Your World Today

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on three cases heard in Dent County on Monday, June 21st in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. In the first case heard, Tina Lingner of Salem had her probation revoked and was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. Christine Rightnowar of Raymondville then pled guilty to felony charges for passing bad checks to Country Mart and was sentenced to serve three years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the last case heard Monday, Justin Miller of Birch Tree who previously had pled guilty to the distribution of meth and the possession of meth back in 2020, was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115 that provided for a shock incarceration of 120 days. Miller had requested probation while Prosecutor Curley sought the ten-year sentence under Section 559.115.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of May. They served eight summonses to appear in court, gave out 57 warning tickets, and nine traffic tickets, plus they also served 13 fugitive warrants and two city warrants. The department investigated seven traffic accidents, wrote four property damage reports, 11 stealing reports, and investigated an identity theft. The department investigated a charge of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, two resisting or interfering with an arrest, a violation of an exparte or full order of protection, a possession of a controlled substance, three possession of drug paraphernalia as well as three domestic violence reports, investigated a trespassing report, a peace disturbance, and conducted one death investigation. The department also investigated two sex offenses, and one unlawful use of a firearm. There were 18 males and 12 females arrested during the month of May.

The Missouri Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program that provides benefit vouchers to low-income seniors who are 60-years of age or older is now available in Dent, Crawford and Phelps County through the Mid Missouri Aging Best office. Eligible seniors will receive 10 vouchers with a value of $5.00 each for a total of $50 each year they can be used to purchase fresh, raw, unprepared foods grown in Missouri and that includes fruits, vegetables, honey and cooking herbs. The vouchers may be used now until October 31st or earlier if your local farmers’ market closes before Octobers 31st. You have until September 30th to get your vouchers and they can be used at any Farmer’s Market that is part of the program. The maximum household income to qualify for the program is 185% of the poverty level for a single person with incremental income levels for those with multiple family members. A senior may also qualify if they participate in the SNAP program or Community Supplemental Food Program. Seniors can also name a proxy on their behalf to apply for and purchase foods on their behalf. The program application must be signed by both. For more information about the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Dent, Crawford or Phelps County, contact Aging Best at 573-443-5823. The program is also available in Shannon and Texas counties through the Springfield Senior Age Agency on Aging by calling 417-862-0762.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the Independence Day Parade will be held on Sunday, July 4th at 6:00 PM. The theme will be “Show-Me-Missouri, Celebrating 200 Years” with Ahleesha and Mike Elwood as the grand marshals. The Chamber WILL BE assigning lineup positions for this parade after they did not last year, so participants need to contact the chamber to get their lineup position. The Line-up begins at 5:15 Sunday afternoon. The parade will follow the normal parade route going east from the corner of South Grand and Franklin, north on MacArthur, then east on 4th Street just past the Courthouse. Those who want to participate need to fill out a parade form and submit it no later than Thursday! You can drop it off at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Office at 1136 South Main in the Crossroads Shopping Center, fax it in at 573-729-6741 or e-mail it to chanber@salemmo.com. Call 729-6900 and talk with Tabitha if you have any questions or stop by the Chamber of Commerce office.

Missouri State Parks invites the public to participate Learn2 Paddle kayaking classes offered at select parks this summer. The program is for anyone who wants to experience kayaking but is not sure where to start. It is also perfect for those who want to get out on the water but don’t own a kayak. In the Salem and Dent County area, the Current River State Park will host two-hour kayaking classes on Saturday, July 10th from 10:00 until noon, and on Friday, August 6th from 1:00 until 3:00. The Missouri State Parks will provide the kayaks, paddle, life jackets and instructors. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the entire program. Participants should be comfortable around water. All Missouri State Parks rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented program; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Paddle program. The class registration fee is $5 per participant; registration is required. For registration information, visit mostateparks.com and click on their Learn 2 button under Topics. 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 Board of Aldermen met for a special meeting Wednesday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Mayor Brad Nash appointed Kevin James as the new West Ward Aldermen to replace the late Kenny Nash. James was sworn in by temporary city clerk Tammy Koller. The board approved Resolution 18-2021 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the city and United Health Care for medical insurance for employees. The plan approved is for $611.39 a month with a $2,500 deductible with the city paying $550 per employee. The employee can opt for a different plan with a higher deductible if they so choose. The total budgeted renewal premium to the city is $338,874.19 that will go into effect July 1st.The board voted to adopt the annual fiscal year budget for the City of Salem from July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022. The expected revenues for the next fiscal year are budgeted at $14,066,768 and budgeted expenses are $13,945,698. There will be intergovernmental transfers of $2,038,278. Numerous infrastructure projects are planned including a new well and water tower, 4th Street sidewalk and street light improvements, replacement of the lights at the Al Brown Field and more. The city will continue to honor service agreements to help fund numerous local organizations, and gave a cost of living increase of 1.5% for staff. The meeting was then adjourned.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday afternoon just before 5:00 on highway VV four miles west of Montauk. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2003 Pontiac Vibe being driven by 33-year-old Rudy Marr of Licking, fell asleep and ran off the south side of the road and struck a tree. Marr suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. A passenger, 28-year-old Zachariah Ingels-Settles, also of Licking, was transported to Mercy Creve Coeur by Air Evac air ambulance. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by the owner. The report went on to state that both the driver and passenger were wearing seat restraints.

At the Salem Memorial District Hospital meeting Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards stated the Hospital Foundation presented scholarships to Bayilee Wegman-Roark, Jodi Gotchal and Ryon Coursen. Then in closed session, the hospital board approved a non-budgeted 2% raise for employees that will go into effect the first full pay period in August. The raise was across the board.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Thursday, June 17th. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones updated the board on the current COVID status in Dent County. There were 1,050 confirmed cases and 193 probable cases that had been investigated. She stated that 90 of those cases have required hospitalization, and at the time of the Board meeting there were 16 active cases. She did say that 38 deaths have been confirmed from the COVID-19 virus. Jones stated that according to MoDHSS, 5,788 Dent County residents have received a COVID vaccination. Vaccine continues to be available at the Health Center, Moser Pharmacy, Vandivort Pharmacy, and Wal-Mart Pharmacy. The Board went in to closed session to consider an offer on the 601 S. MacArthur Building and approve previous closed session minutes. After returning to open session, Jones reported that there has been one case of Campylobacteriosis and two cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever investigated in May, that face to face WIC appointments are now taking place, and that there were 83 labs drawn in May. She went on to note that no Sho-Me Healthy Women (SMHW) clinics are scheduled for June or July so the next appointments will be scheduled for August 23rd. To set up an appointment or for more information about SMHW contact the Health Center office at 729-3106. Jones reported that the storage building at the MacArthur location needs to be cleaned out. The Board voted not to approve the Pet Addendum requested by the tenants at 1006 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. The DCHC expenses for May were approved and the next meeting was set for Thursday, July 22nd at the Health Center.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for June. On June 6th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near #2 South Main Street. During the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense, and possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On June 16th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near a residence in the 100 block of North Park Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 44-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Texas County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On June 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of Dent County Road 5080. During the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Rolla man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On the 19th of June, the Dent County Sherriff’s Office received a report of a woman who was sitting inside a vehicle in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 3210. The reporting party believed the female subject was intoxicated. A deputy arrived on scene and investigated the situation and found a 52-year-old Salem woman intoxicated. She was arrested for a DWI- Prior Offender. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information concerning an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.