Your World Today

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released a report that began on April 27th as the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a 1990 Chevrolet truck had been stolen from the Bunker School District R-III. The next day, they received a second report of a stolen vehicle, this time a 2003 Chevrolet Truck, from the Bunker area. The vehicle was reported stolen from an address in the 100 block of South Main. A short time later, the sheriff’s office received a report of a commercial burglary that occurred at the Conway Feed Store located at 206 Main Street in Bunker. Deputies traveled to the location and during the course of the investigation, it was discovered that approximately $5,800.00 worth of property was stolen. During the investigation, information received identified the suspect to be 26-year-old Austin Hill of Bunker. Further investigation revealed Hill was also a named suspect in the theft of both motor vehicles that had occurred the prior two days in the Bunker area. On April 29th, the Dent Count Sheriff’s Office received information that Hill was seen driving a red Jeep Wrangler with a black top. A short time later, the deputy observed a red Jeep Wrangler drive past his location and began following the vehicle, attempted a traffic stop, however the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit began. The Jeep was traveling northbound on Highway 72 and turned onto Route C. While in pursuit, the deputy identified the driver as Austin Hill as the vehicle continued to travel west on Route C until it left the roadway. The Jeep drove up onto an embankment on the left-hand side of the roadway and drove through private property damaging five fences before the Jeep came to a stop. Hill then fled on foot. The vehicle involved in the pursuit had been stolen from Iron County and contained stolen property from the Conway Feed Store. Hill was not located during the subsequent search of the area until an hour later when a report came in that a 1995 Ford F-150 had been stolen from the 1000 block of Dent County Road 3270. Surrounding police agencies were notified in an attempt to locate Hill. Later, a detective with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office located Hill in Rolla as well as the 1995 Ford F-150. Hill admitted to all the crimes indicated and is incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. He was formally charged with three felony counts for stealing of a motor vehicle/watercraft/aircraft, a felony arrest for resisting or interfering with an arrest, a felony for tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree, and two counts of property damage in the 1st degree. Hill is currently being held on a $250,000 cash or professional surety bond. Additionally, Hill is also being held on a probation violation, which is a 50,000.00 cash or surety bond. The charges for which Austin Hill was arrested for are accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

More reports have been submitted by the Salem Police Department. On Monday afternoon, April 12th, at approximately 3:45 an officer was dispatched to Wal Mart for a report of a shoplifter that had fled on foot. Officers located the suspect along with the reported shoplifted items. As a result, a 37-year-old Salem female was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. The next evening at approximately 6:00 officers were dispatched to the Fourth Street Mall for a report of a couple actively fighting in front of the store. Once officers arrived, they noticed it was a couple that they had dealt with 2 times prior just a couple hours prior for the same thing. As a result, a 22-year-old Salem female and a 29-year-old Salem male were arrested and issued summons for disorderly conduct. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

If you are in need of assistance to pay your utility bills there are several options available to area residents. To make it easier to seek assistance, the South Central Community Action Agency, Catholic Charities, and The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit will be available each Tuesday through the end of May from 10:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. If you’re unable to attend in person you may also contact the South Central Community Action Agency at 729-3500 ext. 10 or email Sarah Arnett at sgivens@scmcaa.org, or Angelia Murphey at Catholic Charities by calling either 573-323-4044 or 417-522-5940 and be sure to mention that you’re a Dent County resident. You can also email Angelia at amurphey@ccsomo.org. You may also contact Sherry Lea or Lacey Walker at the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army by calling 729-8163 or email sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org. You’re asked to contact the South Central Community Action Agency first before contacting the other two agencies. There are other local churches and organizations that have funds to assist as well but please contact the above listed agencies first and you are asked not to contact local churches at this time.

The Dent County Prosecutor’s office reports that on May 5th, defendant Scott Mayberry pled guilty to Child Molestation in the 4th Degree for an incident that occurred in 2017 with a child under the age of 17 in the case of the State vs Scott Mayberry. The defendant was a prior and persistent felony offender with two prior felony convictions that resulted in Prosecutor Curley certifying the defendant as a persistent offender and thereby enhancing the range of punishment to a seven-year maximum sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Judge Scott Schrum presided over the proceeding and sentenced the defendant to seven years as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. The charge was following a disclosure from the victim, who was an adult at the time of the disclosure, to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of the disclosure, an investigation was conducted by Dent County Deputies Michael Letchworth and Matt Atkinson. The charges were filed by Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley on December 8th, 2019, after receiving a probable cause statement from Dent County Sheriff’s Detective Letchworth. Curley released a statement saying the victim and her family were pleased with the result. Curley wanted to thank the Dent County Sheriff’s department, for conducting an exceptional investigation that provided the tools needed to obtain a conviction. Curley stated that if you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse, please tell your parent, school counselor or a law enforcement officer.

A quick reminder that Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for City of Salem residents again May 10th through May 14th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. E.P.A. law will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or for more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

An accident happened Wednesday morning just before noon in Reynolds County on Route HH about 10 miles south of Ellington. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 1993 Mack log truck being driven by 70-year-old Michael Hatcher of Bunker, was traveling west and went off the right side of the road and overturned. Hatcher, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was transported to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by Life Flight helicopter for treatment of serious injuries. The Mack was totaled and removed from the scene by Mike and Ike Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. The budget showed an ending balance of $280,787 in the general fund as of April 30th. The monthly reimbursement report was then presented with a total of 22 calls for the month of April including 3 structure fires, 9 brush fires, 1 car fire, 2 vehicle accidents, 1 haz-mat and 2 training calls, along with 2 mutual aid calls. Total calls year to date stands at 130 with the average cost per call being $95.46. Joe Weber from Weber and Associates was present to discuss and present a policies and procedures manual for the board to review. Weber presented the board with a starting draft that included pertinent information pertaining to the NFPA that is required for fire districts. Weber also stated that he had incorporated known policies of the district within the manual as a starting point. The board will review the draft and modify as needed then meet again with Mr. Weber to work on a final draft before incorporating the manual. The board then declared the election results and as there was no opposition for the election and incumbent members remained in office. The election for officers of the board was held and elected was Craig Smith as President, Dave Wells as Secretary/Treasurer, and Chief Brad Nash as the keeper of records. Chief Nash reported to the board that floor refinishing would start on May 10th. Due to the volatile nature of the chemicals used in the process, the fire station will have to be closed for about 3 weeks or until the project is completed. Nash stated he will be working remotely to answer the phone and only the truck bay area would be available for firefighters. All office areas will be closed. Chief Nash also reported that the guttering crew will be here starting the week of May 10th to start the installation of the downspouts. The painting company has the downspouts painted and ready for installation. Before adjourning the date was set for the next meeting to held Tuesday, June 1st at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. The June meeting will be open to the public.

Congratulations goes out to the Salem High School Art Students, who won first place hands down in the District Art Show in Mountain Grove this past Friday, April 30th. Nine schools participated in all, with Liberty taking third place with 94 points, Mountain Grove taking second place with 114 points, and Salem taking first place with 353 points. Salem had four students finish in the top five places. Amy Chen and Olivia Wisdom tied for fifth place with 21 points each. Lara Stevens tied with a student from Houston for fourth place with 23 points. Isabella Knaack won first place overall with 62 points. Chloe Bartz won the “Best in Show in 2-D art” for “Zada”, which is an oil painting of her dog. Overall, 48 Salem High School students won ribbons. Ribbons were awarded for first through fourth place, honorable mention, and student’s choice in 58 categories. The Salem Art instructors were Tana Kettner with help from Angela Dingess.

The Salem Quiz Bowl finished out the season taking 3rd Place in the District Tournament hosted by Potosi High School on Saturday, April 17. Two Salem players finished with All-District Individual Medals, Martin Jones and Ryon Coursen. This was the first in-seat tournament that Salem has played this season due to COVID-19 restrictions. Morning games were round robin pool play with random draws. In the first game, Salem faced off against the home team, Potosi High School, and beat them 210 to 160. Salem then won the second game over Mountain Grove High School by the score of 260 to 70 before beating St. Clair High School in the 3rd game, 220 to 80. The four top teams were seeded after lunch. Salem and St. James both had three wins, but Salem was seeded second because St. James had more total points accrued from the morning games. Salem faced Owensville in semi-finals and lost to the Dutchmen by the score of 270 to 180 sending Owensville to the finals against St. James. The St. James Tigers won Districts beating Owensville, 360 to 110. This win sends St. James to the State Tournament in Columbia in May. The Quiz Bowl team will be losing seniors Captain Martin Jones, Ryon Coursen, Isabella Knaack, Heather Maneely, and Tyler Seabaugh. The Quiz Bowl teams have been coached by Susan Sheeley and Will Hubbs. This was the last Quiz Bowl for Coach Hubbs as Sarah Sanders has agreed to take the position of Assistant Coach next year.

The following reports have been provided by the Salem Police Department. On Saturday evening, April 10th, at approximately 10:00 an officer conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 19 and 32 for a license plate violation. During the traffic stop the officer could smell the odor of Marijuana in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was held and marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia were located. As a result, a 19-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. The next morning at approximately 9:00 officers were dispatched to the area of the Fourth Street Mall for a report of illegal drug activity. Officers arrived and spoke to the suspected parties and during the investigation located a syringe on a subject. The syringe field tested positive for meth. As a result, a 27-year-old Salem male was arrested and placed on a 24-hour pending the application of warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A two-vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 12:30 in Crawford County on Forest Hill Road at Spring Lake Lane. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 1990 Ford F-150 being driven by 39-year-old Kristopher Knight of Bourbon, failed to drive on the right side of the roadway when he entered a curve and struck a 2004 Dodge Ram being driven by 40-year-old Steven Osbourne of Steelville. Osbourne suffered moderate injuries and taken to Missouri Baptiste Hospital in Sullivan. The report went on to say that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were removed from the scene by Patriot Towing of Sullivan.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon, April 11th at 5:15. According to the report from the Salem Police Department a 2015 Subaru Outback being driven by Mikayla Bigler of Villa Rica, Georgia and owned by Cordell Tatom, Sr of Salem was stopped facing north at the stop sign at the exit of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. At that same time, a 2009 Harley Davidson Heritage being operated by Travis Howell of Salem was traveling east on Highway 32. Bigler started into traffic, making a left turn around a stopped semi-truck that was waiting for her to exit the parking lot. Bigler’s vision was obstructed by the semi and she collided with the motorcycle. The impact caused both Howell and a passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle. Howell was taken by a Salem police vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital due to no ambulances being available. The passenger on the motorcycle and the driver of the Subaru were not injured. Both vehicles had minor damage and were driven from the scene.