Local News – Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Monday, September 28th Oak Hill R-1 was notified a staff member tested positive with COVID-19. Due to the number of students and staff quarantined, the District will be closed starting, Tuesday, September 29th. They will reopen Monday, October 12th. A message was sent out by school-messenger identifying grades that are in quarantine. Oak Hill will begin their virtual learning that was explained at their Open House, called Alternative Methods of Instruction Plan, which is located on Oak Hill R-1’s website.
This Saturday will be the city wide yard sale all over town. Copies of the maps will be available at area convenience stores and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center! Maps will also be printed in the Salem News. Due to Covid-19 the location behind the City Administration Building will not be a site this fall. For more local events information visit www.salemmo.com. Citizens are being asked to practice social distancing.
The Salem Public Library would like to inform everyone that the Library Director Glenda Wofford is a notary public and can help with absentee ballots that need to be notarized. There is no charge for this service.
The Salem Police Department has released reports for the middle of September. On Saturday evening, the 12th, at approximately 7:15, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting and a female suspect had fled. Contact was made with the suspect vehicle and woman as described by Wal-Mart. As a result of the investigation, a 44-year-old Rolla female was arrested for shoplifting and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The female was also found to have an active arrest warrant. As a result, she was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Then on Monday morning, the 14th, at about 9:15, an officer was dispatched to Wal- Mart for a report of a shoplifting. It was reported that a male subject had stolen $59.76 worth of merchandise. As a result of the investigation, a 50-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. The next evening at approximately 8:06, an officer was dispatched to Mobil for a report of shoplifting. It was reported a male subject had stolen $18.97 worth of merchandise. Contact was made with the male subject. As a result of the investigation, a 29-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons for shoplifting. On Thursday evening, September 17th, at approximately 6:16, an officer responded to an address at the 800 block of North Water to attempt to locate a female subject that had an active arrest warrant. As a result, contact was made, and a 52-year-old Salem female was arrested and later posted bond. Later that evening at approximately 7:27, an officer was dispatched to Mobil for a report of a male subject that had returned after being told not to come back. As a result of the investigation a 46 year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. Later in the night the same male subject was seen attempting to get into cars at the Crossroads shopping center. The male was again arrested and issued another summons to appear in court. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail for a 12-hour safe keep. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.
The fall migration is amazing for birdwatching, but can be deadly to many birds. Millions of avian deaths occur each year due to birds colliding with windows and other reflective surfaces during their migration. To help ensure a safe journey, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to make small changes at their home or office to prevent window strikes. MDC State Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick said that birds are a marvel. Each year, some migrate thousands of miles to warmer climes and back again in the spring. It is always a pity to see that a window, of all things, is the sad end to millions of birds each year, whether migratory or resident. Kendrick explained that if a bird has struck a window at a home or office, it is a problem window that reflects either sky or vegetation that a bird believes is a pass-through. Breaking up that reflection can help the bird see it better and know it is an obstacle. People can place stickers to the exterior side of windows to break up the reflection. Silhouettes placed indoors may be obstructed during certain times of day by glare or outdoor reflections, so breaking up the reflection on the outside of the window is key. Kendrick explained that many believe that to make their windows bird-safe, they have to completely obstruct their view, but that’s just not the case anymore. There are many solutions
out there today that break up the reflection for our birds in a muted way that still allows for a great view. There are numerous products
available to prevent bird strikes. Kendrick also commented that preventing window strikes is just one small change that we can make in our daily lives right now – cheaply– that will collectively make a huge impact for birds over the long-term. To learn more ways to help bird populations, visit 3billionbirds.org.
The Dent County Community Foundation is hosting a live virtual auction to help raise funds for local not for profits. Since the inception of the foundation in 1999, over $1,000,000 grant awards have been given to our local community efforts to improve the lives of people in our community. The auction will start September 30th and continue until October 4th. There are great items in the auction including professional services, vacation rentals, gift baskets, restaurants, etc. For more information, check out their Facebook page.
An accident happened in Maries County at 1:20 Monday morning that took the life of a 52-year man from Vienna. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Ford F-250 driven northbound by Gregory Medlock of Vienna traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a culvert, struck a rock bluff and overturned with the Ford coming to rest on it’s left side. Medlock was taken to Phelps Health by the Maries Osage Ambulance where he was pronounced dead at 2:58. Medlock was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.