Local News – Thursday, July 16th, 2020
The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo is going on now at The Commons. This year’s expo will be much different than in year’s past due to the COVID-19 virus as a number of the family events and activities have been cancelled or highly modified. Today, all the livestock must be in place on the grounds by 11:00 this morning with weigh-ins beginning around noon. Friday will feature a full day of shows starring at 7:00 in the morning with the Hog Show followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. After lunch, the Small Animal Show will begin at 1:00 followed by the Beef and Dairy Show at 2:00. This year the 4-H and FFA Market Sale will be held at 9:00 Saturday morning. The sale on Saturday will be broadcast live on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. There is no charge to attend the expo. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to observe social distancing. Please cover any coughs or sneezes, and wash or disinfect your hands frequently. Hand sanitizing stations will be located around the barns. If you are feeling ill before coming to the expo, please stay home. Wearing a mask is optional at the expo, but should be seriously considered with a fairly large crowd expected.
A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:00 in Phelps County on eastbound Interstate 44 near the 197 mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2004 Toyota Tacoma being driven by 60-year old Ronald Weland of Steelville, traveled off the right side of the highway before returning to the interstate and traveling off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck the cable barrier in the median before coming to a rest in the eastbound lane. Weland was transported by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of serious injuries. The report went on to say that Weland was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of accident. The Toyota was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting tonight at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 District Administrative board room. At the meeting, the board will then hear the Superintendent’s report from the Dr. Reed covering the COVID re-entry, R-80 facilities update and the SRO Contract. In new business the board will consider bids for milk, bread, food and supply, fuel, and pest control. The board will set the tax rate hearing and regular August Board meeting. The Board will set the MSBA training dates for August 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. The board will then adjourn and move into executive session. The regular meeting of the R-80 board is open to the public
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Tuesday, June 30th, deputies traveled to a residence in the 200 block of Route H for the report of a domestic dispute. During the course of the incident, a 40-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 8th Street and North Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. on Wednesday, July 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of Highway 68. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, July 2nd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of Dent County Road 4180. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a prior drug offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. That same day, deputies traveled to a residence in the 200 block of Route H for the report of a domestic dispute. During the course of the incident, a 37-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through the Texas County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in partnership with the Ozark Riverways Foundation and Current River State Park, are offering free paddling clinics each Sunday lasting through August 9th at the Current River State Park. These free clinics are open to ten participants per program and pre-registration is required. Participants will need to provide their own personal flotation device & lunch. Paddlers will meet at Current River State Park at 10:00 in the morning for one hour of dry land basic skills, followed by instruction and paddling practice on the lower lake. Students will have the option to continue instruction on the river in the afternoon, paddling approximately four miles from Current River State Park to Round Spring. Instructors for this clinic are certified by the American Canoe Association. Topics to be covered include canoe and kayak equipment, rescue techniques, basic paddle strokes and maneuvers, and river safety. Kayaks and paddles will be supplied by Current River State Park. All participants are encouraged to practice safe social distancing and to wear appropriate face coverings if desired. Kayaks and paddles will be sanitized before and after the clinic in an effort to promote good hygiene. This is an open-air event. For more information or to register for one of the sessions call the Round Spring Visitor Center at 573-323-8093.