Your World Today

Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray reports that the Health Center has confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19 in Dent County Wednesday night. The patient’s identity will remain confidential, and they have been notified that they have tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Center is working with this individual to insure they are following Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in regards to isolation. The Health Center worked with this individual to identify close contacts in order to monitor them for symptoms and contain the spread and the Dent County Health Center nurses have spoken to those close contacts. If you are identified as a potentially exposed person, you will be contacted by the Dent County Health Center as they are taking necessary precautions to keep our patients and community safe and will continue to diligently monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow CDC guidelines to help protect the public health and limit spread of this infection. Mobray has released a number of locations where potential COVID-19 exposure occurred in the community as part of the Dent County Health Center’s duty to protect the public’s health. The person who tested positive was at these locations on the days and dates indicated. On Friday May 8th, they were at the Salem Country Mart from approximately 10:30 to 11:00 in the morning, then they were at the Salem Wal-Mart from about 11:00 until 12:00 noon. Also on Friday, they were at the Salem Pizza Inn between 5:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon. This person was also in attendance at the Salem Main Street Cafe on Tuesday, May 12th from approximately 11:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. People at these locations on these dates below are at low risk for contracting COVID-19, but should monitor for symptoms. There is no need to self-quarantine or isolate unless symptoms develop. Mobray says it is important that each and every one of us continue to practice basic preventative measures to help decrease the spread. These measures, as outlined by the CDC, include: avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, and staying home when sick. The Health Center highly encourage you to call your healthcare provider before seeking care if you suspect that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms that can range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19. Those symptoms are cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, a new loss of taste or smell, and some less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. This list is not all inclusive. If you think you or someone you know has COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor about your symptoms and getting tested. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 like trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, or bluish lips or face, get medical attention immediately!

The Salem Senior Class of 2020 will be having a parade this tonight starting at 7:00 which was to be their graduating exercise. The parade route will begin at Center Street & Iron Mountain Road where the graduating seniors will travel to East Fourth Street and travel west to MacArthur, shifting to West Third Street and concluding at the High School on Tiger Pride Drive. Everyone in the community is encouraged to show your support of the 2020 Senior Class. Feel free to set up your chairs on the sidewalks or celebrate these young people’s achievement from your vehicles while maintaining social distancing measures.

Missouri State Parks have announced the phased reopening of campgrounds as a part of its continued efforts to return to normal operations in conjunction with Governor Mike Parson’s “Show Me Strong” Recovery Plan. Missouri State Parks campgrounds will reopen to accommodate existing campground reservations starting at 3:00 in the afternoon on Monday, May 18th. In addition, new reservations will be accepted starting on Monday for arrival dates beginning Tuesday, May 26th. First-come, first-served camping will no longer be available at most state park campgrounds. Missouri State Parks will also be instituting a number of changes related to campground operations to better facilitate appropriate social distancing and improve the safety of operations for Missouri State Parks’ guests and staff. The changes include reservations will be required prior to arrival, campground occupancy will be limited at some parks and sites, Missouri State Parks will increase the frequency of cleaning shower houses and restrooms, campers will use a new no contact self-check-in feature, there will be occupancy restrictions in shower houses and restrooms, and Missouri State Parks will only accept credit and debit cards. Missouri State Parks staff will be available at the park or historic site to answer any questions. Missouri State Park beaches will open to the public on Thursday, May 21st, with visitors expected to practice social distancing. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. If you have questions regarding Missouri State Parks, please e-mail moparks@dnr.mo.gov.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released the following reports. On Sunday, May 10th, deputies responded to a residence in the 200 block of Route H for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 37-year-old Salem woman was the reported victim. A Missouri 12-hour rule was invoked and deputies transported the woman to a residence in Salem. Also on the 10th, deputies responded to a residence in the 1700 block of West Scenic Rivers Blvd. for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 56-year-old woman was the reported victim. During the course of the investigation, a 54-year-old Salem man was arrested for domestic assault in the 2nd degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

A special waste collection for residential and farm electronics, appliances and tires will be held on Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Salem construction parking lot at the corner of 3rd and Grand Streets. The collection is for household items only as no materials from businesses will be accepted and the collection is open to residents from Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. To minimize personal contact, those bringing items to the collection are asked to stay inside their vehicles and assistants will unload items. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, hair dryers, VCR/DVD players, cell phones or anything that runs on a cord or battery. Oil and gas must be removed from tanks of any items such as push mowers, weed eaters, etc. Fees on certain items will be collected. The fees are $25 for CRT TVs over 27 inches and wood console TVs, $20 for CRT TVs under 26 inches, $15 for flat screen TVs, $10 for all computer monitors and refrigerated appliances with Freon. Fees for tires are as follows: $2 each for passenger tires, $7.50 each for semi-truck tires and $35 each for tractor tires. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Jill Hollowell at MRPC at 573-265-2993 Ext. 109 or at jhollowell@meramecregion.org. The city of Salem and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), with funding through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD), are offering the May 16th collection.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday, April 23rd shortly after 9:00 in the evening, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North Macarthur for a report of an unresponsive female. A 37-year-old Salem female was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Deputy Coroner Ben Pursifull. During the investigation, two subjects, a 41-year-old Salem man and a 34-year-old Salem woman, were arrested for outstanding warrants. The 34-year-old woman was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. A probable cause statement was forwarded to the Dent County Prosecutor. Both subjects were incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. The death is still under investigation while waiting for toxicology results. On Friday, April 24th at 8:32 in the evening, an officer conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 19 and 32 for no taillights or license plates. As a result of the traffic stop it was found that the driver, a 27-year-old Salem man had a suspended driver’s license and was arrested and issued a summons for driving while having their license suspended. On the morning of April 25th at around 1:20, an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of east Hunt Street for the report of a domestic disturbance. During the investigation, a male was found to have an active warrant for his arrest out of the Phelps County Sheriffs Office. The male, a 33-year-old Salem man, was arrested on the active arrest warrant and transported to the Dent County Jail for incarceration pending extradition. Later that same evening just after 9:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop near the Fourth Street Mall on a vehicle not having taillights. As a result of the stop it was found the driver had an expired driver’s license. The driver, a 36-year-old Salem woman, was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court for driving with an expired license. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released the following reports. On Monday, May 4th, a deputy traveled to a residence on North Macarthur Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for having active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Also on the 4th, a deputy traveled to the parking lot of Salem Memorial District Hospital for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 43-year-old Salem man was the reported victim. Total value of the property stolen is approximately $60.00. This report is still under investigation. Then next day, Tuesday May 5th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1000 block of Route Z for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 34- year-old Salem man was the reported victim. This report is still under investigation. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

Elephant Rocks State Park is now open to the public with social distancing measures in place. While the park will be open for day-use, capacity will be monitored closely in order to prevent overcrowding. If a park is nearing capacity, gates or parking lots may close temporarily. All visitors must remain diligent and come prepared to enjoy the outdoors responsibly by following the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Governor Parson that includes keeping a minimum distance of six feet between you and others, come prepared and carry hand sanitizers, soaps, wipes and water; avoid touching your face, handshakes and hugs; cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze, pack out what you pack in, and most importantly, stay home if you are sick. All visitor centers, park offices, tours, programs, group camps, enclosed shelters, playgrounds, pools and beaches remain closed.