Local News – Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports. On Sunday, May 5th, deputies responded to the 100 block of Dent County Road 4240 for a reported attempted burglary. The victim, a 37-year-old Salem man, told deputies that a known subject was attempting to kick his door in. The suspect was then apprehended and the case was cleared. Then on Friday, May 24th, deputies took a report for a stolen battery charger from the 2600 block of Dent County Road 2070. The victim advised deputies that unknown subjects had stolen the item from his property. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday, May 28th, deputies arrested a 57-year-old Salem man on an outstanding arrest warrant. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 8th and 9th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual Department of Conservation event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will be held this Saturday morning from 9:00 until 11:00 at 1156 South Main Street in the Chamber parking lot. Many local businesses will have booths available where the public can find out more about them, and some will also have free samples or promotional items available. The event is free and open to everyone!

Shannon County First Responders and the Birch Tree Volunteer Fire Department responded to a serious accident north of Birch Tree on Saturday May 30th. A vehicle carrying five underage persons overturned on Highway FF, coming to rest on its roof. The Birch Tree Fire Department used hydraulic tools to lift the vehicle off of one of the victims. The First Responders rendered immediate medical treatment to the injured youths. One victim, a thirteen year old, was transported to the hospital by helicopter, which landed on US Highway 60. The others had less serious injuries and were transported by Willow Springs Ambulance or by their families.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that Route KK in Reynolds County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews perform bridge maintenance now through August 30th, weather permitting. This section of roadway is located from Reynolds County Road 900 to Reynolds County Road 906 near Bunker. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, please contact Resident Engineer Don Hills at (573) 472-9013, MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is accepting public comment on its Title VI Plan from now to June 21st. MRPC is conducting a three-year review and update of the plan, consistent with the requirements outlined by the Federal Transit Administration. The purpose of the plan is to describe the non-discrimination efforts undertaken by MRPC to ensure its programs, policies, services and other activities are available to all interested individuals. The entire draft plan is available online at www.meramecregion.org/publications. For additional questions or to submit feedback, email MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge at bprigge@meramecregion.org or call the MRPC office at 573-265-2993. Feedback can also be mailed to MRPC Attention Bonnie Prigge, #4 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO 65559 or individuals can stop by the office in person from 8:00 in the morning until and 4:30 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. The MRPC board will include the Title VI plan on its June 13th agenda.