Local News – Monday, January 15th, 2024
Volunteers for AARP will be conducting free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory again this year. This free tax filing assistance will begin on Friday, February 2nd and continue every Friday until April 5th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 20th year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163.
An accident happened Friday morning at 7:40 in Phelps County on westbound Interstate 44 at the 189 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Dodge 1500 van being driven by 45-year-old Sevcan Costner of Wheaton, Illinois, skidded across the center of the center line and struck a 2020 GMC Acadia being driven by 48-year-old Michael Smith of St. James. The GMC then struck the concrete barrier and came to rest in the roadway. Smith was taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The Dodge van had extensive damage but was able to be driven from the scene. The report stated that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
An accident occurred Saturday evening around 5:55 in Phelps County near 14680 Phelps County Road 8160. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by 30-year-old Kerry Crowley of Rolla, was traveling eastbound when the vechicle began to slide on a snow covered road. The Toyota went off the left side of the roadway, impacted a tree, and overturned on its top. Crowley suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. Crowley was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced his office obtained a judgment against Phelps County business owner of Sho-Me Labradors, Sandra Kozlowski, for violating state standards for licensed commercial dog breeders. In the judgment, the Court ruled that Kozlowski defied a previous consent judgment issued in May of 2020 for failure to comply with state law governing commercial dog breeders. Specifically, Kozlowski violated the law by keeping too many dogs, letting her breeder’s license lapse, and failing to provide dogs with fresh water or access to the outdoors. Even more disturbing, Kozlowski was keeping dogs in cages with an appalling lack of space like wire style and airline style pet crates without unfettered access to the outdoors. Under the order, Ms. Kozlowski must pay the $5,000.00 of suspended penalties from the original judgment and relinquish ownership of all remaining dogs, but for the 10 dogs specified in the Judgment and Order to the State of Missouri to be transferred to the Humane Society of Missouri. Additionally, she is banned from advertising the sale of dogs from Sho-Me Labs, with few exceptions. On January 9th, the Missouri Department of Agriculture seized 96 dogs that were taken to St. Louis where a number of veterinarians are evaluating the dogs.