Local News – Thursday, May 13th, 2021

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released some reports from court held in Dent County on May 6th with Judge Megan Seay presiding. Curley indicated that Sheena Hodge of Waynesville pled guilty to two counts of the distribution of prescription pills to an undercover South Central Missouri Drug Task Force officer. Hodge was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO 559.115 as requested by the prosecutor. Also on May 6th, Kendall Collins of Poplar Bluff pled guilty to two counts of felony driving while her license had been revoked. Collins was sentenced to serve two years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state and agreed to by Collins who had a prior felony history.

An accident happened Wednesday morning just after 7:00 on Highway 19 about 9 miles south of Salem. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 1997 Chevrolet pickup being driven by 28-year-old Zachary Quick of Salem, was traveling south when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. Quick then overcorrected, crossed over the roadway and
traveled off the left side of the road before overturning. Quick was transported by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report went on to state that Quick was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

Hunters may apply for this falls elk and bear season permits through May 31st. Five permits will be available for elk. At least one permit will be approved area landowners with qualifying property and the remainder for the general public. The nine-day archery season for eld will be October 16th through October 24th and a 9-day firearm season running through December 11th through the 19th. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing. Only Missouri residents are eligible to apply for and purchase elk hunting permits. MDC will require a $10.00 nonrefundable application fee for all applicants. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50.00 application fee. All permits are nontransferable. Results of the random elk permit drawing will be available by July 1st. Applicants can check to see if they’ve been selected for and elk hunting permit at online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits by logging into “Mange your account” and selecting “view my special hunt history”. Those hunters interested in hunting black bear will find four hundred permits offered for the state’s first black bear hunting season, taking place October 18th through October 27th in the outlined bear management zones. Each permit will be for a specific bear management zone and may be used on public or private property within the BMZ. Hunters who are issued permits must call MDC prior to hunting each day to determine if the BMZ specific harvest quota has been met. If a BMZ specific harvest quota has been met then the season for that particular zone will be closed. Should harvest quotas not be reached the season will end at the end of the 10 designated hunting days. Hunters can apply until the end of May for either the fall elk or black bear season online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, or through a permit vendor.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, a premier law enforcement agency, is testing for new troopers. The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply, and will offer testing at nine different locations in Missouri. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 113th Recruit Class which is scheduled to begin training on January 18, 2022. The application deadline is September 18, 2021. To be eligible, candidates must possess a minimum of 30 college credit hours from an accredited college/university or served in any component of the United States Armed Forces, including National Guard, for a minimum of two years, with an honorable discharge if separated, or a minimum of two years’ experience as a full-time, POST-certified peace officer when recruit training begins. The starting annual salary for trooper is $49,536, and following three years of service, the trooper first class’ salary is increased to $52,200. Other benefits include group health insurance, contributory retirement, career advancement, and more. Interested persons can find out more about the qualifications by contacting a Patrol recruiter at telephone number 1-800-796-7000, or may apply online at www.motrooper.com.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Expo will be Saturday May 22nd from 10:00 in the morning until 1:00 that afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center parking lot at the Crossroads shopping center. The Business Expo is an exceptional opportunity for area businesses to advertise their products and services. Sales are allowed at the Chamber Expo however no alcohol, tobacco or drug related item are permitted on the property. No food sales will be allowed, only samples and giveaways will be permitted. One table will be provided for each chamber member who reserves a booth and tents are welcome. Non-members who wish to participate may contact the Chamber office to purchase booth space. Giveaways, drawings, and samples are encouraged from participants however exhibitors are not eligible for prizes. Participants will be able to set up during the morning of the 22nd between 8:00 and 10:00 and the setups must be complete when the event starts at 10:00. For more information or to get an entry form, call Tabitha at the Salem Area of Commerce office at 573-729-6900 or e-mail her at chamber@salemmo.com or stop bv in the Crossroads Shopping Center.