Local News – Friday, January 7th, 2022
The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully surpassed their Christmas Kettle Campaign goal of $38,000. The total raised was $40,000. Along with the monetary donations received this year, nearly 200 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2022 to those in Dent County.
The City of Salem encountered a delay in the processing of utility bills due to the holidays. Bills were mailed Thursday with an adjusted penalty date indicated on the bill. We regret any inconvenience this delay may cause. Customers that haven’t received their bill by Monday, January 10th or that have any questions should call the Utility Office at (573) 729-4117.
An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:25 in Dent County on Highway 32 about a half mile east of the Meramec River or about six miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 64-year-old Michael Lanham of Bunker, ran off the left side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned. Lanham suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. Lanham was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing.
An accident happened in Washington County on Highway 8 at Chapel Road Wednesday afternoon at 1:55. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Ford Explorer driven eastbound by 44-year-old Charles Missey of Potosi, struck a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis driven eastbound by 24-year-old Kaitlynn Dutkiewicz of Steelville, from behind. Suffering minor injuries was a one-year-old baby girl who was a passenger in the Grand Marquis. She was taken by the Washington County Ambulance to the Washington County Memorial Hospital. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints and the baby girl was in a car seat. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Harry’s Towing.
You can go native with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, buttonbush, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 34 cents to $1 per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1 percent will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $9 handling charge for each order. You can receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly. Even if a species is listed as sold out, customers can still place an order for them. Sometimes orders get cancelled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Learn more and place orders through MDC’s 2021-2022 Seedling Order Form. Find it at MDC regional offices and nature centers, online at mdc.mo.gov or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229 or StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. Place orders now through April 15, 2022. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking from February through May.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, January 12th. The ceremony will take place in the Academy gymnasium at 1510 East Elm Street in Jefferson City, and the public is invited. The graduation ceremony will be live streamed on the Patrol’s Facebook page. The graduation ceremony will begin that morning at 10:00. The 112th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 2nd to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on Monday, January 31st. In our area Elijah D. Leblanc of Anderson will be assigned to Troop I.