Local News – Monday, April 3rd, 2023
A Municipal Election will be held tomorrow with the polls opening at 6:00 in the morning and closing at 7:00 in the evening. The City of Salem will have a race for a West Ward Alderman as incumbent Amanda Duncan and former alderman Bill Riley are both on the ballot, while East Ward Alderman Shawn Bolerjack is unopposed. For the Dent County Fire Protection District, David Greenshields is unopposed for his seat for the six-year term on the fire board, while Leigh Ann Price and Jeff Stokes, Jr. are the choices for the two-year term. The Oak Hill R-1 School District have seven people running for the three seats available on the board. Those running include Rhonda Wolfe-Hutsell, John Hoodenpyle, Jerry Norris, Daniel England, April Greener, Thomas England and Sarah Hoffman. The Salem R-80 School Board also has seven people running for three seats on the board and they are Andrew Wynn, Calvin Malone, Bret Bailey, Gregory Moravec, Marjorie Wilber Pyatt, Drusilla Howard and Brian Mink. There are four candidates for the three seats on the Bunker School District on the ballot and they are Allen Ritter, Jason Davis, Mark. D. Brickley and C.J. Wisdom. There are also two issues for the City of Salem residents to vote on. The first is to cast a vote to allow the city to issue sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $4,630,000 for the purpose of extending and improving the city’s sewerage system. This improvement is mandated by the federal government and this vote will determine how the citizens want to pay for these improvements. If the issues passes, the monthly increase to sewer bills will be much less than if the issue fails. The second issue placed on the ballot is asking the citizens of Salem to approve a city sales tax of one percent. The passing of this issue would allow the city to replenish their utility reserves to be available in case of an emergency by not having to take money from the utility funds for general revenue, and also to allow the city to continue to provide full services reliant on the General Revenue Fund such as the police department, street department and others. No-excuse or excused absentee voting continues today at the courthouse until 5:00. Remember, you must have an ID to vote! If you have any questions, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144.
The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports for the last week of March. On Wednesday, the 29th, deputies responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 3090 for a reported assault. The investigation revealed that a 73-year-old Rolla man had been assaulted by his 37-year-old daughter. The victim did not wish to pursue criminal charges against the subject and the case was closed. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route H and Dent County Road 2530. A passenger in the vehicle, a 24-year-old Salem man, was found to have an active Phelps County arrest warrant. The man was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was booked per departmental procedure. On Thursday, March 30th, a 41-year-old Salem man reported that his license plates from his truck where stolen. The plates were taken from the vehicle by an unknown party while the it was parked at Highway 68 and Route FF. The investigation will continue, pending any investigative leads. Also on Thursday, a 50-year-old Salem woman was arrested on a City of Rolla arrest warrant. She was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where she posted bond. If you have information regarding an investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.
A one vehicle accident happened Thursday morning just before noon in Dent County on Highway 72 at Lake Spring. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Ford Ranger being driven by a 17-year-old male teen from St. James, hydroplaned on the wet pavement. The Ford then traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck the guard rail and overturned. The teen was taken by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. The Ford Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s towing. The report stated the teen was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
On Saturday, April 8th, the Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is holding its annual Easter Extravaganza. Starting at noon, kids of all ages are invited to join park team members for a fun-filled day of crafts, games and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a basket or bag for the Easter egg hunt. All activities will take place in the north day-use area. For more information about the event, please contact the park naturalist at 573-546-2450 ext.1003. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook.