Your World Today

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for the first half of October. On Friday morning, October 1st around 7:00, an officer arrested Emanuel Moore of Salem for six active arrest warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Moore was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Then on Thursday night, October 7th about 7:30, an officer arrested Richard Labrash, Jr. on warrants out of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Labrash was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Friday, October 8th near 2:30 in the afternoon, an officer arrested 43-year-old Rebecca Hughes for outstanding warrants through Dent County. Hughes was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Just minutes later at approximately 3:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a 29-year-old Sullivan male had stolen $65 worth of merchandise and left the store without paying for it. As a result, the man was later arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. On Saturday night, the 9th of October at around 10:00, an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Fourth Street for a report of a domestic disturbance. It was reported that a male subject had struck his mother in the heat of an argument and was refusing to let her leave the residence. An investigation was conducted and as a result a 31-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending the application of warrants. On Sunday afternoon, October 10th about 1:00, officers were conducting a security check of the old shoe factory on South Walker. While canvassing the area officers located a female subject that was trespassing on the property. As a result, a 33-year-old Salem female was arrested and issued summons for trespassing. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

An accident happened Thursday morning just after 7:00 in Dent County about 12 miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Cadillac SRX being driven by 47-year-old Vera Copeland of Licking had slowed for a deer in the roadway. The Cadillac was struck from behind by a 2008 Toyota Yaris being driven by 23-year-old Elizabeth Lee, also of Licking. Copeland was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Cadillac sustained minor damage and the Toyota had extensive damage. Both were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report stated that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports that Missouri hunters harvested 12 black bears during the state’s inaugural bear-hunting season, which ran October 18th throught the 27th. More than 6,330 hunters applied for 400 permits for the season with the maximum total harvest for the season being 40 bears. MDC State Furbearer and Black Bear Biologist Laura Conlee says a harvest of 12 bears in the first season is testament to the hunters. Dent County is in BMZ 2 which is the portion of Missouri east of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to Interstate 44; east on Interstate 44 to State Highway 47; north on State Highway 47 to the Missouri River; east along the Missouri River to the Illinois border. Three of the 12 bears were killed in BMZ 2 with the other nine being in BMZ 1 that runs west of a line running north from the Arkansas border on U.S. Highway 63 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. Highway 60 to MO-360; west on MO-360 to Interstate 44; west on Interstate 44 to the Oklahoma border. Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued was for a specific BMZ and hunting was limited to public or private property within the BMZ. Black bears were historically abundant throughout the forested areas of Missouri prior to European settlement but were nearly eliminated by unregulated killing in the late 1800s, as well as from habitat loss when Ozark forests were logged. Over the last 50 years, bear numbers and range in Missouri have grown to around 800 black bears with most found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44. Missouri bear range is expanding. Bear numbers in Missouri are increasing each year by approximately 9% and are expected to double in less than 10 years. As bear numbers continue to increase, MDC will use a highly regulated hunting season as an essential part of population management. MDC’s 2020-2030 Black Bear Management Plan will guide bear management in Missouri for the next decade. Learn more about black bears in Missouri and MDC management efforts at mdc.mo.gov/bears.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk now has a tax installment program available where you pay your end of the year Dent County Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes on a monthly basis based on the amount of taxes you paid the previous year. VanKirk says there will be 10 equal installments with the eleventh and final payment being the balance of the taxes due. That payment must be made by December 31st or it will result in you paying late penalties and fees. The collector could also terminate your plan. The collector will only accept automated payments from your bank account. Payments will be set up for each individual account and delinquent taxes are not eligible for the payment plan. Those interested will need to fill out an automated payment authorization and agreement form available at the Collector’s office to enroll in the payment plan. VanKirk also said that any taxpayer that would buy a new vehicle on or before January 1st and anytime through the year can go to the collector’s office and they will be able to adjust your pre-payment. If your financial institution or mortgage company already escrows your real estate taxes for a particular piece of property, you will not be able to set up a payment plan for that particular parcel of land at this time. To pick up a fact sheet on the installment program, stop by the Dent County Collector’s office in the Dent County Courthouse. You can also call to get more information at 729-3911. Once you sign up for the program you do not need to sign up again for the next year.

Healthy Dent County recently announced its third annual Casino Night Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 6th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The event features game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as professional dealers to run the games. Event ticket holders will receive $10,000 in chips to play the casino games of their choice throughout the evening. Traditional games such as craps, roulette and black jack are available, alongside food and a cash bar. New this year will include a private poker room. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after attendees exchange gaming money for tickets. Guests are asked to come dressed in Western-themed attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. We expect nearly 200 people to attend this year’s event. Prizes include Blues Tickets; Apple Watch; $200 Country Mart card; Hammock with stand; wine barrel; Bissell Crosswave Vacuum; Air Fryer; gun; mini vacation; gift certificates to local and area businesses. Tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory or online at https://tinyurl.com/CasinoNightHDC2021. For questions, please call 729-8163.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports for the last part of September. On Saturday, September 25th near 8:30 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Hickory for a report of a domestic disturbance. It was found that one subject was very intoxicated and acting aggressive towards everyone involved. As a result, a 41-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons for disorderly conduct and placed on a 12-hour safe keep. Then the morning of Wednesday, September 29th at about 8:00, an officer arrested a 34-year-old Salem female identified as Ashley Jackson for a warrant out of Phelps County. Later that same morning at approximately 9:30, an officer took a report of a forgery. It was reported that a subject had used checks that were stolen from the victim to obtain approximately $800 in cash. An investigation was conducted and as a result a 30-year-old Raymondville female was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. That night at approximately 9:30, an officer was dispatched to Phil Mart for a report of a disturbance. It was reported that subjects were yelling at each other in the parking lot. As a result of the investigation, it was found that a male subject was acting aggressive towards patrons and was under the influence of controlled substances. The 31-year-old Salem male was arrested and placed on a 12-hour safekeep with a summons for Disorderly Conduct. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

It’s always exciting to see wildlife like deer and coyote when driving through rural Missouri—until they decide to jump into the road in front of your car. The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists to be prepared for the sudden appearance of wild animals on Missouri roadways during the cooler fall months. As the days grow shorter, more motorists are driving on dark roads when deer are more active. Fall is breeding season and deer are on the move. A report from State Farm Insurance ranks Missouri 15th in the country for potential deer collisions. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 3,639 traffic crashes involving deer in 2020, resulting in 348 injuries and five deaths. Most deer strikes occurred at dawn and dusk in October and November. Drivers should never swerve to avoid animals in the road as it can cause loss of control of their vehicles, resulting in serious injury or death. To avoid hitting a deer, always be cautious and keep your eyes scanning both sides of the roadway. If you can’t avoid a collision and it has resulted in the death of the deer, there are several options you can take. According to Missouri law, an individual who has struck and killed a deer with their vehicle may claim the deer carcass if written authorization to possess the deer is granted by a Missouri Department of Conservation agent. The Wildlife Dispensation permit is free, but you need to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation to obtain the permit. Do not jeopardize your safety to remove the animal in a high traffic area. Notify MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636). Crews will address any deer or animal debris on a highway that is a safety hazard, meaning that the carcass is in the driving or passing lane, or partially in either lane or on the shoulder. Crews will drag the carcass to the outer portion of the right of way, outside any active drainage ditch or channel. If the deer is completely off the roadway, MoDOT will not pick it up unless it impedes mail delivery or is in a neighborhood, especially at or near a bus stop. If a deer is located on the shoulder, MoDOT will address the deer during normal work hours. MoDOT crews will not be called out after hours to remove an item, unless it is a safety hazard.