Local News – Wednesday, August 28th, 2019

Starting next year, the Missouri Department of Conservation will increase the minimum acreage requirement from five to 20 acres for resident landowners and members of their immediate households to receive free permits for deer and turkey hunting. Resident landowners with five or more acres and members of their immediate households will continue to be allowed to hunt small game, fish on waters of the state, and trap on their qualifying properties without the need of a permit. Also starting in 2020, MDC will offer discounted deer and turkey hunting permits for nonresident landowners with 75 acres or more in a contiguous tract. According to MDC, many nonresident landowners provide wildlife habitat work on their properties and those efforts can provide benefits to state wildlife resources. MDC is also implementing a landowner registry starting in 2020 for resident landowners to obtain free landowner deer and turkey permits and for nonresident landowners to obtain discounted landowner permits. The registry is needed by both MDC and permit vendors to help eliminate misuse of landowner permits and privileges. According to MDC, conservation agents around the state find several hundred related violations each year. A review by conservation agents in 2017 found 35% misuse of deer and turkey hunting landowner privileges. Prior to 2004, landowners wanting no cost landowner deer and turkey hunting privileges were required to provide proof by mailing the appropriate information to MDC. The landowner registry will be available starting in January 2020. MDC conducted an online landowner survey in March to get feedback on acreage preferences. The changes were given initial approval by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 23 meeting. As part of the rulemaking process, MDC asked for public comments during July and early August. The Commission considered input received and approved the changes at its August 23rd meeting. The changes will become effective January 15th, 2020.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports. On Friday, August 16th, deputies observed a man walking south on Highway 72. Deputies went to check on the man and during the course of the incident, a 29-year-old man was arrested for warrants through Salem Police Department and Probation and Parole. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. Then on Saturday, August 17th, deputies received a report from Jadwin Canoe Rental of a man that had threatened people on one of their transportation buses. After investigating the incident, deputies traveled to the 700 block of East Hunt Street and arrested a 33-year-old Salem man for peace disturbance, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on Sunday, August 18th, deputies traveled to the 100 block of Route F for a report of a burglary that had occurred. During the course of the investigation, a man and woman were seen exiting the woods surrounding the residence. The man and woman were identified and a stop and hold was issued for the subjects. Later that day, the man and woman were located by the Salem Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Wal-Mart. The man and woman were arrested for Burglary in the 2nd degree and Stealing in the 1st degree. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and were incarcerated. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred in Dent County Monday evening at 7:50 on Highway 72 about nine miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2017 Subaru Forester, driven by 49-year-old Calvin Owens of High Ridge, struck a deer attempting to cross the road. Owens suffered minor injuries and sought his own medical treatment. The Subaru sustained moderate damage and the disposition of the vehicle is unknown. The report stated that Owens was wearing his safety device at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department released reports for August 13th and 14th. On Tuesday morning the 13th at approximately 10:25 an officer located a 22-year-old male of Salem in the 600 block of West Fourth who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That night at approximately 10:19 a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. Investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 31-year-old male of Salem for driving while revoked. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Wednesday afternoon the 14th at approximately 1:25 an officer was investigating a crash at Missouri Highways 32 & 19. Investigation of the accident led to the arrest of a 45-year-old male of Salem for driving while suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at approximately 10:42 an officer located a 30-year-old male of Salem near Ray and Key Lanes who had two active arrest warrants from Crawford County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation previously mentioned.

The American Volunteers will be holding an Off-Road Swap Meet at the Flat Nasty off-road park in Jadwin. The meet will be held starting at 8:00 Saturday morning, August 31st at 1775 Route ZZ. You will find all types of new and used equipment. You can reserve your spot for $10 all day by calling 729-1394. Great food and drinks will be available. If you got it, bring it, trade it or sell it!