Local News – Monday, January 11th, 2021

This past Saturday afternoon at 5:00, a Rolla man drowned at the Little Prairie Lake in Phelps County. According to the Missouri State Water Patrol report, 25-year old Sumit Garg of Rolla entered the waterway by an unknown means when he became submerged and did not resurface. Garg was later located about fifteen feet from bank. He was pronounced dead at 9:00 Saturday evening by the Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. His body was taken to the Phelps County Morgue. He was not wearing a personal floatation device. This is the first drowning of 2021 in Troop I.

Here’s a cold weather safety tip. Many cold weather anglers use lakes or ponds for winter recreational activities. If you have plans to be near or on one of the state’s many bodies of water, please be careful and stay alert! When someone is suddenly immersed in cold water, they are at risk for cold shock and hypothermia. Cold shock occurs when the body is suddenly immersed in cold water. Once the trunk of the body goes under, the blood vessels constrict to conserve core body heat. This will quickly limit the use of a person’s arms and legs. Likewise, these conditions may cause a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure—in some cases resulting in cardiac arrest. Cold shock can cause involuntary gasping reflex. When the body hits the water, cold shock can cause the person to gasp for air, but inhale water and result in drowning. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in the air. Lifejacket use becomes even more important in cold water because hypothermia can quickly rob the body of the ability to perform the most basic tasks and drowning is always a concern. If you take an unexpected plunge into cold water, it is vital to get out of the water and into dry clothes as soon as possible. If dry clothes are not an option leave the wet ones on. Even wet clothes will offer some insulation and trap body heat. A warm drink can be given to someone suffering from hypothermia if they are conscious. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. Drinks with sugars for quick energy are preferable. Hypothermia can be deadly even if you are wearing a PFD, so it is important to never go boating alone in the winter. If no one knows you are in trouble, no one can help.

The City of Salem Utility Committee will hold a workshop Monday evening, January 11th at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory 1200 West Rolla Road. The committee will review the treatment plant permit and VCA requirements and review funding options for the treatment plant phase 2 improvements before receiving updates on the AMI project and utility billing before adjourning. The meeting of the utility committee is open to the public.

Ron Copeland officially began his service as state representative for the 143rd District after being sworn in during a ceremony Wednesday, January 6th in the Missouri State Capitol. Copeland takes his place in the Missouri House of Representatives alongside 113 of his Republican colleagues, as well as 48 Democratic members. Copeland replaces State Representative Jeff Pogue, who left office because of term limits. Copeland will now serve a district made up of Dent, Shannon, Oregon, and parts of Reynolds counties. He has lived and served in the district since 1992. Prior to his legislative service, Copeland served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and recently retired as a sergeant. He also served as a corrections officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections and as a Military Police Officer with the Missouri National Guard. Copeland said he plans to communicate regularly with the district so that his constituents are well-informed on the issues under consideration in the State Capitol building. He encourages anyone interested in receiving updates to contact his office at 573-751-2264 or by email at Ron.Copeland@house.mo.gov.

To help alleviate hunger and financial hardships this holiday season, The Doe Run Company provided food items, essential supplies and donations to charitable organizations and families throughout Southeast Missouri. Doe Run employees supported the Adopt a Family program, hosted by the Iron County C-4 School District’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). This is the program’s 10th year of supplying 30 local families with Christmas presents and food items for Christmas dinner. Employees donated presents and other essential items, such as cookware, toiletries and tools. Doe Run also donated food and non-perishable items for local food banks to help the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities, including A+ CDS in Salem (now known as Advantage Home Care), Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence in Viburnum and the God’s Ministry Mission in Bunker. In addition, Doe Run employees collected 90 coats for the mission in Bunker and provided holiday gifts for local families through the Bunker R-3 School District.