Local News – Thursday, October 20th, 2022
Two felony cases investigated by Law Enforcement Rangers within Ozark National Scenic Riverways resulted in federal prison sentences. On January 5, 2022, 64-year-old Jackie Delashmit of Salem, pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court records, on April 20th of 2020, a National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Ranger encountered Delashmit near Parker Hollow in Dent County, consuming alcohol in his vehicle. During the contact, Delashmit was found to be in possession of a firearm and had previously been convicted of more than one felony offense. Delashmit was arrested, booked and released at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office following Covid-19 protocols in place at the time. He was subsequently indicted by a grand jury for the Eastern District of Missouri. On July 18th this year, Delashmit was sentenced to serve 18 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by two years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, St. Louis Division with the Honorable Audrey Fleissig, United States District Judge, presiding. On February 8th of this year, 55-year-old James Piatt of Bunker, pled guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to court records, on July 16th of 2021, a National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger conducted a traffic stop on Piatt for operating a UTV on Highway 19 near Round Spring. During the contact Piatt was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. He was searched and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. During the stop, Park Rangers learned Piatt had previously been convicted of more than one felony offense. Piatt was arrested, booked at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and subsequently indicted by a grand jury for the Eastern District of Missouri. On August 18th this year, Piatt was sentenced to serve 41 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by two years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Cape Girardeau Division with the Honorable Rodney Sippel, United States District Judge, presiding.
The Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a “Hibernation Zone” across the Midwest for the winter season. Though it’s still too early to tell what the winter will bring, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is preparing for the worst. The department will hold its annual statewide winter operations drill today. With high turnover rates and many positions still open, driver training on this day is more critical than ever as MoDOT is facing a critical shortage of qualified plow operators going into the winter season. This drill gives MoDOT the opportunity to train their new snowplow operators on their designated routes so they are aware of curbs and raised islands that might be hidden when the snow or ice starts to fall. During the drill, motorists will notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8:00. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9:00. The exercise should be completed by 3:00 in the afternoon. MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will be activated, and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.
For the sixth year this Friday, October 21st, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners, schools and businesses throughout the state, are encouraging better driving behaviors as part of “Buckle Up Phone Down Day” and this year, they are aiming for the goal of zero traffic fatalities throughout the day. Missouri’s 2022 Seat Belt Usage Survey showed 89% of vehicle occupants use a seat belt, matching the highest rate the state has ever recorded. But the unbuckled 11% make up a majority of the state’s roadway fatalities, which reached a 15-year high in 2021. Cellphone use continues to be one of the most concerning behaviors for all roadway users. In 2021, over half of the distracted driving fatalities in Missouri claimed the life of someone besides the distracted driver. Since the program began in 2017, the BUPD movement has spread steadily across Missouri. More than 20,000 Missouri individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge, and more than a dozen other states are actively sharing the messages along their highways. Missourians can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd
The Spring Creek Artisans’ will be celebrating Pumpkin Day on this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning till 3:00 in the afternoon at the Creative Arts Center. Everyone is welcome to come out and shop local arts, crafts, baked goods and watch demonstrations.
The “Haunting at the Mill” event at Montauk State Park will be held this Saturday and presents history from a unique perspective of historic local people who impacted the Montauk valley. Three separate tours run starting at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Space is limited, so come early for one of the tours.
The Creative Arts Center will be having a spooky cute kitties kids paint party this Friday morning from 10:00 till 2:00. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! Call or text the center at 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.