Your World Today

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After a sewer rate hearing the aldermen, meeting will start with the Call to Order, which will be followed by the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed the approval of a bid for a water department truck.  In new and miscellaneous business, the Board will consider the following. A John Deere Loader lease, the Laserfiche contract, a drinking water grant, and Resolution No. 26-2024 which provides for the municipal election for the City of Salem on April 25th, 2025. Bills to be considered include Bill No. 3630, an ordinance establishing service availability fees for sewer services provided by the City of Salem, Bill No. 3631, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between BuildTec Construction LLC and the City of Salem for the Salem Water System Improvements, Contract A, Bill No. 3632, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between Caldwell Tanks, Inc and the City of Salem for the Salem Water System Improvements, Contract B, Bill No. 3633, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between B & H Drilling & Pump Service and the City of Salem for the Salem Water System Improvements, Contract C. There is to be a board appointment followed by the Oath of Office. Reports from City Officials will be heard before the Board goes in to closed session. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

In a letter from the Salem R-80 Superintendent, Dr. Nathan Wills, he writes about collaboration between school districts to enhance educational opportunities for all students. He, along with Assistant Superintendent, Dan Copeland, recently toured the neighboring rural school districts in Dent County and gained valuable insight into their daily operations. Dr. Wills expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and openness of the administrators as they work together on various collaborative projects and activities throughout the year. One such project is the cooperative sponsorship of 7th and 8th grade football, track and field, and cross country, where all Dent County students have the opportunity to participate in these sports together on the same team. Dr. Wills also stated that just this past year, as well as this current school year, they have partnered with the other four Dent County school districts to attend a Repertory Theater performance sponsored by the Salem Area Arts Council. Additionally, the monthly meetings among the five Dent County superintendents provide a forum to share best practices, address local issues, and collectively brainstorm solutions. Dr. Wills encourages all parents, educators, and community members to support and advocate for these collaborative initiatives as they enrich the educational landscape and prepare students for a bright future. By uniting their efforts, the Dent County school districts can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students and communities. To read the entire letter from Dr. Wills, please visit the KSMO Radio/Your World Today Facebook page. 

The Dent County Fire Protection district board of directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda which includes the budget review and financial reports, the monthly reimbursement report will be heard. In old business, the board will discuss the AFG grant status for radios before the board discusses Bond/Tax issues followed by new business. Chief Floyd will then give his report to the board. The date will be set for the December meeting and Closes Session may be held if necessary, before the board adjourns. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

The Salem Police Department had more reports from October 10th to 18th. On Wednesday afternoon, October 16th, at approximately 2:30 officers conducted a traffic stop on Missouri Highway 72 near the intersection of Missouri Highway J for no registration. As a result of the stop a male subject was found to have a active capias warrant out of Phelps County. Van T. Penton, age 35, of Rolla was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Then on Thursday night at approximately 12:30 officers responded to a disturbance in the 1800 block of south Oak. The subject causing the disturbance was found to have an active capias warrant out of Dent County. As a result, 27-year-old Tristan Gaddy of Salem was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Friday afternoon, the 18th, at approximately 4:45 officers were dispatched to Trinity for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that a female subject had stolen approximately $50 of merchandise. After a short investigation a 45-year-old Salem female was arrested and issued summons for shoplifting. Later that night at approximately 8:30 officers were dispatched to Wal Mart for a report of shoplifting. It was reported a male subject had stolen $275 worth of merchandise from the store. After a short investigation a 23-year-old male from West Plains was arrested and issued summons for shoplifting. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways has experienced widespread flooding due to significant rainfall that began on November 3rd. The upper Current River reached historic levels on November 5th, with rainfall totals of 9 to 12 inches across the watershed causing historic flooding from Montauk to Round Spring. At Akers, the river gauge stopped reporting at 23.23 feet, but water levels are estimated to have reached 32 feet, far surpassing the previous record of 26.08 feet set in April 2017. Below Round Spring, both the Current River and Jacks Fork River experienced heavy flooding but did not exceed previous records. Park Rangers conducted several river rescues on Monday and Tuesday for visitors caught off guard, though no major injuries were reported. Many facilities, campgrounds, and river access points throughout the park sustained damage and will be closed for assessment, hazard mitigation, and repairs. Unprecedented river levels caused significant damage to facilities at Akers and Pulltite. The Akers Ranger Station had approximately two feet of water throughout, while the old Akers Ferry Canoe Rental store was almost fully submerged. At Pulltite Campground, water reached the roof of the Ranger Station and shower house, causing extensive destruction. For visitor safety, the Current River from Baptist to Round Spring will be closed to all vessels until approximately this Wednesday, November 13th. Additional closures include all backcountry campgrounds, Pulltite Campground, Akers and Round Spring group campsites, the old Akers Ferry Canoe Rental Store, Baptist River access, Lipps Hole, Alley Spring Campground, and Big Spring Campground. National Park Service staff will be working to reopen high-priority areas as quickly as possible. For more information and updates, visit the park website at nps.gov/ozar, follow their Facebook page, or call (573) 323-4236.

On Thursday, October 31st in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis, 43-year-old Justin Bradley Durham of Rolla, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography and three counts of destroying records in a federal investigation. Durham, a former Phelps County Sheriff’s deputy, admitted as part of his plea that he requested and received a sexually explicit video from a 16-year-old in 2013. He later provided $200 to the victim after she engaged in sex acts with him. He also admitted engaging in sex acts multiple times with a 17-year-old victim, including in his patrol vehicle. He exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with her. Durham met the second victim in 2016 when her friend contacted the police, and he responded to the call. The FBI interviewed Durham in 2023 after learning that his PayPal account had been used to send money to another account associated with the sale of child pornography. Durham denied purchasing child pornography and claimed that he hadn’t accessed his Dropbox account for years. He refused agents’ request to search his cell phone. Two days later, Durham bought a new phone, destroyed his old phone and deleted about 37 gigabytes of data in his Dropbox account before deactivating it. Among those files were hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos, including files containing child sexual abuse material. Durham was terminated by the Sheriff’s Department on August 9th, 2023, and arrested by them. In jail, he told FBI agents that he also destroyed a laptop computer, threw away his phone and conducted a “digital footprint scrub” of his online accounts, his plea agreement says. Durham is scheduled to be sentenced February 5th, 2025. The production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, and the receipt of child pornography charge has a five-year mandatory minimum. The FBI and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a class on recycling old Christmas Cards into Ornaments tomorrow from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening with Angela Dingess. Learn how to turn your old Christmas cards into a handmade ornament to treasure or give as gifts. The cost of the class is $25 and all the supplies will be provided. The class size will be limited to 24 people, but at least four people need to sign to hold the class. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave her sales tax report for the money collected this month. She said the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $87,156.67 which is $3,138.25 more than for November of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up $60,546.89 which is about a 6.25% increase. The Road and Bridge Fund received $40,498.95 this month, and that is down $260.60 from the money received in November of 2023. Year-to-date, that fund is up $25,437.97 which is close to a 5.7% increase. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $81,419.40 in November and that is down $542.13 from the November 2023 receipts. Year-to-date, those funds are up $52,038.72 which is about a 6.4% increase. Grant Wilson from Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in attendance and told the commission that Congressman Smith is aware of the Dent County situation and once assessments are determined, let his office know to look into possibly getting  federal assistance. In the road report, both commissioners indicated there is extensive road damage in Dent County and both District 1 and District 2 are working at getting the impassable roads at least passable, beginning with the worst roads. They did want to say that Dent County Road 4210 and Montauk State Park are closed until further notice. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to thank Bonnie Prigge and Anne Freund from the MRPC and Preston Kramer from MoDOT as well as Salem Public Administrator Sally Burbridge and Salem Public Works Director Steven Paine for attending the Dent County transportation priority meeting updating the previous years’ transportation needs. Larson also said a special meeting was held on Tuesday, November 5th to discuss what the districts needs and priorities will be during the flooding that day. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was complimented by the commissioners for her outstanding job for the election Tuesday where everything went smooth. Curley gave the credit to the poll workers, her staff, judges, those who set up the equipment, law enforcement personnel, emergency response personnel and others. Curley was quick to note that one poll worker had to be water rescued from Pigeon Creek, and then still went to work at the polls at Green Forest R-II from the water rescue scene, wet from the waist down. Curley reported that Dent County had over 70% voter turnout and set new records daily for no-excuse absentee voting getting over 2,500 votes cast in the 10 days before the election. Curley said her office is saddened over the loss of two poll workers in Wright County from the storm. Dent County Emergency Director Derrick Marfitt gave a list of roads damaged that he and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department has found damaged, then told of damages sustained by three cabins near the Current River in which one of them was actually removed from its foundation and floated down river. Marfitt did want to let Dent County residents know that if they sustained major damage to their home, loss of livestock, or damages to their business in the county to please call him at 573-247-7504. There may be assistance available to help recover from the losses from FEMA depending upon the total dollar amounts from throughout the county. He also said if you have damage, document it and take pictures if you can. He said he would be meeting with SEMA Region I Coordinator from the Response Division Brett Hendrix and would inform him that at this time, based on information from the county commission, it appears damages to the county roads will come to about four million dollars in materials alone and that does not include labor. He will also ask if the county can get additional equipment like dump trucks and trailers to help address getting equipment to the road problems, and additional manpower would also be beneficial, if available.  It was announced the courthouse would be closed Monday due to Veteran’s Day and there will be no meeting. The next commissioner’s meeting will be Thursday morning, November 14th at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

On Thursday, October 31st in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis, 45-year-old Jason Michael Enke of Crawford County, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. In court, Enke admitted that from August 2023 to October 2023, he sent a series of sexually explicit messages via social media and during online chat sessions to five people who identified themselves as minors. He also sent a video of himself and a 16-year-old engaging in sex acts and attempted to persuade the minors to engage in sexual conduct. In November of 2023, the FBI’s St. Louis office received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Enke had sent a video containing child pornography to an Instagram user who listed their age as 15. FBI agents performed a court-approved search of Enke’s home near Bourbon, Missouri and found videos containing child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices. Enke is scheduled to be sentenced January 29th, 2025. The receipt and distribution charges carry a potential penalty of five to 20 years in prison and the coercion charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison. The FBI and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to inform the public of upcoming changes to the driver license testing process. In preparation for the transition, driver examination stations throughout the state will close at 12 noon today,  and all-day tomorrow. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12, following the Veterans Day holiday. Driver examination testing facilities will be closed due to converting to a modernized system, directly integrated into the Department of Revenue’s new driver license system. Follow this link for further information on the driver’s license system changes being implemented by the Missouri Department of Revenue MV-DL System Changes (mo.gov). As part of this upgrade, the Patrol will now offer the Class F written test in a total of 20 languages, which includes a newly created sign language video version of the test made possible by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The new system will provide a direct digital reporting network to the Department of Revenue. The system will increase efficiency by sending test results directly to the Department of Revenue. The new system will also help deter driver license fraud. For more information, please visit our website at mshp.dps.mo.gov.

Due to flooding in the area, the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry conceptual development plan meeting originally scheduled for November 9th has been postponed to Saturday, December 7th at 9:00 in the morning. The guided hikes being held in conjunction with the meeting, including the overnight trip to Jay Nixon Backcountry, are also postponed due to flooded trails. Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend rescheduled informational meetings for both the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry on Saturday, December 7th. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the facilities and their operations. These informational meetings are being held in conjunction with the two parks’ conceptual development planning open house. The open house will be held at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. In the event of inclement weather, the open house may be moved to a different location, but an update will be provided prior to the date. As the long-range plan for the park is updated, the public is encouraged to come learn more about the planning process, ask questions and provide input regarding future park use and development. A 30-day comment period will begin December 7th with a survey available online at mostateparks.com/CDP. A guided hike to Mina Sauk Falls will be available for those attending and will begin at 10:30 December 7th and it is a strenuous 3.5-mile hike. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being heldvirtually or in-person in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning around 7:30 in Dent County on Hwy 19 and County Road 5520. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 Toyota Corolla driven by a 54-year-old Salem female was travelling northbound and lost control of the vehicle. The Toyota ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree and a fence. The female suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Salm Memorial District Hospital. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report goes on to state that she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

Due to significant flooding, Montauk State Park is closed to guests until further notice. Park crews are responding and assessing safety concerns and damage to the infrastructure. As floodwaters recede, they will gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage and the scope of work necessary to reopen the park. Montauk State Park is located at 345 State Road 6670 in Salem. 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 Creative Arts Center will hold a beginner and intermediate Seed Beading class on Saturday, November 9th from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon with Cynthia Grigsby. The class is appropriate for all ages! Children (with parent/legal guardian) and adults alike can participate. Each participant will learn the history seed beaded jewelry and make a piece for a keepsake. The cost of the class is $30 and all supplies are included. There must be five people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 15. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.