Local News – Wednesday, October 6th, 2021
The Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program has been selected as one of four Strong Communities Award finalists and it will take your vote for them to win the grand prize of $15,000. Members of the Salem community can cast their votes once a day through this Friday in favor of the Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program by visiting the Strong Communities Award homepage at www.fhlbdm.com/award. Then go to the bottom of the page of the rural finalists to find the Salem entry which is very informative. The Strong Communities Award honors the projects, people and programs that promote local small business growth and retention.
The Salem Police Department has released several reports for the month of September. During the afternoon of Saturday, the 4th around 2:45 an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a female subject had stolen approximately $125 worth of merchandise. After contact was made with the female subject and a short investigation, the 28-year-old Salem woman was arrested and released on a summons. The next afternoon at approximately 2:45 an officer was attempting to contact a subject that had active arrest warrants. It was reported that a male subject identified as 34-year-old Jesse Light, had been staying and hiding at his father’s residence in the 1300 block of South Wines. After numerous attempts to locate Jesse at the residence and being told he had not been at the residence, officers investigated Light’s whereabouts. Light was later located hiding in a shed on the property. Light then struck an officer and took off running. A short foot pursuit ended in Light being taken into custody. Light had warrants for his arrest for resisting arrest and possession of controlled substance. Due to the incident, other charges on Light were requested through the Dent County Prosecutors Office. During the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8th, near 1:30 an officer was dispatched to Country Mart for a report of a forgery. It was reported that a woman had cashed fraudulent checks in the amount of $782.33. An investigation into this matter is still ongoing. Then on Friday, the 10th, an officer arrested a 48-year-old Salem woman identified as Erma Baker on an active arrest warrant out of Dent County. On Sunday, September 12th around 1:15 in the afternoon, an officer responded to the 300 block of east Truman for a report of an assault. The investigation uncovered that a female subject had assaulted one of her family members. Due to the investigation a 22-year-old Salem woman was arrested and later released on a summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
After a year of absence due to COVID-19 the Wurdack Field Day returns to the Cook Station area at the Wurdack Research Center on Friday, October 8th. Registration begins at 8:30 followed by tours from 9:00 until Noon. Lunch, sponsored by FCNB Bank, will be served at noon at the Spring. Featured tours center around beef cattle production and include using shade to enhance herd productivity, body condition scoring as a planning tool, grass weeds in forages and late season broadleaf weed management, synchronization with natural service, changing the thinking about the cow herd from a depreciating asset to an appreciating asset, and keeping animals on high quality forage and hay. There will also be a presentation by Wurdack Superintendent, Dr. Dusty Walter, on timber sale methods and expectations. To get to the Wurdack Research Center from Salem take Highway 19 north 15 miles to County Road 3370. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the farm entrance. For more information contact Dusty Walter at WalterD@Missouri.edu or Wurdack.Missouri.edu.
Each year, Meramec Regional Planning Commission honors residents of the Meramec Region who give to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support. With the cancellation of the 2020 MRPC Annual Dinner, the 2021 dinner will honor volunteers from both years. A total of 16 awards will be presented at MRPC’s 2021 Annual Dinner October 21st at the State Technical College of Missouri Student Activity Center at #1 Technology Drive in Linn. Some of the recipients from our area include Joe Brand from Salem, plus Mick Barrack and Judy Terry of Rolla. The public is invited to attend the event in Linn. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. Tickets for the event will cost $35. A reception will be held prior to the dinner beginning at 5:30 with dinner beginning at 6:30. The program and awards presentation will follow. The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner for 2020 and 2021. For reservations, contact the MRPC at 573-265-2993. The deadline for reservations is THURSDAY, October 7th.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has a variety of great trails for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can explore trails independently or can participate in several ranger-led hiking events planned throughout the fall. Social distancing will be encouraged during ranger-led hikes. For hikes where shuttles are offered, masks will be required for visitors on the shuttles. Saturday October 9th will be from Echo Bluff State Park to Current River State Park. Hikers will meet at 10:00 in the morning at the lodge at Echo Bluff State Park to hike the second leg of the Current River Challenge. Ozark Riverways Foundation will offer hikers a “quick start breakfast” prior to departure. This 4-mile hike concludes at Current River State Park where participants can collect their completion stamp. A shuttle back to Echo Bluff State Park will be provided by Ozark Riverways Foundation. For more information about any of the hikes, contact Skyler Bockman at (573) 323-8093 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar.