Local News – Thursday, December 5th, 2019
A Steelville man Wednesday pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm stemming from a police chase from Illinois into Missouri. According to the court report, 27-year old Johnathan K. Esparza of Steelville appeared in federal court before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross who accepted his plea and set his sentencing date for March 13, 2020. According to court documents, on September 21st, 2018, police officers from Brooklyn, Illinois responded to a call regarding shots fired from a Nissan vehicle. As Brooklyn police officers attempted to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop, the driver of this vehicle accelerated and drove at a high rate of speed from Illinois into Missouri. Officers observed Esparza, the front seat passenger, throw a pistol out of the window of the vehicle in St. Louis and were able to recover and seize the pistol. The Nissan was eventually stopped and Esparza was apprehended. A computer check revealed that he was a convicted felon. Esparza faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of not more than a $250,000. He may be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence greater than described. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. The Brooklyn, Illinois Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Muchnick is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Salem Park and Recreation Board met on November 26th at the Salem Community Center@TheArmory. Director Melissa DuBois addressed the board and reported there were 104 participants in the 2019 Youth basketball program for children in the 1st through 6th grades. She said she visited the site of the proposed new soccer field complex with City Administrator Ray Walden, Public Works Director Mark Nash and representatives from Archer-Elgin to get information to update the LWCF Grant that the city will apply for in February. She discussed back lighting at the Salem City Park sign and also the creation of a new Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool sign for the pool building. City Administrator Ray Walden gave an updated on the TAP grant. Walden said MoDOT had approved the letting of bids, but that will held off until after the holidays. The bids are to be opened by March 1st with work beginning by April 1st. Park Board President Stan Podorski presented the board with an update three-year project plan for the Parks and Recreation which included the soccer park complex, TAP grant, replacing the roof at the Al Brown Storage Building, a new concession area and handicapped accessible stairway at Al Brown and other projects. Podorski also said the Park and Recreation Board by-laws are outdated and he is revising the by-laws and will present them at a future meeting for board approval. Walden then informed the board of the change moving the grounds crew for the Park and Recreation Department to Public Works where they are under the supervision of Public Works Director, Mark Nash. They will still do the work they would normally do during the peak season hours on fields, lawn care, etc. while only taking care of limited activities at the parks during the off-season times and who would be responsible to perform those duties. The meeting was then adjourned.
The Dent County Sheriff’s office released reports for November 20th through 27th. On Friday the 20th, deputies responded to the 4000 block of Route CC for a report of burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 22 year-old man was the reported victim and the investigation is ongoing. On Monday, November 23rd, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Route VV for a report of burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 28-year-old was the reported victim and the investigation is ongoing. The next day, Tuesday November 24th, deputies traveled to the 2000 block of Dent County Road 3260 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 40-year-old was the reported victim and the investigation is ongoing. On Thursday, November 26th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a vehicle sitting in a yard at a residence in the 700 block of Dent County Road 4210. The caller told the Sheriff’s Office that the vehicle was running and someone was inside it. A deputy traveled to area and during the course of the incident, a 47 year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance–methamphetamine, and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. The next day, Friday November 27th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 44 year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.
An Ozark Christmas Celebration will take place at Alley Spring this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. The historic Alley Mill, Storys Creek School and General Store will all be decorated in the holiday fashion. Alley Mill will be open during the event and will feature Christmas trees adorned with handmade ornaments created by the 4th grade classes from local schools. Take home the memory by creating your own unique traditional tree ornament. Bring the family and sip hot chocolate while listening to traditional Christmas music. Ole Saint Nick himself plans to stop by and join in the festivities. Alley Spring is located six miles west of Eminence on Highway 106. For more information about this event please contact Ranger Josh Chilton at 573-226-3945, visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.