Local News – Friday, March 22nd, 2019

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday afternoon at 3:05 on Highway H four tenths of a mile west of the Salem City Limits. According to the Highway Patrol Report a westbound 2000 Ford Ranger, driven by 27 year-old Trenton Stacy of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway, returned to the pavement. Then the Ranger traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned. Stacy and the passenger 27 year-old Kayla Howard suffered moderate injuries and were transported by Air Evac to Mercy Creve Coeur. The report stated that neither Stacy or Howard were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles had notified Dent County Clerk Angie Curley that he was sick and would not be in attendance. Curley appointed District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell to serve as Acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report Purcell said that with less rainfall and drying winds grading would be catching up and the roads would look a lot different in a few weeks. He said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 6350 and materials would be added to county road 6640. Purcell went on to say that grading would be done and materials would be added to county roads 5530 and 6370. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3120, 3180, 3170, 3130, 4300, and 4290, while materials only would be added to county roads 2150, 3120, and 3180. Larson added that materials would be added and grading done on county road 2155. Curley reported that phone bids were taken for 2,000 gallons of gasoline with County Fuels submitting the low bid of $2.139 per gallon. She said that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Curley reminded voters that absentee voting continues in her office through April 1st, and if anyone needs to update their information such as address changes they should come by her office. She also reminded everyone in the Bunker area that on April 2nd Sinkin Township/Bunker Precinct voting has been moved from Bunker High School to Bunker City Hall. Curley noted that polls will open at 6:00 am and close at 7:00 pm and voters need to remember to bring their identification. If anyone needs information about the upcoming election call her office at 729-4144. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Thursday morning, March 14th at approximately 9:00, an officer was contacted reference a sexual assault of a juvenile. Investigation of the report revealed a juvenile female had been sexually assaulted by a suspect from Rolla, Missouri. The report is under investigation. Later that same day at approximately 4:29 p.m. an officer located a 35-year-old female of Salem, Missouri near Fifth and Iron who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after posting and receiving a new date to appear in court. Then on Saturday, March 16th at approximately 1:13 a.m. an officer was dispatched to a one vehicle accident on Missouri 32 near the Ranch Motel. Investigation of the crash led to the arrest of a 51-year-old male of Salem, Missouri for driving while suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that day at 1:00 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference a theft. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown took the license plate off of a maroon 2004 Ford Expedition. The report is under investigation. On Sunday, March 17th at approximately 11:42 a.m. an officer was dispatched to Mobil gas station in reference to a theft. Investigation of the report revealed a 47-year-old male of Salem, Missouri had stolen three lottery tickets valued $60.00 and returned to the store to cash one of the stolen tickets for $20.00. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday, March 18th at approximately 3:45 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference damage to a vehicle. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown damaged the touch screen valued $2582.00 on a blue 2018 Nissan Versa that was parked near the 500 block of South Warfel. The report is under investigation. On Tuesday the 19th at approximately 12:34 p.m. the School Resource Officer was contacted reference a weapons violation. Investigation of the report revealed a 12-year-old male juvenile student had brought a knife to school in his backpack. Further investigation led to the detention of the student who was released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that night at approximately 11:15 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference a stolen license plate. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown took a license plate from a 2001 Ford Explorer. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation ongoing or previously mentioned.

The Salem Police Department did not test the storm siren yesterday as scheduled due to a malfunction in the system. That test will be rescheduled for a later date to be announced.