News – Monday, November 18th 2024

The Salem Public Library Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5:00 in the library’s conference room. Before the meeting commenced, Dent County Clerk, Angie Curley spoke about and gave advice on becoming a county library. The Board also celebrated Library Director, Kate McBride’s fifteenth year anniversary working with the library. After approving the minutes from the last meeting, McBride provided the Librarian’s Report, noting that while there has been a slight drop in books circulation, and adult programs, there has been an increase in e-books and audio books circulation, as well as children’s and passive programs. McBride also presented the treasurer’s report and spoke about ongoing building updates. Thanks to the library’s technology grant, Microsoft Office has been installed on all computers, and the scanners and receipt printers have been replaced. She also stated that they have had the most successful pumpkin decorating contest yet, with twenty-seven entries across multiple age groups. The library is currently hosting their annual food drive, and will be accepting non perishable food donations until Friday; all donations will be given to a local food pantry for distribution. 

The Dent County Commission approved a new Nuisance Animal Ordinance on October 31, 2024, following increased complaints to the sheriff’s office about unrestrained animals. Prosecuting Attorney Curley announced that the ordinance addresses vicious animals, threatening animals, and nuisance dogs running at large in the county. Under the new ordinance, it is unlawful for owners to allow vicious, threatening, or destructive animals to run off their property without supervision. The rule excludes law enforcement K-9 units. When complaints are filed, law enforcement may issue a warning to the animal’s owner unless the animal has caused property damage or injury. Violations can result in fines up to $500, which will fund the sheriff’s department’s enforcement of the ordinance. First-time offenders may have fines waived if they demonstrate permanent solutions to contain their animals. The ordinance defines a nuisance animal as one that significantly interferes with others’ property enjoyment, including through excessive barking, running loose, or causing damage. Owners will be responsible for any costs related to impounding such animals.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Water Resources Center is seeking public comment on a newly developed publication designed to help inform Missouri landowners about working in or near streams on their properties. The publication contains information about bank stabilization techniques and permitting, instream gravel excavation, technical and financial assistance, and other related topics. It also contains links to a variety of useful resources and contact information for several relevant organizations. The information in the guide applies to all Missouri landowners, but it may be especially interesting to farmers or other rural landowners facing excessive streambank erosion or stream management challenges. Though the guide seeks to provide information and resources about permitting and various types of stabilization structures, it is not a definitive resource for regulatory guidance, nor an engineering design resource, and should not be used as such. The department invites the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed publication until 5:00 in the evening on Friday. The public notice webpage can be found at dnr.mo.gov/calendar/event/268846. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Resources Center, ATTN: Noah Cadwell, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by email to Noah.Cadwell@dnr.mo.gov.  

The Dent County Sheriff’s office released these reports for the beginning of november.On Friday November 8th deputies responded to Salem Memorial Hospital and arrested a 45-year-old Salem man on an outstanding arrest warrant. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. That same day deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Highway P. During the course of the stop, Deputies arrested a 35-year-old Salem man on an outstanding arrest warrant.  The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On Tuesday November 12th deputies took a report for a stolen license plate that occurred in the 6200 block of S. Highway 19. The plate was entered into a nationwide database as stolen. Later that same day deputies took a report for a damaged mailbox that occurred in the 300 block of County Road 5080. Unknown person(s) damaged the victim’s mailbox, causing approximately $150 in damages.  The investigation is pending. The 3rd incident on Tuesday deputies took a report for a stolen ATV that occurred in the 14000 block of W. Highway 32. The ATV was valued by the victim at approximately $3000 and the investigation is pending. On Thursday November 14th deputies took a report for a forgery that occurred online. The victim, a 42-year-old Jadwin man, advised unknown person(s) took out a loan in the victim’s name. The investigation is pending. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241.