought 18 years in the Department of Corrections. The counsel for Polette, Craig Devine, sought a lesser sentence and/or probation due to the defendant’s lack of criminal history and the time Polette spent in pre-trial detention as he remained incarcerated from the date of his arrest. At the sentencing hearing, the father of the child testified. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Randazzo sentenced Polette to serve 18 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by the prosecutor. On Wednesday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo, Tyler Callahan of Salem pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance, chronic driving under the influence and felony driving while having his license revoked. Randazzo sentenced Callahan to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by Prosecutor Curley.

University of Missouri Extension offers an opportunity to learn about native warm-season grass seed production at a workshop at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center on October 25th. MU Extension agricultural business specialist Rachel Hopkins says forage producers can learn from field demonstrations on harvesting and seed cleaning at the one-day event. The workshop also will cover regulations, testing, harvesting methods and financial tracking. Hopkins says that over the past 50-60 years, agricultural operations have become focused on growing one or two commodities and are then exposed to market volatility. By having the option to sell native seed, farms can have better financial stability and flexibility. If for a couple years, seed income isn’t needed, the grass can be pastured instead. Growing native seed can also be a good option for landowners who need return off the land but are more wildlife focused. The workshop runs 9:00 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center, 164 Bales Road, Cook Station. Register by October 21st at http://muext.us/NWSGS, or call 573-438-2671 for more information. Lunch is provided.

The Salem Middle School Football team will host a special “Cheer for a Cure” game on October 17th as part of a community-wide “pink out” event aimed at supporting breast cancer awareness. The school’s cheerleading squad will kick off fundraising efforts for the cause by selling 50/50 raffle tickets, with proceeds benefiting the Free Mammogram program at Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH). Raffle tickets will go on sale starting September 28th at the Middle School Girls’ basketball game concessions and will be sold throughout all home basketball games. Tickets will also be available at the home football game on September 24th, as well as during the first half of the 7th-grade football game on October 17th. Supporters can purchase tickets for $1 each or six for $5, with half of the proceeds going to the raffle winner and the other half supporting the mammogram program. Tickets will also be available for purchase from any Salem Middle School cheerleader or at the school office starting September 23rd. The raffle winner will be announced during halftime of the 8th-grade game on October 17th. For more information, community members are encouraged to reach out to the school. You can call the Salem Middle School at (573) 729-4261.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released some reports for the period from September 6th through the 10th. On Friday, September 6th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on South Highway 19 and Dent County Road 5083. During the course of the stop, a 41-year-old Newburg man who was operating the vehicle was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, plus his driving privileges had been revoked. The man was arrested. On Monday, the 9th of September, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 3200 block of South Highway 19. During the course of this stop, a 38-year-old Salem man was found to be driving with a suspended driving privilege. He was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail for processing. On Tuesday, September 10th, deputies responded to a report of property damage on Dent County Road 6250. The victim was a 72-year-old Salem man who said one of his cows had been shot and killed. The investigation is ongoing. That same day, Dent County Deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 32 and South Hickory Street. During the stop, deputies searched the vehicle with the driver’s consent, and contraband was located. The suspect, a 44-year-old Salem man, was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail. Contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred that involved a pedestrian in Phelps County Sunday afternoon at 12:47 on Highway 63 five miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2022 GMC Sierra was being driven northbound in the passing lane by 51-year-old Mark Borgmann of Pacific, Missouri. The GMC was overtaking another vehicle when 36-year-old Heather Polk of Rolla was attempting to cross the highway and was struck. Polk suffered serious injuries and was transported to University Hospital in Columbia by Phelps Health Air Ambulance. The report stated that Borgmann was wearing a safety restraint. The GMC sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Monday morning at 9:30 in Dent County on Highway 19 three miles south of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2008 Mazda 3, driven by 19-year-old Damyan Bagley of Salem, ran off the right side of the roadway striking an embankment and a guide wire. Bagley suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by Salem EMS. The report stated that Bagley was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Mazda sustained moderate damage and remained roadside.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to visit mostateparks.com this month and view informational videos for many state parks and historic sites. After watching the videos, the public is encouraged to provide input and comments, as well as submit questions about the historic sites or parks and their operations. Park team members will respond to the comments, answer questions and provide information. The videos will be online and available for comment through the month of September for visitors to view at their leisure. Once the month ends, the comment function will be turned off, but the video will remain online for viewing. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. For a list of scheduled informational meetings and a list of videos, visit mostateparks.com and search for informational meetings. 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 City of Salem has announced that they will be testing the storm sirens tomorrow at 10:00 in the morning. If there are storms in the area during the scheduled test time, the city will postpone the test until next Wednesday.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave her sales tax report for the money collected this month. She said the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $103,147.49 which is $18,520.84 more than for September of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up about $41,557 which is about a 5.2% increase. The Road and Bridge Fund received $48,498.22 this month, and that is up $10,632.31 more than September of 2023. Year-to-date, that fund is up $18,597.30 which is near 5%. The County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $97,418.01 in September and that is up $21,264.53 from the September 2023 receipts. Year-to-date, those funds are up $38,385.44. Williams said the county has so far paid back  $199,960 of the $933,148.23 sales tax the state said the county should not have received. There is still $733,187.85 remaining to be paid back which the state deducts from the county monthly receipts by a total of just over $11,000. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley says many counties are not in this good of shape financially even with the reduction each month by the state. She said many counties have to borrow money to do any major construction or renovations where Dent County was able to do the 1.7-million-dollar courthouse renovation from their own reserves.

In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5160 and 5170 while crews will be removing two trees from county road 5080. Mobray said a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3190, 3220, 4430 and 6140; while brush would be cut on county roads 4380, 4390 and 5225. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the MRPC meeting Thursday night and will attend a grant proposal meeting Wednesday at the MRPC building. Dent County Clerk Curley said the last day to register to vote for the General Election would be October 9th, absentee voting with an excuse begins September 24th, while “no excuse” absentee voting will begin on October 22nd. At the last meeting, the commissioners discussed three bids for a truck for the coroner. The state bid was from Don Brown Chevrolet for $48,256, while other bids received included Ford Joe for $51,680 and Billman Dodge for $50,498. Coroner Ben Pursifull was present and recommended the Ford as it is a one-ton XLT truck with options and better re-sale value. The commission approved the purchase of the Ford for the Coroner’s Office. The commission also agreed to seek bids for a new courthouse roof and the replacement of damaged screens in the Judicial Building from the hail damage. Bids will be due on Thursday, October 3rd at the county clerk’s office and will be opened at 10:00 in the morning. If anyone has questions about placing a bid or specs, contact Commissioner Gary Larson at 729-3044 or 368-9099. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred in Maries County Sunday on Highway 28 east of Highway C that took the life of a man from Arkansas. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2005 Subaru Outback, driven by 41-year-old Michael Edington of Rolla, crossed the center line and struck a westbound 2008 Dodge Ram 2500, driven by 21-year-old Elijah Woodward of Locust Grove, Arkansas, head-on. The Subaru went off the right side of the roadway, while the Dodge went off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Woodward was ejected from the Dodge. He was pronounced deceased at University Hospital in Columbia at 9:03 by Dr. Chris Nelson. The report stated that neither Woodward nor Edington were wearing safety restraints. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Owens Towing, while the Subaru sustained extensive damage and was removed by Fastlane Towing.