Local News – Monday, July 1, 2024

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Monday June 24th deputies responded to East Center St. for a reported wanted subject. During the investigation, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Later on the same day deputies responded to the 900 block of County Road 5070 for a reported assault. During the investigation, a 37-year-old Salem man was arrested for assaulting a 52-year-old Salem woman. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 hour hold pending formal charges. Then on Wednesday June 26, deputies responded to the area of Highway F and County Road 6400 after a vehicle fled from an attempted traffic stop. The operator, an 18-year-old Salem man, was located by law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing. Two days later on Friday June 28, deputies responded to the 2900 block of Highway 68 for a reported weapons violation. During the course of the investigation, a 63-year-old Salem man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 hour hold pending formal charges. The next day Saturday June 29, deputies responded to the 500 block of Fifth St. for a reported wanted subject. During the course of the investigation, a 33-year-old Bunker man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. If you have information regarding any investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

At a probation revocation hearing held Wednesday in Dent County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo of the 42nd Judicial Court, Jeremy Jackson of Dent County was sentenced to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Jackson had previously pleaded guilty in March 2022 to multiple felony charges, including stealing, forgery, burglary, and passing bad checks. He was initially sentenced to a 15-year treatment program in May 2022, which he completed in 2023. This past April, Jackson was arrested and charged with drug trafficking in the second degree for possessing over 20 milligrams of fentanyl. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley filed a motion to revoke Jackson’s probation, citing failure to obey the law, use of intoxicants, and failure to repay victim restitution. At the hearing, Prosecutor Curley sought execution of the previously imposed sentences, while the defendant requested continued probation with drug treatment. Judge Randazzo ultimately decided to execute the original 15-year sentence.

This Friday, July 5, there will be a Summer Concert featuring Kirk Pierce at Echo Bluff State Park. This free concert begins at 8 pm. Then, next week Thursday at Current River State Park, there will be a Women Outdoors class. These classes are taught by women and designed to give women more confidence in getting out in nature. Get in the water during this event to learn about water quality and how to use a water filtration system to get drinkable water from rivers and creeks. The class is free and open to women 16 and older, but registration is required and can be submitted by emailing connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov or by calling her office at 573-751-1224.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will conduct two managed deer hunts at Big Spring this October. The hunts are designed for youth and military service members with permanent mobility impairments. Applications for both hunts will be accepted beginning today through July 31. Ten hunters will be randomly selected for each hunt. The youth hunt is scheduled for October 5, and 6. Interested participants must apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. The Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired hunt will take place October 19, and 20. Applications and information are available at go.nps.gov/BigSpringHunt2024. Portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed to the public during these hunts on October 4-6, and October 18-20. Superintendent Jason Lott is pleased to once again offer these recreational opportunities for our youth and in honor of individuals who have sacrificed so greatly for our country. For more information, visit the park’s Facebook page, www.nps.gov/ozar, or call (573) 323-4236.

Construction at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fish hatchery in Bennett Spring State Park hasn’t stopped trout fishing this summer. Over 60,000 trout tags have been issued through June, with more than 120,000 trout stocked in the park’s waters this year. Ben Havens, MDC’s Bennett Spring Hatchery manager, reported favorable fishing conditions and angler success. The $40 million hatchery renovation includes a new intake structure, raceway reconstruction, and water quality improvements. Cahills Construction of Rolla is handling the project. Despite reduced local production, fishing continues thanks to trout from MDC’s Montauk and Shepherd of the Hills hatcheries, as well as private sources. Stocking now occurs several times weekly instead of daily, but weekly totals remain unchanged. Stocking numbers are posted in the park store. The project aims to improve fish production and site resiliency. MDC Hatchery Systems Manager Clint Hale emphasized efforts to maintain regular stocking and angler amenities during construction. Bennett Spring typically produces about 450,000 fish annually, supporting local businesses through tourism. While some areas may be affected by construction, the park remains open for fishing and other activities.

A presentation of the book, “Summers at Cedar Grove” by author Ben Timson, followed by a book signing, will be held at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 S Main Street in Salem on Saturday, July 13th at 10:00 in the morning. Timson was a professor of Biomedical Sciences at Missouri State University for 32 years before retiring two years ago. The book “Summers at Cedar Grove, The Rise and Fall of an Ozark Village,” is Timson’s book about his summers spent at Cedar Grove and the history of Cedar Grove, Missouri, along the Current River. The Dent County Historical Society is the sponsor of the event. For more information, please call Deloris Gray Wood, president of the Society, at 573 729-2545 or send an email to uppercurrentriver@gmail.com.