Local News – Thursday, March 5th, 2020

An accident occurred Tuesday night at 9:30 in Phelps County on Highway 72 about five miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2010 Kia Soul, driven by 33-year old Courtney Barton of Salem, struck a deer in the roadway. Barton suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by EMS. The report stated that she was wearing her safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Kia sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene.

The Salem Police Department has released reports on their activities from February 19th through the 24th. On Wednesday morning, the 19th at around 8:05, an officer was dispatched to the Salem High School for a report of property damage by a student. It was reported that a bathroom urinal was damaged valued at $377.50. As a result of the investigation, a 17-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. On Thursday, February 20th at about 4:40 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a 28-year-old Salem woman had stolen a pair ofboots valued at $23.78. The female was arrested and released with a summons to appear in court. The next morning near 8:30, an officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 19 and Condray Street for an expired registration. As a result of the traffic stop, a 64-year-old Salem man who was driving the vehicle was issued a summons for traffic offenses. A 23-year-old female passenger from Salem, who had lied about her identity to hide the fact that she had active arrest warrants, was placed under arrest and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s office for incarceration. During the early morning hours of Monday, February 24th shortly after 3:00, an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of East Gibbs Street for a report of a domestic disturbance. As a result of the investigation, a 24-year-old Salem female and a 27-year-old Salem male were arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Later that same morning at around 10:15, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department by a male who had an active arrest warrant and wanted to turn himself in. The 22-year old Salem male was taken into custody and later released on bond after being processed for the warrant. Contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met February 28th at the Health Center’s new location at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray reported that Sandra Headrick and Kim Smith have filed for the two open board seats that will be expiring in April. They will be elected in April for four year terms. She updated the Board on the status of the new building where the generator has been moved, the locks have been changed, security cameras are in place, and signage is complete. An open house is scheduled for March 19th from 2:00 to 4:30 with a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 4:00. Mobray reported outpatient lab services were provided for 87 clients in January. She also noted that Missouri DHSS WIC staff will be here for monitoring March 10th and 11th, with DCHC WIC staff scheduled to attend EWIC training June 24th to prepare for the July EWIC implementation. Mobray said that March 5th she and Ashley Peyton will be trained by DHSS staff for the Show-Me HealthyWomen/Wisewoman Program and office visits will begin soon after. She reported that the Health Center began presenting the Choosing the Best Program for local 6th graders with the help of a volunteer from Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center. The six lesson curriculum should be completed at R-1, R-2, R-4 and R-80 the first week of April. Mobray said the Health Center investigated three cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in January. She reported that the Dent County Health Center nurses are in frequent communication with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services epidemiologists and are being updated and educated on the COVIC-19 response. A press release from Dr. Williams, director of MoDHSS, was sent to local media. To date there have been no confirmed cases of COVIC-19 in the state of Missouri. Mobray said there have been 132 confirmed cases of influenza reported in Dent County. In closed session, a decision was made to add a $10.00 draw fee to labs due to the increase cost of supplies and biohazard disposal, plus the appraisal of the 601 S. MacArthur location was discussed and a sale price of $175,000.00 was set by the Board. Bids for cleaning were also discussed and awarded to Lady and a Bucket Cleaning Service. Mobray presented the 2020 budget which showed the Dent County Health Center continues to be fiscally sound and the budget was approved. The next board meeting was set for March 19th at 5:00, and the meeting was adjourned.