Your World Today

On Wednesday night, two Salem FFA members took 1st place in the Area 13 SAE Proficiency Awards. Congratulations goes out to Kennedy Chapman on getting 1st Place in Diversified Livestock Production and Irvin Johnson for taking 1st Place in Beef Production Placement.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for the period from January 16th to February 4th. On Monday evening, January 17 at about 9:30, officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of trespassing. It was reported that a male subject had entered the store after being trespassed from the store for a prior shoplifting charge. The police talked with the man, and he admitted he was thinking about shoplifting again but ended up just leaving. The 30-year-old Salem male was issued a summons to appear in court. On Thursday morning, January 20th, around 9:00, an officer was sent to Dirt Cheap for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that a female had stolen lighters and alcohol valued at approximately $40. The police later made contact with the woman after she had stolen from the store again on January 23rd in the amount of approximately $15. As a result, the 38-year-old Salem woman was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. On Monday, January 24th at about 9:45 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to Dirt Cheap for a report of a shoplifting. It was reported that a male subject had stolen headphones from the store. Upon further investigation, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested and later released on a summons. Also, while investigating this matter, the police discovered the woman who had accompanied the man had an active arrest warrant out of Oklahoma. As a result, Miranda Fender of Boynton Beach, Florida, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending extradition. At around 1:30 in the morning on Saturday, January 29th, an officer conducted a traffic stop for improper registration. The officer also noticed the subject was driving in a suspicious manner. As a result of the traffic stop, the officer investigated and found the driver to be intoxicated. The 30-year-old Salem man was arrested for a DWI and released on summons to appear in court. Around 6:00 Sunday evening, January 30th, officers arrested two subjects on “no bond” warrants because of a domestic violence investigation. The police arrested 24-year-old Antonio Quick and 24-year-old Stephanie Denney, both of Salem, and they were incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association, better known as SACBA, is bringing back their Gift of Time volunteer awards to recognize volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Salem and Dent County. Individuals or organizations who have volunteered or made a significant impact for our community from 2020-2021 are eligible. Nomination Forms are available at: The City of Salem Administrative Office, Chamber of Commerce, Salem Public Library, Healthy Dent County/Salem Community Center, Bank of Salem, and Steelman Abstract & Title Company. Nominations must be submitted by March 31st, 2022. This year’s nomination categories are: Education & Youth, Community Enhancement or Preservation, Arts & Culture, Humanitarian and Outstanding Youth Volunteer for those who are 18 and under. Only one category nomination per submission may be accepted. You can submit separate nominations if nominating a nominee for more than one category. Please refer to the Nomination Form for additional eligibility information and nominee questionnaire. In addition to the form locations, nominations may also be emailed to “sacba@salemmo.com”, or mailed to Salem Area Community Betterment Association, P.O. Box 732, Salem, MO 65560. An awards banquet to honor category winners, as well as an Open House at the SACBA complex at 200 S. Main St., will be held in May. For more information or for if you any questions, send an email to sacba@salemmo.com. As always, SACBA values the support of the community, and looks forward to honoring those who support our community.

The Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership removed 9,857 feral hogs from the landscape in 2021, making the total number of feral hogs eliminated more than 54,000 since 2016. The Partnership is made up of 13 federal and state agencies along with numerous agriculture and conservations organizations. Partnership employees were able to assist 1,308 landowners and scout more than 3 million acres for feral hog damage last year. The top counties where feral hogs were removed include Iron County with 1,940 hogs, Wayne County with 1,329 hogs, and Reynolds with 1,268 hogs. Feral hogs range spans across at least 35 states, including Missouri. Feral hogs are primarily found in the southern portion of the state and across at least 17 counties. Efforts made by the Partnership have resulted in a 48.5% decrease in the number of watersheds occupied by feral hogs in Missouri since 2016. The partnership is appreciative of the private landowners in Missouri that allowed Partnership staff to access their properties to remove feral hogs. Without private landowners continued support and cooperation our progress toward elimination would be much more difficult. The Partnership plans to continue to work with landowners who need help with feral hog problems. They also aim to expand the use of aerial resources such as helicopters and drones to find feral hogs. If you need help with a feral hog issue or would like to report feral hog damage, please do so by reporting it online at www.mdc.mo.gov/feralhog or call 573-522-4115 ext. 3296.

An Introduction to Tree Syruping workshop for woodland owners, farmers and ranchers will be held at the Wurdack Farm in Cook Station on Friday, February 11th from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. This half day course will introduce participants to the fundamentals of tree syruping. Topics include setting taps in the trees, sap collection equipment, evaporator basics and other syruping tools, steps for making syrup from sap and forest management of syruping. The cost of the workshop is $5.00. Field Specialist Sarah Havens will lead the workshop. A special emphasis on socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers will be given. For more information, call Sarah at 573-458-6260 or e-mail her at havenss@missouri.edu. You can also call the Dent County Extension Center to register at 729-3196.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released results from the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court held Tuesday in Dent County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, Scott Mayberry of Salem pled guilty to the distribution of meth. Judge Randazzo sentenced him to serve ten years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Sumerlee Barnett of Springfield who was on the probation for the possession of a controlled substance and had already completed a Section 559.115 program, had her probation revoked and was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections. Terry Reeves from Salem had been charged with failing to register as a sex offender. He pled guilty and was sentenced by Judge Randazzo to serve three years in the Department of Corrections. The last case heard Tuesday was Jesse Light of Salem. He pled guilty to the possession of fentanyl, resisting arrest and assault in the 3rd degree. Judge Randazzo sentenced Light to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections.

A couples or singles paint-n-sip with Danielle Norris will be Friday, February 11th from 6:30 until 8:30 @ the Creative Arts Center. Let Danielle lead you step-by-step through a dreamy painting. Bring a beverage and a friend or family member to enjoy and evening away from the stresses of the day or week! This is a perfect way to celebrate Valentines a little early. Be prepared to get creative. All the supplies for the class are provided and the cost is $25 For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.