Local News – Wednesday, June 27th, 2018
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO PAY ANY 2015 DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES!!! Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2015 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by THIS FRIDAY during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2015, 2016 and 2017 will be declared due by August 24th, 2018. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held August 28th, 2017. Check payments will no longer be accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Also, after July 1st, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2015 need to be paid IN FULL by Friday to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.
The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of May. During the month, they wrote five equipment repair orders, 27 summons to appear in court, 20 warning tickets, and 24 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated ten accidents, six assaults, one report of counterfeiting, three reports of disorderly conduct, three reports of domestic assault, two reports of domestic violence, and one endangering the welfare of a child while also serving eight fugitive warrants and seven city warrants. The Salem Police also investigated two driving while being intoxicated reports, five driving while having a license revoked or suspended reports, two reports of leaving the scene of accidents and four reports of lost or stolen license plates. The department went on to investigate two reports of missing persons, one report of possession of a controlled substance and five reports of possession of drug paraphernalia. There was one investigation of property damage, two reports of resisting or interfering with an arrest, 11 reports of stealing, one towed vehicle, one trespassing report and one report of a violation of an order of protection. The police department received 1,419 calls for service during the month and handled 81 walk-ins to the station. They spent 22 hours in court testifying and ten hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,413 miles and arrested 38 males and 13 females during the month of May.
The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Champion Tree program is celebrating a half-century of tracking Missouri’s biggest known trees. There are more than 130 specieson the list, ranging from a scarlet oak stretching 15 stories tall to a winged sumac with a trunk just over three inches in diameter. In 1968, MDC first released a list of the biggest known trees throughout the state. The goal was to find the biggest specimens of Missouri’s native trees, share them with the public, and encourage the hunt to continue. The Champion Tree Program has provided a showcase for some of Missouri’s most impressive trees and can be found in our backyards and farms, city parks, state parks, and conservation areas. To celebrate the anniversary of the Missouri Champion Tree Program, MDC encourages Missourians to get outside this summer and discover big trees. There are six champion trees in our area. In Reynolds County, there is one Champion Tree and that is the Carolina Buckthorn on private property. Phelps County has two champion trees: a Butternut tree and Red Maple and they are both in the Woodson Conservation Area. Dent County has three champion trees in the borders. The Champion Black Cherry tree and White Oak tree are both on private property, but the Champion Short-Leaf Pine can be seen at the Blackwell Cemetery. If you are interested in visiting champion trees, the Conservation Department has assembled a list of 38 champion trees located on public land you can see. That list is available at www.mdc.mo.gov.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released some reports. On Monday, June 18th, deputies responded to a theft report from Route AC. It was reported that three Sinclair signs were stolen from the residence. This report is stillunder investigation. On Wednesday, June 20th, deputies responded to Dent County Road 5330 for a report of theft. Reported stolen was a head catcher and four coral panels. This report is currently being investigated. Later that same day, deputies responded to the 17000 block of Highway 72 in reference to a domestic disturbance. After an investigation, it was discovered that a rock was thrown through a car window. This report is still under investigation. On Thursday June 21st, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Mobil parking lot in Salem. The driver, a 30-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. On Friday, June 22nd, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 near County Road 3180. The driver, a 19-year old Salem man, was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
Congratulations to Salem Middle School 8th grader Denise Stoner on capturing 2nd in the State in the MSHSAA Middle School/Junior High Sportsmanship Essay Contest. Stoner won the local competition, then took 1st place the South Central District Championship before her entry captured the state runner up award. Principal Scott Roberts believes this is the highest any Salem Middle School student ever received in this competition. Roberts also saluted 7th grader Alana Lilly for receiving a runner-up award in the Local competition.