News – Monday, October 27th 2024

An accident occurred at the intersection of Missouri Highway 32 and Missouri Highway 19 at approximately 7:08 Saturday evening that left a Rolla man with serious injuries and Salem woman with moderate injuries. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 42 year-old Felton Metcalf of Rolla was traveling eastbound on Highway 32 in a 2011 Cadillac CTS and entered the Highway 32/19 intersection while the light was red striking a southbound 2014 Ford Expedition driven by 44 year-old Ronald Terrill of Salem, both vehicles then came to rest in the roadway. An occupant of the Expedition identified as 42 year-old Amy Terrill of Salem suffered moderate injuries while wearing a safety restraint and was transported by Salem EMS to the Salem Memorial Hospital in Salem. Metcalf, who was not wearing a safety device, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air Ambulance to the Missouri University Hospital in Columbia. The Cadillac CTS was removed from the scene by American Auto Towing while the Ford Expedition was removed by Whitakers Towing. Metcalf would later be charged with felony resisting, felony DWI, felony driving while revoked, failure to properly affix plates, failure to signal, failure to stop at a stop sign, and for not wearing a seatbelt. These charges are accusations and not evidence of guilt as evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court to determine guilt or innocence.

The City of Salem is excited to announce the beginning of the Downtown Sidewalk Project, aimed at enhancing accessibility and the overall aesthetic appeal of our community’s core. The work begins this week, and the project will include the demolition, reconstruction, and re-pouring of sidewalks on 4th Street between Iron Street and Washington Street. The project will also include pavers, temporary lighting, and infrastructure improvements along the way. The project will begin Monday on the south side of 4th Street between Highway 19/Main Street and Iron Street. Then on or around November 18th, construction will tentatively start on the south side of 4th Street between Washington Street and Highway 19/Main Street. The construction is expected to shift to the north side of 4th Street between Washington Street and Highway 19/Main Street around December 9th. Only half a block will be under sidewalk construction at any given time to minimize disruption. In March of 2025, the permanent light poles and fixtures will be installed. The City of Salem wants to remind persons that storefronts and parking will not be accessible during the specific section’s construction period on 4th Street. Most businesses will offer access via rear entrances during construction. Public parking is available behind the City Admin Building at 400 N Iron St, and immediately across the street on East 4th Street. Public parking is also available in two city parking lots on 3rd Street along Washington Street and also on the corner of 3rd Street and Highway 19/Main Street. Please continue to patronize the local downtown businesses during this time and through the holiday season. During the construction, it will be necessary to temporarily close off access for the safety of everyone. For more information, please contact the City of Salem at 573-729-4811.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for October 15th through the 23rd. On Tuesday, the 15th, Deputies responded to the 1900 block of Highway 119 for a reported trespassing complaint. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a female subject at the location had an active arrest warrant. The suspect, a 23-year-old Raymondville woman, was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. The next day Deputies responded to Salem Memorial Hospital for a reported dog bite. The victim, a 17-year-old Salem juvenile, had been bitten while breaking up a dog fight in the 4000 block of Highway CC.  Medical attention was sought, and the dog was up to date on vaccinations. Then on Saturday, the 19th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on an ATV at West Highway 32 and Babb Lane. During the course of the stop, the operator was found to have a revoked driving status. A 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. On Sunday, the 20th, Deputies responded to the 2000 block of Highway W for a property damage complaint. The victim, a 57-year-old Salem man, advised his stepdaughter had thrown an object through his window causing damage.  The suspect, a 22-year-old Salem woman, was trespassed from the property at the victim’s request. Finally on Wednesday, the 23rd, Deputies took a report for property damage that occurred in the 4600 block of N. Highway 19. The unidentified suspect(s) had damaged a parking lot at the location with their vehicle. The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.