Your World Today

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. City of Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge presented her monthly report for February to the commission. She reported the Delta Regional Authority Workforce Training Grant that was applied for was not awarded to Dent County. Burbridge reported on the Missouri Partnership Assess Program with Ginovus in late February where they reported Salem was one of the best community tours they have been on. They will submit a written report of the strengths and weaknesses of our community by the end of this month. She said she attended a “fab lab boot camp” in Independence, Kansas where they use a “Makerspace” that allows people to get introduced to occupations without having to make the investment. Burbridge showed the commission examples of what can be done with just a little training. She said she would be meeting with the Missouri S &T Project Management Class about creating a plan for a “Makerspace” at the new Construction and Technology Trades Building. Dent County Historical Society President Deloris Gray Wood was in saying the county should not miss the opportunity to promote Dent County with the 150th anniversary of the courthouse this year. She said having a celebration next year is great, but do something this summer to make it a draw for visitors. She left copies of the 125th anniversary celebration magazine printed by the Salem News for the commissioners to review that could possibly generate some ideas. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that weather permitting, materials would be added and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 5510 and 6255, brush would be cut on county road 6575, and the brake pads would be replaced and general maintenance done on county truck #73. Purcell went on to report that a crew would be patching chip and seal county roads 4110, 4120 and 6180. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2570 and 4380. He went on to say a man would be stockpiling material at the shop, new tires are being put on truck #122, and a new water pump is being installed on truck #60. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today and will be attending the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the polls will be open from 6:00 this morning until 7:00 tonight for the Presidential Preference Primary. She said people will have to choose a party affiliation when they vote: Republican, Green, Democrat, Constitution or Libertarian. She said absentee voting for the April Municipal Election is still going on and filing for the August 4th Primary will continue until March 31st. Curley also said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for February. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

Salem Area Community Betterment Association will be presenting their BIG GREEN Trivia Night Fundraiser this Friday evening, March 13th, at the Salem Community Center starting at 6:00. The doors will open at 5:30 and tables are $100.00 for up to eight players. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chili, chili dogs, chips, soda and water will be available for purchase. Participants are encouraged to dress in green or to wear their favorite Irish Garb. To RSVP or for more information about being a sponsor, contact Jenna Deason at (573) 247-0621 or Judy Apperson at (573) 729-8163.

An accident happened Saturday morning at 5:00 in Franklin County on Highway 100 at Thornton Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Subaru Forester driven eastbound by 41-year old Michael Callahan of Rolla, swerved right to avoid hitting an animal in roadway. Callahan then overcorrected causing the Subaru to travel off the left side of the roadway, where the vehicle overturned and struck a tree. Callahan suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Meramec Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Washington. Callahan was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Subaru was totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Salem Area Arts Council’s “Art Across the Ages” is on display to celebrate ‘Youth Art Month” at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center now through March 27th. Tonight, there will be a special reception from 6:00 until 8:00 where artists will be present to talk about their art and mingle with friends and families. Also at the reception tonight, Barb bailey and Aaron Horrell from the Painted Wren Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau will give any person who is interested the opportunity to paint a part of the mural that will ultimately be hung in the Truman Building in Jefferson City to celebrate Missouri’s bicentennial in 2021. For more information, please feel free to call the representative of the Salem Area Arts Council at (573) 247-0279. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is at 202 South Main in Salem.

The Salem Cosmopolitan Club held their 69th Annual Variety Show and Miss Salem Contest at the City Hall Auditorium Saturday night. Judges from South Central Missouri selected Brecklyn Holtz sponsored by Country Mart Pharmacy as the Second runner-up, Emma Southards sponsored by Main Street Cafe as the First runner-up and the 2020 Miss Salem, crowned by the 2019 Miss Salem Lauren Grogan, went to MacKenzie Thompson sponsored by Lake Road Steel. The Miss Personality Award went to Cheyenne Roderman sponsored by Elwood Real Estate. That award is voted on by the girls in the competition. Congratulations to all the participants and the acts that made the show possible and the Cosmopolitan Club wants to thank everyone who attended the show for their support.

An accident happened in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about a half mile west of Reynolds Saturday morning at 7:00. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 Pontiac Firebird driven eastbound by 19-year old James Nunley of Bunker, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Nunley suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. It was unknown if he was wearing a seat restraint. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

An accident happened Saturday morning at 5:00 in Franklin County on Highway 100 at Thornton Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Subaru Forester driven eastbound y 41-year old Michael Callahan of Rolla, swerved right to avoid hitting an animal in roadway. Callahan then overcorrected causing the Subaru to travel off the left side of the roadway, where the vehicle overturned and struck a tree. Callahan suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Meramec Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Washington. Callahan was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Subaru was totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted reports for February 17th through the 24th. On Monday, February 17th, a Deputy responded to the 5500 block of Highway 19 North for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 61-year-old man was the reported victim. The total value of the property stolen is approximately $150.00. This report is under investigation. Then on Thursday, February 20th, a deputy traveled to the Missouri Private Probation Services on West 4th Street to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Salem Police Department. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Also on the 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Bryan Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid, and driving while his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. Then on Sunday, February 23rd, a deputy responded to the 35000 block of Highway 72 for a report of a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 30-year-old woman was the reported victim. After further investigation, the deputy met with a 53- year-old Salem man at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The Salem man was issued a citation for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and was released. The next day, Monday February 24th, a deputy responded to the 1000 block of Dent County Road 5015 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 62-year-old woman was the reported victim. The total value of property that was damaged or stolen was approximately $9,000.00. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.