Local News – Tuesday, November 24th, 2020
A drowning incident occurred Sunday morning around 5:00 in Dent County on Route TT at Crooked Creek. According to the Missouri highway patrol report, a vehicle entered a flooded roadway and began to be swept away. The driver of the vehicle and a six–year old boy exited the vehicle and were both swept downstream. The driver was able to find safety, however the six-year old boy was swept further downstream and was later found dead. He was later identified as Ryan Martin, Jr. of Salem. He was found at approximately 8:27 and pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Gina White at 9:30. The body was taken to the Dent County Coroner’s Office. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Fire Protection District, Salem EMS and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. This is the seventh drowning in Troop I in 2020.
In closed session at the Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting last Thursday, the board agreed to reduce a student’s suspension from 180 days to 10 days outside school suspension. The board evaluated Dr. Reed’s evaluation before accepting the resignation of Derek Freeman as the middle school football coach and Jo Medlock as the high school family consumer science teacher. The meeting was then adjourned.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there may be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. If so, drivers should remain alert to changes along their normal route. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority. The counting period for the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday weekend will be from 6:00 this Wednesday, through 11:59 Sunday night, November 29th. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., enforcing all traffic laws, and will be available to assist the public. Over the 2019 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 11 people were killed and 634 injured in 1,594 traffic crashes. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are in good condition and that they are well rested before they start driving. Remember: There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.
The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit will soon begin raising funds with the familiar red kettle at Christmas time. The famous red kettle will be located at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and then on every Friday and Saturday until Thursday, December 24th which of course is Christmas Eve. Counter kettles will also be located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Volunteer bell ringers are needed each year to help raise funds. To volunteer to ring the bell at the red kettle, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099 or The Salvation Army office at 729-8163.
The Salvation Army will once again partner with Wal-Mart for the annual Angel Tree program. Local residents have always enjoyed adopting a child, shopping for clothing, coats, hats, and toys. Some families use this time of year to teach their children the importance of giving during the holiday season. The Angel Tree will be available starting Saturday, November 28th with the final date to adopt an angel being Friday, December 18th. Sign-ups for families wanting to participate in the Angel Tree will be held on TODAY from 3:30 to 5:30. Signups will also be held Tuesday, December 1st and Thursday, December 3rd at the Dent County Fire Station from 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon. The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon and is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. For additional information, call Sherry Lea at 729-8163 or e-mail her at sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.