Local News

An accident happened Thursday afternoon just after 12:30 that left a Salem resident with serious injuries. According to the report from the highway patrol a 1995 Ford F-150 being driven by 59-year-old Harvey Carter of Salem was traveling west on Highway 32 about 4 miles from Salem when he ran off the right side of the road, striking a fence and a tree. Carter was taken by Air Evac to Cox Hospital South in Springfield for treatment. The report went on to state that Carter was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 9:10 in Dent County on Highway 32 about three miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Dodge Caravan driven by 30-year-old Emily Inman of Salem was travelling eastbound when she lost control on a snow covered roadway. The Dodge crossed the centerline, travelled off the left side of the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. Inman and a 10-year-old juvenile female of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Salem Memorial Hospital by Ambulance. Inman was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The juvenile was wearing a safety restraint. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 11:20 in Phelps County on I 44 westbound near mile marker 199.6. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by 23-year-old Caleb Davis of Rolla was travelling in the left lane while passing a tractor trailer. The Dodge travelled back into the right lane, lost control, and travelled off the right side of the roadway, down an embankment, where its undercarriage struck the ground. Davis and 24-year-old April Krieter of Rolla, an occupant in the vehicle, both suffered minor injuries. She was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla by St. James Ambulance while Davis was not transported to the hospital. All parties in the car were wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

The Salem Airport Board Chairman Tyler Naramore has called for a meeting on Tuesday night at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 N. Washington. After the introduction of the committee members, aldermen and staff, the Board will approve the minutes of the last meeting and receive an airport lighting update, get an update on the fuel card reader, gate opener and new hangar construction; hear hangar lease suggestions and discuss hangar rates. The board will also talk about the termite damage to hangars/FBO, hear updates on FBO, get updated on the status of a rotary mower purchase and discuss other business. The meeting of the Airport Board is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their January meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 in the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations and statistics for the month of December as well as the auxiliary report, followed by the Chief of Nursing Report with Ashley Sullins. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards will give the hospital foundation report as well as the marketing and community perception report. In old business, Lucas will update the board on how COVID-19 is affecting the hospital, give a report on the Cerner conversion, discuss the CLIA survey and talk about the election filing for the District 3 board seat that will becoming available in the upcoming April election. In new business, the board will discuss any purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session. The SMDH Board meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library is open to the public.

An accident happened Wednesday night in Dent County at 10:10 on Highway 32 about a mile west of Boss. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country driven by 64-year-old Karen Salsman of Viburnum, swerved to miss a deer in the road and traveled off the left side of the roadway where the vehicle struck the ground and a fence. Salsman suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Chrysler sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing of Viburnum. Salsman was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department assisted the highway patrol at the scene.

The Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer wants to remind the public with COVID cases again on the rise, the Dent County Assessor’s office is open, but would like to keep in person visits to a minimum. If you haven’t used the online filing system for your 2022 assessment form, they would encourage you to give it a try. If you have your assessment form, log into the link provided on the 2022 assessment form you received in the mail. You will need your account number and pin number from that form to enter your information online. You can always mail your signed form back in the return envelope provided, or you can drop it in the collector’s payment box out in front of the courthouse on the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn. If you have questions, call the office at 729-6010.

The Salem Police Department has released additional reports for the month of December. During the afternoon of Friday, December 10th around 1:00 an officer arrested 50-year-old Richard L. Labrash of Salem on an active capias for his arrest. Labrash was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail with no bond. Then on Sunday the 12th of December close to midnight, an officer conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Hunt and Warfel Streets. It was apparent that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. An investigation was conducted and the police found the subject to be operating the vehicle under the influence of narcotics. As a result, a 58-year-old Salem woman was arrested and issued a summons for driving while being intoxicated. On Wednesday afternoon, December 15th near 1:30, an officer arrested 28-year-old Ashlie Sapaugh of Salem for an active arrest warrant. Sapaugh was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. During the afternoon of Saturday, December 18th around 4:30, an officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 19 and 32. The driver was found to be in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Due to the items located, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested and later released on summons. The last report occurred on Tuesday, December 31st, an officer arrested Stephanie Tahssain for an outstanding arrest warrant out of the Uvalde Police Department in Texas. The bond amount was $5,000 in cash or surety. Tahssain was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending extradition or bond. Please contact the Salem Police at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any investigation.

The University of Missouri Extension is offering a webinar series on how to save money on your timber taxes. Many forest landowners pay more taxes on their timber than they should. Accountants can help calculate the taxes, but forest landowners need to understand how timber expenses should be reported and how they are taxed. When planning forest management activities, knowing the timber tax rules will help keep your records in line and save you money. The webinar series is part of the Woodland Stewards regional extension program for landowners. The webinar was created by a team of forestry extension professional from 10 programs, the United States Forest Service and more. The webinars are one-hour sessions that will be held on Tuesdays starting at noon beginning January 18th and lasting every Tuesday through February 15th. If you are interested in one or more of the webinars, please click place the following address in your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ForestryTaxWebinars. For additional assistance, call the Dent County Extension at 729-3196.

A one vehicle accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 10:20 that left a Salem area resident with moderate injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2000 Chevrolet S-10, driven by 33-year-old Debra Stidham, travelled off the right side of Route A and struck two trees about a half mile west of Bunker. The report stated that Stidham suffered moderate injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The S-10 was totaled and removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing. According to the report it is unknown whether the driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports for the month of December. On Monday, December 6th at around midnight, an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of South Jackson for a report of a disturbance. After an investigation, a male subject was contacted and found to be in possession of a scale containing methamphetamine. Due to the possession of drug paraphernalia the man was arrested and placed on a 12-hour hold due to his level of intoxication. That same evening close to 8:00, an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Jack Street for the report of shots being fired. During the investigation, it was learned that a 23-year-old Salem man was intoxicated and acting belligerent, had discharged a number of rounds from a 9-millimeter handgun. As a result, the man was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. During the morning of Wednesday, December 8th near 8:30, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of North Henderson for a report of a burglary and theft. It was reported that a building had been broken into and approximately $2,000 worth of property had been taken. An investigation was conducted by Detective Burns and subsequently a search warrant was obtained and served in the 300 block of West Fifth Street where items stolen from the building were located along with the suspect. As a result, a 50-year-old Salem man was arrested and is facing charges of Burglary and Stealing. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Doe Run Company is proud to announce that longtime employee, Todd Mead, has been awarded Driller of the Year by the Heartland and Mississippi Valley chapters of the International Society of Explosive Engineers (ISEE). Mead, a resident of Bunker, has been responsible for drilling and blasting work as an underground miner at Doe Run for more than 12 years. He currently works as part of a two-person crew developing ore at Fletcher Mine. Mead and his mining partner had great success this past year: together, they broke more than 87,000 tons of rock to make significant progress towards expanding Fletcher Mine.

Through this Friday, Dent County residents can vote to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern district, five in the Central district and two in the Southern district. Ballots may be mailed to the Dent County Extension Center at 112 East 5th Street in Salem, or you can vote or drop off ballots on the second floor of the Judicial Building between the hours of 8:00 in the morning and 4:30 p.m. Candidates include Kelly Chapman and Terry Phelps in the Northern District; Darlene Dahms, Thomas Haines, Charlee Sue Jadwin, Betty Kunkel and Kolson Seay in the Central District; and Kyle Case and Jason Jones in the Southern District. Ballots were printed in the January 4th edition of the Salem News and were in this Monday’s edition of Your World Today as in insert. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.

The Board of Directors of the Salem Memorial District Hospital will conduct a special meeting tonight at 6:00 in the hospital library. This meeting may be conducted and attended by telephone or other electronic means and the public may observe and attend any portion of the meeting not closed to the public. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact Tonya Akers at 573-729-6626 to obtain access information.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Road Supervisor Jason Akins gave the report for Commissioner Wes Mobray who was not in attendance due to other commitments. Akins said crews would be replacing a crossover pipe on Dent County Road 2400 and adding material to an undermined area around a culvert pipe on county road 2410. Akins went on to say workers would be removing left over debris from tree trimming on Dent County Roads 5440 and 5450. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said a crew would be working on the spreader box on Truck #72 as the chain has been giving them problems. He said two men would be taking truck #116 with a snowplow to Knapheide in Jefferson City as the snowplow mechanism will only move one way. Larson said a crew this week would be picking up old culverts on Dent County Road 2090. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending a Public Housing Authority meeting and MRPC meeting on Thursday, and would be in Jefferson City Friday for a CCAM Executive Board meeting. He said Friday is also the day the trial will be held on the legality of how Senate Bill 53 was passed in the Cole County Court. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said work continues on the 2022 County Budget. She also wanted to remind all political entities that they must submit their final certifications for the April election in the county clerk’s office by 5:00 PM, Tuesday, January 25th whether an election is occurring or no election is needed. State Representative Ron Copeland was in attendance. He said the biggest issue being discussed was redistricting at this time as the committee has agreed on 112 of 163 districts, but 51 others are still being disputed. This may end up going to court where the judge allows the 112 to stay and will only rule on the 51 other districts or throw the whole thing out and start over. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received by the county this month. In the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund, the county received $91,064.52 and that is $34,878.01 more than the 2021 figure of $56,176.51. She said the Road and Bridge Fund received $43,938.97 and that is $19,673.71 more than the 2021 figure of 24,265.26. In the Jail Operating and Trust Funds, Williams indicated both funds received $87,816.54 which is $39,285.13 more than the figure for January of 2021. Skiles said the courthouse would be closed on Monday, Martin Luther King Day, so the commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday, January 18th at 9:00 for their regular meeting. At the meeting last Monday, January 3rd, Corky Stack with Stack Engineering came in to update the commission on the cost of the work on the outside of the courthouse. Stack estimated the total project cost to be between $570,000 and $730,000. It was also decided at the last meeting that beginning February 1st, the commission will go back to meeting twice a week on Monday and Thursdays at 9:00. The meetings were reduced to one per week in the height of the COVID Pandemic in 2020. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Tuesday, January 18th at 9:00 at the courthouse and that meeting will be open to the public.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a four-week stained glass class beginning tonight and lasting through February 1st with Jennifer Curry. There will be two sessions to choose from: either 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon or from 5:30 to 7:30 at night. Learn the art of Stained Glass and create a panel of your own. All the supplies and safety equipment are included. The cost is $150 for all four weeks. For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306, or sign up on the Salem Arts Council Facebook page.

An accident occurred Friday morning at 10:34 in Jefferson County on Highway 21 north of Grassy Lane. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford F150 driven by 60-year-old Steven McCarter of Salem, was traveling southbound and travelled off the east side of the roadway. The Ford overturned and ejected the driver and a passenger, 42-year-old Cheri Sturdivant of Salem. Sturdivant suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital South by Valle Ambulance. McCarter also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis by Survival Flight Air Ambulance. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Shank’s Towing. Safety devices were not in use at the time of the accident.

The Salem R-80 School Board of Education met Thursday via Zoom at noon to discuss changes in the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP) at the high school. Those changes followed the suggestions of the Dent County Health Center and the CDC. The changes include the length of isolation and quarantine after exposure will be five days out of school and five days masked upon return. The board also corrected some verbiage on the test-to-stay option which is available for anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19; and under the mitigation measures, the text was changed to all staff should wear a mask within six feet of other adults which is only a suggestion, not a mandate. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board will hear the introduction and reading of bill including Resolution #1-2022 authorizing the mayor to execute and agreement between the city and Godi’s Excavating for the timber clearing for the Certified Site in the Master’s Industrial Park, and Resolution #2-2022 which is a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a one year memorandum of understanding between the City of Salem and the Board of Governors of Missouri State University at West Plains for the Adult Education and Literacy program. The MOU allows the city hall to be used for purposes of conducting activities associated with the educational programs delivered by the university for the AEL program. The board will hear and discuss Bill #3497 which would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to act as a representative for the city in executing a tower lease agreement between the city of Salem and Wave Internet Technologies LLC. This agreement will allow for the installation of a wireless broadband access point for related equipment on a designated portion of the city of Salem’s water tower located at Tower and Condray Street effective the 1st day of February 2022 for a period of one year. Resolution #3-2022, which is a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Signature Public Funding Corp., a New York Corporation, to provide for the funding of the HVAC and Maintenance Project of just over 1.5 million dollars. Reports will then be heard from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Kim Steelman, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois and various alderman reports. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.

Effective TODAY, Phelps Health facilities will no longer allow cloth, reusable, or privately purchased face masks inside their facilities. Instead, staff will provide employees, patients, and visitors with disposable surgical masks at the door. This announcement comes just days after Mercy Hospital in Springfield made similar changes to their masking policy.

The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully surpassed their Christmas Kettle Campaign goal of $38,000. The total raised was $40,000. Along with the monetary donations received this year, nearly 200 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2022 to those in Dent County.

The City of Salem encountered a delay in the processing of utility bills due to the holidays. Bills were mailed Thursday with an adjusted penalty date indicated on the bill. We regret any inconvenience this delay may cause. Customers that haven’t received their bill by Monday, January 10th or that have any questions should call the Utility Office at (573) 729-4117.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:25 in Dent County on Highway 32 about a half mile east of the Meramec River or about six miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 64-year-old Michael Lanham of Bunker, ran off the left side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Lanham suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. Lanham was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing.

An accident happened in Washington County on Highway 8 at Chapel Road Wednesday afternoon at 1:55. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Ford Explorer driven eastbound by 44-year-old Charles Missey of Potosi, struck a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis driven eastbound by 24-year-old Kaitlynn Dutkiewicz of Steelville, from behind. Suffering minor injuries was a one-year-old baby girl who was a passenger in the Grand Marquis. She was taken by the Washington County Ambulance to the Washington County Memorial Hospital. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints and the baby girl was in a car seat. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Harry’s Towing.

You can go native with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, buttonbush, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 34 cents to $1 per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1 percent will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $9 handling charge for each order. You can receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly. Even if a species is listed as sold out, customers can still place an order for them. Sometimes orders get cancelled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Learn more and place orders through MDC’s 2021-2022 Seedling Order Form. Find it at MDC regional offices and nature centers, online at mdc.mo.gov or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229 or StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. Place orders now through April 15, 2022. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking from February through May.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, January 12th. The ceremony will take place in the Academy gymnasium at 1510 East Elm Street in Jefferson City, and the public is invited. The graduation ceremony will be live streamed on the Patrol’s Facebook page. The graduation ceremony will begin that morning at 10:00. The 112th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 2nd to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on Monday, January 31st. In our area Elijah D. Leblanc of Anderson will be assigned to Troop I.

Cancellations are on the KSMO Cancellation and Closure page

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. After approval of the consent agenda, bills were reviewed and approved, showing an ending balance of $119,717.25 in the General Fund as of December 31st. The fire district is still working off the 2021 budget as work continues on the 2022 budget. The monthly reimbursement report was presented which showed a total of 32 calls for the month including one structure fire, five brush fires, four trash or rubbish fires, a car fire, three motor vehicle accidents, six medical assist calls, four gas leak or carbon monoxide calls, four calls cancelled en route, a search for a person call, and three other miscellaneous calls. Changes have to be made to the Policies and Procedures that were presented at the last couple of meetings by Weber and Associates, but they were tabled until they could have a full board present. There was no new business presented, but in old business Chief Brad Nash reported that Ladder Truck #81 has been repaired and put back in service while Engine #85 is still being repaired from being struck by a deer. Nash said all the ladders had been tested and passed except for ladder #81 which was in St. Louis being repaired at the time of the inspection. It will have to be tested later. Nash also stated the UTV’s are almost complete and ready to be outfitted and placed into service. The date for the next meeting will be February 1st at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Wednesday morning at 2:35 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 2030 about 500-feet south of Phelps County Road 2050. According to the highway patrol report, Lonnie Quick of Rolla was driving his 2020 TaoTao scooter northbound on County Road 2030 when he struck a dog. Quick suffered minor injuries and was taken by a passerby to Phelps Health in Rolla. Quick was not wearing any safety devices when the accident happened. The scooter sustained only minor damage and was released to the owner.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 9,965 deer during the alternative-methods portion of the firearms deer season that lasted from December 25th through January 4th. Top harvest counties were Osage with 223 deer harvested, Franklin with 211, and Callaway with 201. In the KSMO listening area, Texas County harvested 195 deer while Dent County hunters took 149 deer, Crawford County hunters killed 139 deer, Reynolds County harvested 136, Phelps County had 102 deer taken while Iron County had only 62 deer killed. The harvest total for last year’s alternative-methods portion was 14,623.

The Cosmopolitan Club of Salem has announced that they are tentatively planning to proceed with the annual Variety Show and Miss Salem Pageant scheduled for March 5 at the Salem Civic Theater. The club is actively seeking candidates for Miss Salem at this time and interested girls are encouraged to contact Robyn Taylor at Salem High School for information. Candidates must be in grades 10-12. The Variety Show and Miss Salem pageant were canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19.

Bitter cold temperatures and periods of light snow forecast this morning could impact morning commutes for Missouri drivers. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges those who must travel this morning to use extra caution, anticipate a slower commute, and consult road conditions before you go. In temperatures this cold, any precipitation on the roadways could create slick conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses. MoDOT advises anyone who can, to stay off the roads in these conditions. Those who must drive should plan time to leave early and take it slow. Always buckle up and avoid distractions. If you’re involved in a minor crash or slide off the road, the safest place to be is buckled in your car as you wait for help. Equip your vehicle with a winter weather emergency kit before you travel in bitter cold temperatures. Include any necessary medications, a phone charger, a blanket, bottled water, nonperishable foods and a flashlight. For more items to include in a winter weather emergency kit, visit modot.org/winter. Before you travel, check all current Missouri road conditions on the Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app, available for free for iPhone and Android phones. You can also find road conditions and warnings by following MoDOT on Facebook and Twitter or by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The 2022 Dent County Assessment Lists have been mailed. You should receive those assessment lists in the mail this week. If you do NOT receive your assessment forms by Monday, January 10th or are not sure that you will be receiving any forms, contact the Dent County Assessor at 573-729-6010. Online filing is available now through April 30th. In addition to being able to file online, there is a drop box in front of the courthouse, as well as a drop box inside the courthouse by the office door, or you may also mail your completed form back to the Dent County Assessor at 400 N Main St, Salem, MO 65560. To avoid a late filing penalty, your completed assessment forms will be due in the assessor’s office by March 1st. The assessor’s office is open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, or call Assessor Jamie Homeyer them at 573-729-6010 with any questions. If there is no answer, please leave them a message and they will return your call as soon as possible.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a couple of reports. On Friday, December 31st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Center Street. As a result of the stop, a 24-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. The next day on January 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19. During the stop a 51-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 2:05 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 at the 185-mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, 20-year-old Dakota Cezar of Rolla was driving a 1993 Honda Prelude eastbound on Interstate 44 when he lost control of the vehicle. It then traveled off the left side of the roadway where the Prelude struck the median cable barrier and then a concrete wall. Cezar suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Honda was totaled and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing of Rolla.

The annual open enrollment period for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act has been extended through January 15, 2022. The extension will allow consumers more time to review their plan choices, seek in-person assistance, and enroll in the plan that best meets their needs. Many more Missourians may now be eligible for comprehensive health coverage, thanks to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. This is the perfect time for individuals to explore the options and make sure they are receiving all possible benefits. Aging Best’s certified navigators can assist with the process and answer questions about the program. They will also be able to determine if there are other money saving programs you may be eligible for. Please call 1-800-369-5211 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

For the first time since 2006, Missouri’s traffic fatalities surpassed 1,000. According to preliminary data, 1,004 people were killed in Missouri traffic crashes in 2021, nearly a 3% increase over 2020 and marking the second straight year of growing fatality totals after nearly a decade of steady decline. Lack of seat belt use continues to be a common denominator in fatal crashes. Approximately two-thirds of vehicle occupants killed were not wearing a seat belt. Other preliminary data shows drivers using a cellphone were involved in more than 2,200 crashes in Missouri in 2021, although distracted driving remains widely underreported. The report also shows about 40% of the fatal crashes on the year involved speeding or driving too fast for the conditions. Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, focuses on four ways every Missourian can help eliminate traffic deaths by buckling up, putting your phone down, slowing down and driving sober.

A Dent County Festival Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, January 26th from 5:30-6.30 at The Salem Community Center@The Armory Rotary meeting room. A brainstorming session will be held to plan for upcoming events. The committee has discussed the possibility of a Spring/Summer vendor event, a Fall Festival, a Christmas Festival and maybe a tie-in event with the “Naturally Meramec” group for a “taste of Dent County” effort. The meeting is open to anyone. If you know of dates of events already scheduled in the area or surrounding towns, please bring those dates with you. The committee would like to set dates at this meeting so they can start planning for the first event. If you need more information or have an idea for an event, e-mail Tonya Sanders at Utilities3@salemmo.com.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their first meeting of 2022 at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge brought in her monthly report for the month of December. She reported that she received a state lead for an economic prospect that she submitted the Certified Site parcel for their consideration. She stated the Ozark Viking Meadery now has all their licenses and permits to move forward including their city business license. She told the commissioners the Whitaker Building Supply building, the Soil and Water Conservation Building and the old Tax Masters building have now been added to the buildings for sale, while the buildings at 207, 209, 211 and 215 West 4th Street have been sold. She told the commission the city was selected as an alternate for the FHLB-Affordable Housing Grant so if there are monies still available or other winners are unable to fulfill their commitment, the city could be awarded funds. They will probably find out this week. Burbridge reported the city received three bids for the removal of timber from the Certified Site that must be done by March 31st, but clean up can continue past that date. The bids came from Mid-State Pipeline, Donald Maggi, inc. and Godi Excavating ranging from over $149,000 to around $77,000. The site clearing contract will be discussed at the January 11th Board of Aldermen meeting. Burbridge provided the November unemployment figures for Dent County and the state that showed the labor force shrunk in November from 6,315 to 6,231 while those unemployed also shrank from 189 to 174. That translates to a 2.8% local unemployment rate which is better than the statewide rate of 3.5% and national rate of 4.2%. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson both said the ground was too froze to grade so crews were out checking for any downed trees or limbs on the roads. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind any contractors or vendors the county will not be paying any bills until the budget is approved on January 27th. Bills can still be dropped off or mailed to the county, but payment will be delayed due to the state statute that does not allow the county to pay bills until the budget has been approved. Skiles said the county received information from Attorney Travis Elliott for the county to use in allocating the ARPA funds the county has received. This information including a conflict-of-interest policy if a person may have a direct or indirect financial interest in the funding of an entity. This must be disclosed before the decision-making process of allocating the funds. They must make their position known prior to moving further to see if the request or decision would actually be a conflict of interest. There was also a whistleblower policy regarding ARPA funds as well as a vehicle use policy. The commission approved all three policies. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she and the commissioners would be working on the budget. She also said Tuesday is also the first day that students can submit their “I Voted” art sticker design. Those submissions must be in by February 3rd. Curley also said political entities must submit their final certifications for the April election and for those non-elected candidates in the county clerk’s office by 5:00 PM, January 25th. The commission also met with Corky Stack to discuss the work to the exterior of the courthouse for 2022. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

According to the Missouri State Highway patrol, no one was killed in a traffic crash during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6:00 Thursday, December 30th and ended at 11:59 Sunday night, January 2nd. The statistics for the 2022 counting period were 406 traffic crashes, 91 traffic crash injuries, no deaths and 94 DWI’s. Last year during the 78-hour New Year’s counting period, there were 1,247 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, six people were killed and another 389 people were injured. During the 2021 New Year’s holiday weekend, troopers worked 173 crashes including three fatalities and 48 injuries. Troopers arrested 94 people for driving while impaired last year. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2022 New Year’s holiday counting period.

Between January 10th and 14th, Dent County voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County in January. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern district, five in the Central district and two in the Southern district. Voting may be done at or mailed to the Dent County Extension Center at 112 East 5th Street in Salem on the second floor of the Judicial Building or you can drop off ballots at the office on the second floor of the Judicial Building between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Candidates include Kelly Chapman and Terry Phelps in the Northern District; Darlene Dahms, Thomas Haines, Charlee Sue Jadwin, Betty Kunkel and Kolson Seay in the Central District; and Kyle Case and Jason Jones in the Southern District. Ballots will be available in the January 4th edition of the Salem News and in Your World Today as in insert on Monday, January 10th. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.