Local News – Wednesday, January 26th, 2022
More customers than ever before are eligible for help paying their natural gas after Ameren Missouri and the state of Missouri have expanded several utility assistance programs. As a result, families across the state can take the first step today, which is reaching out for help. The state of Missouri recently updated its federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to provide more funding and expand eligibility requirements. Here’s what that means for qualifying Ameren Missouri customers is that a disconnection notice is no longer required. Also energy assistance payments have doubled for both LIHEAP programs. It should be noted the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) payment is now $1,600 in the winter and $1,200 in the summer with assistance is available year-round. For more information on the state’s LIHEAP changes and to learn if you qualify, call the South Central Community Action Agency Salem office at 729-3500 or their Winona office at 1-800-323-4633. For customers with moderate incomes who don’t qualify for LIHEAP but have been impacted financially by COVID-19, Ameren Missouri created the “Clean Slate” program. This $1.2 million energy assistance fund has already helped thousands of Missouri families with their utility expenses. More than half of the funding is still available. Through Clean Slate, qualifying customers may receive up to $750. To learn more, go to AmerenMissouri.com/CleanSlate where you can also apply for funds. To keep a closer eye on your energy usage every month, sign up for an online account. You can log in from your phone or computer any time to see how and when you use energy, your next month’s bill projections, and sign up for alerts to help you manage your usage.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the week of January 17th. On Monday, the 17th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1400 block of South Hickory to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. The deputy made contact with a 53-year-old Salem man who was arrested on an active warrant out of Dent County. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Tuesday, January 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Highway 19 North. During the stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having their license revoked or suspended. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was issued a summons and released. On Thursday, January 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at East Highway 32 and South Carty. During the traffic stop, a 28-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday, January 22nd, deputies traveled to a residence in the 2900 block of Route OO to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. The deputies made contact with a 54-year-old Rolla man. The man was arrested on multiple warrants out of Dent County and the Licking Police Department. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has any information about any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.
The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment will be meeting Thursday night at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss a proposed use of the structure at #10 Parkview Place to service commercial trucks on property owned by Harold Martin. The meeting was called by Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments acting chairman, Bob Parsons.
An accident happened in Texas County Sunday evening at 5:50 on Highway 63 about 3.5 miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 John Deere 2050 was being driven northbound on Highway 63 by 30-year-old Christopher Clouse of Licking when the John Deere was struck from behind by a 2015 Buick LeSabre driven northbound by 81-year-old David McGaughey of Licking. McGaughey and his wife, 76-year-old Gloria McGaughey of Licking, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. The Buick was totaled while the John Deere sustained extensive damage. They were both removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive from Houston. The McGaughey’s were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident while Clouse was not.