Local News – Friday, April 24th, 2020
The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Wednesday, April 15th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Truman Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 37 year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a motor vehicle upon a highway without a valid license. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Then on Friday, April 17th, deputies responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Highway W for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 69 year-old woman was the reported victim. The total value of the property that was stolen is approximately $1,000.00. This report is still under investigation. Finally, on Sunday, April 19th, deputies responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 6370 for a report of a disturbance. During the course of the investigation, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and harassment in the 1st degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. The 21-year-old is currently being held on a $50,000 cash or professional surety bond at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information relative to any investigation.
A one vehicle accident happened Friday afternoon around 4:15 on Gibbs Street near Warfel. The report from the Salem police department states that a 2003 Chevrolet S-10 owned and operated by Aden Melton was traveling west on East Gibbs and stated he was having mechanical issues with the vehicle. The S-10 traveled off the right side of the street striking a concrete culvert and overturned in the street coming to rest on the driver’s side. Melton, who was not wearing a safety restraint, received minor injuries. The S-10 sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
In challenging times, Missourians come together. The University of Missouri Extension and communities across the state are showing up for each other and working together in innovative and engaging ways to bring the resources of the University of Missouri to the people who need them. While the Dent County Extension office is closed during the statewide stay-at-home order, Dent County residents can still reach our local faculty and staff by calling 729-3196 or emailing our office at dentco@missouri.edu. Updated program announcements are available on our Dent County Extension Facebook page or by visiting extension.missouri.edu/events. Although in-person programs are postponed, the MU Extension continues to offer a range of research-based and relevant programming in online formats. An example includes the MU Soil Testing Lab. It is still open and accepting soil samples. Samples should be submitted directly to the MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab, 23 Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Visit the lab’s website at soilplantlab.missouri.edu for detailed instructions and to generate a UPS shipping label. Make sure that you Include a completed sample information form. Forms are available for download. If you are a local food producer looking for new outlets to market your food to consumers during this time enter your farm information on the new Missouri Food Finder to help customers find your local food products at mofoodfinder.org. Youth and families looking for new activities should check out the MU 4H QuaranTIME programs at the Missouri 4-H Facebook page. A number of activities are available include cooking, ChickWatch, 4-H demonstrations and more! For questions or more info about the programs listed or resources at the Small Business Develop Centers website at sndc.missouri.edu, contact the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196 or email dentco@missouri.edu.
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a total of $1,030,000 to 23 Missouri school districts and one Missouri school bus transportation company to replace 52 older diesel school buses. The funds are part of $11.5 million to replace 580 buses for 157 school bus fleets in 43 states, each of which will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage. The only school in the area to receive the money is the Rolla 31 Public Schools. They will receive $100,000 for five buses. Applicants replacing buses with engine model years 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus, depending on the size of the bus. Since 2008, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program has funded more than 1,000 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 buses.
On Monday, April 20th in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in front of Judge Megan Seay, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported that James Judd of Winfield, Missouri, pled guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle. Judd was sentenced to serve five years in the Department of Corrections and the sentence was executed. Curley also reported last week that Lacy Carpenter, Jr of Rolla was scheduled for trial for Statutory Sodomy in the 1st degree on June 16th. Carpenter was recently found deceased in his home in Rolla. Although Curley has been unable to locate any obituary details, his family confirmed that Carpenter passed away. No further efforts to prosecute will continue as a result.
The Salem Memorial District Board of Directors will hold a special board meeting conference call today at 1:00 to discuss the SBA Payroll Protection Program Board Resolution. To access the meeting, call Karen Brown at 729-6626.