Local News – Friday, September 17, 2021
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on three cases heard in Dent County on Friday, September 10th, in front of Judge Megan Seay. In the first case heard that day, Rebecca Hall of Salem pled guilty to the possession of fentanyl and benzodiazapam while on felony probation. Hall was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. In another case, Todd Harget of Licking pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine. Harget is a prior and persistent felony offender and was sentenced to serve 12 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the final case heard last Friday, Heather Parker of Salem pled guilty to the possession of fentanyl and felony stealing. Judge Seay sentenced her to serve seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.
The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of August. They served 16 summonses to appear in court, gave out 40 warning tickets, and seven traffic tickets, plus they also served 15 fugitive warrants and two city warrants. The department investigated ten traffic accidents, had 20 ambulance assists, wrote 12 property damage reports, eight stealing reports, and two resisting or interfering with an arrest reports. The department investigated seven driving while having a license revoked or suspended reports, wrote a missing person report, had one unlawful use of a firearm or weapon charge, conducted three death investigations, had four possession of a controlled substance charges, two possession of drug paraphernalia charges, as well as three domestic violence reports. The department also investigated four trespassing reports, two reports of tampering, investigated three intoxicated pedestrians, responded to six assaults or fights and responded to 43 animal calls. The Salem Police Department conducted 56 follow up investigations and responded to two shots fired. The police department performed 22 well-being checks, responded to three suicidal person calls, investigated ten suspicious vehicles and 11 suspicious subjects, and investigated one sexual offense. The department drove 7,911 miles during the month and served 4 hours as court bailiff. The department had 896 calls for service and had 49 walk-ins to the station. There were 19 males and 13 females arrested during the month of August.
A three-vehicle accident happened Thursday afternoon just after 12:30 in Phelps County on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 2110. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Honda Odessey being driven by 62-year-old Tammy Nail of Rolla, was traveling north and had stopped to make a left turn. At that time, a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan being driven by 73-year-old William Bleckman of Rolla had also stopped and was behind the Honda. The report says a 2007 Sterling 9000 being driven by 43-year-old Zebulon Cramer of Belle was also traveling north and struck the rear of the Caravan. The Dodge then traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Sterling traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the Dodge Caravan, 69-year-old Deborah Bleckman of Rolla was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. All involved in the accident were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Honda had only minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Sterling and Dodge Caravan were both totaled. The Dodge was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing and the Sterling was removed by Big Boys Towing.
The Taste of The Arts Expo 2021 is coming up tomorrow from 3:00 until 7:00 at The Creative Arts Center behind the ONCRC, at 202 South Main in Salem. Taste of The Arts will be a small carnival style family fun day complete with many small art activities for both kids and adults alike. There will be a sidewalk chalk contest, a children’s table with art activities, screen printing, wheat weaving, quilting, pottery, painting, air brushing, concessions and vendors. For more information, contact Danielle Norris at 573-247-5306 or Tana Kettner at 573-247-0651.