Local News- Thursday, July 9th, 2020

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. The meeting opened with Liz Gruendel, representing the American Volunteers, presenting the Dent County Fire District with the Armor of God coin #72. This coin represents the work and community service the district performed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The coin is 1 of only 6 given out in Dent county and only 100 for the state. After approval of the consent agenda, the minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. During the financial report, bills were reviewed and approved. The budget showed an ending balance as of June 30th of $228,763.66. After the board reviewed the calendar, the monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 24 calls for the month of June including three structure fires, two brush fires and a car fire. The department also responded to nine vehicle accidents, had two mutual aid calls, two training calls and a call listed as other. This brings the calls year to date to 129 with the average cost per call being $127.28. In old business, Chief Brad Nash updated the board on the building process and stated that currently there are several small items that need to be addressed but they are at a standstill due to the current situation and there is no time frame scheduled at this time. Final payment is on hold until completion. In new business, Chief Nash reported that the NFPA has begun placing expiration dates on all fire fighter equipment. This decision has made some equipment outdated or it will soon be. Chief Nash asked the board to approve $6,298.03 for new helmets for the district. This would start the update of equipment and later other gear would be replaced on a rotational basis so as to not have it all come due to be replaced at the same time. A motion was made and approved to replace the helmets. The date for the next meeting was set for August 4th at the 6:00 at the fire station before the meeting adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports for the last week of June. On Wednesday, June 24th near 5:00 in the afternoon, officers responded to the 200 block of West Second Street for a well being check. Once at the residence, officers made contact with a 22-year-old Salem female who had an active arrest warrant out of Maries County. The female was arrested and released on her own recognizance. On Thursday, June 25th near 8:00 in the evening, officers responded to the 100 block of South Carty Street in an attempt to locate a male subject with a felony warrant out of Phelps County. Contact was made with the 32-year-old Salem male where he was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail to await extradition or to post bond. On Friday, June 26th just after 2:00 in the afternoon, officers were dispatched to the 800 block of South Hickory Street for a report of a fight in progress. As a result of the investigation, it was reported that there was an altercation and one of the parties was very intoxicated. A 40-year-old Salem male was arrested for disorderly conduct as a result of the incident. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and placed on a 12-hour safe keep due to his intoxication. On Sunday night, June 28th at about 10:30, officers were patrolling the industrial park when they drove up on a vehicle parked with its lights off. Contact was made with the occupants of the vehicle and when they rolled the windows down smoke emitted from the vehicle and the officer observed the odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle was conducted and located in the care was a jar containing marijuana. A 19-year-old Salem male admitted to possessing the marijuana and was placed under arrest and later released on summons. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Missouri State Parks has instituted a number of changes related to campground operations to better facilitate appropriate social distancing and improve the safety of operations for Missouri State Parks’ guests and staff. The additional measures include requiring reservations prior to arrival, limiting campground occupancy at some parks and sites, increasing the frequency of cleaning shower houses and restrooms, offering campers a new contactless, self-check-in feature, restricting occupancy in shower houses and restrooms, and only accepting credit and debit cards. One of the changes visitors will experience is a new contactless, self-check-in feature. On the morning of their planned arrival to a state park or historic site, campers will receive an email with instructions on how to access their reservation online and check in. Alternatively upon arrival, campers can check in by opening the camera on their smartphone device and hovering over the QR code posted at the campsite, and following the prompt. Come prepared to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines, bring hand sanitizer and bottled water, and please stay home if you are sick. Missouri State Parks recommends reviewing signage posted throughout the parks and state historic sites, and diligently following guidelines for the health and safety of others. Visit mostateparks.com to find a park close to home and to check for individual park advisories before heading to the park. If you have questions regarding Missouri State Parks, please contact us at moparks@dnr.mo.gov. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital and the Columbia Vet Center are teaming up to provide mobile COVID-19 screening and testing services for Veterans next week in Rolla. Health administrators will be on-site to facilitate rapid enrollment for those who qualify. Mobile testing in our area will be at the Rolla Lions Club from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 14th, at 1601 S. Bishop Avenue, Rolla. The purpose of providing on-site, mobile services is to ensure that area Veterans have access to COVID-19 screening and testing.