Local News – Thursday, December 7, 2023
The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released these reports for the last week of November. On Wednesday November 22nd deputies responded to the 500 block of County Road 5070 for a disturbance call. During the course of the investigation, a 29-year-old Salem man was found to have an active arrest warrant. The man was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Then on Sunday November 26th a deputy responded to the 3700 block of Highway F for reported property damage. The victim, a 38-year-old Salem woman, advised that an unknown suspect(s) had damaged her mailbox during the overnight hours. The investigation is ongoing. The next day Monday November 27th a deputy took a stealing report. According to the victim, an 80-year-old Salem man, numerous checks were stolen and written to unauthorized subjects. The suspect information was developed and the investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday November 28th a deputy conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation. During the course of the stop, consent to search was given and the passenger was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine. The suspect, a 58-year-old Lonedell woman was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was placed on a 24 Hour Hold. If anyone has any information regarding an on-going incident, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.
Grace Harbor invites you to have breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus this Saturday from 9:00 until noon. Admission includes breakfast, a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, story time, singing of Christmas songs, and face painting with breakfast being servied until 11:00. The event will be held at the Salem United Methodist Church at 901 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. All proceeds raised will go to the Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter. Admission is $15.00 if purchased by December 8th or $20.00 per person at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Town and County Bank, The Bank of Salem, Riverways Credit Union, Progressive Ozark Bank, Vandivort Drug, and the Salem United Methodist Church or by calling Kathy, Linda, or Jan at 573-453-2000.
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released a number of reports from cases heard in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court Thursday in Dent County in front of Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, James Cole of Salem was on probation for failing to register as a sex offender when he was found in his vehicle at the local park parking lot while dropping off his son. The law prohibits offenders from loitering within 500 feet of a public park with a playground. Cole sought to continue his probation while Curley sought up to 120 days in the Department of Corrections. Judge Randazzo sentenced the defendant to four years in the Department of Corrections under the RSMO Section 559.115 program. In the next case, Alexandria Blackwell of Salem was on probation for the possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Randazzo revoked her probation and sentenced her to serve 22 days in the Dent County Jail. In the next case of the day, Joseph Pridemore from Alma, Georgia, pleaded guilty to deviate sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 14. The victim testified at the sentencing. Pridemore was sentenced to 18 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.
The Dent County University Extension is still looking for candidates who want to want to make a difference in their community through the University of Missouri Extension Council of volunteers that make Dent County a better place to live through Extension programs. Applications to be a candidate are still available by calling 573-729-3196, or by going online at extension.missouri.edu/dent. You can also request an application by sending an e-mail to dentco@missouri.edu. Representatives will be elected in a non-partisan election from January 8th through the 12th. Candidates must be at least 18-years-old and reside in the county they want to serve. Individuals interested in serving on the council may contact Ray Walden, County Development Specialist, at the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196 or find it on the web at extension.missouri.edu/dent.
It’s the holiday season and that means baking and candy making this Saturday or Sunday at the Current River State Park where they will be Baking Wild! All of us have had to run out to the store for those last-minute items, but have you thought about going out into the woods to collect your own nuts and berries for holiday baking? Learn how to bake using foraged items. This program starts at 10:00 in the morning at the Shannondale Fire Tower. Space is limited and registration is required. Contact Connie Weber at connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-1224 and let her know which day you prefer. Participants should plan to bring a lunch. Current River State Park is located at 11053 County Road 19D in Salem.
The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has called for a special board meeting to discuss personnel and the preliminary audit report. The meeting will be Friday at 5:00 at the hospital library. Those who want to attend by phone or other electronic means should contact the SMH office at 729-6626, ext 4005 to obtain access information. The meeting is open to the public.