Local News – Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

KSMO Media is proud to announce the winners of the Big Family Christmas Giveaway at Southtown Furniture and Terrill’s Complete Auto Care, and the Kid’s Christmas Giveaway at Aaron’s Rent-to-Own and Jet Tires and Auto. In the Big Family Christmas Giveaway, the winners of merchandise valued over $2,500 were Christa Bobinger at Southtown Furniture and Al Gowen at Terrill’s Complete Auto Care. The winners of Kids’ Christmas Giveaway were Maria Schafer and David Hensley at Jet Tires and Auto while Gina White and Brad Jadwin were the winners drawn at Aaron’s Rent-to-Own. KSMO Media congratulates these winners and thanks all those who entered the contest. They also want to thank this year’s sponsors for making it possible to hold these contests here in Salem. Merry Christmas to all from KSMO Media!

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association has announced that due to the impeding frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills, the Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center will close for the season this Thursday, December 22nd at noon. They want to make sure their volunteers and visitors stay warm and safe. If you haven’t been to the exhibit, please stop by today from 9:00 this morning until 5:00 this afternoon, or Thursday from 9:00 in the morning until noon. The Salem Area Community Betterment Association wants to thank everyone for their support and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

State Fire Marshal Tim Bean is reminding Missouri residents to remember that fire risks rise during the holidays as families gather for celebrations that include candles, decorations, and increased use of fireplaces and indoor cooking. Christmas and Christmas Eve follow closely behind Thanksgiving as the busiest days for the year for cooking fires. Never leave a lighted Christmas tree or other decorative lighting displays unattended. Turn lights off when leaving the home or going to bed. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, and broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not place an electrical cord under a rug. Don’t keep the tree up for too long, allowing it to dry out. Also, do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace. Avoid using real candles as part of decorations and remember to always exercise basic safety when using candles throughout the home. Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle. And lastly, every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports Missouri hunters harvested one bull elk during the archery portion of the 2022 elk-hunting season in October, and two bull elk during the firearms portion that just ended December 18th. The three Missouri hunters were each selected for one of five elk permits issued in 2022 through a random drawing of 9,684 applicants. Elk are a native species in Missouri but were extirpated in the state in the late 1800s due to unregulated hunting. Missouri’s first elk hunt in 2020 came after years of restoration efforts by MDC, numerous partners including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and many local supporters.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released several reports. On Friday, December 9th, a deputy contacted a man who had an active arrest warrant. Based on this interaction, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. The next day, Saturday, December 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72. During the stop, it was determined that a 36-year-old Salem woman, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had an active arrest warrant. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated on that warrant. On Sunday, December 11th, a deputy responded to the 2800 block of Route O for a report of stolen livestock. During the investigation, the victim told officers that a horse had been stolen from her property sometime between December 6th and December 11th. That investigation is continuing. On Wednesday, December 14th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Main Street. During the course of the stop, it was determined that the operator, a 48-year-old Salem man, had a suspended driving privilege. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on a citation. If you have information regarding any investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Missouri State Highway Patrol employees wish everyone a merry and safe Christmas. Remember to wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drink and drive. Over the 2021 Christmas holiday, there were 881 traffic crashes during the counting period. In those crashes, eight people were killed and another 401 were injured. This year’s traffic crash counting period begins at 6:00 this Friday evening and will end at 11:59 Monday night. Travelers are reminded holiday travel will be a bit more challenging this year due to the impeding winter storm. MoDOT says cleanup, particularly during overnight hours, could take longer than usual after the snow ends because the chemicals used to treat the roads lose their effectiveness in bitterly cold temperature. Blowing and drifting snow as well as possible whiteout conditions will make driving dangerous, and sub-zero wind chills can be life-threatening if motorists become stranded. If the conditions are beyond your driving skills, stay off the roads and remain at home. If you must travel, make sure you have a full tank of gas, blankets, gloves and provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged, but never use it while driving. If you should slide off the road, or are involved in a crash, stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt buckled until help arrives. Before leaving, check current Missouri road conditions on the Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app, or by calling 888-275-6636 to speak with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance.