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Salem Mayor Brad Nash announced Wednesday his appointment of John J. (Joe) Chase as the next Chief of Police for the City of Salem. The city received five applications for the poition with two selected as finalists for interviews by a panel comprised of local law enforcement from outside the city along with city officials. Mayor Nash said a timely decision was necessary given the announced retirement by current Salem Police Chief, Keith Steelman on February 14th. Mayor Nash’s appointment was approved by the Board of Aldermen during Monday night’s closed session. Mayor Nash appreciates the service and leadership that retiring Chief of Police Keith Steelman has provided over the years. Chief of Police Appointee Chase has been with the Salem Police Department since 1997 and since 2011 at the rank of Sergeant. He has over twenty-two years of law enforcement experience and has worked with the F.B.I., D.E.A., U.S. Marshal’s Service, and various other state and local law enforcement agencies. His certifications include Firearms Instructor, K-9 Handler, Field Training Officer, and Academy Instructor. Chase grew up in the Salem area with his parents Virginia and Lyal Chase. A devoted family man, Chief of Police Appointee Chase lives in Salem with his children and fiancé Charity. Chase will commence his duties as the next Salem Chief of Police on February 15th, 2020.

The Dent County Coroner’s office has released two reports on recent death investigations in Dent County. On Saturday morning, January 4th, the coroner’s office was contacted to assist with a death investigation. During the course of the investigation, one person was found dead inside a residence on Route C in the Lenox area. Upon investigation, the person found was identified as 55-year old Archie Allan Stacy Jr. of Salem. At this time, the cause of death is still pending the toxicology report. This death is still under investigation by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dent County Coroner’s Office. Then on Tuesday, January 7th, the coroner’s office was contacted to assist with another death investigation. During the course of the investigation, two people were found dead inside an RV at the Dent County Commons. The autopsies are scheduled for Thursday, January 9th at the Boone County Medical Examiners Office in Columbia. At this time, these deaths are currently under investigation by the Dent County Sheriffs Office, and the Dent County Coroners Office.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting. After the roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda as well as minutes from the December meeting being reviewed and approved as presented. The financial report was then reviewed with bills being reviewed and approved as well as the 2019 final budget and 2020 budget being reviewed. During the monthly reimbursement report the board made note of 16 calls for the month. In new business the board discussed card readers to access the building. This would increase security and allow for quicker access than the current code system. The board will gather more information before making a final decision. Board president Craig Smith reported to the board that the building renovation could be complete as soon as one month if the weather continues to hold. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, February 4th at 6:00 at the firehouse. The meeting is open to the public.

A section of Highway 32 in Salem between Highway 72 and Craig Industrial Drive will be named the “Gerald T. Lizotte Jr. Memorial Highway” at a ceremony scheduled for 11:00 this Saturday morning at the Dent County Commons located at 162 County Road 2300 in Salem. Lizotte, who was a 10-year MoDOT veteran, was killed on the job in August of 2001. Highway 32 was one of the last roadways he worked on as a construction technician. Lizotte’s family worked with Senator Justin Brown to introduce a bill for a Memorial Highway Designation which was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Mike Parson during the 2019 legislative session. Lizotte’s daughter, Nicole, and Dennis Brady, who worked with Lizotte at MoDOT, will be speaking at the ceremony.

On Monday, January 6th, the Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley reported that for the year of 2019 the amount of $125,895.80 was collected in connection with fines from state criminal prosecutions. This sum has been turned over to the Dent County Treasurer and benefits the local school system. Prosecutor Curley indicated his office will continue to engage in efforts to assist the education of our youth.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board heard from City Administrator Ray Walden. He thanked everyone that organized and participated in the holiday events this year. For the month of December the Salem Community Center @ the Armory reported a total of 3,867 participants. With the recent utility bill cycle changes Walden invited citizens to call the utility office at 729-4117 if they have any questions. He reported that Salem has been selected to participate in an MS&T Project Management class and projects for the students to work on are being identified. Walden announced that a Workforce Development grant has been approved and a building will be constructed at the Salem R-80 School to house the construction trade and cyber security classes. The city office will be closed on Monday, January 20th for the Martin Luther King holiday and the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21st. The board approved a trailer park license for the Park Street Trailer Park located at 101 S. Park Street. Bill No. 3436, an ordinance addressing the canceling of meetings due to emergencies or inclement weather was approved. Also approved was Resolution No. 1-2020 addressing the closing of city offices due to inclement weather and how staff time is accounted for. Economic Development Director, Sally Burbridge, explained the need to list property prices when listing acreage for sale on state websites. The board approved drafting a resolution and establishing a policy on the sale of acreage in the Master’s Industrial Park. Mayor Brad Nash recommended and the board approved appointing Wanda Henson to the Salem Housing Authority Board to fill the unexpired term of Madonna Mosely. Nash also requested and received approval to appoint Bob Jenkins and Leah Nash to the Park and Recreation Board. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel.

A two vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at around 3:20 in Dent County on Route C at the Texas County line. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country being driven by 70-year old Gary Cassier of Lenox was southbound and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when he was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford F-250 driven by 18-year old Wyatt Lundy of Licking. A passenger in the Chrysler, 46-year old Larry Krewson of Lenox, was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chrysler sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene while the Ford received minor damage and was driven from the scene. According to the report, all involved were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for December 29th and 30th. Sunday morning, the 29th, at approximately 8:27 an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of South Hickory in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown entered a residence by force and took two firearms. The firearms were identified as a Taurus 357 caliber pistol valued at $700.00 and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun valued at $250. The report is under investigation. That afternoon at about 4:20 an officer located a 56-year-old female of Salem in the 800 block of East Hunt who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new date to appear in court after posting bond. Later that evening at approximately 7:26, an officer located a 41-year-old male of Salem in the 100 block of North Henderson who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. Finally on Monday morning, December 30th at approximately 10:33, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to identity theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took out a loan for $3,138.35 in the name of another without consent. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Commissioner Dennis Purcell was not in attendance due to a previous commitment so Supervisor Rodney Atkinson was in attendance. According to Atkinson in District 1, materials were going to be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5600 and 6080 while grading only would be done on county road 5130. He also said brush would be cut on county road 6460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3050 and 3160, while grading only would be done on county roads 2520, 2530, 4370 and 5240. Larson went to report materials would be added to county road 3040 and brush would be cut on county road 2360. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commisioners would be working on the 2020 budget and no bills can be paid until it is approved. The budget hearing will be held on January 27th at 10:00 at the commissioners’ office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she and Treasurer Denita Williams balanced on all accounts for December. Dan Riley and Noel Johnson attended the meeting to address the condition of Dent County Road 6280 that has been in very bad shape for some time and is causing damage to vehicles and tires. Riley had brought letters in from residents who live on the road as ell as the postal service worker and bus driver who drive the road about its condition. Atkinson responded by saying the road was on the schedule to be worked on this week. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to give her monthly economic report for December before Dent County Sheriff’s Bob Wells and Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley presented a check to Treasurer Williams from the sale of unclaimed seized weapons done in accordance to State Statute 542.301. A total of 24 weapons were sold, some from as far back as the 1990’s. The check was for $2,057.20 and goes into the county’s General Revenue Fund. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident occurred Monday morning at 4:28 in Phelps County on Route Y three and a half miles northwest of Rolla. According to the highway patrol, a 2007 Chevrolet 2500 driven by 37-year-old Charles Bell of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Bell suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Air to University Hospital in Columbia. It was unknown whether he was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the call to order the Board is expected to approve the consent agenda and review the minutes of the December meeting, which will be followed by approval of bills and the financial report. The Board will also discuss the monthly reimbursement report. Old and new business will then be brought before the Board followed by a report from fire Chief Brad Nash. The Board will then set the date for the February meeting before adjourning. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting is open to the public.