Local News – Thursday, December 30th, 2021
The Dent County Health Center has released the new Covid-19 quarantine guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Infection. The CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others. To find out more information about the new COVID-19 quarantine guidelines, check out the Dent County Health Center’s website or Facebook page.
The Salem Police Department has released an accident report from Thursday, December 9th. According to the report, a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, owned and operated by Gerald Nickles of Salem, was in the turn lane facing west on Highway 32 at the intersection of Askins Street. At that time, a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, owned and operated by Austin Wulff of Salem, was traveling eastbound on Highway 32 nearing the intersection of Askins Street. The Nickles attempted to turn his vehicle left into the Walmart parking lot and failed to yield to the Wulff vehicle. Wulff’s vehicle’s front bumper collided with the passenger side bed and door of the Nickles vehicle. Gerald Nickles suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital, while Wulff suffered no injuries. The Nickles’ vehicle sustained extensive damage, while Wulff’s Silverado sustained moderate damage. Both pickups were removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.
The Dent County Sheriffs’ Department made a traffic stop on Christmas Day in the 1000 block of Highway 32 East. During the course of the stop, a 38-year-old St. Clair woman was arrested on a warrant out of Jefferson County. A 32-year-old St. Louis man was also arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Jail where the man was issued a summons and released, while the woman was incarcerated on the warrant.
Filing for the municipal offices for the City of Salem ended Tuesday. There are four candidates for mayor: Skip Dahms, Stephanie Skiles, Greg Parker and Bill Parsons. The only candidate running for East Ward Alderman is the current alderwoman, Kayla Sisco. Two candidates are running for the unexpired West Ward Alderman term of the late Kenny Nash and those candidates are Tod Kinerk and Shannon Riley. There are also two candidates running for the full West Ward Alderman seat and they are Kyle Williams and Catherine Dent. The municipal election will be April 5th, 2022.
The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the New Harmony Church main gym on Highway 32 West on Wednesday, January 5th from 2:00 until 6:00. Currently, the Red Cross still experiences dangerously low inventory not seen in more than a decade. All who come to give blood in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. To register for the blood drive, call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your appointment.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2022 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During last year’s holiday, 94 people were arrested for driving under the influence. During the 2021 New Year’s period, six people were killed and 389 injured in 1,247 traffic crashes in Missouri. The 2022 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 tonight and ends at 11:59 Sunday evening, January 2nd. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver or utilize a ride share service or taxi to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. You can check road conditions by calling 1-888-275-6636. Allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home. Remember, Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. Don’t forget to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.
Governor Mike Parson requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approve a major disaster declaration for Missouri to provide federal assistance to a total of seven counties, including two in the KSMO listening area. This is in response to the severe storms and deadly tornadoes that swept across the state on the evening of December 10th, resulting in extensive destruction. Governor Parson is requesting public assistance for Iron and Reynolds counties in our area. If approved, agencies may seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged buildings, bridges, roads, and other public infrastructure. The joint preliminary damage assessments, conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), FEMA, and local officials estimated a total of more than $27 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs eligible for federal assistance. Both state and county thresholds set by FEMA must be met in order for a county to be included in the request for Public Assistance.