Local News – Thursday, May 4th, 2023

The Salem Police Department calls for service and traffic stops generated the following reports. On Wednesday night, April 12th, around 10:30, officers contacted a male subject they knew to have an active warrant out of Probation and Parole with no bond. As a result, 44-year-old Ryan Stagner of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Thursday morning, April 13th, near 8:00, officers were dispatched to the area of Franklin and Grand Streets for a report of vandalism and threats. It was reported that a former disgruntled employee had written threatening messages on the door along with causing damage to a vehicle in the parking lot. After a short investigation, officers arrested a 27-year-old Salem male and he was charged with Peace Disturbance and Property Damage. That same morning close to 11:30, officers contacted a male subject they knew to have an active warrant out of Dent County with no bond. As a result, 19-year-old William Chance Gentry of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Later that same night at approximately 10:00, officers conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 19 and 32 for a vehicle making numerous lane violations. As a result of the stop, it was apparent the driver was intoxicated. After a short investigation, a 43-year-old Salem man was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, a prior offender; and was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners that own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for the general public. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run October 21-29 and the elk firearms portion to run December 9-17. The five permits will be for bull elk with at least one antler being six inches or greater in length and will be valid for both portions. Only Missouri residents who will be at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt for which they are applying are eligible to apply for elk permits during the application period now through May 31st. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing. The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the elk season recommendations from MDC during its March 14 open meeting in Jefferson City. MDC will require a $10 application fee for elk-permit applicants. Those selected will then be eligible to buy a permit at a cost of $50. All elk-hunting permits, including those allocated to qualifying area landowners, can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. The allowed hunting methods for each elk season, archery from October 21-29 and firearms from December 9-17, will be the same as for deer hunting. For more information on elk hunting, visit the mdc.mo.gov/elkhunting.

The Missouri Office of Broadband Development and University of Missouri Extension are still conducting a brief online anonymous survey on household internet access and use in rural and urban areas, but time is running out for you to complete the survey. The survey can be found online at muext.us/MissouriInternetSurvey. The survey, which takes about six minutes to complete, asks households about existing internet use such as devices used, connections and applications as well as barriers to Internet use such as financial obstacles, training and assistance needs. According to B.J. Tanksley, the director of the Missouri Office of Broadband Development, hearing from citizens in urban and especially rural areas is an incredibly valuable part of understanding our state’s needs. Surveys will continue to be accepted through mid-May before all the data is compiled, so if you very limited or no Internet availability at your home or place of work, please respond to the survey from a location with good Internet, or go where there are public access computers such as the Salem Public Library or the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Time now is of the essence for your voice to be heard.

This Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 in the evening, create a Wheat Corizon (or heart) with Suzanne Douglass at the Creative Arts Center. The cost of the class is $25 and that includes all the supplies. The class is intended for students over 15 years of age. The class size will be from one student to maximum of five students so each student will receive individual attention in learning the basics of wheat weaving and basic knots. You can go online to register at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.