Local News – Monday, June 22nd, 2020

The Dent County Health Center has confirmed its second positive case of COVID-19 in Dent County. The patient’s identity will remain confidential; as they will not be releasing any personal information about this case. The person has been notified that they have tested positive for COVID-19. They are working with this person to insure they are following Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines in regards to isolation. The Dent County Health Center is also working with this individual to identify any close contacts in order to monitor them for symptoms and contain spread. If you are identified as a potentially exposed person, you will be contacted by the Dent County Health Center. No locations of possible exposure were identified within Dent County. The Dent County Health Center is taking necessary precautions to keep our patients and community safe and will continue to diligently monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow CDC guidelines to help protect the public health and limit spread of this infection. It is important that each and every one of us continue to practice basic preventative measures to help decrease the spread. These measures, as outlined by the CDC, include: avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, and staying home if you are sick. The Dent County Health Center highly encourage you call your health care provider before seeking care if you suspect that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

An accident occurred in Shannon County Saturday evening at 7:20 on Highway 19 about fifteen miles north of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 36-year old Aleshia Weber from Salem was traveling southbound when the Chevy ran off the roadway and struck a tree. Weber suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by ambulance. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Silverado sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 8:15 on Highway 32 about two miles west of Licking that took the life of a woman from Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Nissan Versa driven eastbound by 58-year old Beulah Warren of Licking drove off the roadway and struck a tree. Warren was pronounced dead at the scene by the Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater. Her body was taken to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking. Warren was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan as totaled abnd removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive of Houston. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Licking Police Department, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and the Licking Fire Department.

The Salem Police department has released several reports. On May 23rd shortly after 2:30 in the afternoon an officer conducted a traffic stop at Center and Pershing Streets for expired license plates. An investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, a 36-year-old man from Salem had a revoked driver’s license. The man was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court. On May 25th at approximately in the morning an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North Washington for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival it was found that a 31-year-old Salem female had an active warrant for her arrest from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. During the afternoon of May 28th at approximately 2:49 an officer was dispatched to the 1000 block of south Warfel Street for a report of a disturbance. Upon investigating the incident, police learned that an intoxicated male was acting irate trying to cause a fight between people in the area. The 31-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued a summons for disorderly conduct. He was released to a sober family member. On Sunday the 30th shortly before noon, an officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Russell and Third Streets for the driver failing to signal a turn. It was found that the driver, a 30-year-old Salem female was found to not have a valid driver’s license. The driver also had two active warrants for driving while having their license suspended from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was arrested and issued a summons for driving with no license. She was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail on the two active warrants. That same evening at 9:20, an officer was dispatched to the McDonald’s parking lot for possible drug activity. The officer arrived and contacted people in the vehicle in question. As the driver of the vehicle opened the window a strong odor of Marijuana was detected. Further investigation led to a search of the vehicle where Marijuana and items of Marijuana paraphernalia were located. As a result, two 19-year-old Salem females were arrested and released on a summons for possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding an ongoing investigation.