Local News – Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
Friday morning, May 28th at about 11:42, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office responded to Private Lane 201 in Dent County. The call was in reference to a 911 hang up. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a three-year-old male was missing and had been missing for an unknown amount of time. Deputies establishing a timeline of the events concerning the child’s disappearance, and additional personnel and other agencies were called in for help. A thorough search of the woods and surrounding acres was conducted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office K-9-unit, the Missouri State Water Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, the Salem Police Department as well as the Dent County Fire Department and Lenox Fire Department. The search was not successful in finding the child at that time. A decision was made to extend the search to adjoining properties with law enforcement and the help of neighbors and additional volunteers in a set of grid searches. On Saturday morning, May 29th at about 1:05, volunteers located the child safe and alive. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department wanted to thank all the agencies, volunteers, churches and neighbors for their valuable help in what was a great example of the Dent County community pulling together in a time of need. The number of citizens willing to search for the missing child was overwhelming. The quick community response played a major role in locating the child safe early Saturday morning.
A Salem man was involved in an accident just before 7:00 Thursday evening in Osage County on Highway 63 about two miles south of Route Z. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2000 Ford F-250, driven by 58-year-old Kenneth Boeker of Rolla, swerved to avoid a vehicle making a right turn. Boeker lost control of the Ford causing it to cross the center line striking a northbound 2020 Kenworth driven by 63-year-old Michael Cooley of Salem. Boeker, along with passenger 29-year-old Bruce Ellis of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. A second passenger in the Ford, John Watkins of Rolla, whose age was unknown, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the University Hospital in Columbia. Boeker, Ellis and Cooley were all wearing safety restraints, while it was unknown whether John Watkins was. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Plaza Service. The Kenworth sustained extensive damage and was removed by Tow Pro.
A two-vehicle accident happened Thursday afternoon just before 4:00 in Phelps County on Route V at Phelps County Road 2060. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2005 Toyota Highlander, being driven by 71-year-old Jimmie Taylor of Rolla, was stopped to make a left turn onto the county road when he was struck from behind by a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 being driven by 23-year-old Kayleigh DeShurley of St. James. Taylor suffered minor injuries while a passenger in the Toyota, 60-year-old Gay Taylor also of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries. DeShurley had moderate injuries. All three were taken by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report went on to state that all those involved were wearing safety restraints. The Toyota sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing, while the Chevrolet had moderate damage and was removed by C & C Towing.
The following reports have been released by the Salem Police Department. On Sunday afternoon, May 5th at approximately 4:17, an officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Second Street for the report of a violation of a full order of protection. Upon arrival it was found that a male subject was violating the full order of protection and was refusing to leave. As a result, a 38-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated pending the application of warrants. On the morning of Monday, May 10th near 11:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle having no license plate. During the traffic stop the officer was made aware the occupant had an active arrest warrant out of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, a 51-year-old Salem man was arrested on the warrant and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Thursday evening, May 13th at about 8:24, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for not having working headlights. During the investigation into the traffic stop, it was found the car was displaying license plates that were stolen out of St. Francios County. As a result of the investigation, a 37-year-old Salem woman was arrested for receiving stolen property and was later released on a summons. The next night at approximately 10:45, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle having a headlight out. During the traffic stop it was found that the driver had an active arrest warrant issued out of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, a 19-year-old Salem woman was arrested. She later posted bond on the warrant out of Phelps County. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.