Local News – Monday, July 23rd, 2018
The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at the Commons. A total of 111 animals were auctioned off including four pens of rabbits, two pens of chickens, one market goat, nine market lambs, 65 market hogs and 30 market steers. Also auctioned were two cured bacon as well as two junior heifer ribbons and two junior gilt ribbons. The auction brought in a record total of $212,913.15. Top buyers at the auction this year were Phil-Mart who purchased 11 animals made up of two lambs, six hogs and three steers; the Bank of Salem who purchased nine animals comprised of six hogs and three steers; Smith Valley Angus who bought seven animals made up of one lamb, three hogs and three steers; Salem Livestock who purchased seven animals broken down into one lamb, four hogs, one pen of rabbits and one steer; Interstate Regional Stockyards who purchased five animals and they consisted of one goat, two hogs and two steers and Moser Pharmacy who also bought a total of five animals that were made up of a pen of rabbits, two lambs, one hog and one steer. There were 50 different buyers this year at the auction. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thanks everyone who attended the auction this year.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the District Administrative Board Room. Superintendent John McCulloch said the normal maintenance to prepare school for opening day is going on. He said a mechanical engineer from McKinstry was in town looking at the sewer lines for a possible new dressing room and restrooms at the football field and track. McKinstry’s proposal is due by August 1st. McColloch stated Healthy Dent County has created a new “fitness challenge” in front of the Middle School. He also said Salem R-80 has made an agreement with the Salem Memorial District Hospital to provide the school with a team doctor. McColloch said Britney Christesen, DC will be working with the teams and will provide medical assessments, training taping and more. Also Nutritionist Jason Edwards will provide a sports nutrition program for the athletes. McColloch listed the schools open houses starting at the William Lynch on August 13th from 5:30 to 6:30, and the Upper Elementary from 6:30 to 7:30. The Middle School Open House will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 on August 14th, followed by the Senior High from 6:00 to 7:30. The board reviewed bids on milk, bread, fuel, pest control, and food and supplies. The board awarded the milk bid to Hiland Dairy, the bread bid to Country Mart, the fuel bid to County Fuels, the Pest Control bid to Integrity Pest Solutions, and the food and supply bid to both Springfield Grocers and US Foods. The board approved setting the Public Tax Rate Hearing for 5:50 Thursday afternoon on August 16th. McColloch said the board approved the transfer of $50,000 from the activity fund into the Douglas Dent Family Scholarship Fund that had been donated by the Dent family, and they also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salem Police to create a school resource officer that is employed by the police department but will work at the Salem R-80 school. The board then went into closed session.
The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Thursday afternoon, July 12th at approximately 4:00, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a male suspect took items valued at $333.00 from a truck parked on Babb Lane. The report is under investigation. That evening at approximately 6:23, an officer was dispatched to McDonalds in reference to an intoxicated male and female inside the establishment. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 31-year old male and a 36-year old female, both of Salem, for possession of morphine and possession of drug paraphernalia. The two suspects were incarcerated pending the application for warrants. The next morning at approximately 10:29, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to identity theft. That investigation revealed a person used the dentity of another to obtain utilities. The report is under investigation. That same night at approximately 10:01, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 22- year old male of Rolla for driving while having his license revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
A Rolla resident received minor injuries in an accident on Highway 63, about eight miles South of Rolla that happened at about 9:30 Saturday night. According to the highway Patrol report, 42-year old Amy Frost was traveling northbound on Highway 63 in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Van when she struck a deer. Frost was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Phelps County Ambulance. Frost was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The vehicle received minor damage and was driven from the scene.
The photography collection of Dent County native Ron Lewis is on display at the Ozarks Cultural and Natural Resource Center now until July 31st. Stop by and visit his work of scenes of rural Dent County and surrounding areas including Montauk, Alley Spring and breathtaking night skies. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is open daily Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, and on Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon at 202 S Main Street in Salem. The exhibit is free and open to everyone. For more information, contact the ONCRC at 573-729-0029.