Local News – Friday, May 8th, 2020
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for May 1st. On that Friday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the Route H and Highway 72 intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for having active warrants through the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office and Scott County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office where he was incarcerated. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the Route C and Dent County Road 2190 intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
Medicare wants to remind you that scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number, personal information,
and money. And they’re using robocalls, social media posts, and emails to do it. Remember, if anyone reaches out to get your Medicare Number or personal information in exchange for something, you can bet it’s a scam. To help prevent Medicare fraud, be on the lookout so you can stop scams before they happen. Some of the recent Coronavirus scams to watch include robocalls offering you respiratory masks they’ll never send also social media posts fraudulently seeking donations for non-existent charities, or claiming to give you stimulus funds if you enter your bank account information. Other scams are offering fake testing kits, cures, “immunity” pills, and offers for protective equipment. Visit Medicare.gov/fraud for more information and tips on preventing Medicare scams and fraud.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol wants people to know effective Monday driver testing services expanded to include written testing for all classes of licenses and commercial driver license skills testing which will include the pre-trip, basic, and road testing however, but non-CDL road testing is not included in this phase of service reinstatement. In our area, the Troop I complex at 1301 Nagogami Road in Rolla will be giving written tests from 8:00 until 5:00, Monday through Friday. Motorcycle driving tests may be taken Monday through Friday from 8:00-4:30 when the pavement is dry. For more information, call 368-2345, extension 3973. The Salem satellite site at this time is not open. Those requiring the skills test for a CDL should note special priority is being given to applicants who have already passed a portion of the CDL skills test, applicants who had a CDL appointment scheduled prior to the suspension of testing last month, school bus operators over the age of 70 requiring annual testing, and applicants with other essential needs. When CDL applicants schedule an appointment, an examiner will review their COVID-19 form, and advise them to wear a face covering during testing and arrive in a sanitized vehicle. Applicants should wear face coverings while in driver examination facilities and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Face coverings will be removed briefly when the applicant’s photo is taken during the licensing process. To make an appointment about your CDL, call 573-368-2345.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education held two closed session meetings this week to hold interviews to find a new superintendent to replace John McColloch who will be leaving the district June 30th to go the Washington School District. On April 27th, the board in closed session review applications for the position and schedule the appointments. In the Monday closed session meeting, two candidates were interviewed by the board for the superintendent position and another candidate was interviewed Tuesday evening at the closed session meeting. There was also a personnel issue that was discussed during the Tuesday evening closed session meeting.
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on two cases this week. In the first case held Tuesday in front of Judge Megan Seay in Crawford County, Brandon Inman of Salem pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine and also endangering the welfare of a child. He was sentenced to 11 years under RSMO Section 217.362 and is put in the long term drug treatment program. In the second case Wednesday in Dent County in front of Judge Seay, Kurtis Hodge of Salem, who was on probation for assault in the 2nd degree, had his probation revoked and was sentenced to seven years under RSMO Section 559.115.
The City of Salem Spring Clean Up week will be held again next week on your normal trash day by WCA, the city’s trash collection service. You can put out an unlimited amount of trash curbside. WCA also does not take yard waste. If you have any questions about the trash they will take, call WCA at 417-851-1900.