Local News – Monday, February 12th, 2024
Today is Lincoln’s Birthday and many state and local offices as well as courts will be closed including the Dent County Courthouse. The banks and postal services will be open today.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a report for the week starting Friday, February 2nd and ending Thursday, February 8th. On the 2nd, deputies conducted a traffic stop at intersection of Highway 72 & Route J. During the course of the stop, the operator of the vehicle who was a 47-year-old Salem woman, was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. She was taken into custody without incident and charges are pending. On Monday, February 5th, deputies responded to the 4200 block of Dent County Road 6220 for a report of a cow that had been shot. The owner of the animal, a 57-year-old Salem man, advised someone had shot the cow in the head while it was in his field. Possible suspect information was provided by the man and the investigation is ongoing. On Wednesday, February 7th, deputies responded to the 400 block of Route H for a reported domestic assault. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a physicalassault occurred between two family members. Neither party wished to pursue charges against the other and they were dispersed to separate locations. The deputies explained Ex-Parte procedures to the parties involved. On Thursday, February 8th, a deputy responded to the Salem Memorial Hospital for a report of a dog bite. The victim, a 21-year-old Jadwin woman, advised she had been bit on the arm by a known dog. Information was taken from the victim for the report and the dog was placed on mandatory quarantine. That same day, a deputy took a report for a property damage that occurred in the 9400 block of Route H. The victim, a 28-year-old Salem man, advised the deputy that a woman caused damage to the door of his residence. The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at (537) 729-3241.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting at 6:00 tomorrow evening at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call, the board will go into closed session to discuss personnel, policies and procedures before they approve the consent agenda which includes the financial reports, minutes and the budget review. The board will review the scheduled events on the calendar, discuss the monthly reimbursement report and talk about old business including the tower lease program and quotes on SCBA bottles and other information. In new business the board will discuss lawn care, a building repair from frozen pipes and information as well as pricing on the purchase of a new truck. After Chief Floyd give his reports, the board will set the date for the next meeting. The meeting will then be adjourned. the meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board is open to the public.
Each February, the state of Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize the chance of a major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and the importance of being prepared. Located in Southeast Missouri, the NMSZ generated some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area is still active today with an average of more than 200 earthquakes each year, though most are too small to be felt. No one can predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, but scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate there is a 25 to 40 percent chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said Missouri faces a variety of severe weather threats and hazards each year, but a large earthquake could potentially be the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced. There is no warning for earthquakes, which is why it’s so important to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself before one occurs. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. Several resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s Earthquake Preparedness website.