Local News – Monday, January 28th, 2019
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation “Dancing with the Salem Stars” was held Saturday night in front of a large crowd at the Salem High School Gym. Eleven acts performed for the crowd ranging from a rendition of the Blues Brothers “Soul Man” to a couple dancing the tango and another doing swing. This year’s competition featured a mother and daughter act as well as a mother and son act. This year’s winning couple was David and Kelsey Schatz with their upbeat swing dance. Taking 2nd place was Brett Capps and Jaimie Jones with their dance to a four song medley. Honorable Mention went to Jaclyn Plattes and Trudy Rutland for the SMDH “Sittercise.” The “People’s Choice” Award went to Dottie Steelman and her son Easton May for their mother and son dance competition and comparison to their era music. Congratulations to all the dancing contestants who participated this year for a collection of outstanding performances. Flashdrives of the event will be available at the hospital next week for sale for just $15 each. To dance in the 2020 SMDH Foundation’s “Dancing with the Salem Stars” or for more information about the flashdrives, call the hospital at 729-6626.
An accident occurred Friday night at 8:50 in Dent County on Highway 19 about one mile south of Route N. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport driven by 28-year old Linsey May of Salem, was traveling northbound when she lost control on a partially ice covered roadway. The Dodge began skidding and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Linsey sustained moderate injuries and was flown to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by Air EVAC Helicopter. One of the passengers in the Dakota, 33-year old Justin Geistlinger of Salem, also suffered moderate injuries and was flown to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis by Air EVAC Helicopter. Two other occupants in the car sustained minor injuries They were 23-year old Austin Brown of Licking and 24-year old Tiffany May of Salem. Both were taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private conveyance, According to the report, none of the occupants of the Dodge were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.
A Salem resident was involved in an accident Thursday morning at 9:17 in Franklin County on Highway 30 at Riverhaven Bluff Drive that took the life of a Lonedell woman. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2017 Ford Escape being driven by 29-year old Brittany Hogan of Lonedell, crossed the centerline and struck the front end of the unit being towed by a 2000 International Harvester driven eastbound by 52-year old Timothy Marrill of Salem. Hogan was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin County Medical Examiner. Her body was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by the Russellville Mortuary Service. The Ford Escape was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Hoffman’ Towing. The International was not damaged and was driven from the scene. According to the report, both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.
An accident happened in Texas County at 4:00 Sunday morning on Schafer Road about four miles northwest of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Ford Mustang driven southbound by 19-year old Daniel DeLuca of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a bridge. Suffering moderate injuries in the accident was 19-year old Sydney Breedlove of Licking was taken by a private vehicle to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. The Ford Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s automotive. Neither DeLuca nor Breedlove were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Following the accident Sunday morning at 11:55, DeLuca was arrested on seven charges. He was charged with Felony Assault in the second degree, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, property damage in excess of $1,000, careless and imprudent driving resulting in a motor vehicle accident, being a minor in possession, not wearing a seat belt and for making a false report. He was incarcerated in the Texas County Jail on a 24-hour hold.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be holding a special meeting on today at 2:00 in the hospital library for a presentation on MRI. This special meeting will be open to the public.
The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of December. During the month, they wrote 5 equipment repair orders, 25 summons to appear in court, 28 warning tickets, and 9 traffic tickets. The Department investigated 9 accidents, 2 assaults, served 2 city warrants and three fugitive warrants. The department also investigated one report of disorderly conduct, one report of a domestic assault, two reports of domestic violence, two reports of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, one report of driving while being intoxicated, one report of fraud, plus served three fugitive warrants. The department also investigated one report of a lost or stolen license plate, one leaving the scene of an accident, one peace disturbance, five reports of possession of a controlled substance, and three reports of possession of drug paraphernalia and one report of property damage. There were 12 reports of stealing, one tampering, two trespassing reports and one 96-hour commitment. The police department received 1,078 calls for service during the month and handled 62 walk-ins to the station. They spent nine hours in court testifying and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 6,880 miles in December and arrested 22 males and 12 females during the month.