Local News – Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2023 annual school bus inspection program. There were a total of 9,985 school buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection, 1,088 school buses rated as “defective” upon initial inspection, and 381 school buses rated as “out-of-service” upon initial inspection. Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed “out-of-service” require the correction of the component or components, before they are reinspected and allowed to return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers. Results of the Dent County school districts show the Salem R-80 School District had 11 buses inspected with 54.5% of them approved, 27.3% of them were defective and 18.2% of them were placed out of service; Oak Hill R-I School District had six buses inspected with 33.3% of them approved, 50% of them were defective and 16.7% of them were placed out of service; Green Forest R-2 School District had seven buses inspected with 71.4% of them approved, 14.3% of them were defective and 14.3% of them were placed out of service; Dent-Phelps R-3 School District had nine buses inspected with 77.8% of them approved, 22.2% of them were defective and no buses were placed out of service; North Wood R-4 School District had seven buses inspected with 14.3% of them approved, 85.7% of them were defective and no buses were placed out of service; and the Ozark Hills State School #61 had one bus inspected and it was found to be defective. For more information on any Missouri school district and how they fared with the school bus inspection, go the Missouri State Highway Patrol website and click on news releases.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the last week of May. On Monday, May 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32 and Route F. During the stop, it was determined the driver, a 30-year-old Salem man, had a revoked driving privilege as well as an active arrest warrant. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he bonded on the warrant and received a summons for the revoked driving privilege. The next day, a deputy received a call for service for a missing 18-year-old Salem woman. During the course of the investigation, she was located alive and well in Wright County, Missouri. The investigation was then closed. On Wednesday, May 31st, a deputy responded to East Truman Street for a wanted subject. During the investigation, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested on an active arrest warrant. He was then transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On Thursday, June 1st, a deputy responded to the 13000 block of South Highway 19 for a reported theft. The victim, a 62-year-old Salem man, reported that a sign was stolen from his yard. The investigation is continuing. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.
The Mudbugs are back! On Thursday, June 8th, the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will host the Mudbugs where children can explore numerous wonders hidden in plain site at the Bonebrake Center. The program on June 8th will be a “Fairy House Hunt” as the children will be building some fairy houses around the grounds, then use a map to find them IF the fairies don’t make them invisible. The suggested contribution for each program is $2.00 but additional donations are always welcome. All monies collected go to the Bonebrake Center. Each program is geared toward children from six to 12-years of age, but all aged children are welcome. They ask that parents please accompany their children. For more information, contact Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.
A one vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon around 4:50 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3010. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Lincoln Town Car being driven north by 83-year-old Richard Miller of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway before striking an embankment and a mailbox. A passenger in the vehicle, 82-year-old Barbara Miller, also of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and was taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health Hospital. The Lincoln sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The Millers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
An accident happened Sunday morning just after 8:00 in Iron County on Highway 32 about two miles west of Banner. The highway patrol report states that a 2015 Ford F-250 being driven eastbound by 72-year-old Joyce Lepley of Boss, failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to travel off the right side of the road and strike a tree. Lepley suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing. Lepley was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
The City of Salem Capital Improvement Committee was to meet Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory but they did not have enough for a quorum. City Administrator Sally Burbridge discussed nine updated or new projects she added for the meeting including a new Animal Shelter roof for $15,000, Old City Hall updating for $10,000, copier replacement for $10,000, a change in the match and grant figures for the Salem Airport plus $25,000 for improvements to the pilot lounge, $10,000 for the City Hall Council Chambers improvements, a new taxiway for the airport in fiscal year 2025, and also money to be set aside for cybersecurity once an assessment is made. Chief of Police Joe Chase discussed the Salem Police Fleet Management System and why it is financially beneficial. Since there was not a quorum, the numbers presented by the staff will be recommended to the Finance Committee at their next meeting.